Late to the Party

  Latest in Beauty Box December 2017   One of my favourite beauty subscription boxes as I get to pick which items I want, so there's never one of those disappointing 'filler items' that tend to come in most boxes. This month, I stayed with the 'Beauty Enthusiast' Box - choose six items for £15.00 (inclusive of P+P). Subscribe HERE   This arrived on 23rd December and I actually wrapped it up and popped it under the Christmas Tree to be opened on Christmas Day! Ellis Faas - Concealer (Full Size) Value £22.00 ( BUY HERE )   Although the size was mentioned, I was still surprised to find that this was a full-size product! I don't wear concealer everyday as I sometimes find that it actually accentuates small lines and wrinkles rather than conceal them. However, I've used this once and first impressions weren't bad at all.   Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Duo in Jingle Red Rock and Shimmer me Timbers Value (each) £14.99 Total Val

So another year rolls to an end and this year was major for me as the first year that I've really been invested in skincare and in terms of all I've learned about my skin and which skincare is best for me. I've bought, tested, loved and been disappointed with what feels like an inordinate amount of different products - but there's still always more to try. My wish list is growing, but becoming a bit more refined as I learn what works for me, and what is just a case of FOMO when I see what everyone else is trying!   Here are my picks of my favourite purchases from this year.   Skincare   First Cleanse Source   Banila Co - Clean it Zero 'Radiance' approx. £18.00 for 100ml (Buy HERE )   It's very apt that we start with my favourite part of the skincare routine - the first cleanse! Over the year I've perhaps bought more of these types of products than any other and I've pretty much loved every single one. I've found

Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint £30 BUY HERE   Of all the foundation samples I've been testing out in the last couple of months, I really wanted it to be a Nars product that suited me best.   Did it?   My skin is combination/oily - with some dry patches at this time of year (winter). The first sample I tried was from the Feel Unique Pick n Mix sample service. I chose a sample of the Velvet Matte Skin Tint in the shade Finland.   Firstly, it's been incredibly difficult choosing the right shade online as I don't have a Nars counter anywhere near me. The shade Finland is actually the lightest shade with natural yellow undertones. I knew this would be too light but at the time it looked a better match (online) than the other choices (the whole shade range wasn't available in sample form from Feel Unique).   I really liked the texture of this skin tint, but being a tint was perhaps hoping for a little more coverage. However, the application was easy

I have been so very restrained in the past few weeks with trying not to buy any make up or skincare! Whilst making Christmas lists for gifts I would buy for others I, of course, was mentally making my own Christmas wish list! A very testing time was the period around Black Friday. In the few years that Black Friday has become an event in the UK, it's not been anything that's ever tempted or bothered me before - it seemed to be all about wide-screened TVs and other electrical items you didn't want or need. However, this year, the Black Friday sale emails kept flooding in and they actually had make up and skincare items that I really, really wanted! I managed to keep reasonably restrained still, but there were some offers that were just to great to miss.       The Hero Project , one of my favourite British skincare brands had some great Black Friday offers. I alerted my mum, and she got me my beloved Vit C-30 Brightening Serum for my birthday. It came with a cu