December 2015 Favourites




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 12

I can't believe it's the last day of the 12 Days of Blogmas. The last 12 days have gone by so quickly! I'm going to take a little break from blogging until the New Year so I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to everyone, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. For my final post I wanted to do a December favourites.
 First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
 I have been using this as my cleanser in the shower this month and I've been liking it. It's gentle on my sensitive skin. It foams up really nicely and leaves my skin feeling clean but not too dry.

City Color HD Power
 I tried "baking" my foundation and concealer this month for the first time and while I'm not sure "baking" is for me, (frankly I don't have the time or energy), this powder gave me a really flawless finish.  I also like this powder to set my lipstick. You can see the post here where I explain this tip.

Milani Baked Blush in Red Vino
 This is such as gorgeous blush for this time of year. I've worn it quite a few times this month as kind of a statement blush where the rest of my makeup is fairly minimal. Milani just makes the best blushes.

Maybelline Matte Lipstick in Siren in Scarlet
 This is one of my favourite matte red lipsticks. I've mostly worn red lips this month because it's the perfect time of the year to rock a red lip. I've talked lots in the past about how this lipstick formula is so comfortable. Best at the drugstore in my opinion.

Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner
 It's winter and the time where my skin gets ridiculously dry. I've been using this body conditioner in the shower to give my skin some extra hydration. It's really helped my skin and it smells so good!

Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple Body Lotion
I've slathered myself in this lotion this month as it's my favourite winter scent. To be honest it's not a great moisturizer but I wear it more as perfume than for it's hydration benefits.

I hope you've enjoyed the 12 Days of Blogmas! I've really enjoyed posting these last 12 days. If you missed any of the days be sure to go back and check them out.

Happy Holidays!

Metallic Eyeshadow Look




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 11

I wanted to do a look similar to this one I found in Seventeen Magazine a while back. I think it would be great for parties this holiday season. So here's how I recreated this look.
 I used the Sonia Kashuk eye on neutral shimmer palette. I started with a base of concealer just to keep my eyeshadow from creasing and then I used a matte transition shade in my crease. I used the shade Naked 2 from the Naked Basics palette but you can use whatever matte transition shadow you have. Then with a shader brush I took the silver shade (middle of the bottom row) and patted that on the inner and outer third of my eye. I then used my finger to press the gold shade (1st shadow, third row) on the centre of my lid. I highlighted my browbone and inner corner. I then went back into the silver shadow and with a pencil brush, I lined my bottom lashline. To create a wing I used my Stila Stay all Day Liquid Liner. I also used a black liner on my water line. To finish the look I used the Benefit They're Real Mascara. 
I'm pleased with the finished look. Let me know what you think.
Remember to come back tomorrow for the final day of the 12 Days of Blogmas!

A Christmassy Home Tour




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 10
I just wanted to do a quick Christmassy Home tour as we have finally put up all of our decorations. I'm the most pleased with our tree. I think it's the prettiest tree we've ever had. So keep reading if you're feeling a little nosy and want to see how my family decorates for Christmas.
Our tree is a real Scotch Pine with the most beautiful twinkly lights. We went for a gold and red theme this year.





Literally the Best Christmas candle in existence. It's from a brand called Crossroads and it's the Buttered Maple Syrup scent.
 I hope you've enjoyed this look into my Christmassy home. 
How excited are you for Christmas? 
Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Days of Blogmas!

