Monthly Favourites | December

Evenin' all! I do hope you've all had an amazing Christmas. I don't know about you but it's gone far too quick for me. I love the whole build up to the big day and the past few weeks really do seem to have flown by - I don't feel as if I've had chance to fully take it all in.  It's always over in the blink of an eye.  We're now onto the dregs of the Quality Street tin (the ones that nobody likes) and I can't help but feel slightly sad that I won't be able to pop into Costa for a cheeky orange hot chocolate anymore. Anyway, post-Christmas glum-ness aside, I thought I'd put together my final favourites post of the year. I wasn't going to do a December favourites this month considering I'm in the process of typing up my '2014' collective posts, but it seemed a shame not to to sum up the final month of the year with a few bits and pieces...

Chanel // Soleil Tan De Chanel 'Bronze Universel'  // £32.00 // Link

I adore this product - it's one that I always go back to.  It's such a nice little touch of luxury to have in my collection. I've been using it as an all over bronzing base recently and it just looks so much more natural as opposed to a powder bronzer.  I've been buffing this into the skin (after applying my foundation) using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and it just gives the most amazing, smooth and flawless finish.  I concentrate it around the outside of my face - buffing into the sides of the forehead, temples and outer cheekbones to give a naturally bronzed and sculpted look.  

Mac Lipstick in 'Half n Half' // £15.50 // Link

Oo not another 90s inspired nude lip! Although I'm a big fan of the infamous 'Velvet Teddy' lipstick, I much prefer the constancy of 'Half n Half' and think it's very much an unsung hero of the Mac lipstick world.  It's virtually the same shade - maybe slightly lighter - but is much creamier and glossy due to the 'amplified' finish. I adore it.  For a closer look, head on over to my 'Mac Lipstick Collection' post here. 

Boutique at Sainsburies Lip Gloss in 'All the Tea in China' // £6.00 //

You've got to hand it to Sainsburies - they've got an absolutely smashing lip gloss here! It's more akin to a lip laquer in terms of application and pigmentation - the colour is almost opaque (if you've ever tried Tanya Burr's range I'd liken it to those) and is so understated and classy.  I bought this a few months ago and it looked far too 'foundation-y' on my summer skin, but now that I'm paler it works a treat.  It works well on its own, giving a beautifully glossy nude appearance, but also works well layered on top of brown toned lipsticks.  The taupe hint really compliments brown undertones and looks very on trend for the season. 

Arran Aromatics 'Honey and Lemon' Lip Balm // £3.50* // Link

I've already featured this product in a recent post here, but I just had to include it again. It's become my bedside staple! I apply it every night before bed and let it work it's magic overnight.  I'll also apply it in the morning before I apply my makeup as it sinks in really nicely, instantly making the lips feel smoother and perfectly prepped for further product.  It gives a lovely glossy appearance to the lips and works well over lipsticks if you're applying it through the day.  The scent is so soothing and gentle, and the screw-top pot is so handy and lightweight - I've thrown it into my handbag on a couple of occasions and much prefer this over a typical lip-balm stick (they're often too waxy for my liking).  This one is super quenching and treats dry lips in an instant.

Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Lover' // £21.50 // Link

I really didn't expect to see this blush popping up on the bloggles anytime soon considering it's one of my summer favourites.  However, a year or so ago, I remember really enjoying it through the winter months.  I'd wear it to my uni lectures in a bid to make myself look slightly more awake (even if i felt far from it!) and I just find the finish of it so lovely.  It's a gorgeous bright pastel-y peach which works so well on both tanned and pale skin - the matte finish is also really flattering and gives that perfect 'flawless' finish.  I have to say this is one of my most loved blushes ever - it might even be my all-time favourite.  There's something about it that just works for me and despite being quite a bright, unique shade - i find it so easy to wear.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter / Illuminator (LE) 

Ahh I hate featuring Limited Edition products in posts because there's no way of providing links (sorry!). This was actually a summer product released a couple of years ago so I apologise for the lack of availability.  I never actually used it when I first got it (my mum gave it to me) simply because I didn't think it was my sort of shade - however, I've really been enjoying it recently. I've mainly been using it on my décolletage for evenings out as it just makes your skin look so delicate and perfected. It looks lovely on the tops of the cheekbones though, especially when worn with a matte blush and subtle bronzer.  The rose gold colour is really pretty at this time of year and not to mention the packaging - the matching rose gold compact is just beautiful.

Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Blush in 'Whisper' // £17.25 // Link

I won't say too much about this blush as I already have a full post here - but I adore this gorgeous pinky-coral shade from Jane Iredale.  The blush has a slight sheen running through it which is really fab for dull winter skin.  I've been alternating a lot between this shade and my Illamasqua blush, often applying it over my Benefit 'Majorette' cream blush which I featured in last month's favourites.  

Swatches L-R // Chanel Bronze Universel // Illamasqua Lover // Jane Iredale 'Whisper' // Elizabeth Arden Illuminator // Mac 'Half n Half' // Boutique Gloss in 'All the Tea in China'

Have you tried and loved any of these products? Is there anything here that tickles your fancy!?

May Favourites

Change of scenery for the ole' bloggles today.  The sun was shining so I thought I'd make the most of it - the neighbours must think I'm a right nutter sat out in the garden, photographing a pile of lotions and potions.  The weather has been undoubtedly warmer of late (hooray) and it's fair to say we have been spoilt just recently with a day or two of sunshine.  I tend to switch up my routine as soon as the slightest hint of summer rolls around - I banish my wintery cosmetics to the bottom of my makeup drawer and go a little crazy for cream products and anything coral...

| Garnier Ambre Solaire | After Sun - Hydrating Tan Maintainer |  

Okay. Not the most exciting of products to kick off my monthly favourites, but it's one that I swear by through Summer. I've had countless bottles of this stuff now and when I jet away on holiday, rest assured I have one in my suitcase.  It's such a lovely little after sun - it smells like holidays and is cooling and calming and the gel-like consistency sinks in really quickly.  Nothing special I hear you say? No, I suppose not - aftersun is aftersun after all. But this one helps to maintain your tan. It contains a teeny-tiny amount of false tan that helps to deepen the natural tan you already have - without smelling of typical false tan.  It's very subtle, but there's something about it that really does work - and heaven forbid they ever discontinue this. Garnier - you have been warned ;)

| Garnier | BB Cream in 'Light' | 

Most bloggers I know really aren't a fan of this. I think I must be in the minority that really get on with Garnier's BB Cream.  It was the first one I ever bought. I've branched out and tried many others, but I always come back to this one.  I don't have oily skin in the slightest so I guess this is why I find it works for me - it's very creamy and moisturising.  It's just perfect to 'slap on and go' when I'm having a lazy summer morning or if it's really warm and I don't want to have foundation sitting on my skin but still want a light bit of coverage. The sun protection in it just adds to it's appeal in the summertime.  I personally really like it and find myself continuously going back to it.

| Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in 'Pinched' |

An old favourite of mine and one that I always reach for as soon as the weather warms up.  It's such a lovely cream blush - it's not too drying (I'm not a fan of cream to powder blushes) and it's not greasy - for me, it's just the perfect, light consistency that makes this blush one of my top summer products. I'm a fussy little madam when it comes to cream blushes - and Revlon have got it spot on with this one.  It's very subtle - so on darker skin tones or on deeply tanned skin it's not the most pigmented of blushes - but this is what I like about it. I've been opting for a dewy, bronzed look just recently so I don't want my blush to be too overpowering. A quick sweep of this with my Real Techniques Stippling brush of a morning and I'm good to go.

| Models Own Nail Polish in 'Blueberry Muffin' |

I tried so hard to resist this. I really did.  I'm a sucker for blue polish and I lost count of the amount of times I shuffled past this on the shelf... I finally caved.  It's such a lovely shade of powdery, pastel blue, and to say it's such a light shade it really does show up on the nails which is what I love about it so much.  Oh..and it also smells of blueberry muffins - what more could I ask for?!

| Lord & Berry | Luminizer Stick in 'Moon' |

I won't say too much about this, since I already have a full review here, but I've really been loving this just recently.  Similar to the Nars Multiples, you simply twist the product up and apply straight to the areas of the face you wish to highlight.  It's such a lovely shade and very easily blendable.  It's effortless. If you're a newbie to cream highlighters or just fancy something a bit different from powders - it's worth giving this a whirl.

| Origins | Super Spot Remover | 

A cult favourite amongst beauty bloggers everywhere so I'm sure you've all heard of this little miracle worker. I've been reaching for it a lot this month as I've been on and off medication and my skin has had a little strop as a result.  This bottle may look tiny, but my goodness it packs one heck of a punch and stops any spots right in their tracks (it also lasts a lot longer than you'd imagine - I'm not even halfway through mine and I've had it since Christmas).  If you pop it on as soon as you feel that 'tingle' then it more often than likely won't even surface.

