Christmas Gift Guide-a-palooza: Doing it for the kids!

Posted by Lipglossiping On December - 21 - 2012

What with Christmas supposedly being for kids and all… I thought I’d better give them at least some kind of nod in this year’s gift guides. I mean, it’s not like they don’t get enough stuff bought for them ALL YEAR ROUND is it?!

I have been having a huge clear out of Leila’s toys in advance of the 25th December, and she won’t let me actually get rid of anything – we’re currently playing the game of moving things from one pile to the next as she pretends to fall in love (all over again) with the left leg that fell off her Poundland dolly I bought to keep her quiet at a wedding two years ago. I am losing the both the battle and the war.

Which is why, I’m very pleased to announce, that my kids/teens gift guide contains products that are either actually incredibly useful… or at least, completely use-upable.

christmas-kids-teens-gift-guide

01:  Oral-B PC600 Limited Edition Pink Power Toothbrush (£24.95)*

Since when has a toothbrush been anything other than indispensable?  We’re talking about kids/teens though…  so what do we do?  Give it a 3D cleaning, oscillating action with a two minute timer and it gets better.  Make it pulse at 7,600 rotations and 20,000 pulsations per minute and it’s looking quite tempting.  Paint it pink and put it in the half price sale at Superdrug?  SOLD.

02:  Paul Mitchell Kids Duo Gift Set Holiday 2012 (£15.75)

Kids have stupid hair don’t they?  If you’re not trying to flatten it down with a bit o’ spit – then you’re trying to stop it from soaking up the contents of the soup bowl.  Paul Mitchell have released this very cute kids duo containing: Baby Don’t Cry Shampoo 300ml and Taming Spray 250ml to make our lives easier when it comes to bath-time.  Even more importantly, check out the free rubber duck!

03:  Mason Pearson Bristle/Nylon Handy Brush (£47.50)

I was bought my MP brush when I was 2 years old, and I bought Leila’s MP brush when she was just over a year old.  You may have already read about my love affair with Mason Pearson brushes… but all I can say is that mine is still in daily service (despite how mangled it looks!) and Leila won’t be parted from hers either.  Escentual.com carry a really good range but my one tip would be to buy the nylon/bristle mix – the bristle is great for toddlers but at the price you pay for MP brushes, you really don’t want them to grow out of their brush too quickly.

04:  Benefit POREfect Radiance Skincare and Primer set (£6.34)*

What teenage girl wouldn’t like to open their stocking on Christmas morning and see a Benefit set looking back at them?  The Benefit POREfect Radiance Skincare and Primer Set is currently on offer on the Benefit website, although I don’t expect it to remain in stock for long!  Featuring, three skin-perfecting products including: The POREfessional (deluxe mini), It’s Potent! Eye Cream (deluxe mini), and Triple Performing Facial Emulsion SPF 15++ (deluxe mini). Grab it quick at this price!

05:  Soap and Glory Bubble Time (£18.00)

Leaving things to the last minute is hellish, so while you’ve still got time – set an alarm and head down to your nearest Boots store.  Talking of alarms, the Soap and Glory Bubble Time duo features a rather cool, retro-styled alarm clock!  But if your teenage daughter is all about the relaxation, she’ll be pleased to hear that the set also contains the brand’s Rich & Foamous Super Creamy Body Wash & Smoothie Star Deep Moisture Body Milk.  Bliss!

06:  LUSH Magic Wand Bubble Bar (£4.95)

When you swish upon a star, you’re guaranteed a bath-full of bubbles!  These reusable bubble bars are probably my favourite things of all time from the British brand.  They offer really great value you for money as your little Miss will get around 6/7 baths (or more) from each product.  Leila made her Easter carrot one last around 2 months!  Still missing that special stocking stuffer for your little princess?  At under £5, you just won’t beat this gift!

07:  Kaloo Lilirose Maxi Fluffy Set (£14.35)

Whilst you may not agree with scenting babies (they do smell rather lovely all by themselves), I’ve always scented Leila’s clothes in her drawers… I used to store my LUSH goodies in amongst her baby-grows and every so often, I give her cupboards a quick spritz of Kaloo Lilirose which is a very pretty, and importantly, delicate scent that’s completely hypoallergenic and alcohol-free.  It stops her from going gooey eyed over my perfumes and we enjoy a shared love of smelling “pretty”.  A perfect gift for little ladies, complete with fluffy soft toy.

08:  Weleda Mini Calendula Baby Starter Gift Kit (£12.99)

The Weleda Calendula range is a wonderful gift for new mothers and their tiny tots, the set features a comprehensive range of minis from the lineup including: 1 x 20ml Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash, 1 x 10ml Calendula Face Cream, 1 x 10ml Calendula Oil, 1 x 10ml Calendula Nappy Change Cream, and 1 x 10ml Calendula Baby Lotion.  If you’re not a fan of the high-street brands for baby-care, do check out this range – I still use the Weather Protection cream on both mine and Leila’s skin in this weather.

 

Phew, that’s the lot!  My 2012 Christmas Gift Guides are done-didded!  I hope you’ve been inspired or helped with the daunting task of buying a gift for that difficult someone! 

Or perhaps you’ve just enjoyed reading about some new ranges or products that you’ve never encountered before.  Have a wonderful Christmas, can you believe that the sales start in approximately 3 days?  Blimey.

* press sample


Christmas Gift Guide-a-palooza: Hair, there, and everywhere! (groan)

Posted by Lipglossiping On December - 19 - 2012

christmas-hair-gift-guide

01: Instyler Rotating Iron in Purple 32mm (£99.99)

A revolving barrel and brush combo that promises to both smooth the hair and add shine as you pull the brush from root to tip. Potentially, the perfect solution for those who want both volume and smoothness.

