A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Ahhh, it’s time for the pretties. As much as haircare, skincare, mancare, and all that other “care” is great… it’s these lovelies that rock my Christmas stocking. There’s nothing *quite* like un petit cadeau of cosmetics to put a smile on your face is there?

Even more enticingly, you can go a tiny bit wild with your choice without rocking the boat too much – introduce a friend to a red lipstick this year, go on – she’ll love you for it. And if not? Screw her… keep it for yourself.

01:  Urban Decay Smoked 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil Set (£26.00)*

Smoke out any look with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil Set and give your gift receiver a full choice of shades for every look.  There’s nothing too eccentric here, and all pencils will work brilliantly for neutral or smokey eye looks.  It’s a workhorse gift that she’ll never get tired of using.

02:  Bare Minerals Fired Up Face Palette (£36.00)

The most beautiful, plummy winter palette I’ve laid eyes on this year – isn’t she stunning?  Featuring four BareMinerals READY eyeshadows, one blush, a mini eye primer, mini eyeliner, and a mini lipgloss.  It’s a full-face palette that doesn’t mix up the creams and the powders (pet hate).  I only have one more thing to say: cute bag much?

03:  Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro (£25.00)

I have literally, been on tenterhooks waiting for the UK release of these since I heard about them last June.  Who doesn’t love the convenience of a great liquid lipstick?  And when it comes to gifting, you don’t get much more luxe than an Armani liquid lipstick.  I’ll admit that I haven’t swatched these myself yet, but if you’re looking for a tip – I’d bet on #504 being the one that will take you into Spring with a smile on the receiver’s face.

04:  Aerin Holiday Style Palette (£45.00)

Sold out from most retailers, the Aerin Holiday Style Palette contains some beautiful, soft, shimmering neutrals that seem to straddle the Winter/Spring divide with elegance.  This seven-colour palette from Estee Lauder’s granddaughter contains six eyeshadows and a highlighter to inject some luminosity in these days were there is none.  A real “girl” palette from a grown-up brand.

05:  Smashbox Studio Pop Palette (£36.00)

If you know someone who suffers from the age-old dilemma of always wearing the same look, day in, day out – treat them to the gift of variety with the Smashbox Studio Pop Palette.  Featuring 16 Photo Op Eyeshadows in a wide range of shades and four of the brand’s famous cream eyeliners, they’ll be spoilt for choice!

06:  NARS Andy Warhol Edie Set (£54.00)

Oh NARS, every year… at some point, you undo me.  My pennies sadly didn’t stretch to this wonderful Andy Warhol Edie Gift Set inspired by the inimitable Edie Sedgwick but for £54, you actually get quite a lot of bang for your buck here.  The set includes: Film Star Pure Matte Lipstick—60s nude pink, Edie Eyeshadow—cream with a little bit of shimmer, Carpates Eyeliner Stylo—black, and a mini Blush Duo in Deep Throat and Amour—flirty, sheer peach and peachy pink. Everything you need to create the “Edie” look.

07:  Illamasqua Lip Palette (£34.00)

Featuring four of Illamasqua’s best-selling lip shades in: Fable, Plunge, Over and Corrupt – this lip palette would be all you need to take on your summer holidays next year wouldn’t it?  That, and some fake tan of course!  A great gift for anyone even mildly obsessed with lip products.  Use the palette to mix and match your own new shade or stick to the tried and tested formulas for a perfect pout.

08:  ELF Small Stipple Brush (£3.75)*

Following on from the release of their larger stippling brush, ELF have unveiled a mini-counterpart!  This smaller brush is perfect for applying cream blusher to the apples of the cheeks, blending foundation around the nose area or smoothing out concealer to ensure a flawless finish.  For the price?  It makes an unbeatable stocking-filler.

Are you all prepared for Christmas?  One last gift guide coming up tomorrow – hope that you’ve been inspired my lovelies!

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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…

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They say that a little of what you fancy does you good, and there’s something rather lovely about a beautifully presented selection of mini treats.

Choosing a set of miniatures is a great way of exploring a new brand, getting a feel for the different formulas and scents before splashing big bucks on full-size versions. There’s definitely something to be said for a decent miniature set.

