Stocking Fillers | Gift Ideas

I can't quite get my head around the fact that it is just a few Weeks until Christmas! I seem to say this every Year but it does seem to come round so quick. I have shared a few items I think would make good Christmas presents for stocking fillers or items that are ideal if you are on a budget.

There is nothing better than getting cosy at Christmas, so these fairisle slippers are just perfect for lazing around the home on a chilled Winter evening. What would Christmas be without socks? I personally think socks are a good gift as everyone uses them and although it is quite a boring item, it is something anyone would appreciate.

I think sentimental gifts always go down well, so these photograph strips* from Cheerz are perfect to pop into a Christmas card. I also think Christmas is the best time of Year to have a family game night, so quizzes and card games like this Top Trumps set are perfect playtime for anyone in the family.

I have included some make up in my gift guide, probably because this is something I like to receive myself! If you know of a beauty lover or someone who is just getting into make-up, products from brands like Sunkissed, Natural Collection and Models Own are perfect because they are inexpensive and are great to try out a new look with. I've also included Benefits Roller Lash Mascara* for those huge make - up junkies in your life; I highly recommend this mascara and think it would make a brilliant little gift for those who love their luxuries. I also included the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Hand Cleansing Gel as I think this makes a brilliant stocking filler. It has an awesome scent and everyone loves a good old hand sanitizer.

Other little items I have added to the stocking fillers are chocolate.. 'cause who doesn't love chocolate hey?! A pretty necklace and car air fresheners are also great stocking fillers or maybe even for a secret santa gift.

*post includes a PR sample & a product I have purchased with a gift voucher*

September Favourites

The Body Shop Satsuma Hand Cleanse Gel
I love a good hand sanitzer and always have one on the go, but I prefer fruit scented ones. I love The Body Shop Satsuma Collection but I hadn't realised they had a hand gel in the scent too! It smells so fresh and is perfect popped in my handbag.

Botanicals Mineral Bath Soak*
I've recently been enjoying having relaxing baths on an evening more than a quick shower on a Morning, and have been using a load of new bath products to pamper myself with. The Botanicals Mineral Bath Soak is a lovely product that I add a scoop into my bath and I find it super relaxing and floral scents are just beautiful. The product is 100% natural and has recently won a Green Parent Natural Beauty Award - well deserved I think.

Sunkissed Rapid Tan*
Sunkissed are my all time favourite tanning brand so it is no surprise to see them appear in a Monthly Favourites post of mine. Their Rapid Tan is a brilliant mousse tan which isn't streaky and looks so natural. I love it!

Dermocare WWF Safari Plasters*
This is something a little different that I wanted to include in my favourites post this Month compared to my usual beauty products. I am that clumsy person who is constantly tripping up and knocking into things - so plasters are something I use a lot. Who wants boring plasters? These Dermocare WWF plasters are awesome and I love having funky safari print plasters - even better that the brand supports WWF.

*Includes PR samples*

Sunkissed New Double Sided Tanning Mitt and First Thoughts

I am a huge fan of Sunkissed - I have used their make-up products since I was a teenager, and adore their reasonably priced and really good quality tanning products. When I heard they were bringing out a double sided tanning mitt, I knew I had to give it a go! I always say that a double sided tanning mitt* would be so useful, so it is great that one of my favourite tanning brands have released one.

A double sided tanning mitt is great because you can get to those hard to reach places yourself - for example, you can tan your back without having to switch your arm around (tanners you know what I mean!). This means applying tan is much easier and quicker to do on your own. There has been no leaking or damage with this mitt - it really is good quality. This mitt has lasted me really well and washes great too. I use my Sunkissed Self - Tan Mousse and the mitt together and it gives me a very even and natural looking finish, with no streaks to be seen at all.
As the mitt is double sided, this means it lasts twice as long too as you have both sides to use.

The Sunkissed Double Sided Tanning Mitt is available to buy online on their website here for £4.99, and is also available at Primark.

