Laura Geller Beauty Brand Focus

I feel so delighted to be finally talking about all the lovely Laura Geller products I have been testing. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably would have been fed up of seeing me harp on about how amazing they are. This is simply because they are!! There are only very few brands that I have absolutely fallen in love with majority of their offerings. One of the main reasons I am obsessed with Laura Geller Beauty is the fact that majority of the products are suitable for people with darker skin and are beautifully pigmented. There is something for everyone and you would be hard pressed not to find something you like. The best thing about these products is that they are all baked  which means they have the most beautiful texture with a luminous glow. They are also made in Italy so you can imagine that they would only churn out the best products!!




 I was lucky to meet Laura Geller herself back in November last year for Brunch and listening to her just made me more obsessed over her brand. She is such an amazing woman!! I was also super lucky to be invited to the House of Fraser Launch which I talked about here and it was a beautiful event. All the products featured in this post were gifted to me by the Mark McDonald Consultancy and/or at Laura Geller Events I have attended. I feel absolutely spoilt by them but very grateful. You can check out there Instagram page here, and their website including their Lifestyle Page which was just recently launched.






Laura Geller Beauty products can be purchased from various retailers including Debenhams, House of Fraser, Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay, Feel Unique.  They are also available in-store including Debenhams, House of Fraser and most recently, Elys Wimbledon which is my local store. I am most delighted to know I can pop into a Laura Geller counter in like 10-15 minutes and I am visiting the counter today!! I wanted to do a quick round up of these Laura Geller Products which I hope is useful for anyone looking to try Laura Geller Beauty and I would be showing you how I use them in a tutorial (coming soon, so subscribe to my YouTube channel here). Right, let's get into the review
(P.S. I went crazy with pictures so pardon me; I just lose control when there are lovely products to photograph)






Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer (Champagne)// Link // £24
The Laura Geller Spackle Primer* is one of the best selling products within the range and with good reason. There are different variations of the Spackle Primer which all look amazing. However, the Champagne version is definitely my favourite. It is an oil-free primer which I absolutely love because I have combination oily skin so I always lean towards anything oil free. The shade Champagne looks very flattering on my complexion and it gives a "lit from within" glow which is a difficult balance to achieve in many primers. I find that primers which give this kind of glow don't do a good job at priming and keeping my makeup in place. Thankfully, the Spackle Primer helps my makeup last longer and prevengs unnecessary shine. I do have to say on warmer days, my T-zone gets dewy (not oily) but it just makes me look fresh. I am keen to see how well it fares during Summer. If you love a healthy glow, especially under matte foundations, I would highly recommend this primer.






The Delectables Eyeshadow Palettes// Link //£35
First off, the Delectable Eyeshadow Palettes are my absolute favourite product among the LG products I have tried. Like seriously, who can resist baked eyeshadows? Not me!! I am so lucky to have been gifted two of these amazing eyeshadows- Shades of Cool* and Shades of Nude*. I have a full review of the Shades of Cool here which is more detailed if you fancy. A post on the Shades of Nudes is in the making so keep an eye out for it. The Delectable Eyesahdows both have 14 eyeshadows each wiith incredible pigmentation and can be used wet or dry. I particularly love that they don't have an annoying film when they are used wet. I find that some eyeshadows claim that they can be used wet but they have this film that forms when you use them wet. I am super pleased the LG Eyeshadows can truly be used wet/dry. I have fallen hard for the LG Shades of Nude (No, just take a look at it?!!). If you love warm toned eyeshadows, I would highly recommend it. It just has all the shades I love and I have been experimenting with it here and here on Instagram.







Eyeshadow Duos- Baked Eyeshadow // Link // £17
If you are new into makeup or you are not a fan of having palettes, these beautiful Laura Geller Eyeshadow Duos have your back. They are so compact and easy to throw in your makeup bag. I love how complementary the colours are next to each other. I am impressed at how Laura Geller eyeshadows maintain their pigmentation no matter what form the eyeshadows are packaged in.  The first one is the Baked Marble Shadow Duo in Opal/Violet* and it is seriously pigmented. I am a huge fan of anything purple or lilac so this duo had a big welcome to my stash. Sometimes, I use Opal on my lid (and lightly on my brow bone) while Violet goes lightly in my crease. On other days, I just use Violet all over my lid and Opal lightly on my brow bone. The second duo is the Baked Color Intense Dolce/Raisin* which looks really pretty. It's perfect for everyday wear and the Raisin shade is so beautiful on the lid (It's a beautiful chocolate bronze shade). I love both of them as they are easy to use (and very handy for on the go makeup).





