Mor Boutique Marshmallow Deluxe Candle

Whatever the weather, I usually have a candle alight in whichever room of the house I am in.  In the summer I tend to opt for fresh clean scents, especially something citrus like.  In the winter I like the warmer scents and toward Christmas, out come the Cinnamon and Eucalyptus and maybe even Fresh Balsam.  For me, a candle is all about winding down and relaxing, more so in the winter it is a time to be cosy, snuggle up under a blanket watching a favourite film or devouring a book. 

From MOR Boutique, I have stepped away from the norm when it comes to my candle choices and have been trying the luxurious Marshmallow Deluxe Soy Candle (£28.00). Described as being "A luxury home fragrance, this exquisite candle features a black hobnail glass vessel, pink Soy Wax and is embellished with a Marshmallow tassel. Perfect to perfume the air with a signature scent and add style to any space" and it looks just stunning from its floral outer box packaging to the inner glass vessel.

The MOR Boutique Marshmallow Deluxe Soy Candle is formulated with a soy wax blend and a cotton wick, the candle is designed to burn for up to 45 hours. When it comes to the scent of a candle, as I have said, I tend to have different preferences for different times of the year.  This fragrance is described as being a feminine Marshmallow scent and it is absolutely lovely, collectively orchestrated with Jasmine Flower and Vanilla Musk, whilst Sugar Dipped Rose Petals, White Carnation and Cotton Candy form a sweet perfume. As soon as the lid is removed from the glass vessel, the fragrance is incredibly noticeable and after a few hours of burning, it becomes more so, with the scent of Jasmine Flower and Cotton Candy (think Snow Fairy) being particularly strong.

If you are looking for a present that has the wow factor and for someone who loves candles, then this one very much ticks those boxes from the black hobnail glass vessel to the marshmallow coloured tassel and of course not forgetting the pink soy wax itself.  If you want something even more delicate then this MOR Marshmallow Fragrant Tea Cup Candle is equally divine.

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

MOR Snow Gardenia Little Luxuries

MOR is a bath, Body and Lifestyle brand from Melbourne Australia and there is something quite luxe about the whole range.  If you are still looking for stocking fillers which look like they should be a lot more expensive than they are, then MOR, who are available at Feelunique is a brand to be looking at.

These two products from their Little Luxuries Collection are simply divine with fragrances to match and they include Snow Gardenia, Blood Orange, Belladonna, Pomegranate, Bohemienne and Marshmellow, all of which are quite exotic sounding and they come in a choice of four different products - a Body Butter, Perfume Oil, Hand cream and a Soapette.

Drift into the dreamy world of Little Luxuries, where petite treasures leave you smitten with sweet cravings. Containing luxurious formulations and heavenly scents will enliven your mood anywhere, anytime.

The two products from the MOR Snow Gardenia Little Luxuries collection and MOR describe their Snow Gardenia fragrance as being "Like a stroll in a secret garden Blooming with beautiful Bergamot, snow white Gardenia and Angelica, ambrosial Juniper Berries entwine with Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang and Amber. Classic and feminine, this floral fragrance will allure and fascinate your sense" and it is one of those fragrances which jump out right at you as soon as you open up the outer packaging.

The first product I was drawn too is the MOR Snow Gardenia Little Luxuries Soapette (£6). It is housed inside a collectable tin and is wrapped inside the most beautiful tissue paper. 

Each Soapette is triple milled to ensure it produces a much more luxurious lather and each one:

• Is a vegetable-based Soap
• Contains both Shea Butter and moisturising Vitamin E
• Is Paraben and Sulphate free
• Has not been tested on animal

Given its size and the way in which it comes packaged, it is also perfect for travelling with as it just slots into your wash bag and doesn't chip and leave soap dust everywhere.

The second product is the MOR Snow Gardenia Little Luxuries Body Butter (£10) and it is described as having a light texture which is perfect for all skin types.  

