Making a Spectacle of myself!

One thing many bloggers might not know about me is that I am short-sighted and I wear glasses. I also wear contact lenses if I can be really bothered in a morning, I am a daily
lenses kind of girl if you're asking, but on the whole it is glasses for me, they are much less faffing. As I am that short sighted and don't really mind wearing glasses, I have never considered laser treatment. The only time I do need to wear my glasses is if I am reading, writing, on the computer or if I drove a car, which I don't.

Vision Direct is Europe’s largest online retailer of contact lenses stocking over 1 million lenses from world leading brands, including Focus Dailies, Air Optix and Acuvue Moist. Vision Direct is dedicated to making the purchase of contact lenses easy, quick and affordable. It offers free, fast delivery and seven days a week customer support, as well savings of up to 42% against high street opticians. 

I really should purchase a new pair of glasses, I can't even remember how long I have had these ones modelled above by my office pet Fraser the Dog. I bought them because they are made by Silhouette and they have bendy arms on them. As I often forget my glasses are on my head, hooked into my top or on my desk, I wanted something that wouldn't bend or break and true to form, in the years I have had these glasses, they haven't bend or broken once. They are now just well worn.

Looking online to purchase glasses is actually quite a straightforward task. Vision Direct comes with a whole host of hints and guides to help you purchase your next pair of glasses such as "When you're buying women's glasses online, it's important to choose frames that are comfortable as well as stylish. Shopping for frames that suit your face shape is the best way to ensure your glasses will fit well, so you can save money and time by buying online and get the perfect glasses".  It is at this point you can choose your glasses by face shape, frame shape and of course the colour.

Having had a look at which glasses Vision Direct had on offer for me and my face shape, I was able to narrow it down to a choice of four - Alice, Gerry, Jenna and Jamie:

Having had rimless glasses for many years now, I thought it is about time I embraced my spectacles and went for something a little more bold!  All four pairs - Alice, Gerry, Jamie and Jenna are similar in that they are bold and black rimmed but different in their appearance and design.  Now I have found some new glasses I like, I need to get myself into gear and order them before I change my mind.

Are you a glasses wearer and would you purchase your next pair online?

*this post is a collaboration but all words are my own.

YOU BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR 2016

Whether or not you are a regular reader of BeautyqueenUk you will probably know that I am obsessed with Beauty Advent Calendars and have a massive post featuring over 60 of them (here). Well today I am introducing you to one of those Advent Calendars From You Beauty* which is still available for just £69.95, (though keep reaidng because there might be a money off code at the bottom of the post) which when considering the contents are worth an eye-watering £270 you need to be snapping it up right now. Keep on reading because there is a £10 off code coming below...

This Beauty Calendar from You Beauty is just massive, so much so I had to get the mister Beautykinguk to help me out. I am a huge fan of the You Beauty, Beauty boxes which I get every month and knowing how amazing they are, I have no doubts that this calendar will not leave me feeling disappointed. Bursting with brands such as Amie, Bee Good, MUA, ESPA, Rodial, Oskia, MoroccanOil and Miller Harris to name just a few, there is everything you need right here for some head to toe pampering and full on party prep for the festive season. 

There are going to be spoliers within this post as I reveal what can be found inside the Advent Calendar, so if you have already bought it then you need to look away now. If you are wanting to purchase it and don't want to know what is inside, then the code that you need to use for that £10 off can be found right at the bottom of the post - scroll now!

As you can see inside the Calendar, the doors are all fairly big in size and I have been naughty and opened just a few of them so that I can share them with you:

So I am already chuffed with those two products and in no particular order, because I don't want to ruin the entire suprise behind these 24 doors, you will find the following items:

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser (30ml) -With a Bamboo Muslin Cloth, this product is one I urge you to try if you haven't yet because I absolutely adore it. This intelligent, aromatic, creamy infusion glides on to the skin lifting off all impurities. Fusing probiotic and peptide technologies with BioOrganic ingredients to hydrate and soothe skin whilst helping to prevent skin ageing.

Bee Good Youth Enhancing Hydrate, Smooth and Prime Serum (10ml) - A luxurious, high performance concentrate bursting with potent, natural ingredients to target the signs of ageing, fine lines, even skin tone and penetrate deeply, delivering intense hydration to the skin. Expertly formulated with collagen stimulating peptides, hydrating British honey, antioxidant rich propolis, firming blackcurrant seed oil and moisturising larch extract. Suitable for all skin types. Use morning and night before moisturising.

Miller Harris Rose Silence Eau de Parfum (14ml) - Rose Silence elicits a solitary rose and an intimate embrace. The first rays of sunshine on a lazy morning stream through the window. A rose, fresh and luminous, untouchable yet crisp, with a delicately fruity resonance of sweet mandarin and tangy blackcurrant. Undertones of warm skin are created with creamy sandalwood and subtle musks.  If you love the fresh scent of Roses, then this perfume is almost too amazing to comprehend because it is just like walking through a rose garden as a fresh scent hits your senses.

The White Company Orange Grove Signature Candle (35g) - Uplifting yet comforting, zesty yet warming, Orange Grove is a wonderful contradiction in scents. It combines fresh orange peel and green leaf with the earthy, woody richness of vetivert. The perfect blend for adding a welcoming touch to your living room, hallway and beyond. I adore candles and the scent of this one is so fresh, it is just amazing.

