Christmas Gift Guide - Perfumes

So we have had Mad Friday and Shopping Saturday, so hopefully by now you have got all of your Christmas presents all sorted right? No, me either.  One gift you can never go wrong with at Christmas time or at any other time, is perfume.  I love perfume and love the discovery of new fragrances and the chance to try ones which have gained cult status that I haven't yet comes across.

I am quite fussy about what perfume I will and won't wear.  Any perfume I try, has to be one I like from the first spritz, it is seldom rare that something will grow on me enough to like it and purchase it.  So here I have 6 perfumes that I absolutely love and am wearing right now, that would make an amazing gift.

YSL Black Opium - From the moment I tried this I wanted it within my collection. Not only does it have a lovely black and pink sparkly bottle, the scent which describes itself as "The hedonistic black coffee note of the original Black Opium scent is transformed into an ultra-luminous green coffee accord with a heart of Jasmine Tea on a sensual base of sensual Patchouli, white woods and musk" and it is just stunning. I find this is one of the longest lasting scents on my skin.  This perfume came into my life via a Klout Perk and is one that is readily available in places such as Boots.

L'Occitane Pamplemousse Rhubarb - This is a scent that captured my attention at a blogger event. It is quite unusual for a scent because it uses the zesty scent of Grapefruit combined with the the green, crisp scent of rhubarb which makes for a really lovely fresh scent which is unisex and smells great on both men and women. Anyone who reads my blog will know that I am a huge fan of L'occitane and if this sounds like a fragrance for you, then you can find it here along with an entire set which comprises of a shower gel, body lotion and soap.

Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules- Now if you want a scent that makes you go wow, want to ask someone in the street what on earth it is they are wearing (in a good way) or want people to ask you, then Molecule 01 is the scent for you. It isn't pretty to look at, it won't be the obvious choice of gift, but what it loses in looks and cuteness it makes up for in scent. The scent has a subtle, velvety, woody note which will meld with your natural pheromones, vanish, then re-surface after some time, making it totally individual and personalised to the wearer. You will rarely smell this fragrance on yourself, Molecule 01 perfume is more about the effect it has on others.

Lolita Lempecka Sweet - I was lucky enough to win this from a Twitter competition run by Escentual and the bottle which is shaped like a bright red apple, is distinctive and it captures your attention.  The scent is really addictive, it is sweet and fresh at the same time and is described as opening "with the tender and juicy flesh of a cherry, coated in the crisp sugar icing of a candy apple. In the heart, pure, bitter cocoa absolute flirts with angelica, before a seductive base of scandalous musk and warm, sensuous cashmeran envelops all".  

Jo Loves Pomelo - I have reviewed this scent right here and it is just an amazing scent.  Jo described it as being ‘Inspired by memories of summer holidays, fresh linen sheets and sparkling iced water, I surround myself with Pomelo wherever I go. To my joy, it’s the fragrance that makes people stop me in the street to ask what I’m wearing.’ The Pomelo is a large citrus fruit that looks and tastes similar to a grapefruit and when combined with Vetiver, which is quite earthy it creates an amazing scent. Put them together and you have this absolutely stunning fragrance which is citrussy sharp as well as being fresh and clean from the moment it leaves the bottle to a good 6-7 hours later when on the skin. 

Michael Kors White - I knew that I would never hate this scent purely because it has Jasmine as one of its heart notes and the full review can be found right here. I love the big chunky whiteness of the bottle and the scent itself is one of those where one spritz is enough to last the entire day. It is fresh when first spritzed with the Freesia being quite dominant but as it settles and you can detected Gardenia, which is a really lovely scent, this perfume becomes for me all about the tuberose (which is a flower) which is a lovely floral, sweet buttery scent.

As someone who loves perfume, I am more than looking forward to all of the new releases in 2016.

If you had to choose a perfume to receive for Christmas, what would it be?

Top 3 Tips When Buying Through Catalogues That You Need To Know!

Are you thinking about opening a new credit account with a UK catalogue? Before you go any further, there are a few things you need to know. Here are the top 3 tips when buying through catalogues and what you can do to save money on your purchases. 