What I like about the cream is how quickly it absorbs into the skin and is not at all greasy, once it has disappeared, all it leaves behind is the delicious Snow Gardenia scent which within this cream is slightly stronger than that of the soap.  Again this cream:

• Contains Shea Butter for superior moisture, Avocado, Olive, Rosehip, Sesame & Wheat Germ Oil moisturises, hydrates & rejuvenates the skin
• Contains Vitamins A, C & E improves the skin's softness, reduces the signs of ageing & reinvigorates tired skin
• It is Paraben & Sulphate free
• Is not tested on animals

Again, like the soap, this Body Butter is the perfect travel-friendly size and because the tub within which the cream sits is made of plastic, it is quite durable too.

This is my first introduction to MOR as a brand and they are just lovely.  MOR describe themselves as being creators of beautifully crafted bath, body and lifestyle luxuries for those seeking indulgent escapes from the everyday. Embarking on our sensory journey in 2001 from Australia’s culture capital Melbourne, we continue to awaken senses worldwide with collections inspired by tales of ancient civilizations, bygone eras, travel and art. Perfumed with signature scents and formulated with selected natural ingredients, each collection evokes a multi-sensory experience to transform your bathing routine into an indulgent daily ritual.

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

Ancienne Ambiance Colonia Collection

Ancienne Ambiance is a London-based luxury niche brand which was founded back in 2004 and they specialise in creating fine fragrances, home fragrances, body-care, perfumes and natural hand-poured scented candles. I was lucky enough to gifted a stunning Bacca Berry Candle at the beginning of this year and it was just divine. Everything you find from Ancienne Ambiance is paraben free, has been created using natural ingredients and has recyclable packaging.

With Christmas on the horizon, I have, only the past few months been getting myself acquainted with some incredible fragrances from Ancienne Ambiance and it has been quite a journey.  You may or may not be aware that at the end of August, I managed to slip over and tear my ankle ligaments in my left ankle, now let me tell you, it is excruciatingly painful, even now as I am still wearing an ankle brace, and London is not very friendly to someone on crutches, so when this little package arrived, it really made me smile.

Packaged inside this Natural 'Goddess Canvas Pouch' (£22 here), which is just so well made and incredibly roomy, I found a neat little package of five 15ml rollerball fragrances to test and try out. These fragrances come from the new Colonia Collection and if you know someone who loves their luxurious fragrances, then these would be a great gift.  Within this collection, which is limited, there are three Eau de Toilettes and two Eau de Parfums, so the first three are perfect for wearing during the day and the final two are slightly more intense and perfect for evening wear.

The first fragrance is Colonia IV and it is described as being an uplifting traditional citrus fragrance and if you love your citrussy scents, then this is one which will tick those boxes for you.  It has top notes of Italian Lemon, Italian Red Tangerine, Brazilian Sweet Orange, Italian Bergamot which gives it an opening burst of citrus before the middle notes of French Lavender, French Orange Blossom come through to allow the base notes of Tonka Bean, White Musc allow the fragrance to settle taking out the sharpness of the citrus to leave the most beautiful uplifting scents.

The second fragrance is Colonia VI and it sits within the fruity family. What I like about this fragrance is that having read the notes which accompany it, it wasn't at all like I expected.  With top notes of Florida Orange, Argentinian Lemon it opens quite sharply and definitely grabs your attention before the middle notes of Blackcurrant Bud, Geranium come through with the floral notes and more intense fruit note which for me then dominate the scent. The base notes of Vineyard Peach and White Musc are not powerful enough to control the fragrance, but after a few hours the scent of peaches comes through and as the strength of the fragrance finally wears down, for me, it is the Peach that is the surviving note - it is this I was not expecting.

The final of the three EDT fragrances is Colonia VII and if you could bottle the scent of Summer, then this for me is it.  It sits within the Citrus/Fruit family and opens with notes of Italian Pink Grapefruit and Italian Tangerine and here we have two notes that are equally powerful but so well suited to work together in this way. The middle notes of Blackcurrant Bud and Italian Blood Orange only work to intensify the sharpness of those opening notes before the base notes of Marshmallow and White Musc settle the fragrance down to bring in a bit of sweetness. It is just absolutely stunning and my favourite of the three daytime EDT fragrances.