| Balance Me | Balancing Face Moisturiser |

I've written a whole post on this moisturiser (you can read that here) so I won't say too much - but it's a fabulous product for combination/normal skin and really helps to balance your skin.  It sinks in quickly and leaves your skin really smooth to the touch - making it perfect for using both morning and night.

| Chanel | Tan De Soleil 'Bronze Universal' | 

I've included this in a couple of posts before and it's featured in my 'How I Contour' post here if you fancy a nosey at how I use it.  It's just such a versatile product and one that I always reach for. Even when the sun isn't shining.  It can be buffed in over foundation or worn underneath to give a bronzed glow.  I sometimes use it for contouring my cheekbones and the consistency is just perfect - I haven't touched my powder bronzers in quite a while because of this little gem!

| Rimmel Lipstick in 'Nude Pink' | 

May saw me rediscover one of my old favourites in the lipstick department.  I'm a big fan of Rimmel lipsticks (especially the Kate Moss ones!) but this shade is one that I always return to.  It's more of a nude coral than a pink as the name suggests, and it looks really lovely with a tan.  The slightly frosted finish is surprisingly flattering - and although it's not everyone's cup of tea, I really love it. I love nude lipsticks for daytime, and the coral tone to this one is just perfect for summer.

And there we have it. My monthly favourites for the month of May.  I'm sure now I've stacked up all of my cream products and summery stuff that the weather will go back it's usual cruddy self.. but this month has really got me into that 'summery mood'. I'm just about to sit down and look for some late holiday deals now...wish me luck!

What have you been loving this month?

How I Contour | Feat. Chanel Bronze Universal & Swatches

Chanel | Soleil Tan De Chanel - 'Bronze Universal' - £31 | Link

It was an exciting day when I first purchased Chanel's ever so famous 'Bronze Universal' let me tell you! I took it home, placed it delicately on my bathroom counter and cherished its very existence in my makeup collection, but there was one problem - I was at a complete loss of how best to use it. I googled it, I tweeted about it, and I googled it some more - but each time I'd receive a multitude of different answers of how best to apply it. The lady at the Chanel counter suggested I used a flat foundation brush to work it into the skin for contouring - and for a while that was the method I used. Although it worked, the method just didn't float my boat - it may have been the brush I was using but I felt as if I needed to test a slightly different approach. So, I took it upon myself to test and try all kinds of different ways of working with it until I settled upon one that worked for me and one that provided me with the best results. Mission accomplished. 

As some of you may know, I'm a massive fan of contouring. I naturally have quite defined cheekbones and they're something I like to accentuate more when I can - simply because they give my face definition and shape and they're a feature I feel I need to make the best of! I've been contouring for a few years now - ever since I first learnt 'the secret' (ooo 'the secret'..) of how to make your face appear more sculpted - my makeup collection is full of all sorts of highlighters, base products and sculpting essentials. Chanel's Bronze Universal provides the most natural looking 'skin-like' finish and works very well with my skin tone. Here's my step by step for my current contouring routine I use for my cheekbones..

1. Apply your base | I use Yves Saint Laurent's 'Touche Eclat' foundation in 'B40' and buff this into the skin using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush.  This is the only brush I find works with this foundation and together they are an absolute cosmetic dream team! This stage provides a flawless looking 'blank canvas' ready for sculpting (I apply a primer beforehand too - just to make sure my makeup is being applied on a clean, smooth base).

2 & 3. Chanel Bronze Universal | If you're unsure how or where to place the line of contour, a good way to find your natural cheekbone 'shape' is to simply pull a fish face. Not at all attractive but suck in your cheeks for a second and you'll notice where your natural line is (google this method if you're unsure!) You can see where I've placed my line of contour - I always begin near my hairline and apply most of the product here, as this is where I want my contour to be strongest and where there is naturally more shadow on the face. I then take the product down near to wear my inner cheek is - making sure that the line there is slightly thinner than it is near to my hairline. 

I do this using my fingers or a flat foundation brush - but if I'm honest I find using my fingers to apply this works better than a brush - as the product is warmed up and can be moulded into the skin more (of course if you're going to do it this way then it goes without saying to make sure you're hands are squeaky clean before doing this step..)

4. Buffing using Real Techniques Buffing Brush | Buff the line you have just made into the skin using a buffing brush - making sure the movements you use are along the same 'line'. You don't want to be swirling the brush all over your cheeks as this will ruin the whole effect!

