BOOTS STAR GIFT - CHAMPNEYS COMPLETE HOME SPA KIT

Boots have been on fire with their star gifts this year, some of my favourites so far have been the Ciate Big Beauty Bus which I featured in a past blog post here, a Nails Inc Ultimate Accessory Alexa Set, an Origins Mask Marvels Gift Set and the Sanctuary Spa Box of Delights. This week the big Star Gift is the Champneys Complete Home Spa Kit which was £50.00 and is down to £24.00, that's more than 50% off. I am a big fan of Champneys products and like how they use the same products at their Spas. This means you can indulge yourself in a Spa like experience at home. The set includes; Hand and Nail cream 40ml, Distant Shores Body Scrub 50ml, Distant Shores Body Butter 50ml, Skin Comforting Bathing Milk 300ml, Citrus Blush Body Lotion 200ml, Citrus Blush Shower Gel 200ml, Body Polisher and Vanity Case. This set is excellent value for money for seven products and gives you the chance to try a number of Champneys bestselling products all in a useful Vanity Bag which you could use to hold toiletries in after using the Champneys ones. The case this year is a lovely pale pink and feel very sturdy so great for travel. My favourite product in the set has to be the Skin Comforting Bathing Milk, but my favourite scent is the Distant Shores which smells like a blend of Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange Peel and Cedarwood Oils with Mango and Passionfruit. Hurry this offer is only available until Thursday! This is perfect for any busy friends in need of a little pamper or even for yourself. With Black Friday coming up I'm sure Boots are going to bring out an even better star gift and obviously we are still waiting for the Soap & Glory gift set to go on offer. Too much excitement!! There are more and more offers coming available before Christmas, you can find out the last days that stores will deliver before Christmas here.

Have you picked up any Boots Star Gifts?

YOU BEAUTY DISCOVERY BOX - NOVEMBER 2014

This months You Beauty Discovery shortlist of products was based around gift worthy goodies. I do find it quite tricky to pick only two products from the shortlist. This month you could pick from; Skin & Tonic Steam Clean, Argan Organics Regeneration Anti Wrinkle Cream, Bourjous Cream Blush, Microfibres Brush On False Lashes, Green People Pencil Eyeliner and Invisibobble. The extra treats this month were Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder and sample sachets of Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm and Iconic Youth Serum.
Roques O'Neil Therapie Himalayen Detox Salts - I have always wanted to try these bath salts after always hearing great things about them, so they had to be my first choice this month. I’m always interested with anything bath and pamper related. These bath salts are calming on the skin, balance energy flow and help combat insomnia. The Himalayan Detox Salts are designed to dissolve the accumulated physical and emotional toxins that build up in the body. The mineral salts contain powdered Amethyst and essential oils of Lemongrass, Juniper and Geranium. I love using this product, they make bath time heavenly! This mini is worth £10.00 and contains enough product for around three baths, so more than enough to feel pampered.
Rituals Hamman Delight Shower Foam - This is the other product I chose this month. I have tried Rituals shower foam before and really enjoyed how luxurious this product is. I received the fragrance Yogi Flow from a past Glossybox and think it's a great concept which is a little more exciting than normal shower gel. The Hamman Delight fragrance combines the aromatic and revitalising qualities of refreshing eucalyptus and rosemary. I really like to use this scent in the mornings, it's great for dry skin as it's really moisturising. This size is great for travel and really reasonable priced at £4.00 for 50ml. The gel formulation turns into a foam when mixed with water. This product stems from one of the oldest cleansing traditions in the world. The aromas and ingredients help to sooth and calm your body. Originating in Turkey, the Hammam, meaning ‘Spreader of Warmth’, helps to cleanse both the soul and body to promote inner and outer harmony and balance. These products are great to use together or on their own at the weekend for a well-deserved pamper.

What were your picks in this month's You Beauty Discovery Box?