When we move to the Eau de Parfum, there is a stark difference between the two for me and the first is the intensity of the scent itself and the second is the longevity of the scent once applied.  With the EDP they last much longer on the skin, for me, I switched them over and wore the EDP's during the daytime and they lasted the entire day without the need to re-apply whereas the EDT's would have needed reapplying if I was going out of an evening.

The first of the EDP fragrances is Colonia VIII and it sits firmly within the woody family but there is a sweetness to it.  It has top notes which are described as being 'Green Notes' and it is here the fragrance takes its shape and remains strong throughout.  if you have ever been lucky enough to be surrounded by ripe fig trees, then for me, this is that scent and it is just beautiful and fresh.  The middle notes of Coconut are just noticeable, but only just and I quite like that it doesn't overpower that fresh scent but rather adds to it.  The base notes are Woody and Sandalwood and from them comes an almost powdery scent which, as the fragrance dries down, still allows that fresh scent of figs to come through.

The final EDT is Colonia IX which sits firmly within the Woody Oriental family. Described as being 'Exotic and Glamourous' this fragrance opens with the top notes of Bergamot, Cardamom and Lavender and together they open with quite the kick and it is here that you can sense the Oriental notes. Sitting in the middle we have White Flowers and whilst I can't detect them, it is for me the base notes that make this a wonderful scent and they are Sandalwood, Cedar, Patchouli, White Musk and it is here we have the woody and earthy scents which seemingly grab hold of those top notes to make this a stunning fragrance.

Here we have some truly wonderful fragrances and I have taken my time to get to know them and wear them properly before reviewing them.  I love that they are a collection of fragrances whilst all being totally different and taking you on a different journey.  This is exactly why they make such a wonderful gift and one that is so different to anything else I have seen and tried.

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

Caudalie Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is coming with magical sparkles from the vines, that is accordingly to Caudalie and having been lucky enough to see their Christmas offerings, I have some beauties to share with you today and it is quite the collection.

The first gift set is one which I was really excited to see and it is the Reversatrol Lift Gift Set (£42) - Described as being a natural and effective skincare regime that visibly lifts resculpts and re-plumps the skin, thanks to the unique patented combination of Vine Resveratrol and micro hyaluronic acid. 

Inside the gift box, there are three products from the Resveratrol range and they are:

• Resveratrol[Lift] Face Lifting Soft Cream (50ml) - The newest addition to the Resveratrol line up, this is a lightweight and nourishing cream which works to smooth wrinkles and strengthens the skin in one single step, to reveal a more youthful complexion and it does so thanks to vine-derived resveratrol and micro hyaluronic acids to diminish visible signs of skin-ageing.
• Resveratrol[Lift] Firming Serum (10ml) - This serum, which is packed full of vine-derived resveratrol and micro hyaluronic acids helps restore a youthful complexion: skin appears firmer and more toned, and the facial contours are redefined.
• Resveratrol[Lift] Eye Lifting Balm (5ml) - This balm which combines antioxidant-rich grape vine resveratrol with micro hyaluronic acids, lifts and smooths the areas around the eyes and lips. It reduces undereye puffiness and lifts the eyelids, to reveal a youthful, well-rested look.

Together these products have a value of £69 if bought separately and you can find it right here.

The second gift set comes in the form of a cracker and I a huge fan of Beauty Crackers. The Vinosource Cracker.

Inside, this cracker contains a trio of Caudalie heroes in a miniature form which are really cute. Inside you will find:

• Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum (10ml) - Described as being a rich in hydrating and soothing organic grape water, this serum is great for anyone who has slightly dry skin because it helps to restore the skin's natural moisture balance and leave it feeling soft and supple.
• Vinosource Moisturising Sorbet (15ml) - I really like the gel-to-water formula of this sorbet as it melts into the skin upon contact, leaving it soothed, moisturised and strengthened. Specifically designed for sensitive skin, it immediately hydrates whilst reducing redness, for long-lasting comfort and hydration.
• Caudalie's gorgeous Micellar Cleansing Water (30ml) - This gentle water cleanses and removes make-up from the face and eyes in one simple step. Suitable for even the most sensitive of skin.

