Caudalie RESVERATROL-LIFT FIRMING SOLUTION GIFT SET

Caudalie is an incredible brand and there is a few of their products that I just absolutely adore, the Glycolic Peel Mask and the Beauty Elixir being just two that I use and have repurchased time and time again.  Today I am sharing one of the many Christmas Gift sets that are on offer for 2021 and it is the Resveratrol-Lift Firming Solution Gift Set (£42).

Referred too as being the vine's superpower, Resveratrol is a molecule produced by this vine to regenerate itself and it is now on of the most promising ingredients in the fight against cell ageing. Caudalie have filed a patent which combines Resveratrol and Hyaluronic Acid - this unique cocktail triples the skin's natural production of hyaluronic acid. The result being firmer and plumper skin. Clever right?

Within this limited edition Resveratrol-Lift Firming Solution Gift Set you will find three products from the range and as ever with products such as these, getting them in a set such as this, is an amazing way to try everything.

The first product within this set is the Resveratrol-Lift Firming Night Cream 50ml: Using its patented combination of resveratrol, hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen, as well as being composed with more than 98% natural origin ingredients, this cream is also enriched in olive squalane, it has a phyto-aromatic complex which works to leave the skin delicately scented with notes of chamomile flowers, lavender water, orange leaves, red thyme, sage and fresh mint, which is one of those scents I would absolutely bottle and spritz on my skin throughout the day as a pick-me-up. 

With its rich, luxurious texture, works to regenerate the skin overnight for what is described as being a beautiful awakening: by that it means your features appear rested and relaxed, while the skin is firmer and nourished.

Then we have the Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum 10ml: This serum can be used alone or before your cream, but, highly concentrated, this serum has the job of working to correct wrinkles and smooth the facial contours with firming vine Resveratrol.

Again, this serum is composed with more than 97% natural origin ingredients, it is also oil-free and has the most beautiful silky texture which melts into the skin without leaving that aggravating greasy finish.  Its aromatic complex leaves the skin lightly fragranced with notes of basil, lemongrass, chamomile, thyme and orange blossom.

Resveratrol-Lift Firming Eye Gel Cream 5ml: Enjoy the Gel-cream texture of the Firming Eye Gel Cream. It works to reduce dark circles and puffiness while smoothing the eyelids to combat signs of fatigue. The eye contour looks younger and fresher.

This eye cream uses a patented blend of the Caudalie cult-classic Resveratrol complex, alongside a vegan collagen booster as well as natural hyaluronic acid. You will also find a trio of actives, they include Quinoa extract which helps to reduce puffiness, peptides which work to firm the skin and finally bio-polymers deliver a glowing finish for brighter, younger-looking eyes.

As part of Caudalie's Eco-friendly commitment, this gift set has been eco-designed, zero plastic and is recyclable. It is also made from paper from sustainably managed forests and uses plant ink for printing.

You can find the Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Solution Gift set on sale with Caudalie.

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

Ecooking Peeling Mask and Moisturising Mask Set

I am a big fan of the brand Ecooking and have been since I was first introduced to the brand a few years ago. In that time they have grown from having a catalogue of just a few products to one which is now quite substantial. Ecooking was founded by Tina Søgaard who started out by hand-mixing raw ingredients at her kitchen table to create skin care for herself, then for her family and friends who had noticed the results from the formulations.

ECooking which stands for Eco and Cooking was born. Eco referring to ecological and organic and Cooking refers to the fact that everything has been developed at home in the kitchen, features everything within its range from lip balms and serums to hair care and problem solvers and I am told they have also ventured into the market of makeup which I find very exciting.

The gift set I am sharing with you today is the Peeling and Moisturising Mask Set RRP £39 (normally £64) which comes beautifully packaged and presented inside a Vegan gift box.

Perfect for yourself or a loved one, this skincare gift set helps to leave skin smooth and radiant. The Peeling Mask and Moisturising Mask guarantees brighter, more even skin.

If you are a fan of facemasks or know someone who is, then this is a great duo of masks to try.

The Set Contains:

Peeling Mask (50ml) - This Peeling mask features the incredible trio of Lactic, Salicylic and Glycolic Acid and it is an incredible weekly treatment which is tasked with expertly buffing away dead, dry and dull skin cells to reveal a much smoother and more radiant visage.

Using natural plant extracts and antioxidant Vitamin E which work in tandem to deliver firming and anti-ageing benefits; they not only help to minimise the appearance of lines and wrinkles, but they also help with tightening skin and enhancing luminosity. The overall result is that this miracle mask will leave the skin feeling softer and more refined but also gives you a really healthy-looking glow.