 1. Find the best interest rates When you open a new credit account with a UK catalogue company, you can spread the cost of your order and pay for your purchase in affordable instalments; however, you will be charged interest on the balance. The amount of interest you pay will vary depending on the retailer so it's a good idea to shop around and find the best deals. A comparison website will enable you to compare different interest rates in one place, saving you time. Some retailers won't charge you any interest if you settle your balance within a certain time frame (for example, if you pay for your order within 28 days). Always read the terms and conditions and find out the interest rate - as well as any penalties for late payment - before you place your order.

 2. Find the best catalogue for you There is a wide range of catalogues to choose from, some of which specialise in particular products like clothing or electronics. Choose a catalogue that best suits you by looking at their products online or finding out more about the retailer. Companies like Jacamo specialise in clothing that you won't always find on the UK high street - including clothes in sizes up to 5x large. 

 3. Decide how you want to repay There are a number of different ways you can make repayments when you place an order with a catalogue company, including pay monthly, pay weekly, and buy now, pay later. Catalogues like Very and Simply Be provide a wide range of repayment options, including pay monthly - where you pay for your order over a period of time by making payments every month. Dial a TV is an example of a pay weekly catalogue, which might suit you better if you get your wages paid on a weekly basis.

Those are some tips.  Do you have any tips to share? Do you use a catalogue to purchase anything?

**Collaboration

My Watch Wishlist

Whenever I am asked to write a Christmas Wishlist so that friends and family can choose from it, I am stumped. I never know what I want or would like and I struggle to come up with anything, only this year there is one item I do quite fancy and it is one piece of jewellery that I have had many times and always end up forgetting to wear (oops), but I am drawn in, like a magpie, to shiny things.

So having had a look around and there are so many ladies watches to choose from and so many decisions to make - design of the face, strap or bracelet, the type of metal, the colour and so on, all before you even get to branding and make. 

From the thousands that I could choose from, ive managed to find 6 that I absolutely love and would be chuffed if Santa sent any one of them my way.

Olivia Burton Watches are pretty much stunning, there are so many to choose from in all different patterns and this one with the Molded Bee on it is literally stunning with the contrasting black strap and rose gold face, it is a steal at £130 and you can see it here.

I bought the Mister an Armani Watch a few years ago and until today have never thought to look at the female versions.  What I love about this watch is the face, again quite feminine and a bit blingy, I think it would look stunning and again a steal at £138 here.

If there is one watch to capture my attention then Skagen have done it.  Just how beautiful is this watch with its dark blue face and mesh strap?  I love that it gives off the minimilistic look as well as being quite classy and for just £135 here it is a bargain.

Thomas Sabo is a brand I really like, I am a huge fan of their bracelets and charms but have never ventured into the rest of their jewellery range.  This Glam and and Soul chronograph watch is quite contemporary looking but still manages to look like a ladies watch and though it is quit pricey at £275 here, I do like it a lot.

If you want something that is totally different to anything else, then Storm Ola from House of Fraser is that something different. With its very slim bracelet, no numbering and large face, for someone like me with very slim wrists, I think would be a perfect match and I just love it.  Storm Ola is priced at £119.99 here.

The final watch I love is by Kenneth Cole and it is the face which caught my attention. I absolutely adore the gorgeous display of exposed mechanics on this watch and again it features a stainless steel strap which is quite contemporary but I love again the contrast between the steel and the rose gold watch hands and numbering on the face. Priced at just £165 you can find it here.

As you can see, I am not a fan of gold, I dont feel it suits me and always tend to opt for Stainless Steel or Platinum when it comes to jewellery anyway as my body hates anything with nickel in it.

Have you got a watch on your wishlist? 

KIKO Midnight Siren Collection

There is one brand that right makes me want EVERYTHING and that is KIKO, they have of late had some amazing launches which have left me wanting every single item within the collection. Midnight Siren is one of those collections! The description is as follows "Drawing inspiration from the night, the MIDNIGHT SIREN collection is mysterious, irresistible and atmospheric. Products are beautifully enriched with pearls and iridescent highlighters, reflecting the sheen of the ocean, the reflection of the moon and that mystical, magical starlight."

KIKO Silk Pearl Illuminating Bronzer (£14.90)

Now this is just so gorgeous, from the globe style packaging which I instantly fell in love with to the actual illuminating bronzer, this is one of those products I adore. The product contains three shades and what I love is that they can be used alone, as a duo or mixed together. The bronzer, which isn't as dark as I was expecting it to be applies so easily and blends like a dream. 

