Maybelline Be the Big Shot Gift Set

As Christmas has been and gone, the emails for Boxing Day and January sales hit my inbox long before the clock struck midnight, in fact, it was the beginning of December I had new offers emailed over to me every single day and that didn't stop on Christmas Day itself or even now as we approach the New Year.

If you have party plans for New Year's Eve or even New Years Day then Maybelline have a gift set that is worth looking out for.  Called 'Be The Big Shot' it sits within the Christmas Gift Sets but actually, it makes quite the gift at any time.

Be the Big Shot with this bold set from Maybelline New York. The perfect Christmas gift... Give it away... Or keep it all for yourself!

What I love about this gift set, other than the actual makeup contents is the sparkly clutch bag which on its own is great for dressing up outfits for going out. The Maybelline Be the Bit Shot Christmas Gift Set contains the following:

Burgundy Bar Eye Palette (£11.99) - Now this is one of the best highstreet palettes I have used in a very long time and admittedly, I wasn't expecting to like it. 

The palette comes with a reasonable twelve shades. Ten shimmer/metallic and two mattes. The colours range from light gold to cranberry to deep burgundy and they are all so wearable too.  In fact, I am so impressed with this palette, it has a blog post dedicated to it all on its own and it is there you will see the swatches.  The brush isn't that brilliant, but it is rare I would use an accompanying brush anyway, I prefer to use my own eyeshadow brushes.

The Colossal®️ Big Shot Volum' Express Mascara 9.5ml in Very Black (£7.99) - This is one of my favourite mascaras from Maybelline and it is all about the wand for me. 

The colossal brush is designed to deliver the collagen enriched formula, coating the lashes from the root to tip of lashes for fully loaded volume. What I love about this mascara is that you can build it without clumping and it doesn't flake or smudge.

Hyper Precise Eyeliner (£5.99) in Black - Eyeliner and I have a love/hate relationship and I have to be in the mood to wear it and even when I do, I don't wear a lot of it. 

This is a waterproof and smudge-resistant eyeliner which has an exclusive tip for mistake-free application and even for someone like me who has issues with eyeliner, this one is easy to use and apply. It uses Ink technology to keep the pigments super-saturated and it is safe for sensitive eyes and ophthalmologist-tested.

I think this is an amazing gift set and it costs just £19.95 which is an absolute bargain when you add up the cost of buying each product separately. You can find this one on Feelunique.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

SmoothSkin Muse IPL Intelligent Hair Removal Device

At the beginning of this year, I was introduced to the SmoothSkin bare UltraFast IPL Hair Removal Device which I used for a good few months before writing a review about it (here). Right now, I have the newer version, the SmoothSkin Muse Intelligent IPL Hair Removal Device and whilst I have tried it out, it isn't made for my skin tone or hair colour, so I have had a friend of mine using it for a similar amount of time as I used the Muse for.

When it comes to using a device like this, it has to be good enough to keep my attention. I don't want to have to spend an hour zapping my legs when to use a razor every few days is less than a ten-minute job. Equally, I want to see results and not just accept what the tests have to say, we all know that our own hair is different to that of our friends and therefore, we will all get differing results. But, because I was so impressed with SmoothSkin Bare and had continued to use it, I was keen to see what the Muse had to offer.

SmoothSkin Muse is a smart, yet powerful IPL system. Providing a personalised IPL treatment, SmoothSkin Muse delivers treatment that lasts so long you'll never again worry about stubbly legs or prickly underarms!

Firstly, it differs in design completely. The Bare is much smaller and compact and fits into the palm of my hand to use, the Muse is a lot bigger but no heavier. For best results, SmoothSkin Muse should be used every week for 12 weeks to ensure all hair follicles are treated. After the initial 12 treatments, to maintain results and stay silky smooth, you’ll just need to top-up as required, usually once every 4 to 8 weeks. This is exactly what I have done.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and it refers to the flashes used to deliver hits of intense pulses of light that specifically targets hair and it’s growth and it is suitable for use on the arms, legs, bikini line and face. SmoothSkin Muse IPL Hair Removal device is designed to help break the hair cycle and prevent regrowth, giving permanent hair reduction and it is the word reduction which is important because some people assume that it gets rid of your hair for good and that doesn't always happen, over time, if you continue to use the device regularly, then you do notice the difference in hair reduction and how long it does take to grow back.