Moisturizing Mask (50ml) - If hydration is what you crave, then this is the mask you need. Described as being an extremely hydrating face mask, it is enriched with a blend of organic Shea Butter, organic Glycerin, organic Vitamin E and organic Sunflower Oil, plus Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture. If that isn't enough, you will also find the inclusion of organic sesame oil, mandarin oil and almond oil too.

As this mask is designed to deliver an intensive surge of moisture, the mask can be used in two different ways depending on the needs of your skin.  The first way tp use this mask is to apply an even layer to the skin and leave it to work for around 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.  If you feel your skin needs a bit more TLC, then you can apply a much thinner layer to your skin and leave it on overnight to replenish and condition the complexion. 

I absolutely love both of these masks and have done ever since I was introduced to them some time ago, whatever your skincare needs, Ecooking has a great selection of products which are Vegan and dermatologically tested.

The Peeling and Moisturising Mask Set can be found via Lookfantastic and is priced at just £30.

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

The Body Shop Bath time Christmas Gifts under £25

I am going to be sharing a few gift guides from The Body Shop this year, not only is there so much to choose from across every budget range, but they have also partnered with The Honeypot Children’s Charity and Family Carers Ireland to help give young carers in the UK & Ireland the support they need to build brighter futures and happy childhood memories. ​

With your support The Body Shop will be donating up to £150,000 to fund a range of respite breaks, which give disadvantaged children freedom from their routine and responsibilities, as well as online after school clubs and wellness services to help them make happy childhood memories, support their well-being, and build their belief that they can succeed in education and beyond. ​

Whatever the purchase, big or small, a donation of 5p from every transaction made in store and online, as well as each The Body Shop At Home order placed between 19th October to 31st December 2021 to The Honeypot Children’s Charity and Family Carers Ireland. ​

This gift guide will feature products priced at £25 and under within the bath time ranges and there is a lot of gifts to choose from. 

Starting with the Fizz & Festivity Bath Bomb Gift Set which is priced at £10, this is the perfect secret Santa/Stocking Filler gift. Inside the festively decorated box, you will find 6 bath bubbles and a Ramie Bath Lily.

Once in the water, each one of these Bath Bubbles transform your bath water into a multitude of colours, usually along the lines of the scent they represent and as they do so, that scent, be it Pink Grapefruit, Coconut or even Moringa come to life. The Ramie Bath Lily is made with durable, sustainable, eco-friendly fibres that help soften skin with minimal environmental impact and it helps to  make all of the cleansing gels and creams extra thick with lots of lather too.

Bath Bubbles within this set include

• Moringa Bath Bubble 28g
• Moringa Bath Bubble 28g
• Pink Grapefruit Bath Bubble 28g
• Pink Grapefruit Bath Bubble 28g
• Coconut Bath Bubble 28g
• Coconut Bath Bubble 28g

Plus the Ramie Bath Lily which is a shade of creamy white.  

You can find this gift set for £10 with The Body Shop.

Up next, we have the delightfully named Berries & Bubbles Bath Ritual £22 and with this gift set, you are asked to give bath time a boost this season with our Berries & Bubbles Bath Ritual Christmas Gift Set.  If you love nothing better than a soak in the bath, then this is the gift set for you. 

Inside the festively designed box is a total of three products which are all wonderfully scented. Inside you will find:

• Strawberry Body Yoghurt 200ml
• Berry Bath Blend 250ml
• Oval Bath Sponge

The Berry Bath Blend is designed to leave your skin feeling incredibly hydrated, nourished and moisturised and it is has notes of wild strawberry, oat milk, praline and vanilla. As soon as it comes into contact with the bath water, of which it changes to a beautifully bright shade of reddy pink which I am guessing comes from the beetroot extract, the strawberry scent comes to life and with it there is a slight hint of that praline which keeps the vanilla in line and stops it from becoming too dominant.  Alongside the Berry Bath Blend there is also an oval bath sponge which is designed to help with exfoliation.  The finally, once out of the bath, whether you choose to towel dry or not, you can apply the Strawberry Body Yoghurt and alongside the Strawberry extract there is also the inclusion of organic almond milk and on the skin, the texture is quite yoghurt like, but without the 'bits' and it absorbs so quickly into the skin and leaves behind no greasy film but it does leave an incredible scent.

You can find this gift set for £22 with The Body Shop.

