Win Jewellery and Cash with Scatterpin

Scatterpin is a Northern Irish jewellery company based in Bangor, County Down. Built on thirteen years of design experience and expertise, and a strong ethos of fun and fashionable pieces that yet retain their uniqueness in their strong personal histories, each piece is designed and manufactured by artists whose inspirations and identities are traceable and current. From beautifully understated day-wear jewellery to speak-for-itself statements, Scatterpin aims to source and sell the perfect accompaniment to any outfit.

With the help of FemaleBloggerRT and some fabulous bloggers, Scatterpin is giving away £50 Paypal CASH and the three beautiful items below!

CYAN TEARDROP CUFF

This cuff is created with tear-drop cratered steel and filled with beautiful cyan blue enamel. It is easily adjustable for fitting of any wrist and sits comfortably on the forearm. The contrast between the high-polished silver finish and delicate blue enamelling is emphasized by the unique “raw” edges of the cuff, making it both organic and crafted - a distinct and intriguing balance.

The cuff is a key trend item this year, making a statement without the weight or imposition of a “big” piece. It is light and dainty yet demands attention and can be worn casually or formally without difficulty. A cute and quick addition to any summer outfit, or a chic and icy finising touch for any winter ball, its versatility makes it a real must-have item this season.

HOUSES AND WINDOWS EARRINGS AND RING

These little sterling silver earrings dangle from one corner on delicate chains attached to fish hooks. They are all irregular in shape and imprinted then enameled in a choice of three colours, green, red or blue, with a cute inset window-frame design, creating a little “room with a view.” The blue earrings are again cyan in hue, and can be worn casually but this range is rather more quirky and something a little different from any high street jewellery. Their quirkiness lends well to many styles and fashion genres - it is fun, bohemian, statement, simplistic or just entirely different all depending on your mood and personality.

The designer of this range, Lauren, also created a matching ring which is roll printed and enamelled in the same manner but does not have the inset window frame as the other pieces. This ring can be worn in tandem with other pieces to reflect and enhance their distinctive patterns, or worn on it’s own as an understated but unique piece. With its uneven depth and bowled shape, it stands out against your hand whether you choose to coordinate with your earrings or clash with your nail polish.

Use the widget below to enter the giveaway! 

And make sure to check out Scatterpin.com and the great bloggers helping to spread the word!

The giveaway will close December 26! Giveaway open to European residents only.

Ellie // Rachel // Alice // Becci 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tesco Advent Calendar - Week Two

This is the second week of opening my Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar and I have to say, week one was pretty brilliant, you can see that post HERE.  This week had much to live up to I think in terms of how good the contents have been, so this is what I have:

Day 8 - Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume Sample. 

Named after the famous Red Door spas of Elizabeth Arden. An initial burst of red roses gradually becomes more of a floral bouquet combining lily of the valley with tuberose, jasmine and freesia.  Now I am personally not a fan of Elizabeth Arden products, they just don't don't do it for me, be it the 8 hour cream or perfumes, I am yet to find something that has made me go wow.  That said, this is a nice scented perfume, though I do feel it is for someone older than me in my 30's.

Day 9 - PRO Formula purifying thermal face mask sachet 

The Pro Formula Purifying Thermal Face Mask deeply cleanses, helps to open pores and absorb excess oils. Enriched with white willow bark and vitamin E complex, in combination with a warming effect, it helps to draw out impurities and clear excess dirt leaving the skin feeling fresh. It is also hypoallergenic.

Day 10 - Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix RRP 

Smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area with Viper Venom Eye Fix from Nip+Fab. This refreshing eye gel with a cooling roll-on applicator contains wrinkle minimising liftonin xpress and sy-nake with red algae to decrease the appearance of dark circles. The Nip+Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix is suitable for all skin types.

Day 11 - So Eco Foundation Brush RRP 

So Eco presents the Foundation Brush, designed as a premium make-up brush whilst being completely environmentally friendly. The head, filled with super-soft bristles is hand-cut and tapered to cover under-eye circles and imperfections to achieve a smooth complexion using liquid or powder make-up. The Foundation Brush handle by So Eco is made from ecologically sustainable bamboo providing additional comfort with a recycled aluminium ferule.

The Foundation Brush gift box is made with cardboard from managed forests that have been approved by the PEFC. The So Eco packaging features a window made from cornstarch and is held together using water-based adhesives. The box design was printed using vegetable inks with no harmful effects to the environment.

