Xmas 2015 / The Best of the Rest

Wow! I can't believe that another year is gone by and it's Christmas again. 

For me is especially bittersweet: my daughter was born in January and it is scary that this first year went so fast [plus, I'm back to work from maternity leave in January too :( - booooo]

Today in my last Christmas instalment, I'm sharing some gift ideas that are also perfect as a token of appreciation from self-to-self and for stocking up on some essential and talking advantage of great savings too.

First of all, from the website http://abeautifulworld.co.uk that stocks some exclusive international brands, not easily available in the UK otherwise.

Everytime I visit their page, my wishlist gets bigger and bigger - for example, I love their bundles with different brands like the one below; Indie Lee is a fantastic brand and the bath salts from Marble & Milkweed sound A-ok too.

For a quick stocking filler, these bottles from Plant definitely make an original and fun gift.

REN also have fabulous gifts with some great savings! These are perfect to stock up on your favourite products and come with an handy beauty bag too; Stop Being So Sensitive!  contains the Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk which I find great to use in the mornings and I think it would work for any skin type too.

Get Your Glow On! has everything you need for radiant complexion and especially the Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial which is a miracle worker and one of my Holy Grails!

Finally, Arbonne Christmas selection is nearly all sold out actually - well, no wonder with such good deals! I have an in-dept post about this brand, so you can read more here.

The Magical Minis Holiday Stocking is filled to the brim with minis and the perfect way to get an introduction to the brand.

... and the Pineapple Papaya Lip Balm sounds like something I can easily get addicted to!

So that's all for now... I hope you all have a Joyous Christmas and plenty of quality time with your families!

xxx

Xmas 2015 / L'Occitane Pierre Herme Hand Cream Trio

For me, it's not Christmas without a L'Occitane gift!

Last year it was the Delicious Almond Collection from the hubby, the year before The Secret to Beautiful Hands (review here)... and again we are spoiled for choose with many fantastic gift sets this year.

L'Occitane Pierre Herme Hand Cream Trio* is really one of these presents that make you scream with joy! 

It contains three Limited Edition hand creams, created in collaboration with Pierre Herme - the famous French Pastry Chef.

There are actually 3 whole ranges with these newly crafted fragrances that combine precious ingredients and that evoke the Mediterranean and the Corsica coast.

All three scents are peculiar and tantalising for different reasons: 

Jasmin Immortelle Neroli is a floral, feminine bouquet with the richness of woody and musky notes.

Pamplemousse Rhubarbe combines the bitterness of the grapefruit white skin with the sweetness and tartness of the rhubarb; a warmly combination, slightly spicy.

Miel Mandarine is the most delicious concussion; fruity notes from the mandarin perfectly marry the sweetness and warmth of the caramelised honey, epitomising the holiday spirit!

They all have the fresh and nourishing consistency of the classic L'Occitane Shea Butter formula that we love!

Bonus: they come in a beautiful illustrated tin to collect and house your treasures!

Xmas 2015 / Dermalogica Our Favorites Set

Give the gift of healthy, clear skin this Christmas with Dermalogica. They have 6 Limited Edition sets to choose from, targeting different needs: from intense hydration, to problematic skin, to a selection of top sellers. 

... and Dermalogica Our Favorites* is - indeed - my favourite! ;)

It contains 4 super-taskers, suitable for all skin conditions. The minis meet travelling standards and are perfect for trying out these products, if this is your first approach to the brand. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a well known raved about product in the blogosphere. It is a dry scrub, in the form of a rice-based powder; you just mix it with some water and massage on the face to reveal a smoother texture. It's pretty amazing and you can really custom the exfoliating action, best suited for you.
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner comes in a pump bottle and it's ideal to prep the skin, before moisturization; it contains arnica and cucumber extracts to hydrate and refresh - especially after air travel.
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque is an high performing treatment to inject much needed moisture to dry or stressed skin; it has a unique cross-linked hyaluronic acid that delivers hydration over time for, lasting results.
Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm is one of my all time favourite eye product! It has a silicone/balm feeling that smoothes lines, protects against further damage and improves elasticity; it is really a cream & primer & treatment all together in one. Highly recommended!