The final gift set I am sharing withing this part of my gift set is hair care and I make no secret of the fact that I absolutely love hair care from The Body Shop, particularly the Ginger Collection.  This time it is Banana Bliss Haircare (£20).  This collection is said to be for the person who is wanting to have smoother-looking locks this Christmas, if it is you, then this is the answer to those is dry, frizz-prone hair woes.

This collection is made with 91% ingredients of natural origin which organic banana puree alongside Vegan Silk Protein, this is a 100% plant-based protein, it works to cleverly replicate the chemical structure of natural silk which is produced by the common European garden spider.

Inside the gift set, you will find:

• Banana Shampoo 250ml
• Banana Conditioner 250ml
• Microfiber Hair Wrap

As you can imagine, this due of shampoo and conditioner smell exceptionally banana like, as you would expect and what I really love is just how smooth both products are, by that I mean, they are lightweight on the hair, they don't weight my hair down and they leave it feeling soft after using, without that gimmicky plastic feeling.  Then if that isn't enough, once your hair is washed and conditioned, there is the inclusion of a Microfiber Hair wrap too.

You can find this gift set for £20 with The Body Shop.

So there is my The Body Shop Bath time Christmas Gift Guide for products priced under £25. Does anything grab your fancy?

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

Waken Mouthcare Gift Sets

This Christmas, there seems to be a bit of a social media campaign about buying people what they need rather than what you think they want, part of me gets this, it makes so much sense and hopefully this post will tick that box for so many of you.

I love getting 'smellies' as we used to call them for Christmas, not having to scan the aisles of my local supermarket for a razor or some shower gel because I am lucky enough to have been given some by a relative is a blessing to be honest.  This Christmas, if you’re looking for something different to the regular beauty-based offerings such as shower gels, deodorants, hand soaps or minis, then Waken might just have what you are looking for. 

To provide everyone with some new options, Waken Mouthcare have created three beautiful and sustainable gift sets that are guaranteed to freshen up smiles and bathrooms and I am sharing two of them in this post.

The first gift set is the Waken Gift 2 Beautiful When You Smile - Peppermint (£12). This gift set contains three Waken Mouthcare essentials that have been designed to help you maintain a gleaming smile and fresh breath.

Set Contents:

• Peppermint Mouthwash 500ml - An award-winning fluoride mouthwash with the cooling sensation of natural peppermint extract to refresh.
• Peppermint Toothpaste 75ml - Blended with natural peppermint, this formula protects your teeth and gums against cavities and plaque build-up.
• Peppermint Lip Balm 12.5g - A small, round tin containing a buttery blend of shea, cocoa and mango seed butters to leave your lips soft and supple.

In line with Waken’s eco-friendly blueprint, the products within this gift set come housed in recycled, sustainable and certified carbon neutral packaging.

The second gift set is the Waken Gift 1 - Luscious Lips (£15) and it is described as being a trio of deeply nourishing lip balms that work to condition and comfort your lips.

The lip balms are which are made from a blend of three brilliant vegan butters - shea, cocoa and mango seed and they help to protect and condition your lips. Each one of these balms also happens to have a petroleum jelly-free formula and instead boasts the inclusion of antioxidant Vitamin E, which helps to protect delicate the lips from free radical damage that is linked to premature skin ageing.

Set Contents:

• Lemon and Mint Lip Balm 12.5g - Fresh and invigorating, this zesty scent offers a burst of citrus that caressing your lips in long-lasting softness with an uplifting fragrance.
• Peppermint Lip Balm 12.5g - This refreshing lip balm offers a supple softness to your pout. The minty fresh scent leaves a sweet-smelling aroma and long-lasting moisture.
• Strawberry and Mint Lip Balm 12.5g - A sweet cocktail of strawberry and mint creates a fruity fresh scent that provides hydration and softness to your pout.

I really love the lemon and mint balm which surprised me as it isn't a combination I would ordinarily choose.  That said, the texture of each one of these balms is incredibly silky-smooth without being greasy or slimy. Again, each balm as you might expect is housed in pastel-coloured sustainable packaging and not only is it Vegan but they also have 100% natural flavours and that same sustainable packaging I have already mentioned.

So there is a brief introduction to Waken, their products can now be found over on Lookfantastic and given they are so reasonably priced and they look so pretty in their packaging, they are beautiful to gift.

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

Christmas Stocking Fillers with L'Occitane

I absolutely love L'Occitane, it is up there with my favourites and they have created products that neither my bathroom or I can be without - that being the Almond range!  Having shared the incredible Advent Calendars and been lucky enough to also unbox one, today I am sharing some of the gift sets that anyone would be lucky enough to find under their Christmas Tree!

