Win £100 worth of John Lewis vouchers to spend this Christmas, courtesy of Harvey Water Softeners

Harvey Water Softeners is offering the opportunity for one lucky BeautyQueenUK reader to receive £100 worth of John Lewis vouchers** to spend online or in-store.

Harvey Water Softeners is a family-run business based in Surrey that manufactures and installs the UK’s best water softeners. Founded by Harvey Bowden in 1978, the company’s patented twin-cylinder water softeners remove the minerals from hard water that cause limescale and scum to build up inside kettles, washing machines and other appliances inside the home.

The beauty benefits of soft water include reduced risk of skin disorders such as eczema and reducing hair frizz whilst making it more shiny. Home and financial benefits include less need to clean sinks and shower screens, more bubbly, soapy baths and showers and extending the life of household appliances and boilers whilst making them more cost efficient. 

Visit www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk  for more details.

The competition closes on New Years Eve 2014 - so start 2015 with a pocket full of vouchers to spend in the sales! Some of the options are Mandatory and must be completed, if they are not done so (and I check everyone) your entries will be removed from the competition.  This is a UK Only Giveaway.

The Winner has been contacted - Debbie, Congratulations!

** These vouchers have been kindly given for this giveaway

Stocking fillers for the gadget lover

Do you have a gadget-lover in your life? Christmas is fast approaching and technophiles can be tough to buy for, so what will you be filling their stockings with this year? Here are a few ideas to help you out.

Electronic cigarette 
It’s winter, so no one wants to watch his or her friend freeze outside. Why not give them this smoke and tobacco-free stocking filler? The e-cigarette eliminates the need to carry a lighter, it ensures you remain a social being and they also come in some tasty flavours, including blueberry, strawberry, menthol and of course classic tobacco. For more information, check out these British e-cig retailers Vapouriz SmokShop and Mist E Liquid.

Heated car mug
There’s nothing better when driving to work on a cold winters morning than a nice hot cup of tea. Unfortunately, for most of us, we get caught up in long lines of traffic. To avoid taking a swig of cold tea, why not invest in a plug-in heated car mug? Plugging straight into your cigarette lighting port in your car, this gadget is a guaranteed pleaser for those tea-loving drivers.

Key finder
Losing the keys; we’ve all done it, whether it is your car keys, house keys or any key – it’s frustrating, and turning your house upside down is time-consuming. With some key finders using a radio frequency that can detect items up to 30 metres away, this is a must-have gadget.


Heatable scarf
Venturing out on your lunch break will never be the same again! A battery operated heatable scarf is a gift that keeps on giving. Some heatable scarves are able to heat to 40 degrees centigrade and are equipped with built-in pockets.

Portable phone charger
This is a must-have gift for anyone with a smartphone or a tablet device. Not only for emergency reasons but for sanity reasons also! No one wants to see their battery percentage hit 10% half way through a day out, with smartphones and tablets alike eating your battery like there’s no tomorrow, this gadget would be a gift gratefully received.

**This post contains a sponsored link

6 Tips for Decluttering Your Wardrobe

A cluttered wardrobe is the equivalent of sheer horror for any true fashionista. You wake up scratching your head with no idea where that little black dress went, or if your favourite denim jeans are clean or dirty. We all know that between those late mornings when you are rushing to get dressed, to those lazy weeks when you simply do not want to deal with it, closets clutter easily. Today, we will highlight 6 tips to help you restore that fierce wardrobe of yours.

1. Eliminate excess

Do not be a hoarder. Haven't worn it in a year? Toss it. This is pretty much the hardest step to take but it is the first one that needs to be done. We all do it. We tell ourselves that we will lose those extra 15 lbs. this year, or that we will go on a fad diet, or that the trend will come back, but instead the too-small or unused item ends up collecting dust and taking up precious closet space. Don't be that kind of fashionista!