Here are the minis that have caught my eye this festive period…

1: Thierry Mugler Miniatures Gift Set (£31.00)*

Change up your signature scent with this wonderful coffret of four iconic Thierry Mugler masterpieces. The set includes: Angel Eau de Parfum (5ml), Womanity Eau de Parfum (5ml), Angel Eau de Toilette (3ml), and Alien Eau de Parfum (6ml). Each fragrance is individually boxed inside, making it perfect for stocking fillers too!

2: Espa Little Box of Calm (£12.50)

The ultimate in mini relaxation from Espa’s hard-working bath and body oil duo. Featuring a blend of myrrh, frankincense, ylang ylang, and sandalwood to revive and unwind. A perfect gift to treat overworked Mums!

3: Dr Hauschka Mini Rose Trio Gift Set (£8.95)

Come up smelling of roses with this stocking-filler from natural skincare brand Dr. Hauschka. This mini trio of antioxidant-packed goodies promises to be suitable for all skin types, leaving your skin feeling pampered. Perfect for a post-Xmas skin pick me up!

4: Bodhi Assemblage Bath & Shower Gift Set (£40.00)

Perfect for the gym bunnies in your life, the Assemblage Bath & Shower Gift Set is the ultimate shower treat for post-workout relaxation. The set includes seven 50ml shower gels from Bodhi’s indulgent range of botanical body care.

5: REN Moroccan Rose Otto Mini Gift Set (£16.20)

A great opportunity to gift the cult classic Moroccan Rose Otto to a special someone. The heavenly-scented set contains: Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash, Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil, and Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream – all in generous 50ml sizes.

6: Benefit Sexy Little Stowaways Gift Set (£25.00)*

If you’re buying for the girl who has everything, why not buy her a little bit of everything! Benefit’s Sexy Little Stowaways is a comprehensive selection of the brand’s best selling products. From lips to cheeks, eyes to skin – this set will make sure it’s got you covered.

7: Cowshed Limited Edition Mini Candle Collection (£16.50)

Know a wild cow? How about a knackered one… be honest, we all know a couple of moody moos don’t we? This lovely limited edition trio of candles from Cowshed contains a scent to suit all variety of bovine moods… just don’t let on that your recipient inspired you quite so literally!

8: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint Minis (£15.00)

Introduce a friend to this luxury cosmetics line via their extremely good value-for-money set of Luminizing Moisture Tint Minis. An all-in-one skin solution that promises to moisturise, even, brighten, and protect all skintones. All for just £15 at Cult Beauty? It’s a mini miracle!

Hair today, gone tomorrow… but at least tomorrow’s gift guide will ensure Christmas disappears with a shiny swish!

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The wonderfully inventive Face Lace have created two special sparkly and incredibly festive Christmas editions that are just perfect for your New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Would you like to win a full set?

Of course you would… be the belle of the ball all year round!

Not sure how to wear them? Check out this post for some inspiration.



To win a set of these beautiful, limited edition Face Laces, simply leave a comment and tell me your plans for New Years Eve!

I plan on getting a takeaway, a nice bottle of wine, and challenging my husband to some old-skool Grand Theft Auto!

T&C

This competition is open worldwide, one winner will be chosen at random and will receive the Face Laces pictured above / One entry per email address / Competition closes 26th December 2012 / Lipglossiping.com is the sole promoter and no personal details will be stored / If the winner fails to claim their prize within 5 days, I reserve the right to choose another winner.

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…

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!

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I’m not really a trends girl, and I don’t do much in the way of nail art – when it comes to my talons, I like shiny manicures with a side of sparkle whenever appropriate!  I have a heap of nail art “implements” that I sometimes have a play with when I’ve got more than five-minutes to myself (the problem with being self-employed is that you’re still plagued by the things that you should be doing on your day off!) and have been comtemplating picking up some of those el-cheapo nail plates from Hong Kong.  Good idea/bad idea?

Nail products make perfect Christmas gifts, especially in stockings!  They provide a little bit of instant “oooh!”, are far less expensive than something like skincare and even if you get the colour wrong – it’s the kind of product that can be passed on to family and friends so it never goes to waste.

Here are my top gifting picks for all you nailistas out there!

01:  Colour Me Bu Polish Pack (£36.95)

Have you got a Sophy Robson-in-the-making?  Always trying to steal your polishes, sticking their little heads in your good light when you’re trying to paint your nails (you can tell I’ve got one!), and generally making a nuisance of themselves?  This cute pack of non-toxic, water-based polishes from Little BU will make the perfect distraction – the only problem will be deciding which colour to choose first!