This cracker has a value of £12.50 but is available for just £10.

Sticking with the stocking fillers and this time we have the Beauty Elixir Bauble. If you are a fan of Caudalie already, then you will more than definitely be a fan of this Elixir, I have featured it a few times on the blog already (here). 

Inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary’s elixir of youth, this powerful plant-based facial mist smoothes away fine lines, tightens pores and gives the complexion an instant boost of radiance. 

Described as being a Caudalie cult product which is favoured by make-up artists, beauty junkies and celebrities, this Elixir has a whole host of uses which include:

• Using as a toner in the morning.
• Ideal for moisturising your complexion sponges.
• Right after applying your foundation, as a makeup setter.
• Spray on your chest and neck to instantly soothe and refresh.
• Spritz for a pick-me-up and to tighten pores.
• Store in your refrigerator for the ultimate cooling mist.
• Spritz on your pillow, for sweet dreams.
• On a plane to quench dehydrated skin.
• After a workout, to calm redness.
• Sprayed in a room, it creates a sensual aroma for relaxation. 
• After make-up removal, to brighten and purify the complexion.

Once spritzed this Elixir fills the air with notes of benzoin, myrrh, orange, blossom, grape and rose, all of which work to give your complexion a rosy glow. Add to that astringent rosemary and the stimulating essence of lemon balm and mint and the scent is really quite incredible and it is of course really gentle on the skin.  Currently on offer for just £9 here.

The final giftset within my little arsenal of goodies is one of my favourites and that is the Luxury Vine Body Butter Set.  

Inside this beautifully decorated box are two amazing products that I never expected to like and use as much as I have.  Described as being 

"Pleasure and well-being are wrapped together in an indulgent gift set! This luxurious box contains the must-have hand and body treats to restore, hydrate and pamper your skin" this Set Contains:

• Vine Body Butter (225ml) - Rich in moisturising Vinolevure and natural ultra-nourishing Shea Butter, this balm deeply repairs dry skin. With a delicate fragrance, its creamy texture is rapidly absorbed and wraps your skin in a veil of satiny softness.
• Hand and Nail Cream (75ml) - Moisturisation, softness and youth are all reunited in this antioxidant-rich hand cream for soft, soothed, protected skin. Lightweight and fast-absorbing without greasy residue.

This box of joy costs just £22 here and has a retail value of £34.

I hope this has given you an insight into what Caudalie has on offer this Christmas. There are of course a whole lot more gift ideas to be had whether you want to buy items singularly to make up your own gift hamper, I have my eye on this Divine Gift Set which contains some incredible products.

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

Christmas Gifting with BeautyMart

One of my favourite places to shop is BeautyMart and it is the place who introduced me to Korean Skincare with Its Skin. Launched in 2012, BeautyMart was set up with a view to become a unique place to learn more about beauty, get insider advice and top tips from Anna and Millie who have both share a wealth of knowledge from within the beauty industry and putting their skills together they wanted to create a place to shop for innovative beauty products.

This Christmas, BeautyMart have a whole host of incredible products on offer, whether you are being more conscious with your eco brands, trying the Vegan route or just want something a little different or the one product everyone is talking about. With all of that in mind, here are just some of the amazing brands and products you can find on BeautyMart.

The one everyone seems to have gone gaga over is the REMOVE & CHILL Nail Polish Remover Cream (£14.25). It sells out as quickly as it comes back into stock and you might have seen it on your social media feed, but like me, you have probably been asking 'what is it'? Well, the Remove and Chill Nail Polish Cream is described as being a revolutionary acetone-free nail polish removal cream that won’t spill, nourishes nails and actually smells good! 