02: Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash (£13.99)

The latest addition to the Tangle Teezer family which has been specifically designed for use in the shower. A hollow structure, “drying” feet, and the patented detangling design make this a great tool for combing through conditioning treatments.

03: Philip Kingsley Take Comfort Jet Set (£17.00)

Not a great choice for the secret Santas out there but if you know someone with a problem scalp, this is a great kit for providing a targeted solution. The kit contains three hard-working treatment-based formulas to soothe the itch and rebalance the scalp.

04: Charles Worthington Salon at Home Secrets Collection: Moisture Seal Overnight Hair Healer (£14.99)*

We all like to see results and Charles Worthington’s Salon at Home Secrets Collection promises tangible results after one application. The Overnight Hair Healer is a deeply moisturising treatment to help replenish, restore and nourish dry hair. Particularly good for coloured locks.

05: Percy & Reed Quintessential Quick Fix Travel Pack (£17.96)

Following on with the quick-fix theme, the Percy & Reed Quintessential Quick Fix Travel Pack offers a selection of travel-sized goodies to perk up your tresses without the palaver of changing your entire hair routine. Available online at Beauty Bay.

06: CHI Touch Screen Dryer (£150.00)

Know a gadget girl? if you thought that touch-screens were purely for smart phones, think again. Head to Urban Retreat’s Beautique for a gander at CHI’s Touch Screen dryer which offers a wealth of settings and configurations to ensure that you get the exact drying power and temperature that you need for your style.

07: Orgnx Brazilian Keratin Range (from £9.95)*

For barnets that are shamefully wilder than their owner’s, take comfort from the Orgnx Brazilian Keratin Line which promises to tame frizzy hair and leave it looking silky-smooth thanks to a blend of complex oils and proteins. The range includes shampoo, conditioner, serum and a 14-day treatment.

08: Stone Bridge Octopus Large Hair Claw (£16.50)

Every girl needs a great hair claw in her life, it’s the most reliable of hair tools that requires no fussing or coaxing to achieve a perfect updo in seconds. The Octopus Large Hair Claw promises to grip every strand with a uniquely clever design that’s both elegant and effective.

Tomorrow’s penultimate gift guide indulges in some of the most tantalising cosmetic cravings around…

* press sample

Christmas Gift Guide-a-palooza: Scentsational Gifting!

Posted by Lipglossiping On December - 17 - 2012

It’s only in the past year or so that I’ve developed a real passion for fragrance. I suppose that there’s always been an underlying appreciation but it wasn’t until I met like-minded bloggers and fragheads that I realised it was possible to create dialogue and debate over scents without sounding like a mental.

I’ve since become convinced that it’s perfectly normal to lie awake at night thinking of the scent that you sniffed on the counter at Selfridges in passing… Right? Right?!

Without further ado… here are my picks of some great scenting gifts for loved ones…

christmas-fragrance-scent-guide

1: Creed Spring Flower Eau de Parfum (£92.95)

A fruity floral that smells clean and bright as opposed to syrupy or cloying. An “after-rain” scent without the rain. Youthful but sophisticated, fresh yet warming with a musky dry down. A perfect gift for a special young lady who wants a signature scent all to herself.

2: Rituals Mini Under A Fig Tree Fragrance Sticks (£11.00)

Perfect for smaller spaces, the mini version of Ritual’s best selling home fragrance will transport you to out of the everyday realm and into warm, Mediterranean climes. A great home-scenting gift for people who aren’t comfortable with candles burning in their home.

3: Neom Harmonise Home Candle (£39.50)*

With the uplifting scent of eucalyptus, pine, and cedarwood, the Neom Harmonise Candle takes the brand’s unique take on holistic fragrancing to the max. Clear your mind and soothe your spirits with this scented winter-wonder.

4: Bella Freud Incense Wood & Oud Candle (£38.00)*

New to SpaceNK, elite fashion designer Bella Freud’s range of luxury candles include: Fig Leaf & Tomato, Tiger Lily, and the delightful Incense Wood & Oud featuring a smoky, resinous accord. With notes of cedar wood, amber, and myrrh, it doesn’t get much more Christmassy than this.

5: Miller Harris La Fumee Eau de Parfum (£62.00)*

Bonfire night may be over for another year but put the whizz-bang into someone’s Christmas with this heady concoction from Lyn Harris. La Fumee is burning embers on an Autumn night, the calming interior of a incense-filled church after midnight on Christmas Eve. Dry, warming, and hypnotic.  Available from Escentual.com.

6: Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil (£24.50)*

If you know someone who has a tendency to let trivial things get the better of them, treat them to the sensuous pleasure of Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil. A few drops on a tissue or diffused in a fragrance burner will help bring calm to any situation.

7: Penhaligon’s 2 piece Orange Blossom & Fragrance Compact (£55.92)

A beautifully-presented fragrant set from British brand Penhaligon’s. This set available at QVC contains a 50ml flacon of Orange Blossom EDT and a complimenting solid fragrance compact which will leave a slight shimmer on the skin wherever you apply. Perfect for layering and intensifying a truly classic scent.

8: Oscar de la Renta Espirit d’Oscar Eau de Parfum (£38.35)

Bring back the glamour of the early 80s with this reincarnation of Oscar’s original. This scent has everything with a fresh, effervescent opening, a big, bold heart of warm florals and a powdery dry down that leaves behind a creamy, nose-nuzzling softness. A grown-up choice for grown-up ladies.

Think the best things come in small packages? Come back tomorrow to hear my musings on the best minis!

* press sample

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