Easy Cover Up Concealer//Link // £18
This concealer was the latest addition to my stash and I have only used it a few times but I can tell you, it's the business!! I have always used concealers that have a doe foot and are moist/creamy. I have never tried a crayon concealer and seriously, I am so cross for not doing so all this while. It is the easiest way of using a concealer in my opinion although I think it is down to the amazing LG formula. The proper name is the Easy Cover Up Hydrating Concealer Crayon* and I am heads over heels in love with it. The shade I got is Medium Deep and it is perfect for my complexion. They are other shades available which is always a good thing. First off, it rolls up and down which makes it super easy to use. The fact that it has a pointed tip (not sharp or abrasive) makes it incredibly easy to get into the most difficult places ever e.g. near the corners of my nose and eyes. It glides on like a dream, super hydrating and blends out so beautifully!! I can only imagine the level of production and thought behind creating this concealer. I have been using it to clean up my eyeshadows (say goodbye to tapes) and it gets right into the very corner I want. I also use it to highlight my face and it does an amazing job (makes me feel like I am a pro when I clearly am not). Check it out in action here on Instagram.







Highlighters// Link // from 
Another popular product from  Laura Geller Beauty are the highlighters and illuminators which are always sold out. I won't lie; I am totally new to full on highlighting and I am loving it. The first highlighter is the Baked Highlighter in Golden Rose* which is more of a subtle highlighter. I actually like this highlighter for everyday wear especially to work because it is quite subtle on my complexion. I love using it with my Real Techniques Fan Brush which does an amazing job as it fits so well in the highlighter. The highlighter is described as Golden Rose but it doesn't look rosy on my complexion. I also use it on my brow bone and cupid bone and it looks gorgeous. The second highlighter is actually an illuminator- Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Ballerina*. It is in the same range as the best selling Gilded Honey which is constantly sold out. I feel Ballerina is a much better match to my skin tone and I always whip it out when I am going out. It can be built up from a nice glow to a really fleeky glow (I had to use the word fleek..#sorrynotsorry). Again, I use it with the RT Fan Brush and it just looks incredible in person and in pictures. I really like it a lot.








Blush// Link // from £21
I am officially a blush girl now and my blush collection is seriously growing. I find that I gravitate towards rose gold pink shades because they look so feminine on my complexion. On other days, I just go for a stronger blush like plum or deeper shades. You can imagine my delight when these two lovely blushes from Laura Geller made their way to my stash. The first one blush is the Blush-N-Brighten Pink Buttercream* which is hands down one of my favourite and most used blush (also featured in my 2015 Makeup Favourite). It reminds me so much of NARS Orgasm but shows up nicer on my complexion. As you can see from the swatch, it's a beautiful rose gold pink shade with some illuminating glow. It doubles as a blush and highlighter for me on days when I am rushing. It's so beautiful and I think it would look gorgeous on all skin tones. The second blush is the Baked Gelato Swirl Blush in Plumberry* which is not for the faint hearted at all. If you have darker skin, say hello to your new BFF Blush. It is incredibly pigmented and you need a super light hand with it. The swirl texture and design just makes my heart flutter. It also blends so easily which is so handy if you use too much. You know how blushes fade after a while; well, it's not happening with this blush. The lasting power is excellent and I love it for days out especially when I now photos will be taken.





Baked Foundation/Powders //Link // £26
The Baked Balance-N-Brighten Foundations* have the most beautiful mosaic design I have ever seen. This was one of the products that Laura Geller mentioned when I met her along with other bloggers. I was delighted to find this included in the goody bag that day and I could not wait to test it out. The first shade is in Medium* which I really liked although it was not the perfect shade. It looked best on my complexion during Winter or when paired with a slightly darker foundation. I was lucky to be sent my exact shade in Deep* and I just love using it. These powders are actually cream products which are baked until they form into a powder. This is the reason why they never look cakey no matter how much you pile it on and it's a true beauty to look at and use as well. I just swirl my brush all round to get all the pigments and pat the brush to my face. It gives my face a healthy complexion no matter what foundation I use and I have been using the Deep shade non-stop since I received it. Although I use it as a powder, it is actually a foundation and it's really lovely using it as a foundation. I was quite surprised at how much coverage it gave me because it feels so light on application. I don't wear it alone most of the time but if I am pressed for time, I would use some concealer and this foundation only. It's also one of my favourite products from the LG brand.