It isn't for use on Shellac or gels but whenever you have done your at home Mani and you get a chip and need to remove and re-do, this cream can be used in replace of your usual nail polish remover and instead of being a liquid, it is a cream. Packed inside a tube, this cream is infused with an oil complex enriched with macadamia, almond, argan and vitamin E all of which work to keep cuticles and nails in tip-top condition. Gone is the chemical scent that makes you feel a bit lightheaded and in its place is a fresh scented cream which does the exact same job, only better and less messy!  This is a perfect product for being on the go, on your holidays or even sat on the sofa giving yourself that Christmas Mani!

Next up we have It's Skin and I adore this brand and showcased some of their products right during the summer. It’s Skin is described as being a K-Beauty brand with a difference and it is Korea’s first cosmeceutical brand with an affordable price tag. It's Skin take science seriously having teamed up with leading Dermatologists in Seoul and by using state of the art formulations but also have a little fun too.  I currently have my eye on the Tiger Cica range from It's Skin but to give you a little insight into the how the brand works, everything you see is colour coded and for a good reason, depending on what it is you feel your skin needs, be it hydration, sebum control, rejuvenation or even brightening then you find the right colour and choose your products accordingly.

In this gift guide, I have the green Power 10 Formula VB Effector (£12 from Boots) which sounds quite the mouthful but what it essentially is, is a serum with Vitamin B which helps to control sebum and calms troubled skin. The serum itself is incredible lightweight and it just sinks into the skin without the need for any massaging, my skin loves this and drinks it all up really quickly.  This entire range is perfect for picking and choosing the products which appeal to you the most or to the loved one you are buying a present for and creating your own little gift pack. 

Sticking with beauty, up next I have two masks which are perfect for some pampering from Skimono (Available from Mortarandmilk) and they are absolute heaven in a sachet. The first mask is the Skimono Foot Mask for Total Conditioning. Free from parabens and toxins, this sock-like foot mask, which is really comfortable to wear, is made from a naturally-derived bio-cellulose and is said to have what is called 'a three-dimensional matrix structure that has been saturated in a unique serum to maximise absorption capacity' which is really clever because it doesn't feel as though you are slipping your foot into a sock of wet jelly but instead it is far more pleasant. Using a deeply hydrating formula of both Shea Butter and Olive Oil, this treatment not only moisturising those aching and tired feet but the ingredients also help to soften hard skin and smooth away cracks. There are also further ingredients of Tea Tree and Chamomile which deliver an anti-bacterial action alongside an instant cooling sensation and it is this for me which makes this foot mask an incredible treat after a long day walking about, or if you just have aching and tired feet. All you need to do is ensure your feet are clean before use and then slip on the socks, secure in place using the straps and allow them to work their magic for up to 30 minutes.

The second mask from Skimono is the Hand Mask for Intense Nourishment and like the foot mask, it uses the same naturally-derived bio-cellulose structure, only this time it is in the form of a glove. Using a formula which is infused with Shea Butter and Aloe Vera, together they provide your hands with a boost of nutrients and vitamins, working to promote a more supple, even texture. Also included as an ingredient is the fabulous Hyaluronic Acid which as we know by now attracts moisture like a magnet and is great for helping to keep moisture within the skin, thus helping to eradicate dry patches and roughness.

Together these masks are a perfect treat for this time of the year and given that they are red and green, they are also in keeping with the Christmassy tradition of colouring.

The final treat that I have in my little package is the Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tints (£24.50) and this is a new introduction to the brand for me. The Cheek Tint Cream Blush is said to be the latest addition to Hollywood make-up artist Jillian Dempsey’s best-selling range of vegan, cruelty-free colour cosmetics. Jillian has worked with the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Stewart, Kristen Dunst, Kate Winslet and of course, is married to Patrick Dempsey who is better known to millions of us as McDreamy from Grey's Anatomy (Still not over it!!).

