Seeds of Colour Multi Use Colour Balm 8ml RRP £21 Sample Review

 

Time is of the essence for most of us and so when cosmetic brands started bringing out multi-use products many moons ago they took the market by storm. Purposely aimed at those busy working, too rushed off their feet to apply a face of makeup but needing something to make them look 'alive', these multi purpose balms for eyes, lips and cheeks have proven very popular.

So when I heard about the launch of the new brand Seeds of Colour, I was excited to try the samples sent. Unfortunately I couldn't go to the launch as my darling father has passed away recently and, as expected, my mind and heart was not into testing samples. So today, having got back from my blustery dog walk, I was rooting through which samples to test and these popped out - and I'm so glad they did.

At first I wasn't expecting much, after all I love my Stila Convertible (those in the know will know this is one of the original multi-purpose balms), and I was wondering how this would top it. Well it has and more for many reasons.

Firstly, the product itself is organic and vegan, in fact behind the brand is Justine Jenkins, a hugely successful make-up artist who pioneers in cruelty free cosmetics (she has worked alongside PETA). Also behind the brand is NIAB, a plant research organisation based in Cambridge - an organisation that looks at pigment extraction from plants and vegetables. Finally on board is Solent University, who helped brand the design with input and skill from their students. 

With the above knowledge it's easy to see why I was so impressed with the actual product itself. Only a tiny amount is needed on the back of the hand, then simply swiped across lips, lids and dotted and patted into the cheeks, gives a healthy complexion and the easiest 1,2,3 make-up look. The dewy texture is hard to capture as I refuse to use filters however, you can see it gave my lips a swash of colour. You can build up the colour to the density you prefer, be it for a day or an evening look. The colour doesn't transfer and stays put. 

The ingredients read like a skincare list and include:-

• Neroli Flower Oil - antimicrobial, antioxidant and antifungal.
• Sunflower Seed Oil - contains Vitamin E and linoleic acid, so hydrating and full of antioxidants.
• Coconut Oil - moisturising and hydrating, ideal for sensitive and chapped skin.
• Castor Seed Oil - full of essential fatty acids and helps keep skin supple. 
• Beet Root Extract - rich in Vitamin C so can help protect the skin from aging.

These balms are ideal to carry in your handbag, ideal to put in your car or gym bag, and make fantastic presents for mums, nurses, teachers anyone who is rushed on time.

I haven't tested them all, as I want to give one to my mum for Christmas, but I can safely say I am a total convert. You can see from the photos just how easy there are to blend, and how the colour just gives the perfect dewy tint to the lips. 

Please do check out their website seedsofcolour.com. I don't get paid for writing and so only put out products that I love, and think readers would love. These get my 10/10! 

St. Moriz Advanced Gradual Self-Tanning Face Mist 150ml RRP £9.99 Sample Review

 

I have a love/hate relationship with 'fake tan' and having tested about 20 a year for at least a decade, I think I could safely say I'm a pro of which ones leave you orange, are messy to apply etc and which ones are worth the effort. This little beauty is definitely the latter.

Without a doubt it's the easy application that's sold it to me. The clear, lightly fragranced spray comes out in such a fine mist, I couldn't capture it on the phone for a photo! A couple of spritzes in the morning at 8am and by around 2pm I looked like I had naturally caught a very light and healthy glow. If you are after a dark, heavy all over tan then this is not for you. However, if you want something that you can apply first thing, or before bed and something to just warm the complexion up without appearing 'fake' then this is definitely for you! It dried immediately so I didn't have to worry about it coming off on my roll neck collar. I loved the way the spray caught my face as I would naturally catch the sun (cheekbones, forehead and nose), and I also loved the fact I could spray both my hands too before leaving the house! 

Ingredients include Aloe Barbarbendis Leaf Powder - aka Aloe Vera, a plant known to help soothe inflamed skin and is cooling so ideal for the face. It also helps itchy skin and so is ideal if your skin is sensitive. It also contains Vitamin E that helps protect your skin from pollution!

The product is vegan friendly, not tested on animals, made in good old England and is dermatologically tested so won't flare up skin. It's definitely my go to for the winter, especially now the cold has set in. I absolutely loved it as it doesn't clog the pores and didn't feel as though I had applied fake tan!

