Gift Guide 1 🎄 Over £15

Hello, welcome to my first Gift Guide the price range covered here is extremely broad so there will be something for all budgets. Its slightly tailored to be female, but some of the presents are either or. Plus its 2017 who says presents should be limited to a gender.

Tech Gifts
Tech can be expensive to buy yourself, but is really nice to receive as a gift as you wouldn't always think to get it for yourself plus it is likely to be present that is used regularly, so will be really appreciated by the receiver.

1. HP Sprocket 2. Apple Watch 3. Lumie Body Clock

Coffee Table Books
If you are a similar age to me, people are moving into their first proper homes, whether they have got their shit together to buy one or are just renting. I think a coffee table book is a lovely gift, which show how sophisticated they are as well as showing off an aspect of their personality to guests. Here are three suggestions. Places such as Urban Outfitters and Oliver Bonas really excel at these kind of books.

1. Oliver Bonas 2. Amazon 3. Urban Outfitters

Beauty Lovers
Boots is the place to go for beauty gifts that won't break the bank, they literally have so many gift sets for all different age groups. Here are my picks.

1. Liz Earle Make Everyday Radiant 2. NYX Travel Kit 3. Soap and Glory Spa of Wonder

Of course you don't have to go to Boots here are some more beauty gifts.

1. Beauty Icons Gift Set Charlotte Tilbury 2. Fresh Lip Trio 3. Miss Dior Gift Set

Relaxing
2017 has been quite a year, what is needed around Christmas time is some self indulgent spa like relaxing times in the comfort of your home. I would seriously love all of these gifts under the tree on Christmas Day.

1. Aromatherapy Time for Sleep 2. Diptyque Christmas Candle 3. Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Duet

Luxury
Welcome to the part of my Christmas wish list which is just dreaming, but if you have the budget and someone you would like to spend series ££££ on this year this section is for you.

1. Coach Jumper 2. Gucci Marmont Bag 3. Burberry Scarf

Tomorrow's post is full of stocking fillers all £15 and under!

Thanks for popping by

xxx

Let's talk Cruelty Free beauty

Hello! I am in the slow process of making sure any beauty product I use is cruelty free which is proving extremely difficult especially when I am browsing the aisle of Boots and the Cruelty Free bunny on the backs of products is elusive - this should be a huge selling point, so why am I not seeing more of it? And where is the outrage?!

I will admit there is definitely disagreement about what products are cruelty free. Lets take Revlon as a brand example, they became cruelty free in 1989, after protests about animal testing and were on the Peta list as cruelty free. However Revlon now maintain they are cruelty free on their website, but their products are sold in China, where it is mandatory for products to be tested on animals. So they are no longer categorised as cruelty free by Peta.

In terms of my own view, if a company's product is sold in China I will avoid buying from them. However I will buy from a company such as the Body Shop whose parent company L'oreal is sold in China. In my opinion that is to make cruelty free beauty products a viable option. I will admit I am not plant based, or even vegetarian. But animal testing is pointlessly cruel, unnecessary and needs to be illegal worldwide. Talking of the Body Shop they are leading the way with their campaign to ban animal testing on cosmetic products and ingredients. Read more here. They need 8 million signatures in order to take the petition to UN General Assembly in 2018.

My Cruelty Free Products:

Real Techniques Brushes

All the make up brushes I own are Real Techniques. Firstly they are cruelty free, but they are affordable and extremely good quality. I cannot imagine purchasing from another brand.

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation

This is the foundation that bought to replace my Nars Sheerglow (which i have finished) as Nars is no longer cruelty free. For me this is nicely build-able and is  glowy finish whilst not getting your face confused for a disco ball!

Charlotte Tilbury Glastonberry
My absolute favourite autumn/winter lipstick, it is just such a gorgeous vampy lipstick. It is a modern matte finish, which means its comfortable on the lips and won't me your lips feel like the Sahara desert.

Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick in Lolita
I love this 90's nude toned lipstick, a colour I'm not wearing as often as I did last year, but it is definitely one of my favourites. Whilst being super matte it doesn't feel over whelming.

NYX Setting Powder
There's really not much you can say about a setting powder. It's sets make up, and I don't look shiny. Perfect.

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer
Aaah this is my holy grail highlighter, its golden in tone and gives a noticeable but not over the top disco ball sparkle to your cheek bones.

Tarte Tarteist Pro Palette
I saw InTheFrow wear this on her insta, and immediately wanted it. Luckily my friend was heading stateside so I added it to my order.

Tarte Tartelette Palette
This was my first tarte product, this I love the pinky and gold tones in this palette. The shadows have great pigmentation. You can either mix and match the eyeshadows, or you can follow along the line for the suggested looks.

Pixi Glow Tonic
This is such a classic beauty blogger product from back in like 2012, however that it because it is great. I like that it gently exfoliates your face, it certainly makes my skin feel softer. As it is a chemical exfoliater it means there are no beads going down the sink.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

Again such a classic beauty blogger product. For me this a super gentle cleanser and highly effective.

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream
A new product to my beauty portfolio, so far I think this is a good moisturiser and foundation goes on a treat over the top.

Lush Grease Lightning
Surprisingly the only Lush product on this list! I don't know if I'm being effected by a placebo effect but I think this genuinely help spots a little bit - which is always extremely welcome.

One brand I have confusion with is Soap and Glory, they say they are, however I can't find them on any cruelty free lists - if anyone knows either way that would be fab.

I am still in the market for a nourishing and reasonably priced shampoo and conditioner. As well as a deodorant, which actually works or Dove if you want to become cruelty free that is so welcome!!

Useful resources
Peta: Companies that don't test on animals
Peta: Companies that do test on animals
What Revlon doesn't want you to know
Cruelty Free Kitty
Nars Boycott
Lush: Fighting Animal Testing
Against Animal Testing petition

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

October Wishlist

Hello! This month everything seems to be in the Burgundy/oxblood colour family, I feel that's because I have been dressing quite a lot in Monochrome (Harriet I blame you entirely!). I have to have more than black and white going on, colour is great after all. These kinda colours are just my absolute favourite I feel its flattering on my skin tone, I just really like it to be honest with you!

1. Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick

2. Tartan Shirt Dress

3. Backpack

4.Naked 2 Basics

1. I don't think anyone has said a bad word about Charlotte Tilbury make up, the consensus being the packaging is gorgeous and the products are excellent. If you don't know who Charlotte Tilbury she is a Make Up artist who has worked with the likes of Mario Testinio, Tom Ford, Kate Moss and Rihanna. One product that is standing out to me is her new Matte Lipsticks, which are said to be really creamy and hydrating but still matte. I saw Zoe using the shade Glastonberry in her latest tutorial, and Lily Pebbles reviewing the whole range.

2. Drawn into this overpriced dress I thought I would try it on, and it would look horrible on me. Alas that was not the case - damn you Jack Wills - it's tartan, its a dress, its got burgurdy in it... how could I not like it? And I didn't look like a potato sack in it.

3. I saw this gorgeous back pack in Fleur's Check Mate post, and it sang out to me, I heard it. I've been looking for a back pack for a while which isn't overly expensive, I just think its gorgeous, really sleek and oh so on trend. Oh and I am always partial to gold hardware.

4. Oh Urban Decay how I have been sucked into you since my make over (post here). I had always heard the eyeshadows were high quality long lasting and highly pigmented. This pallete tickles my fancy because because the shadows are all matte which is something I am missing in my collection, and it has some darker shades which would be good in a brown smokey eye or just used as crease shades.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx