 I love my beauty products and end up finishing a lot of them. But it when it comes to throwing them away, i feel immensely guilty if i am just chucking them in the bin. Unfortunately, this kind of packaging cannot go in your normal council pick up recycling bin. So, in an effort to be kinder to the environment and the world we live in, here are the best 3 ways to recycle your beauty products and bask in the knowledge you are doing something good. 1. Hand them over to a high street shop with a recycling schemeHigh street shops have moved up a gear in the last couple of years when it comes to the environment. Whether it's shopping bags, producing sustainable products or encouraging going plastic free and recycling. The following high street shops have introduced a recycling scheme to make it easy for the consumer to recycle their beauty products and receive a little reward in return for doing so. Lets look in more detail what some of these retail shops are offering. John LewisThis is my favourite place to go and hand over my empty beauty products. John Lewis has introduced 'BeautyCycle'. All you have to do is simply bring in 5 empty beauty products at any of their beauty counters and they will dispose of them responsibly. In return, as a thank you, they will give you £5 off a beauty purchase the same day. Which is a real bonus, and your empties doesn't even have to be a brand that they stock. You do need to be a my John Lewis member. You have to sign up to be a member which is completely free and you get little perks like this and a free cake & hot drink almost every month. What they can accept: all beauty jars, tubes and caps (including glass), shampoo/conditioner bottles and caps, non-pressurised hair spray bottles, lip beauty products (tubes, lipstick, lip balm), mascara tubes, eye liner pencils and cases, eyeshadow tubes/palettes, concealer/foundation tubes/sticks. What they cannot accept: aerosol cans, perfume bottles, nail polish bottles, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, and any electronic items such as blow dryers and straighteners. Click here for more information
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2. TerraCycle
Sign up for a TerraCycle Zero Waste box. For a price, they send an empty box to your house, you fill it with your empty beauty products and then send it back to them to recycle it all. Easy.
Alternatively, if you don't want to pay, they have drop off points around the country.
What they can accept: shampoo bottles and caps, conditioner bottles and caps, hair gel tubes and caps, non-pressurised hair spray bottles, hair paste plastic jars and caps, lip balm tubes, face soap dispensers and tubes, lotion bottles, lotion tubes, lotion dispensers and jars, non-pressurised shaving foam tubes, lipstick tubes, lip gloss tubes, mascara tubes, eye liner pencils and cases, eye shadow tubes, concealer tubes and sticks, make-up palettes (eye shadow, bronzer, blusher), sheet masks and their wrappers, face wipes and their packets, roll-on deodrants.
Click here for more information and to find out where the drop off locations are.
Alternatively, if you don't want to pay, they have drop off points around the country.
What they can accept: shampoo bottles and caps, conditioner bottles and caps, hair gel tubes and caps, non-pressurised hair spray bottles, hair paste plastic jars and caps, lip balm tubes, face soap dispensers and tubes, lotion bottles, lotion tubes, lotion dispensers and jars, non-pressurised shaving foam tubes, lipstick tubes, lip gloss tubes, mascara tubes, eye liner pencils and cases, eye shadow tubes, concealer tubes and sticks, make-up palettes (eye shadow, bronzer, blusher), sheet masks and their wrappers, face wipes and their packets, roll-on deodrants.
Click here for more information and to find out where the drop off locations are.
3. What you can recycle at home
Aerosols, cardboard packaging & glass jars can be put into your home recycling without the need of using TerraCycle or popping into your local recycling scheme shop. Make sure they are empty and make sure your glass jars are going into your glass recycling only.
4. What you cannot recycle
Here is a list of items that unfortunately cannot be recycled regardless of where you take them and will have to go in your normal rubbish bin.
Cellophane, nail varnish, fragrance bottles, make-up brushes.
Cellophane, nail varnish, fragrance bottles, make-up brushes.
Remember, make sure you clean, wash & empty out all of your empty products. Do let me know if you have found other ways in which you can recycle beauty products. I would love to know.
Happy recycling!!!
Happy recycling!!!
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I'd thought I would write a blog post on not what items I am excited to take on holiday but what items I have taken on holiday that's been tried & tested and really impressed me. I visited Croatia for a week to take in some of the incredible sights. Of course there was some sunny, relaxing beach days too. Below are some of the items I took with me that really stood out & is worth the space in my suitcase. I will definitely be taking these again with me when I go to visit Majorca.
 | It was very warm in Croatia. Temperatures for most days ranged between 27 - 32 degrees. Due to the change of temperature from being out in the sun & then indoors with the cold air con , my face felt slightly dry. This spring water from La Roche Posey is a godsend. It refreshes & cools my face. It adds moisture to the skin and takes away the tightness you get when being in the sun all day. |
It's great to have when you are on a plane & makes a nice base for under your make up. I was literally spraying this on my face all day. It is very similar to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir but for a fraction of the price £3.50!! . I would even go to say that the La Roche-Posey one is slightly better,
John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Tie Multiway Bikini, Top £29
& Textured Stripe Ruched Bikini Shorts, £22
& Textured Stripe Ruched Bikini Shorts, £22
| I spent weeks leading up to my holiday to find a perfect bikini and then I found one with just a few days to spare in John Lewis. I didn't want a bikini that showed too much. This bikini is comfortable & fits in all the right places. The top is very flattering and can be worn strapless if you are looking for a tan without those annoying white strap marks. The briefs fitted over the bum nicely. |  |
It's a lovely colour & easy to wash. I didn't feel self conscious or embarrassed on the beach wearing this bikini. It is now a holiday favourite.