You can purchase it at www.feelunique.com oh and whilst your there, check out the readers reviews! 

Toy / Game Christmas Gift Guide Sample Review

 

I don't usually review toys for my blog however, I have been venturing into other areas of writing reviews and as I have many friends with children, well let's say they'll be getting nice gifts this year!  I also do like to review gifts that are a little different and so out of the gifts that were sent to me, here's a few of my favourites. 

Dantoy BIOplastic Bio Ice Cream Set Gift Box £14.99 www.smythstoys.com

There are several reasons why I love this Ice Cream Set Gift Box. Firstly, I'm a huge fan of playing shops and make believe, my kids both had a 'kitchen' when they were young and loved to role play serving and making food. However, the reason why I wanted to 'showcase' this is all down to the brand. The products are actually made from sugarcane! The process involves transforming the cane into ethanol (alcohol), that is in turn used to make 'green plastic'. When humans use energy i.e. driving CO2 is released into the air, and Sugarcane absorbs CO2 as it grows, so it's almost like a 'circle of life'. The toys are 100% recyclable too. 

This set has all you need to develop fine motor skills as contains 3 cones, 2 tubs, ice cream scoops, stand and scooper. This set will guarantee hours of fun and is an ideal set to either play alone or with friends.

Dantoy BIOplastic Tiny Bio Stacking Play Cups £13.99 www.smythstoys.com

Again from the same company are these stacking cups, made from the same 'sugarcane' materials. Ideal from the age of 6 months to help brain function and develop problem solving. They can also be used for those with dementia to help encourage creativity and problem solving. Not only that but each stacking cup can be used to create moulds or use as cutters for baking cookies! You can use them in the bath for scooping out water and watching the water flow through the holes. With so many different purposes, this is one of the best gifts I've seen this year. These multi-purpose stacking cups are also 100% recyclable.

Ginger Fox Bajillions Family Party Game £15.99 www.amazon.co.uk

Now I haven't actually played this game yet, but having opened up and read through the rules I can definitely see my youngest loving this game. It kind of reminds me of a 'play your cards right', mixed in with trivia and money. The object of the game is to win 3 'Bajillions' by betting on which trivia has the biggest number. An example of such trivia is 'how many words in the Korean language'.  It's a great educational game, whilst also having a bit of betting fun too! It's 12 plus and does require thinking but along the way you will learn some great facts!

Ginger Fox The Emoji Game £7.99 www.johnlewis.com 

Definitely my choice of Christmas Day fun. This game is everything that our family love, competitive and stupid. A game that is not too taxing on the brain after a full Christmas dinner, but guaranteed to give you lots of laughs - and for me, one that doesn't require too much clearing away!  The object of the game is a bit like trumps, to obtain a full set of 'emoji' cards. However, to get your full set be prepared to do a variety of silly tasks! Not only is it the perfect size to take to someone's house to play but also makes a great stocking filler! 

The Hair Boss by Lisa Shepherd XXL Sample Review

 

My hair is naturally dark brown, actually correction it is naturally white grey/dark brown and in the last year or so, it's becoming more white grey than dark brown! Unfortunately it has gotten to the stage where brown permanent hair dye only lasts a few weeks before those pesky whites come through, and as such for the last year I have disguised this by having lots of blonde highlights. My kids think I look younger being blonder, and call it midlife crisis but every time I see my hairdresser I ask her to add more bleach. There is a price to pay for this though, and that price is my hair is getting very badly damaged.

I have been using Olaplex however, being a single mum I just cannot afford to keep using the stuff. Yes it is good, but not for my bank balance. So I was very happy when I received these samples of The Hair Boss Double Hair Mask Bond Restorer Phase 1 and Moisture Hit Phase 2. Especially in the huge litre sizes!