These cheek tints are velvety soft and just glide onto the cheeks like an absolute dream. They are creamier than I expected and because they give a really lovely pop of colour they are not the most pigmented that you will come across but they are up there with the best for being blendable in my opinion and they give a natural looking flush to the skin.  There are six shades within the collection and I have Scarlet/Rouge which is the perfect addition for this time of the year to add a hint of colour to those washed out looking cheeks and I also have Bloom/Floraison which is more of a neutral tone that I can get away with wearing.  That said, I have been using Scarlet/Rouge on my lips with lip balm on the top and it looks pretty good!  Being Vegan you won't find any nasties within the formula, but what you will find is that they use natural and organic plant ingredients such as Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter and Coconut Oil with Bamboo Stem Extract all of which come together to help moisturise and protect skin from dehydration.

Those are just some of the product options from BeautyMart which makes shopping for those final few gifts a much easier task than it might ordinarily be and who knows, you might even find some new favourites coming from brands you have never come across before!

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

Friction Free Saving Christmas Gift Box

I admit, I cackled because the acronym is FFS and it is something I say a lot, but in this case FFS actually stands for Friction Free Shaving and this Christmas, you can buy one of the best Shaving Christmas Boxes I have ever come across and it looks like this.

Friction Free Shaving actually launched 24 months ago and the idea came about because the little gems behind the brand got fed up with overpriced, low quality, brightly coloured plastic women’s razors on the market. It made them say FFS – hence the name! The ethos behind the brand is that women deserve better, more convenient shaving products, at lower prices. Also, you will have seen launching everywhere a similar idea for men, but not for us ladies, so with a gap in the market, FFS wanted to be the first razor subscription club not aimed towards men.

The Christmas Box has a festive design in pastel pink, so if you can't be faffed with wrapping it, then fear not, because it is already done for you. Sleek in design, the postie managed to fit mine through my letterbox, but inside it is packed full of amazing products, plus a little something special - the award-winning Rose Gold Razor, which has been engraved with my name!

What I love about this box is that it is a little bit more than a razor and some blades, as you can see it includes everything you need to ensure that shaving experience is less of a chore and more of a pamper.  Inside my box are three treatments which come together to give your legs a bit of TLC, my legs really need this as I am forever moaning I have shins like lizard skin.

Up first we have the Pre-shave Scrub which is designed to get rid of dull, dead and dry skin. Enriched with Manuka Honey and Almond Milk, it smells absolutely lovely, but rather than being overly abrasive on the skin because it uses the husks of walnuts, it just does its job, a pretty good one at that, at removing skin cells which are just hanging around.  It is also good practice to exfoliate the legs before shaving because products like this also help to soften the hair and prevent ingrown hairs after shaving.

The second treatment is the Shave Cream and this cream is described as having a 'catatonic charge' that softens your hair and makes them stand on end for a closer shave.  Enriched with Mauka Honey, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, this cream works with your razor to glide over the skin, avoiding those horrendous nicks and cuts that you definitely don't need as party season starts.  With this cream, you need to apply and allow it sit on the skin for around 15 seconds before you start to use your razor.

The final treatment is the Post Shave Balm.  I hold my hands up to never ever using a product like this, despite insisting the mister does when he shaves.  Again, enriched with Manuka Honey, Almond Milk and Cocoa Butter, these three ingredients which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties are also high in antioxidants and deeply hydrating too.  Perfect for application to dried legs post shave, this balm also helps to prevent ingrown hairs and leaves your legs feeling as soft as silk.

Also within the box you will find your choice of Razor, Rose who is Rose Gold or Silvia who is Silver and she comes with accompaniments of a Shower Holder, this I think is genius and it makes shaving life so much easier without having got into the shower, then having to look around without sliding to find your razor, it is right there in front of you stuck to your tiles.  

Then we have 4 weeks worth of blades, again, a very clever idea when you would usually only get one blade. The final two products are the travel pouch which will come in handy for anyone who travels frequently or is planning to travel and a blade cover, which for me is an absolute must-have for safety reasons.

