L'Occitane Advent Calendar 2015

I am a huge fan of L'Occitane and I cannot wait to see what 2016 has in store for this amazing brand. When I was kindly gifted an Advent Calendar I was ecstatic because I had tried to get one in store to no avail, no sooner were they in stock, they sold out. It cost just £39 which is an absolute bargain to be had.

I adore how this advent calendar has been put together, for me it very much represents the brand I have come to know and love and I love the design and graphics.  As you can imagine, behind the 24 allotted doors is a product or surprise inclusion and again I have shared all of them on my Instagram feed.

Opening like a big A3 book, this advent calendar is really well made and this is what I found:

Day One - Ultra Rich Face Cream with Shea Butter

Day Two - Shampoo containing 5 essential oils

Day Three  -Cute Gift Tags

Day Four - Extra Gentle Milk Soap

Day Five - Rose Scented Hand Cream

Day Six - Almond Shower Gel

Day Seven - A Red Bow to hand on your tree

Day Eight - Pivoine Flora Handcream

Day Nine -  Hair Conditoner containing 5 essential oils

Day Ten - Cherry Blossom Hand Cream

Day Eleven - Festive Nail File

Day twelve - Jasmine Scented Soap

Day Thirteen - Ultra Rich Body Lotion

Day Fourteen - Foot Cream for Dry Skin

Day Fifteen - Verbena Body Lotion

Day Sixteen - Christmas Table Place Cards

Day Seventeen - Almond Hand Cream

Day Eighteen - Star Shaped Cookie Cutter

Day Nineteen - Moisturizing Lip Balm

Day Twenty - Verena Shower Gel

Day Twenty One - Ten Christmas Stickers

Day Twenty Two - Hand Cream for Dry Hands

Day Twenty Three - A bag of gold stars

Day Twenty Four - Pivoine Flora Eau de Toilette

Now that is an amazing haul of products from one calendar and it contains some of my absolute favourite products such as the Jasmine Scented Soap, Almond Shower Gel and the Cherry Blossom Hand Cream.  There are some products which are also new to me and I cannot wait to give them a try.

What do you think to this offering from L'Occitane?

Marks and Spencer Advent Calendar 2015

If you follow me on Instagram then you might have seen my daily posts from my L'Occitane and Marks and Spencer Advent Calendars.  If you didn't then you are in for a treat because I am going to share all of the contents of the 

Marks and Spencer Advent Calendar with you now and then L'Occitane in its own post too.

There had been quite a lot of excitement surrounding the Marks and Spencer Advent Calendar and I was one of the lucky one to get it for £25 as I had re-ordered some Philip Kingsley shampoo and conditioner. I was surprised at how heavy the advent calendar was but it is made so well, that my intention is to keep the box and make my own advent calendar for someone in 2016.  

Inside the box are 24 individual numbered boxes and then inside each box was a product that can be found on sale in Marks and Spencer, naturally it is all beauty and there is a wide variety of items to be found.

So as you can see there are some really good products here and this is what I found and when:

Day One - Philip Kingsley Geranium and Neroli Elasticizer 

Day Two - Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

Day Three - Cowshed Grumpy Cow Uplifting Body Lotion

Day Four - Pur Minerals Volume Vixen Mascara

Day Five - Leighton Denny Renovate nail repair cream

Day Six - Rosie for Autograph Nuit Perfume

Day Seven - Rituals Organic Rice Milk and Cherry Blossom Shower Gel

Day Eight - Pure Super Grape Day Cream

Day Nine - Filorga Time Filler Absolute Wrinkle correction cream

Day Ten - Neal's Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream

Day Eleven - Josh Wood Full Bodied Shampoo

Day Twelve - Diego Dalla Palma Lipstick in shade 46 Antique Rose

Day Thirteen - Mio Skincare Liquid Yoga Restorative Bath Soak

Day Fourteen - Percy and Reed Volumising No Oil, Oil

Day Fifteen - Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Hand and Nail Cream

