Boxing Day Get Ready With Me

Boxing day, for me is Christmas round two minus a few events. Every year on Boxing day we go to my grandparents for dinner and to spend the day with other family members. It’s not a formal occasion but smart casual seems to be the unwritten dress code for the day, usually consisting of a nice top and jeans or a dress but something I do like to glam up a little is my makeup. I swap the Christmas red lip for something that is wonderfully wintery. Here’s what this years face consists of:

Primer- Benefit Porefessional Primer

Foundation- Estee Lauder Double wear/ Rimmel Match Perfection (I’m in between colours just now so i mix a few drops of Rimmel in with my Double Wear)

Concelear-Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concelear

Powder- Laua Mercier Invisible setting Powder

Blusher- Nars Super Orgasm

Bronze/Contour- Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Eye Makeup- Morphe Taupe Palette

Eyelashes- Kiss Lashes in Vamp

Mascara- Rimmel London Volume Flash Scandaleyes

Eyebrows- Tarte Amazonian Clay Brow Mouse

Lipstick- Lime Crime Pearlees Lipstick in Gemma

Highlighter- Makeup Revolution Highlighting Palette (check out my review of this here)

To complete my Boxing day look I sprayed a little of my favourite Chanel Mademoiselle, I know it’s not part of my makeup but it does make me feel done.

Luisa

xo

Blogmas Day 25: Merry Christmas

Well, we are officially at the end of Blogmas, day 25. While Blogmas has definitely been a challenge, getting a post written, edited and published everyday on top of a full time job it has been an amazing opportunity. I’ve had the chance to write about so many different topics and share products and recipes with you guys that I have enjoyed this year and throughout December. I’ve loved all the positive feedback and comments that you have given on my Blogmas posts and it has definitely given me motivation to publish more than one post per week going forward. As it’s Christmas and you are probably full of food and maybe slightly merry, I’ll keep todays post short. I hope you are having a fantastic Christmas and a fantastic day, wherever you and with whatever you are getting up to. Merry Christmas everyone.

Luisa

xo

Blogmas Day 24: Twas The Night Before Christmas

I cannot believe that it is Christmas Eve already, this year has just flown by! I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to say thank you to all you lovely people who have taken the time to read my blog this year and leave some fantastic comments, I really do love reading what you have to say. For todays blogmas post I thought I’d share one of my favourite Christmas Eve poems. I first heard it in the movie, The Santa Clause and every year since it has got me really excited for a day full of festivities. I’m now off to finish some last minute wrapping and enjoy some Christmas movies. Happy Christmas everyone.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

Luisa

xo

Blogmas Day 23: Lush Northern Lights Bath Bomb Review

There’s nothing better than a warm bath on a cold winters night. The nostalgia of sinking into a bubble filled tub with a good book or a magazine and no noise but the sound of the water lapping the sides of the bath. It is my idea of heaven, well almost. The one thing that makes a good bubble bath amazing, is a bath bomb or two. Why have boring, old, normal water when you can have amazingly coloured, scented water. In other words, a perfect excuse for a trip to lush.

I adore lush bath bombs, especially at Christmas. They always have brightly coloured, festive smelling delights to jazz up your bath. One of my favourites this season has been the Northern Lights bath bomb. At first glance this bomb looks like two purple plant pots that have been stuck together with one blue and one yellow bottom but with a wonderful smell made up of ylang-ylang and jasmine.

After dropping this bath bomb in the bath it starts to fizz and bubble and as it does the blue and yellow from either end swirl out into the bath making a rainbow of colour. The bath bomb swirls and as it does it turns the water into a pattern of beautiful blues, greens and yellow with a purple centre. It really is beautiful to watch, like your very own northern lights display. It did leave my bath water a murky greeny yellow colour after the colours all mixed which was a little upsetting but my bath did smell amazing. As this is part of the Christmas range I would definitely recommend stocking up before it disappears.

Luisa 

xo

Blogmas Day 22: What I Love About Christmas

There’s no doubt that Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, I love winter and getting snuggled up with a hot drink and movies, I love all the excitement that comes with the season and I love the hustle and bustle on the lead up to Christmas before everything becomes very relaxed. Today I thought I’d share a few of my favourite things about Christmas.

1. Christmas movies. I’d watch Christmas movies all year if I wasn’t afraid of ruining the festive excitement they bring, so every year when it hits December 1^st I start the loop of endless movies. Up first this year was the Polar Express.

