Beauty Expert Limited edition 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar + Win one for yourself!

If you still haven't decided which Beauty Advent Calendar to purchase (see my post here) then hold on just a few minutes because I am giving you a chance to win an amazing Beauty Expert Limited Edition 12 Days of Christmas Calendar within this post.  

Beauty Expert was born a decade ago and brings you an expertly curated selection of luxury products sourced from around the world.  On the website, you will find brands such as Eve Lom, Omorovicza, DHC, Alpha-H, Erno Laszlo, Aesop, and Ren. Whether you are looking for skincare, makeup, hair care, body care makeup tool or even some inspiration, everything you will need is there.   

As you can see, this Beauty Calendar is absolutely huge. Decorated with a bright white shiny outside as you open the front doors to the Calendar, inside you are greeted with 12 individual boxes and those boxes are in fact really deep drawers, which will be useful to store things in after you have finished with the Calendar.  Inside each of the drawers you will find a whole host of products which include everything from Skincare, hair care and body care and they are from some amazing brands and they include - Omoroviciza, Eve Lom, Paula's Choice, Pai, Gatineau, Caudalie, Korres, Skimono, Cult 51 and quite a few more than I have not mentioned in order to keep an element of surprise.  If you want to know the full contents, I have no doubt you can see them online.

The Advent Calendar launches today (here) and will cost £100 and has contents worth an amazing £340.  So if you want something a little bit exciting, something that looks incredible and is of course amazing value for money - Beauty Expert has quite the offering.  As I said, I have one of these calendars to give away and to enter all you need to do is complete the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

• Please note that this is a UK ONLY giveaway owing to the contents within the Calendar
• You need to be aged 16 or over to enter, or have parental permission because I will need your address
• You need to complete the Mandatory Entries or it will disqualify you from entering
• The winner will be notified as soon as possible after the competition closes and the draw is completely random
• There is no cash alternative

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

L'Occitane Shea Butter Collection

One of my favourite brands - L'Occitane have taken one of their most iconic ingredients and have released a brand new range of products which are literally just incredible. If you have never tried anything from L'Occitane before, then I urge to you give this range a try, it is so so good.

Within the Shea Butter range there is the brand new Ultra-Light Body Cream and Shea Shower Oil and not wanting a few products to be feeling left out, both the Rich Lotion and Shea Fabulous Oil have been given a bit of a makeover and now have a brand new look.

Starting with the Ultra Light Body Cream which has an incredible light, bouncy texture to it and it is described by L'Occitane as follows:

Shea Ultra Light Body Cream combines the nourishing properties of a balm with the lightness of a mousse to protect and moisturised skin for up to 24 hours. Its light and airy formula, made with 5% shea butter, gently melts into the skin leaving it supple and comfortable.

I adore the texture of this cream, as soon as it comes into contact with my skin, it has disappeared and behind I am left with what can only be described as an incredible scent and amazingly soft to the touch skin.

I am not usually someone who can be bothered with a body cream, it is a faff, but I am part way through the tub of this one, so it has definitely ticked a box.  Retailing at £32 for 200ml, I am debating stocking up!

For me, L'Occitane shower oils are the best I have tried.  I adore the entire Almond range and have repurchased the shower oil from that range several times over.  The introduction to the Shea Shower Oil and I am not wanting to get out of the shower.  Described as:

Developed with 10% of lipid rich Shea oil, this shower oil gently cleanses the body. Its rich texture leaves a nourishing, protective film, which helps soften even dry skins. It contributes to soothe feelings of tightness, for skin that seems more supple and comfortable. Its gentle fragrance delicately perfumes the skin.

Now as it is an oil it acts like an oily, so you need to take care in the shower. That said, I adore the scent and I adore the feeling on my skin once I leave the shower.

After using my skin is so sweet-scented and smooth to the touch. I have also used it in the bath for an extra treat and even dry skin on my shins, knees and elbows seems to have been almost eradicated using this. Priced at just £19 for 250ml I have bought a backup.

The Rich Lotion with its brand new look is as the name suggests - a rich lotion. Described as being:

Rich in shea butter (15%) and calendula, this body lotion nourishes and instantly brings comfort to dry skin. It leaves the skin moisturised for up to 48 hours after application. Its fluid formula helps to soothe feelings of skin tightness, offering day after day protection against skin dryness.

For me, this is a treat in a bottle and something to be used when your skin needs some TLC, for a pamper session or just because.