Day Sixteen - Rodial Dragon's Blood Sculpting Gel

Day Seventeen - Swell Hair Ultimate Volume Mask

Day Eighteen - Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Bar of Soap

Day Nineteen - Autograph Lip Crayon in Nude

Day Twenty - L'Occitane Verbena Shower Gel

Day Twenty One - Pixi Glow Tonic

Day Twenty Two - Ren skincae Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial

Day Twenty Three - Stila Lip Glaze in shade Sugar Plum

Day Twenty Four - Morgan Taylor Nail Polish in shade Pretty Woman

For a very first advent calendar, I actually think Marks and Spencer have smashed it.  Not only was it such great value for money, but there are so many amazing brands and products inside making it well worth the £25 it cost and one to hope for in 2016.

What do you think to this Advent Calendar?

Tesco Advent Calendar - Week Two

This is the second week of opening my Tesco Beauty Advent Calendar and I have to say, week one was pretty brilliant, you can see that post HERE.  This week had much to live up to I think in terms of how good the contents have been, so this is what I have:

Day 8 - Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume Sample. 

Named after the famous Red Door spas of Elizabeth Arden. An initial burst of red roses gradually becomes more of a floral bouquet combining lily of the valley with tuberose, jasmine and freesia.  Now I am personally not a fan of Elizabeth Arden products, they just don't don't do it for me, be it the 8 hour cream or perfumes, I am yet to find something that has made me go wow.  That said, this is a nice scented perfume, though I do feel it is for someone older than me in my 30's.

Day 9 - PRO Formula purifying thermal face mask sachet 

The Pro Formula Purifying Thermal Face Mask deeply cleanses, helps to open pores and absorb excess oils. Enriched with white willow bark and vitamin E complex, in combination with a warming effect, it helps to draw out impurities and clear excess dirt leaving the skin feeling fresh. It is also hypoallergenic.

Day 10 - Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix RRP 

Smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area with Viper Venom Eye Fix from Nip+Fab. This refreshing eye gel with a cooling roll-on applicator contains wrinkle minimising liftonin xpress and sy-nake with red algae to decrease the appearance of dark circles. The Nip+Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix is suitable for all skin types.

Day 11 - So Eco Foundation Brush RRP 

So Eco presents the Foundation Brush, designed as a premium make-up brush whilst being completely environmentally friendly. The head, filled with super-soft bristles is hand-cut and tapered to cover under-eye circles and imperfections to achieve a smooth complexion using liquid or powder make-up. The Foundation Brush handle by So Eco is made from ecologically sustainable bamboo providing additional comfort with a recycled aluminium ferule.

The Foundation Brush gift box is made with cardboard from managed forests that have been approved by the PEFC. The So Eco packaging features a window made from cornstarch and is held together using water-based adhesives. The box design was printed using vegetable inks with no harmful effects to the environment.

Day 12 - Korres Citrus Shower Gel

I am a huge fan of Korres products, so am delighted to see this in my Calendar.
It is a soft moisturising showergel, ideal for everyday use. Wheat proteins form a protective film on the skin, maintaining its regular hydration level. It smells absolutely amazing, very citrusy and the kind of scent which is guaranteed to wake you up in the morning when you are half asleep.

Day 13 - Tesco Reflect and Perfect Compact Mirror

Not the best compact mirror I have ever had I have to say. It is quite cheaply made and put together but is alright for chucking in my overnight bag in case of emergency. 

Day 14 - Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Masque

Gentle enough for the most dry and sensitive skins, Delicate Boosting Mask is a smooth and creamy hydrating mask containing Dead Sea Mud and Harmonised Water. It has an Allergen-Free Fragrance and contains no paraben and states it will give skin a fresher look and healthy glow as well as improve the skins texture, remove impurities and is deeply nourishing.

So there it is, week two of my advent calendar and I have to say that once I again I am impressed with the content.  I will use all of those products and cannot wait to see what I find behind the doors of week three!