Now whilst the products combined have been dubbed as the Olaplex on the high street, I'm never convinced unless I try the products for myself. I will pick out some of the ingredients but first, lets start with the application. I'm quite a fan of the process of The Hair Boss Bond Restorer, as it's easy to do in the shower. None of this faffing around and 'apply before you shampoo' lark, often resulting in me  having to walk around with the product dripping on my shoulders and floor. No they've made this easy -  simply apply Phase 1 after shampooing, then immediately Phase 2, wait a few minutes then wash out. This meant that I didn't have to get out of the shower, and could simply leave the product to work whilst I shaved, body scrubbed and lathered up, then stand under the shower and rinse out!  The product itself is a pleasant 'salon' fragrance, not heavy just lightly refreshing. After rinsing out, I just brushed through with my 'Mantra, detangling brush' and let to dry naturally. 

It's too early to say whether it has a long term effect on my hair, but I did like the way I could leave the serum etc and it dried without frizz (something my hair naturally does).

So lets look at the ingredients.

Sweet Almond Oil - helps prevent breakages, nourishing, soothes itchy scalps and hydrating.

Jojoba Seed Oil - rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B, C and E. Helps strengthen hair and reduces hair loss.

Shea Butter - an excellent emollient to help moisturise dry, itchy scalps and those that suffer with eczema or sensitive scalps. Helps seal in moisture so a good conditioner. 

Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin - the key protein that actually can penetrate the hair shaft, replacing lost protein and so strengthens the hair. When hair is bleached or chemically altered it loses it's elasticity and so breaks easily. Keratin helps restore the elasticity and so hair looks and feels much healthier.

This is a best selling hair duo and so it makes sense to put them into huge litre sizes. The value for money at £39.99 for both is brilliant as will last months. You can purchase these products and more online at www.thehairboss.co.uk

The BeautyworX #Applause Eyeshadow Compact Sample Review £7.99

 

I was a little gutted when I opened the padded envelope containing a selection of The Beautyworx eyeshadow palettes, unfortunately the envelope had been torn and a few of the palettes had been smashed. I was even more gutted when I tested the shades (not broken), as what was left of the large palette the colours were absolutely gorgeous. Anyway I managed to salvage this one #Applause and what a beauty it is!

So impressed that I had to do an Instagram reel of the colours, as you simply just cannot tell from looking at a photo the quality of the shadows. The pigments are soft, shimmering and blend seamlessly, making the palette huge competition for other more expensive makes on the market - in fact I actually cannot see how more expensive brands can compete now. These are not the 'cheap' palettes that we used to see at Christmas, where the colours are wishy-washy and often don't blend or end up falling down your cheek. The colours shown here are metallic and with the right brush - or applied with your little finger as I often do, just a swash across your eyelid is all you need for Christmas glamour. 

You can see in this photo just how deeply pigmented they are. My favourite is the beautiful, rich green that applied with a wet brush gives the perfect metallic eyeliner to make eye colours just pop. Or with a primer underneath, just one swipe gives a full metallic gleam.

The other palettes looked equally as good (just a shame they were smashed), and for the price make brilliant stocking presents. You can check out their range of products here at www.thebeautyworx.co.uk

Quirky Christmas Gifts For Everyone! Sample Reviews

 

My idea of Christmas is quite simple, it's to spend time with my loved ones and it's always about giving. Not necessarily spending lots of money, just gifting someone with time over a cuppa, which I think is worth more than it's weight in gold. Also sometimes buying gifts for people causes more stress than what should be pleasure. 'Will they like it'? What if it doesn't fit? Do they offer refunds? It shouldn't be about this, it should be about simply raising a smile on a face. That saying many of us do gift at Christmas and, whilst many of us know what we love, it's nice just to choose something unusual, something out of the ordinary, something useful and so here's my best round-up!

Shoe Ponchos £8.99 www.theunusualgiftcompany.com

What a brilliant idea! For under a tenner, coming in at small and large are these brilliant 'anoraks' for shoes. Ideal for when you get out the car and you don't have your 'muddy walking boots/trainers' on you, and you don't want to get your shoes/gym trainers getting muddy. In my instance this pair is ideal for watching my son play footie, walking the dog or simply carrying in my bag for emergencies. Not only do they cover the whole shoe but they zip up, tie up and they also have grips on them, making them ideal for wet, snowy weather! 