02:  Jessica Little Gems Gift Set (£17.55)

Jessica are a top-quality nail brand that for some reason, don’t seem to get a lot of love in the blogosphere – back in 2008 I was in love with almost every release the brand put out, but they’ve fallen off my radar somewhat in recent times.

03:  Leighton Denny Large Crystal Nail File (£15.50)

If you get one gift for a nail polish addict this year, make it this one.  Crystal nail files have revolutionised the way I care for my nails and have enabled them to grow stronger and longer than ever before.  Sadly, my addiction to nail polish undid all that good work BUT I wouldn’t be without mine.

04:  ELF Nail Polish Set in Nice & Natural (£4.00)**

Treat a loved one to prim and polished nails this winter with this sophisticated trio of neutral nail shades from bargain brand, ELF.  Be a total darling and include a plain white/black polish to the gift and introduce them to the world of ombre!  The fun is set to continue.

05:  DIOR Vernis Diorific Nail Enamel (£17.00)

Style over content?  Apparently not this time as most reports seem to suggest that the formula is almost as lustworthy as the packaging with DIOR’s adorable Vernis Diorific nail polishes from their Christmas Grand Bal collection.  They’re also completely crying out for a bit of upcycling once emptied – baubles anyone?

06:  Tweezerman Mini Nail Rescue Kit (£22.00)

This bijou box of tricks is designed to rattle about in your handbag, patiently waiting until disaster* strikes.  Broke a tip?  Pulled a hangnails?  Got a snag?  All these things can ruin a girl’s day (sort of), so enlist some help from this trio of mani-managers and make use of the contents which include: Tweezerman Mini Hangnail & Cuticle Snipper, Tweezerman Pocket Sapphire Nail File, and Tweezerman Mini Pushy & Nail Cleaner.

07:  Butter London Cuticle Miracle Kit (£21.00)

Know any nail pickers? cuticle-chewers?  Give them the gift that keeps on giving with this Cuticle Miracle Kit from Butter London.  The Melt Away Cuticle Eliminator promises to banish dead skin without the need for cuticle cutters (ouch), while the Handbag Holiday Cuticle Oil will keep your fingers looking fine!

08:  LAQA & Co Nail Polish Pen in Squid Ink (£10.95)

Three reasons why you know someone who needs this in their lives.  A). It’s an awesome Spring shade! B). It has the most adorable packaging, ever! C). It’s NAIL POLISH IN A PEN FFS!  Just how much more fun do you need whilst applying your nail lacquer huh?!

Come back for tomorrow’s installment in my gift guide series!  It’s got his name written all over it…

* first world problems

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Coffret.  A.k.a box.  Coffret sounds better though doesn’t it?  Especially if you say it in a french accent, roll the “r” a bit… but not too much – you’ll sound like you’re having a seizurrrrrre.

You know what I like about coffrets?  They’re easy to wrap.  Because I’m a bit cheap, I dug my old Robosapien out of the loft for Leila this Christmas (we’re in a recession ok?) and I couldn’t find the box for it.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to wrap a Robosapien in Primark-quality wrapping paper?  It’s basically IMPOSSIBLE.  Especially when the thing starts fucking moving ‘cos you’ve left the batteries in and managed to turn it on through the sellotape.

So, yes, anything housed in a box is alright by me.  As long as it’s not a really obvious box… like a Toblerone because let’s face it, the gift receiver can pretty much see that “surprise” coming from the other side of the room can’t he?

Here are my favourite Coffret gifts available for your wrapping pleasure this year, hope you like them:

01:  Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Christmas Limited Edition (£19.75)

If limited editions are your thing, team it up with the cult classic cleanser from Liz Earle.  The Christmas wreath presentation case will ensure that your gift looks the business, even if the recipient’s face, doesn’t (that’s what the cleanser is for!)

02:  Hourglass Holiday Coffret (£59.00)

This four-piece collection of best-selling products from U.S. cosmetic brand, Hourglass comes complete with: Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara (10G), Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss (7G), Veil Mineral Primer Spf 15 (10Ml), and No. 28 Primer Serum (5Ml).  It’s all anyone needs to introduce them to the brand (and probably keep them coming back for more!)