5. Mac Mineralise Skinfinsh Natural in 'Medium' | I then apply my Mac MSF using my Real Techinques powder brush. This sets the base I have just applied.  As a general rule, any 'wet' product you apply to your face should be applied before your powder - and any powder products applied afterwards. You know it makes sense... ;)

6. Optional Step - Sleek Contour Kit in 'Light' | Sometimes, the contour I created with the Chanel is enough for me. On other occasions, I want a little bit more 'oomph' (nights out for example) - this is when I apply the matte bronzing powder from this palette. I use my Real Techniques Contouring brush to do this as i find it works well with my powder products, and simply go over the line I've just created, being careful to blend it in properly. It can sometimes look a little 'muddy' if you over apply so paler skin tones - take heed! I then apply the highlighting powder across the top of my cheekbones (just underneath the eye area) and sweep this up to my hairline. 

7. Blush | I apply my blush of choice on the apples of my cheeks and take it up slightly near my hairline - this way I have the highlight, blush and contour all merged together and running the same way.  I used Benefit's Coralista blush in this example - if you're wondering!

8. Contouring complete! If you're still unsure, it helps to look at your face from different angles in a mirror and realise where light naturally hits, and where shadow naturally falls (looking up into a mirror highlights the lighter areas, and vice versa). I then usually take my contouring underneath my jawline and onto my forehead using the same method (again, google this as there's tonnes of images of where to place contour & highlight - it's generally made in a '3' shape around the side of the face)


The way you work with this product depends on what kind of look you want to go for. A flat kabuki brush will work wonders for an all over bronzing base, but when it comes to contouring, the softness of the line you use is key to creating a natural looking, flawless finish. The texture of the Bronze Universal is very blendable - almost like a hybrid of a mousse and a cream. It's also very buildable and is a product that can be used in a multitude of ways. This is just how I contour my cheekbones - you might find another way works better for you but this gets the best results for me personally! Kim Kardashian - eat yer heart out, petal!

Here's a rundown of products used in this post:

YSL Touche Eclat foundation in 'B40' (review here)

Chanel 'Bronze Universal' (first impressions post here)

Real Techniques brushes - Buffing, Contour, Powder, Blush (collection post/review here)

Mac Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in 'Medium'

Benefit Coralista blush (review here)

Sleek Contour Kit in 'Light'

Benefit 'They're Real' mascara (review here)
Sleek Eyebrow kit in 'Light'
HD Brows palette in 'Bombshell'

Mac Smolder eye kohl

Mac 'Plink!' lipstick.

I also used this method of contouring in my FOTD post here - which was used for a night out! You can see the definition and line of contour more clearly!

Have you tried Chanel's Bronze Universal? Are you a fan of contouring like me?

Chanel Rouge Coco | 20 - Rose Comete

Chanel Rouge Coco | Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in 20 'Rose Comete' | £24.00

Forgive me for the photographical overload here girls, but my first ever Chanel lipstick deserved some camera time.  After becoming a huge fan of Chanel's ever popular 'Bronze Universal' a few months back now, I decided that for Christmas, I'd ask Santa for one of their lipsticks - being a complete and utter lipstick-a-holic, i simply had to own one. I decided on the shade 'Rose Comete' after much debating. As much as I'd adore a classic red shade, I wanted to own a neutral shade that I could wear on a day to day basis and one that would compliment all kinds of makeup and outfits - after all, if I'm going to whip out a Chanel lipstick on my travels, I want to be able to whip it out on a regular basis don't I?! Rose Comete is a lilac, pink shade with a frosted finish. It has beautiful little flecks of 'seashell' pink shimmer running through it and has a gorgeous cool-lilac undertone to it that is both flattering on my skin tone and unbelievably wearable. It's also unlike any other lipstick I own.

Colour aside, the packaging is just what dreams are made of (slightly poetic I know, but it really is!). It feels weighty. It looks classy. And it applies so smoothly from the bullet. The gold accents to the lipstick casing and the ever-so delicate 'Chanel' writing inscribed in the side is just the perfect finishing touch (and I must admit I'm slightly uneasy about the fact that one day, I shall undoubtedly wear the lipstick down to this point - *sobs*) 

The application is really lovely - the dome shape of the lipstick itself makes it very easy to achieve a smooth, even line around the edges of the lips, as the tip is very thin and easy to work with. The frosted finish is very noticeable, so it's not for everyone - I find I do sometimes have to apply a gloss over the top if I'm having a 'dry lips' day as it does have a tendency to settle in lines slightly.. Aside from this, the colour is just stunning, and is perfect for those days when you want a little bit of glam in your life but don't want to overdo it on the colour.  Wear time is also impressive - for a lighter, sheerer wash of colour, I've not had any problems with having to over-apply.  I really want to try some of their moisturising lip colours now, as well as their Rouge Allure's - I definitely need a Chanel red in my life.. who doesn't?!