Plant Mister Brass €37 www.kikkerlandeu.com

I actually wanted to direct people to the website Kikkerland as they have so many unusual gadget gifts. They also offer shipping to the UK. This Plant Mister is made from 100% brass and perfect for those who love their plants. It sprays a fine full mist to ensure your plants get even coverage and are fully hydrated. I'm personally not a gardener however, I have filled this up with water and a few drops of essential oils, hey presto my beautiful room spray!

Old & Wise Pen Set £7.99 www.stanfords.co.uk

The perfect gift to give that old man in your life, be it your boyfriend, dad, grandad or even your mum. The gift is, in my opinion perfect as a 'jokey' present and hence it's going in the boyfriends stocking. Alternatively it can be given as a present suggesting intelligence to your favourite teacher! Novelty yes, insulting yes, make sure your recipient has a sense of humour!

Tick Tool €6.50 www.kikkerlandeu.com

Another useful gadget this time for dog lovers. Easy to keep on the dog lead or on a belt loop this is a must, especially in the summer weather and especially if walking in meadows and long grass. I have a pooch and often walk in the summer over the fields. Ticks not only are a pain in dogs but can also cause Lyme disease, so IMO every dog owner should have a gadget like this for 'just in case'. 

Key Ring Shopping Bag £8.95 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Once you have one of these you will be wondering how you shopped without it. If, like me, you are constantly forgetting to carry your reusable bags with you, then this is ideal so you don't get caught out having to buy a plastic bag. For me personally, I wouldn't have it on my 'car keyring' as a little bulky for that, but for when I am popping out walking to the shops it's ideal. Also for hands-free can be simply attached to your trouser loop or even a toggle on your coat. It's strong and best of all holds a decent amount of shopping!

Wine Wicker Cooler €5 www.kikkerlandeu.com

This insulated bag is a must for our hot summer months (I live and dream)! This year saw many of us unable to go on holiday abroad, and instead making the most of our beautiful country parks and our wonderful beaches. Kept in your car this is ideal for when you decide you want to go on a last minute picnic. It's easy to carry and will keep your 'white or rosé' nice and chilled!

Honored Elders Jigsaw Puzzle €15 www.kikkerlandeu.com

This is a very unusual gift and one that had I not seen the background of, to be honest wouldn't have picked. However, I do love a gift with a meaning. This is the perfect gift for those who like to raise awareness of recycling and saving our planet, and those who want our children to have a voice. It's something I feel quite passionate about. Honored Elders are Fresh Artists Chip Art Program portraits and feature elders who have been prominent in Fresh Artist children. The jigsaw is made from sample chips obtained from landfills and then made into mosaics before being recycled onto cardboard! The funds made from these unusual gifts go towards underfunded schools in America. 

Love Me Do Crank Music Box £7.50 www.musicroom.com

This is a very nostalgic gift for me, and one that I think young children will love. My darling father bought me one of these when I was a child from a German Christmas market in Frankfurt, and I have often given it a whirl over the last 45 years. Sadly it broke this year and so I was chuffed when I was sent one to test. Not just to replace mine but the fact that they are still making them. It's a little novelty gift but the delicate tinkling tune, is reminiscent of Christmas albeit I left mine out on display all year round. 

Biossance Unstoppable Glow Christmas Gift Sample Review RRP £45

 

I do like these Christmas gift sets whereby you can sample the products before buying full sizes. Firstly, the value is always very good and often much better than if you buy individually, and secondly you get a decent amount (more than 'travel size') to see how your skin reacts to the products. This gift set not only is amazing value for money as has a full sized Omega Repair Cream, but also has 2 decent sized products.

The gift set itself contains 3 of Biossance best selling products, each aimed at giving a more youthful and plump glow, but especially good for those who suffer with sensitive breakouts.  The key ingredient in all the products is 'Squalane'. 

Squalene (with an e) acts as a barrier to the skin, keeping moisture locked in and so an excellent ingredient for dehydrated, lined and mature skin types. It is often derived from sharks liver oil, although it can be present from some fruits and plants too (such as olive). It's a lipid that is naturally produced by our own skin cells however, before it can be used in skincare it has to be combined with hydrogen, this then is turned into Squalane (with an a).

 Not only does it work as a barrier cream but it's anti-inflammatory and so excellent for skin types that suffer with redness, be it hormonal acne or more sensitive skin. 