There are two different modes of the programme to choose from - Glide and Stamp or you can opt for the dual treatment mode depending upon your preference. The dual treatment mode is ideal for the larger areas you want to treat, then glide mode is perfect for the legs and stamp mode is best used on the underarms or bikini area, but again, it is all about personal preferences.

What I really like about the SmoothSkin Muse is that it scans your skin before each flash and automatically selects the light intensity best suited to your unique skin tone – maximising your results, safely. So, you don't need to guess which one might work the best for you, it does it all for you. But, before it comes to switching your gadget on for the first time, as with most beauty related products, you need to ensure you have prepped in advance and with this, it means doing a patch test (full details are given in the guide) and if there are no adverse reactions, make sure the area is completely hair-free. For best results we recommend shaving, but if you prefer you can also wax or epilate - just be sure to wait 24 hours after waxing or epilating before using your SmoothSkin device.  It doesn't hurt or sting to use, it doesn't burn the skin and the heat that you feel from the pulses of light is minimal in comparison to other IPL devices ive used.

This device is designed for people with naturally Brown or Black Hair rather than those with White, Grey, Blonde or Red hair (You need the Bare), but I have Dark Blonde hair and gave it a try and haven't suffered any reaction to it at all. That said, a friend of mine has dark brown, almost black hair and she used it for 3 months and her first words to me were "You ain't getting it back, it is amazing" well I have got it back as I needed to take photos, but her issue with hair removal was how quickly, whether she waxed or shaved, the hair grew back and when shaving on a daily basis has to become part of your routine, you need an alternative treatment, or so she said.  So, having used the Muse for 3 months and 2 days it has slowed down the time in which her hair grows back dramatically and if she was to go back to shaving, then it would be everything 3-4 days and not every day, so a worthwhile investment.

This device is available from both Boots and John Lewis for £399 and if you want a deal, Amazon currently has it on offer for £299 here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Feral Cosmetics x Arpi Limited Edition Collection

Feral Cosmetics is a brand I have loved getting to know and have featured them on my blog a few times now here, here and most recently here. Feral Cosmetics hail all the way from Los Angeles and are a cruelty-free and vegan beauty brand. Available here in the UK Feral Cosmetics can be found on Beauty Chamber. 

The latest launch from Feral Cosmetics is the two new products as part of their Feral Cosmetics x Arpi limited edition collection which are both priced at £14.95.  Admittedly until this collection arrived I had no idea who Arpi was, but Arpi Gabrielyan is a famous Armenian Actress, Singer and TV Host and she has amassed 325k followers on Instagram. Named R.P and R.P2 these lip products are incredibly pretty and I love the picture on the boxes.

The Feral Cosmetics x Arpi collection includes R.P which is Liquid Matte Lipstick and R.P2 which is a Lip Gloss Lip Topper. The packaging for both R.P and R.P2 is so sleek, keeping in design with the rest of the Feral Cosmetics packaging. 

Both of these products are absolutely stunning and I love the idea that you can have your liquid lipstick and then have something to accompany it to make it look even more fabulous as R.P2 does for R.P.  The swatch shown above is unedited and just as I took it so you can see both shades, the hardest part trying to not get the glitter particles to be captured in the flash, but annoyingly they did.

R.P. is a Beautiful Nude Liquid Matte Lipstick. It applies creamy smooth and is fully opaque with a matte finish and long-lasting formula.  For me, this shade has a slight peach undertone which becomes more noticeable as it starts to dry down.  On the lips, it does go a little darker in shade than that you see inside the tube, but it is a beautiful shade.

R.P.2 is a Beautiful Golden Shimmer Lip Gloss/ Lip Topper.  What I like about this gloss is that it isn't sticky or tacky when applied, one of my biggest bug bears with a gloss is having that feeling of having run a Prit Stick across your lips.  I have worn this Lip Topper on its own for my work night out and I love how it looked, the flecks of shimmer which are gold and silver just sparkle in the light and at no point was it uncomfortable, scratchy or hard to wear. 