Have you tried any Chanel lip products? Which colour shall I invest in next?

♥

January Favourites

Swatches | L - R | Chanel Tan De Soleil - Bronze Universal / Mac 'Blushbaby' / Revlon 'Red Lacquer' / Mac 'Lady Danger' / Rimmel Apocalips in 'Galaxy, Luna & Big Bang

January is a strange month, isn't it? All the excitement of Christmas is over, the Quality Street tins that once adorned our coffee tables are replaced with credit card bills , and the bank balance looks a little sorry for itself to say the least. It's safe to say I'm ready for Summer to come around the corner now!  Here's this months picks of my favourite and most used beauty items of January...

The Body Shop | Indian Night Jasmine Fragrance Mist | £7.50 - This scent is the most glorious aroma to ever pass my nostrils, let me tell you! It's one of those fragrances that you find yourself walking past on your dressing table and spritzing the air around you just for the sake of it! Now, I'm not a massive fan of floral scents, so don't let the name put you off - it has a certain spice to it that hints towards more oriental notes. It is both refreshing and light, and smells just as 'expensive' as any perfume would, just with a little less staying power! The next time you pass The Body Shop, give this a spray - I bet you'll be as addicted as me!

Soap & Glory | Girligo - Spray On Body Moisturising Mist | £6.50 - I have a review coming up on this little beauty, so I won't say too much about it.  It's fabulous for lazy days when you step out the shower and just want to get ready and go! It saves the need for body butters and also acts as a regular body spray with moisturising benefits - and it smells amazing.

Soap & Glory | Clean on Me Shower Gel (mini) | £2.50 - How did I ever live without this little bottle of yummy-ness sitting on my shower shelf?!  Definitely going to purchase the full size once I've used up the rest of my stash.  Lathers like a dream, smells good enough to eat and is really creamy and luxurious. Perfection.

Liz Earle | Cleanse & Polish | Hot Cloth Cleanser (Starter Kit) | £14.25 - I have a review of this little beauty here. It's been a little skincare saviour for me and it's such a good little cleanser. I really recommend it.  I have sensitive skin and I've had no problems whatsoever - in fact, I'm yet to read a negative review!

Nivea Essentials | Rich Regenerating Night Cream | £4.07 - My skin has been really, really dry just recently. My usual nighttime moisturiser just wasn't cutting the mustard to be honest, so I bought this on a whim.  It's quite heavy, so I don't use a lot of it - just where I feel I need it.  When I wake up in the morning my skin feels really soft.  It's not for everyone - if you struggle with shine I'd stay away from this - but I've got on with it very well and it's solved my temporary skin woes!

Chanel | Tan De Soleil Bronze Universal | £30 - I love this so much I actually cannot explain in words... I'm thinking of doing an in-depth review on it soon.  I use it for contouring every day and I just can't imagine my life without it now! I've used it every day since Christmas and I've barely touched the surface.. suits my winter skin perfectly and looks natural and light.

Mac | Sheertone blush in 'Blushbaby' | £17.50 - This blush is excellent for those days when you aren't sure what to wear as it's a fairly understated colour. It's fabulous for effortless contouring, as using this alone defines the cheekbone area and makes your face appear more structured.  

Rimmel | Apocalips | £5.99 each - Ohhhh how I love these little beauties! The perfect mix of a lipstick, lip gloss and a lip stain.  I cannot wait to pick up some more shades - I'm addicted. You can read my full review and see swatches of them on the lips here.

Mac | Lipstick in 'Lady Danger' | £14.00 - This lipstick is perfect for nights out when you really want to make a statement with your lips.  I've had a couple of nights out just recently and have worn this countless times - even in the day! It's the most perfect coral red, is beautifully bright and just oozes sex appeal! Oof ;)

Revlon | Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Red Lacquer' | £7.49 - I wore this on Christmas day (you can see my FOTD here) and it's just the perfect understated red for when you want a pop of colour without going 'OTT'. Perfect for day wear, moisturising and has impressive staying power. It has the same sort of undertones as Mac's Lady Danger but is slightly more sheer in finish - if you're not a fan of matte, opaque reds, then this is a good one to opt for.

Have you tried any of these products? What have been your favourites this month?