I mentioned earlier within the review that my Razor has been personalised just for me and here she is, looking all shiny and Rose Gold with my name etched onto it, so everyone in this house (I am watching you Beautykinguk) knows who the razor belongs too.

The price for this box is just £30 and if it is something you think would make an amazing gift, which of course it would, then you need to grab it by 17th December to ensure you have it in time for Christmas and anyone who buys the box through THIS link will also get a free pair of rose gold tweezers with their order.

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

Evolve Organic Beauty Christmas Gift Guide

Evolve Organic Beauty is a brand I was so excited to get to know and one I have loved every minute of doing so. Having seen it explode across my social media, Evolve Organic Beauty products are lovingly handmade in small batches at their studio in Hertfordshire, England to ensure the freshness of the precious antioxidants in the natural oils, butter and extracts. The products are vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly.

This Christmas, Evolve Beauty have a whole host of incredible Christmas Gifts on offer for gifts suitable for each skin type and every budget. I was kindly given some of them by way of an introduction and they are just wonderful.  These are just a few of them!

Imagine these three stars hanging from your Christmas Tree with their wonderfully decorated packaging which features the Christmassy scenes of either Gingerbread men, Snowflakes or Reindeers. Inside the star, you will find a tin of Lip Shine (£14 each).   

This, of course, isn't just any lip shine, it is one that is rich in Cacao butter, rose flower oil, vanilla and gold sparkles. As soon as the lid is removed, there is a wonderful scent that draws you in coming from organic Blood Orange essential oil you and the Lip Shines are all completely vegan and they use a 100% natural alternative to petroleum jelly and is blended with Amazonian Cupuacu Butter and organic Cacao Butter which together work to nourish and replenish dry lips.  

What I really love about these lip shines, is not that they feel amazing on the lips, which of course they do either on their own or over your favourite lipstick, but you can also use them as a shimmery highlighter on your cheeks and collarbones too!

Next, from Evolve Beauty I have two crackers and again, they are both such a wonderful way to be introduced to the brand and what products there is on offer, not to mention how wonderful the packaging is too.

The first cracker is called 'Let it Glow' and it is a Limited Edition cracker (£20) which is described as being the perfect stocking filler. Inside this cracker are two amazing products that you just cannot help but love. The first is a Lip shine which I have featured above and it is the perfect accompaniment to the second product within this cracker which is the Radiant Glow Mask. This rich face mask is just incredible, I absolutely love it. Blended with raw cacao, clay and coconut granules these ingredients come together to cleanse, purify and buff the skin.  It is also enriched with antioxidants, magnesium, Vitamins and the fatty acid Omega 6, so this mask not only works to improve hydration and the complexion it does all of this whilst promoting cell repair and skin cell rejuvenation. Finally, there is the addition of sweet almond oil which is a high moisturising, emollient and nourishing properties.  

This mask smells good enough to eat thanks to the raw cacoa and it just feels amazing on the skin. Natural sugar extracts turn the exfoliating mask into a creamy milk on contact with water so that it rinses off easily and once you have removed every trace of the mask it leaves behind skin which smooth the touch, feeling moisturised and for me, skin which feels calm and less stressed.

The second cracker is the Calm and Bright Limited Edition Cracker (£25) and inside there are three products which come together to hydrate, soothe and calm.  

The first product is a Daily Defence Moisture Mist (30ml) and this is described as being a potent protective serum facial mist which uses an organic Mexican cactus elixir to calm irritated skin whilst helping to increase hydration.  This mist smells just absolutely amazing and also include African Moringa peptides which protect the skin from pollutants and purify the skin while hyaluronic acid, which is known for its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and leaves the skin looking much improved.

The second product within the cracker is the Hyaluronic Serum 200.  Perfect for normal to dry skin, there is 200mg of hyaluronic acid per bottle and it works alongside some Organic pomegranate extract which works to soften and protect the skin, Aloe Vera Juice which is soothing for dry, sensitive skin. Will help to calm redness and heal the skin and then we have the delicate fragrance of organic rosewater which gives this serum one of the nicest smells.  What I really like about this serum is just how it makes my skin feel, having double cleansed, I apply this serum before any moisturiser and my skin feels like ive just had a facial, so smooth to the touch.

