Xmas Ideas / Sactuary Mini Must-Haves

Last instalment of the Christmas gift guide and you can say that I have saved the best for last.

Sanctuary presents for the Holidays 2013  are a luxurious option at affordable prices, starting amazingly from under a tenner.

For example, this Sanctuary Spa Mini Must-Haves* is only £8 and contains a Body Lotion, Body Wash, Foaming Bath Soak and Spa Skin Body Polisher.

I love the sensuous and comforting fragrance of this line! You just need a drop of the foaming bath soak to wrap the whole bathroom with the scent and create a luscious bubble bath; the body wash has micro moisturising spheres - filled with jojoba oil and sesame - that leave the skin silky smooth. Finally  to complete your bathroom ritual, the light body lotion delivers 24hr moisturisation and the mix of ginger & spices also stimulates the circulation. 

What to say… They are such incredible value for money and every year I take advantage for myself and stock up on few favourites.
If you've set your heart on skincare instead - I would pick up the Sanctuary Ultimate Girls Night In (that also comes in a gorgeous purple pouch)… or if you're looking for a showstopping offering - the Sanctuary Top To Toe Glow Pamper Tin is guaranteed to impress!

Sanctuary is a brand that I'm very familiar with and I feel heartily to recommend for some last minute shopping: you can buy Sanctuary gift sets at Sanctuary Spa, on www.sanctuary.com, Boots and Debenhams today!

Xmas Ideas / Liz Earle Christmas Star with Strengthening Nail Colour

The Liz Earle Christmas Star with Strengthening Nail Colour is the perfect stocking filler for a beauty enthusiast and nail obsessed… also, a pure steal at only £7.50!

You can't help but fall for the cute star - that doubles as a tree ornament but also the nail polish inside is of great quality.

There are 2 shades available: Moment In Time ( red) and Ebb Tide (taupe colour)….

but if nails are not your thing, there are also stars filled with lipsticks or the best seller Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanse to choose from.

Moment In Time* is THE perfect true red! Full stop. Surely it's ideal to create striking Christmas-themed nail arts but also an all-year-round favourite.

It has a fortifying formula, enrich with botanicals and a glossy finish; I usually applies 2 coats of nail colour but this is opaque enough with only 1 coat. It's also chip resistant and applies like a dream.

Xmas nails sorted ;)

Liz Earle pampering treats don't stop at stocking fillers; there are many irresistible gift sets, suitable for every budget - with skincare, bodycare, haircare or make up goodies.

For example, the Liz Earle Brush Collection is ideal if you wanna spoilt your mum and the Jan Constantine Stocking Collection will definitely impress the demanding sister that has all.

Have you checked a Liz Earle counter near you yet?

Xmas Ideas / Marks & Spencer Beauty Hall

The Marks & Spencer Beauty Hall has become my favourite beauty haven.

They just got it so right! They managed to find that gap in the market and stock luxurious, quality brands -  not easy to find on the high street.

And for Christmas you are spoiled for choice - my personal picks go to: Sienna X Matte Powder Bronzer, Bliss 'Merry Citrus' Gift Set and Miracle Skin Transformer Discovery Kit.

H2O Plus experts isolated the most efficient varieties of seaweeds and algae to enrich their products; these marine waters deliver an high concentration of antioxidants and minerals that support skin regeneration, strength and vitality.

The H2o+ Spa Hand and Foot Trio* comes at under 20 pounds and includes everything you need to  maintain your extremities in tip top conditions.

It contains:

- Hand and Foot Smoother

- Hand and Nail Cream

- Softening Mint Foot Rub

The Spa Hand & Foot Smoother is an intensive treatment for dry hands and feet.
To be used as a mask: you apply a thick layer and leave it to work for 20 minutes;  you can also wear cotton gloves and socks or leave it overnight, to maximise the benefits.

The Spa Hand and Nail Cream is an award-winning moisturiser that also nourishes cuticles. I've come to rely on it constantly in recent weeks because my hands have been battered from the harsh wind and pretty sore. It contains shea butter, hydrolyzed silk proteins and hydrating marine blend.
It's fabulous! I love the fresh scent, it's fast acting and leaves my hands silky.

The Softening Mint Foot Rub has a delicate minty scent, more suitable for feet; it contains hydrating marine extracts to moisturise and salicylic and lactic acids to softly exfoliate and smooth dry areas. I especially rate it after a gym session - the refreshing effect of the menthol is the perfect relief!

I have also set my eyes on the promising H2O+ Spa Sea Salt Must-Haves Set that I will try and pick up, next time I'm in town.
Have you tried H2O Plus yet? Have you got a Marks & Spencer Beauty Hall near you?

Xmas Ideas / Signed by Weleda

I rely on Weleda myself all-year-round, and Christmas is the perfect time to share/introduce this brand to the people in my life too.

For the Holidays 2013, they are proposing these new Mini Crackers, filled with iconic products like Skin Food and Hand Creams. My favourite is the blue one which comes with a Moisturizer for Men; it's ideal for that colleague that you don't know too well and you're stuck with for the office Secret Santa (and let's face it, it's more difficult to shop for men!). They are also perfect as stocking fillers with the cute packaging and affordable prices, starting at only £3.50.

The Weleda Christmas Duo 'Handbag' Gift Set is a luxurious present to pamper a loved one, instead. It contains a full size 200ml Creamy Body Wash and full size 200ml Body Lotion.

Again, great attention has been paid to the packaging and they come presented in an original handbag box.

Sea Buckthorn* is a new introduction for me - I can say that I have pretty much tried any other fragrance from Weleda - and it's especially recommended for dry skin. 