The Perfect Pamper Night





Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 9

I always have a pamper night after my last exam. It's a great way to transition from the chaos of studying to the relaxation and festivities of the holiday's. So for today's post I'll be letting you know what I do to pamper myself and hopefully give you some good ideas of what you can do for your own pamper night.
I start off with a face mask. My favourite is the Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment. While my mask is on, I set up for my bath.
I love to light some candles and I usually set up my laptop so I can watch Netflix or catch up on Vlogmas videos on Youtube.
 A bath is nothing without a Lush bathbomb so for my bath I used Golden Wonder which is one of my favourites! It smells great and creates a beautiful, colourful bath,
While in the bath I like to use my Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner. It's so luxurious and hydrating plus it smells wonderful.
I also like to do a hair mask on pamper nights. My favourite is the Briogeo Don't Despair Repair. It makes my hair really soft and shiny. After a pamper night my mom always mentions how great my hair looks.
Once I'm done my bath and I'm all relaxed and clean, I get dressed in my coziest PJ's. I have a fuzzy sweater from la Vie en Rose that I LOVE. I then moisturize with my favourite winter scent, Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple.
 I also like to rehydrate my face with my Glamglow Thirstymud.
I then like to put on some Christmas songs to get me in the holiday spirit. I am loving listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album. I like to paint my nails next. If you want to find out how to get these festive nails you can find it here.
Once my nails are dry I then make myself a drink. My current favourite is Rolo Hot Chocolate and I snuggle up with my dog and watch Christmas Movies. This pamper night included my favourite holiday movie, Love Actually.
Pamper nights are the best. I don't do them often enough. 
What's involved in your pamper night? 
Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Days of Blogmas!

The Best Skincare for Winter




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 8

I did a similar post last year (post here) but I have added a few new skincare products which seem to have helped keep my skin from getting dry this winter. 


Hydrating Serum- I'm going to credit my lack of dry skin this season to the Indeed Hydraluron serum. I have a full review of this product here. It's quickly become a holy grail product for me. It keeps my skin from getting really dry and flaky. I can't recommend it enough!

Moisturizer- A good day moisturizer is so important in keeping your skin from getting dry. I use Ole Henriksen Nurture Me. This was one of the products on my Dry Skin Essentials list last year and I'm still loving it this year. It keeps my skin moisturized all day and it smells so good!

Moisturizing Cleanser- At the end of the day you need to take all your makeup off and during the winter having a cleanser that is really moisturizing is a must. My favourite is the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. It leaves my skin feeling clean and never overly dry. I have a full post reviewing it here.

Night Cream- A good overnight moisturizer is very important, especially during the winter. I love the Origins High-Potency Night-a-Mins as I always wake up with soft, smooth and plump skin.

Hydrating Mask- On days when your skin is so dry and seems irredeemable, you need something a little more potent than your everyday moisturizer. This is where a hydrating mask comes in. I love the Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment. I leave it on (usually overnight) and let it sink in. It hydrates better than anything else.


I hope if you have dry skin this post can give you a few good ideas about what you can do to help it. Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Days of Blogmas!

The Best Ginger Cookie Recipe in the World





Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 7

Have I exaggerated the title? I don't think so. These Ginger Cookies have become what I'm known for in my family. I only make them around Christmas so they have become one of my holiday traditions. I have often given them as gifts and I've always gotten rave reviews so I thought it was about time I shared my recipe. These aren't health cookies as there's a lot of sugar involved, but boy are they yummy! I haven't converted the recipe so if you live in the UK or somewhere with a different measuring system you can try THIS website for the conversions.


What you'll need:


  • 3/4 cup margarine                                                  
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
      • bowl of white granulated sugar

How to Make them:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl cream together the wet ingredients (the first four on the list). In a separate smaller bowl mix together the dry ingredients (remainder of the ingredients minus the white sugar) then stir them in with the creamed mixture. Once combined, roll the dough into little balls; roll the balls in a bowl of sugar. Then using a flat surface, I usually use the bottom of a cup, flatten the balls. I usually add a pinch of sugar to the top of the flattened cookie dough just to make them look nice. Bake for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

 In my totally biased opinion, these are the best cookies in the world! If you make them please let me know what you think! What are your favourite things to bake?

Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Days of Blogmas!

Easy and Glam Holiday Makeup Look




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 6

I can't believe we're already halfway through the 12 days of Blogmas! For today's post I wanted to put together a really quick and easy holiday look that can make you look really glam with only 3 extra products. This look would be great to help transition your makeup from day to night.