 | This powder blush from BareMinerals is in the shade Pink Me Up. It is the most flattering swash of pink on the cheeks that's looks really natural. It glides over the skin like silk & I would say it is suitable for all colour skin tones. It is buildable if you want a more in depth colour. Its looks so good on the skin. I find it really brightens my face up & makes me look healthy. |
I don't like to wear too much makeup on holiday but a swash of this with a great liquid lip & a bit bronzer is all I need.
| Now something for hair. My hairdresser actually recommended this for me. I have bleached highlights in my hair so it can get very dry on the ends, especially in summer in the sun & heat. My hairdresser said when I am on holiday put a few pumps of this oil on the ends of your hair then tie it up. Trust me she said it will help enormously. And it did. Days at the beach or going in to the pool I did just that & my ends were still soft at the end of the day. |  |
My hairdresser also said it works just as well as one of their expensive brands in the salon. I found a smaller bottle of this oil in Boots for less than £4.
 | Best liquid lipstick ever!! A strong statement I know but this is the one! You know when you are continually searching for the perfect lip shade, well for me I think I have found it. It's in the shade 'Double Dare' which is a beautiful deep dusty pink colour. Perfect for holidays. It stays on for a long time and the sun & heat won't make it slide off. |
Even when the colour has slightly faded, it still looks good. It's a matte finish but is so lightweight and non drying it doesn't feel like your wearing any. Above all else this liquid lipstick lasts a long time & doesn't dry up in the tube. It's actually good for value for the high price.
| I love everything about this summer dress. It is the perfect length, falls a few inches above the knee. The front chest area is not gaping & covers all your bits. I love the colour yellow, this a pale yellow with a bright floral pattern. Feels really lightweight on. Sometimes summer dresses don't look quite right or fit properly on me This one was perfect & I am so glad I found it. My photo doesn't do it justice. Click on the stock photos underneath for a better look. You can find this dress at ASOS. | 
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 | I have been using this after sun for years. A great moisturiser for when you skin has gone dry after being in the sun all day. If you have sunbathed a bit too much & have gone red or burnt yourself, this after sun is really good for that, soothing on the skin. I pretty much use this all year round. Even in winter. When my face feels dry I put a bit of this on. |
It is also great if you have tan because this will make it last just that little bit longer. Maybe I'm crazy but I think it makes your tan look a better colour too.
| I've spent years trying to find the best strapless bra. More often then not most are really bulky or make your bust look enormous or they give you a double boob! (Four boobs anyone!!) Or you have to keep yanking them up, all day long. Then I found this Wacoal one. The most comfortable strapless bra. Does not fall down at all. It's really thin & lightweight. |  |
It's not padded but gives a great shape & is underwired. I bought this in both shades nude & black. Perfect for strappy tops & dresses or any off the shoulder garments.
 | The bottle in the picture is the 10ml, the 50ml is the £21 priced one. I got this oil in an advent calendar last year. Didn't think about using it until I just threw in my makeup bag I took on holiday. I'm glad I did. It leaves your skin feeling silky smooth & the shimmer makes your tan look fantastic. It's not greasy & a little goes a long way. A bit of a luxury this one. |
| I always take an eye cream with me on holiday. My under eyes gets dry on the plane, dry from the sun, puffy from tiredness. I also find if I haven't been wearing my sunglasses, the sun actually makes my dark circles worse. This eye cream worked wonders. Hence the name of it. Lol! Gives just the right amount of moisture for the eye area, not at all greasy. No eye cream is ever going to take away dark circles but this helped tremendously. You only need to use a little of the product & tap it gently under the eye area. It sinks in quickly so is great under makeup. Key ingredients - Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, Cucumber Oil to calm & brighten, Witch Hazel to reduce inflammation & puffiness and it's 99% natural, so ideal for sensitive eyes. |  |
Products Mentioned
La Roche-Posey Thermal Spring Water, £3.50
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, £12
John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Tie Multiway Bikini, Top £29
John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Ruched Bikini Shorts, £22
BareMinerals GEN NUDE Powder Blush, £22
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil for All Hair Types, £9.99
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, £17
Vero Moda Bright Floral Mini Dress, £32
Lancaster Tan Maximiser after sun soothing face and body moisturiser, £29
Wacoal Halo Lace Moulded Strapless Bra, £35
NUXE Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse Or, £21
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, £16
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, £12
John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Tie Multiway Bikini, Top £29
John Lewis Valencia Textured Stripe Ruched Bikini Shorts, £22
BareMinerals GEN NUDE Powder Blush, £22
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil for All Hair Types, £9.99
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, £17
Vero Moda Bright Floral Mini Dress, £32
Lancaster Tan Maximiser after sun soothing face and body moisturiser, £29
Wacoal Halo Lace Moulded Strapless Bra, £35
NUXE Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse Or, £21
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, £16
I had a fantastic holiday in Croatia. I'd thought I would share a couple of my holiday snaps with you. If you are thinking of going to Croatia definitely go. I would go now as it is getting a very popular holiday destination. We stayed at the Dubrovnik Sun Gardens Hotel. It was superb. It had 3 pools, a private beach, nice food. It is a little out of the way but that just made it quiet & peaceful. It had wonderful scenery all around, so no matter what room you get you'll be guaranteed a good view. They have an excursion desk where you can go on some reasonably priced trips. We visited Bosnia & Montenegro. For more information check out their website here. Next stop, Majorca.......
Chanel is a brand that is not afraid to try different formulas and experiment with their makeup. Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Blush adds colour not just for the lips but for the cheeks as well. Easy to apply and comfortable to wear with a hydrating gel formula. What I love about this is that it's buildable so you can leave the colour subtle or go more intense. Best of all it gives a smooth matte finish that doesn't lay into the creases of your lips.