 ♥ 

New Year's Eve Makeup | FOTD

Since one of my New Year's blog related resolutions was to upload more 'Face of the Day' posts, I figured I'd include a photograph of my 'NYE makeup' - I'm sorry I didn't manage to get any close-ups or further photographs - I'm waiting on my macro lens for my new camera so make-up photos will be a doddle and I'll be able to capture more detail... & also I was in a bit of a rush to pick my friend up! Excuses aside,  New Years Eve calls for a bit of glamour when it comes to hair and make-up, and I opted for smokey eyes, a mild orange/peach lip, and side swept hair. I love wearing blue, and always seem to pair it with an orange shade on my lips - it creates such a lovely colourful contrast. I also went for a stronger contour on my cheeks than I usually wear in the day, and just generally dramatised my everyday makeup and made it more night appropriate..

Topshop's Charmed is a beautiful shade of peachy orange, and is bright enough to make a statement but not so bright you can't get away with it in the daytime.  I applied it lightly and smudged it with my fingers to get more of a softer look, and applied a nude gloss over the top to tone it down. I bought this shade way back when it was part of a limited edition collection, but I've seen it in my local store just recently so I'm pretty sure it's now part of the permanent collection.

| Face |

YSL | Touche Eclat Foundation in 'B40' (review here)

Chanel | Soleil Tan De Chanel (contour) 

Mac | Mineralise Skinfinsh Natural in 'Medium'
Illamasqua | Powder blush in 'Lover'
Nars | Albatross Highligher

Nars | Laguna Bronzer

Sleek | Eyebrow Kit in 'Dark' with Mac | 'Beguiled' brow set

| Eyes |

Illamasqua | 'Obisidian' eyeshadow smoked out from lash line

Urban Decay | 'Bootcall' (Naked2) in corners

Loreal | Superliner Carbon Gloss
Maybelline | The Falsies Mascara
Eyelure | Cheryl 'Girls Aloud' False Eyelashes

| Lips |

Topshop | Lipstick in 'Charmed'

Barry M | Gloss in 'Toffee'

Dress - Motel via Topshop

♥

Christmas Goodies

| Items featured in photographs above |

Mac Blush in 'Blushbaby' / Topshop Nail Varnish in 'Rising Star' / Ciate Nail Varnish in 'Cupcake Queen' / Chanel Rouge Coco in 'Rose Comete' / Nail Art Selection Wheel / Nars Highlighting Powder in 'Albatross' / Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish set / Mac Brush Cleanser / The Body Shop 'Indian Night Jasmine' Fragrance Mist / Diesel 'Loverdose' perfume / Hugo Boss 'Orange' perfume / Urban Decay eyeshadow in 'Naked' / Paperchase Novelty bird stickers / Ted Baker iPhone Case / Ted Baker Shopper Bag / Sony Nex5R Compact System camera /

Everyone on my reading list seems to be doing Christmas hauls just recently, and like the nosey little elf I am, I decided to do one too. I also thought it would be nice to give you all a little taster of what to expect in the near future on my blog! Of course, being a beauty blogger means that loved ones know that any form of beauty related items are a winner for me, hence the copious amount of beauty related goods!  As soon as a birthday or Christmas comes around then friends and family can rest assured I have a whole word document saved to my computer's desktop full of beauty products I would like to try - I'm sure most of you are the exact same with this. My wishlist is endless and I'm constantly adding new things to it!

I've been wanting to try Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleanser for absolutely ages now, and my mum got my the set complete with muslin cloth so I can give it a whirl. She uses it and swears by it so I'm sure I'm going to love it too, along with the endless list of bloggers who also adore and cherish its very existence! The Urban Decay eyeshadow is a replacement for one of my much loved Naked palette shades which I've just ran out of (the shade is called 'Naked' and i use it for blending and everyday use and even to fill in my brows at times - I've written a post on the palette here). Of course, if in doubt, any items that are bird related go down a storm with me, and my mum wrapped up the novelty stickers in my stocking for me. They're definitely going to be popping up on all my sketchbooks and files at uni! And of course, my most prized possession right now is my new camera! I'd been saving for a while to buy myself a new one for blogging and general use, and the 'rents very kindly said they would help towards the rest of it as they've realised how much work I actually put into this little space on the interwebs. I'm so chuffed to bits with it! It has taken a bit of getting used to but I'm so excited to finally have a 'posh' camera. And who knows, maybe it means I might even delve into the scary, terrifying world that is YouTube in 2013... watch this space!

Have you done a Christmas Haul post? If so, let me know! I'll hop on over!

 ♥