Other ingredients in this set include:-

• Rose Damascena Flower Extract - used in skincare to prevent infection and is anti-bacterial, ideal for acne proned skin types.
• Pistacia Lentiscus - a nut used for it's resin 'mastic', often used to treat oily skin.
• Lespedeza Capitata Leaf - known as 'Bush Clover' and used to help detoxify skin and hydrate.

The set is ideal for teenagers especially if they are suffering from hormonal breakouts, it's also excellent for anyone who suffers from oilier skin types. It can be purchased online at www.lookfantastic.com or www.harrods.com

Odile Paris Skincare Range Sample Review

 

I was sent this skincare brand to review a month or so ago and had told the PR that I would be putting it up in January, or to fit in with winter skin care features. I have a back log of samples waiting to be tested and have been slowly sifting through them, categorising into various dates of Christmas etc. I've decided to put this out now, as quite simply, it's absolutely gorgeous and if you want to treat someone to the ultimate skin care set then this would be it. The lucky recipient would know that they have been truly and utterly spoilt!

Odile Paris is a brand founded by Odile Lecoin, a Parisian facialist well known in the beauty industry as one of the top facialists in Europe.  The brand was created to give her clients a range of products to be used at home, and to be able to experience the same kind of luxury that was given in the salon. The OR range (meaning gold in French), embodies the natural glow we all would like to maintain as we get older. The whole range from the packaging to the ingredients is 5 star. So lets look at the products and the ingredients that make this brand stand out amongst others.

 Purify and Glow Cleansing Balm £45 50ml

This beautiful, delicate cleanser is the perfect way to start any beauty ritual. Just a tiny amount warmed into the palms of the hands, then pressed into the face, followed by massaging in circular motions is ideal for draining sinuses, ridding of under eye bags and simply starting and finishing the day, with what is a joy to use. Makeup, including waterproof dissolves instantly and once added with a little warm water turns into a milky consistency that can then be either rinsed off or taken off with a warm cloth. The fragrance is light and not overpowering, subtle but refreshing.

Ingredients include nourishing Shea Butter, moisturising Sweet Almond Oil, toning Rosemary Extract and Algae Extract known for it's antibacterial qualities and high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids. Ideal for dry skin and those prone to eczema and inflamed skin too.

 The Flash Eye Lift £45 15ml

This light weight gel is instantly cooling when pressed around the eyes. It sinks in immediately and, with what I would expect with this price, gives instant results by making the eyes look and feel more refreshed. Whilst I haven't used this for a whole month yet (something I like to do before I give reviews), I can say that upon application it did make my crows feet look more hydrated and gave a slight tightening effect.

Key ingredients include Caffiene, a wonder ingredient and used in many eye products for it's immediate effect in reducing inflammation. Yeast Extract and Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, ingredients that helps reduce puffy eyes and those that suffer with sinus pockets (bags). An essential product especially now we are hitting party season and sadly flu/virus season. A little goes a long way so you only need a very tiny amount. 

The Ultimate Care Gel Cream £125 50ml

Luxury skincare comes with luxury prices. Often what goes into the price is the marketing, the packaging etc before the ingredients. The Care Gel Cream is all about the quality of ingredients, and it is the ideal light gel for sensitive skin types, whether sensitive through weather elements, central heating, hormones, shaving or allergies.

It works by protecting the skin from harsh elements and pollutants that we are exposed to every day. It's USP is Abyssine657 - 'a molecule that provides stimulation of the skin's natural defences'. This ingredient strengthens the skin and gives it armour to protect against such environmental aggressors mentioned above. Inclusive of this is Alteromonas Ferment Extract that has water-binding properties for the skin and helps soothe sensitive skin.

The packaging is, as you can see 'must put on show on the bathroom shelf', but most importantly, it comes with a small spatula for application, thus avoiding dipping fingers and spreading germs!

The Ultimate Day Cream £70 50ml

Finally I have been testing The Ultimate Day Cream. It's ideal for all skin types but especially dry and mature like mine. It's the holy grail for anti-aging and contains a huge abundance of moisturising and nourishing ingredients. The pump dispenser is always my preferred method of application as it prevents bacteria from finger tips (one of the reasons I never test from pots in Duty Free). 

