Christmas 2014 / Le Couvent Des Minimes

Today’s post is a Christmas gift recommendation as well as Brand introduction. 

Le Couvent Des Minimes is a French brand of authentic, natural products that are using recipes created by Botanist Monks and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary that lived in the Couvent of the Minims since the 1600s.

Nowadays they still use these original blend of herbs and flowers that have been proven to have curative properties. 

I have to admit that I haven’t been that excited about a new brand for a while!

I find the packaging really charming with a rustic/french appeal and I absolutely loved reading about the apothecary knowledge behind the formulations.

At the heart of every line there is a Cologne - Eau Miraculeuse - and the same scent also comes in a wide selection of products; for example, I’m been testing out The Recipe of Love* and in this scent you can get a Cologne, Exfoliating Shower Pulp, Beneficial Massage Oil, Body Butter, Hand Cream and a Soap.  

The Recipe of Love has fruity and floral notes of Orange Blossom which is also renewed for its softening and soothing properties; the other main ingredients is Petitgrain which is source of harmony.

The brand is also committed to its charitable work, by donating 1% of all annual sales back to Franciscan Missionaries of Mary – and with these profits they have already funded a day nursery and school for nurses in Southern India. 

…and even more good news: you will be pleased to find out that they are endorsed by L'Occitane (!!!) and the products are extremely affordable; single items like Hiker's Foot Healer starting from under £5 or The Best of le Couvent des Minimes Set with 4 products for only 10 quid.

This is THE brand to try today and, although it’s new to the UK market, the products are already easily available in Boots nationwide.

Have you heard about this brand yet?

Christmas 2014 / Urban Decay Ideas

I always ask something from Urban Decay for Christmas. Last year, I got the Naked 3 and I still get pretty excited everytime I used it.

My picks from the Festive Collection 2014 are 3 gorgeous palettes that are guaranteed to please anyone: Full Frontal Lipstick Stash, Naked On The Run and Shadow Box.

The  Urban Decay Full Frontal Lipstick Stash includes 6 Revolution Lipstick – with 3 new shades  - and 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil - a clear lipliner that will work with every colour; this is most certainly going on my Santa’s list this year! I’ve been meaning to try these lipsticks for a while but I can never make up my mind on which colour to pick… problem solved! And the mini sizes are super cute too!

The Urban Decay Naked On The Run – appropriately called so – because it contains everything you may need when out of the house; you’ll find a  Perversion Mascara, 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Naked Lipgloss, a blush, a bronzer, an highlighter and 5 eyeshadows.

Finally for the eyeshadows obsessed - Urban Decay Shadow Box* is a collection of 12 shadows encased in a compact box.

The packaging is made of glossy cardboard and a magnetic UD to keep the lid closed.

I've to admit that I read mixed reviews about this palette and some unfair criticism, in my opinion.

I find the quality of these powders to be pretty good and the colour selection is very clever too; I have few Urban Decay palettes myself and the only double I have is Freelove. 

Luckly enough, I have one here and some swatches to share with you today - as you can see there's a good mix of neutrals and colours; the brighter shades are still wearable and can easily be teamed with  the nudes, if you feel a bit shy.

Sin is a peachy champagne - perfect as an highlighter, Indo is a gorgeous emerald, Bordello - a best seller - is a mauve with gold  sparkle and Tornado is a deep purple with warm undertones.

l-r: sin, indo, bordello, tornado

Smog is a stunning bronze with reddish/copper tones, Blackout is a matte black that can be used as eyeliner but it's not deep enough and my least favourite from the palette; Flash is a vibrant lavender with an iridescent cool finish - very pretty - and Mushroom is a warm grey with a touch of taupe.

l-r: smog, blackout, flash, mushroom

Lost is a metallic warm brown, an everyday shade that will work with every eye colour; Freelove - an all time favourite of mine - is a warm coral with gold shimmer, Moonshadow is a bright navy blue and a new shade and Baked Cowboy - another new shade and a true bright gold.

So, what do you think of these palettes? Which one caught your eye?

Christmas 2014 / The Body Shop Glazed Apple Collection

The Body Shop Glazed Apple Collection is a HUGE range that includes a Eau De Toilette, Body Polish, Body Butter, Shimmer Lotion, Shower Gel, Bath Sprinkles, Bath Jelly, Soap, Lip Gloss, Lip Tint, Hand Cream, Sparkler and Home Fragrance Oil.

