Let's start with that base. Now you will know that we haven't ventured very far into the realms of the foundation world, but this is my second ever foundation purchase, and I'm sold 100%. I recently picked up the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation (I have the shade 51 light vanilla) when there was an offer on in Boots. This was the lightest shade available but is a perfect match for my skin this time of year. To cover those dark circles and any blemishes (I know the effects of that late night homework and the pre-exam stress), it'll come as a surprise that our pick is the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (read our review here). To set your main base in place, we used the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder (shade 52 vanilla - I didn't mean to buy this shade as it doesn't match my foundation, but it's un-noticeable because it's so finely milled). This sets it in place really well, being undetectable to the eye and with a handy mirror compact for touch-ups throughout the day.
Now to add some colour to that face. We've suggested an option for blush and bronze but personally with the shimmer on the eye, I would use quite a light hand as both of these contain shimmer. Firstly, our previously mentioned MUA Mosaic Bronzer in shade 2 sunkissed glow which is a really nice general glowing bronze shade for this time of year. Our choice of blush is the Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush. The main reason this new purchase made it into this post (and into my shopping basket for that matter) is the shade name. It's called Santa Rose and after spotting it in the swatch draw, I searched all of the lines to find the only one there! This is a really nice subtle yet 'there' coral-y pink shimmer and is perfect for the festive season.
Now to add some colour to that face. We've suggested an option for blush and bronze but personally with the shimmer on the eye, I would use quite a light hand as both of these contain shimmer. Firstly, our previously mentioned MUA Mosaic Bronzer in shade 2 sunkissed glow which is a really nice general glowing bronze shade for this time of year. Our choice of blush is the Rimmel Lasting Finish Soft Colour Blush. The main reason this new purchase made it into this post (and into my shopping basket for that matter) is the shade name. It's called Santa Rose and after spotting it in the swatch draw, I searched all of the lines to find the only one there! This is a really nice subtle yet 'there' coral-y pink shimmer and is perfect for the festive season.
If you can't rock the smokey, shimmery eye in the festive season, when can you? Let's be honest. But those late night boxing day family gathering are gonna require some longevity in the base department. Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer... well - what can I say?! It lasted a [pretty much] thunderstorm, a day in a boiling kitchen and a sweaty cycle ride to town and back. If that doesn't show longevity, then you tell me what will. It really shows off the pigment in your eyeshadow, as well as being waterproof and proven-ly heat/melt proof. Just swipe over your eyelid, blend out roughly with your ring finger and leave to set for a minute or so. Now to add some shine and sparkle, we have a couple of options, of which can be used alone all over the lid or one on the lid and the other blended through the crease. Firstly, the Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24 hr cream gel eyeshadow in 'on-and-on bronze'. I really love this eye shadow. The colour is really lovely - not too sparkly but still adds a nice bit of festive glitter to your look. Although I will definitely be getting this out more than just at Christmas. The formula is also great, you can apply it with both your finger and a brush and it blends out really nicely. I find this colour works really well with similar shades from the No7 Cappuccino trio if you want to blend two colours on your eyelid. Then there's the Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeshadow stick in '003 bad girl bronze'. Don't you just love the name of this shade? It's a great crease colour that works well with the Maybelline cream gel eye shadow and blends out nicely. I tend to draw it onto my eyelid and then blend it out with my finger or I use a cotton bud if I only want a little bit. As always with Rimmel the formula is really good and I will definitely be looking out for other shades in the range.
You may have realised by now that we're more about drugstore make up than high end at the moment but one product I know we're going to make an exception for is Benefit They're Real! Push-up Liner. Yes, in the picture above we only have a mini (that was free with Elle Magazine) but after Christmas we are aiming to get the full size version which isn't too expensive and is definitely worth the price it is. It hugs the lash line perfectly, is easy to apply and is great for creating the perfect cat flick if you so wish.
Who doesn't want lashes with amazing volume at a Christmas party that will wow your friends, family or colleagues? Well I would really recommend No7 Midnight Lash Mascara. I have to admit the first thing that attracted me to this mascara was the sparkly packaging - it is really pretty and not tacky in any way. Then I saw the spoolie and could not resist picking it up. And I am so glad I did. This mascara gives my lashes so much volume and length they look incredible. It doesn't flake or smudge once on and it lasts for a good few hours. Once again, No7 have delivered with a great new release this winter. Also, if you buy it now at Boots you can get £3 off!
Who doesn't want lashes with amazing volume at a Christmas party that will wow your friends, family or colleagues? Well I would really recommend No7 Midnight Lash Mascara. I have to admit the first thing that attracted me to this mascara was the sparkly packaging - it is really pretty and not tacky in any way. Then I saw the spoolie and could not resist picking it up. And I am so glad I did. This mascara gives my lashes so much volume and length they look incredible. It doesn't flake or smudge once on and it lasts for a good few hours. Once again, No7 have delivered with a great new release this winter. Also, if you buy it now at Boots you can get £3 off!
A classic red lip is a staple for the Christmas season. This Color Drama Lip Pencil from Maybelline in Red Essential is a perfect shade, is really easy to apply and wear and lasts well. I find it lasts even better if you moisturise your lips, allow that to sink in and then apply this over the top in thin coats, building up the colour gradually to your desired intensity. I have already reviewed this in a post here.
If you're not the type of gal who can rock a bold lip no matter what the occasion or just finds it too much hassle to keep applying it throughout the day/evening then don't worry, we have a nude essential as well. You've probably read me gush over how much I love Rimmel Provocalips before here and here. They are a great long lasting lip colour that you can really rely on for a good 10 hours - it doesn't come off when eating, drinking and even kissing under the mistletoe (not that I've actually tried that out). The shade 'Skinny Dipping' is a nude that goes with pretty much anything you want it to. I also found that Maybelline Color Sensational Shine Gloss in 'Coffee Kiss' is the same colour so if after a few hours of wear you want to add a bit more shine this is the perfect product.
Christmas is the best time of year to use as an excuse to wear a really sparkly nail polish. Some of our favourites are above.
Now onto present ideas that are great as stocking fillers or as secret santa gifts.
Minis: mini products are a great, cheap way to introduce people to products you love or to use as little stocking fillers. Normally you can get good offers on minis around December time as well so even if you just want some for yourself now's a great time to pick them up. Below are a couple of ideas that we like but I would also recommend Sanctuary Spa minis and Soap & Glory minis as the original products are often quite expensive.
Gift boxes: gift boxes are a really nice gift to give to somebody if you know they love a certain brand but don't know what products to get. Below we have the Bourjois gift box that was free if you spent a certain amount of money but you can get other gift boxes that contain a lot more and you can buy individually. We like the Sanctuary Spa gift boxes as they contain a variety of products and also Benefit gift boxes.
Minis: mini products are a great, cheap way to introduce people to products you love or to use as little stocking fillers. Normally you can get good offers on minis around December time as well so even if you just want some for yourself now's a great time to pick them up. Below are a couple of ideas that we like but I would also recommend Sanctuary Spa minis and Soap & Glory minis as the original products are often quite expensive.
Gift boxes: gift boxes are a really nice gift to give to somebody if you know they love a certain brand but don't know what products to get. Below we have the Bourjois gift box that was free if you spent a certain amount of money but you can get other gift boxes that contain a lot more and you can buy individually. We like the Sanctuary Spa gift boxes as they contain a variety of products and also Benefit gift boxes.
Have you got any products that you think are essential at Christmas time?
Stay beautiful x
Stay beautiful x