December limited edition GLOSSYBOX 2017

The December Glossybox has arrived and in some style too.  How beautiful is this box? Designed by award winning Irish brand Dusty Boy, the Mince Pies, Starry Skies boys is an absolute thing of beauty and a very modern take on all things Christmas.

Inside this months box are five full sized products and an edible treat and if you are sending me Chocolate, I literally am going to love you forever.  What I love about this months box is not that it costs just £10 here but I also love the mixture of products found inside and they are:

L.A.Q.A Cloud Lips - Now the name of this product had me all intrigued and it was the first one I grabbed out of the box. Described as being a long-lasting Matte Lipstick, it lists avocado oil as one of the main ingredients which hydrates and moisturises your lips, something you definitely need with a matte lipstick.   

Available in 4 high-pigment shades Cherub. Daydream, Sunshower and Storm, I had shade DayDream in my box and it is best described as being a dark mauve-pink shade and perfect for me.  These lipsticks are priced at £12.45 which yo can find here.

Naobay Cleanser - This cleanser is specifically for combination and normal skin types and when used, the gel transforms into a delicate milk upon contact with water. It is infused with a nourishing blend of Açaí Extract and Sweet Almond Oil and it works to rebalance your complexion. 

As it works on the skin it also delivers a mild exfoliating action to effectively minimise the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles. What I really like about this is that the formula is not over-drying and leaves me skin so soft and smooth to the touch.  This product costs just £12.95 and you can find it HERE.

Steve Laurent Eyeliner - Housed inside this stunning rose-gold tube comes an eyeliner which is described as being a fine-tipped waterproof liner which is also smudge proof. 

The tip on the end of the liner is fine yet solid and it offers quite the pigmented black line.  I have never come across Steve Laurent products before, so this is a first for me and I am looking forward to giving it a try.  Priced at £18 you can find it here.

Kryolan Eyeshadow Primer - This couldn't have arrived at a better time for me because I have just run out of my trusty faithful Urban Decay primer and am in need of a new one. Again, Kryolan is another new brand to me and I am excited to give this a try. 

Described as being a primer which allows for perfect application and blending it has a creamy and velvety texture which helps to enhance the coluor intensity of the eye shadow. It is priced at £18.30 here.

Lypsyl Morrir Compact SPF15 - This stylish new Lypsyl balm has been redesigned to includes a handy mirror. The nourishing formula is delicately scented with a warm oriental fragrance with citrus notes of orange and lemon. 

It also includes Aloe Vera to help repair and heal damaged lips, Vitamin E (antioxidant) helps to protect against daily damage and Shea butter to smooth and moisturise, improving the softness of your lips.  It is priced at £4.99 and you can find it here.

Obviously I can't end this review without mentioning the chocolate and as I said, anyone sending me a chocolate, I am going to love you as much as I love it.  So enclosed was a trio of Raffaello chocolates which didn't surviv for too long after taking this photo.

There you have the December edition of Glossybox and I think this one has to be my favourite box from the last few months because every single item that is included I am or will use.  I would love to know what you think?

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

Christmas Gift Sets with Caudalie

My love of Caudalie started when I was introduced to the Divine Oil, a multi-purpose oil which I still use even now.  This Christmas Caudalie have a whole host of gifts for every budget and today I am going to be sharing some of them with you.  

Beauty Elixir Bauble (£12 here) - This has been one of my favourite finds of 2017 and featured it here on my blog. 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.

I love this special edition bottle with the gold detailing and think it is quite fitting to celebrate the 20th anniversary. 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.

Trio French Kiss (£20 here) - Beautifully packaged inside this triangle box are the brand new French Kiss Lip Balms, I did a full review of them here, but inside the box you will find:

• French Kiss Innocence - Natural pink (7.5g)
• French Kiss Séduction - Delicious pink (7.5g)
• French Kiss Addiction - Raspberry red (7.5g)

The three lip balms melt onto your lips to hydrate and protect whilst leaving a subtle hint of colour.

Innocence, which is best described as being pretty clear in shade when applied but it smells divine as it is lightly infused with the scent of vanilla and orange peel, next comes Seduction which has a pale pink tint and also the scent of Vanilla with Addiction being on the right, it has a lovely berry tint to it and a red berry scent too

Makeup Artist Secrets (£32 here) - This is an incredible gift set which is perfect if you cannot decide which product you really want to try the most from those mentioned within this post because it contains both of them.