Lip Products// Link // from £14
I am definitely a lippie lover and I was excited to try the Laura Geller offerings. The first lip product is the Love Me Dew Lip Crayon in Dragon Fruit Sorbet*. At first, I thought there is no way this lippie would suit me. I could not have been further from the truth. It's the total opposite as it looks super flattering on me . It looks like a Fuchsia Pink shade but on my lips it comes off as a pinkish lilac shade which I adore. The formula is really nice and it glides on perfectly even when my lips are so dry/chapped. The most surprising thing about is the lasting power. I did not expect a Lip Crayon to last a good while on my lips but it does and eventually fades to a beautiful natural shade. The second Lip Product is the Color Drenched Lip Gloss in Pink Lemonade*. It's a Barbie Pink shade which would look perfect on lighter complexions but it's not very flattering on mine. I don't wear this shade as much but when paired with a good lip liner, it actually looks lovely. However, it is slightly sticky on my lips which I am not a fan of so I wear it the least.







The third Lip Product is the Pout Perfection Waterproof Lip Liner in Claret*. Now, this shade is right up my alley and it is such a flattering red shade for my complexion. It truly loves up to its name as being waterproof as it is long wearing even when you eat or drink. I use it mainly as a lip liner for my red lippies especially the Shade Mulberry St. I have tried using it as a lip stick and I was really impressed with its performance. However, I think it is better suited as a lip liner. I saved the best for the last- The Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipstick in Mulberry St*. Ladies and Gents, it is gorgeous!! Everything from the packaging down to the actual product is stunning. It comes in a weighted black lipstick bullet with a magnetic closure. This means it would never open up and get damaged (or damage other products) in your makeup bag. The Lipstick in itself has a sculpted tip which literally hugs your lips and improves application. It also has the cutest detailing on the lipstick which I love. The formula is very moisturising and is easy to apply. It also has a good lasting power although I do have to reapply towards the end of the day (which is pretty normal for me)


Overall Thoughts 
I know this was a super long post but I just wanted to have a post which can help people decide what Laura Geller products they want to try. I hope you enjoyed this post and I had so much fun writing it up and taking so many photos.. That's pretty much all for today. I have a separate review of the Delectable Eyeshadow Shades of Nude* coming up soon. Have you tried any product from Laura Geller Beauty?
*Gifted PR Sample + PR Sample, Affiliate links used (read my full disclaimer here)

Foreo Luna Review (Exclusive for All Skin Types)

I am sure anyone who reads my blog regularly knows I am a huge fan of the Foreo devices. I was so lucky to be gifted with a couple of Foreo devices and I have absolutely enjoyed using them. I have a Review of the Luna Mini here if you would like a quick run through. Last year, I was invited to the Foreo Launch Event where they showcased some of their new launches including the Foreo Iris Eye Massager* and the Foreo Cleansers*. I've had a good chance to test out these products and I am sure you would have seen them featured on this blog on a few occasions. Today's post will focus on the Foreo Luna For All Skin Types* which I have been using for the past five months.

Packaging

I really like the packaging of Foreo devices as they are very compact and quite sleek,  if I may add. Inside the Luna packaging, you get the Foreo Luna for All Skin Types, Charging Cable, Instructions Manual,Travel Pouch and Warranty Card. I always register all my Foreo devices immediately I get them because it's a good thing to do and you can get your warranty started. I already mentioned I received the Foreo Luna for All Skin Types and it's in the colour Magenta which contrasts really well with my Foreo Luna Mini in Petal Pink*. I am so pleased with the Travel Pouch because it's really handy for storing my Luna during my trips.

What does Foreo describe the Luna?

According to the Foreo website,  the Luna For All Skin Types is designed to provide a professional standard of skincare in an invigorating two minute ritual. The Foreo Luna uses a rich combination of T-sonic (Transdermal Sonic) pulsations combined with resilient silicone touch points which means skin cells are targeted gently yet efficiently. The ultimate goal for using the Foreo Luna is to allow the pores become unclogged and ensuring the skin is thoroughly cleansed. In addition, the Foreo Luna has an anti-aging surface which delivers lower frequency pulsations to the skin to help naturally reduce fine lines and other signs of aging  I believe the Foreo Luna for All Skin Types comes only in Magenta but I may be wrong. There are other Foreo Lunas which come in other colours including the one for Combination Skin, Sensitive Skin, Luxe, etc. With this Foreo Luna, you get 2 year warranty and a 10-Year quality guarantee.