2. Create a focal point

Themes are not just for movies and novels; wardrobes need themes too. Every fashionista has an inner knowing of her personal style. More often than not, trendy items make their way out of your closet as swiftly as they made it in. The focal point pieces of your wardrobe are the nest representatives of your personal style. You can pick a top, a bottom, a pair of shoes, and a vest or jacket. In order to locate these pieces ask yourself:

~ What colour(s) do I wear most often?
~ What is my favourite piece in my closet?
~ What items can I not live without?
~ What items are multifunctional?

Try to pick 3-4 items that sum up your style. These will be your focal point items, and the rest of your wardrobe will enhance these items.

3. Love your basics

Boiling it down to the basics is the key to decluttering any wardrobe. The beauty of the basics is that they are not recognisable when worn repeatedly. What this suggests is that you don't need many of them. Basics are items such as tanks, tees, plain jackets, versatile shoes, and plain bottoms. Basics are normally neutrals. Some fashionistas gravitate towards black, some tan, and some navy or grey. Vogue magazine highlights a few closet staples that get better with time.

4. Say hello to your little accessories

Accessories are often neglected as wardrobe staples, but they are truly life savers when put to use. Necklaces, headbands, and scarves are all perfect accents that will spice up any wardrobe basics. Be sure to be intentional when shopping for your accessories. They should complement your basics and focal point pieces.

5. Get organised

You know it's bad when you have lost a jacket or a pair of jeans. Organisation is crucial when it comes to understanding your wardrobe. The best way to visually organise your wardrobe would be to put like colours together, as well as like items. This way, when you are assessing what you should wear, you can easily see your options.

6. Believe in back stock

In retail, I am sure you have heard of back stock. This is sort of a way for you to continue your hoarding. Back stock in closet organisation simply means to put certain items back that you only won't necessarily wear too often. This is especially applicable if you live in an environment where the seasons are starkly different. In the colder months, back stock your summer clothing, and vice versa.

Burt's Bees Christmas

The 2014 Christmas gift collection from Burt's Bees is packed full of the most popular products as well as the must-haves. Infact I am sure there is something for everyone and today I have two items which would make a perfect stocking filler.

The Collectable Decoration is wrapped up inside this beautiful hanging decoration which would look perfect on everyone's trees and has an RRP £5.99.  Containing the classic Beeswax Lip Balm (4.25g) and a miniature Almond & Milk hand cream (7g) this has the makings of something really special.

The Beeswax Lipbalm will nourish and condition your lips. This is a 100% natural Lipbalm which is loaded with Coconut and Sunflower oils, rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids to nourish, condition and soften the lips. There is also Peppermint oil for a refreshing tingle.

The Almond & Milk hand cream is one of my personal favourites and is brilliant for hard-working hands. A super-rich 100% natural hand cream made with Sweet Almond Oil and Vitamin E to moisturise dry skin and Beeswax to help seal and shield the hands from the elements.  I personally hate the taste of Marzipan but I absolutely love the scent of this, which it reminds me of, as well as a Cherry Bakewell, it is just a stunning scent and it leaves your hands feeling wonderfully soft and smooth.

The second Stocking Filler is the 'A Bit Of Burt's Bees' set and I have Pomegranate, it has am RRP £5.99. It contains a hydrating Lipbalm and a tin of Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and again it could be hung on your Christmas Tree.

The Pomegranate Lip Balm will again nourish and condition your lips. It is a 100% natural Lipbalm and it is infused with pomegranate oil which is an antioxidant. The balm replenishes moisture to leave smooth, healthy looking lips and it also adds a hint of colour.

The Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is an intensive treatment that has a touch of lemon oil to nourish and moisturise whilst leaving behind a lovely fresh citrus scent.  What I love about this balm is how nice it feels whilst being used on your cuticles but admittedly I also use it on my elbows or any other dry patches of skin which appear and are in need of some TLC and it works amazingly well.

If you have never experienced the wonder that is Burt's Bees then these two packages would be a very welcome introduction, not only are they really affordable but they are also amazing products, presented so beautifully and they are 100% natural.

Are you a fan of Burt's Bees?