I am really impressed with both of these products and I hope there is a lot more to come within the range, especially with the Lip Topper because of the two it is my favourite product and I would love to see others with more flecks of colour within them, especially for the Summer.

You can purchase both of the new Feral Cosmetics x Arpi lip colours from Beauty Chamber now.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Revlon Volumazing Mascara

As a mascara fiend, I love discovering new potential favourites to have within my stash. I am quite picky about the kind of mascara I like though, it can't be an overly wet formula, the wand can't be one which holds excess formula, it cant give me spider leg lashes if I need to apply more than one coat and if it is hard to remove, it is an instant no. New from Revlon comes Lash Loudly, a Volumising Mascara which claims to give Eye catching lashes with visible volume that won’t smudge or flake for 24 hours.

Now, I would never wear mascara for 24 hours straight, so whether or not that particular claim is true I don't know, but I do on average wear mascara for at least 12 hours a day and it does last that long without dropping, flaking or smudging but it isn't waterproof.

With a creamy formula which isn't too wet, this mascara is infused with nourishing ingredients such as Olive Oil and Carnauba Wax which help to condition your lashes.  I didn't like the look of the wand to start with, it looked as though it would be too thick, hold too much formula, but it is actually really clever. The brand's Volumazing Brush™ features these unique wavy fibres that act as mini reservoirs to coat and separate even the tiniest of eyelashes. As the brush allows for the application of 2-3 coatings of the formula to get that amplified look.

This mascara is said to be available in the shades Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown and I have the shade Blackest Black which really is quite dark, but it works with my lashes.  As easy to remove as it is to apply, at £8.99 you can find it on the highstreet in stores such as Boots and Superdrug and whilst it isn't my favourite mascara, it is great as a back up to have in your stash.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Temple Spa Do Not Disturb - Peace and Relaxation Collection

At this time of year when everyone is wound up like a coiled spring waiting to explode, taking time out to relax and unwind is definitely a must.  Temple Spa have this amazing Do Not Disturb Peace and Relaxation Collection and whilst we are busy buying gifts for everyone else, this one is a definite must buy for yourself kind of present.  Something to indulge in for sure.

Temple Spa believe in that! Taking some “DO NOT DISTURB” time shouldn't be just a luxury, but an essential part of a life of wellness. 

Open the door to total relaxation. As far back as ancient Roman times, spa and bathing rituals have been an essential part of relaxation, restoration and rejuvenation. Temple Spa believe in that! Taking some “DO NOT DISTURB” time shouldn’t be just a luxury, but an essential part of a life of wellness. This all-over collection of Temple Spa favourites is the perfect way to treat your skin, body and soul. Use the products whenever you want, or follow the enclosed spa ritual to help create your own spa any time, any place, anywhere!

Packaged inside the most beautifully designed green box, which makes it rather festive, is a collection of 6 products all of which can be used in one incredible pampering session, for travelling with or even on their own one by one.  The first one that I was drawn too is the Do Not Disturb Lavender Pillow.

Obviously, this pillow isn't big enough to lay your head on, but what it is great for is hanging on the bathroom door to let someone know you are in there and do not want disturbing.  The downside for me is that I have three cats, it dangles and they think it is a game!  It does smell just incredible though as it is scented with lavender.

As that bath is running there is one product you should use as you add your bath oil and that is a spritz into the bathroom air with Quietude, a calming mist for me and my space. 

Described as being a spa in a bottle with the aroma of lavender, vetiver, orange, patchouli and chamomile transports you to a place of peacefulness.

Next we have Drift Away, a relaxing bath and massage oil. Described as being the one for a total wind down.

I love that this oil has more than one use and it smells absolutely divine. It can be applied straight to the body if being used as a massage oil and it is non-greasy, so it doesn't go absolutely everywhere nor does it feel slimy. To use in the bath, you need just one capful and as the oils come into contact with the steam from the hot running water, the scent is just absolute bliss. Using a soothing blend of Mediterranean essential oils including patchouli, lavender, geranium, frankincense, chamomile, sweet almond, myrrh, dill seed and orange, suspended in a lush base of sesame, jojoba and avocado oils, plus anti-ageing vitamin E.