How does it work?

The Foreo Luna has two main surfaces; one surface has the silicone touch points which helps thoroughly cleanse the skin and the other surface is the anti-aging surface. I really like how gentle the silicone touch points are because they are rounded and do not feel abrasive at all on the skin. It delivers up to 8000 T-sonic pulsations to help the skin feel super clean without feeling stripped. It has 8 speeds which allows you to adjust the speed to whatever you feel comfortable with. I usually have mine on speed 4 because it feels best on my skin. It has an on/off button in the centre while the speed buttons are by the side. Once you switch it on, it goes into the cleansing mode and you can adjust the speed to your preference. If you press the power button again, it goes into the Anti-aging mode where you can flip the Foreo Luna to the anti-aging surface for a massage. If you press it the third time, it switches off. There are detailed instructions on how to use the Foreo Luna both on their website and in the packaging.

How I use the Foreo Luna?

The first thing I did when I received the Foreo Luna was to charge it fully which was easy. I just plugged the charging cable in and left it to charge until it was full. Once you start charging it, it starts to blink. When it is full, it gives off a steady glow so you can unplug it and it's ready to use. It is recommended to fully charge your Foreo Luna immediately you receive it. Don't worry about charging it frequently because a full charge guarantees you up to 450 uses. I was a little sceptical about this claim but it's totally true. I know this because I use mine every morning and I've not had to charge it since September 2015!! (I have not charged my Foreo Luna Mini either since August 2015 and I use that every night).  I use the Foreo Luna every morning because I prefer using the Luna Mini at night. All I do is splash my face with some water, wet the Foreo Luna, massage some cleanser to my face and use my Foreo directly on my face. You can also use the cleanser directly on the Luna if you wish but I prefer to use my cleansers directly on my face. I start off with 30 seconds on the left half of my face, another 30 seconds on my right and the remaining 1 minute is used on the top, bottom and corners of my face. I rinse the Foreo Luna and leave it to dry while I rinse off my face and continue with rest of my routine. Viola!! No stress at all and it's super easy that I don't even think about it. The good thing is it indicates (by momentarily pausing and blinking) when you have spent 30 seconds on each section so you can move to another section of your face and it would switch off after 3 minutes (super handy!!).

Results

I already mentioned that I have seen huge improvements to my skin since I started using the Foreo Luna devices and I can't imagine cleansing my face without them now. They are perfect for everyday use and I always look forward to cleansing my skin because I get to use them. I personally feel the Foreo Luna for All Skin Types feels a little more gentle on my skin  than the Foreo Luna Mini. It leaves my skin super smooth and so soft. It really helps all my other skincare products work more effctively. I feel like this particular Foreo Luna would work best for everyone because it is super gentle and you can always change the speeds. I can't really comment on the anti-aging side as only time can tell (when I grow old and grey) but it feels so soothing and calming whenever I use it. I have also used the anti-aging side with some of my serums and it works amazingly well. Foreo advises that silicone based products, clay-based, grainy or exfoliating scrubs which makes sense. 

Cost// Link

As you would imagine, it is quite an expensive device but with good reason. It retails for £149 which may seem rather steep at first but when you consider that you don't have to purchase any replacement brush heads, it's quite reasonable. The Foreo Luna, unlike other cleansing devices which have brush heads, uses silicone rounded touch points which don't harbour bacteria or germs. This is very handy as it means you are sure your face is being cleansed when it is and you are not reintroducing germs to your face from leaving your cleansing device exposed in the bathroom. Apparently, the Foreo Luna is 35 times more hygienic to use than the standard sonic cleansing brushes in the market. It is also 100% waterproof so you can use it in the shower. I feel it is also super travel friendly because I don't need to worry about fully charging it or taking my charging equipment or batteries like other devices may require. I particularly love how quick drying it is as I have used it in the morning and it was dry for me to still travel with that same morning.

Overall Thoughts

I am really pleased I got a chance to try the Foreo Luna and I always tell everyone who cares to listen about it. I have combination oily and acne prone skin and the Foreo Luna, in addition to lifestyle changes and other products, has really helped my skin a whole lot. It has not exacerbated my acne because it is so gentle yet effective and it always feels like a spa treat whenever I use it. That's pretty much it!! I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you tried the Foreo Luna?