The first ingredient that helps your skin retain moisture is the very commonly used 'hyaluronic acid', that comes in a sodium form, and one that can penetrate into the deep layers of the skin (often unheard of in skincare ingredients). Sodium hyaluronate is the 'wonder' ingredient in preventing wrinkles and the must have ingredient in most anti-ageing skincare. Also included is Crambe abyssinica seed oil - an oil that comes from the mustard seed plant. It has a huge concentration of fatty acids and used in skin care is an excellent ingredient for smoothing and nourishing dry skin. 

All these products can be brought online at www.odile.co.uk and I do urge you to look not only at their website but also have a look at the ingredients listed in the products. Whilst we all love a classy 'dressing table' bottle, at the end of the day it's results that we pay for!

The Body Shop Clean & Comfort Hemp Gift Set £22 Sample Review

 

This universal gift set is ideal for both men and women who are suffering with dry skin. Packaged into a 100% jute woven bag (reusable and ideal for travel or gym), are 3 products that will comfort and soothe flaky, dry skin.

Included is Softening Hemp Shower Oil 250ml, Hemp Nourishing & Protecting Body Oil 125ml and Hemp hand cream 30ml.

Hemp seed oil is used in many things and due to it's amazing ability to soothe and hydrate the skin, is often a key ingredient in skincare. Whilst it is incredibly hydrating, it doesn't clog the pores and so is ideal for all skin types covering the spectrum of oily to dry. It's amazing for men who may suffer with back acne as it doesn't irritate the skin. Containing an abundance of Omega acids 3,6 and 9 it locks in moisture and is a gold standard emollient. This kit has all you need to restore your dry skin and will last ages. The great thing is, you can gift it as one or even separate the gifts and give everyone the chance to see it's benefits. Check out the whole range at www.thebodyshop.com

The Body Shop Shake & Swish Ginger Hair Care Set £30 Sample Review

Give your man, son, teen the gift of clean hair this Christmas with this amazing gift set from The Body Shop. A little while ago I was on a forum on Facebook, for the 'over 50 beauty obsessed'. Whilst I have over 25 years experience in testing products, I love to read other peoples tips and recommendations. Someone had posted that their son was suffering with bad dandruff and, as you would expect with these forums, there were over 100 replies. Every other recommendation was for The Body Shop Ginger Shampoo! 

My son gets dandruff, as does my daughter and so I'm going to gift myself with them fighting for this over Christmas!  The set itself contains Ginger Shampoo 250ml, Ginger Conditioner 250ml, Ginger Scalp Serum 50ml and a scalp prong massager (which if you've never tried, believe me it's worth the price for this alone - it sends tingles down the spine)! Ingredients include:-

Ginger Essential Oil - known for it's purifying and cleansing properties and also acts as a stimulant so ideal for head massage (my friend uses it in her Indian Head Massage treatment). 

Betula Alba Bark Extract - rich in Vitamin C and helps to thicken and boost fine, limp hair. It also reduces inflammation so ideal if you suffer with scalp psoriasis.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder - commonly known as Aloe Vera, a plant that helps soothe the scalp, prevents itching and conditions.

An amazing set, one that I will probably regret giving my kids as guess who will be giving the scalp massages Christmas Day evening! Check out The Body Shop website here www.thebodyshop.com

Stila Holiday Bounty Stay All Day Eye & Brow Set Sample Review

Stila Holiday Bounty Stay All Day Eye & Brow Set RRP £42

Stockist info www.stila.co.uk

Sometimes it's very hard to buy beauty gifts as presents, simply as every person is unique in their skin tone, eye colour etc. This kit takes away all the guessing as the universal colours suit every eye colour and contains the basics you need for an every day eye look, and will take you into the evening. It's a kit where you can't go wrong. My only um and ah would be on the Waterproof Brow Colour but I'll talk about that in a moment.

