Xmas 2015 / Erborian Pink Mania Gift Set

It's the most wonderful time of the year... yes, it's less than a month to Christmas (can you believe that!!!) and time to share some gifts ideas!

Let's start with a bang - Today I've picked the Erborian Pink Mania Gift Set* which promises to achieve a baby doll complexion.

This is certainly a cracker of a present, one of those that as soon as you buy it... you wanna keep for yourself!

It will work for so many loved ones too: your teenager cousin (who would be more perfect to sport a baby doll complexion), the beauty aficionado friend (that will certainly appreciate a cult brand like Erborian) or your mum (that can treat herself with these high end products).

I have to admit that - although I love skincare gifts - they can be a bit boring; I love that this box set also includes a blush... and what a pretty blush!!!

The gift set contains:

Erborian Dongbaek Camellia Essence: you get a 2ml sample of this face serum that contains 73% of extra virgin Camellia oil which is a wild flower that grows in Korea and it's also known as the 'winter rose'; this blend of precious oils nourishes the skin, creates a barrier to protect the skin from premature aging and improves elasticity.

Erborian Pink Perfect Creme Au Diospyros Kaki: this full size face primer is the secret to the Korean glow. The cream delivers 4-in-1 benefits - blurring imperfections, minimizing pores, enhancing skintone and providing a flawless base for make-up.

Erborian Pink Perfect Blush: this is the cutest mini blush that comes with a cushion applicator. The candy pink hue looks really pale but works! It certainly delivers in adding a healthy, translucent colour to the cheeks and removing any dullness; it's really a pretty colour and will subtly work on many skintones. The powder is ultra fine and blends really easily.

What did I say? Did I not promise to start my gift guide with fireworks? ;)

I think it's very well priced at £40 and it also gives you the chance to try their products, if you're not familiar with this French/Korean brand.

Have you tried Erborian before? Are you gonna add this to your Santa's list?

New In / Nars Dual-Intensity Blush in Frenzy

I'm a BIGGGGGG Nars fan and I've been wanting to try these new Dual-Intensity textures since the eyeshadows came out; then, I decided to go for a blush, since I'm pretty loyal to Urban Decay (eyeshadows-wise).

I got to say that the product looked a bit waxy in the pan - and wasn't the easiest to pick up with the brush ( I used a Real Techniques Blush Brush, I don't know, maybe I should try a different brush) but eventually the colour was on my cheeks!

It's definitely buildable, in the sense that goes on really sheer at first - again, may be a brush issue - but that way you have great control on the modulation and it applies uniformly. 

I eventually chose Frenzy and as soon as I opened it, I regretted it: it looked too orange and - the highlighter part, too gritty.

BUT!!! on application it just transforms beautifully - it's such a surprise and gives an instant glow to the cheeks in a healthy and natural way.

I now really love it and I reach for it nearly on a daily basis and especially when I'm in a rush as it's foolproof to apply and very flattering.

Have you tried the Dual-Intensity range yet? Love or Hate?

New In / The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion

The recently launched Oils Of Life from The Body Shop is a collection of luxurious, high end skincare items, containing three precious seed oils aiming at revitalise and repristinate radiance to the skin.

The line includes: Intensively Revitalising Facial Oil, Intensively Revitalising Cream, Intensively Revitalising Gel Cream, Intensively Revitalising Essence Lotion and a Twin-Ball Facial Massager.

The Body Shop Oils Of Life Intensively Revitalising Essence Lotion* is a Oil-In-Water Bi-Phase formula where the water is infused with 3 selected oils: Black Cumin Seed Oil from Egypt (rich in antioxidants), Rosehip Seed Oil from Chile (containing Omega 3 and 6) and Camellia Seed Oil from China (naturally rich in nutritive oleic acid).
Seeds give life to a new plant, making their oils the most concentrated sources of essential nutrients on Earth.
The combination of these potent, cold pressed seed oils delivers instant results and they are suitable for every skin type and age.

The lotion is a daily toning step, after cleansing and helps prepare the skin for the next step in your beauty regime: the water feeling is refreshing on the skin and I especially enjoy it in the evenings, after wearing make up all day. At the same time, the oil particles nourish the skin, leaving it soft to the touch and smoother.

I'm a big fan of facial oils. I usually use them in serums/treatments form but some can feel a bit tacky on the face; this bi-phase formula is fantastic in delivering the benefits, without leaving the skin greasy. Definitely thumbs up from me!
Have you tried this new The Body Shop range yet?