Assuming you're already wearing the basics (foundation, concealer, brows, mascara), I started by using a highlighter as eyeshadow. I used the highlight in the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow but any golden highlight would look amazing. I took a MAC 217 and quickly brushed that all over my lid avoiding the crease. With a little mascara, this was the finished look. The highlight really looks gorgeous when it catches the light.
I wanted to do a look that really made use of this gorgeous blush from Milani in 09 Red Vino. I like rosy cheeks in the winter as it makes it look like you've just come in from the cold. I applied this blush to my cheeks with a Sonia Kashuk stippling brush. And then topped it off with some highlighter. I find as long as you keep the eyes really basic, the blush isn't too over powering, even on my fair skin.
 The final step is a deep berry red lipstick and Rimmel's Kate Moss Lipstick in 107 fits the bill perfectly. I love how the lipstick matches the blush. It really completes the look.
With just three extra products you can turn your office/school makeup into a look perfect for a holiday party. 

Hope this has look given you some inspiration! Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 days of Blogmas! I'm very excited for tomorrow's post.




*I don't put my full face on my blog because I don't want it to have an effect on any future (government) job I might have. I know it's not ideal but hopefully you understand :)

How to make your Lipstick Last





Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 5

I love wearing bright red lipstick during the holidays but I hate how high maintenance it is. I don't want to be worrying about if my lipstick has smudged all over my face or whether it's faded, so I thought I would share my best tips to make your lipstick last all night, including through those delicious holiday dinners. I did this trick last Christmas and my lipstick looked great all night!
So what you'll need is your favourite lipstick, some tissue, a powder brush and some translucent loose powder.

Start by applying your lipstick like normal. Then take your tissue and place it over your lips. This actually works better if you use thinner tissues (2ply or less). Then take a decent amount of powder on your brush and brush that over your lips. This will set the lipstick in place and make it last all day. You can also use this method to make any lipstick matte. A word of warning, this will dry out your lips a little.

Hopefully this tip helps you keep your lipstick looking great this holiday season! Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Day of Blogmas!

Festive Holiday Nails




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 4

I wanted to share some Festive Holiday Nail inspiration with you today. These nails got the stamp of approval from my 4 year old cousin so I know you're going to like them. If you want to check out the festive nails I did for Blogmas last last year, you can find that here.


This is a really simple way to make your nails look a little more festive. I painted my nails green (I just used some dollar nail polish because it was my only forest green one). I then took a tooth pick and cut a bit of the end off to give it a flat surface for dotting. I then dipped the toothpick into some sparkly gold nail polish from Maybelline and did 3 vertical dots on my nails. I let it dry a little and finished with my Formula X top coat. I was very happy with how it turned out.

Let me know what you think! Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Days of Blogmas!

The Winter Tag




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 3

Last year I did the Christmas tag and all my answers are still the same this year so if you want to read that post you can find it here. This year for something different I thought I would do the Winter Tag. I found these questions on Lottebeautybox.co.uk

1. What are your favourite things about winter?
I like how cosy everything feels in winter where you can curl up under a blanket beside the fire. I like how clean things look with a nice white layer of snow. I love the holidays and the week between Christmas and New Years. For things I don't like about winter, I hate that where I live it lasts 5-6 months and I really hate when it's -40C.
2. What is your favourite winter outfit?
I like to be warm in the winter so I wear a sweater everyday. When I'm at home I pretty much live in sweat pants and an oversized hoodie.
3. What is your favourite winter food?
I love Christmas cookies, baking and all things sweet. Warm foods like soup are also really nice in the winter.
4. Favourite Winter Drink?
I have a green tea latte everyday (recipe here) but at Christmas I especially love the Caramel Brulee Latte from Starbucks. It's heaven in a cup.
5. How do you like to do your makeup in the winter?
As my skin gets ridiculously dry in the winter I don't wear as much foundation as it tends to look cakey. My makeup usually consists of concealer, shimmery champagne or light pink eyeshadow, mascara, a mauve blush and a dark berry or red lip.
6. What are you hoping Santa brings you?
I would really like a laptop/camera bag from Kelly Moore.
7. What are the first 3 things that remind you of winter?
The first snow fall of the year.
Making my amazing Ginger Cookies (recipe coming soon)
When all the Christmas Lights get put up around the city.
8. What is your favourite winter song?
I don't really have a favourite but I like the Charlie Brown Christmas CD.
9. What is your favourite winter scent?
By far my favourite is Bath and Body Works - Winter Candy Apple. I'm totally obsessed. 

