Christmas Gift Guide - Under £50

1. Nars Digital World Lip Coffret £32

This brilliant little lip crayon set contains 2 velvet matte lip pencils and 3 satin lip pencils, both have excellent formulas and lasting power. There's a great mix of shades that any makeup lover would be very happy with. Alternatively you could always split the set up and use the individual pencils as stocking fillers/mini presents, a great budget option as if you buy the set they work out to just £6.40 each!

2. Kate Spade Le Pavilion Laptop Sleeve £40

Kate Spade do lovely accessories and this laptop sleeve is no exception. To me the white polka dots on a black background strike the perfect balance between chic and sophisticated and cute and girly! Just make sure it's the right size for the recipient's laptop!

3. John Lewis Lace Print Pyjama Set £35

It's always nice to receive a good pair of pyjamas, especially when they feel a bit luxe. These ones are 100% cotton, feel super soft and have such a beautiful lace print that's right up my street. Make sure you click though so you can have a look at the print close up, this picture really doesn't do them justice! 

4. River Island Black Split Front Bowler Bag £40

When it comes to handbags, I like mine black, minimal, boxy and with gold hardware. This one fits the bill exactly and would be liked by most people as it's such a classic design that would go with any outfit. A particularly good choice for a professional or anyone who likes to look smart.

5. Urban Decay Naked Palette £37

This is a product that every beauty lover either already has and loves or really wants. It's a classic for a reason, it's most people's favourite eyeshadow palette! Also a great option for someone who's just getting into makeup.

6. Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath & Shower Collection £35

These bath oils are wonderful for anyone who loves a bath, they're just so incredibly potent. You only need a few drops and the entire bathroom is filled with the wonderful scent. The bottles may look small but you actually get quite a few uses out of them. This set is a great way to try lots of their fragrances rather than having to chose just one.

7. REN Sensitive Gift Set £32

I love these skincare trial sets that brands bring out at christmas, they're such a great way to try out lots of high end skincare without having to part with lots of cash. This set would be great for anyone but particularly those with sensitivity. I've previously had full sizes of 3 out of the 4 products and thought they were fantastic. 

8. Ottoman Hands Rose Quartz Delicate Necklace £40

Have I mentioned I like delicate, understated jewellery? Maybe a few (hundred) times! This piece is particularly beautiful, it's a great choice if you want to give something that can be kept and treasured forever but don't have a massive budget. It's a great price considering it's gold plated and has a semi precious stone.

9. Liberty London Black Leather Notebook £45

This would definitely be the ultimate gift for a stationary lover. The notebook is beautifully bound in leather embossed with an elegant Art Nouveau Liberty design. It also comes in lots of other colours and designs. 

10. Diptyque Epice Candle £45

I love scented candles at this time of the year, particularly with the christmas tree up, a hot drink in one hand and a good book in the other. This is one of Diptyque's limited edition christmas offerings and it smells of candied plums, cinnamon and nutmeg, absolute perfection! Of course any Diptyque candle would make an exceptional gift but I think this one looks extra special in the festive red and gold jar.

I hope you liked my gift selection, if you want to see my under £25 guide you can see that here. Will anything from this guide be making it's way onto your wish list?

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Current Skincare Loves

I seem to be on a bit of a skincare roll at the moment. My skin is by no means perfect but it does look the best it's looked in years. I think it's mostly down to the fact that I've been more compliant with my skincare routine and I've found some products that have been working really well for me. Here are a few of my favourites!

Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance Face Mask full review here 

A really great 3 in 1 mask that decloggs, exfoliates and moisturises. I've been using it twice a week and my skin always feels clean, fresh and moisturised afterwards. 

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil full review here

This has been my cleanser of choice for the evenings, particularly when it comes to removing makeup. It's easily massaged on and rinses of as a milky liquid taking all the day's grime and makeup away with it. It also leaves my skin feeling super soft and nourished.

Rodial Dragon's Blood  Hyaluronic Night Cream full review here

I absolutely love this night cream, it's definitely the best I've ever tried. It leaves my skin feeling so plumped up, soft and just generally very healthy. It's expensive but very much worth it, I opened this tub 3 months ago and I still have over half left!

REN Clarifying Toner full review here

A toner that contains glycolic and lactic acid which exfoliates the skin and helps improve skin radiance. I've been using it every night and loving the results, my skin looks brighter and my pores less noticeable.

IndeedLabs Pepta-Bright

I've yet to review this one in full as I haven't been using it quite as long as the others. Don't worry, a full review is in the works! This stuff is truly amazing, I've only been using it for a month and my dark marks and pigmentation have almost completely disappeared! I honestly can't quite believe the results! My skin looks so much clearer and even toned, I really wish I'd taken some 'before' pictures!

Are there any skincare products you've been loving lately?

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REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

I've been using the REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner for about a month and a half now and as I mentioned in my August Favourites, I love it. Of all the exfoliating toners I've tried (so far) this is my favourite. It's gentle enough to use everyday, I use it in the evenings, but it's still strong enough to actually make a noticeable difference. 

