Last minute beauty stocking fillers

Just a couple of weeks left till the big day and if, like me, you’ve already braved the highstreets you’ll be ready to finish your Christmas shopping online, curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and no crowds to contend with! Here’s a few of my wintery beauty favourites to top up those festive stockings.

Beauty stocking fillers

Officine Universelle Buly Savon Superfin – The packaging alone of this historic brand is special, and inside the scented soaps are just as lovely, pick from a collection with includes ‘damask rose’ and ‘komi forest’.

Beauty stocking fillers

Diptyque Coton – Every year the candle kings at Diptyque bring out a limited edition range of candles. This year ‘Coton’ is part of the festive collection – a soft and smooth scent featuring tonka bean, musk and iris, encased in a beautiful glass adorned with blue and gold flames.

Beauty stocking fillers

Fresh – I love the Fresh products, fuss free and effective with lovely scents. The gift sets are perfect for Christmas, brilliant collections of their most loved products. The ‘Hydration Boost’ set is ideal for winter worn skin with the gentle Soy Face Wash, Tea Elixir Serum to remedy tired skin and Rose Face Cream to strengthen the skin’s barrier, delivering dewy skin that’s plumped with moisture.

Beauty stocking fillers

Jones Road – Simplified make-up for all skin types, wrapped up in perfect little pink boxes. For festive maekovers the ‘Miracle Balm’ is great for adding a dewy glow to your complexion, I pair it with ‘Sparkle Wash’ – a shimmery eyeshadow perfect for party season.

Beauty stocking fillers

Grown Alchemist Giving Face set – A Christmas set which includes the Grown Alchemist favourites to cleanse and moisterise your skin, all packaged up in sizes ideal for travelling.

Beauty stocking fillers

Thameen Discovery Set – I love this trio of perfumes from Thameen which has a scent for every Christmas occasion – Fanfare, Bohemian Infusion and Bravi. Each one pays tribute to one of the most iconic sights in London, Covent Garden. Fanfare, for example, delights with notes of lemon, flower market accord and patchouli to bottle the scent of the bustling Flower Market.

Beauty stocking fillers

Gisou – This award-winning honey-infused hair oil is the perfect antidote to cold weather. Use this finishing product as the last step in your hair routine – just rub a few drops in your hands and smooth over your hair to eliminate frizz and promote maximum shine. A great present for all.

Beauty stocking fillers

Victoria Beckham – I love the whole Victoria Beckham make-up range – and these little boxes of luxury are the perfect stocking filler. If you aren’t sure of someone’s skin type / shade I recommend a universal eye liner, these ones are long lasting and bold so make an effect on every eye.

Beauty stocking fillers

Vieve – The ultimate party shimmer from Vieve. A high-impact, liquid highlighter that gives the look of ethereal glass skin whilst delivering serious staying power. It comes in three shades and is a great mood-lifter year round, but particularly fitting for festive shindigs!

Beauty stocking fillers

Ultra Violette Vi’s Faves – A best-selling duo to protect and nourish both your face and body. Includes the Fave Fluid SPF 50+ and Extreme Screen SPF 50+. Because sun-protection isn’t just for summer.

Includes some gifted products.

Beauty Brands to Make You Feel Good This September

Despite having the best intentions for my mental and physical state of mind at the beginning of the new School season, I always feel frazzled in September. This year a few trusted beauty brands have helped get my mind and skin back on track, and feeling ready for Autumn.

September beauty

Summer may be waning but SPF is a must all year round, the Ultra Violette ‘Preen Screen SPF Reapplication Mist’ is super easy and quick to incorporate into your daily routine, and the ideal product to use on the go. The final step of your skincare regime, just spray a layer over your make-up for protection from unwanted rays. Pair with the ‘Fave Fluid’ which delivers a soft, natural finish.