03:  Acqua di Parma Colonia Coffret (£74.00)

If you partner has a nose for scent, gifting them this beautiful coffret from Acqua di Parma would be an act of supreme kindness.  Colonia is the timeless Italian classic, and this set contains: Acqua Di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne 100ml,  Acqua Di Parma Colonia Shower Gel 75ml, and Acqua Di Parma Colonia Body Cream 75ml.

04:  Melvita Apicosma Discovery Gift Set (£15.00)

“And it’s all about the honey, honey, honey!” sang no-one, ever.  But for Melvita, it really is all about the humble bumble, without whom they would be unable to employ their patented 3-Honey-Complex to enrich and nourish our skin.  This coffret is another great brand-introducer and contains: Skin-softening nourishing body milk, Apicosma Extra-rich Hand cream, and Apicosma Repairing lip balm.

05:  Elemis Energising Treasures Gift Set (£25.00)

At no point in time does one need more energising than in the early-January lull.  With all the excitement of Christmas over, we’re simply faced with the prospect of yet more bitterly cold weather and a potential tax-bill.  Awesome.  Elemis’ Energising Treasures Gift Set contains four face and body treats that promise to uplift and boost hydration.  Now if only they’d sneaked a bottle of vodka in there too…

06:  Roger & Gallet Ginger Soap Coffret (£11.70)

I don’t generally have much use for soaps… but my husband (the ifty-fifties binman that he is) loves ’em.  I have issues with them sitting, slimily on the side of my sink but I must compromise.  As-long as he has to compromise too, meaning that I get to choose the soap and these ones sound particularly lovely without being too girly.  The packaging is girly enough to please my senses and the soap is… soapy enough to please his, sorted.

07:  Philosophy Winter Escape Set (£22.00)

No one does cute coffrets quite like Philosophy and this year’s Winter Escape Set does nothing to disprove my theory.  The lovely coffret features a playful winter-scene (why doesn’t it ever actually look like that on Christmas morning?), and three tantalising treats, each one employing a delicious musky-vanilla scent.  Live the (fanciful) winter dream.

08:  Diptyque Holiday Coffret (£60.00)

From Body Shop home fragrance oils to my Annick Goutal candles, I do like me a bit of home fragrancing and when it comes to woody, winter scents – you are hard-pushed to beat the harmonies that arise from the flame when you burn a Diptyque candle.  This set contains 3x 70g candles in the form of Feu de Bois, Opoponax, and Oliban – a genuinely, perfect counterpart to these long, dark nights.  If you’re not sure why da bloggerz are going Diptyque mad at the moment?  Just go sniff Feu de Bois and come back to me on that one…

Nailistasistas?  Tomorrow’s your day…

From top-to-toe, let’s face it… Christmas is all about sparkle, shine, glitter, and glow (I’m a poet, DontchaNo).  It’s the one time of the year that we – as grown ups – get to indulge our inner 6-year olds and go bat-shit crazy about all things thoroughly innapropriate for our age.  If you have children, it’s even easier because you can totally blame them for your temporary insanity.

Why, just today, I had to divert accusatory looks from my husband as I picked out yet another set of fairy lights for the flat.  I don’t know where I’m going to put them, or whether the national grid actually has enough power to supply the electricity to my flat anymore, but dammit – I want my flat to resemble a grotto for the next couple of weeks, is that really too much to ask?  Is it Santa?  Is it?!

Today’s gift guide is all about introducing our nearest and dearest (and us!) to a little bit of sparkle.  It may be subtle or it may be in your face with a bling-a-ding-ding – either way, there’s plenty of glow to go around!

01:  Benefit Away We Glow Gift Set (£29.50)*

This face set from Benefit promises to bring on the glam just in time for Christmas with a full eyeshadow palette of neutrals, a cream highlighting duo in the form of Sun Beam and High Beam, a glistening lip shine, mascara, and Coralista blush.  Making it the complete kit to inject some radiance into your makeup looks through these dark months.

02:  The Body Shop The Sparkler in Enchanting Gold (£14.00)*

Brushing on your highlighter is sooo 2011… opt for the ultimate in decadence and start spritzing on the sparkle instead.  The Body Shop’s limited edition atomiser releases a fine-textured shimmer powder that will brighten up your complexion in no time.  Perfect for bare arms and an eye-catching decolletage this party season.

03:  Murad Radiance Rescue 4 Piece Collection (£58.50)*

If your quest for radiance lies beneath the surface of the skin, you might want to try a new skincare routine that promises to work to improve your skin’s natural radiance.  The 4-piece collection from the hi-tech U.S. brand contains: Active Radiance Serum 30ml, Complete Reform Serum 3.7ml, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture 7.5ml, and Essential C Eye Cream SPF15 4ml.