*Gifted PR Sample + Affiliate links used above, read my full disclaimer here

Mini Lipsticks and Lipglosses Collection

I was recently going through my makeup stash and I realised that I have a thing for mini lipsticks and mini lip glosses. I just love to collect them because they are possibly one of the cutest makeup items ever created (along with mini mascaras). I hardly ever finish full size lipsticks so I am beginning to think minis are the way to go. I actually wish more brands would create mini lipsticks that are inexpensive so one can try them out before taking the plunge. I really want to try the Tom Ford Lips and Boys mini but they are super expensive!!! Some of these lip products were free with Magazines, free via a new launch or Gift with Purchase (GWP). One or two were actually bought (The By Terry ones are full size although they look like minis). One theme you would  find in this post is that I love having a nude shade and a bold shade!!  Right, let's get started...



By Terry Rouge Velvet //£30 // Link
I thought I might as well start from the most expensive lip product which is actually a liquid lipstick (one of the best I have tried). I still stagger at how expensive these Rouge Velvets are but I have to say they are absolutely worth it. I purchased two shades I knew I would get the most use out of- A Nude Shade (Pause Cappuccino 02) and A Bold Shade (My Red 09). I used the Pause Cappuccino this morning (btw I use it most mornings) and I realised it is almost on its last legs. I definitely would repurchase (when I rack up Space NK points). It is one of the best shades for my lips and the lasting power is so beautiful. The My Red is also fantastic but I use it more during the weekends because it is quite a bold shade. I already mentioned that the My Red transfers slightly but now I just pat it with some setting powder and that really helps.



Urban Decay Revolution Lipgloss // £15 (full size) // Link
I purchased this duo discounted in the sales from £16.50 to £11 (not a huge discount but it's better than nothing) in Debenhams and I am so pleased I got my little mitts on it. I really like Urban Decay products and I am beginning to expand my collection. Inside this cute lip gloss set, you get two products- Anarchy (the pink shade) and Liar (the nude shade). I had actually never read about this lipglosses so I tried them with an open mind. They have a really lovely formula that sits well on my lips. The lasting power is really impressive and surprisingly, the nude shade (Liar) lasts really well on my lips. I am not a huge fan of sticky lipglosses so I was a little apprehensive about these lipglosses. However, I am quite pleased with the formula. I still feels ever so slightly sticky but it's not very noticeable at all (except you are looking out for it like me).


Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipgloss //£23 (full size) //Link 
I got this along with the Estee Lauder Color Portfolio which I picked up in the sales (check out my boxing day sales post here). I have tried Estee Lauder Lipsticks in the past so I was pleased to try out the lipglosses. Inside the kit, I got two shades- Praline Paradise (the nudey one) and Plum Divine (bold shade). These shades are super flattering on my skin tone and I really enjoy wearing them. They do feel sticky on application (well, they are glosses, aren't they?) but the stickiness wears off over time to my delight. The Praline Paradise is perfect for days when I don't want to make an effort but still look put together and amazing for everyday wear. The Plum Divine is very flattering on my complexion and I love it for Winter.




Clinique Pop Lipsticks// £16 (full size)// Link
This was a free gift with the December 2015 Elle Magazine (the Issue with Tanya Burr on the Cover). I love when brands include generous magazine freebies and I am always buying more than one issue of such magazines. There were two shades of these Pop Lipsticks- Nude Pop and Cherry Pop. They have one of the best formulas I have tried and I am seriously considering buying a few full sizes. They glide easily on the lips, last a good while and the packaging is so beautiful. They are really dinky and I love popping them out from my makeup bag for a quick touch up. Cherry Pop is my absolute favourite from the range and I would have to get other bolder shades in full sizes as they look stunning.


Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Lipsticks//£23.50 (full size)// Link
I can't find any cute picture of these lipsticks but they are the ones on the far left. My absolute favourite brand for super generous gifts with purchases has to be Lancome. All the times I have made purchases, I have been gifted with the cutest Gifts with Purchases which are perfect for travelling. I also like that their sizes are generous. I have lost count of how many of these cute L'Absolu Rouge Lipsticks I have but they are one of my faves. The formula is superb and it feels very moisturising on my lips. I forget it is actually on my lips until I catch a glance of my reflection in the lift mirror and I am like ""ooh yeah, look at that cute lipcolour!" (very vain, I know). I have tons of the shade 06 (Rose Nu) but I was delighted to finally get a red shade (can't remember the number) but I love it. I never want this to finish because it is a flattering red for my complexion.