You can also choose from Pomegranate - for ageing skin - Wild Rose - for  normal to dry skin - and Citrus - for normal skin.

In particular, the body lotions are a new 100% natural range rich in pure oils and fatty acids to help the skin regain and maintain its natural balance.
Weleda's Sea Buckthorn berries are harvested from the Tuscany countryside and the seeds are pressed to release its replenishing oil, full of antioxidants too.

They have the same creamy consistency like the body wash, but melt into the skin without leaving any residue. 

Sea Buckthorn is a refreshing scent with citrusy tones that also invigorates the senses… A new favourite for me!
Which one would you like to see under the tree? :)

Xmas Ideas / Orla Kiely Mini Diffuser and Candle Set

Orla Kiely is an Irish contemporary designer renowned for her colourful and retro, distinctive prints. 

I love her creations and I've been lusting after her coats and dresses for few years but unfortunately, they are a bit out of my price range.

If like me you're on a budget, you can still treat yourself to a bit of Orla Kiely with the stunning Christmas 2013 Gift Sets. 

There is a Geranium Hand Wash and Hand Lotion and Ceramic Dish Set that - for example - is perfect for mums, or the Geranium Bath and Face Cloth Set for your best friend.

Personally, I fell in love with the Mini  Diffuser and Candle Set* that comes in 2 distinctive fragrances: Geranium & Myrrh or Basil & Mint. They have a stunning red or white trademark floral print on frosted glass and beautifully packed in a matching box.

I like to lit candles on my bedside table; I find the flickering of the flame relaxing when I read a book and cosy when I'm typing away on the laptop. The Basil and Mint scent is extremely refreshing and not your typical scent, that will please and impress the most demanding person too.

I'm actually saving the reed diffuser for Christmas day; they will be perfect in my hall to infuse the whole house with this refreshing and inviting scent and to welcome my guests.

And it's pretty stylish too, of course! ;) 

This is a very thoughtful present to gift to a special person in your life… and I hope you have some shopping money left in your pocket because you will surely want to treat yourself too!

Xmas Ideas / Urban Decay Shattered Face Case

I think the Urban Decay Shattered Face Case* tops the chart for the coolest Christmas present of 2013. 

First - it's Urban Decay, second - it's the ultimate complete palette with 5 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, highlighter, eyeliner and lip gloss! And third - the double-decker design is pretty cool too.

 The case is compact and sturdy enough that you can throw it into your luggage for your next city break or carry it around in your handbag for a day-to-night transformation. For both occasions, you have everything you need - It holds an excellent array of products and 2 full size mirrors, too.

The eyeshadows selection is very clever and simply perfection: a mix of browns and neutrals with a gorgeous purple, for good measure.

Bleach and Minor Sin are the all over lid pale, base colours; bleach is a matte yellowy beige and Minor Sin is a light pink with gold shimmer.

Shakedown and Nameless are the 2 brown toned shadows, yet very different; Shakedown has a warm, gold undertone and metallic finish, whilst Nameless is a satin taupe with prevalent grey undertone. 

Finally, Remix is a shimmery deep purple colour and metallic finish.

l-r: bleach, minor sin, shakedown

l-r: remix, nameless

The blushes and highlighter have the same superior quality of the eyeshadows; the new powder formula applies smoothly and blends seamlessly into the skin.

Overexposed is a matte muted rose colour - Temper is also a matte, cool toned medium pink; Glint - the highlighter and my favourite - is a finely milled peachy gold, not chalky at all and very flattering on the cheekbones.

 

l-r: overexposed, temper, glint

The 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero is your perfect  basic liner to add depth to the eyes and the quality of these pencils is well-known. 

The Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Lovechild is the prettiest shade of pink that will flatter most skintones; it has blue undertone, an incredible glossy finish and great pigmentation. It's love!

 I can't get over how compact it is and still full of goodies inside... and even better, it's a true bargain for £30, I think.
It was instant love for this palette! There is not one single colour that I'm not gonna use and it has already become an essential for my everyday looks!

Xmas Ideas / The Body Shop

It's exactly 1 month to Christmas and what better way than starting with some gift ideas from The Body Shop?!

The Body Shop has a wide range of pre-packed presents for every budget. You can pick up a cute manicure duo for as little as £6 that it also comes in festive wrapping and limited edition scents.

The Shea Scrub & Soften Gift Set* is one of my favourite from the Holidays 2013; it comes in a pretty tin - to keep and store your bits & bobs - and it contains a full size 200ml Shea Body Butter and 50ml tub of Shea Sugar Body Scrub.

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter is a best seller, super-rich moisturiser that will leave your skin soft and hydrated for up to 24 hrs.

Shea Butter is also an universal scent that will please many: it's naturally neutral, delicate with an hint of  nuttiness. I bet you have smelled it many times in products and never realised what it actually was. :)

It's perfect for people with dry skin but I works very well on my normal skin too; I tend to scoop out a little bit and massage it whilst my body is still damp, after the shower.

It also naturally scents my skin and it stays with me all day long.

The Body Shop scrubs are my absolute favourites and The Shea Sugar Body Scrub is no exception. 

It does contain the best ingredients: the sugar is a natural exfoliant - without being too aggressive - and the shea butter takes care of replenishing the moisture, leaving the skin extra smooth!

I love that it comes in a mini tub which is handy to save for when travelling, I think. 

If you're looking for the perfect present to impress your mother-in-law or stuck for ideas for that last minute Secret Santa in the office, The Body Shop is the ideal destination to get your shopping list sorted.

Also, £200.000 from sales from all The Body Shop gifts will go towards building 5 new schools with Community Fair Trade partners around the world!