There is over 100 different offerings of gifts from L'Occitane for 2021 and you can helpfully choose them by recipient, by budget, by gift type or you can just spend a merrily few hours making a mental note as to what to buy for yourself!

The first gift set I am sharing is the My Floral Hand Cream Trio (£20). If anything over the past 18 months has taught us, that is to never ever run out of hand cream because using santitiser on your hands can be an absolute nightmare for drying them out!

Thankfully, L'Occitane has the perfect sized hand creams for having on your bedside table, makeup bag, desk, handbag or even in your coat pocket, which is where I usually find a tube.  Inside this trio of hand creams you will find:

• Rose - Described as being a moisturising hand cream with the floral and green notes of the iconic Rose. It is enriched with Shea Butter which helps to moisturise and protect your skin.
• Cherry Blossom - The Cherry scent of this hand cream is delightful and also enriched with Shea Butter, it is non-greasy or tacky but smells so fresh.
• Neroli & Orchidée - I love sweet floral scents, so Neroli which is the blossom off a bitter orange tree, mixed with Orchid creates a beautiful scent and within this hand cream it is just lovely and relaxing.  Again, we have Shea butter for its moisturising and hydrating properties.

These three hand creams are a beautiful trio and anyone who uses as much hand cream as I do, will be delighted to see them under the tree.

The second gift set is the My Comforting Essentials Shea Butter Festive Star Bauble which features an ultra-nourishing skincare trio which helps to keep skin cleansed, moisturised and protected from head to toe.

Shea Butter is one of L'Occitane's hero ingredients and they have a great story to share with their work alongside the women in Burkino Faso which is a must read.

This Gift Set Contains

• L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream 20ml: This is a rich, luxurious body moisturiser which is perfect for dry to very dry skin. It contains 25% shea butter which intensely nourishes the skin to protect against dryness and strengthen the hydrolipidic barrier. It offers up to 72 hours of hydration, leaving the skin soft, comfortable and non-greasy.
• L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 10ml: This is an award-winning hand cream that is enriched with 20% shea butter and alongside it there is a which also features a blend of almond, honey and coconut oil to give that intense nourishment. The cream isn't at all oily but it is just wonderful.
• L'Occitane Shea Butter Milk Soap 25g: This delicate soap is formulated with a 100% vegetable base and shea butter to gently cleanse skin and help preserve its natural moisture balance.  It smells just so wonderfully clean and leaves my hands soft and smooth to the touch.

This is another amazing gift set from L'Occitane and one I cannot wait to hang on my tree as soon as I am allowed to get it out of storage!  It is a great introduction to the L'Occitane Shea range.

The final gift set I am sharing today is one of my favourite scents from L'Occitane and the range that I spend all my love on - The Almond Range.  This gift set, The Almond Voyage Soothing and Firming Collection (£19)

Nestled inside the festively decorated L'Occitane yellow box is a trio of products from the Almond Range, all of which I absolutely adore and have in my bathroom.

This Gift Set contains:

• Almond Shower Oil (75ml) - Not that this product needs an introduction if you read my blog fairly regularly because it is my favourite product ever from L'Occitane and nothing has ever come as close to be as amazing as this. As well as smelling just incredible, when this shower oil comes into contact with water it turns from an oil into a lavish milky foam, leaving my skin feeling silky soft and smooth.
• Almond Delicious Soap (50g) -  This soap uses ground almond shells which very gently but impressively scrub away dead skin cells, leaving your hands clean and those rough areas, such as the elbows, knees and feet feeling smooth. There is also the inclusion of sweet almond oil which gives this soap that amazing scent.
• Almond Delicious Hands (30ml) - This is my favourite hand cream ever and it is one I always have a back up of in my drawer.   Enriched with both Almond milk and Almond oil, which help to nourish and soften the hands, it brings with it that delightful scent I rave about. This cream, luxurious on the skin, is non-greasy or oily and leaves the hands hydrated and moisturised.

For anyone who is a fan of the L'Occitane Almond collection or if you know someone who might become a fan, then this is the gift set you need to have under the tree as an introduction.

So there is just a few of the L'Occitane gift sets that you can find on offer and with so much choice for every possible budget, I would happily purchase as many as I could!

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

Create your own Gin with Inspirited

When it comes to a drink with friends in a bar or even at home, you’ll often find me with a Gin & Tonic or something Gin based if I’m drinking alcohol. I’ve been through the Vodka years and we don’t really mix well, but Gin is the one drink I do really enjoy and in recent years, the selection has increased exponentially. When Inspirited, a craft gin distillery based in Strathaven, just outside of Glasgow got in contact to see if I wanted to make my own Gin, there was only one answer - Yes!