Burberry Kisses Lipstick //£25 (full size) // Link
I believe this is my only Burberry makeup product and I really like it. I remember when it was launched last year and a friend could nominate you to get a free sample. I thought that was an amazing campaign and I wanted to try a darker shade but sadly, they had run out and I received the Nude Pink (05) instead. It has a beautiful formula as you would expect from anything high end like Burberry. It can be used lightly for a sheer wash of colour or built up for a proper colour. I really like it but I don't use it as often as I should. The packaging is also really luxe and I love the effort they put behind the campaign!!

Overall Thoughts
That's pretty much my entire little collection of cute lipsticks and glosses. I forgot to mention my lovely NARS Lip pencils but they have been featured already. I hope you enjoyed this round up and do let me know if you love cute minis like me or prefer the full size. What's your favourite Lipstick or Lipgloss?
Affiliate links used above, read my full disclaimer here

January 2016 Favourites

I am really delighted to see the end of January because it was a super long month for me. I know many people can't believe we are already in February but I totally can. You see, January has always been a long month for me because I look forward to pay day more than ever. This is mainly because I am paid early in December to allow for Christmas festivities and it seems like almost 6 weeks before January comes to an end. So, yeah, I am super delighted it is over, yahh!! However I did enjoy January as it was my birthday month so I got so many amazing birthday gifts . I also tried a few products from the sales and they were all so lovely that I had to sit myself down and pick out my absolute favourites. Right let's jump right into it. P.S. sorry the pictures all look different; I did not have a chance to gather all my favourites together but I had several pictures of them!! Plus, I wanted this post to go up today...:-)


Body Shop Polynesia Range// Link //from £5.00
I picked this up in the sales and it was somewhat a nostalgic purchase for me. I used the Polynesia Miracle Oil last in 2011 and I was obsessed with it. I can't remember now why I stopped repurchasing it but my flat mate uses the Body Balm and it rekindled an old love. I popped to Body Shop and picked up both the Hair Oil and Body Balm. They were on sales so I only paid £7 or less for both of them which is such a bargain.  I use the Miracle Oil mainly for my hair and it makes it look super healthy especially with my current new hair style. The Body Balm feels so nourishing and I feel like it just melts into my skin. I absolutely love both of them and have used them almost everyday last month.



Hourglass Ambient Palette Edit//Link//£65
Of course, this had to make it into my favourites and it would be a regular favourite because I freaking love it. I plan a separate review soon so keep your eyes peeled for it. This is my first Hourglass product and I can't think of any better product to start with. It feels and looks lush and it performs incredibly well. Surprisingly, I have not seen many dark skinned girls reviewing it yet but I can confirm that it works well across many skin tones including dark skin. I think there is only one shade which may not work well if you are darker than me but I love all the products inside. It contains six products including Two Ambient blushes (Mood Exposure and Luminous Flush), two Ambient Lighting Powders (Dim Light and Diffused Light), one Bronzer and one Highlighter (Iridescent Strobe Light). Although it is the perfect palette to travel with, I have not travelled with it yet. Yes, judge me all you can but if it gets smashed, I would totally cry,  so it's No for now!!


Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette//Link //£38
I have a whole lot of palettes and in January, my collection grew exponentially. I think I may have added at least 5 Eyeshadow Palettes to my collection which sounds crazy (and it is). I have put a spending ban on eyeshadow palettes because it is getting a little ridiculous. The Naked 3 Palette had been on my wish list since it was launched so you can imagine the speed at which I snapped it up in the Boxing Day sales for £27. I really like it and I am so pleased it's finally made its way into my collection. It's perfect for everyday looks, soft feminine looks and even a soft smoky look which I really like. Again, I would be reviewing this on its own when I get a chance (pictures have been taken so it's half way complete).


Body Shop Drops of Youth Range*// Link //from £14.00
I was lucky to receive some products from the Body Shop Drops of Youth range which I had heard they were expanding last year. There has been quite a lot of hype on social media particularly Instagram on this range and it's totally worth it. I was sent the Youth Essence Lotion*, Youth Concentrate Serum* and the Drops of Youth Moisturiser* and they all are so beautifully made. Their packaging is totally amazing and I love the shade of green they chose. It looks and feels very fresh. The products themselves get absorbed quickly and leave my skin smooth, soft and hydrated. I plan a complete review once I have used it a little longer but these are my initial thoughts for the past 3 weeks I have been testing them. They are totally worth checking out!