What do you think?

Lush Christmas Launch 2014

A few weeks ago, I excitedly made my way to the Lush Christmas Launch just off Regent Street with the lovely Kimberley and Zoe.  What I love most about Lush Christmas is the launching of new and exciting products that I am yet to try and the bringing back of trusty faithfuls that I cannot help but love - yes Snow Fairy... Get It Now!!

Once inside Lush it was nice to see a massive turn out but more excitingly the chance to see all the products, gift sets and of course the Lush Advent Calendar which I mentioned on my blog HERE and to see it in front of me was amazing because it is rather large!

There are a lot of gift packages also available again this year and they range in price from around £8 right up to over £100 and within each package you get a good selection of products.

As you can see there are some trusty favourites from last year such as Snow Fairy, Candy Mountain and The Christmas Penguin, but there are some lovely new products too such  as The Christmas Hedgehog (how I am going to squish him into the bath is beyond me, he is far too cute), Dashing Santa, Butterbear and Baked Alaska Soap to name but a few!

If like me you are massive fan of Lush and love what they have on offer for Christmas, I can only advise you to get down there quick and buy something new and exciting as well as someone you might buy every year, because there is a whole lot more than I can possibly show in one blog post!  Go Go Go!

What is your favourite Lush product?

You Beauty Discovery Advent Calendar

Yep here is another one! I love You Beauty Discovery Boxes and had been waiting to see if there would be an advent calendar which would equal the amazing boxes, this is it!

The YOU Beauty Discovery Advent Calendar is said to contain products worth £240, including the likes of Laura Mercier, Liz Earle, Sisley, Rodial, Benefit, Caudalie and Molton Brown - to name just a few!  Priced at £49.95 it is available to members and non-members, it is available now.

I also did a post on other calendars which are to be launched or are currently available as well as a chance to win a calendar that I am going to put together myself and you can see all of that right HERE

So, hands up who will be getting their hands on this little beauty?

Lush Christmas Advent Calendar

You might have seen my Beauty Advent Calendar post HERE where I have detailed and updated the number of advent calendars that seem to be appearing this year and although I have one or two to add to that list, this little number got me all excited because it is from Lush!

The 12 days of Christmas, this eye-catching gift shaped as the ultimate story telling book. With 12 beautiful products inside, one to use everyday in the run up to Christmas leaving you feeling clean and smelling of the festive season

Now I know you will all be wondering what is inside this lovely calendar and here are the contents and what it looks like inside...

• Karma soap (120g); 
• The Olive Branch shower gel (100g); 
• Cinders bath bomb; 
• Golden Wonder bath bomb; 
• Snow Angel bath melt; 
• Hot Toddy shower gel (100g); 
• Dashing Santa bath bomb; 
• Honey I Washed The Kids (120g); 
• Celebrate body lotion (45g); 
• Holly Go Lightly bubble bar; 
• Lord of Misrule bath bomb; 
• Star Light Star Bright bath melt

I think this is an absolute beauty of an advent calendar and it costs just £49.95 which again I think is an amazing price.

What do you think to this advent calendar from Lush? Is it one you would buy?

The best Beauty Advent Calendars 2014 + A giveaway

I don't know about you but my inbox is fairly quiet on the whole 'Christmas' thing right now, there was a flurry of activity around the beginning of the month and now, well not so much.

One thing I am seeing more and more of however is the launching of Beauty a advent Calendars, remember last there when there was a stampede into Benefit for their calendar, only for them to run out and be found on eBay for almost quadruple the price? Well this year it seems there has been an explosion in Beauty Advent Calendars and having spent a few days reading about them through various means, I thought I would share them with you - one thing to note... Why is there nothing for the men folk?  

Tesco - Costing just £50 instead of the actual retail value of a whopping £125, Tesco have announced they are to launch an advent calendar this year. Contents include Nip + Fab, Korres, Tanya Burr, and Dr Lewinn's plus many more.