September beauty

My first try of Mirror Water did not disappoint, an award-winning brand which is all about self-care. The 100% Naturally-Derived Bath Salts and Smooth Body Oil are the perfect duo for an evening in this September. As the nights get cooler sooth your skin with a long warm bath followed by a generous layer of this daily body oil which will leave your skin feeling luxuriously soft and nourished.

September beauty

I’ve been on the lookout for a new serum and moisturiser duo to treat my skin to this Autumn. With the change of seasons my skin has felt dull and unloved. The Skinceuticals range has often rescued me before so I felt confident that the C E Ferulic high potency serum and Daily Moisture moisturiser would do the trick. Just a few drops of the serum worked immediately, diminishing the appearance of fine lines while also adding a glowy tone to my face. The lightweight moisturiser followed well, minimising the pores on my t-zone particularly well.

September beauty

I’ve always loved the Fresh skincare but never tried their bodycare selection before. The Rise Morning Body Wash and Body Lotion are the perfect duo for putting you in a good mood in the morning. Jump in the shower with this happy floral scented product and let the Vitamin C & E in the product cleanse without stripping your skin of goodness. Follow with the body lotion to stay soft and scented for the whole day ahead.

September beauty

Everyone raves about no-fuss brand CeraVe and now I know why. With the change of seasons and weather fluctuations my skin always suffers. The Blemish Control range has kept my break-outs to a minimum unclogging pores efficiently and delicately while also improving the smoothness of the skin. Both these products contain 3 essential ceramides, glycolic and lactic acids to improve your complexion, fast.

September beauty

Acqua di Parma are one of my favourite luxury Perfume brands for year-round use. The range of scents match the seasons with something to suit everyone. Lily of the Valley is a bright, citrusy scent, ideal for late summer days out… with powerful aromas of jasmine, magnolia and geranium coming through. For Autumnal evenings out I like the Oud & Spice, a lovely unisex perfume with more woody notes. When you first spray it on the skin I noticed hints of Raspberry and Rose (a combination I’ve always loved) but it mellows quickly and gives a lovely warmth to your skin as it matures.

September beauty

As the air gets cooler I like to wear warmer scents that keep me feeling comforted all day. The Ostens Patchouli Heart No. 1 is a aromatic perfume with notes of Amber and Patchouli in the base, with higher notes of lavender and pink pepper. I love the addition of liquorice to the perfume, it feels exciting and modern but sophisticated.

September beauty

Thameen‘s The Cora fragrance is inspired by The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond. Founded in South Africa in 2010, it is known as the yellow pear shaped diamond. A great trans-seasonal scent with an alluring recipe of Rose, Vanilla, jasmine and patchouli. The perfume lasted so well on my skin, evolving throughout the day with a feminine warmth.

September beauty

Victoria Beckham can do no wrong, her beauty line is as stylish as it is effective. The Highlighter stick is my new handbag essential, a slick golden wand offering a fresh, glass-like glow when applied (I put it below my eyebrows and on my cheekbone). Amber is the new shade, ideal for sunkissed September complexions. For a minimal make-up look pair with a neutral lip and a lick of the Victoria Beckham Vast Lash mascara which voluminises and lashes while also being smudge resistant and easy to remove. It ticks every box for me.

September beauty

I am a novice when it comes to probiotics, but I’m trying to learn more as the results are undeniable. The Seed brand is as stylish as it is effective. I love that the Seed products don’t need to be kept in the fridge (always a problem when you are a frequent traveller) and are suitable for kids too. This Pediatric Daily Synbiotic stabilises the bacteria in your gut promoting a healthier digestive system. These powder sachets can be stirred into water or food and begin to work within a few days, making you feel healthier without a major lifestyle change.

This post contains some press samples.

Easter Beauty Essentials

The changing seasons is always a time for me to shake up my beauty routine and refresh the products I use. Here are a few essentials that will nourish your skin, revitalise your tresses and leave you feeling (and smelling) lovely!