2. Is it any surprise that I love shopping at Christmas, well any time of the year really. I love making lists of people and ideas of what they’d like, then spending hours trailing through shops and surfing websites till I find the perfect present though not in December. Come December I avoid shops where possible as people get crazy when they go Christmas shopping, this year mine was finished within the first week of November.

3. I love wrapping presents. I know so many people that hate present wrapping and require a glass or two of wine to see them through the present wrapping process but personally I love it. I love sitting surrounded by gifts to wrap, which I wrap in lovely festive paper with ribbons and bows. This year’s theme happens to be silver, all glitter paper and shiny red paper with red or black ribbons and gift tags. I don’t see what’s not to love. To add to the fun I usually have a reel of Christmas films playing.

4. Decorating the Christmas tree. I have a love hate relationship with my tree. This is the first year that I have built and decorated the tree without any help and by the time I was halfway through arranging the branches on the tree I was ready to give up. Not to worry though, once I started putting the lights on the tree all the excitement of decorating the tree had returned. Make sure you check out my Christmas decorations HERE.

5. Spending a few days at home. Christmas is one of the few times I go home to my parents and its nice to spend time there for a few days relaxing and catching up.

6. Festive baking. I love baking all year round but I especially love Christmas baking. Baking around Christmas always involves yummy ingredients that smell so warm and comforting (yes, it’s the ingredients in gingerbread) and there is an abundance of fabulous ways to decorate your bakes. Seriously, how cute are butter cream snowmen cupcake toppers? If it was an acceptable practice then I’d have Christmas themed baking all year round.

What do you love about Christmas? Do you have any particular traditions that you reserve for the festive time of the year?

Luisa

xo

Makeup Revolution Highlighting Palette Review

If you have ever been privy to my makeup collection then you'll know I have a fair number of highlighters, from my favourite Too Faced Candlelight glow to a beautiful peachy one from MUA.  Recently I added a new one to the collection that I thought I’d share with you.

On a daily lunchtime trip to Superdrug recently I purchased the Highlighting powder palette from Makeup Revolution. This is a 3 powder palette in beautiful shades. The palette comes in a sleek, glossy black package with the branding embossed on the front in rose gold, matching the rose gold outer box. Inside is a huge mirror on one side and the three highlighters on the other. 

When I bought this palette I can honestly say that I did purely for the pinkish gold shade, I am a bit of a rose gold fiend. These highlighters are so buttery in consistency and apply and blend like a dream. Although incredibly pigmented they still apply subtly thanks to being so finely milled and can be built up for a more prominent glow. 

Like I said I originally bought the palette for the rose gold shade which is the perfect everyday highlighter. I always wear a pinkish blusher, usually my Nars Orgasm so applying this directly above allows for the two to blend seamlessly. The first shade in the palette is a yellowy gold colour with flecks of gold sparkle and is one i love to use for highlighting the bridge of my nose, brow bone and cupids bow as it is much brighter than the rose gold shade. Lastly is a pale purple highlighter which goes on almost silver but for weeks after buying, I looked at this shade and thought where am I going to use a purple highlighter. After a little experiment I have found it makes a beautiful inner eye highlight that really makes your eyes pop. I use it both with and without eye makeup to really lighten up my eyes.

Overall I’m super impressed with this palette especially since it was only £8 and is one I will definitely be using over and over. Being a highlighter enthusiast I am always on the lookout for new highlighters to try and would love your suggestions of any favourites you think I should check out.

Luisa 

xo

Decorating The Christmas Tree

So I finally put up my Christmas tree, yes I put it up one week before Christmas but I’m so proud of it.This is the first year I’ve put up the tree myself so despite the lights being uneven and there being a few bald patches, it makes me super happy so I thought I’d share my tree with you. Enjoy.

The finished tree!

 

A little stocking I've had since I was in nursery, as you can see I was quite artsy and decided to give Santa a new look

 

Some new decorationsI bought this year

Some new decorationsI bought this year

Some new decorationsI bought this year

How cute are these candy canes

Pre candy canes

Some of the presents going under the tree

 

Do you help decorate the Christmas Tree? Do you have any decorations that have a lot of meaning or are traditional? Let me know below.