There is also a super adorable apple shaped gift set - The Body Shop Glazed Apple Tin of Treasures - that includes a selection from the line, in travel size format. 

This new fragrance just came out ideally before Christmas; it’s not your typically Christmas scent (like spiced apple or frozen berries) but still festive & delicious and sure to make an impression when gifting.

The products and the packaging with their bright green colour and frosted sparkles are also perfect for this time of the year.

The Body Shop Glazed Apple Body Butter* has got a creamy, rich texture and comes in the traditional 200ml tub.

It contains shea butter and leaves the skin conditioned and softly sweetly scented; it is not a sickening smell tho, but more of crisp, fresh fragrance - thanks to the fruity notes of the fresh apple - and warm vanilla.

I love the slightly green tint of the product itself too :)

I'm sure you're already familiar with the moisturising and fast absorbing qualities of The Body Shop hand creams and the Glazed Apple Hand Cream* is no exception. Same fantastic formulation with shea butter and apple seed oil to give relief to dry skin, without leaving any greasy residue.

Furthermore, for example the soap or the shimmer lotion make great stocking fillers or you can pick up the gift set for that tricky secret santa at work. 

The range is truly versatile and you’re bound to find a product to please everyone, for every budget and to make an impression for originality!

Have you seen this line in store yet? What do you think?

Christmas 2014 / Botanicals Offer!

Dear Beauty Addicts,

I'm happy to share that Botanicals is running a fantastic offer until the 19th of December!

First of all, they are providing free delivery on all orders AND - when you order any 2 Botanicals Gift Collections - you will receive a complimentary Botanicals Daily Essentials Facial Collection - worth £25.

The gift set contains a cleansing milk, an hydrating mist, a moisturiser and six organic cotton pads and you can choose from Rose & Camellia for dry and mature skin or Mandarin and Chamomile for normal, combination and sensitive skin.

...and you're spoilt for choice with 6 gift sets for face and body to choose from; my personal favourites are: 

Luxury Handcare Essentials Collection that includes everything you need to pamper your digits, nails and cuticles and the particularly impressive Botanicals Hand Serum and Botanicals Hand Soak.

The other set that I'd recommend is the Balance My Skin Facial Trio, perfect for sensitive and problematic skin. It contains a gentle facial polish, cleansing melt and radiance serum.

I've been personally testing the Botanicals Mandarin & Chamomile Cleansing Melt* in the past week and I was so impressed on how gentle yet effective it is at removing make up and grime at the end of the day.

It comes in the form of a solid balm that melts in contact with your body heat; it penetrates deep into lower layers of the skin and doesn't strip it of its natural oil.

Finally, you simply remove the product with a hot, damp cloth (a muslin cloth is also included in the set).

Let's not forget that Botanicals is an award-winning brand that still makes its natural products by hand; they are free from artificial colours, fragrances and petrochemicals, including parabens.

They are also Soil Association approved  and, with their charming packaging, they are guaranteed to make an impression on your loved ones!

You can browse the collections and take advantage of this offer at www.botanicals.co.uk 

Have you tried this brand before?

Christmas 2014 / Living Nature Pure Radiance Gift Box

Yes, it is indeed already time to talk about Christmas presents; personally, every year I aim to finish my Xmas shopping by the beginning of December (and I’m currently in full shopping mode right now), so I feel this is actually good timing.

The Living Nature’s Pure Radiance Gift Box includes the Radiance Night Oil and the Lip Hydrator. Living Nature is a certified natural brand from New Zealand which harness the unique properties of this land botanicals; this gift is the perfect luxurious, healthy token to pamper your loved ones.

I’ve been using the Living Nature Lip Hydrator* in the last couple of weeks and I’m well impressed.

It doesn’t have any fancy strong flavour – which is a bonus in my opinion – or fancy packaging, but it’s simply a good performing product that provided instant relief.

I’ve really been suffering from chapped lips lately and tried any lip balm in my stash, without any long lasting effect; this balm alone  dramatically improved my lips condition thanks to nourishing butters, oils and Manuka honey.

It’s actually an advanced treatment that also doubles up as a lip primer and contains mica that provides sun protection during the day.

The other item in the set is the Living Nature Radiance Night Oil which is a night youthful elixir! It contains calendula, jojoba, rosehip, rose petals, frankincense, vitamin A and E to balance, rejuvenate and improve the radiance of the skin.

You can buy your gift from www.botanicalbrands.com for £38