04:  Laura Mercier Petit Baked Eye Colour Trio (£20.00)

For pint-sized perfection, you can’t beat this super-cute eye colour trio from Laura Mercier featuring three glittering shades that are sure to put some sparkle in your stocking this year.  Use them dry for a sheer wash of shine or wet the brush before application for a more vivid, metallic shimmer.

05:  L’Occitane Verbena Energised Hands Duo (£30.00)

Verbena, my favourite line from L’Occitane with its sparkling citrus aroma that brings to mind those warmer months that seem like a distant memory at this time of the year.  This nourishing hand duo will uplift your spirits with a long-lasting zingy freshness that will keep you sneaking back to the sink for another sniff.

06:  St. Tropez Catwalk Glow Set (£20.00)*

Hands up if you haven’t shaved your legs for more than a week.  More than two?  Saving on the heating are you?  Well, if your legs have got any New Year parties to attend, treat them to a sun-kissed glow from St. Tropez’s Catwalk Glow set which includes two tubes of their everyday Gradual Tan formula, one for the body and one for the visage (that means face, hairy Mary).

07:  O.P.I The Man With The Golden Gun Top Coat (£26.00)

Remember that bling-a-ding-ding I talked about?  Well this is it – the ultimate in 18-carat glitz, for your nails!  This clear top-coat from O.P.I will take any manicure from dull to dazzling in the blink of a glittering eye.  Just one warning, times are tough out there… don’t get your fingers lopped off by a Bond baddie down a dark alley, I hear gold fetches a pretty penny nowadays.

08:  NARS Foreplay Orgasm (£39.50)

Even though I don’t recommend asking your Dad (or indeed any male relative) to get you this one for Christmas, it should still remain firmly on your wishlist.  This glitzy palette of four cheek shades will soothe the souls of any NARS fans out there taking its inspiration from the best-selling Orgasm blush and featuring a peach matte, gold highlighter, pink matte, and peach pink with gold shimmer blush.  Orgasmic.

If you go crazy for coffrets, look out – the next gift guide’s got your name on it!

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Who says that history doesn’t repeat itself?  Starting next Monday, Clinique are hosting a repeat of last year’s frivolities with a week of Christmas treats and offering some particularly lovely gift with purchases to entice you into spending your pennies.

If you’ve been planning a beauty purchase or some gift shopping, it will pay dividends to log on to www.clinique.co.uk each morning to uncover the purchase qualifier and offer code.

Each offer is top secret until the grand reveal BUT I can divulge the teasers that have been released especially to whet our appetites!

Day 1 (Monday 3rd December): A treat to make the eyes flutter during the party season.

Day 2 (Tuesday 4th December): Let your eyes do the sparkling.

Day 3 (Wednesday 5th December): Treats all around.

Day 4 (Thursday 6th December): Everything you need for party perfection.

Day 5 (Friday 7th December): Get them before they’re gone.

If you’re struggling for inspiration, my Christmas pick would be the Limited Edition Taste of Honey set which incorporates four sheer lip shades, beautifully presented.  It’s the kind of gift that should please even the most difficult to buy for!

The Clinque Sweet Treats promotion will run from December 3rd – December 7th, inclusive, only online at clinique.co.uk, while stocks last.

…This year has seen a festive epidemic in the form of beauty-filled crackers, baubles and advent calendars! Whilst some of them were destined to sell out quicker than a One Direction tour (and I refuse to blog a Christmas gift guide in Sept/Oct because you beat me up last time), there are still some lovely goodies available in this rather novel format.

Their diminuitive size make them ideal for Secret Santas and Stocking Fillers, so without further ado, here’s my pick of the best of the Beautiful Baubles….

Some may look a little unconventional but all of the beauty gifts can be hung on the tree for a little festive fancy!

01: The Body Shop Mini Shower Collection (£8.00)
02: Cath Kidston Bluebell Soap in Egg Shaped Tin (£5.00)
03: This Works Beauty Ball Gold Shimmer Balm (£10.00)
04: Rachel Vosper Fragranced Christmas Hangings (£14.00 for set of 3)
05: Crabtree & Evelyn Fine Foods Festive Bauble (£7.00 – shh fudge/beauty same thing)
06: Aromatherapy Associates Little Treat (£12.00)
07: Sanderson Spiced Pear & Ginger Scented Sachet (£3.50)

and the Craveworthy Crackers…

From the bijou to the bold of cracker-creations, this lot will ensure that your Christmas festivities go off with a bang!