Inside you will find the collector’s edition Beauty Elixir bottle which I have mentioned above and French Kiss addiction Lip Balm. TheBeauty Elixir is 100ml and as above is packaged inside the limited edition packaging which really makes it stand out and for me, the gold etchings make it perfect for Christmas. Alongside the Beauty Elixir is Addiction, the French Kiss Lip Balm, which again is mentioned above. When applied it leaves a subtle hint of colour to your lips whilst at the same time both moisturising and hydrating.

Alongside these three offerings from Caudalie are a whole host of others which you can find here and within the gift sets you will find everything from Stocking Filler Crackers which are priced at £10 to a delectable looking Spa at home gift set and much more besides.

Are you a fan of Caudalie?

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

Winter Essentials from Tropic Skincare

Tropic Skincare is a brand which has products which are Vegan and Cruelty-free and within their range have everything from Skincare and Bodycare to Makeup.  I have featured quite a few products from the range on my blog to date (here, here and here) and today I am sharing the Winter Essentials and they are literally incredible.

Featuring two new products - So Sleepy Pillow Mist and Whipped Body Velvet, two products which are designed to make you smile, feel good about yourself and are generally products which do what they state they will. 

Whipped Body Velvet - If you love body butters then you will love this. It is an incredibly rich yet lightweight butter which just absorbs rapidly into the skin soothing and smoothing as it goes.  I think it is quite honestly, one of the quickest absorbing body butters I have ever tried and in saying that, it takes little or no effort to use because you don't have to wait around waiting for it to disappear into the skin, instead it works with your body's own temperature.

Formulated with exotic rarabe butter (Tropic are the first to use this ingredient in the UK) to lock in moisture, it works alongside the naturally scenting the buttermelt which has a beautifully warm caramel aroma with a lovely hint of Madagascan Vanilla. It is also rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 oil thanks to the inclusion of the superfood baobab which in turn also works to condition and deeply moisturise the skin.

Top Tip for application from Tropic is to apply this directly to the skin after showering or bathing because the skin's pores are still open and it, therefore, maximises the moisturising of the Buttermelt.  You can find Whipped Body Velvet here for just £28.

So Sleepy Pillow Mist - I love a good Sleep Mist and again have used quite a few during the last few years, more so when insomnia comes knocking.  From Tropic Skincare comes So Sleepy which is described as being 'the ultimate bedside companion for an easy, restful night's beauty sleep'.

In using a blend of essential oils from eucalyptus, rose geranium, frankincense, chamomile, rosewood and rosemary alongside sleep-inducing lavender, not only does this Pillow Mist smell just delightful and it is also really relaxing. 

These essential oils have been specifically chosen because in turn they all have calming, stress-relieving properties, to help relax the mind, so perfect for those of us with a busy lifestyle because it helps you to unwind and relax in the evening. However, So Sleep does differ from many of the Pillow Mists I have used because it isn't just designed for those who need to relax, calm down or drift off to sleep because it also promotes a deeper, more restful sleep so everyone can enjoy that energised feeling come morning. 

To use you simply need just three spritzes of this mist over your pillow and it is more than enough to help you naturally fall into a deep sleep. Priced at £20 you can find So Sleepy Pillow Mist here.

Tropic Skin Care are certified Cruelty Free, Vegan Society Approved and their mission has always been to create natural, cruelty free products that will genuinely benefit the skin. With no toxic chemicals and instead just using nutritious ingredients you re treated to luxurious, pampering products that always stay true to their ethos.

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

Essentialle Facial Oils

As a huge convert to facial oils, a product I never thought I would be able to use because I have combination skin, they are something I absolutely love to use. Essentialle which is described as being a luxe, entirely natural skincare range that has been masterfully curated to enhance the skin’s overall health, texture and tone. Made in Britain, the products are meticulously designed to care for all skin concerns, containing exquisite as well as surprising plant-actives from around the world. Whilst nourishing, nurturing and rejuvenating, the products also imbue sheer sensorial joy and sublime aromatic pleasure.

There are three oils in the collection - Revival Nectar, Remedy Multi-Active and Elasticity Boost and over the past few months I have been trying them out to see what they are like and I have to admit, I am impressed and one of them stands out above all others. 