Whilst laying the bath breathing in some of the most relaxing scents and fragrances, it is time to apply BeCalm. Described as being a skin rescue mask that’s like a comfort blanket for sensitive, stressed and delicate skin.

BeCalm is designed to deliver a boost of vitamins to the skin, helping to firm the delicate tissue. Packed full of natural ingredients such as Vitamin E, Cucumber water, Liquorice Root Extract, Olive Oil, Chamomile all of which are known to calm, hydrate, settle, and soothe it’s the perfect antidote to sensitive skin; gentle enough not to irritate yet effective in reviving healthy looking skin.

Once out of the bath, there is no reason why your pampering ritual should not continue. Duvet is one of the most luxurious feeling creams I have ever used. It is lightweight to the touch and absorbs immediately on contact with your warm skin and is just divine.

It is rich in omega oils, olive, guarana, fig, pomegranate, liquorice, vitamin E and relaxing Mediterranean essential oils of lavender, frankincense, myrrh, chamomile and patchouli which all come together to make one amazing relaxing fragrance too. 

Finally, we have Repose, the aromatherapy resting night cream which is rich in natural plant extracts, anti-oxidants and a fusion of relaxing essential oils to leave your complexion ultra-smooth, moisturised and settled whilst working to calm and aid relaxation.

Using a blend of hops valerian, chamomile, frankincense, lavender, patchouli, geranium, bitter orange and clary essential oils are all renowned to aid deep relaxation and bring a sense of calm.  On the skin, the silky soft texture of the cream glides onto the skin and absorbs, as it does so, the scents of the essential oils come to life and it is just so incredibly hydrating.

This kit has come at an amazing time of the year to use and try out. I love that the entire collection comes together to create one amazing pampering session, complimenting each other so well and all for just £42!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Relax and Unwind This Christmas

As Christmas gets closer and the mad dash to the shops to buy the last minute gifts for those you have forgotten or you have yet to do the food shop but are dreading the queues and the trolley bashing down the aisles as people panic buy bread for those 12 hours shops are seemingly closed, there is one thing we should all be doing at this time of the year and that is relaxing and unwinding and generally not letting stress become a thing.

For me, the chance to relax and unwind usually starts with a long hot bath (well as long as the water remains hot I am in there) which I find incredibly relaxing and depending on my mood, it will either be filled with a relaxing oil, some bath salts or I will have copious amounts of bubbles from a bath bomb.

From the bath, I need my room setting to be just right and the one product I turn to quite a lot of Liquid Yoga by Mio, which as well as having a bath soak and a candle, I also have the Liquid Yoga Space Spray which is described as being a rapid mood-changer to help calm, quieten, de-stress and rebalance.

It uses a powerful blend of Essential oils such as:

• Lemon - stimulating, can help concentration and alertness.
• Cypress - rebalancing.
• Mentha Arvensis - refreshing, calming.
• Lavandin - incredibly calming.

You can use this spray absolutely anywhere too such as on your pulse points, pillow, yoga mat, car or office. It can also help promote natural deep sleep and ease the tension that causes headaches.  I absolutely love it and always have a bottle on my bedside table.

Sitting still and not 'faffing about' is something I find very hard to do, even when writing a blog post, I am up and down suddenly deciding I need to hoover, wash up or whatever else it is that needs doing.  One way to guarantee I don't move about is to use a face mask and one which means I can't move such as this Verso Intensive Facial Mask which I have reviewed numerous times on this blog and just love. 

This is a hydrogel mask and it is incredibly moisturising. As well as Retinol 8, this mask uses Grapefruit Extract which is rich in vitamin C and has significant anti-oxidising effects. Ceramide 3 which helps to keep the skin hydrated as well as to strengthens the skin barrier and finally Centella Asiatica which soothes and improves skin firmness and elasticity. All this mask needs is 20 minutes of your time to work its magic.