Luisa

xo

Lush Haul: When All Else Fails, Take A Bubble Bath...

It’s almost impossible for me to walk buy a Lush store without going in,even from the outside your senses get hit with all that fragrant, soapy awesomeness (yes I'm using awesomeness here, there’s no other word that describes how amazing it is). It just invites you in. With the launch of the Christmas products I knew it was time for another visit and this is what I picked up.

Santasaurus

Meet Rex, he is the most adorable bubble bar ever! Santasaurus is a new product to lush this year for the holiday season and is part of the bubble bar family. It smells like the soap, Honey, I Washed The Kids which is one of my favourite scents. Thanks to the bergamot oil infused in this product it has a lovely toffee smell, perfect for a winters evening bath. Also found in this little Christmas T-Rex is Brazilian orange oil and cream of tartar which is what makes it bubble and froth and gives it the light, bubbly texture. This bubble bar comes on a lolly stick making for an easy dunking. I like to dunk it in the tub and swirl it for a few seconds to build up the bubbles. Doing this, I usually get three to four uses out of my bar (I like a lot of bubbles).

“Roaring fires signal the beginning of Christmas. Chilly toes wait eagerly for them. Blankets view them with a little jealous trepidation. They mean hot chocolate by the mugful, spicy punch by the tankard, games of charades, onesies, tinsel-covered trees, repeats on tv, mince pies and dinosaurs. And roaring fires aren’t just found in the fireplace; they’re found when you hold this Santasaurus under a raging tap and watch the bubbles of joyous Brazilian orange and fun, fruity bergamot oil fly out.” -Lush

Stardust

This is a bath bomb I found last year, a little white, vanilla smelling star. When dry it looks just like a little sweet smelling bomb but when it hits the water it spews glitter and little silver stars and if thats not enough, little blue splodges burst from within. It’s definitely a bath bomb that leaves your bathing experience feeling magical!

Snow Fairy/ Magic Wand

These next few products all share the same wonderfully sweet scent, it is of course snow fairy. Snow fairy only comes around once a year to wave her soapy magic then disappears until the next. I go absolutely mad for this product, it smells like candy floss. Pure sugary heaven. It smells good enough to eat and although you may be tempted please don't do that, I imagine it wouldn't taste so good. To me the Snow fairy range is the ultimate girly soap product, its bright pink and has pale blue iridescent sparkles. Super cute. I picked up my consistent festive purchase of shower gel, a magic wand (yes, i feel like a fairy and yes I waved it) and a body conditioner which I reviewed here.

What’s your favourite lush product, limited edition or an all year round love? Let me know below so I can check them out.

Luisa

xo

Blogmas Day 16: Snow Fairy Body Conditioner

When you think of Lush at Christmas, what do you think of? Snow Fairy of course. Snow fairy is Lush’s classic Christmas scent. It’s beautifully sweet like cotton candy and has a distinctive bubblegum pink colour. This year Lush have several products that belong to the snow fairy family. A new addition is the Snow Fairy Body Conditioner.

I’m not a fan of moisturisers, I hate the way they feel on your skin and don’t have patience enough to let them sink in yet in the summer I found a revolutionary product with Nivea’s In shower moisturiser and after sun lotion While on a lunch time trip to lunch earlier in November I picked up the Snow Fairy Body conditioner thinking what’s not to love? It’s an in shower body moisturiser, it is bubblegum pink, it has iridescent glitter and it smells like snow fairy. I couldn’t wait to go home and try it out.

Like the shower gel, this product is thick, creamy and a little goes a long way. It is packed full of mango butter, cocoa butter, avocado and a cherry infusion to nourish, hydrate and of course condition your skin. You apply snow fairy just before you are ready to step out of the shower, rubbing the product all over as you would with a normal conditioner but you then rinse it off. The product is supposed to be super absorbent and sinks into your skin quick which is what allows you to be able to rinse without rinsing off all the product.

This is where the joy ended for me, after rinsing the product off I could feel the product still sitting on my skin. It was not a nice feeling, I kept rinsing the hope it was just a case of having applied too much product but the horrible feeling on my skin stayed. I ended up rewashing with shower gel to get as much off the product off of my skin. It is fair to say despite the beautiful look and smell the product, I won’t be using Snow Fairy body conditioner again.

Have you tried the Snow Fairy body conditioner? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments.

Luisa

xo