CURRENT BEAUTY WANTS

As a new year has come round, I've held back (kinda) on the beauty spending but that doesn't stop me wanting more. There's always a product to lust over. Urban Decay Naked Skin Loose Finishing Powder £22.00 - I haven't heard too much about this product, but I'm looking for a new setting powder that will last all day. This product is great at creating the soft focus effect and helps your make-up stay looking flawless. I also want to try the Naked foundation from the brand. Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Palette £36.00 - I'm the first to say that I don't need anymore eyeshadow palettes, but this one is a beauty! Smashbox eyeshadows glide on like a dream, and this is the perfect combination of matte and shimmer. It comes with a double ended eyeshadow brush and a mini full exposure mascara. Ren Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser £16.00 - Ren has to be one of my favourite skincare brands, so when I heard they were bringing out a hot cloth cleanser I knew I had to try it. I have been enjoying the Rosa Centifolia range so far, great for all skin types and the scent is lush! Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blusher £30.00 - I recently watched a bunch of tutorials making me want everything from the brand! I'm in love with this blush and the bar of gold highlighter -  I've only heard good things. Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo £4.59 - I'm very faithful to my beloved V05 dry shampoo but I have heard great things and hope to pick it up the next time I'm in Boots as it's so affordable. I also want to try Bumble and Bumble's Pret-a-Powder, but for the price Dove is currently top of my list. Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Body Scrub £37.00 - I am currently using the And Other Stories Fig Fiction Scrub - which I love. When I run out of that I'm caving and buying this luxurious scrub for some serious pampering!

Let me know what your beauty wants are or if you've tried any of these products?

FAVOURITE MORNING SKINCARE DUO - ORIGINS GINZING MOISTURISER

Origins has to be my favourite skincare brand of the moment. I haven't found a product that I wouldn't recommend to someone else. I am a big fan of their Top Seller, VitaZing which is a tinted SPF 15 energy-boosting moisturiser with Mangosteen. I've gone through two tubes of VitaZing using it during the morning before applying my foundation and find it to be a fantastic base to even out my skin tone - I definitely need to repurchase. But since I haven't been using that, I've moved onto the newest GinZing member after earning enough Boots points to treat myself. The GinZing moisturiser is a lightweight, oil-free, skin booster which hydrates the skin leaving it feeling vibrant and dreamy. You can use this morning and evening, but I prefer to use this in the AM because of it's energy-boosting properties and gorgeous citrus scent. For £23 it's a bargain, and one of the more affordable moisturisers from the Origins range.
I have been using this along side the GinZing refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff my eye area if I'm feeling tired or I'm in need of a little pick me up. It helps reduce the look of dark circles and wakes up the eye area. I will definitely be buying the full-sized pot after my sample has ran out, priced at £23 also.

What's in your morning skincare routine? You can't go wrong with an Origins moisturiser.

BENEFIT GROOVY KIND-A LOVE! CHRISTMAS GIFT SET MAKE-UP KIT

Every year I look forward to the Christmas Beauty gift sets hitting the shelves and flicking through the Boots Christmas catalogue to find the perfect presents for my friends and family. Benefit offer a broad range of limited-edition gifts at different price points featuring your Benefit favourites to stock up on. Currently available are cute tin's featuring four of their bestselling products, skincare and lipgloss sets and travel minis offering great value for money.  Benefit's packaging is gorgeous! the make-up is great quality and the sets even come with handy tips on how to create the perfect Christmas make-up look.
Groovy Kind-A Love £29.50 has to be my favourite set from this year's collection which includes, the POREfessional mini, they're real mini, benetint medium, dandelion & gimme fever cheek powder duo with brush and limited edition eyeshadow palette with double-ended sponge applicator, which together can create a complete kit for eyes, lips, cheeks & face. You can instantly transform your look from am to pm, as it's great as a travel set for people who are always on-the-go.
They're real has to be one of my favourite mascara's that I've used in a long time, it really does lengthen the lashes and separates them fully. The eyeshadow palette is really pigmented and would make a lovely smokey neutral look for the Christmas parties! and the cheek duo is great for illuminating your high points. The only thing missing in this kit is a good base for flawless skin! I think any beauty lover would be happy to receive this for Christmas and even someone who hasn't tried Benefit cosmetics before, as it's a great starter set to try a range of different products from the brand.

What are your Christmas gift recommendations?

WINTER ACCESSORIES - CONVERSE WARM HIGHTOP TRAINERS

TOPSHOP TOP 

TOPSHOP SKIRT

H&M SCARF

PRIMARK BAG

CONVERSE HIGH TOPS*

Winter is coming, the layers are getting thicker. Keeping warm and cosy is essential but keeping your style fashionable without getting frumpy is even more important. Who said Converse are a Summer shoe? Converse have a range of weatherised trainers which have a faux-fur lining meaning you can wear them in any weather without worrying about getting cold feet. These Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Warm High-Top Trainers in Burgundy £65* are suede and so easy to update any outfit for the new season. They are the perfect shade for Autumn/Winter. John Lewis have a great range of Converse to choose from. I've styled them with a big cosy Jacquard-weave scarf £12.99 from H&M in a soft fabric and fun print. This scarf is so big it can double up as a blanket! I then paired them with a staple black bag from Primark £8, so handy with a long strap to hang off your shoulder and two compartments (I also had to buy this in grey). They are super cute and so affordable! 

What do you style your converse with?

 *PR Sample

ICONEMESIS IPHONE 5 CASE - COFFEE COLLECTION BY LILY X

Iconemesis is a fast growing lifestyle brand, which is becoming a cult favourite among bloggers - showcasing the best up and coming British design talent on your iPhone.  They have a range of different designs including Fifi Lapin, Gemma Correll and Pomme Chan. In the future they are looking to expand the range by stocking luxury handbags and other accessories.
Since having my iPhone 5, my beloved dotty Kate Spade case has done me well, but it is nice to change it up every now and then. I bought an Iconemesis phone case a while back for my iPhone 3GS - Bear Honey by Gemma Correll. I was really impressed with the quality of the case and the variety of unique designs. When Iconemesis contacted me to choose a new case for my iPhone 5, I was excited to choose a totally different design to the one I had been using before. I went for the Coffee Collection by Lily X* case. I thought this suited my personality and shows my love for coffee. I see a Phone case as an accessory, just like a piece of jewellery or scarf to any outfit, so it was important that the case was cute and easy to find in my over packed handbags.
The quality of the case is great! This case fits my phone really well without making it feel bulky or uncomfortable to hold. It protects my phone from scratches and incase I was to accidentally drop it. I really like the design, and I know I won't get bored of it after I've used it for a while. I would definitely recommend them if your looking for something different to brighten up your phone. They currently stock iPhone 4, 4S and 5/5S cases. The cases are usually £24.99, but there is currently 20% off discount using the code OCT202. Free shipping is also offered if you live in the UK.

What is your favourite Iconemesis design?

*PR Sample