New PJ's are always a must have at this time of the year and I always make sure I have some new for Christmas Eve.  This year I have been gifted the most amazing pyjamas by Blackspade.

For me, wearing PJ's is more than just nightwear. They have to be comfy, they have to be something I can lounge about in too.  This pair, which are matching, black in colour and made from micromodal, which is one of the most breathable and comfy natural fibres known to man.  The top has long sleeves and features a lace insert at the top which is exceptionally pretty and could even be worn as a daytime top.  Priced at £47 these are luxurious when it comes to PJ's but they are the comfiest pair I have ever owned.

The re-introduction to colouring is one of the best things ive discovered and it is an activity you can do to just forget about the world, stress, life and troubles.

Pass me the pens and I can spend hours colouring in pages of pretty patterns and it is something I turn to do if I am really stressed out, I just pick up the pens and distract myself as much as I can.  Best of all, this is something that can be done just about anywhere, so you don't need to be at home, you can be sat in Costa, be at work, be in on a train or tube too.

As well as Colouring, I am an avid bookworm and it is rare for me not to have to my Kindle on me at all times.  Aside from my Kindle, I also do still read actual proper books and I always set my target of books to read per year with Goodreads.  I like the classic Thriller Killer books which provide the most escapism with the grit and grime of the underworld. However, not too long ago I finished The Tattooist of Auschwitz and it was a book I simply could not put down, it was just so beautifully written and so vivid with accounts and stories that you could have almost been with Lale, the main character of the book.

Finally, we have my Holistic Silk Lavender Eye Pillow (£45) I absolutely love this pillow and it is something I use before bedtime when I have a tension headache and even when I have a granny nap.

Infused with Organic Seeds and Real Lavender, the soothing, naturally cooling pillow rests on acupressure points when worn to calm and relax the mind, whilst helping to treat headaches, migraines and sinusitis. Crafted from ultra-comfortable silk, the eye pillow blocks out light to induce sleep, allowing you to experience clarity and calm whenever you desire. It also works to relieve stress and daily tensions to leave you feeling refreshed, revitalised and deeply rejuvenated.

Whatever it is that you helps you to relax, unwind and then enjoy the festivities ahead is am an absolute must and these are just some of the ways in which I relax and unwind.  

Have you got any hints, tips or tricks?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Ageing Bond Repair

Alterna Haircare is a range of products that friends of mine rave about being just amazing. When I was kindly sent this Bond Repair Duo Kit with a Trail Kit to boot, I was quite intrigued to see what all the fuss was about. With the tagline Pure, Proven, Professional, the range was born in 1997, Alterna Haircare is a premium hair products free of additives or harsh ingredients. Using exquisite formulas with clinically proven results made with pure, sustainable ingredients like caviar, sea silk, bamboo, and kendi oil - you might have seen the most is the Bamboo collection.

The new Bond Repair range is described as being a reparative duo that has enforcing technology which gently cleanses and strengthens damaged hair. Comprising of a shampoo and conditioner, the bright pastel blue coloured packaging really stands out.

• Firstly the Bond Repair Shampoo (250ml) - Described as being a restorative formula specially developed to help strengthen damaged hair and rebuild strands, it infuses the hair with the finest most effective ingredients such as Caviar extract (a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids) to help restore moisture, elasticity and shine, plus Caviar Bond Enforcing Technology to seal hair cuticles that have been damaged through chemical processes or physical stress. Putting this together you have a strengthening shampoo that not only cleanses away dirt and impurities but one that leaves your hair feel hydrated and full of natural shine. What I really like about this shampoo is that you can see the difference with how your hair looks and feels. No straw like after feel, no itchy scalp and hair that is manageable to deal with, no knots and no tangles.
• The Bond Repair Conditioner (250ml) is described as being a strengthening formula that helps to recreate, rebuild and reconnect broken bonds in the hair. Deeply nourishing and fortifying, the conditioner, again like the shampoo, utilises Caviar extract (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) to replenish moisture, elasticity and shine as well as Caviar Bond Enforcing Technology to seal hair cuticles that have been damaged through chemical processes or physical stress. What I like about this conditioner is that it isn't really thick in texture, it doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy and instead what it does is leave my hair feeling salon washed and dried.

