A Christmas Philosophy

        

Well we are now 16 sleeps from Christmas. If you are anything like me you will have most people sorted but there are a few people that are so hard to buy for that you have put it off to the last minute and now there is a bit of panicking going on.
Chill people! Easy in this weather I know lol I actually meant that I have found a few products that may just be your saviour and there is still time to order them.
If you are looking for a cheeky, quirky but still a high quality gift look no further than Philosophy!
Turn your head this way and you will find things that people love, will do them good and they will not blame you for those extra pounds in the New year.

 I have heard some one from Philosophy say that they try and make their gift products 'Bow and Go' and I think they have managed it with this one. Why on earth would you want to put wrapping over this beautiful Christmassy box?
Any way back to the product... The lucky person in your life who you decide to give this to will be getting a massive 16floz of Golden, citrus smelling body wash,bubble bath and even hair wash.
The warm golden gel smells like oranges. The cool thing is its a deep, warm and relaxing smell rather than the sharp and refreshing smell that you would find in gels for the summer months. On looking at the bottle I just want to light a load of candles in the bathroom, run this under hot water and lie, submerged in the bath till Christmas eve is here. Why not be naughty and buy one for yourself?... I won't tell Santa

If you have friends out there that you buy for as a couple why not try and get them in a romantic mood for the Christmas season and buy them a bath and body product as a joint gift?
I think that this box looks really cute!
Once you lift the roof off and open the doors of this little house you will find two 8floz bottles of Bath and shower gel. One is a slightly shimmering, lightly spiced yet fresh bottle called Gingerbread Girl and the other is a more masculine smelling, little heavier on the ginger Gingerbread man.
These smell so cosy! As most of the country has been hit by true Christmas weather of late this set should bring forth the need for pampering.
You can of course use them as shower/bath gel. They are so moisturising and you get a load of soft cocooning bubbles on your shower puff.Needless to say you feel clean and relaxed after use.
Here is an idea though, if you or your friends are spending Christmas as a couple this year why not start Christmas eve off with a deep filled bath filled with Spicy smelling bubbles...to share. You may even be lucky enough to use the other set on Christmas day.
Great as a gift or to keep for yourself.


You can get The Gingerbread house set for £16.50 at www.selfridges.com
The Glow and go set retail for between £13 and £15 website details to follow

Make a date with Beautique.com

Everybody marks the beginning of December with a advent calendar. For some reason the small square of chocolate that we get adds excitement to the run up to Christmas and transports us back to childhood. I have been pointed in the direction of a calendar more befitting to my addiction...Cosmetics

Beautique.com have put their heads together and have come up with a calendar fit for any beauty junkie, best of all you won't put on an ounce. Every day right up to the 21st of December they are offering a free gift when you make a purchase from one their top beauty brands. The gifts are certainly worth having so if you are doing your Christmas shopping you get a guilt free treat for yourself  as well as a gift for a loved one, but if you end up keeping both I won't tell anyone!

So far the free gifts have included a hair product, facial moisturiser and self tan. All the help you need for the party season.

A little extra information on the site if you have never come across it before. Beautique.com stocks many high end and cult brands that may not be widely available in shops within your area. You are taken care for top to toe and best of all you get to learn about brands that you may not of heard of. Take a peek and you may discover a new must have.


http://www.beautique.com/tools/AdventCalendar.aspx

My wish list for Santa

Dear Santa,

This year I have been a very good girl, I am in need of a bit of pampering so pretty please I would be really happy to find something off my wish list under the tree on Christmas morning.

Sam x

Ps, I will leave extra whiskey for you lol

1, Elemis have some really gorgeous gift sets this year that I would love to open. So if you can find Elemis Exotic Spa secrets I would be really happy.
It is a fabulous set with the iconic Milk bath, Frangipani Monoi moisture melt and the matching shower gel... and all for under £50!

2. Liz Earle Face and body essentials. A great set with three full size core range products and two generous sized body products.
Cleanse and polish with the muslin cloths speak for themselves as a staple of a cleansing routine. Skin boost skin tonic to add some sparkle to post Christmas skin and then a moisturiser in your skin type.
Orange flower Botanical body wash for every day use and the body cream to keep me smelling sweet...£40.25




3, Soap and Glory (I kneel down before you) Spa rush! shower!
      You get a gorgeous bag with scrub mitts and 3 fab products
      Sweets, fruity I foam shower gel, Butter up body butter in a
       tube and Sugar crush body scrub.All my favourites...£25







