WINTER LIP BALMS

When it gets to Winter I think all of us crack out the more intensive skincare, the nourishing masks, and the thick body creams, as well as the lip balms. If anyone is like myself, the balm section of your lip drawer is overflowing and you aren't quite sure which ones you should reach for. I have 2 budget friendly recommendations that I use constantly to keep my lips ready for whatever weather (and lip stick) is thrown at them.

The first is one I've used numerous tubes of - Nivea Milk & Honey. It's thick, smells really natural and almost somehow cosy, and does one hell of a job at keeping the lips nourished. I use this in the morning before makeup application, as well as in the evenings among my skincare routine upon makeup removal. This is usually about £3 so doesn't break the bank and lasts quite a while.

The second is the Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, in just the regular formula/scent. It's minty and refreshing and isn't as thick as the Nivea offering. This is the one you could use during the day when we want a bit of a kick of nourishment as well as a minty flavour. This is £4-5 and so isn't that expensive either and could do well as a little stocking filler this Christmas.

Honestly, lip balms are one of my biggest necessities in Winter as the feeling of sore chapped lips genuinely makes me shudder.I know the Nuxe Reve de Miel is on my wishlist but until then, these serve me more than well.

WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS 2013 | BEAUTY

Cliche blogger introductory paragraph, but I'll put it short and sweet. I'm NOT bragging, and am extremely grateful for absolutely everything you see here (I also got other non-beauty bits too, but they aren't being featured here, and some of the things didn't get into this photo haha).

So, first with the bath and body items. I got the Soap and Glory Relaxstation set, which basically, I have just been smelling for the past 3 days, and I may be a little addicted. From my little sister, I got the Body Shop Vineyard Peach Body Butter which is the thickest, most nourishing body butter you ever did see, and it literally smells like someone crushed up a peach and put it in this pot - love. On the same front I got the Burt's Bees Essential Kit which contains a cleanser, hand salve, body lotion, foot cream and a lip balm (which I was most excited about).

Onto makeup. So, I was lucky enough to receive MAC Woodwinked, coming in at my first every MAC eye shadow, and the colour is just simply be-a-utiful, a golden, bronzey colour which just pairs nicely with my brown eyes - yay! I got the Smashbox It's Your Prime Set which contains 3 primers; the famous Photofinish Foundation Primer, the new Hydrating Undereye Primer and also the Photofinish Lid Primer all of which at first impressions are great.
 I also got the Real Techniques Stippling Brush which I have wanted for ages for light foundation application and cream brush, and I am loving it. The Soap and Glory Girl-O-Whirl was a total surprise to me, which my mum had picked out when it was on the star offer in Boots (you chose very well mum!), and it has an array of products in it which I have been lusting after for ages now. I also got 2 No7 sets, one of which being the one with 2 brushes, and 3 shadows which you saw in my wishlist post, and another with a compact mirror and case, in it, both being from my Nan and Granddad. 

The Origins Mask Marvels Set turned up under the tree, so I am excited to trail (and review of course) 3 fabulous masks from Origins , 2 of which have gained a cult-status in the beauty world.

Finally onto fragrances. I got the Body Shop White Musk Smokey Rose Fragrance Mist which is a lovely, slightly lighter version of the original EDP, but still smells just as good as it. I also got this adorable set of 4 of the Ted Baker Women scents in a set called Heaven Scent which are so feminine, but not too overpowering, and the packaging on top of that receives an A* from me. 

So those were the majority of the beauty based gifts that I got this year, and I can assure you, the money I received was well spent buying more beauty (and some fashion) bargains in the Boxing Day sales... oops.