*Includes some PR samples*

NEW: Sunkissed Rapid Tan

Sunkissed is a brand I have been using for Years - as a teenager I was a big fan of their bronzers and now as a twenty-something adult I enjoy using their tan mousse. Their products have a real budget - friendly price tag too which is always welcome in my books!
The tan I am featuring is the new Sunkissed Rapid Tan Mousse. The Rapid Tan Mousse claims to turn your skin beautiful bronzed in just 60 minutes.

I actually roped my Sister into using the product too - she uses fake tan a lot more than I do and is great at applying tan (I'm a bit of a amateur) so its always good to get a helping hand and second opinion!
I really like the packaging of the bottle, it looks sleek and looks like a luxury product that you would see in a salon. As a tanning mousse I find it much easier to apply rather than using a lotion, because it is easier to work with, dries quicker and doesn't feel sticky on the skin. The product is not sticky at all, however does dry quickly, so you do need to work quickly when blending the tan onto the skin - this is a bonus because you are able to put your clothes on almost immediately once you have finished using the product. The tan contains vitamin E and aloe vera to aid in moisturising the skin, which is great if you have sensitive skin like I do, as I found the tan didn't cling to any dry patches.
The tan gives a healthy brown colour and is not orange in the slightest. It doesn't have that typical fake tan smell which is usually off-putting and is found in most tans; this tan was slightly fragranced but was pleasant. The product lasts a few days, so is perfect for that special occasion to look a little extra glam and add a little glow to your skin. It is easy to wash off and fades nicely, without leaving patches.
The only downside of the product is that you do have to work quickly to blend it into the skin before it dries, so it might to take a little practice to perfect your tan, but for the outcome of the product I am willing to override that. Sunkissed Rapid Tan Mousse is definitely good value for money and is a staple for those 'fake tan worshipers' out there.

*Blog includes PR sample*

Sunkissed Self Tan Mousse in Medium

Sunkissed Self Tan Mouuse in Medium and Applicator Mitt

Self tanning is a great to give your skin a healthy glow, especially in the Summer Months. I have very pale skin and do not naturally tan in the sun, so fake tan is definitely the way to go for me! I have tried various fake tans over the past few years and have come to prefer a mousse form of fake tan rather than anything else; it is so much easier. 

Today I am reviewing the Sunkissed Self Tan Mouuse in Medium and the Applicator Mitt. Sunkissed is a brand I have been familiar with for quite some time; I have fond memories of using my first Sunkissed product a fair few years ago - a huge glowy bronzer - (which was actually one of my first pieces of make - up!) and I loved it. 

Since then, they have recently launched a line of self tanning products. Sunkissed have always been very affordable, so I was really pleased and impressed to see they have a self - tanning range; as we all know, fake tan can be quite expensive.

The self tan mousse is super easy to apply. After exfoliating, pump out the mousse onto the applicator mitt, then simply use the applicator mitt to evenly distribute the mousse all over your body. Ensure it is all blended in and you haven't missed anywhere. I have to say the applicator mitt is really great, it doesn't just slip out of the hand like some tan mitts do. This tan needs to be distributed relatively quickly to even it out, so a good applicator mitt like this is essential. The tan develops almost instantly after application, and continues to develop throughout the next few hours.

Results

I am really impressed with the results of this fake tan mousse. It isn't streaky and is really easy to apply. It drys really quickly on the skin, develops almost straight away, and leaves your skin feeling moisturized and actually smells quite nice, which is refreshing news to hear about a fake tan product! If I had to describe the smell, I would probably say it slightly smells of coconuts.

The tan itself is a great colour, a natural healthy glow - and NOT orange. I am so impressed with the results and can not quite believe this tan costs only £4.99.*
This tan is perfect if you are wanting a natural looking tan. 

I would definitely recommend this tanning mousse to anyone that loves a natural looking tan. The applicator mitt is also of a great quality and really helped to achieve a no - streak tan. 

You can purchase both the Applicator Mitt and the Self Tan Mousse in Medium on their website here.