Top 10 Gin Advent Calendars 2019

If you know me personally, then you will know that my alcoholic drink of choice is Gin. For many years I have loved trying out different Gin brands and over the last two years has Gin become a bit of a fashionable drink that everyone wants to try. You have Pink Gin, Colour-Changing Gin, Purple Gin, Orange Gin, Elderflower Gin and Rhubarb Gin to name just a few of the ones in my cupboard!  

Only a few days ago I posted my Beauty Advent Calendar Post which has been a really popular read but alongside beauty, you can get many other different types of Advent Calendar and within the adult option we have GIN! Hurrah.

Drinks By The Dram's Gin Advent Calendar (£124.95) - This Calendar features 24 wax-sealed gins which are hidden behind 24 doors. 

Inside you will find the likes of Roku Gin, St. George Terroir Gin and Salcombe Gin.

Costco Gin Advent Calendar (£59.89) - Featuring 24 bottles on 5cl Gin this calendar features some well-known brands.

Brands such as Edinburgh Gin, Beefeater and Greenalls but there is also an inclusion of some rather different sounding gins such as Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin.

GinKiosk (£124.95) - Gin Foundry’s Ginvent advent calendar features 24 hand-selected gins.

Inside you will find a whole host of Gin brands which include Stanger & Sons, Brindle Distillery and Tappers to name just a few and it is available right now.

Halewood Wines & Spirits (£42) - The 12 Gin Advent Calendar features 12 handcrafted, or organic, or flavoured gins inside a really amazing value for money calendar.

Each gin serves as a double measure 50ml, contains gins from Whitley Neill, JJ Whitley and Liverpool Distillery.  On sale right now.

That Boutique-y gin company (£49.95) - Behind each of the 24 windows, you'll find a different 30ml wax-sealed dram of stupendous gin from the world's first independent gin bottler, including some of the best distillers around the globe.

First4Hampers Plain Gin Advent Calendar (£124) - With every Gin suitable for both Vegetarians and Vegans, this cracker has 24 doors to be opened. 

Behind each door you'll find a different miniature bottle of gin and not just any Gin, here you will find carefully selected Gin that is not available anywhere else, meaning you might find your new favourite. Available now from First4Hampers.

Virgin Wines (£99) - This is Virgins first ever Gin Advent Calendar and it comes with 24 different bottles of premium craft gin, in a variety of styles such as Old Tom, London Dry and various flavours. 

Indulge in delights such as the Japanese inspired Kokoro Gin or and the award-winning Silent Pool Gin. 

B&M Gin and Tonic Advent Calendar (£34.99) - Incredibly popular last year, this year the advent calendar is said to be better than ever.

inside it includes popular gin brands such as Bombay Sapphire, Gordon's and Tanqueray to name a few and each bottle is 50ml.

First4Hampers Gin Advent Clock (£79.99) - This one is rather funky and it takes on the shape of a clock. It is funk, quirky and even refillable so you can use it all year round for the miniature gin bottles that you accumulate.  

Featuring 12 gins from brands such as Tanquery, Jawbox and Edinburgh Gin to name just a few.

Gin & Tonic Advent (£95) - From John Lewis, we have the Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar which has 25 doors to be opened.

This calendar is described as including a 70cl on-trend pink gin (40% ABV) by The English Drinks Company. It features one Gin and 24 tonics to pair it with and I really like the concept and the mixture of drinks available. It is on sale right now.

Ten Gin Advent Calendars

Ten Gin Advent Calendars, all totally different in style and something for all budgets.  If like me, you like a good Gin & Tonic as a tipple, then there should hopefully be something right here to tempt you!

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

Gym For Your Skin Introduction and Product Review

I love it when I come across a new brand that I really like from the first use of products, more so when I have never come across them before and I do so by chance.  Gym For Your Skin (GFYS) is one of those brands and I was lucky enough to meet Helen, the brands Managing Director, who gave me a full rundown of the brand, its meaning, the ethos, the products and of course I got to ask a million and one questions.

Gym For Your Skin has a total of 8 products split into four categories - Cleansers, Moisturisers, Vitamin Serums and AHA/Exfoliating Serums.  I have two products to share with you that I have been using which are the Warm Up Conditioning Cream Cleanser and the B-Hit Vitamin B Booster Serum.

I love a good cleanser and am a huge of double cleansing, something you will see me harp on about a lot throughout my blog posts.  I live and work in London and there are days when you can just feel how grim and dirty your skin is, to the point that a cotton wool pad turns a murky grey shade in one wipe!  From GFYS, the Warm-Up Conditioning Cream Cleanser (£22) is described as being a 4-in-1 cleanser which is broken down to mean it is like a creamy wash-off cleanser, make-up remover, moisturiser and a face wash all in one.