Also made for the cheeks, so gingerly dab on to the apples of your cheeks and blend outwards with your fingertips. Again this product is buildable, so you can layer until you have reached the intensity you wanted.
There are six shades in total ranging from peachy, pinks to reds. Perfect spring/summer colours. One shade is limited edition - Corail Naturel. The campaign is fronted by Lily Rose Depp. Below are how each one looks.
There are six shades in total ranging from peachy, pinks to reds. Perfect spring/summer colours. One shade is limited edition - Corail Naturel. The campaign is fronted by Lily Rose Depp. Below are how each one looks.
 414 Tender Rose  412 Orange Explosif  418 Rouge Captivant |  410 Corail Naturel  416 Teasing Pink  420 Burning Berry |
Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Blush £28 each
414 Tender Rose
410 Corail Naturel
412 Orange Explosif
416 Teasing Pink
418 Rouge Captivant
420 Burning Berry
There is nothing more satisfying than using up your beauty & skincare products, especially at the beginning of a new year where you can then start afresh. It takes me ages to use up products these days as there are always new products out on the selves that I cannot wait to try. The empties below are some of my favourite items that I repurchase time and time again or have become discontinued :(
(Why are always the best products discontinued!!!!)
Ok, lets get started.........
(Why are always the best products discontinued!!!!)
Ok, lets get started.........
 | L'Oreal Expert Pro-Keratin Refill Protective Cream For Damaged Hair DISCONTINUED ALERT! I have bleach dye in my hair which makes it very dry and prone to breaking. I always blowdry my hair so I have hunted around for the best products to protect my hair against the heat. I am so sad this product has discontinued. It contains Pro-Keratin and In cell to reinforce hair and is a cream that protects hair against heat & other external aggressors. This product made my hair shiny & healthy, nourished & stronger. This was the best heat protector around. You might be able to find it on eBay or Amazon. Only one other product did the same, Botanics Heat Protection Shine Serum, but this has been discontinued too :( |
Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths I don't use cleansing cloths/wipes everyday, only when I am feeling lazy, this is the easiest option to remove my makeup at the end of the day. I don't like using wipes as the ones I've tried have always dried my skin out. Until, that is, when I discovered these from Ole Henriksen. Formulated with vitamin C to brighten skin and contains green tea to stop collagen breakdown. I not sure about that but they did not irritate my skin or give me breakouts and it removed most of the makeup. Might need extra help with mascara. Made my skin soft & glowing which makes this product stand out from the high street/drugstore versions. Readily available in the US but I am now struggling to find them in the UK :( |  |
 | Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream You cannot go wrong with Burt's Bees. Their products are 100% natural and gentle on the skin. I found this cleanser made my skin clean, reduced my oiliness & improved breakouts. It contains menthol, which left my skin feeling fresh. If the tingly affect is not for you, then apply a moisturiser afterwards and this will stop. It's quite a big bottle too so it lasts longer & is value for money. I have already used up two bottles of this. |
The Body Shop Honeymania Hand Cream DISCONTINUED ALERT! The Body Shop & Crabtree & Evelyn do the best hand creams. This Honeymania one from The Body Shop was my favourite. Absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft. The smell was really nice & not overpowering. It's now discontinued and looks like it has been replaced with the Almond Milk & Honey range, which I have yet to try. All of The Body Shops hand creams are really nice but this was the one for me. |  |
  | The Body shop Cocoa Butter Cream Body scrub DISCONTINUED ALERT! Y'know when you get those little tiny bumps on the back of your arms? This scrub, everybody, took all that alway. My arms were so smooth and silky after using this product as did the rest of my skin. A real winner. This is the type of scrub that contains tiny beads. These type of scrubs/exfoliators are now banned as the tiny beads (which I did not realise by the way) can be harmful to marine life. So, even though this was a great product I am happy it is no longer on sell as I am always up for saving the planet. If you want to read more about the plastic microbead ban there is a good article here. |
T-Zone Face Pore Strips I'm gonna be bold here. I find face/nose strips do remove some blackheads/dirt but actually make your pores bigger! I have nothing against T-Zone, they have better pore strips then other brands. They have a new charcoal range out which I am interested to try & compare with the original strips. I just personally prefer to use a gentle face mask or exfoliator instead. |  |
 | Bio-Oil Hmmm. the jury is out on this one. I didn't use Bio-Oil for stretch marks or scars so I cannot advise on that but I used it mainly for pigmentation. Maybe I didn't use it as regularly as I should have. I used it once a week rather than everyday. I found it did not reduce pigmentation or correct uneven skin tone. This bottle lasts a very very long time so I have been using it a while. |
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream This does refresh my tired eyes and makes them feel less dry. I purchased this especially for my dark circles but it did little in reducing them. It was moisturising but I feel the Kiehl's creamy eye treatment moistures better. I still would use this one again especially after a long day travelling. It does give a good highlight, I have even used it above my cheekbones. It does seem a little pricy for the little pot but it does last for a long time. |  |
 | Max Factor Xperience Weightless Foundation DISCONTINUED ALERT! I loved this foundation. It was light, silky and made my face look flawless. I used the shade 40 Light Ivory which matched my skintone perfectly. It covered my red patches around my nose & chin. It never clogged or went dry and I truly believed it helped in a big way preventing any breakouts. I'm sorry to see it discontinued :( |
L'Oreal Lumi Magique Stylo Touche De Lumiere Concealer This is a highlighting concealer, so I wouldn't use this over blemishes or around the nose. I use this over another concealer. It instantly brightens around my eyes & does make my dark circles less noticeable. I like that it has a soft brush/pen style applicator that makes it easy to apply. I have repurchased this a couple of times now. I am finding it a little difficult to find in shops but it is readily available online. |  |
 | Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer I use this as a base around my eye area. Again, this is another concealer I do not use on blemishes or other areas around my face as it is a little heavy. I love how the product glides on with the soft , cushiony applicator. Not sure about the anti-age aspect of it, but it does slightly conceal my dark circles. Although the shade is in light I would like a shade lighter. I use this as a base first, then use a little Nars Creamy Concealer over the top, finishing with L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Concealer. |
Check out my Empties - Everyday Beauty Favourites blog post from last year here. I am still repurchasing the featured products.