Everyone is tagged to answer these questions. Let me know if you do this tag so I can check yours out! And remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Days of Blogmas.

Green Tea Latte Recipe




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas - Day 2!

I start everyday with a Green Tea Latte and I can't imagine my morning without a nice cosy cup! I know I've written about my love for Green Tea Latte's on my blog before so I thought it was about time I shared my recipe. In my opinion this tastes just like the Green Tea Latte's you would get at Starbucks.

The first thing you need is Matcha Powder. You can usually find this at health food stores. Matcha powder uses the whole green tea leaf which means it has 10 to 15 times the nutrients of traditional tea and 100 times more antioxidants. It also gives you lots of energy so it's a good alternative to coffee.
To make this delicious drink, take 2 teaspoons of matcha powder and dissolve it in hot water. If you take sugar in your tea add it now. I usually stop the water just before it starts boiling. You don't need a lot of water for this, just enough to dissolve all of the powder.
Then fill the rest of your glass with milk. I usually use skim milk, but you can use whatever you have. You then need to heat the milk so put your drink in the microwave for about 2 minutes. You'll want to use a microwave safe glass or mug for this. If you have a milk frother and want to get fancy, that is also an alternative.
Congrats you now have a delicious Starbucks Quality Green Tea Latte!
If you try this recipe let me know how you like it! 
Remember to come back tomorrow for more of the 12 Days of Blogmas!

2015 Holiday Gift Guide




Welcome to the 12 Days of Blogmas Day 1!

A lot of people have been doing Gift Guides so I thought I would make my own for the first day of the 12 Days of Blogmas! I tried to get as many different categories of gifts as possible. 

1. Chloé Eau de Parfum - This is the perfect gift for the scent lover. This perfume is feminine and fresh with notes of Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee, Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Cedarwood, Amber and Honey. The bottle is also gorgeous and would look lovely on anyone's dresser. It costs between $32 -$145.

2. GLAMGLOW GIFTSEXY Dazzling Hydration Set - Receiving a Glamglow product is such a luxury gift, it makes you feel like a movie star. I really love the Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment and you get a full size of the mask in this set which retails by itself for $76. As a bonus in this set you'll also get a free mini Supermud Clearing Treatment (no exaggeration, the best mask I've ever used), a mini Thirstycleanse Daily Hydrating Cleanser, (which to be honest I've never tried) and a dual ended applicator brush. Great value for money from a great brand.

3. FRENDS x BaubleBar Helios Layla Headphones Set - This is another luxury gift at $175. I see people wearing these headphones around campus and they look so gorgeous! I'm always envious. These headphones are a nice accessory and statement piece, as well as really practical. If you know someone who listens to a lot of music this would be a perfect gift.

4. Cozy Clothes- Everyone loves to chill out in something comfy. My all time favourite lounge wear comes from la Vie en Rose (which I believe is a Canadian company so hopefully you know a store that sells cozy clothes in your Country). This particular sweater is super fuzzy and quite literally the softest thing I've ever felt. I got one for Christmas last year and it feels like I'm getting a constant hug when I wear it, I never take it off. It costs $39.95.

5. Lush Christmas Wishes Gift Set- Lush is always a winner for bath lovers. This set is $65.95 and contains 7 holiday bath bombs. I've tried most of the bath bombs in this set and they are all really nice. Plus the tin it comes in is adorable and doesn't need to be wrapped.

6. Chocolate filled Mugs - If you're short on cash this year or have to buy gift for multiple people I suggest buying a really cute mug such as these from Anthropologie ($6) and filling it with chocolate. I gave my friends these as a gift last year.

7. Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette - This has got to be one of the most popular new palettes this holiday so it would make the perfect gift for any makeup lover. Urban Decay has the best eyeshadow formula in my opinion and this one designed by Gwen Stefani has great neutrals with some really nice pops of colour. It retails for $70.

Hopefully you found something in this post helpful or inspiring. Come back tomorrow for day 2 of the 12 days of Blogmas!