I love how well both the shampoo and conditioner compliment one another. I don't use a conditioner more than once a week, but when I do use this one, I can see the difference in how my hair looks.

If you are not sure whether splashing out £30 for a shampoo is for you, Alterna has an amazing Caviar Bond Repair Stocking Filler Gift Set (£24 here) which is described as being a regenerating haircare kit that combines four high-performance products to restore softness, moisture and shine from root to tip.

The set contains four products which give you a real insight into the brand and this particular range. Inside the box you will find:

• Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Shampoo (40ml) - As shown above, this shampoo is described as being a restorative formula specially developed to help strengthen damaged hair and rebuild strands, it infuses the hair with the finest most effective ingredients such as Caviar extract (a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids) to help restore moisture, elasticity and shine, plus Caviar Bond Enforcing Technology to seal hair cuticles that have been damaged through chemical processes or physical stress.
• Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Conditioner (40ml) - described as being a strengthening formula that helps to recreate, rebuild and reconnect broken bonds in the hair.
• Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray (25ml) - This spray is a lightweight formula which has been developed for damaged hair and it uses the same Caviar extract listed within both the shampoo and conditioner within this range. As a Spray it provides thermal protection to defend against heat styling up to 450°F. Hair looks healthy, strong and youthful from root to tip.
• Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair 3-in-1 Sealing Serum (7ml) - Described as being a triple-action hair serum that expertly repairs, protects and seals damaged hair in one easy step. Helping to smoothen the look of split ends and reduce overall breakage, the hair serum utilises Caviar Bond Enforcing Technology to seal cuticles that have been damaged by chemical processes or physical stress, and a proprietary Age-Control Complex for nourishment and antioxidant protection. Again, Caviar Extract, which is one of nature's richest sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids is used and it works to restore moisture, elasticity and shine back into damaged hair.

I think this is a great little set which gives you a real insight as to the products you are buying for your hair, but before paying out a lot of money for something that might not work.

Have you tried anything from Alterna before?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

I Love... Christmas Gift Guide

When it comes to Christmas, I Love have the most amazing collection of products and everything you could possibly imagine from candles and bath salts to mini collections and bubble bath.

Whether you have a bath or a shower, like body creme, body lotions, hand cream, spritzers, scrubs or a mixture of everything, this is what is on offer right now!

Mini Treat Boxes (£4) - The perfect Stocking Filler at just £4 each, these Mini Treat boxes contain a little bit of everything.

I have both Chocolate Fudge and Strawberry Cream scents and inside each of the Mini Treat Boxes, you will find a Bath & Shower Crème (100ml), nourishing Body Butter (50ml) and beautiful body puff. 

Up next we have the Cheesecake Bath and Body Treats and again they make such a fabulous stocking filler as they cost just £5 and they are available in 6 different flavours which include - Strawberry Cream, Minty Choc Chip, Raspberry Ripple, Chocolate Chip and the two which I have - Lemon Meringue and Mango.

Inside each of the boxes you will find a Bath & Shower Crème & an exfoliating Body Puff and they literally smell just incredible.

If you know someone who loves to spend a lot of their time in the bath, then this Lots of Bubbles gift set would be the perfect gift.

The best seller from I LOVE. Packed with 6 indulgent bath & shower crèmes in Chocolate Fudge Cake, Strawberry Cream, Raspberry Ripple, Mango Cheesecake, Lemon Meringue and Minty Choc Chip. Each bottle is 100ml and the set costs just £6.50 and these Bath 7 Shower Cremes are perfect for travelling with too.

The final product within my collection of I Love... is a product I have never tried before but one I absolutely love and it comes from the Home Scents section. The Vanilla Milk Candle (£15) - This Candle comes packaged inside its own uniquely printed pouch which protects the candle in transit and it is so incredibly well made.