Where To find
L'Oreal Expert Pro-Keratin Refill Protective Cream For Damaged Hair
Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths
Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream
The Body Shop Honeymania Hand Cream (similar)
T-Zone Face Pore Strips
Bio-Oil
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer
Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths
Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream
The Body Shop Honeymania Hand Cream (similar)
T-Zone Face Pore Strips
Bio-Oil
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer
Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Stuck what to get a family member or friend for Christmas? Here I have put together some gift ideas to give you some inspiration. Ranging from beauty, books, cosy winter wear and much more.
NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Vault, £65
30 mini liquid lipsticks from NYX's Lingerie collection. These lipsticks are creamy & lightweight. A firm favourite of mine. This gift set is a great way to experiment with colours and see what shades suits you best. Contains six new shades. I recently got given this for my Birthday and I love it!
Ready Player One By Ernest Cline, £4
Before The Fall By Noah Hawley, £6.29
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Ready Player One is a perfect novel for those who like gaming and/or 80's nostalgia. The story is set in a bleak world in the future in the year 2044 where almost everyone on earth is plugged into a reality world called the OASIS. When the creator of the OASIS dies, a prize to takeover the entire company ensues. Riddles & clues are released to find the hidden keys when eventually all collected, wins the OASIS empire. I am two thirds the way through this book and I love all the 80's film, games and TV references which reminds me a little of Stranger Things. This is an utterly brilliant read and will have you hooked. Suitable for all ages. Buy it for someone this Christmas before the Steven Spielberg film is released next year.
Before The Fall is a story about how everyone came to be on a plane that crashed and why it crashed in the first place. It's written by Noah Hawley who also writes the Fargo TV series (if you've never seen it, do so! All three series are brilliant) . If you've watched the series you'll know there is always a lot of plot twists and shocks involved. This novel will no doubt be the same, that's why this is on the top of my Christmas list.
Before The Fall is a story about how everyone came to be on a plane that crashed and why it crashed in the first place. It's written by Noah Hawley who also writes the Fargo TV series (if you've never seen it, do so! All three series are brilliant) . If you've watched the series you'll know there is always a lot of plot twists and shocks involved. This novel will no doubt be the same, that's why this is on the top of my Christmas list.
SHOP
Stranger Things Cap Logo, £18 & Lunch Box, £20
Stranger Things Action Figure 3 Pack, £19.99
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Give someone a Stranger Things Christmas. Dustin's cap & the lunchbox are from Topshop. Check out their collection. A lot has sold out but there are a few items like the above left. The three figurines are from Forbidden Planet. They come in two sets. One with Mike, Lucas & Eleven and the other with Will, Dustin & Demogorgon. I reckon these item will be worth something in years to come.
SHOP
Stranger Things Cap Logo, £18
Stranger Things Lunch Box, £20
Stranger Things Action Figure 3 Pack, £19.99
Stranger Things Cap Logo, £18
Stranger Things Lunch Box, £20
Stranger Things Action Figure 3 Pack, £19.99
Hobbs Eleanor Check Scarf, £49
Miss Selfridge Embellished Rib Hat, £14
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Cosy accessories make a wonderful present in Winter. This scarf from Hobbs is on trend this season with it's red checks. A pop of colour to jus up your winter coat. Has a fringe edging for a casual finishing touch.
I like that this hat from Miss Selfridge is slightly different from your usual bobble hat. Instead it has a floppy top finished with a fluffy pom pom.
I like that this hat from Miss Selfridge is slightly different from your usual bobble hat. Instead it has a floppy top finished with a fluffy pom pom.
John Lewis Lizzie Leather Slim Continental Purse, £39
Mulberry Darley Small Classic Grain Leather Medium Wallet, £295
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Two different price points. If you want to spoil someone this Christmas but cannot quite afford a Mulberry handbag then one of their purses is a great alternative. Has all the card slots and a zip pocket so you don't lose all your coins, luxury leather with a nappa interior finished with the Mulberry signature postman's lock. John Lewis has a cheaper version that looks very similar, a great size for the new £5 & £10 notes and comes in 9 different colours.
SHOP
John Lewis Lizzie Leather Slim Continental Purse, £39
Mulberry Darley Small Classic Grain Leather Medium Wallet, £295
John Lewis Lizzie Leather Slim Continental Purse, £39
Mulberry Darley Small Classic Grain Leather Medium Wallet, £295
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Jolly Gingerbread, £23.99
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Crimson Berries, £23.99
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These candles smell amazing. I have the gingerbread one and it smells good enough to eat. They have a special wick that when lit, you will hear the soothing sound of a crackling fire. Woodwick candles use only natural components mixed with wax, never any harsh artificial ingredients. This would make a stunning, cosy gift this Christmas. Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on.