01: Marks & Spencer Autograph Cracker Gift Set (£9.50)
02: LUSH Crackersnap Bath Bomb (£7.00)
03: Cowshed Cracking Cow Christmas Cracker (£10.00)
04: Kiehl’s Christmas Cracker Gift Set (£35.00)
05: Estee Lauder Christmas Cracker Gift Set (£45.00)
06: Lancome Christmas Crackers Gift Set (£50.00)
07: Weleda Men’s Moisture Cream Cracker (£9.95)
08: Jo Malone Christmas Cracker (£28.00)
09: Bomb Cosmetics Crackerjack Xmas Cracker (£19.99)

…and finally, the Adorable Advents!

Yeah, I’m pretty sure that only two calendars are left, props to these guys for having more than eight available 😉

01: The Latest in Beauty/You Advent Calendar (£59.95)
02: 24 Days of Christmas with Liz Earle (£100.00)

Phew! That’s my rather exhaustive (and exhausting!) guide to the best Christmas beauty (with a little bit of fudge thrown in) novelties. I can only see this getting more and more crazy each year, let’s face it – we all love fancy packaging and irresistable cuteness is sure to prevail.

Do you have an alternative advent calendar this year? A special kind of Christmas cracker up your sleeve? Which are your favourites from the selection above?

I received a press release at the end of last week announcing a retro-inspired set of Christmas goodies from skincare brand, Dove.

“Oooh!” I thought, as I clicked to open the email for a better look.

“Oh.” I said, as the email revealed nothing of the sort.

Am I missing some crucial piece of retro-evidence here?

What in the name of full-skirted, fedora-wearing, seemingly wholesome, nothing-to-do-with-the-fifties kind of fuckery is this?

Just in case you thought I imagined it… let me indulge you with Dove’s idea about what these sets are supposed to represent…

Beauty lovers are in for a treat this Christmas as Dove launches a stunning Christmas gift collection with packaging inspired by the fabulous fifties, marking the era in which the beauty brand first launched.

In a throwback to those glamorous days, Dove is launching a beautifully packaged range of indulgent and nourishing necessities.

Sorry Dove, but sticking a tiny slightly 50s-inspired illustration on the part of the packaging that you THROW AWAY within two seconds of opening the gift, does not a 50s-inspired gift make.

Just so we’re clear.  LAZY.

Hello!  Are you all NOTD’ed out?  Sorry about that – I was hugely up against it, but in fairness – weren’t those w7 polishes something else?  Anyway, seeing as I was too full of turkey to log on and wish you all a Merry Christmas on the 25th, I’ll give you a little overview of this year’s festivities and wish you a Happy New Year instead!

I don’t think I’ve been satisfied with Christmas since I was about 11 – there’s been a heavy feeling of ‘is this it?’ invading most Christmases (except for the one I got engaged) but 2011 has surely outdone itself. Maybe having a 2 year old makes all the difference. Infact, I know it does. You work so hard to ensure that it’s as down-right magical as possible, that it can’t help but rub off.

From dancing to steelband carols in the middle of Oxford St to visiting Father Christmas in his giant Christmas Tree off Queensway, this last week has been a memorable and festive one.  Leila charmed the pants off a particularly wonderful employee in House of Fraser and toddled out of there with a bag literally crammed with fragrance samples.  A smile so big you never did see, and she still won’t let me dip in to it!

We cream tea’ed at Beas of Bloomsbury, Bagel’ed at Beigel Bake (*cough* more than once), and buffet’ed ’til we needed anti-MSG shots in Chinatown.  I even got my eyebrows threaded in public!  If that can happen, then Father Christmas and a few reindeer is a doddle.

I’m off to Manchester on the 30th for a few nights, don’t laugh – I love the city, it’s where I honeymooned (romantic no?) and if it weren’t for the rain, being a soft Southerner and the fact that Cosmetic Candy lives there, I’d totally move North.

I hope you’ve all had magnificent/awe-inspiring/magical/passable Christmases (delete as appropriate), make the most of the remaining days in 2011, before you know it – we’ll be submerged into the abject misery that is January.