Skincare &  Makeup

Typology Tonique Eclat and Lip Masque – I adore this set for an easy Spring skincare routine. The toner is concentrated in active ingredients vitamin C and lemon verbena water to illuminate the complexion and tone the skin. I found that it reduced pigmentation in my cheeks. When your lips are feeling weather worn and chapped put a little bit of the lip masque on to repair dry lips – ideal as a leave-on overnight treatment.

Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Masque – This intense but versatile mask is intended to soothe sensitive skin. It can be used daily, and I found it added natural radiance to my complexion. Pair it with the Essence mist for the full effect.

Jones Road Bronzer – It’s finally time to wear bronzer again! Opt for the Jones Road powder bronzers, silky sheer powder that will add an immediate natural warmth to your skin tone.

Never Go Alone Renew Hand Cream – A hydrating, non-greasy hand cream reduces inflammation and dryness and strengthens the skin barrier to reverse signs of ageing and protect from environmental stress. I loved that this hand cream also really repaired my dry cuticles.

Officine Universelle Buly Face Cream – A multi-purpose face cream that is suitable for all skin types. I keep this cream in my handbag for an essential daily moisture boost. It is lovely and light and works well as an overnight cream too.

Cowshed Ultimate Sleep Set – Lovely as a gift to a friend (or yourself) this set has everything you need for a good night’s sleep whether you are at home or travelling – sensual candle, calming pillow mist and truly lovely bath salts. With essential oils, and ingredients like lavender and myrtle these products are sure to relax your mind and body when you most need some down time.

Haircare

R + Co Super Garden – A shampoo and conditioner set with gently cleanses, detangles + imparts moisture without disrupting the scalp’s natural balance. The Super Garden products include Hemp-Derived CBD which has regenerative benefits for your hair and scalp, and also contains coconut oil, a natural hair growth stimulant.

Philip Kingsley Hydration Edit – As the warmer weather slowly comes in I tend to colour (and lighten) my hair more… so I’m always in need of hydrating and nourishing products. This Philip Kingsley set is ideal for fine hair that has a tendency to get greasy at the roots – I found my hair felt stronger but the strands were less oily.

Perfume

Diptyque Papier – Part of the Woody family, L’Eau Papier celebrates the musk and texture of when ink meets paper. It had a comforting and gentle scent on my skin, I love it for Spring but can see myself wearing it all year.

Jo Loves White Rose and Lemon Leaves – A subtle and elegant scent that will give the skin a gentle warmth perfect for this time of the year. The Jo Loves scents tend to last really well on my skin, ensuring I smell delicious all day.

Ostens Impression Rose Oil Isparta – This floral, but genderless, scent combines jammy blackcurrant and Turkish rose. It’s a bold perfume that clevery redesigns the classic rose fragrance. I found it was particularly nice worn as an evening scent.

Roads Neon – A vivid unisex perfume which is intended as a fun and lively scent. The Roads scents represent their original explorations into world culture, people, landscape, and art. This neon edition has top notes of Bergamot and Peach and base notes of Patchouli and Vanilla.

Thameen Fanfare – Inspired by Covent Garden’s iconic Flower Market, Fanfare Cologne Elixir from Thameen embodies the beauty along with the vibrancy and character of the historic site. The fragrance has watery floral and citrus notes, blended over the rich and daring heart note of vermouth. I loved how this complex scent changed and evolved on my skin throughout the day. A very special perfume.

Acqua di Parma, Mirto di Panarea – This fragrance is inspired by Panarea, one of the smallest and oldest of the Aeolian Islands. The fragrance pays homage to the volcanic landscape and the spirit of the Mediterranean with a blend of citrus notes paired with myrtle and fresh juniper notes.

Paul Smith Sunseeker – As Spring unfolds fill your home with this bright and beautiful sunseeker scent from Paul Smith. The candle has notes of Italian bergamot, mandarin, and basil, a fruity and charming smell which you’ll never tire of.

Post includes some press samples.