Estee Lauder: House of Fraser Gift with Purchase

Every now and again a gift with purchase offer catches my eye and if it is with a brand I would usually be buying something from, then I stock up or if it would make a nice little gift for someone, then even better.

Estee Lauder as a brand needs no introduction, though it is a brand I am not all too familiar with, so given the opportunity to try one of their Gift With Purchase offers was just too good a chance to pass up.  Usually these offers are given when you buy any two products, usually skincare or makeup and then you get your gift, so always worth waiting for and keeping on the look out for these offers.

This stunning cosmetic bag is packed fulled of products from the Estee Lauder range and for mini products, they are very generously sized and this is what I found inside the bag:

Estée Lauder Pure Color Intense Kajal Eyeliner - This is a sample sized Kajal eyeliner in Black and it comes with a protective lid covering. Despite being a sample size it still has an amazing value of £7

Estée Lauder Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion - Design for all skin types this lotion quickly and gently removes all makeup, even long-wear or waterproof formulas. Unique water-based creme-gel refreshes you with a crisp herbal citrus scent. Rinses away easily and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth with no greasy after feel or oily residue. This is a 30ml tube which is really generous and perfect for taking away on holidays and it has a value of around £4

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Sync Complex II - I absolutely love that this sample is an exact replica of the full sized version making it uber cute. The gel creme has a formula which is rich, luxurious and just disappears into the skin. Said to maximize the power of night to re-ignite the vital, youthful-looking light that can fade due to fatigue, pollution and age. Using the advanced formula with the exclusive ChronoluxCB technology, it helps significantly inhibit the appearance of visible damage: fine lines, crow's feet, dark circles, puffiness, dryness and uneven texture. This is a 5ml sample pot and is worth around £13.50

Estée Lauder Daywear Advanced Creme - Designed for Normal & Combination skin, it has SPF15 and contains Estee Lauder`s most effective anti-oxidant power ever, it defends against and diminishes the appearance of first signs of ageing, like dullness and fine, dry lines. After use, the skin feels smoother, looks fresher instantly. I love that this cream is so incredibly soothing when you apply it and I also love that it doesn't have too thick a texture which makes your skin feel like it is caked in cream. This is a 15ml pot which has a value of around £12

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Complex II - To work with the eye cream, this serum is designed to address the look of all key signs of ageing using the exclusive ChronoluxCB Technology to help skin's natural nightly renewal and also helping to reduce lines and wrinkles whilst leaving the skin feeling smoother, hydrated, stronger and more radiant. This is a 7ml sample and has a value of around £10,

Estée Lauder New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum - Described as being an innovative serum, it is said to make your Cheeks and jawline appear more lifted after just 2 weeks of use. Instantly leaving the skin feeling more radiant, plump and refined it uses breakthrough Shaping Technology and the advanced pro-collagen complex which to help improve both visible volume and structure. The texture of this serum is slightly thicker than other serums I have tried, but on the skin, you only need a small amount because it is a case of less is more and I feel that with such a bold claim, I really should put this one to the test! This is a 7ml ample with a value of around £12.50.

The final item in this bag is the Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy Sculpting Gloss - I have a shade called Reckless Bloom. Infused with multi-dimensional optics, the lip gloss glides on effortlessly to deliver hydrating, subtle colour and mirror-like shine without stickiness. The shade itself is absolutely stunning and is a nudey pinky brown with fragments of sparkle. Perfect for wearing alone or over your favourite lipstick and as the description states, it is not at all sticky or tacky. This sample is just shy of a full size at 4.6ml (instead of 5.8ml) and therefore has a value of around £16.

For a sample bag to have a value of around £75 is amazing and I am so impressed with the size of each product and that the packaging replicates the full sized versions making them so much more appealing and eye-catching.  A great idea for anyone who has never used Estee Lauder before to become acquainted with the brand and try out some of the cult products as well as the newer ones too.

Are you an Estee Lauder fan?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Antipodes Skincare

Antipodes skincare is one of those brands I have recently been introduced too and I am left wondering why I hadn't tried these two products that I am sharing with you today much sooner. A brand which hails all the way from New Zealand, its creator, Elizabeth Barbalich had a desire to create premium, scientifically validated, organic beauty products. She wanted them to be made from fully sustainable sources that could be used everyday plus the packaging features fully recyclable bottles and aluminum tubes, and 100% biodegradable card from sustainable forests.

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is described as being a deeply moisturising, cleansing and antioxidising treatment that leaves dull skin instantly soothed and intensely hydrated. Featuring a traditional remedy of New Zealand Maori people, manuka honey, it powerfully draws moisture to your skin to hydrate it and working alongside the ruby red pohutukawa bloom, which contains one of nature's finest antioxidants and has antiseptic properties.

I love the texture of this mask which is thick but too thick enough that when you are slathering it on it is as luxurious as it is lovely on the skin. Once you have slathered it onto your skin, you leave it for up to 15 minutes before removing what is left with warm water and a muslin cloth (which is my preference) and your skin feels just incredible. I use this mask when my skin is really playing up, so when it is dry, it feels sore and there is a threat of breakout with small bumps under the surface, all of which is usually when I am under the weather or under stress.  The Fragrance is also wonderful, slightly of vanilla with an undertone of Mandarin, they come together to create a really uplifting scent that is amazing to relax too. This mask retails for around £21 is such an amazing treat.

Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream is described as being a high-performance velvety moisturiser with a berries & hibiscus scent to enchant the trials of everyday life with moments of fragrant joy. This cream is incredibly luxuriously and really very fragrant. Designed for the hands and body, this moisturiser is for all skin types With a rich velvety texture, a little goes a very long way. On the skin it neither greasy or tacky to the touch and it begins to absorb on contact. It is enriched with Avocado oil which provides moisturising nutrients to the skin ,glorious Berry and South Pacific Hibiscus Flower Extracts which create the beautiful scent and it is just amazing on dry, tired and stressed skin.  

I have used this cream mainly on my legs and arms as the warm sunshine turns to a really hot day to rain and then we begin the start of Autumn. Keeping my skin moisturised, soft and smooth on both my arms and legs is something I am pretty rubbish at, but give me a pretty product and one that I grow to love, I will use it all up, just as I have done with this. I love how it leaves my skin feeling dewy and fragrant without any oily residue.  Retailing for around £29 this is one incredible cream.

It is fair to say that my introduction to Antipodes has been incredible and I absolutely adore both products and it has made me want to work my way right through the brand to see what other treasures and treats I can find.  Antipodes products can be found online from sites such as LookFantastic, Love Lula, FeelUnique and BeautyBay.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Tommy Hilfiger goes Natutical for AW16 | #TOMMYXGIGI

Top Supermodel Gigi Hadid stars in the new Autumn campaign for Tommy Hilfiger and if you live in London, like me, you will have no doubt walked through many tube stations where posters have appeared virtually overnight to highlight the new collection.

As brand ambassador, the 21 year old has collaborated with the legendary Tommy Hilfiger to design the new#TOMMYXGIGI AW16/17 range inspired by nautical themes and fashion pieces that Gigi herself would wear out and about and there are some pieces that I also absolutely adore. Now I will never be a fashionista, but I know what I like.

The Blue Silk Dress is detailed with nautical motifs and Love Tommy hearts. Made from Pure Silk, it has a V-neck and long sleeves, two things I absolutely love in a dress and the rope belt for me really finishes off the outfit.

The Ankle Boots which are made from Leather and again fit with the Nautical theme with the rope-inspired buckle details. A little higher in heel than I would usually ever wear, I happen to think these boots look just amazing with almost any outfit.

Nautical Pouch is super cute. Crafted from a cotton-wool blend, it has striped edges, embroidered stars above the bottom edge. It also features a flap pocket with branded metal snap button and a handy yet stylish metal chain shoulder strap with optional charm with anchor, faux fur pouf and branded medallion, both of which I think make this pouch stand out. 

The Blue Military Coat I also adore from the collection. Crafted from a wool blend it is a classic, double-breasted design and gold-toned Hilfiger crest buttons. With a striped accent tape on one lapel and stripes on the sleeves, it also has waist pockets.

You can see the rest of the #TOMMYXGIGI collection by clicking here and whilst I do need a winning lottery ticket to even think about purchasing a few of my favourite items, I can sit and admire from afar in hope and the advert featuring Gigi and some of the items from the collection is also below.

What do you think of the new Tommy Hilfiger collection? I'd love to know which piece is your favourite!

*this post is a collaboration but all words and thoughts are my own #AD