Luxurious and thick textured you literally need just one or two pumps to cover your arms or legs and when it comes into contact with the skin, it melts and disappears much quicker than I had expected. After using there is no trace it was ever on the skin, but the soft Shea Butter scent does remain. Priced at £23 for 250ml.

The final item in this incredible foursome is the Shea Fabulous Oil and as the name suggests it is both fabulous and an oil. Described as being:

Enriched with lipid-replenishing shea oil (5%), Shea Fabulous Oil is the ideal formula to nourish, soften and protect the skin from dryness. It helps to restore the skin’s hydrolipidic film. With its rich, silky texture and satin-soft finish, it is quickly absorbed and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, with no greasy after feel. The skin is delicately scented with the iconic Shea fragrance.

What I love about this oil is that it comes in a glass bottle with a spritz, so you don't have to pour it into your hands and then transfer it to your skin, only to find half of it is on the carpet and the other half dribbling everywhere.

Just spritz onto the skin where you want it the most and then massage into the skin.  As it is an oil, I was surprised to find there is no greasiness left on the skin, it absorbs pretty quickly and leaves no trace behind.  I have used this oil on my body, legs, hands, arms and even on my feet and it is just delightful.  Priced at £26 for 100ml it is stunning.

It is worth noting that L'Occitane use organic Shea Butter within their products and since the 1980's they have worked with women in Burkina Faso to ensure they have the highest quality product (read more about this here). Shea Butter works to replenish, nourish and heal the skin by locking in nutrition and if like me you have dry patches of skin, the use of Shea Butter works incredibly well.

For me, this is another amazing range from L'Occitane and I would love to know if you are as big a fan as I am of the brand?

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

Duck and Dry Blow Dry with Hask Haircare

Having now had the pleasure of visiting the incredible place that is Duck and Dry at the Oxford Circus branch and desperately want to move in, I absolutely loved everything about the place.

Walking in there is an instant feeling of calm and as you walk up the stairs, oddly whilst there is without doubt hair care tools at work, they are the not the first thing you notice or hear. Inside is an oasis of calm, a place that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but one which is welcoming, warm and I really enjoyed my experience.

The purpose of my visit was to not only have the most incredible blow dry but to try some of the products from Hask.   HASK is the 'free from’  Hollywood stylist approved haircare brand and it has been used on more Hollywood Film & TV Sets than any other hair care brand, including the likes of La La Land, Atomic Blonde, Rough Night, Bad Moms, OITNB, Girls, Modern Family, American Horror Story and Stranger Things… to name a few and it is launching in the UK.

HASK is a collection of hair care products featuring exotic oils and other unique ingredients from around the world. The range includes shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioners and shine oils based on the key ingredients of Argan Oil, Monoi Coconut Oil, Charcoal Citrus Oil, Macadamia Oil, Keratin Protein Oil, Bamboo Oil, Kalahari Melon Oil, Chia Seed Oil, Superfruit and Mint Almond Oil. HASK Shampoos, Conditioners and Shine Oils are free of sulfates, parabens, drying alcohols, phthalates and gluten. Each system was developed to target and solve specific hair care needs. 

Whilst at Duck and Dry I was asked what my hair is like, what products I use but more importantly what I wanted from my hair, the tools I used and any underlying concerns.  Quite refreshing to talk honestly about having combination hair - greasy roots and Dry ends and how often I have my hair trimmed, how I work with my existing curls and the best way to blow dry my hair. This is how at home I felt. 

My hair was washed and dried using the Charcoal Shampoo and Conditioner and it is formulated to give you a deep clean and bring hair back to life. Charcoal is a hero ingredient derived from coconut shells in the Philippines and when used in this way it acts as a magnet and attracts and removes impurities – like product build-up – so you are left with hair that is full of body and shine. There is however something else with this range and that is the use of purifying charcoal with vitamin C-rich lemon and grapefruit oils. Together they invigorate and clarify the hair without stripping away any moisture, they also smells just incredible.

Once my hair was washed and conditioned, I am back to sit in an incredible comfy chair and the mirror in front of me is egged shaped and oval. It is here that my hair was transformed from looking like Worzel Gummidge having been rained on twice leaving the frizz to set in, to becoming a light and bouncy blow dry which worked perfectly with my hairs natural wave. Just before my hair was dried and styled, the addition of a Hask Oil was used and I opted for the Hask Nourishing Oil which uses both Monoi and Coconut Oil, reminds me of holiday and is non-greasy but does help hydrate and strengthen the hair.