Day 12 - Korres Citrus Shower Gel

I am a huge fan of Korres products, so am delighted to see this in my Calendar.
It is a soft moisturising showergel, ideal for everyday use. Wheat proteins form a protective film on the skin, maintaining its regular hydration level. It smells absolutely amazing, very citrusy and the kind of scent which is guaranteed to wake you up in the morning when you are half asleep.

Day 13 - Tesco Reflect and Perfect Compact Mirror

Not the best compact mirror I have ever had I have to say. It is quite cheaply made and put together but is alright for chucking in my overnight bag in case of emergency. 

Day 14 - Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Masque

Gentle enough for the most dry and sensitive skins, Delicate Boosting Mask is a smooth and creamy hydrating mask containing Dead Sea Mud and Harmonised Water. It has an Allergen-Free Fragrance and contains no paraben and states it will give skin a fresher look and healthy glow as well as improve the skins texture, remove impurities and is deeply nourishing.

So there it is, week two of my advent calendar and I have to say that once I again I am impressed with the content.  I will use all of those products and cannot wait to see what I find behind the doors of week three!

What do you think?

Are earlobe tribal piercings a good idea?

In certain eastern and African cultures, the insertion of a large disc into the earlobe holds sociological or religious significance. It may indicate allegiance to or membership in a particular tribe, or indicate the person has successfully gone through a rite of passage. However, the practice of tribal earlobe piercing or stretching has become a popular form of body modification for Millennial generation men and women.

The process of piercing and expanding a hole in the earlobe to accommodate jewelry such as a “flesh tunnel,” a “barbell” or a “plug” is time consuming. The person undergoing the procedure can anticipate at least 8 weeks from the time of the initial piercing to the final fitting, with additional piercing procedures needed every two weeks. If the stretching process is rushed, it can result in the earlobe actually splitting in two. There are some hazards involved in tribal ear piercing that aren’t found in traditional ear piercing as well. One is the occurrence of what is known as a “blow-out.” This happens when too much pressure is placed on the piercing tool and skin from inside the hole is squeezed out. The result is a visible build-up of scar tissue.

Once the earlobe is stretched to 12 mm, the earlobe will not regain its original shape if the process is stopped. Unlike more traditional ear piercing, the hole created through stretching is permanent even if jewellery isn’t inserted.

Although this form of body modification has become more widely accepted, there still are several considerations that should be examined prior to getting this type of piercing.

In a 2008 Harris Poll, 32 percent of respondents answered that they considered people with extreme body modifications such as earlobe tribal piercing to be “more likely to engage in deviant behavior.” One specific incident involving the inside sales representative of a box company in Massachusetts found that customers perceived this woman to be “promiscuous” and “emotionally unstable” based solely on her body art. A study done by the International Journal of Hospitality Management in 2004 found that 87 percent of human resources managers and recruiters would decline hiring an interviewee based on visible body art or modifications. According to a recent story done by CBS News on earlobe tribal piercings, the British Royal Army forbids enlistees from having any ear piercings other those that hold stud-type earrings. Although many international firms don’t have explicit dress codes that forbid earlobe tribal piercing, the majority will decline to hire a job applicant if he or she has them. And under United States civil law, unless the piercing has religious significance, denying a job applicant a position based on visible piercing is not considered discriminatory. Unlike other forms of body art that can be discreetly covered by clothing, earlobe tribal piercings are quite visible and have a direct impact on one’s ability to obtain employment.

Further, as skin ages, it loses its elasticity and firmness. Combine the aging process with the exaggerated stretching the piercing produces and the ears become reminiscent of those of a Bassett hound. The teenager who looks “hip” with enlarged earlobes becomes the 40-year-old who looks ridiculous.Earlobes that have been stretched can be repaired through cosmetic surgery. This process involves anesthetizing the earlobe, cutting away the excess flesh and reconstructing the earlobe so that it appears normal. Under NHS regulations this is considered elective surgery, but an investment in this cosmetic procedure is an excellent investment if earlobe tribal piercings have become an impediment to career or social success. For information regarding earlobe reconstruction, contact Cosmetic Surgery Partners.

Guestpost

Show off True Beauty with an Eternity Ring

Most people assume rings are only shared with a significant other on a proposal or during the wedding. While this is when the majority of rings are exchanged, it is not the only time. Of course, someone is free to provide a ring whenever they desire, and while it should never outshine the engagement ring, there are some options out there that women can wear in order to show the extended commitment from her significant other. One such ring option that is available is known as eternity rings. These eternity rings are constructed out of the same material as a traditional engagement ring, so for anyone worried as to whether it might match the engagement ring or not, this is not a problem. However, it does have very specific meaning behind the ring and it is possible for the individual to select several different variations of rings, in order to ensure the recipient always receives a ring that is specific to them.