SHOP
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Jolly Gingerbread, £23.99
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Crimson Berries, £23.99
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Jolly Gingerbread, £23.99
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Crimson Berries, £23.99
Harry Potter Collection at Primark
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Know any Potter fans? Primark have a large collection of Harry Potter goodies this Christmas. The range includes t-shirts, pyjamas, baubles, homeware plus much, much more at a great affordable price.
SHOP
In store only
In store only
Here are a few other ideas.
Halloween is my favourite time of the year. I love the decorations, the Autumnal food & drinks (Pumpkin Spice Latte, anyone?) and basically any Halloween type product going.
Lush bring out a Halloween range every year. It has the cutest collection of bubble bars & bath bombs and here I have picked out my favourites. I have also purchased a couple of items from The Body Shop Vanilla Pumpkin range. I believe this is for Christmas as the products packaging is decorated with Christmas garlands, however it is all to do with pumpkins so I pretending it's Halloween themed :)
Lush bring out a Halloween range every year. It has the cutest collection of bubble bars & bath bombs and here I have picked out my favourites. I have also purchased a couple of items from The Body Shop Vanilla Pumpkin range. I believe this is for Christmas as the products packaging is decorated with Christmas garlands, however it is all to do with pumpkins so I pretending it's Halloween themed :)
 | Monsters' Ball, £4.50 This bath bomb fizzes away in a warm bath releasing beneficial oils that help you wind down after a long day. It has a sweet scent but not one that is too overpowering. It releases a pink colour then swirls of blue and purple. Makes your skin super soft. It also really cute too! |
Pumpkin, £4.25 My favourite bath bomb. I bought two of these. I love the smell of this one so much. Has a sweet vanilla and cinnamon scent with a hint of an orange zest. Leaves your bath water orange, this bath bomb makes me feel all Autumnal. |  |
Bewitched, £4.25  This black cat bubble bar is so bloomin' cute. To be crumpled under the tap this bubble bar will turn your bath water black!! Trust me, it's great. Has a fruity, blackberry scent contains Olibanum & Bergamot oil. | Sparkly Pumpkin, £4.25  Not gonna lie, but you will get the glitter from this bubble bar EVERYWHERE. Be careful. It does, however, give a really nice sparkly sheen to the skin. |
Lord Of Misrule, £3.95 This bath bomb gives off great colour. Greens, swirling pinks and a deep red. As a little surprise, some popping candy. It has a really nice scent of patchouli and vanilla. It's makes your skin really soft. Shame you cannot get this one all year round. It's a cracker of a bath bomb! |  |
Vanilla Pumpkin Body Butter, £15 & Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Cream, £15
The Body Shop's body butter & hand creams are a firm favourite of mine. They leave your skin soft, smooth, non greasy but fresh. As a lover of Halloween and all things pumpkin, as soon as I saw their vanilla pumpkin collection I just had to purchase a couple of the products. The scent is really autumnal. A pumpkin fragrance with vanilla from Madagascar and hints of tonka bean, hazelnut and maple syrup. Smells good enough to eat. Keep an eye out in store or on their website as The Body Shop always have really good deals on.
Beauty advent calendars are becoming more & more popular. Each year they seem to get better and the packaging even more stunning. They are on the pricey side but for the products that are inside the value is worth much more. Here is a guide to some of the calendars that are out now.
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar, £149 OUT NOW
This is John Lewis first beauty advent calendar. It's a little on the pricey side but look at some of the brands that's included - Nars, Benefit, Laura Mercier, Clinique, Mac, Marc Jacobs to name but a few. Altogether the products are worth £300. Although expensive, you will be getting your moneys worth. Quite excited about this one. In December, each day, I will be opening the windows from this calendar and showing what's inside on my Instagram. So keep an eye out if you're interested.
The Body Shop 25 DAYS OF GAME-CHANGING ADVENT-URE, £45-£99 out now
One of the first brands to make a beauty advent calendar. They have released three calendars with different price points. On the left is the cheapest at £45 (worth £88), the middle is the deluxe one at £65 (worth £116) and then on the right is the ultimate one for £99 (worth £214). They all contain mini & full size versions of their products. Skincare, bodycare & makeup. Obviously the more expensive the calendar the more pricey the product. If I had to pick, I would choose the cheapest at £45. Reason being, I much prefer the product hiding behind a perforated window then a box. I'm less likely to cheat that way and I think it's more fun!!
24 Days Of Beauty Advent Calendar, £45
25 Days Deluxe Advent Calendar, £65
25 Days Ultimate Advent Calendar, £99
25 Days Deluxe Advent Calendar, £65
25 Days Ultimate Advent Calendar, £99
lookfantastic Advent Calendar 2017, £79 Out Now
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This calendar is HUGE!!!! Hope you've got room for this one! Inside are four draws containing boxes the product is in. Includes 9 full-sized products and 16 deluxe samples; 19 of which are exclusive to lookfantastic all together worth £300. I bought this calendar last year, although it looked different. Lookfanatsic don't reveal what is inside on their website, so it really will be a surprise. Last year featured Pixi, Ole Henriksen. a full sized Illamasqua eyeshadow palette, Molton Brown, Wispies eyelashes plus load more. One year it has a full sized tangle teezer. This is a good calendar to try out brands you've heard of but might not have used yet.
Zoella 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, WAS £50 NOW £25
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I know! It's not strictly a beauty calendar but a lifestyle calendar and I've not seen anything else like this around. Contains candles, stationery, baking goodies plus more. This sounds very interesting. £50 does seem a lot for only 12 days but if you break it down, it's about £4.17 a day. Boots have a 3 for 2 Christmas mix offer that includes this calendar.