Inspirited, as I have mentioned is a craft Gin distillery and as well as having the opportunity to purchase one of their creations, as a customer, there is the most amazing gin tool that gives you the visitor a chance to create your own bespoke gin and there is so many combinations it is so much fun - and yes I did of course created the Beautyqueenuk Limited Edition Gin!

Through our gin tool visitors to our site can create their own fully bespoke gin, distilled with their botanicals of choice – we distil each gin individually – we don’t just add botanicals to a base spirit like other offerings might! – and finish it off complete with personalised label and gift box.

Now obviously I am no expert on making Gin, this is the first time and opportunity I have had to do so. There is a really handy step-by-step guide which takes you through the different stages of your gin making journey. It is definitely worth taking the time to read it before you begin the process, though at any time you can just start over. I also spent some time looking through the Tasty Tips page which is an incredibly useful tool when it comes to pairing ingredients and botanical's for your drink. There is a total of 35 botanicals to choose from and you are free to choose as many as you think you need, but the advice is to choose between 6 and 10, but not more than 12 otherwise it could dilute the taste of your product.  

Juniper is pre-selected for you because without it, well it wouldn't be gin and the same with Coriander (no not the leaf the seeds) which helps to tone down the punch that Juniper packs.  As you look through each ingredient and botanical, there is a handy little information button which gives you the low down on each one, so whether you want something fruity, floral, citrus, nutty or even exotic, there is a guide as to what it smells and tastes like, for example:

• Strawberry - Somewhere between sweet and sour this household favourite has rose to gain fame as a mild, sweet and quite delicious flavour
• Cucumber - The widely grown cucumber plant has origins from ancient India. The plants fruit is a popular accompaniment to gin, and has a very distinct slightly bitter but refreshing taste.
• Marigold Flower - Sometimes referred to as poor man's saffron, marigold has a complex flavour that can be described as earthy and spicy with a hint of green apple and orange.
• Angelica - Slightly bitter and slightly herbal this earthy root works much like Orris root in that it is a fantastic fixative.
• Grains of paradise - also known as alligator pepper, have a complex flavour with distinct similarities to black pepper with additional citrus notes.

So as you can see, just because something sounds like you would like it, you might not quite like it in a creation of gin!  Now I am sure you are all dying to know what is in my Gin, so here we go:

• Juniper,
• Orris Root,
• Coriander,
• Rhubarb,
• Seville Orange,
• Kaffir Lime,
• Grapefruit Peel,
• Hibiscus,
• Lemongrass,
• Baobab

All of the flavours that I like in Gin or other products I choose to purchase and now all together in one bottle.  The whole process was so easy to follow, I think I learnt something about the art of making and creating gin and having had a play around with ingredients and botanicals to see what grabbed my attention.

If you are looking for a unique gift for someone this Christmas, then you could create a Gin for someone and send it to them with that personalised label, you can add whatever you like to the label, so it is a nice way of sending a congratulations or thank you message, or you could buy someone a gift card and let them loose on creating their own gin if you think that is something they would enjoy.  

Whatever you choose, I am sure, like me you will have a lot of fun creating your gin and all for just £49.99.

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

Nourish London - The Gift of Radiance

I love a good skincare set, as you might have noticed and from Nourish London, I am sharing with you their The Gift of Radiance set, which would make an amazing gift.

Inside this The Gift of Radiance kit you will find four products which give you every opportunity to have that 'at home' facial experience using some of the brands best-selling products.

Few things make a person feel better and look younger than skin that glows naturally with radiance. This skincare gift does just that.

The first product from this collection of products is my favourite within the set and it will come as no surprised when I state that it is Antioxidant Multi-tasking Super Balm which is every bit as incredible as it sounds.

Described as being an all-in-one cleansing balm it not only works to as a decongesting face polish but also as a nourishing mask and intensive moisturiser and this is exactly why I think it is so brilliant. With those three ways of using it, the advice for each step is as follows:

• To Cleanse and exfoliate - Apply a small amount of beauty balm to fingertips and massage into damp skin paying more attention to congested areas such as the the t-zone (nose, chin and forehead).  When you feel you have completed your cleanse, accompanying the balm is an organic face cloth which can be used to gently exfoliate the skin to remove dead and dry skin cells.
• As a Mask- If your skin is in need of some TLC, then you can apply this balm to freshly cleanse skin and leave it on for around 20 minutes and then remove it following the advice above or you can also leave it on overnight and rinse off in the morning. 
• As an intensive moisturiser - If you feel your needs really needs some attention, then the advice is to apply the balm to any dry patches such as lips, cheeks or even cuticles to let it work its magic.