An eternity ring looks very similar to the wedding band that is exchanged during a wedding ceremony. It is usually a thin band, constructed out of a precious metal, such as gold or platinum. Along the middle of the ring there is a line of identically cut gemstones. These gemstones are usually diamonds as well, although it can vary from person to person, depending on their particular tastes. The goal of the ring is to symbolize a person's never ending love to the recipient of the ring.

Now, eternity rings are broken down into two sub categories: full eternity ring and half-eternity. With a full eternity ring, the diamonds go all the way around the ring, so there is no real top or bottom to it. An individual can slide the ring onto their finger without any worry as to what side is facing up. 

Full Eternity Rings

Half-eternity rings have diamonds running along just the top half portion of the ring. With the fingers along the ring on the hand, it is not possible to see that the bottom portion of the ring does not have diamonds on it. Typically, this design is constructed in order to cut down on the price of the ring. However, as the gemstones used in the construction of the ring are rather small, the variation of the price typically isn't that drastic. 

Half Eternity Rings

Eternity rings have been around for several centuries. In the 18th century, the design of the ring often featured a variation of different gemstones, including white topaz. However, while the design of the eternity ring has been around for some time, the actual concept of such a ring is on the newer side. The concept of an eternity ring as a gift potentially after the engagement ring came about in the 1960s from De Beers, the world famous diamond merchant. They used this design because the diamond company had to purchase over 90 percent of the small, uncut diamonds produced in the Soviet Union in order to obtain the larger diamonds and they needed a way to sell the smaller diamonds. 

The next time someone is looking to show their love for a significant other, regardless of if they are engaged, married or just looking to prove their love for all time, eternity rings are an excellent option. These can mark a significant anniversary, or someone can use this ring just to prove their love to the other individual. Regardless of the situation though and what someone is looking for, there is going to be the right eternity rings out there for them to use and to give to their true love. So what are you waiting for!!! 

Express your love to your soul mate by choosing one from the exquisite collection of such rings showcased by Laings of Glasgow.

**

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?

You Beauty Discovery Box - December

The latest edition of my You Beauty Discovery Box has arrived and if you have missed out on any of the other boxes you can see then here -February, March, April, May, June, July, August September  October and November to see the contents. I have to say that I have been impressed with every box I have had!

As with every month so far, there are always a few extra treats inside each box and this month we got:

Yardley Hydrating and Enriching body lotion and I got Energising Peony as my sachet sample.  Said to be a light and easily absorbed body lotion with a quick drying silicone base formula making it perfect for everyday use.  Not sure how much of my body a sachet will cover, but will give it a go.

Christmas Mini bear from Lindt - already eaten as soon as I photographed it and a lovely little extra to have.

Hikers Foot Healer is not something i have heard of before so I was really intrigued.  Said to contain Tapioca Powder to help prevent rubbing from shoes and Borage Oil, Shea Butter and Grape Seed Oil to help nourish and repair the skin at the end of the day!

Then once again there was a huge choice range of products to decide between which you can see HERE and I went for the following:

COLAB London and Rio Dry Shampoo due, both cans are 50ml and have an RRP £1.99 each. Ever since I heard about these dry shampoos by Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends, I have wanted to try them and when I saw the option with You Beauty, there was no doubt I was going to choose them as an option and I got both versions as part of one choice which is amazing. The samples I got are London which is in the black and silver can and Rio which is I the mint green/Jade and silver can.

The description given for these dry shampoos are "Introducing the new sensation in dry shampoo couture, where an instantly revitalised look comes to you straight from the can".

LONDON, a classic yet contemporary fagrance of bergamot, musk & magnolia.

RIO, a carnival of tropical notes with papaya, pineapple & a heart of cassis.

Wilkinson Sword Intuition Naturals Sensitive Care Razor, which is obviously a full sized product which has an RRP £6.99. Surrounded by a gentle creamy soap with visible ribbons,Wilkinson Sword Intuition Naturals Sensitive Care lathers and moisturises during shaving, leaving your skin naturally healthy looking and noticeably soft.

Whilst there was many other options I could have chosen this month, I did feel spoilt for choice which is always a nice feeling, I think I chose the items I will use the most. You can never have too much dry shampoo needing to be used and you always need to have a razor handy for party season and I've got exactly that.

So for £6.95 I have a box of products worth around £12 which doesn't make it the most expensive box I have ever had, but it is full of products I will use and need - perfect!

Do you subscribe to You Beauty? WHat do you think to my box? 