The illuminating power, again can be used to compliment the bronzer or be used on its own as a highlighter and again, it gives a lovely shimmer when used and both applies and blends like a dream. There are 2 shades – I have the lightest one, Radiating Honey and the other available shade is irresistible Sienna.

Cream Radiance Highligher (£10.90)

This is a duo highligher for face and eye contour. The formula itself is quite cool in that it turns from a gel like formula to a cream and once on the skin is so light that you don't even notice it is there. 

I absolutely adore the packaging, it matched the bronzer and is just so stunning. It is available in two shades Alluring Sand and Twilight Gold.

Moonshadow Water Infused Eyeshadow (£7.90)

I have two fantastic shades - Mysterious Chocolate and Glistening Turquoise and both are incredible easy to use. The crayon stylo is angled making it really easy to apply and both shades are incredibly pigmented. 

The formula is gel like and is made up of 42% water meaning it is quite hydrating on the eyes. The colour is lasts pretty much all day long, longer if used with a primer.

Shape and Shimmer Eyebrow Highlighter Pencil (£8.90)

This is amazing. It is a double-ended, long-lasting pencil that defines the eyebrows and highlights the eyebrow arch. The brow pencil end with its ultra-fine tip and natural matte finish precisely defines your eyebrows. The texture is so smooth that it glides on easily and the colour is revealed instantly for full and natural brows. The wax-based formula adheres well and the sculpted eyebrows retain their shape all day long. 

The retractable pencil does not need sharpening. It is available in three shades and I have Light Chestnut and Blonde which is just about perfect for my colouring.

Dark Tide Eyeliner (£7.90)

I am not generally a fan of eyeliner, and it is the one product I never opt for when renewing my stash.  So when the Dark Tide Eyeliner landed in my lap, I was immediately taken with for its texture. The waxy texture instantly melts when it comes into contact with the skin, thus making it easy to use, something I never thought I would say!

The colour is vivid and bright and once applied remains bold all day and ive found that it never smudges or fades but is an absolute breeze to remove with any eye makeup remover. What I also love about this eyeliner is that there is an in built sharpener in the bottom of the pencil. Available in 6 shades.

Matte Muse Lipstick (£6.90)
This lipstick I adore. It is a velvety matte liquid lipstick which when applied is quite creamy in texture. It doesn't cling to dry skin on the lips and lasts for a good 4-5 hours before the need to re-apply, I have been seriously impressed with how long this lipstick lasts. 

It is available in six shades and the one I have, Embellished Peony, is just divine and I absolutely love it.

The final item within this amazing collection is The MOONLIGHT OIL SERUM (£18.90). "Described as being a luxurious skincare elixir with the performance of a powerful anti-ageing serum combined with the opulence of an oil". This specially balanced formula not only have a brightening and invigorating effect it to, but it also has a detoxifying action that transforms the skin, reducing dryness and restoring elasticity. 

It is enriched with Camelina Sativa Oil, which is one of the richest sources of Omega-3 and Vitamin E to help improve the skins tone and texture.

This is one amazing collection from Kiko and I absolutely love it, I have used every single item and instead of having a favourite item which is usually no problem to choose, this time I am unable to decide what I prefer more, they are all just amazing.

Have you tried anything from Kiko?

The Perfect Christmas Beauty Hamper for Men

Buying Christmas products for the Mister isn't usually too much of a difficult challenge as is he quite good and hinting about things he likes, doesn't like, might want and most definitely would not want. So throughout the year I tend to have made notes on my phone (thank god for that app on the iPhone) which gives me something to work with. This year, I have decided to do something a little different, something a little bit more fun and whilst this post will not contain his main gift (that is still with Santa) this is a collection of products that I think he will like to try, might have had before but liked them so much he has mentioned wanting to try them again and a few little products that I like the sound of and think he will too.  

Now admittedly this Man Hamper wasn't an idea I simply came up with, in fact at work I buy all of our stationery through Euro Office and on their special offers page (I always look there first before buying anything) they have a 12 days of Christmas Competition, aptly titled '12 Blogs of Christmas' whereupon which a 12 day DIY advent calendar has been created to give you a shop-able DIY idea - so making your own labels, creating an advent calendar using envelopes and so on. As I said, I buy my office stationery through them and decided that instead of wasting shredded paper it would be a brilliant little base inside my man hamper, which is a recycled Wicker basket that I was given about a year ago.