The kit contains full sizes of:-

• Stay All Day Intense Black Mascara - a multi-purpose mascara where one coat will give a natural look, or a few coats can transform the eyes into a glamourous evening look.
• Stay All Day Intense Black Waterproof Liquid Liner - ideal to create that perfect flick for evening glamour, or simply dot it in between lashes, close to the water line for a natural lash thickening effect.
• Stay All Day Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray - the softest black, foul proof application to give a light smokey eye. Apply and I like to smudge upwards and out with my little finger.
• Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Colour Medium - a soft, ash suitable for blondes, redheads and light/medium brunettes. You can apply heavier strokes however, it is for light-medium brow hair.

I've been using Stila for many years and once again I've been left very impressed. This time it's not just the quality of the products but the makeup bag itself. In soft, buttery faux leather the bag has individual compartments to store the products upright (as one should do with liquid liners), and is large enough to hold a complete makeup set. It's a huge thumbs up from me and I can't wait to start reviewing their other products for my 'party glamour' feature! Stila is cruelty free.

Christmas Gift Guide Under £30 (Sample Reviews)

 

An odd choice for a photo cover however, it's perfectly apt as I've been doing all the 'hard work' (ok that's stretching it just slightly), sifting through the best of Christmas gifts that I know will be surely appreciated. With my fairy Godmother wand I'm taking all the hassle and stress out of Christmas shopping, and giving you my final (ok I think they'll be more to come) round-up of the best gifts, and to boot products that can be purchased online and under £30. Leaving you time to take a stroll along the seafront, ramble through the woods or just to have some 'you' time. 

Humble Cleansing Bath Soaps £10.50 3x75g & Sweet Pea & Verbena Bath Honey £10 275ml www.creightons.com and Amazon

I wanted to feature this brand not just for their quality products but because of their passion for our planet. Not only is the packaging in these products recyclable but made with natural, biodegradable ingredients. 

The 3 Cleansing Bars come in 3 delicately scented fragrances Rose & Frankincense, Sweet Pea & Verbena and Honeysuckle. With ingredients that nourish the skin these are as far from 'soaps' as you may expect. The key ingredient is Sodium Palmate made from Palm Oil and is a safer, non-irritating ingredient to other harsher chemicals often found in soaps. Also containing Sodium Cocoate, a fatty acid derived from coconut oil that is nourishing and moisturising to the skin. The Cleansing Bars lathered up nicely (although I do always use my body puff), and left my skin smelling gently scented (my favourite being the Sweet Pea & Verbena). An ideal gift for one person or split into 3 separate gifts as each soap is individually wrapped.

There is something rather comforting about pouring a bath with 'Bath Honey', as this bubble bath is named. Made from 96% naturally derived ingredients, it still produced a decent lather (essential for my bath), and filled the bathroom with the gentle scent of Sweet Pea. Key ingredients include not only skin smoothing honey, but also Willow Bark Extract which is ideal for soothing irritated skin and Ivy Leaf Extract that can help with skin inflammation. 

Florence By Mills London Calling £21www.beautybay.com, www.asos.com and www.lookfantastic.com

Support all things British by buying this brand which is inspired by Mill's heritage. This fabulous set contains Bow under the Eyes Gel Pads  - refreshing eye pads ideal for hungover and tired eyes; Get Glossed Lip Gloss - the most beautiful metallic, peachy, bronze lip gloss and Build to Lash Mascara - ideal for lengthening and thickening lashes. The packaging is super cute but what sold it to me, above others is the gorgeous lip shade that suits every skin tone. 

Looney Tunes Make Up Blender £3.99 www.madbeauty.com

If you have never heard of Mad Beauty before and love a kitsch, fun brand and still have that inner child in you, then let me introduce you to them. I've been featuring Mad Beauty for many years and would often put them in the press for Christmas Gifts. The website is filled with character inspired beauty products from Warner Bros to Winnie The Pooh. 

This make up sponge is essential for applying foundation and concealer, and makes the perfect stocking present or Santa surprise for under £5. My daughter has already claimed this as hers!

Disney Mandalorian The Child Cosmetic Bag £9.99

There's a few reasons why I love this bag and I'm actually not a star wars fan. I love that it is roomy enough to hold a full make up kit, that it can be used for a pencil case but most of all I love it's patent plasticky shiny material. It's sturdy so will hold a lot, but it's kitsch feel just deserves to be held and looked at every day!