Made from the finest clinically and naturally active ingredients sourced from around the world, this cleanser is absolutely lovely to use and it is so incredibly creamy. Packaged in a pump-action bottle, you only need one or at a push two pumps of this cleanser, it does have a fairly thick texture but on the skin it feels just so silky smooth, almost like using a moisturising cream.  It uses what GFYS refers to as the power 7 as ingredients and they are:

• VITAMINS A B C E - Powering recovery
• MINERALS (ZINC OXIDE) - Powering defence
• LACTIC,MALIC, SALICYLIC - Powering renewal.
• ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS /LIPIDS RICH IN OMEGAS 3 6 9 - Blend of apricot kernel seed, cranberry seed, starflower, safflower, squalene, wheatgerm oils + ceramides) for Powering condition 
• GYCLERINE + COCONUT WATER - Powering vitality
• CO-ENZYME Q10 + GLUTATHIONE - Powering energy
• GREEN TEA + RESVERATROL - Powering protection

Perfect for using in a morning or an evening, you apply the cleanser to your face as though it is a moisturising cream (dry skin) and then wet your face with water and massage onto and into the skin, at this stage it emulsifies and it smells just beautiful too, no overpowering chemical scent and no irritation.  After using my skin feels just incredible, it is soft, it is smooth and it feels clean.  For an extra treat, I lather my face with the cleanser and then apply a hot cloth over my face to let the steam work its magic!  As you can tell, this cleanser has made quite the impression!

The second product is the B-Hit Vitamin B Booster Serum (£37) and the description reads - Add B for Brilliance. Add vitamin B-Hit booster either because you want to 'getaway' from dryness, irritation, sensitivity, reactive skin and blotchiness. Or choose it to kick-start a lifetime of your best stunningly healthy luminous skin.

Helen insists that every skin needs a dose of Vitamin B daily because it is an amazingly effective and essential daily source of skin energy, boosts skin's immunity, reduces pigmentation and creates a brilliantly strong foundation for healthy skin. It builds the skins lipid barrier and creates stunningly dewy skin.  It is also said to be great for those with acne and Rosacea as it helps to calm the skin and reduce any excess oil which in turn helps to reduce the likelihood of blemishes.

B-Hit is THE great hidden skin strengthener, radiance booster and supplement for when you feel your moisturiser just can't cut it or if your skin feels flat and isn't in its best condition.

Again, this serum is also powered with by the 7 ingredients above and what I love about using this serum is firstly how refreshing it feels on the skin when applied and the scent is again just beautiful and really uplifting with a natural fragrance rather than one which is manufactured.  On the skin, it absorbs on contact and again with its pump dispenser, one pump is more than enough for the face and neck.  It can be applied in the morning and/or evening depending on what your preference is within your routine.  For me, it is a morning product.

All of the products from Gym For Your Skin can be used to create a routine, each one tells you in which order they need to be applied, so if skincare isn't something that you have got your head around, GFYS is actually really useful .  The team at GFYS also offer face-to-face video chats or you can chat with them via Facebook, Instagram, or on Email. During this chat, you can talk about your skincare issues, ask questions that bamboozle you and ask for advice on which products are best for you and your skin - a unique way of getting to know a brand as well as being given some guidance.

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

Collection IncrediBROW Review with swatches

When it comes to Brow products, I tend to stick to one well-known Brow brand, the products sit within my comfort zone and it is not often that I am tempted away from that.  However, Collection has revamped their Brow collection recently and I was kindly gifted some of the products to try.

incrediBROW is a collection which consists of four different products, which include all-in-one brow kit, a sharp eyebrow pencil, a semi-permanent brow gel and a self-setting brow mascara, all of which are available in a variety of shades and I have two sets to share with you today.

Collection describes incrediBROW as being the range to transform your brows once and for all. Efficacious and affordable, incrediBROW is designed for being used at home or on the go giving you the option to define, shape and highlight your brows.  

IncrediBROW Brow Definer (£2.79) - Everyone needs a brow definer within their collection or stash. They are amazing at helping to fill in gaps where the hair is sparse. Using light strokes from the sharp nib to mimic real hair, it works really well.

The Brow Definer is available in three shades - Blonde, Brunette and Dark Brunette and I have both Brunette and Dark Brunette and again, I switch between using both shades. The unedited swatch above shows both shades and for me, the lighter of the two has a slight undertone which is too light for my brows.

IncrediBROW Semi-Permanent Brow Gel (£4.99) - A fast-drying tinted brow gel, with a double-ended applicator and long-lasting, lightweight formula.  What I like about this gel is how easy it is to use, it is available in either Light/Medium or Medium/Dark and I have both shades and use the medium/dark a lot more than I had expected too. With a double-ended applicator, one end features an angled brush and the opposite end features a spoolie for a more precise application.