LOOK FANTASTIC BEAUTY BOX - NOVEMBER 2014

Look Fantastic has to be my current favourite beauty box of choice. I have used up most of the samples from last months box, this is really good for me as a lot of samples I try and then put aside as I'm already using other products. Everybody has been raving about this box, but I know a lot of people wanted to see make-up items, so it's nice to see a lip product in this months box. The contents of this months box include;

Eve Lom Cleanser, full-size 100ml £55.00 - This is a cleanser I have heard lots about and have received quite a few samples of it recently. This is a rich, balm texture that moisturises the skin as well as deeply cleanses. It's quite similar to the Emma Hardie balm cleanser, but less oily. I really like the way it leaves my skin feeling smooth and removes every last trace of make-up.
Monu Recovery Balm, full-size 50ml £22.50 - Monu is a brand I have received quite a few times in past Glossyboxes. This is the perfect product for the winter months. Recovery Balm is a soothing product for efficient and effective relief for sensitised or stressed skin in need of comforting. You apply this at night as the last step in your skincare routine, like an overnight mask. My skin is left feeling super smooth and hydrated. It helps to reduce redness, leaves skin feeling balanced and protective and has relaxing scents of Soft Rose and Bergamot to calm the senses. Probably one of the best products I've used from the Monu range.
Nuxe Nuxellence Jeunesse Youth and Radiance Fluid, full-size 50ml £47.00 - This is an anti-ageing fluid which helps to recharge the skin and to restore its radiance. It's quite a unique product as it also boosts the efficacy of any anti-ageing skincare product. This is lovely to use in the evenings and is suitable for all skin types. This product contains Passionflower, Anchusa and Poppy Flower extracts, skin is luminous and appears younger.
Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, full-size 50ml £39.99 - I have tried this product a number of times and have always got on with it and enjoyed the results. It delivers instant results as its designed to be a 10 minute facial in a jar. When applied, you can really feel it working on the skin. My skin is left feeling refreshed, soft and glowing. It's a treatment that gives your skin a mid-week renewal.
Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex, full-size 100ml £18.99 - Hand Cream isn't a product I need more of as I have plenty, but I was quite excited about this product. I was first taken in by the pink packaging but this hand cream claims you will see visible results in less than 11 days. It targets eight signs of hand ageing. It contains 19.5% active ingredients that work to improve firmness, smoothness and evenness. I love the way this makes my skin feel, I apply it in the evenings and my skin still feels super smooth in the morning. 
New CID Cosmetics i-Crayon Lip & Cheek Tint, £14.00 - I have only used a lipgloss from this brand before, but really enjoyed using that. I am a big fan of lip crayons and this shade is perfect for Autumn/Winter, I received the shade Plum Cordial. These retractable chubby pencils are multiuse and can be used on the lips or cheeks. The formulation is pigmented and blends really easily. They leave a glossy tint to lips or cheeks and stay around for hours. I think I will mainly use this on the lips, but it's great to have products in my make-up bag that can be used for a number of things.

This month's box also included a £10.00 Coggles.com voucher, which is ideal to stock up on Christmas presents! and also a nice little extra. What is your favourite product from this month's Look Fantastic box? December's Box is currently on Pre-Order here.

NARS VIRTUAL DOMINATION CHEEK PALETTE

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HOT OR NOT - BEAUTY BOX PRODUCTS OCTOBER 2014