Winnie The Pooh Eyeshadow Palette £14.99

Sometimes I review a product and I put it straight into my make up box and this is one of them. Hands off anyone else. Who doesn't love Winne The Pooh - that's not a question and who doesn't love the cutest packaging there is! Containing a decent size mirror with a pop up Pooh scene, this gorgeous palette contains 16 neutral eyeshades that are simply stunning. Included are matte shades, shimmers and a glitter - the pigments are just amazing and I can hand on eye say,  this is on par if not better than my Charlotte Tilbury palette. So excited am I, I'm going to do a separate reel on Instagram! This is when writing unpaid is definitely worth it! The colours from dusky pink, aubergine, taupe, gold and violet suit every eye colour. It's a palette you'll want to lock yourself away and just play with!

Floating Humidifier £9.99 www.iwantoneofthose.com

OMG I am absolutely loving this humidifier. It's the perfect gift for anyone to use in any room of the house. Ideal if you are working from home, add some essential oil of peppermint or lemongrass to awaken the senses or lavender to relax. It's so easy to use - simply plug it in and place in water to float! Take it on holiday, use it at the office, next to your bed anywhere! It's one of those presents that will be used all the time, especially in the winter to help combat the effects of central heating and ideal if, like me, you suffer from bad sinuses. I think I'm going to have to buy more of these as gifts - I'd never even gone on to this website and now I'm addicted!

Handsfree Phone Holder £6.50 www.kikkerland.com

I've only recently activated my old Instagram account and have been getting lessons from my eldest who's just got her distinction in Social Media - evidently she's not a good teacher and evidently I have a lot to learn! Well this amazing gadget just made life easier. Brilliant for those who love to do reels, videos for whatever reason and need their hands free. Simply clip in your phone (I have a 7 plus and it adjusts to any size phone), and tighten the little plastic screw and away you go. I did a short review on my Insta account @askmollybeauty and loved it! Ideal for teenagers or anyone who loves their social media - also ideal for filming pets, cooking etc! For the price it's a huge thumbs up from me! 

Sanctuary Spa Wellness : Slumber Box £20 www.sainsburys.com, www.boots.com, www.amazon.com

Sanctuary Spa Little Spa Retreat £10

The Sanctuary Spa have gone all out this year with their Christmas gift sets, aimed with one purpose in mind, to give everyone the gift of relaxation. There's something for every budget whether a stocking filler for £5 or a more extravagant gift for over £40. 

The Slumber Box is ideal for those in desperate need of sleep and contains Sleep Mist 100ml, De-Stress Bath Salts 150g and De-Stress Warming Body Balm 75ml, all infused with Lavender Oil.  The Warming Body Balm is ideal for those who suffer with aching joints and restless legs, and contains Ginger oil to warm the muscles, whilst the De-Stress Bath Salts contain magnesium known to aid in restful sleeping by relaxing tight, tired and sore muscles. 

The Little Spa Retreat contains 4 travel sizes of the Sanctuary Spas signature scent, which gives that instant tension release. Included is Body Wash, Body Lotion both 75ml, Body Scrub 50ml and Hand Cream 30ml (perfect handbag size). The gift sets are Vegan and all the packaging is reusable and plastic free. 

Paul & Joe Silky Hand Cream 40ml £14 www.beautybay.com

Paul & Joe Treatment Lipstick £22

The ideal gift for those who love kitsch, vintage products without compromising on the quality of a product. Often brands spend their cash on the packaging and forget about the actual performance of a product - not so, Paul & Joe! This amazing Silky Hand Cream contains Olive Seed Oil and Grape Seed Oil, which creates a barrier on the hands without leaving them feeling greasy. Ideal for those who work outside, with elements such as water and especially to help moisturise and nourish when using anti-bacterial gel.

The Treatment Lipstick already has my best friends name on it. She adores cats so much, she volunteers at a cat charity and makes amazing 'cat gifts', she's a cat scanner and she has 5 rescues - so I know she's going to absolutely love this cute gift. Not only is the lipstick shaped like a pussycat with a hat, but it contains nourishing ingredients such as Jojoba Seed Oil and Honey Extract to really soothe dry, chapped lips. Very slightly tinted this makes lips feel plumped and hydrated.