Once applied the gel sets really quickly and once in the brows, it doesn't budge or smudge, it is there to stay. The good news, however, is that with a decent enough make-up remover it does come off.

IncrediBROW Tinted Brow Mascara (£3.99) - One of my go-to products is Gimme Brow, so I was quite excited to see how this would work for me as an alternative product. Described as being a fast-drying, long-wearing and made of smudge-proof Vegan formula its job is to tint and tame those brows.

It comes in three shades - Blonde, Brunette and Dark Brunette and for this product, I definitely need the darker of the two shades I have because the lighter shade just doesn't work for me at all.  The formula is quite thin in consistency and it doesn't flake or clump when applied to the brows.  The bristles on the brushes are all of different sizes, so every hair is covered as you brush your brows through.  I really like this product, it isn't perfect by any means, but it is a great back-up option to be able to have and at the price, an absolute steal.

The fourth product within this collection is one I don't have and it is the incrediBROW Brow Kit (£3.99) and it also comes available in three shades - Blonde, Brunette and Dark Brunette.  It is described as being for touch-ups on the go and the kit has three powders in a light, medium and dark shade.  Also accompanying the kit is a clear brow mascara to complete the look.

For a high street brand, I think Collection has done an amazing job with creating this Brow line and if you want to start somewhere with your brows, then this is as good as place as any.  The prices are incredibly good and the products are easy to use.

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

Temple Spa Eye Care Review

Temple Spa is a brand I look at when it comes to relaxation, winding down and one of my favourite discoveries has been the Repose Aromatherapy Resting Cream which is really soothing and calming in times of need. Then when it comes to skincare, a product I have featured across my social media and on this blog, Temple Spas, In The Beginning, Deep Cleansing Melt is one I have repurchased a few times, it is simply divine.  Today I am sharing two products from the Eye Care section, both of which are award winners.

The first product I have been using is the Easy On The Eye Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover & Soothing Eye Solution. A product that is described as being gentle yet effective eye make-up remover that also refreshes tired, gritty eyes. I am really picky when it comes to eye make-up removers, I have found many simply irritate my eyes.  

Easy on the Eye is a fragrance-free formula and it is one which is dual purpose, so for me, it is unlike anything I have used before. It can be used as a make-up remover or as a soothing lotion.  To remove eye make-up you only need to apply a small amount to a cotton pad and then lightly press onto the eyes for just a few seconds before gently sweeping in a downwards motion first and then again from the outer eye in. Amazingly, it removes everything - brow make-up, eye make-up and even that stubborn to remove mascara (we all know the one) that can be a nightmare to remove.  However, my favourite way to use it of late is on tired eyes.  Again, apply just a few drops to cotton wool pads and then lay over each eye for around 10 seconds for an instant refresh or up to 5 minutes for a really nice treat.

Easy on The Eye (£16) has been designed for all skin types and you can even use it is as a contact lens wearer too.  It has three key ingredients such as Eyebright which is ideal for use on the thin, fragile skin around the eyes as it helps to soothe, smooth, firm and treat under-eye puffiness and dark circles. Cornflower which smoothes, moisturises and softens the skin but also contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidants that can treat tired, puffy or irritated eyes. Aloe Vera is also used and it helps to immediately cool, soothe and moisturise the skin.

The second product I have been using the Temple Spa Windows of the Soul (£30) which is described as being their best eye cream for dark circles and one which is suitable for all skin types.

Described as having a revolutionary formula which gives the benefit of both a cream and a gel, it is lightweight on the skin and uses three key ingredients which are - Vitamin E which helps to soften skin and replenish dehydrated skin and maintain its oil balance whilst ensuring collagen is boosted. Eyebright which is ideal for use on the thin, fragile skin around the eyes as it helps to soothe, smooth, firm and treat under-eye puffiness and dark circles. Then finally we haveEdelweiss which possesses anti-inflammatory capabilities helping to calm and soothe skin.

To use, you need a just one pump of the cream onto a clean ring finger, pat gently around the eye area, being careful not to drag the skin.  What I love about this cream is that it isn't thick, it doesn't feel greasy or tacky on the skin.  I am an insomnia sufferer, so anything that I can use to ward off those dark circles and this cream more than definitely lives up its claims for me.

Temple Spa has the mantra "Your Body Is A Living Temple. Honour It. Enjoy Your Life and Live It To The Full".  They are a brand who started over two decades ago right here in the UK and there is quite a collection of products within the range.  Whether you want something for stress problems, sleep-enhancing, detoxing or hydrating there is something for you, as well as looking for products per issue and concern such as redness and sensitivity, oiliness, combination or sensitive to name to just a few.

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