Xmas 2015 / Buon Natale from Kiko Milano

Kiko Milano does Christmas BIG style! The Cosmic Starlets Holiday Collection includes holiday gifts, holiday single make up items and also skincare & fragrances.

All the products come packaged in a festive red & silver design with bows and bespoken cases. 

Part of the Cosmic Starlets make-up range - Kiko Milano Cosmic Glam Kajal-Eyeliner Duo is a double ended pen with a bright kajal on one side and bold liquid eyeliner on the other.

03 Denim Blue* has a bright shimmer light blue teamed with an intense royal blue. The kajal is super smooth and easy to blend as an eyeshadow on the whole eyelid; the eyeliner applicator is easy to use, steady and doesn't drag on the skin. You can also use the kajal just to rim the eye and create a smokey look.

Kiko Milano Dazzling Highlighter is a cream, illuminating stick; it comes in 03 Pure Gold* and 04 Bright Rose* and they are both beautiful - I couldn't pick a favourite. They are subtly different but they are different!

The added radiance to the cheeks is guaranteed with a effortless swipe of the product, directly on the skin. 

They have high-reflecting pearls and the formula contains natural waxes, jojoba oil and rice oil giving it a silky soft feel. 

top - bottom: bright rose, pure gold

The gift sets are even more amazing!
The Kiko Milano Angel Kiss Set contains a jar of exfoliating scrub for the lips and a lip balm in matching colours.
Cranberry Crumble is in a purple hue - both name & colour ideal for autumn/winter season.
The scrub contains sugar crystals to soften and smooth the lips whilst the lip balm moisturises and soothes the skin; it leaves just an hint of colour with a glossy finish.

Kiko Milano Twin Stars Nail Lacquer & Lipstick is another well thought present; the elegant gift package is in the cute shape of a tree ornament and contains a matte lipstick with matching nail polish.

You can choose between 4 shades but you certainly can't go wrong with 04 Uniquely Red*!

Although matte, the lipstick is creamy and nourishing and with a great colour pay-off; the nail polish has a glossy finish and opaque with one application.

... and of course, I saved the best for last!

Even if you're not a nail polish super-fan, I dare you not to drool in front of this mini-vault.

The Kiko Milano Dream Wish Nail Lacquer Set* comes with 7 beautiful colours and a glittery top coat.

The shades are all beautiful and suitable for every skintone: from a milky pinky nude, to a bright coral, to a (rediscovered) warm brown.

The finish is super shiny and the formula contains resins that give the polish a gel effect and longevity, without the need of a UV lamp.

This is truly a winner collection - affordable and of impact!
What are you wishing for to find under the tree?

Xmas 2015 / Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Technically not part of the Urban Decay Holiday 2015 selection, BUT the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette* is certainly taking the spotlight concerning Must-Haves this Christmas. 

As the name suggests, the palette comes from the collaboration between Wende Zomnir (cofounder of UD) and Gwen Stefani, which apparently overlooked every detail - from the shades selection to the packaging; she also picked up the eyeshadow names, inspired by her songs.

The cool black & white graphic case is encased in a gold frame with a magnetic fastening.

The palette is considerably neutral orientated making it perfect for everyone; but with some jewel tones added to recreate Gwen iconic looks, if you wish.

Out of the 15 eyeshadows, 12 are BRAND NEW... so No Doubt you need this in your collection!!! ;P

No complaints about the quality either, it's there! True Urban Decay formulation: smooth and buttery with good pigmentation pay-off.

l-r: Blonde, Bathwater, Skimp, Steady, Punk

Top Row: Blonde is a pale ivory with pink sparkle; Bathwater is a light cream with warm undertone with a frosty sheen; Skimp is a peachy nude with a satin finish; Steady is a rose gold with metallic finish - Beautiful shade, one of my favourites! Punk is a matte brown with a warm, plum undertone.

l-r: Baby, Anaheim, Stark, Zone, Serious

Middle Row: Baby is another rose gold, pinkier then Steady, also with a metallic sheen; Anaheim is medium brown with cool undertones and with matte finish; Stark is also a matte brown, pale with warm undertones; Zone is another matte brown but with a strong yellow tone; Serious is a grayish taupe with very small shimmer. 

l-r: Pop, Harajuku, Danger, 1987, Blackout

Bottom Row: Pop is a coral/pink, very shimmery; Harajuku is a cool pink with a frosted finish; Danger is intense royal blue with a pearly finish; beautiful and another fave of mine! 1987 is a true yellow gold with metallic sheen; Blackout is a matte true black shade.

In the box you will also find a sneak peek at the continuing of the partnership, in the shape of a range of lipsticks (coming out in Spring 2016, apparently) - Can't wait!!!