The first Oil I tried was the Remedy Multi-Active Re-balancing Oil (£62) and it is formulated with oily and problem skin.  As my skin is best described as being combination skin and leads towards the oily side, I figured this would be a good oil to start with.  

What I love about it is how light it feels on the skin, it is moisturising but non-greasy and it is said to 'offer a gentle cocoon that purifies, calms and corrects, to reveal a clear, fresh and healthy complexion'. Using the ingredients of:

• Plantago leaf extract purifies, comforts and tones the skin
• Manuka & lavender oils work to neutralise bacteria and normalise sebum secretion
• Galbanum oil decongests the skin and encourages healthy cell regeneration
• Rose absolute extract has a cleansing effect and minimises irritation or redness
• Chamomile flower oil instantly calms and helps to deflect free-radicals
• Apricot oil restores skin clarity and suppleness
• Calendula extract boosts collagen, repairs and soothes
• Coconut oil effectively moisturises and protects the skin’s barrier

What I love about this oil is that you can apply it to your entire face, from which you need just 2-3 drops or you can apply it just to those problem areas, depending on your issue and your preference.  What I love about this scent is that it has an earthy tone to it, a scent I associate with having a facial and being relaxed.

The second oil is the Reviving Nectar Nourishing Facial Oil (£70) and it was formulated with dry and lack-lustre skin in mind. Described as being a 'restorative and beautifully aromatic oil which delivers a penetrating treatment that rehydrates and plumps, to reveal a rejuvenated, radiant and youthful complexion' it is hard not to love it. 

Again it has a non-greasy formula, which is something I always feared with my skin type and the addition of an oil.  Using the ingredients of:

• Pomegranate seed oil supports skin renewal and fortifies the skin’s fabric
• Rose geranium oil soothes and conditions, to restore skin harmony
• Siberian ginseng extract nourishes, firms and softens fine lines
• Gingko biloba extract replenishes and brightens the skin
• Rosehip fruit oil boosts cell regeneration and strengthens skin’s elasticity Vitamin e visibly smooths the appearance of wrinkles
• Avocado oil deeply moisturises, nourishes and conditions
• Linden blossom flower extract works to bind precious skin moisture
• Patchouli leaf oil regulates the skin and stimulates skin cell rejuvenation
• Mandarin peel oil protects the skin from environmental stresses

You need possibly one more drop of this oil than the previous one but my gosh does it smell incredible. Again you apply to the face and massage using circular motions.  What I like about this oil is the Rosehip scent which comes with it, it reminds me of being in a spa having a facial.

The Third and final oil from this collection is the Elasticity Boost Toning Facial Oil (£65) and it is described as being an 'ultra-conditioning oil to strengthen, repair and tone dehydrated or sagging skin' and it is packed with a powerhouse of actives that hydrate, strengthen and repair, to reveal a defined, plumped and firm complexion. 

Using ingredients such as:

• Meadowfoam seed oil accelerates suppleness and resilience
• Abyssinian seed oil moisturises and enhances skin lustre
• Radish seed oil nourishes from within to improve barrier function
• Echium plantagineum seed oil combats crepeyness, fine lines and wrinkles
• Shea butter intensely nourishes and conditions the skin
• May chang oil re-energises the skin and senses
• Olive oil protects against daily aggressors, regenerates and softens
• Safflower seed oil diminishes dryness and locks in valuable skin moisture
• Sweet orange oil invigorates and boosts collagen production
• Camelina seed oil improves skin hydration and elasticity

Again with this oil, you need just 3-4 drops of the oil to massage into the skin and unlike the other two oils, this one can be used for reducing stretch marks and uneven skin tone, to do this you simply massage the oil into the affected areas twice daily, using circular motions.  Again this oil smells just incredible and the sweet orange oil is the dominant scent.

For me, each one of these oils is totally different to one another and I have enjoyed using each and every one of them, but for me the stand out oil is the Remedy Multi-Active Re-balancing Oil because it does exactly what it claims it is going to do and as someone with combination/oily skin, I like using something I know is designed for my skin type.  It is also worth nothing that these oils are 100% natural, free from parabens, mineral oils, microbeads, silicones, sulphates, artificial colours and fragrances.

If any of these oils really take your fancy then you will be pleased to know that the Black Friday deal lasts until Wednesday 29th November where you can grab yourself 30% off by entering the code BLACKFRIDAY30 at the check out!

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