The final product within this cracker is the Daily Renew Facial Cream (30ml). Perfect for normal to dry skin, this cream feels incredibly luxurious. Using a blend of pure organic oils such as Argan Oil which is is high in vitamin E and fatty acids, giving the skin a youthful glow. It is easily absorbed. Vitamin E and fatty acids are also known for their ability to repair damaged skin and prevent further damage. Apricot Kernal Oil and Sesame Oil which both have moisturising, nourishing and revitalising properties. 

You will also find Hyaluronic Acid as an ingredient and again, this cream is delicately fragranced using both soothing hypoallergenic vanilla & coconut natural fragrance.

These gifts have been such a wonderful introduction to Evolve Beauty and I am excited to see where the brand goes next.  Already there is a catalogue packed full of products across the serums, creams, toners, treatments, oils and eye care categories or you can search for your ideal product based upon your main concern such as dryness, dehydration, blemish or dullness to name just a few.

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

Bradbury’s The Jewellers

When it comes to buying Jewellery for someone, be it a loved one, a friend, a work colleague or even for yourself, for me, there are elements of that experience which matter and that is whether you are buying someone online or in person in a shop.  Bradbury's The Jewellers can be found in the West Yorkshire town of Halifax, it is an independent family run business who take pride in everything they do and that includes bringing traditional values in customer service, honesty and value.  The store is home to some of the most premier brands that you will have come across - Links of London, Michael Kors, Thomas Sabo, Folie Folie and many more.  

I was kindly gifted a beautiful Coeur De Lion Peach Crystal Bangle and the wow factor began as soon as I had opened the outer packaging.  As I said, there are elements of that shopping experience which matter and Bradbury's have all of that -  the eye for detail, the thought process and the love and care that goes into ensuring a gift looks as good on the outside as it does on the inside.  Beautifully wrapped in rose gold paper with an accompanying ribbon, neatly bowed, there was no giveaway as to what was inside, there was no view of any cellotape or other fastenings and someone had clearly taken the time and effort to ensure everything was just right.

Coeur De Lion jewellery is handmade in Germany and it is a brand I know a little about through a relative of mine who adores the Geocube design on some of the jewellery pieces. Behind the brand, which has just celebrated 30 years in the business, we have Carola Eckrodt and it is her love of materials that must be versatile, hard wearing and enduring which brings to life a whole host of beautiful statement pieces of jewellery, all of which is made by hand.

Putting together both Coeur de Lion and Bradbury's the Jewellers, you have two brands that complement and match each with the love for what they do, the love that goes into the process of ensuring the end result is perfect and one to whom the little details matter.

The Coeur de Lion Peach Crystal Pave Stone Set Bangle is made of stainless steel with crystals in a pavé setting and an integrated click closure.  opening the box, you find the bangle sitting on a pure white silk cushion. This modern bangle has a highly polished finish and is enhanced by two glistening rows of peach coloured crystals which add a glamorous sparkle.

I am a big fan of shopping online, the ease of everything being in front of me, the lack of queuing and no tripping over baskets winning me over. That said, a website has to be easy to navigate around and thankfully the website for Bradbury's Jewellery is incredibly crisp and clean. There aren't a billion pop-ups to interfere with browsing, there is also the ability to look closely at individual pieces of jewellery is amazing, the detail is there to see, the images are clean and of high resolution, this is down below with the photograph of the bracelet I have.

Every page loads quickly, the important points are visible - price, what the item is, when it will be dispatched and whether or not you would like gift wrapping.  I have spent quite some time looking around the website whilst writing this review and might have already put one or two things in my shopping basket!  If you are looking for jewellery gifts, then I would recommend having at a look at what Bradbury's have to offer, there are so many beautiful items.

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