ASOS The Advent Calendar & The Grooming Calendar, both £55 OUT NOW
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Filled with skincare, makeup and haircare from well loved brands such as Cowshed, NYX, Smashbox & Eyeko. There is also a bonus 25th window that contains a 20% ASOS discount. ASOS are also doing, which I've not seen before, a men's grooming calendar also priced at £55 Containing skin and hair, this a really lovely idea. Don't want the men missing out!!
Lush 12 Days Of Christmas, £69.50 Online now
Doesn't Lush just have the best packaging. It just seduces you in!! In the big ol' box above you'll find 5x Bath Bombs, 3x Bubble Bars, 2x Shower Gels, 1x Body Conditioner & 1x Soap. Lush gifts sets are always so exciting and this one I have my eye on. Be quick with this one because it will sell out fast!!
Decléor Advent Calendar, £65 Out Now
Filled with twenty one mini's and three full size skincare products from their best selling ranges including Hydra Floral and Aurabsolu. Be super quick on this one as last year one of these calendars sold every 8 seconds!!!
Makeup Revolution Advent Calendar 2017, Was £50 Now £30
This advent is great for makeup lovers. Contains , lipsticks, highlighters, bronzer, primer and makeup brushes. Also contains an exclusive eyeshadow palette!! Yes, an actual whole palette! I bought this calendar two years ago. Then it contained a lot of bright eyeshadows. But here they are a lovely brown/nude. Superdrug sometimes do offers on their advents, so keep an eye out. When I got mine two years ago it was half price.
Nyx Professional Makeup kiss and tell advent calendar, £50 OUT NOW
I think I've made my mind up. This is my favourite. I love a lipstick and this calendar is ALL lipsticks. From mattes to creams, gloss and liquid lipstick there is something for every lipstick lover. Reasonably priced. It works out at just over £2 per lipstick.
Sleek Makeup A Gift A Day Advent Calendar, £35 OUT NOW
Don't want to spend too much money on a calendar, then this one could be just for you. At £35, this is one of the cheapest around. Contains eyeshadows, lip & eyeliners, nail varnish, brushes and 4 of their matte me lip creams. I love Sleeks matte me lip creams and I own quite a few of them. For me, it's the best item from this brand. Boots have a 3 for 2 Christmas mix offer that includes this calendar.
Molton Brown Cabinet of Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar, £165 OUT NOW
This luxury calendar contains some of their classic scents as well as some brand new fragrances. Filled with body wash, lotion, scrubs, hand cream and candles. I love the colour of this packaging. It looks simple but sleek. It would actually look good as part of your home décor.
Heathcote & Ivory Morris & Co Advent Calendar, £40 OUT NOW
Heathcote & Ivory always do the most gorgeous prints on their packaging and this calendar is no exception. I love the hand creams from this brand and I'm happy to know they are present here along with body lotions, body wash, bath salts & fizzers. The price is not bad either.
L'Occitane Advent Calendar, £49 OUT NOW
If you're firm favourite of this brand or have never tried their products before but wanted to then this calendar has all of the products their famous for. From their shea butter to their almond and cherry blossom. To their hand creams, soaps and shower creams. These products should keep you happy for a good while.
Selfridges 24 Day Beauty Advent Calendar, £120 Out Now
The famous Selfridges advent calendar. Always filled with top brand goodies. They've done it again this year featuring Urban Decay, Lancôme YSL & Kiehls at a price £120, which not is bad compared to the more expensive this year. I love the packaging, showing off the London & Paris landmarks. Be quick, this one sells out fast!!
24 Days of Clinique advent calendar, £75.00 OUT NOW
A calendar full of their signature well-loved skincare, fragrance and makeup. Includes a favourite of mine their lipstick chubby stick and well as their take the day of makeup remover. It also features their blushing powder blush in Precious Posey. A must for Clinique fans.
Benefit San Francisco Winter Wonderglam advent calendar, £34.50 OUT NOW
Although it's a 12 day calendar and the products are mini versions this is not a bad price for Benefit. A great calendar to try out their famous bestsellers. Such as Hoola bronzer, High Beam highlighter, They're Real mascara, Benetint plus much more
House Of Fraser Beauty Advent Calendar, £25 OUT NOW
This would be a great advent calendar for a young teenager just starting to experiment with make up. Contains lipsticks, eyeshadows, nail varnishes, eyeliner etc... everything to set you up with. At £25 this is one of the cheapest around.
Soap & Glory It's a Calendar, Girls!, £40 OUT NOW
I always love seeing the Soap & Glory pink gift sets displayed in Boots. When you see it you know Christmas is coming. This calendar has 24 doors containing 3 gloss/matte lipstick pencils (which I love), hand food, righteous butter, kohl eyeliners plus load more of their skincare and makeup. Boots have a 3 for 2 Christmas mix offer that includes this calendar.
Cowshed Beauty Advent Calendar, £90 out now
Look at this deluxe collection of Cowshed's best-loved products. It's stunning. Featuring their bath, body and skincare used in their spa treatments. Body lotions, hand creams, oils, lip balm, moisturiser - all natural and all made in England.
bareMinerals Box Of Wonders Beauty Advent Calendar, £75 OUT NOW
For the bareMinerals lovers out there, this calendar contains lipgloss, lipstick, finishing powders, blush, eyeshadows and lots more. It's £75 but makes it just over £3 per item, which is not a bad price for this luxury brand.
OPI Love OPI XOXO Beauty Advent Calendar, £63 OUT NOW
Maybe skincare or face makeup is not your thing but you like to keep your nails looking good, then this could be the advent for you. The calendar has 25 windows (bonus one for Christmas day!) and offers a variety of colours. That orangey red shade in front is drawing me in. You cannot go wrong with OPI, they are a really good brand.