Crabtree and Evelyn Ornament Tin - This is such a great stocking filler for men. It is a beautifully decorated tin which contains two 50ml tubes of Hair and Body Wash in Moroccan Myrrh & West Indian Lime scents and both of which smell just absolutely divine. 

L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme**- A fragrance gift set that I happen to know my mister absolutely loves. I got this set from Cosme-De who happen to have some amazing offers right now. The set itself comprises of a 125ml Eau de Toilette, a 75ml Shower Gel and a 50ml Soothing Aftershave Balm. Such a beautiful scent for a man and such a lovely gift set to have.

Jack Back Beard Lube Conditioning Shave**(£13.50) - I like a beard on the mister and am not a fan when he feels the need to shave it off, so anything I can get my hands on which means the facial fuzz sticks around longer is a bonus. 

Described as being an award-winning Beard Lube from Jack Black, this product is specially formulated to penetrate the hair and help prepare the beard for shaving by softening the growth. It retains moisture to ensure your razor glides over your skin easily, without clogging the blades. The unique, transparent texture lets you see where you are shaving, preventing nicks and cuts.

Bulldog Original Body Lotion**(£4.50) - I have a nice array of lovely body lotions and body butters and it isn't a product you see too readily available for men. 

Bulldog Original Body Lotion is packed with 8 essential oils such as Begamot, Lemon and Avocado Oil to name a few, cocoa butter, aloe vera and avocado oil to help nourish and rehydrate the skin. Whilst it doesn't smell distinctly manly, it does smell divine and hopefully this will encourage Steve to moisturise more than just his face.

If anyone reads the misters blog then you will know that hair care is important to him, he has tried endless gels, waxes, clays and sprays to see what works well with his hair and what doesn't.  So having looked through his blog to see American Crew**hadn't featured, within this hamper for him are four products to test and try:

• Defining Paste (£10.76) - Described as being perfect for adding texture to flat, limp hair, the American Crew Defining Paste provides medium hold coverage with a matte finish.
• Fiber (£10.76) - This is said to be American Crew's beat selling product and it is designed to be used to mould and sculpt hair into any style. This fibre-like, resinous product helps thicken, texturise and increase fullness to hair and again provides a matte finish. 
• Forming Cream (£10.76) - Is said to provide excellent hold, pliability and natural shine. It also helps hair look thicker and is ideal for easing new users into the potential of styling jar products. 
• Pomade (£6.39) - This is better for hair that is in-between cuts in my opinion and is longer than usual. Excellent for the slicked-back look or rough texture, high gloss styles. Controls strong hair lines and curly, frizzy hair. Great for a sophisticated finish.

Montagne Jeunesse Charcoal & Volcanic Ash Unclog Pore Strips - I came across these in Primark for the bargain price of 90p and as it is unusual to see these male products anywhere, I picked them up. 

There are three pore strips inside the package and they use natural charcoal to help absorb excess sebum drawing out dirt, grime and impurities for cleaner, less visible pores. The use of Volcanic Ash helps to clear dead skin cells.

Truefitt & Hill Sample Bag**- You can never go wrong with a decent sized samples and Truefitt & Hill are not a brand I am familiar with. 

They were established back in 1805 and world's oldest barbershop as stated in the Guinness Book of records and are barbers and Royal Warrant holders to H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh.  You can read more about them here.

Bluebeards Revenge Starter Kit** (£19.99)- This is an amazing set which includes luxury collection of contemporary shaving products designed for the modern man! 

The Bluebeards Revenge Starter Kit consists of everything you need to get started with traditional wet shaving, including a rich luxury Shaving Cream, travel-sized Post-Shave Balm (20ml), Doubloon shaving brush and silver-technology antiperspirant deodorant.

I am hoping the discovery of some of these brands will find some new favourites and bring a little something different when it comes to Christmas presents and once it is all put together it looks something like this:

Have you ever put together a hamper for someone?  Do you think there is anything else I could include?

**collaboration and PR samples

Blogger Beauty Box - December

The Blogger Beauty Box is, like the name suggests a beauty box which is created by a Blogger who goes by the name of Vix and she blogs over at Vix Meldrew. The Blogger Beauty Box began back in August of this year and I am chuffed to have finally got my hands on one and it costs just £10 per month. I have the gigantic December box to share with you and it is amazing.