Jurlique Glow Christmas Gift Sets

Jurlique is a brand I have recently fallen in love with, having been around since 1985, it is surprising I havent tried more products by now. Jurlique was founded by Jurgen and Ulrike Klein, a German couple who migrated to Australia armed with their natural expertise – his as a biochemist, hers as a botanist – and a vision to create the purest skin care on earth. What I love is that all of the ingredients used within the Jurlique products are grown on a farm and hand picked for each item, they are also free from synthetic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.  The story behind the brand is totally fascinating and if you would like to read it, you can do so here.

So with Christmas on the horizon, Jurlique have some amazing gift sets to offer and I have a few of them to share with you today.

Starting with the Petite Rose Duo which costs just £9. This cute little set contains a Rose Hand Cream and a Rose Body Cream which are both 15mL. 

The Rose hand cream is a rich, protective hand cream to deeply moisturise and restore smoothness to leave hands soft and supple. It provides long-lasting hydration and natural antioxidant protection. This hand cream is totally divine, it feels so luxurious once on the skin and it sinks in effortlessly leaving behind a beautiful fresh rose scent and lovely moisturised hands.

The Rose Body Cream is enriched with Rose, Jojoba Oil, Shea and Cocoa Butter that leaves dry skin feeling hydrated, soft and smooth. Again, this cream is so rich and luxurious it is a pure treat for your skin, it feels amazing upon application and as it sinks into the skin, it leaves no trace behind apart from a lovely fresh rose scent.

The second set I am sharing with you is the Precious Rose Duo which retails at £25.00. This adorable set contains a Rose Hand Cream, as in the first set, which is slightly larger in this one at 40ml and one of my favourite Jurlique products, some Rosewater Balancing Mist in a 30ml bottle.

The Rosewater Balancing Mist is my favourite Jurlique product currently. It is a daily hydrating mist featuring the relaxing scent of rose that restores and hydrates the complexion and is ideal for normal/combination skin types.  The mist when spritzed is really fine so you don't end up soaked, as it hits your face there is an instant cooling feeling which is really refreshing and it is perfect for all weathers, particularly now with this cold weather we have right now where you are going in and out of the heat a lot, I find my skin becomes dehydrated quite quickly

The Rosewater Balancing Mist includes some fabulous ingredients such as:

• Grapefruit Seed which provides antioxidant protection.
• Marshmallow and Glycerin which help to prevent moisture loss and intensely hydrate and soften the skin. 
• Rose and Aloe Vera which soften,soothe and calm the skin.

Both of these sets are fantastic and are just a few of the offerings from Jurlique, there are many other options online.  As I have said, I have become a huge fan and am slowly working my way through the range.

Are you a Jurlique fan? Would you be happy with any of these sets for Christmas?

Christmas Beauty Baubles 2014

I mentioned in this post a few days ago about Christmas Tree decorations for beauty lovers and today's post introduces a few more ideas by way of Beauty Baubles. As a stocking filler, I think they are a brilliant idea, something quirky yet useful to hang on or from your tree.

Below you will find some of the ones I like the most, and this year it seems like there is so much more choice!

Boots No.7 - This No7 Nail Polish Christmas Star Bauble makes a lovely stocking filler for No7 fans! The star makes a stylish tree decoration and opens up to reveal a Stay Perfect nail polish. Price £6

Caudalie - Mini Caudalie Divine Oil - A multi-purpose, luxurious dry oil moisturises, nourishes and enhances the skin thanks to its unique formula made with an exceptional blend of oils (grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan) combined with our patented anti-oxidant Polyphenols. It envelops the skin with a subtle, floral and sun-kissed fragrance, with woody notes. Use it on the body, hair, nails, in the bath or as a massage oil. Price £8

This Works Hanging Sleep Balm - Inside you will find This Works’ award-winning Sleep Balm, formulated with a soothing fusion of lavender, vetiver and wild camomile to calm the mind and relax the body, helping induce a rejuvenating night of beauty sleep. Price £10

Molton Brown - Choose from some exceptionally bright and colourful festive baubles in a range of scents from Eucalyptus,Ylang-Ylang, Pink Pepperpod, Templetree, Frankincense & Allspice and Gingerlilly. Priced at just £10 it makes for a very interesting shower as they are filled with a Molton Brown Signature Scent!

Balmi - Available in three different flavours, this Balmi Bauble is filled with a lip balm which is packed full of vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil, it provides moisturisation and protection from harmful UVA rays. Price £5

Champneys - A choice of two baubles from Champneys in red or white. One contains a 50ml Champneys Oriental Opulence Body Cream and the other 50ml Champneys Exotic Retreat Body Cream. Priced at just £4 they are also a great stocking filler.