The ingredients within this balm include Jojoba Seed Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Rosehip Oil and ginger extract, all of which are packed with protective antioxidants, replenishing omega-rich oils and there is also the inclusion of a clinically proven anti-ageing marine algae to tone and firm the skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

The second product is the Radiance Rejuvenating Peptide Serum which is designed to brighten, rejuvenate and hydrate the skin.

This Serum is formulated to incorporate tripeptides, Foxberry, Tonka bean and Rose oil which come together to stimulate the production of collagen which in turn gives a smoother, fresher, more youthful appearance and minimising lines.  Plus to help boost hydration, there is of course the inclusion of Hyaluronic Acid.

On the skin, this serum is on the watery side for a serum, but I like that because less is more with a serum and this bottle is going to last for ages!  There is a scent of the Rose Oil which is delightful and on the skin, it feels like water and absorbs really quickly, so this is a product I am going to enjoy continuing to use.

The next product within this gift set is the Radiance Firming Facial Oil and again, a product that I have so far really enjoyed using.

This oil, which is 98% organic is designed to improve elasticity, firm, hydrate as well as to lift the complexion. It uses a blend of omega-rich oils which includes the likes of Macadamia and Pumpkin, alongside both Rosehip and Borage oil and to gently add a fragrance there is the inclusion of Geranium and Damask Rose. Also added in is French Marine Algae extract and Frankincense which help to boost collagen production.

To finish off this 'at home' facial experience there is the Rose Quartz Gua Sha tool which is also included.

The Rose Quartz Gua Sha, which as you might know, is a tool known in traditional Chinese beauty regimens for its ability to reduce fine lines while firming and contouring the skin. It can be used from the forehead to décolleté. What I love about using a tool such as this is just how cooling it feels on the skin and of course, the  Gua Sha also works to reduce puffiness and tighten pores.

As you can see, The Gift of Radiance set from Nourish London is absolutely lovely and perfect for anyone who loves their beauty products as much as me, or for someone who you think deserves some TLC.  It is on sale now for just £65 and it sits alongside a few other gift sets, which sound equally divine.

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

Holistic Silk Limited Edition Lavender Make Up Bag

I am a huge fan of Holistic Silk as a brand and have, in previous posts been lucky enough to have both a Mulberry Silk a pillowcase and a pair of Heliotrope earplugs, which I still use currently. Today I am sharing the most beautiful Limited Edition Lavender Makeup Bag and if you love your luxuries, then this is the one!

Holistic Silk is a niche English brand with a global presence and has remained since its inception, a London and Cornwall based family-run enterprise, driven by its original founder and creative heart Joanna Weakley. All Holistic Silk products are not only designed, tested, developed but they are also refined in house by Joanna and her team. Holistic Silk was created as an antidote to the fast pace and pressure of modern life. Having observed the negative effects that stress, overwork and air travel can have on our minds, bodies and sleep and finding a lack of beautiful supportive products available to combat this, Joanna discovered for herself how effective and transformative alternative health, Chinese medicine and good sleep can be. These principles are rooted in the very core of Holistic Silk.

This Limited Edition Lavender Make Up Bag doesn’t need me to say how beautiful it is, you can see just by looking at it. It os available in 11 different colour options and the one I chose is called Rose Gold. 

Measuring 18cm wide and 15 cm high with a wide zipper opening, this bag is the perfect size for carrying and storing all of your everyday makeup essentials and a few bits beside.  Mine fits everything I need to ensure I look human most days - tinted moisturiser, CC Cream, Mascara, lip balm, lipstick, bronzer, 3 lipsticks, a tube of hand Cream and my eyebrow pencil plus a highlighter. 

Opening up the makeup bag, inside is a stunning waterproof gold lining which has been designed to protect the contents you hold inside, but for me, what I absolutely love about this makeup bad is the addition of a Lavender Flower filling which is hidden inside and it brings a subtle scent to your handbag and it is just divine.

You can see just how intricate the detail is on this bag. Made using luxury Brocades, which is a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in coloured silks and sometimes with gold and silver threads, it would make the most wonderful gift for Christmas gift.

Priced at £38 which is an absolute bargain, I have been given a discount code which would give you £5 off, simple use BEAUTYQUEEN5, it will be valid throughout the whole month of December.