Real Techniques Bold Metal Brush Set// £64 (now discounted to £25 in-store only)
My sister always spoils me and she sent me some birthday money to treat myself (she always treats me like a baby which I am-don't judge me; I'm the last child). I was so delighted because I did not expect her to keep doing this but I am also so grateful for everything she does for me. Anyway, I decided to pick up the Real Techniques Bold Metal Brush Set which was discounted from £64 to £25 (say what???!!). I was super pleased with myself because I have been eye balling these brushes for ages but I did not want to fork out the cash for full price £64. They are super, super, super soft and I love all of them. My most used is the triangular shaped one which matches  and fits well with my Hourglass Ambient Palette so well (all hail the rose gold fam!). I never want these brushes to get dirty but of course they do when I use them. They are so beautiful and work really well so if you find them, I would highly recommend checking them out.



Michael KORS Watch
This was a gift from the man and I am totally obsessed with it. It's a very sentimental gift for me because there is a back story behind this watch that we both share. I was so surprised and shocked to receive it because I did not expect it. It's a the Silver MK5165 Watch and I love it so much. It was slightly heavy at first when I got it but I guess it's because I had gotten used to the JORD Wood Watch which was super light. Right now, I can hardly feel it on my wrist because I am accustomed to it. It's the perfect accessory to add some oomph to my outfit. I love big watches and this one ticks all the boxes for me and it's a delight to wear everyday!!


Guess Wallet
This was another birthday gift from my lovely friend and flatmate. She knows me so well and realised my previous Ralph Lauren Wallet had indeed seen better days. I was absolutely surprised and delighted to open this on my birthday because it is such a thoughtful gift. It has so many compartments in it that I am still discovering new things about this wallet. I recently found out it had a detachable mini pouch at the back which I did not know it had!! How cute is that? It's perfect for taking with me on short trips to the grocery store or when I can't be bothered taking my wallet. I really enjoy using this wallet and it fits all the silly things I hang on to without looking bulky. It shuts super securely as well and the monochrome design makes it perfect for all my outfits and bags!!


Diptyque Tubereuse Candle// Link //£20 (mini candle)
If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen me yapping on about the Diptyque Tubereuse Candle. It's only a mini but I am totally convinced I need the big size!! Like seriously, it smells too incredible for words. I know it is well hyped in the blogger world but it is well worth every penny spent. It burns so evenly and there is no tunnelling in sight. Best of all the fragrance fills my room even when it is not burning which is just so lovely. I love the aesthetics of the jar because I would be using it once I run out to store little beauty items or props for blog photos!!I am planning to show the candles I am currently enjoying so that post should be up in good time (I have so many posts to write up!!)



Sachajuan Hair Care range *// Link //from £20
I have been trying out the Sachajuan Hair Care range and I am absolutely in love (a full review will be posted shortly). You know when you find a hair care range that makes you want to put more effort in your hair, you know it's a pretty good one. I have actually been testing these products since last year and they have seriously upped my hair game. First off, the Intensive Repair Shampoo* and Conditioner* is exactly what my hair needs and leaves it super soft and easy to manage. Plus the entire range smells so fresh that I always look forward to using it. I can't quite place what it smells like but it reminds me of the sea, ocean or beach side mixed with a sexy cologne. I don't even know what I am saying but I really like how it smells. The good part is it works so effectively on my afro and I really did not have any high expectations because some products don't work for my natural hair. The Sachajuan Protective Hair Perfume is my absolute favourite and it can also double as a body fragrance, too! The entire products I have tried from this range is amazing and I can't wait to write my full review.

Overall Thoughts
As you would imagine, it was a lovely month where I got to test so many lovely beauty and fashion gems. I would be sharing more favourites in another post. I do plan full reviews of some of these products particularly the Naked 3 Palette, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette, the Body Shop Drops of Youth range and the Sachajuan Hair care so keep your eyes peeled for them. If you want any particular one first, do let me know. What was your favourite beauty (or non-beauty) product in January 2016?
*PR Samples + Affiliate Links used above, read my full disclaimer here