Eve Lom - The inimitable Eve Lom Kiss Mix lip treatment, presented in a limited edition star-shaped gift box.  Price £16

Purity - Made Simple, the one-step facial cleanser in trial-size 90ml, suitable for all skin types. Price £9

Origins - FThis gift set bauble contains Origins best sellers which are: GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff (5ml), Make a Difference™ Overnight hydrating repair cream (5ml), Clear Improvement® Active charcoal mask to clear pores (7ml), Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight mask to quench skin's thirst (7ml), Modern Friction™ Nature's gentle dermabrasion (15ml).  A great way to try before you buy and priced at £12.

Soap & Glory - Merry Kiss Much contains A GREAT KISSER™ Lip Balm in Juicy Peach, all wrapped up in a covetable, collectable, giftable bauble.  Price £5

Rodial - An alternative to the traditional baubles for the tree, why not surprise a loved one with a bespoke Rodial tree decoration this Christmas? This decoration contains best-selling glam balm lip that boasts 3D hyaluronic filling spheres for instant plumping. Priced at £19

The final item comes from Aromatherapy Associates in the form of a star. It is one of those products that really stands out with its's teal coloured packaging and it is perfect for hanging on the tree with the little elastic hoop at the top. Once inside the box, you will find a 7.5ml glass bottle of the Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath and Shower Oil.  This oil is absolutely amazing, it is just brilliant and was designed to help brin about a sense of calm and inner peace and it uses a combination of frankincense, clary sage and cardamom essential oils which are some of my favourites for this time of year.

The Inner Strength range is particularly special as 10% of all proceeds are donated to the Defence Against Cancer charity, which is such a thoughtful touch, especially as a couple of my family members are currently fighting cancer.

Have you got any beauty baubles for your tree? 

Are there any that you really like the look of?

Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar - Week 1

This year I managed to get my hands on the Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar, it looked brilliant from the start when I first saw it advertised and hopefully it will live up to expectations.  It cost £50 and was available online and through some Tesco stores, I believe it is still available for half the original price if you still want it.

The Calendar is said to contain everything you need to complete your Christmas party look, with brands such as Nip+Fab, Korres, Katy Perry, Dr. LeWinns, Baylis & Harding and Tanya Burr behind each door, it is bound to be 24 exciting days.

In my introductory post I opened door number one which you can read all about HERE and today I am going to share with you what else I have had in my Calendar this week. Starting with door number two:

So inside day 2 we have a Tanya Burr nail polish.  I am yet to encounter any of the Tanya Burr range but I do love the look of this nail polish which is shade Midnight Sparkles and it is described as being "is a sumptuous, purple nail colour infused with glitter, for a truly stunning finish". This Nail polish has an RRP £4.95.

For day 3 there is a 5ml perfume sample from Paul Smith and it is the Extreme Eau de Toilette.  Described as being "A sensual yet playful floral fragrance with a blackcurrant and violet infusion and rich woody final notes" it is actually an alright scent, probably not one that I would go out and purchase for myself, but it is nice.

Behind door number 4 we have a Spotlight Lipgloss by Sue Moxley and I have shade 'Fiesty' and it an LED light up gloss and it incorporates a mirror on the lid as well.  The shade is a quite bright pink shade which I will show in a later post. 

It's been quite hard to find information on this brand but the lipglosses do have an RRP £6.99 on Amazon.

Then behind door number 5 and here it is. A Katy Perry Meow Eau de Parfum locket.  The description is as follows "This solid perfume locket by Katy Perry is the perfect gift idea! The locket is in the shape of a cat's head with diamond effects on the ears and eyes. Twist it open to reveal solid perfume. This locket comes in a black drawstring pouch" I think this is such a fab item, it wasn't at all what I was expecting to find and I did initially think it was another perfume sample, which in a way it is, but it is a solid and in a locket which is super cute. It has an RRP £7.99

Behind door number 6 we have a mini organic soap which smells absolutely amazing and I am pleased to see it is totally free from detergents, SLS, Alcohol, parabens, silicones, sulphates, preservatives and sorbates! It's from The Little Soap Company.

Behind door number 7 which I have just opened, we have Candy Kittens Turquoise 20ml EDT which is described as follows: "This fragrance opens with a bright burst of citrus from bergamot and apple, followed by an enchanting heart comprised of earthy cedar wood and tender jasmine. The fragrance dries down slowly to a wonderfully sensual mix of earthy sandalwood and creamy vanilla".  As a fragrance it is quite nice, not one I would choose as I think it is something for  a teen but it is nice.

So there you have my first week of the Tesco Advent Calendar and I am totally chuffed with the contents so far.  What do you think?