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

Q&A Skin Christmas Crackers

I do love a good beauty cracker, the ultimate goal is to have a Christmas Tree which features a whole host of beauty baubles and crackers, which is more than possible right now! Today I am sharing the Q&A Skin Christmas Crackers.  

As a brand, Q&A described themselves as being a natural, clean and ingredient focused skincare brand on a mission to demystify skincare. Their skincare range is 98% natural and predominately vegan and cruelty-free! These crackers are the perfect gift for anyone who hasn’t come across the brand but wants to know more about them! There is three to choose from and here they are.

The first cracker is the Festive Favourite Cracker which at just £5 is an absolutely incredible bargain! 

Inside the cracker is the Liquorice Lip Oil, which is designed to glide onto lips to give a boost of hydration and a lovely shiny finish. It contains three main ingredients:

• Liquorice Root which is known for its ability to help aid the production of collagen and it is also plumping and moisturising. 
• Soyabean Extract. Used because the natural plumping active in Soybean is designed to give your lips more volume. 
• Prickly Pear Oil which is enriched with Vitamin E & K, as well as those much needed essential fatty acids.

With these ingredients, they all come together to soothe , moisturise and nourish the skin.

The second cracker within this trio is the Q+A Let It Glow Cracker which is just £12.

Inside this cracker you will find two products for your skin with the Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum and the Hydrating Cleanser and this duo is described as being the perfect treat for skin feeling the not-so-festive effects of winter, restoring a bright and beautiful complexion.

The Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser is described as being a product which is designed to deeply hydrate and keep you skin consistently soft, youthful and protected skin. To do that, again there is the use of some key ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid Crosspolymer which rejuvenates, hydrates, and promotes healthy skin. Q&A then state that their use of a Crosspolymer means it’s designed to stay in your upper skin cells for longer, so you look and feel hydrated!
• Rice Bran Extract - Thanks to bring enriched with soothing and hydrating Vitamin E and lots of antioxidants, Rice Bran helps to promote softer and brighter skin whilst at the same time protecting your complexion against environmental stressors.
• Polyglutamic Acid - This helps to draw moisture into your skin and works to promote healthy skin repair, whilst working with Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin cells nourished by forming a protective barrier to keep the Hyaluronic Acid right where we need it most.

Then we have the Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum which is perfect for skin which is described as being dehydrated, in need of a refresh. Again it has three key ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid which rejuvenates, hydrates, and promotes healthy skin. 
• Biosaccaride Gum which provides intense moisturisation whilst helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It will leave your skin velvety soft and feeling fresher than eve
• Beatine which helps to balance moisture levels, and it also prevents products from feeling sticky.
• I really like the feel of this serum on my skin, it’s lightweight but without being too runny and it absorbs in double quick time.

For just £12 this is a really good cracker and would make an amazing stocking filler.

Then the final cracker Merry + Bright Christmas Cracker which is described as being perfect for skin which is dehydrated, feeling unbalanced or in need of a refresh. Inside this cracker is a mask duo that will satisfy every skin craving and all for just £12!

This cracker contains a full sized and again there is three notable ingredients:

• Activated Charcoal which works to draw out impurities from the skin, especially those stubborn blackheads!
• Bentonite - This is a natural clay which has the power to absorb excess sebum from your skin and is said to be the perfect ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin types. 
• Kaolin - this is a natural clay that helps to detoxify the skin and give the Activated Charcoal Face Mask its luxurious texture.

The second product within this cracker is the Vitamin A.C.E Face Mask and it is described as being an antioxidant rich face mask that is packed with favourite Super Food ingredients.

• Acai - rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, C & E, it absorbs quickly and helps to restore your skin's elasticity and is deeply moisturising.
• Cranberry Seed Oil - rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, Cranberries help to protect your skin against the damage caused by UV exposure, strengthening your natural skin barrier to help achieve your healthiest complexion. There is also the inclusion of omegas 3 & 6, omega 9.
• Camu Camu - these berries contain a naturally high Vitamin C and it brightens your skin as well as helping to even out the skin tone and texture. It also protects against UV damage.
• Cherry - packed with antioxidants and a whole host of vitamins such as A, B, C and D.
• Algae - Dunaliella Salina which is a micro-algae that is rich in beta-carotene; a carotenoid and precursor to Vitamin A which your body can covert to retinol for healthier, smoother skin!

This mask, which warms upon application works to brighten and rejuvenat. Highly moisturising and nourishing, this is a delightful mask.

So there you have three wonderful crackers which make amazing gifts, or they would look just as fabulous on your tree alongside the rest of your baubles and decorations.