The Benefit advent calendar is back and it is packed with mini products from the brand's bestsellers as well as some beauty accessories which look too cute. Priced at £60, it becomes available at benefitcosmetics.co.uk and debenhams.com from 16th October

For £85 you might want to look at the Selfridges Enchanted Spells advent calendar which has a selection of fragrances, makeup and skincare from some amazing beauty brands such as Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl's and Victor & Rolf to name but a few. To get your hands on it, go to the Selfridges website and sign up for notifications of its release.

The advent calendar that I am excited comes from the Liberty. Designed to look just like the actual London department store, inside each of the drawers you will find the most amazing luxury beauty treats such as NARS, Diptyque, Dermalogica, Kiehls, Eve Lom and Laura Mercier to name just a few! This calendar is Available in store and at liberty.co.uk from November and costs £125

No.7 comes next and again, I am liking the look of this purse friendly advent calendar. The items inside are said to be worth a massive £130, this calendar is packed with skincare and makeup must-haves which is said to include the iconic No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Day Cream. Available at Boots stores and online from 29th October and is priced at £35

Elemis is next. I am a huge Elemis fan and this calendar Priced at £59.50 and is Available now from timetospa.co.uk.  It differs slightly to the other calendars in that it is. 12 days of Christmas calendar which means, you only get 12 doors to open.  That said inside you will find products such as 

• Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 20g
• Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 15ml
• Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream 15ml
• Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm 7ml
• Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml
• Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules 14 caps
• Revitalising Babassu Facial Wipes 4 sachets
• Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream 50ml
• Frangipani Monoi Body Oil 35ml
• Skin Nourishing Shower Cream 50ml
• Pro-Radiance Hand & Nail Cream 20ml
• Treat Your Feet Foot Cream 20ml

L'Occtaine is next and again there are not 25 or 24 doors to open but instead there are 13. Why? The holiday tradition in Provence is to have 13 deserts on the festival table, so with that in mind, this calendar has 13 treats waiting for you. From fragrance, body and skincare surprise are behind each door. Available at loccitane.co.uk from 3rd November this calendar is priced at £45

W7 advent Calendar - I have featured this already, but have to include because it is such good value for money costing just £19.99. Behind each of the doors you will find a sample sized treat from the W7 range such as nail polishes, mascara, lipstick and one or two other surprises. Date for release TBC.

At just £49 Ciaté's Mini Mani Manor is exceptionally cute. Behind each door you are likely to find this seasons must haves, some best-selling shades, texture polishes and even festive transfers. Nailed it. Available now at Selfridges, John Lewis, ASOS and www.ciate.co.uk and if you go to your local TK Maxx you can find them for just £19.99!

The latest release to reach my inbox, is the Jo Malone Calendar, just look at how pretty it all is/ Costing an eye-watering £250, it is sure to sell out quickly, so keep your eyes peeled if you want it! This calendar is filled with 24 fragrances and mini body lotions.  

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a candle or five would it? Well this years Yankee Candle advent Calendar is one on my short list of calendars I'd like, I mean how cute. Priced at around £23 (prices differ on a few sites) and available now, this 3D shaped calendar is packed full of Yankee a Candles, some of those scents include Candy Cane Lane, Christmas Memories, Christmas Garland, Spiced Orange and Snowflake Cookie to name just a few and....there is an added surprise behind one of the doors, but you will find no spoiler here telling you what it is!

The Body Shop which will retail for £55, with total contents are valued at £80

I am sure over the next free weeks other beauty calendars will be announced... Over the last few years there has been Liz Earle, Boots and even Lancôme and L'Oreal which I've managed to find mentioned online.

With all of that in mind and in celebration of the fact Beautyqueenuk has just hit 500,000 page views, yes that is Half a Million... Woah! I thought it would be a good idea to create my own Beauty Advent Calendar for someone to open...it will be filled with things that I love and use. All you need to do is complete the Rafflecopter form below to take part - Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So which a Advent Calendar are you hoping to get your hands on this year if any?