With 40 hours of burn time, this particular candle is one of a collection of five which includes English Rose, Elderflower Fizz, Violet Dreams and Exotic Fruit. I am not a huge fan of anything overly scented with Vanilla because it gives me a headache, this one if much softer and really beautiful once it has burned for around an hour. To go with the candles you can also purchase the same scented Reed Diffusers too.

I love... is a bath, body and beauty brand that lovingly creates gorgeous, deliciously scented products. Designed to cleanse, nourish, refresh and pamper your skin, the beautiful range is an everyday treat for anyone who just adores a deliciousness! Mango & Papaya, Raspberry & Blackberry, Strawberries & Cream and Coconut & Cream are the tried and tested favourites but look out for our seasonal limited edition scents! If you need some last minute stocking fillers that won't break the bank, then these are just brilliant.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Christmas with Heyland & Whittle

The house has been cleaned to within an inch of its life, I have de-junked and cleared out things that should have been cleaned out years ago, the Christmas decorations have been up a few weeks, the tree has survived the cats, there are presents under the tree and all of the food is bought ready. 

The last thing I do is to ensure the house smells like Christmas and this year, it is smelling pretty amazing thanks to Heyland and Whittle.

Heyland & Whittle is a quality soap and home fragrance manufacturer based in England. We create what we believe are outstanding natural products with tradition, style and authenticity for a discerning market.

Inspired by our original location on a farm in rural Surrey, Heyland & Whittle produce a range of handmade soaps in the traditional cold-processed method, using only the very best natural ingredients. Essential oils, herbs and spices are combined to create our sulphate and paraben-free range. 

Whether you want candles, reed diffusers, soaps, room spray, hand creams, body scrubs or even hand lotion, Heyland and Whittle have absolutely everything for you to have at home.  Then you have the decision as to whether you want your candle in a glass jar, in a tin or as a votive. Your Reed Diffuser, which can also match the scent of your candle if you so wish. 

I absolutely love candles and have one burning the entire time I am at home. I tend to change the fragrance with the weather and the seasons but at Christmas Time, I like scents that define Christmas to me.

Earl Grey (£25) is one of those fragrances that could be used at any time of the year, it is bold, it is citrusy and if you are a fan of Earl Grey tea, then that scent has been transported into this candle and it smells as good as a freshly brewed cup. Made from a blend of sustainable soy wax which burns very evenly down the glass, it has a burn time of around 40 hours.  It smells absolutely incredible before it has even been lit and the fragrance very quickly comes to life and filters throughout the house.

As mentioned, you can choose a Reed Diffuser to match the fragrance of your candle should you wish.  One of my favourite candle fragrances from Heyland & Whittle is Clementine and Prosecco (£35), which is the exact candle burning as I write this post.  To intensify that scent, we have the Reed Diffuser.

With its cork stopper and rattan reeds, the fragrance comes to life really quickly.  What I like about Reed Diffusers is the ease of using them.  Once the reeds are set up in the oil, you simply turn them upside down every week to ensure that fragrance remains strong.  These products tend to last for up to 4 months before you need to refill the oil and replace the reeds.

When it comes to soaps, I like something that is a lot more exciting than shop bought supermarket soap.  Heyland & Whittle have some incredible sounding soaps and right now in my bathroom right now is Queen of the Nile (£6).

This soap is one that is seriously rich and creamy whilst at the same time being very fragrant. This soap which is free from parabens and sulphates is made with goat's milk and cocoa butter with essential oils - patchouli, vetivert, ylang-ylang and sweet orange. Luxurious and moisturising, this soap suits dry skin types.

Finally within my little stash is the Clementine and Prosecco Room Sachet. Currently hanging on my Christmas Tree, this Room Sachet smells absolutely incredible.

Scented exactly the same as the Reed Diffuser and this sachet is just as potent. Whenever I walk past the tree, it is the first scent I get and they are ideal for hanging on wardrobes, on doorknobs and even in cars.

Heyland & Whittle is an incredible company who have managed to take the fragrances and bring them to life through candles and Reed Diffusers and I now have my eye on the Kitchen Candles especially the Tomato and Basil scent.

Do you have some favourite scented products that you use for this time of the year?

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