All three of these crackers are on sale with Q&A Skin

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

Evolve Organic Beauty Pure Mask Magic

I love a good facemask and for my Christmas Gift Guide series this year I have two different ones to share with you, today it is the Evolve Organic Beauty Pure Magic Set (£30).

Evolve is a brand I have loved to watch grow as a brand and they have so many amazing products, include the Facial In A Box Gift Set. Evolve Beauty is a British brand who make their products by hand in small batches to ensure the freshness of the precious antioxidants in the natural oils, butters and extracts. The products from Evolve are vegan, cruelty free and eco-friendly.

Indulge in some self-love and find your glow with our award winning face mask gift set...meet the Masking Trio: three targeted face masks designed to exfoliate, rejuvenate and nourish.

Well if that isn't inviting enough to tempt you in, then the rest of this post will be.  Inside the beautifully presented box are three of Evolve's amazing masks and each one has its own sense of purpose and whether you decide to use them on their own or as part of a multi-masking full on pampering session, you won't be disappointed.

The first mask out of the box happens to be my second favourite mask from Evolve and that is the Bio-Retinol Gold Mask (30ml).

This gold face mask uses Bio-Retinol, which is a natural retinol-like plant extract from Bidens Pilosa and whilst it is said to possess a whole host of properties such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, within this mask it works on the skin to deliver the same rejuvenation and cellular renewal benefits as Retinol, but without any irritation.  This mask also contains bothorganic Argan Oil and Rosehip Oil which work together to really nourish and moisturise your skin, so it glows just as much as the sustainably sourced mineral Mica that has been used for the golden shimmers!

When using the Bio-Retinol Gold Mask, the directions are to apply a thick layer onto skin after cleansing and then leave it to work its magic for around for 5-10 minutes. I find this mask much easier to apply using a spatula because of the consistency, which I happen to love, to get an even coverage. Once that time is up, add warm water to transform the gold mask into a milky texture and then rinse off.

The second Mask within this Pure Mask Magic Set is the Miracle Mask (30ml) and if you like a fruity scented mask, then this one you are going to absolutely adore.

This is an exfoliating face mask which has been blended with 100% natural fruit acids including Glycolic Acid from Sugar Cane and its job is to instantly deliver smoother plumper skin. Then there is the inclusion of Peruvian Maca, described as being an ancient energy booster, it helps to increase cellular renewal, skin radiance and works to reduce the appearance of ageing whilst Papaya acts as a natural exfoliator.

When using this Miracle Mask, again you need to apply a thick layer on to freshly cleansed skin, but this time, you only need to leave it to work for around 3-5 minutes before rinsing clean with warm water. To look at this, this mask reminds me of a syrup because it is so smooth, only it isn't sticky or tacky when applied to the skin.

The final mask within this trio is my favourite and it is the Radiant Glow Mask (30ml) which smells good enough to eat and I have a full review of this mask.

Suitable for all skin types, this rich mask has three main ingredients which turn it from being just an ordinary face mask into something quite special and they include Raw Cacao which is high in antioxidants and helps to protect the skin and improve hydration and complexion. Then we have Sweet Almond Oil which is not only rich in Vitamin A, E and B's but also has high moisturising, emollient and nourishing properties, up next we have Coconut Shell Particles and Evolve uses up-cycled coconut shell particles to act as the exfoliant to delicately buff away dead skin cells leaving skin smooth, soft and brightened.  Aside for the main ingredients we also have the use of natural sugar extracts which turn this exfoliating mask into a creamy milk on contact with water, Kaolin Clay which helps to revitalise and purify and it is fragranced with Organic Vanilla oil, which thankfully doesn't overpower the chocolate scent.

To use this mask, you need to apply a thick layer onto the skin, again, I find it much easier to apply using a spatula and despite the inclusion of Kaolin Clay, which my skin is not a fan of, this is one of only two masks which has never caused my skin to have a hissy fit and react!  Once the mask has been applied, it should be left on the skin for around 5 minutes and then remove with warm water and I always use a cloth, sometimes a flannel and others a Muslin cloth.

With this Pure Magic Mask Set, you really get quite the choice, deciding which one to use or which two or three to multi-mask with, depending on your skin concern at the time. All three work wonders on their own as they do together.

The Evolve Organic Beauty Pure Mask Magic Set is widely available from places such as John Lewis, Feelunique and of course Evolve themselves and it is priced at just £30!

That's not all!  If you really like the sound of Evolve as a brand, they also have an Advent Calendar on sale and it is on offer, here, for just £95 and it is just beautiful.

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