Liz Earle The 12 Days Of Christmas Skincare Gift Set, £66 Out Now
12 days of luxury skincare including the famous Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. If you have only ever used Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish then this advent is great to try some of their other fantastic skincare products.
Charlotte Tilbury 'Naughty & Nice Magic Box' Beauty Advent Calendar, £150 OUT NOW
Naughty price, nice calendar. Charlotte Tilbury is an expensive brand, so splurging £150 for a 12 day calendar will not be too much of a shock. Contains mini versions of the products along with a few full size. Including a Matte Revolution Lipstick in the shade Walk Of Shame. A really nice shade this one.
Rituals 'The Ritual Of Advent' Beauty Calendar, £59.50 OUT NOW
The best tradition at Christmas, for me, is the Christmas tree and look at this amazing packaging. I just love it. What is great about this calendar is that it includes 4 mini cute candles and travel wipes. Why these two items excite me, I cannot say, it just does. This a lovely range of Rituals products.
Please can someone buy this for me :)
Please can someone buy this for me :)
Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar 2017, £250 Out Now
Ok, lets take a moment here. This calendar is £250!!!!! But this is Harrods & believe it not, this will sell out really quickly. A mixture of makeup, skincare and bath & body. Contains luxury brands Charlotte tilbury, Nars, By Terry, Laura Mercier, Chantecaille, a Acqua di Parma candle. It's costly but it is for the full 25 days.
Diptyque Advent Calendar, £300 Out Now
Mini candles are so bloomin' cute! Diptyque are one of the best brands for amazing scented, good quality candles. To have loads of little, different candles would be awesome. This calendar will give you just that alongside with fragrance minis, skin & body care and one full sized candle. Heaven!
Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar, £35 when you spend £35 on clothing & Homeware From 9th november
Worth £250, this is not a bad offer to spend £35 to get the calendar for £35 as last year you had to spend a lot more. This features lots of cult beauty brands all tucked away in cute little boxes. Some of these brands I have not seen in other calendars, such as Stila, Alpha-H, korres, Leighton Denny plus their own Autograph range. If you're planning to spend £35 anyway, then this is actually a bargain.
Jo Malone London Beauty Advent Calendar , £300 OUT Now
Love how colourful this calendar is. 24 days of their famous scents. This calendar includes colognes, candles, bath oil and much more. Very luxurious.
On a side note, I was going to review the Liberty and Estee Lauder advent calendars but they sold out so quickly I never had the chance. Ones to look out for next year :)
LEGO City 60155 Advent Calendar, £19 Out Now
Thought I'd finish on a fun one. This Lego advent is too cute to pass up. Look out the little gingerbread man, toy train and fire place. If you're interested, I can show this and the John Lewis calendar on my /twitter in December. Let me know which you would prefer :)
With so many liquid lipsticks in the market, the Bourjois Rouge Liquid Lipsticks are the best for a affordable drugstore alternative. Throughout the year there is usually a 3 for 2 offer on the brand. Which is great if your not sure what colour to pick! I have shared my favourite shades below.
 | Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick The original of the Bourjois liquid lipsticks. A matte lipstick that is light on the lips and non-drying, comfortable to wear. They have a huge colour pay off as they are very pigmented. Lasts really well. I have the shade Nude-ist, which is a pink-nude that is very flattering for all skin tones. The Shade Hot Pepper (in the picture on the left), which is an orange red. A great colour to wear if you don't want to go all out red and again very flattering for most people. Shade Red-volution is more a pinky red then a deep red.  |
Bourjois Rouge Edition AQUA Laque liquid lipstick
This formula is not matte but has an intense wet shine look to it. It's not like a sticky, gloopy gloss but more vinyl. Again, like the above, it is light and comfortable to wear. I have it in the shade Feeling Ready. The colour is quite similar to Hot Peppers orange red.
Bourjois Rouge Laque liquid lipstick  This also has a shine formula but unlike the Aqua above it is not as intense. I have the shades Framboiselle & Purpledelique. The first is a fluorescent pink and the latter dark pink/purple. All the liquid lipsticks mentioned are long lasting. Maybe not quite 24hrs as Bourjois states but stays on for a long time. |  |
'Untitled' sold for $110.5 million at auction Urban Decay have created a collection using Jean-Michel Basquiat artwork and it is absolutely stunning.
If you have never heard of Jean-Michel Basquiat he was an artist, born in NYC, who shot to fame in the 80's as a neo-expressionist painter. He draw attention with his graffiti in NYC and sold sweatshirts and postcards on the streets with his artwork emblazoned on them. His work is easily recognizable with his graffiti style skulls. Struggling with the attention Jean-Michel died of an overdose at just 27 years old in 1988.
His iconic paintings and drawings are still exhibited all over the world today. In May 2017 a new record was set when a 1982 'Untitled' skull painting of his sold for $110.5 million at a Sotheby's auction. Bought by a Japanese billionaire, this was the highest price ever bid for a piece of work by an American artist
If you have never heard of Jean-Michel Basquiat he was an artist, born in NYC, who shot to fame in the 80's as a neo-expressionist painter. He draw attention with his graffiti in NYC and sold sweatshirts and postcards on the streets with his artwork emblazoned on them. His work is easily recognizable with his graffiti style skulls. Struggling with the attention Jean-Michel died of an overdose at just 27 years old in 1988.