Inside this box is 7 different items with the dominant theme of skincare and nails with many of the brands being absolutely new to me and I am really excited to give them a try.

Elegant Touch Nail Guards - These nail guards act as a protective barrier and are designed to be worn under not only press-on nails but also gel manicures & acrylics. These nail guards prevent glue damage to the natural nail and are really thin and to use them, you simply apply the sticky strip to your nail and then file to shape you need before applying your preferred finish. These nail guards are said to last for up to 14 days and also easy to remove. Each pack contains 36 nail guards in 9 sizes and retails around £2.95.

House of HoHoHo Christmas Nails by Elegant Touch - A collaboration between House of Holland and Elegant Touch to create some unique and fun press on nail designs ready for the Christmas season. These nails are easy to use attach to the nail easily by using the enclosed glue. They dry in just 5 minutes and are said to last for 10 days. Each pack contains 24 nails in 10 different sizes, a nail file, bottle of glue and full easy to read and follow instructions. Available in several designs they retail around £8.99.

AcuRegen Rose Body Oil - The oil caught my attention as soon as I opened the box. The body oil looks similar to Olive Oil and contains rose petal pot pourri in a pump dispenser bottle to make it easier to use. The oil can be used in the bath, as a body oil or you can add it to your body lotion. Ingredients such as Rose Oil which has renowned purifying and detoxing properties, Argan Kernal Oil which is not only hydrating but also helps regulate sebum secretion and is extremely moisturising and finally Geranium Oil which is said to deliver nerve tissue support for boosted skin balancing. Priced at £32.99 I am really looking forward to giving this a try.

Seascape Island Apothecary Soothe Body Butter - Seascape is part of a locally produced skincare range which hails from Jersey. This Body Butter is full of natural ingredients and essential oils which includes Lavender to relax and calm, Ylang Ylang to balance the mind and Mandarin to rejuvenate the skin. Contains Jersey Beeswax, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Rosehip Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil rich in Omega 3, 6 and vitamin E to help reduce stretch marks and repair damaged skin. This butter smells absolutely incredible and feels so lovely on the skin. It contains no parabens, no silicones, no SLS, no petroleum, no artificial colours, no artificial fragrances and retails at £22.00

Anubis Effectivity Gold Mask and Caviar &Pearl Peeling - I have never come across this brand before, so it is always exciting to discover something new. Anubis comes from Barcelona. The Caviar & Pearl is a described as being a nourishing and revitalizing exfoliator which is specifically forumalted to deeply nourish and regenerate. It states it will reduce wrinkles, brighten skin and to smooth and soothe. To be used after cleansing your face, it has to be left for up to 10 minutes before being rinsed off. The Gold Mask which is another anti-aging product from this brand is an intensive rejuvenating gel mask which is said to leave your skin with an intense glow. As before, you apply to clean skin and leave for up to 15 minutes before rinsing. Both of these masks retail between £10-£20 depending on where you choose to shop.

Finally nestled inside a cute linen organza bag are two lip products by Dusty Girls which is part of the MooGoo brand. MooGoo make skincare for people who have skin problems and/or very sensitive skin and their makeup range uses the sample principles of the skincare range which you can read more about here and here.

Dusty Girls Sun Shower – Natural Mineral Lip Gloss. This is a clear gloss to add shine and create silky smooth lips. This gloss hydrates and softens your pout with natural moisturising oils and soft micas. It can be purchases for just £9.00.

Dusty Girls Argyle Pink Lip Shine - A gorgeous soft shade of pink with a subtle light reflecting shimmer to enhance your natural smile. We use a blend of nourishing ingredients such as Apricot Seed Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil to make application a breeze and to ensure you are left with a perfectly polished pout with every pop! We steer clear of synthetic dyes and Carmine, both of which are commonly found in many generic lip products to get a more vibrant colour, however most people aren’t aware that Carmine is in fact, boiled beetle wings (cringe). Instead we use natural micas for a beautiful, long lasting pigment and a clear conscience. Priced at £9.50 and can be found here.

So there you have the December Beauty Blogger Box and as you can see it is packed full of amazing products with new brands to discover. If you like the sound of Beauty Blogger Box and want to try it out for yourself, you can find information right here.