Have you tried Dermalogica before? Which are your favourite products?

Xmas 2015 / Kiehl's Holiday Gifts

A beautiful wrapped present certainly makes an impact on the eye of the receiver, it shows that you care and an eye-catching packaging makes the gift even more appreciated!

Proof of that, Kiehl's has teamed up with Pop Art artist Peter Max to redesign their Holiday 2015 Collection, making their iconic products extra special and festive.

The inspiration comes from his masterpiece 'The Cosmic Runner' and the colourful drawings represent vibrant Holiday Flyer characters with an aura of magic. The all concept embodies values important at heart for the artist and the brand: love, joy, solidarity and respect for the environment.

There are several holiday edition bundles of products to choose from and my top pick goes to Kiehl's Essentially Yours Gift Set*.

This set contains a complete selection of skincare best sellers, from cleansing to moisturising.

In the roomy and chicly branded beauty bag, you'll find a full size Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser and a full size Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

The cleanser is very mild and suitable for all skin types; it's ph-balanced so it doesn't dry out the skin and also dissolves make up.

The night serum - well, who doesn't know this product?! - is a true skincare hero! It comes with a dropper and you only need to use a couple of drops, on its own or under moisturiser; it's paraben free and 99.8% natural and it promotes skin recovery during the night for a more radiant appearance in the morning - A miracle worker!!!

Finally, you also receive a sample of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer that works in unison with the cleanser; this lotion is very light in consistency but still provide 24-hr hydration.

The Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate is an 100% natural and paraben free face oil which is full of antioxidants and provides protection against daily environmental aggressors. I haven to used this one before and it sounds pretty amazing - looking forward to try it out!

Peter Max has also rebranded several single items for the Holiday 2015 Limited Edition Collection. The Kiehl's Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter* is one of them.

I love the airy consistency of this moisturizer! It melts into the skin and leaves my skin soft for up to 24 hours.

The special soy milk & honey formulation also gives it its particular indulgent scent and I dare you not to smell your arm all day long. ;)

Again, the illustrations are cheery and Christmasy and just put you in a good mood at the end of a hard day.

Have you seen this Collection in store? Head over to http://www.kiehls.co.uk for your Christmas shopping.

Xmas 2015 / Melvita L'Or Bio Gift Set

Today's Christmas recommendation is for a luxurious bodycare set from Melvita.

Melvita is a french company, pioneer in organic cosmetics since the early 80s and it's a leader brand in the natural and organic sector.

I'm really fond of this brand and I just wish it would be more readily available on the high street - I'd love to see flagship stores where you can try the products, like the 'sister' brand L'Occitane; anyway, I get my stuff from feelunique.com or you can also visit uk.melvita.com

They have some really great Christmas ideas with some good savings too, like the Melvita Christmas Treats Bauble - that contains 3 minis inside a pretty ornament.

The Melvita L'Or Bio Gift Set* is a real treat for the body and the senses; the organic brand is kind-to-skin and kind-to-the-enviroment and this duo will leave you feeling pampered and relaxed.

This coffret includes Melvita Extraordinary Oil which is a multitasker for body, face and hair and contains 5 precious oils to nourish and beautify.

This oil is a best seller and leaves the skin silky to the touch, non greasy and sophisticatedly scented, thanks to notes of Italian bergamot, jasmine and tire flower.

It also comes in a beautiful glass bottle that certainly enhance that special experience.

The Melvita Extraordinary Shower is the matching cleanser with the same precious and rare oils and smell.

You get a generous 250ml and a drop of this golden gel transforms into a velvety foam for a pleasant and rewarding experience.

The Melvita L'Or Bio Gift Set retails for £25 which is a fantastic price for such high quality ingredients and performances. 

Have you tried Melvita before?