His iconic paintings and drawings are still exhibited all over the world today. In May 2017 a new record was set when a 1982 'Untitled' skull painting of his sold for $110.5 million at a Sotheby's auction. Bought by a Japanese billionaire, this was the highest price ever bid for a piece of work by an American artist
The Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat collection consists of two eyeshadow palettes, a blush palette, three eye pencils, three lipsticks and three cosmetic bags. The packaging is so beautiful and so are the products themselves. Here are some of the items I purchased from the collection.
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Gold Griot Eyeshadow Palette
 Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Gold Griot Eyeshadow Palette £35  | This is a neutral/gold palette. It has 8 eyeshadows in total. 5 are matte and 3 are more shimmery. The palette itself has a long narrow mirror in the lid and is equipped with a double ended brush. These eyeshadows are velvety, pigmented and blend really easily. Shades:
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Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Gallery Blush Palette
| This gallery blush palette is a four pan face palette that holds two blush, one bronzer and one highlighter. The two blushes are really pretty on the cheeks. The bronzer is matte and very wearable even for pale skin tones. The highlighter is shimmery but don't let that put you off, this highlighter is gorgeous. All powders are, again like the eye palette, velvety and easy to blend. Both this and the eyeshadow palette have a cutout on the back of the product. So you can if you wish, after you have finished the product, display it on your wall. Shades:
|  Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Gallery Blush Palette £27  |
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Vice Lipstick in shade Epigram
 Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Vice Lipstick, Epigram £16.50 | There are three lipsticks in this collection. I have the one in shade Epigram. This lipstick has a creamy but pigmented formula. It has a warm brown/red colour and is very flattering. The lid is a little fiddly to get off, but that's just a minor issue considering the gorgeous canvas packaging.  |
URBAN DECAY JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT 1983 Cosmetic Bag
| This cosmetic bag is just the right size for your everyday essentials and not too big that you wouldn't be able to fit it in your handbag. Made of coated canvas and covered inside and out of Jean-Michel's artwork. The detail is superb. It has a colourful zipper and an inside pocket for any smaller items. I love it!  |  1983 Cosmetic Bag £22  Coloured zip detail |
I love this collection. All the colours and shade names evolve from Basquiat's art. A collection that I will keep forever. It is stunning. Not just the artwork but the product themselves. That highlighter in the blush palette is divine!!! The eyeshadows are pretty and the lipstick flattering. I can keep them all in the amazing cosmetic bag.
Thank you Urban Decay for a fantastic collection.
Thank you Urban Decay for a fantastic collection.
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Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Gold Griot Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Gallery Blush Palette
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Vice Lipstick, Epigram
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat 1983 Cosmetic Bag
Other items in the collection
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Tenant Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Vice Lipstick, Abstract
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Vice Lipstick, Exhibition
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Post Punk
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Anatomy
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Vivid
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Gallery Cosmetic Bag
Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Untitled Cosmetic Bag
These are my tried and tested favourite lipsticks for Spring and Summer. Colourful, vibrant and cheerful.
 Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour £28 | Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 152 Insaisissable This rouge allure lipstick is a bright coral-red. It has a smooth comfortable feel to it and doesn't fade quickly. It looks intense and expensive. It also has a name I cannot either pronounce or spell!! |
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in 43 La Favorite This Chanel lipstick is coral-pink in colour. It's slightly drying then the above Insaisissable lipstick but that's because of the matte formula. Stays on well but I do use a lip balm over the top after a few hours. Such a gorgeous shade and very summery. I love it. |  Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour £28 |
 Chanel Rouge Coco Shine £28 | Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 91 Boheme The finish to this lipstick is more like a gloss than your regular lipstick. Very comfortable to wear and has a shine to it that actually makes your lips look plump and fuller. The colour is again a coral shade but with more of a warmer tone. |
Clinque Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in 46 Matte Mandarin This has to be my favourite shade of the bunch. A bright, vibrant colour that looks amazing, I would say, on any skin tone. It's matte but not remotely drying. It can smudge abit, so be careful of that. But what a shade ladies & gentlemen!! |  Clinque Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick £18 |
 Mac Matte Lipstick £16.50 | Mac Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger The bloggers favourite, and there is a reason for that. One of the best red lipsticks around. I can never find a red lipstick to suit me but this one has an orangey tone rather than the usual bluey tone I find hard to wear. It's matte which I believe the best red lipsticks are. |
Delilah Colour Intense Cream Lipstick in Tango Delilah is not a well known beauty brand but have a great selection of lipsticks. This tango shade is coral-pink and very flattering. I would even say it makes you look youthful. It's a cream lipstick but feels like a matte. I would base your lips with a lip balm first. The packaging btw is heavy (in a good way) and luxurious. |  Delilah Colour Intense Cream Lipstick £24 |
 Nars Satin Lipstick £21 | Nars Satin Lipstick in Niagara If a bright lipstick is not your thing then this Nars one is a great alternative. Not as bright as the others but still has a good colour payoff. It's more pink then coral and has a very soft, creamy formula. For a slightly more intense look, wear with a darker pink lip liner. |
Here are all the shades together, so you can compare. Which is your favourite? What is the spring/summer lipstick you always reach for at this time of year? Let me know in the comments below :)
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Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 152 Insaisissable
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in 43 La Favorite
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 91 Boheme
Clinque Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in 46 Matte Mandarin
Mac Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger
Delilah Colour Intense Cream Lipstick in Tango
Nars Satin Lipstick in Niagara
Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 152 Insaisissable
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in 43 La Favorite
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 91 Boheme
Clinque Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in 46 Matte Mandarin
Mac Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger
Delilah Colour Intense Cream Lipstick in Tango
Nars Satin Lipstick in Niagara
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