Are you a Gwen Stefani fan? Have you swatched this palette yet?

Xmas 2015 / Frosted Plum Collection from The Body Shop

Like every year, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to The Body Shop Christmas selection; established lines include the Frosted Cranberry and the Glazed Apple (you can read more here btw) that come beautifully packaged in fruit shaped tins, or the fragrances gift sets - like White Musk or Italian Summer Fig.

The new scent for 2015 is the Frosted Plum which smells delicious and features a tantalising, purple packaging.

The trademark scent is sweet but not too sweet - with plum extracts from orchards in Turkey, mixed with elegant notes of peony and magnolia.

The range has an healthy selection of items to envelope the body with this inviting fragrance from tip to toe, from morning to night.

One of my favourite products is The Body Shop Frosted Plum Shimmer Mist* which is a perfume with silver shimmery particles in it; it's a real decadent addition to any collection and it comes in a glass bottle, making it a very special gift for anyone.

If you're a glitter lover, The Body Shop Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion* is the one for you; whilst the mist is subtler and you can use it on focused points, the lotion covers the body with a veil of sparkle. The Community Fair Trade shea butter from Ghana leaves the skin velvety to the touch and  Perfect for the party season!

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Lip Balm* comes in a classic tin and it contains Community Fair Trade beeswax; it's the prettiest shade of purple in the tin, but it applies clear and glossy on the lips.

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Body Butter* has been keeping me company every evening after a shower, in the last couple of weeks; I love a good The Body Shop body butter and this new fragrance is putting me in the right festive mood.  It also contains Community Fair Trade organic Babassu oil from Brazil which leaves the skin moisturised and conditioned.

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Bath Fizzers* are any bath-lover dream; they will fill the bathroom with this juicy scent and the bathtub with an indulgent milky water. A real treat!

There is also a festive selection of cute bath sponges like the cute fellow bear below to complete any gift bundle.

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Collection also includes: Shower Gel, Hand Cream, Soap, Sugar Scrub, Candle and Home Fragrance Oil.
Have you tried this range from The Body Shop yet? What is on your wishlist?

Xmas 2015 / Beauty Kitchen Create Your Own Lip Balms

Beauty Kitchen is a Glasgow-based store of 100% natural, effective and affordable beauty products - but if you're not in Scotland, you can easily place an order on their website here ->  http://www.beautykitchen.co.uk/

They have a wide range of skin & body care, from bath bombs to an excellent hand exfoliant to the most fab natural soaps.

Stuck with the same old 3x2 Boots gift sets? (Believe me, there's just as much Soap & Glory that a girl can take), I have the perfect original stocking filler for your loved one: Beauty Kitchen Create Your Own Lip Balms*

First of all, it is beautifully packaged in a quirky can and it contains all you need to make 4 homemade lip balms!  

Wrapped in some festive, red paper you'll find some beeswax, cocoa butter, four tins with labels, a spatula... and some natural glitter!!! How cool!

There are instruction too, of course - they seem pretty easy and you only need to add some sunflower oil. They have also included a bag of wildflower seeds that are not needed for the recipe but you can plant them to help the bees. :)

I haven't tried to make them yet but keep an eye on my Instagram account that I will certainly post the finished product.

After all the fun, you can decide to keep them all for yourself or share them with your friends... What will you be then? Santa or Scrouge?! ;)
Do you like DIY beauty kits? Have you heard of Beauty Kitchen before?

Xmas 2015 / Weleda Pomegranate Christmas Tree Lantern

Weleda is one of my top favourite brands all year round.

I will say it again, again - their baby range is also fantastic and worth investing in and I also used their products during my pregnancy because it's a brand that I trust.

For the Festive Season 2015, they came out with the cutest little stocking fillers in the form a Christmas Tree Lantern decorations - they will look lovely hanging from a tree branch too! :)

You can choose from a few different scents, I got the Weleda Pomegranate Christmas Tree Lantern* which contains a miniature Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash & a miniature Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil.

The Pomegranate range is nourishing and regenerating to help fight the signs of ageing; it improves firmness and elasticity. The milky body wash is refreshing and invigorating to the senses, thanks to sandalwood and neroli too.

I like to use the oil on damp skin, just out of the shower; the oil is rich in nutrients and it has shown to accelerate renewal by 50% in only two weeks... a real treatment for the body.

Anyway, I recommend that you visit www.Weleda.co.uk because they have an excellent selection of gift ideas for every budget. The Weleda Christmas Tree Lanterns are only £5 which is a really fantastic price for these luxurious items.   

Have you tried Weleda before? Which is your favourite range?