It contains a combination of exfoliating acids which break down and remove surface dead skin cells and increase cell turnover. This means any pigmentation or uneven skin tone fades quicker than it otherwise would. In the relatively short time I've been using it I've definitely noticed an improvement in dark spots and skin tone, plus I've still got just over half the bottle left! 

I've been using Indeed Labs Pepta-Bright for the last few weeks which has helped too, I think the combination of the two are working really well for my skin. I also think this toner would work well for all skin types (apart from maybe super sensitive skin), rather than just for combination to oily skin. It doesn't strip the skin or leave it feeling tight and contains lavender so it smells lovely and relaxing and is a pleasure to use. Definitely a product I'd recommend!

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August Favourites

I really can't believe it's the end of august already! Where has the summer gone? Here are the products I've been loving this month.

REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

I've been using this all month and so far I love it. It's an exfoliating toner that contains glycolic acid but is still gentle enough to use everyday. Plus it smells like lavender so it's a pleasure to use.

Dior Lip Glow

By far my favourite lip balm, for the actual product as well as the pretty packaging! It leaves lips feeling incredibly soft, isn't at all sticky and gives lips a flattering pink tint.

The Body Shop Aloe Eye Defence

I went back to using this eye cream after finishing off another one and I'm so glad I did. It's really lightweight, sinks into the skin easily and works well under makeup. It's also particularly great for those with sensitive skin around the eyes. Full review here.

Delarom Acquaconfort Cream

Although it can be used day or night, I've been using this just in the daytime. It's light yet moisturising and sinks into the skin quickly. A great no-fuss face cream. Full review here.

The Body Shop Vineyard Peach Body Butter

My favourite TBS body butter to date, and that's saying something as I've tried a lot of them. It's very thick, almost solid in consistency and does take a bit of working into the skin but the results are well worth it. Plus it smells delicious!

What products have you been loving this month?

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Travel Skincare

I've always been one to stash away any samples or minis I get my hands on so come holiday packing time I can do some serious downsizing. If I didn't do this I'd probably need a whole suitcase just for my beauty stuff! I also find it's a great way to try out new things and decided wether or not I'd want to buy the full size in the future. 

On the cleansing front I'm taking 3 options, some of the Garnier Miceallar Water decanted into a little Muji Bottle, a travel size Vitamin E Cream Cleanser from The Body Shop, which I've used on and off for years and love, and a sample of Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, which I'm really looking forward to trying. 

For toner I'm taking 2 options, an exfoliating one and a hydrating one, the former is a sample of Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner and the latter is Anatomicals Spray Misty For Me decanted into a Muji Mini Spray Bottle. 

To moisturise eyes I'm taking a sample of Ren Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel which cools, refreshes and moisturises. For the rest of the face I'm taking the Clarins HydraQuench Cream for night and HydraQuench Lotion SPF15 for day. I've had a full size of the cream before and will definitely buy it again, it's such a nourishing but easily absorbed moisturiser.

I'm taking a few serums and treatments, some of which I'm sure I won't get round to using but it will be nice to have them just incase! Clinique Turnaround Concentrate is an overnight exfoliating serum and The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum in Oil is supposed to plump and hydrate. I'll also be taking the Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask to use incase I have any breakouts or if my skin just looks a bit lacklustre. Late nights and long lie-ins on holiday usually mean my eyes can get a bit puffy so I'll be taking the Wei Correcting Eye Treatment Pads, I've never tried anything like these so I'll be interested to see if they work! 

What skincare products do you take away with you?

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Summer Beauty Haul

I picked up a few new beauty bits lately so I thought I'd share them with you! I'm especially excited about the makeup bits as I haven't bought any in a while. 

The first thing I got was the Riemann P20 Once A Day Sun Protection SPF30, I've tried the SPF50 version before and I absolutely loved it. It's transparent, sinks into the skin quickly and isn't drying. I'm going on holiday soon (excited!) so this will definitely come in handy! When I travel I try to do it as lightly as possible, whether or not I succeed is another question! I picked up a few Muji Travel Bottles to decant stuff into. I also got the Ren Clarifying Toner which I'm very excited to try, I'm a huge fan of Ren skincare, I haven't tried a single product of their's I haven't liked so I've got high hopes for this one. 

Kiko is a brand I'm always hearing great things about but have never really tried. I finally decided to give them a go, I got the City Filter Sunscreen Primer SPF50 which I tried on the back of my hand instore. I just couldn't believe how lightweight it was and how quickly it sunk in without leaving a white cast. The 3 in 1 Shine Nail Care because I've just about run out of my current top/base coat and the 207 Eye Contour Brush.

I also got the Glow Touch for Lips & Cheeks in Wave Hibiscus which I cannot wait to try out, just look at how pretty it is! I love the colour, packaging and the fact that it's a multi use product. This one's definitely coming on holiday with me! As if one cream blusher wasn't enough I got the Sleek Blush By 3 Blush Palette in 370 Californ.I.A, I'm a huge fan of their powder blushers so I thought I'd give these ones a go! 

I'll definitely be doing reviews of these products as and when I use them so look out for those if any of this has caught your eye!