Once my hair had been blow dried and my curls and waves made to look bouncy and flowing instead of rocking the dragged through a hedge backwards look, I was ready to go on and party the night away.

Whether you want an up-do, a blow dry, extensions, a bit of a trim or even just want to treat yourself to some pampering, Duck & Dry have a wide range of options available to you and as well as Oxford Circus, you can also find salons on Carnaby Street and on The Kings Road.

Cosmopolitan Party Starter Edit with Latest in Beauty

Latest in Beauty is back with another Cosmo collaboration and this time called the Party Start Edit. All of the products have been hand-picked by Cosmo's beauty director Ingeborg van Lotringen and you can grab a box with over £120 for just £25.

Inside the box you will find:

Sleek Makeup i-Divine All Night Long Eyeshadow Palette - This is one of my favourite Sleek palettes and it contains a whole host of rich Smokey nudes, sultry beiges, eye-catching golds and shimmering bronzes.

Glitterlution Glitter Pots - We all know Glitter is plastic but Glitterlution have come up with a Non-toxic glitter which is printed on plant cellulose -from a sustainable source- and it is certified compostable and biodegrades in 60 days. Plus it still looks amazing!

Glamglow Gravitiymud Firming Mask Treatment - Out of This World Innovative Peel Off Mud treatment that instantly leaves skin feeling firmer and more lifted. Mega-Targeted ingredients transform from White to Brilliant Chrome. One mask I really want to try.

Gilette Venus Snap Razor - A genius idea when it comes to creating a razor for being on the go, for holidays, weekends away.

Eylure Volume No x100 Lashes - The best selling strip eyelashes from Eylure.

Sleek Makeup Matte Me Lip Cream in Rioja Red - Sleek Matte Me is a lipgloss with a smooth matte finish that glides on in one smooth application, feels comfortable on the lips, and doesn't feather.

iT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Pencil - A duo pencil which is described as featuring a long-wear pencil with an oval-shaped tip that works for both thinner and thicker brows, designed to mimic the look of hair and give a natural-looking, defined finish. In a transforming universal shade to match with any hair colour and a spooley brush on the other end for a perfectly-groomed finish

Nails Inc Nail Polish in shade Mayfair Market - Featuring Almond Oil and Matcha, this is a Rose Gold Shade of polish.

Look Good Feel Better Sculpting Sponge - This sponge features rounded sides to blend large areas of the face with a stippling action, whilst the pointed, precision tip is perfect for hard-to-reach areas. Effortlessly applies liquid, cream and powder products

Erborian Pink Perfect Cream - This is one of my favourite Erborian products and I wrote a full review here. The PP creme has a 4-in-1 set of benefits which include - providing an instant “blur” by giving a soft-focus looking effect to the skin, visibly minimise the appearance of pores, helping to enhance the appearance of your skin tone with a pearly glow and finally prepare your skin for makeup, acting as a primer, thus leaving your skin feeling smoothed, and more radiant.

Soaper Duper Vanilla Shea Body Wash - Made using 97% Naturally derived ingredients and is said to be perfect for those who like the scent of Vanilla because the heady scent comes from pressed vanilla pods.

Tigi Bed Head Mini Hard Head Hard Hold Hairspray - An instantly drying formula which creates a firm but flexible hold to the hair.

Beverley Hills Formula Perfect White Toothpaste - Said to help you deliver that Hollywood Smile, it uses advanced Hydrated Silica within Perfect White offers a high-performance whitening boost whilst the stain dissolving Pentasodium Triphosphate agent prevents food particles settling on the teeth.

St Tropez Instant Tan Finishing Gloss - Described as being a lightweight gloss which gives an instant high shine effect with a touch of bronze and can be used to enhance an existing tan or on its own for an instant boost.

Yes Too Cotton Comforting Facial Wipes - Described as being Infused with Cottonseed Oil, the soothing face wipes expertly sweep away dirt, oil and make-up, whilst calming and hydrating skin for long-lasting comfort. Ideal for sensitive, allergy-prone skin, you can cleanse on-the-go without stripping moisture or causing irritation.

BeautyPie 24 Hour Pass - This is amazing: activate this card and for 24 hours you can buy Beauty Pie’s superior make-up and skincare at cost price (so just a few pounds).

So there you have an incredible box which has 16 products inside and all for just £25 here. Do any of the products stand out for you?

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