Buy yours at

uk.lizearle.com

www.Elemis.com

and www.boots.com  and Soap and Glory is on 3 for 2



                                            

Strawberry fudge, as sweet as it sounds

At Christmas make up and perfume sets get thrown at us like snowballs! Many we dodge because we do not want to sport as much glitter as a Christmas tree, but now and again one comes along that is wearable both for the office and that Christmas date.
The last time that I tried Clinique make up I fell in love with their Mascara and Lip smoothie so I was really excited to be given the chance to try the Holiday 2010 collection.
They have put together a collection that has something for everyone in it. If you love to play up your lips You have lip liner in Plush pink. I wore this on my birthday and found it great! I filled in my lips with the pencil and found that it lasted the night, even after drinking glass after glass of Champagne...ooops. My lip pencil lasted longer than it took me to get rather merry lol. You can either wear it as a matte colour or slick a gloss over  it. Go for either a plain gloss to keep the colour as it is or if you are like me, someone who likes to stay true to a collection try the Christmas Strawberry Bliss lip smoothie... My collection of these are building!

For girls who are all about eyes and lashes try High length mascara in black for that defining look. I was a bit scared when I opened this tube as I was expecting a brush but actually got a eye shaped comb type wand. I gave it a go with the hope that it would leave my quite long lashes clump free.
I am not going to lie, it took a few goes to get this right, more to do with my confidence than the product. It separated my lashes with no problem or clumps and I managed to get right to the root so it looked like I had liner on!

Every collection would not be complete with out a limited addition and the star of this collection is the Strawberry Fudge holiday compact. This looks so posh that I found myself polishing the compact not wanting to get smudges on it lol You get a lovely blusher that looks quite flat/matt in the pan but it actually gives a lovely sateen flush to the cheeks, and it is goof proof as you can't really buff on too much so no fear of looking like a clown. Three eyeshadows line the top of the compact, a pale neutral pink that I loved. I am normally scared of pink eye shadow as I remember watching my Mam putting on 80's style pink shadow with sparkly blue in the corners and this scarred me for life(sorry Mam)but this is really nice lightly brushed over the lid.You can leave it there for a natural work look with a bit of eye liner and mascara or you do have two more colours to play with. A bronzed pink that looks nice lining the bottom lashes and defining the outer corners and a lovely grey that can be washed over for a light hint of grey or to vamp up the eyes for after work Christmas parties.
Over all this compact will get you looks of envy when you pull it out of your bag and is easy to take with you as you get a travel blusher brush and eye double ended applicator.

Treat yourself or add to your list for Santa as I am sure you have been a good girl all year!


You (or Santa) can find Clinique in any major Chemists or department stores

The limited addition Strawberry fudge compact RRP £25
Vitamin C Smoothie in Strawberry Bliss RRP £13.50
Defining liner for lips in Plush Pink RRP £12.50
and finally
High Length Mascara in Black RRP £14.50

Relax before Christmas with L'Occitane

If you are looking for something indulgent for friends or family or even a sneaky treat for yourself look no further than L'Occitane!
They have brought out lots of fantastic gift sets for Christmas to tempt our pampering side.
I became a very lucky girl when the postman brought L'Occitane's Romantic Rose collection to my door.
What a fantastic collection, it has everything you need for a pamper session on your own or take inspiration from the name and share it with your partner.

You get the most gorgeous Rose scented candle that fills the room with a lovely glow and a relaxing rose scent that sticks around for ages. You would not think rose would be a relaxing fragrance but I soon found myself drifting away and dreaming of a holiday. 
After running a bath and lighting the candle you can reach for the shower gel. You get a generous 75ml. I added a little bit to the bath water as well as used it as a cleansing gel to completely envelope me in the smell.
You feel lovely and clean afterwards and even if you did not follow with any of the other products the rose smell would linger lightly on the skin.
If you prefer washing with a soap you are taken care of as there is a big 50g bar included.


If you prefer to have a bathing routine L'Occitane include a body lotion to follow to keep skin silky and hydrated. My skin has never felt softer than after using this set.

To take with you on the move there is a Rose scented gel formulation of the hand cream, it sinks in within seconds so no slippy hands.
The top dog in this set is the bottle of Rose 4 Reines Eau de Toilette. It is a massive size to give as a gift. The smell is really sophisticated but still fresh so you could give it to a girl of any age or keep it for yourself (shh I won't tell anyone)
 So for a big piece of luxury for under £50 turn to L'Occitane and they will do all the work for you and you know you will be giving something amazing for Christmas!

Get yours at www.loccitane.com