As I missed out reviewing most of my October beauty boxes, I thought I would give an overview on which products I enjoyed and would repurchase and which ones I would give a miss. I reviewed my current favourite box - Look Fantastic, so all of these products are from Glossybox, Birchbox or You Beauty Discovery box. Glossybox's theme last month was based around a pop art box, which I love and will be keeping after use. The limited edition box came in four different colour ways and included four full-size products and two samples, which really impressed me. October's Birchbox was a collaboration with Coppafeel as October is also breast cancer awareness month. I loved that all the products featured in that months box fit in a cute pink zip up pouch and the box also came with a handy lipstick pen, which is perfect for any beauty lovers! You Beauty Discovery's product list was based on handbag heroes which are effective in the quick fix approach. I love this beauty box as it gives you the chance to try samples you actually want to try at a really reasonable price tag.
Hot Products -
The products I got on with the most were; Ciate Paint Pot in Ditch The Heels (Glossybox) - I received a gorgeous green shade called Ditch The Heels. I've tried many Ciate nail polishes in the past and really like the glossy finish. Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute (Glossybox) - I was really impressed to receive a full-size product from Nuxe. This is priced at £19.50 and is similar to the Origins Drink Up Intensive mask, so great for dry skin types. So Susan Flutter Mascara (Glossybox) - Mascara is probably my least favourite make-up product to receive in a beauty box, just because I know if I try it I have to use it up within the next few months, so I have a stock pile building up. But I decided to try this and really liked the way it lengthened my lashes. Etre Belle Liplift Peel (Glossybox) - I had never heard of this brand, but I was intrigued as I haven't used many products like it. This gives your lips a gentle exfoliation to prepare your lips for lipstick and I was impressed with the results. Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm (Birchbox) - I have tried samples of this before, I really enjoy the balm texture. It's a product I go back to again and again but have yet to purchase it as I keep receiving samples. Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Honey Nectar (Birchbox) - I was very excited for this product as I haven't tried many products from Pixi. This gives a lovely nude tint to the lips and helps moisturise them as well, great for the winter months! KMS California Hair Play Playable Texture (Birchbox) - I have been loving KMS products and this one is a must try! You can use this before or after blow drying and it helps to build style and define layers without making your hair feel weighed down. Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick in Tease (You Beauty Discovery) - This was my first choice from You Beauty last month as I haven't tried a lipstick from Illamasqua before. I received the shade Tease which is a gorgeous matte nude and goes lovely with my skin tone. Crystal Clear Skincare Intense Anti-Ageing Serum (You Beauty Discovery) - I love a good serum and I knew this was a pricey brand so I thought I would give it a go. It helps to reduce wrinkles and firm the skin, I'm sure this is for an older target market but I love the way it peps up my skin. Cowshed Anti-Ageing Perfecting Night Serum (You Beauty Discovery) - Another serum similar to the Crystal Clear one, I liked massaging this into my face in the evening. It has made me want to try more from the brand!
Not So Hot Products -
The products I didn't rate were; Yves Rocher Quelques Notes D'Amour Perfume (Glossybox) - I'm not a big fan of perfume samples in beauty boxes, this one is a little too sweet for me! Rimmel BB Cream Matte in Light (Glossybox) - A nice little extra, but even the light shade is too orange toned for my skin. Shaveworks The Cool Fix Gel Lotion (Birchbox) - As I don't have any issues with shaving my legs this isn't a product I would normally pick up. It is really smoothing and cooling though, so maybe nice to leave until the summer months, not too sure of the manly scent though. Lollipops Paris Nail Lacquer (Birchbox) - I had never heard of this brand before, I really like the festive shade and the shade is quite pigmented. But I wasn't very impressed with the staying power as it chipped quite easily. Gold Collagen Forte (You Beauty Discovery) - I have received one of these before in a beauty box and I must admit I haven't tried it. It's aimed at the 40+ market, but I can't imagine it's a nice beauty supplement to drink, I think I will give it a miss.

I think my favourite box out of the three October editions has to be Birchbox.

Which is your favourite Beauty Box?

YANKEE CANDLE HOUSE ADVENT CALENDAR 2014

My last post was about the No7 Beauty Advent Calendar, but another advent that I just had to buy this year is the Yankee Candle House. Yankee Candle have brought out two calendars this year; this cute American style white and red house and a Christmas Wreath design. The calendar contains 23 tea lights for every day and a Christmas Eve Votive for the last day of advent. The seasonal scents of the tea lights vary from; candy cane lane, christmas garland, snowflake cookie, sugared apple, christmas cookie, christmas memories and spiced orange. I love the cute 3D design of the house, it will look great in any room during December. It's a great chance to try a few different scents from the range, instead of just having one big candle to burn. I have been burning Christmas Cookie since last year! What's nice about this calendar is that the house design still looks nice once all of it's windows and doors have been opened, instead of a flat 2D calendar that can look messy. Being beauty obsessed and having numerous beauty boxes a month, it's nice to try something a little bit different to enjoy, than a mountain of miniatures to save for travelling. It's also a nice thing to burn the candle you opened that morning, every evening after work to relax you. The scents would make the whole house smell festive and get you in that christmassy mood. The only downside is it may be a little more pricey to buy tea lights in this set than to buy them separately, but when the outcome looks this adorable I don't mind! This would make the perfect gift for any candle lovers, I much prefer it than chocolate! This has been very popular and has sold out in many shops, so if you want one I'd order it now. I got mine from Love Aroma for £24.99. I would really recommend their free postage and packaging, I got a £1 off my order for liking their Facebook page and I also received a free wax melt bar sample, which I can't wait to use!