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Best of the Sales - Beauty

Boots Extracts Coco Butter Collection - 10.00 5.00

Korres Shower Gel Trio - 10.00 7.50

Crabtree & Evelyn Deluxe Hand Therapy Collection - 15.00 11.25

Cowshed Moody Cow Balancing Travel Candles - 22.00 17.60

Ren Rose Experience Gift Set - 32.00 16.00

Soap & Glory Once upon a Lime Gift Set - 18.00 9.00

Sanctuary Triple Moisture Bliss - 10.00 5.00 

The Body Shop Chocomania Shower, Scrub & Soften Luxury Gift - 25.00 15.00

Burt's Bees Festive Edition Essentials Kit - 12.99 11.04

Macadamia Flawless Cradle - 25.75 19.31

Nars Guy Bourdin Collection Longwear Eyeliner Set - 35.00 25.00

Caudalie Winter Must Haves Set - 12.00 9.60

Nuxe Cocooning Must Haves Gift Set - 30.00 24.00

Maybelline New York Colour Show Gift Set - 7.99 4.79

EcoTools Fresh & Flawless Brush Set - 11.99 10.19

Elemental Herbology Travel Essentials Kit - 24.00 12.00

Highend Beauty Wishlist

Stila Convertible Colour in Poppy 

Moroccanoil Hair Repair & Moisture Trio

Clinique - Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

Bioderma - Photoderm MAX Cream SPF50+ 

Nars - One Night Stand Palette 

Ren - Radiance Kit

Mac - Pro Longwear Concealer in NC35

Stila - Colour Me Glossy Lip Glaze Set

Streamlined Skincare

I went for a weekend away not long ago and instead of lugging my usually skincare products around with me, I decided to take along some of the samples I'm always stashing away. I though it would be a good idea to write this post afterwards, so that way I could actually tell you what I thought of the products and wether or not I'll be tempted into buying the full size equivalents in the future. 

Ren EverCalm Gentle Cleansing Milk was the first sample, which I got free along with the other Ren products in this months InStyle magazine (more on that here). It's a great cleansing milk which does everything you'd want it to do, removes makeup, throughly cleanses and leaves skin feeling soft. It also has a rich texture and delicate herby fragrance that make it a pleasure to use. I have in fact bought this cleanser in the past and definitely will again, and it's great for sensitive skin.

I've heard so many great things about the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner as was eager to try it for myself. I can honestly say it is well and truly worth the hype! It's a toner that contains exfoliating AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) which break down the surface layer of dead skin cells without the need for abrasive particles. After just a few days it leaves skin feeling softer and smoother. A full size bottle is at the very top of my shopping list!

Next up is Chanel Radiance Revealing Serum, this is great if you think of it more as an under moisturiser primer and less as an actual serum. In terms of skincare benefits, this did nothing for me, but that could also be because with it being a sample size, I didn't use it for long enough to see any benefits. What I did notice about it was that it contained the tiniest light reflecting particles, so when it was smoothed onto the skin it made imperfections appear blurred and also left skin feeling (temporarily) soft. It looked great under makeup in the day time but I didn't bother using it at night. I'd possibly consider buying this for a special occasion but definitely not anytime soon ass it's quite expensive for what it is.

To soothe puffy, tired eyes, I used Ren Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel both in the mornings and evenings. It cooled down the skin, definitely had a depuffing effect and didn't sting my eyes one bit (a lot of eye creams do). I'd definitely consider buying this in the future but not right away as I already have a couple on the go. 

To moisturise I used Ren EverCalm Global Protection Day Cream. I know it's a day cream but I also used it at night. It seemed to leave a nice enough finish for day but also somehow still managed to be rich enough as a night cream. It left skin feeling incredibly soft and plumped up. The only box this doesn't tick is that it unfortunately doesn't contain sun protection, but seeing as most of my foundations do anyway, I'm more than willing to let that slide for this lovely moisturiser. This is definitely going to be the next moisturiser I buy!

Do you like to 'try before you buy'?

Free Ren Minis with InStyle Magazine

When it comes to magazine freebees, InStyle Magazine are seriously bringin' it right now. Last month they gave away a Philip Kingsley Elastizer (review coming soon) and this month its a mini trio of Ren loveliness! Ren is one of my favourite skincare brands (Alongside Caudalie and Clarins) and I've never tried a single product that I didn't like. 

The word Ren itself means 'pure' and this is very much reflected in their products, they contain no parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours, silicones or other horrible ingredients. Brilliant if you have sensitive skin because if you're reacting to something, chances are it's one of these ingredients. In a nutshell, if you want clean skincare without any added nasties, stick with Ren and you can't go wrong!

So what's in the trio? The Evercalm Gentle Cleansing milk, which I've used many times before and absolutely love. A Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel, which I'm excited to try as I've never tried any of their eye products, and an Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream! The magazine costs just £2.00!! So if you've ever wanted to try products by Ren, then now's your chance! 

I'm going away for the weekend soon so I'll definitely be taking these with me, their mini size means they're perfect for travelling with! I'll be sure to do a post on how I get on with them and wether or not I'll be buying the full size so stay tuned! For daily posts and updates you can follow me on bloglovin'.