Which advent calendar will you be purchasing this year?

NO7 BOOTS ADVENT CALENDAR 2014 - 25 DAYS OF BEAUTY

I know what your thinking, yes I know it's only November, but it's important to get your advent ready for the 1st of December. Last year, Boots did their own Advent Calendar, which was a huge success and contained lots of different brands and products available in-store. I was a little disappointed they didn't bring it back this year, but they have just released a N07 Advent Calendar (be warned the contents is shown on the website). The N07 beauty calendar is priced at £35.00 and has a value of £135.00. It contains N07's Bestselling products behind every one of it's 25 doors. That's even a present for Christmas Day! The products range from make-up to skincare to bodycare, so there is something for everyone. Some of the products are full-sized and some of them are minatures. I won't spoil the whole contents, but my favourite products have to be the high shine lip crayons and the skin illuminator radiance boosting beauty fluid and I don't think there is a product I wouldn't use! It's perfect to try products you haven't tried before and minis are also great for travelling. The calendar also includes a beauty quote behind every door, which is also a nice touch. I also really like the packaging as it opens like a book and the pink and gold colours looks really luxe together. I am very impressed with the contents of this Advent and I feel like it's one of the more affordable ones this year. I feel advent calendars have definitely shot up in price and I'd be more happy to have more choice around the £30.00 mark. This would make a great early Christmas present or even a gift to yourself to make you feel more festive! I'm sure a whole range of women will be eager to get their hands on this, bring on December! No7 also have some gorgeous gifts this year, including their Christmas Cracker Collection and their Best of the Best Beauty Collection.

Which advent calendar will you be buying this year?

DUBAI BEAUTY HAUL - DUTY FREE , SEPHORA AND MORE

Last Month, I went to Dubai and may have done a little bit of shopping! Having never been to Dubai before I was very excited to hit the shops and brands that we don't get over here in the UK and the Dubai Mall didn't disappoint!
Firstly in Duty Free, I picked up the new Chloe fragrance called Love Story Eau De Parfum. I have been wanting to try this for ages and wasn't sure if it was available yet in the UK. I was so pleased to see it at Duty Free and picked up the 50ml bottle, but I don't think it's available in high-street stores until January. I love the orange blossom and jasmine scent and the cute packaging which is inspired by the padlock bridges in Paris. Chloe has to be my favourite perfume brand, so I'm pleased to add their newest addition to my collection.
In the Dubai Mall, of course I had to take a trip to Sephora. I was a little disappointed as it seemed the store was under construction and part of the shop closed off so everything was a little squashed, but I did manage to pick up a few things. I bought the Marc Jacobs Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Gatsby, which is a metallic pinky, champagne shade. I also bought a Formula X Effects Top Coat Nail Polish which I haven't tried before in Turbulent which is a lovely blue and black top coat that can be built up over your regular nail polish. I then decided to treat myself to the Nars - And God Created The Woman Eyeshadow Palette, which was a bit of an impulse buy, but a girl can't have enough palettes! This is the same as the original popular palette but the shadows have just moved around and swapped places. This also comes with a wide contour eyeshadow brush and a pro-prime smudge proof eyeshadow base, which I'm looking forward to giving a go. I have been looking on the Sephora website and I may have to make a little order, as there are so many nice things.
I then went into Bath & Body Works, I wasn't too impressed with there selection and they didn't have many Halloween candles that I had seen online. So I just ended up picking up three PocketBac Anti-Bacterial Hand Gels in the flavours; Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Orchard Apple and Island Margarita as these always come in handy. I also picked up this cute Little Sparkle Cosmetics case from Bloomingdales and thought this would be the perfect size to carry make-up around in my handbag and it's in my favourite colour! My last purchase was this Dubai Starbucks mug from the airport. I try and collect a Starbucks mug from everywhere I go, I think it's a nice little souvenir!

What do you think of my Dubai purchases? If you would like to see a full review on any of these products let me know!