OSKIA Renaissance Mask (15ml) - Nutri-active Brightening & Resurfacing Mask is packed with OSKIA trademark blend of beauty-boosting clinical nutrients and bio-actives. This mask gently exfoliates by unbinding dry cells, activating renewal, improving structure and revealing brighter, fresher skin. Reduces the appearance of fine lines by increasing cell turnover while softening and boosting the skin’s own hydration processes.Energises, revitalises and brightens the skin by boosting oxygen and ATP cell energy to benefit all cell renewal processes.This indulgent anti-ageing treatment instantly refines and brightens to re-awaken the complexion and leaves skin looking healthy and illuminated.

MoroccanOil Treatment 25ml - Get the silky, shiny and healthy-looking hair you’ve always wanted! Moroccanoil® Treatment, the award-winning signature product that created the worldwide buzz on argan oil, can be used as a conditioning, styling and finishing tool. Featuring a proprietary blend of powerful ingredients, this advanced treatment helps to fortify hair, improve elasticity and shields against harmful environmental stressors.

Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer 40ml - This Vitamin E Face moisturiser from Malin+Goetz has been specially formulated to be suitable for all skin types. A residue-free moisturiser it gently and effectively hydrates and ph balances the skin without blocking the pores.

Rodial Smokey Eye Pen (Black 1.2g) - Create a bold eye with this kohl eyeliner. With super-rich pigment and gel-effect definition, this long-lasting soft formula can be easily blended to create a dramatic smokey eye. Draw generously to the upper and lower lash line and along waterline. Blend the line using an eye smudge brush, onto the eyelid and into the outer socket line to create a ‘winged’ effect for a modern feline flick.

Leighton Denny Miracle Mist (75ml) - A speed dry spray for your nail polish. Ideal if you want smudge-free polish that’s touch dry in seconds. The nonsticky formula works to condition the cuticles, whilst drying the nails quickly. After applying your polish, spray directly onto nails around 15cm away for 2-3 seconds.

Nanshy Kabuki Brush (Full size) - Kabuki brush is an indispensable tool in any purse. This compact brush is great for application of mineral make-up, bronzers, loose powders. Handcrafted from soft, synthetic bristles which feel gentle on your skin. This type of brush doesn’t absorb make-up or oils from your skin, for an additional hygienic benefits.

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm (Rose) - Get a hint of colour and a whole lot of conditioning with a tube of Burt’s Bees® Tinted Lip Balm in Rose. It enhances your lips with a warm red shade while botanical waxes and shea butter nourish and soften dry skin. Like all Burt’s Bees® Tinted Lip Balms, from neutrals, to pinks, to reds and plums, this lip tint is 100% natural. No one knows colour better than nature, and nobody knows natural lip colour better than Burt’s Bees.

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Hair Healer (30ml) - This is a leave in conditioner designed to give hair a new lease of life with this intensely nourishing lightweight gel crème conditioner. Its unique encapsulated burst of 5 oils works as an invisible shield, protecting hair whilst restoring healthy levels of moisturisation. With anti-frizz and humidity prevention, this thermal heat protection leave-in conditioner leaves hair feeling softer and deeply nourished.

Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish - This polish coms in shade Rapid Ruby with 3-in-1 Nail Colour Technology. Just one flawless stroke for a precise application of colour that delivers a base coat, incredible colour and a glossy top coat finish all-in-one. The ultra-precise brush makes everyone a pro as it glides perfectly on nails for a gorgeous professional finish.

The Vintage Cosmetics Company Pink Duo Pencil Sharpener - This super cute, polka dot pencil sharpener by The Vintage Cosmetic Company is sure to prevent any messy make-up bags by keeping all shavings safely enclosed. Sharpening both thick and thin pencils, even jumbo crayons, and housing a convenient cleaning stick this duo sharpener is pretty and functional!

Sanctuary Foaming Micellar Cleansing Water (50ml) - As quick as a cleansing wipe but 50% more effective at removing foundation and 46% more effective at removing everyday grime! Soothing rose water and nourishing argan oil are combined with micelles which act like magnets to gently lift away make-up and impurities from the skin. Skin is left feeling instantly clean, fresh and soothed.

Carmex Original Pot (7.5g) - First introduced in the US in 1937, this is Carmex’s hero product to save dry lips. The award-winning formula is a favourite of celebrities and make-up artists. Containing menthol, camphor and beeswax and the Carmex trademark tingle we know and love. It soothes. It relieves. It moisturises.

The Organic Pharmacy Marigold & Comfrey Handy and Nail Cream (50ml) - A light, instantly absorbed organic and natural hand cream enriched with Shea Butter, Jojoba and Aloe with healing herbs Marigold and Comfrey to soothe and nourish dry hands. Perfect for your hand bag, beside your bed and your own at home manicure. 

Amie Skincare Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish (25ml) - Award-winning Amie’s New Leaf Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish contains 95% natural plant extracts and is free from harsh chemicals. New Leaf cleans deep down into pores to remove excess dirt and oil, leaving skin clear, soft and smooth. Gentle yet highly effective, suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

Omorovicza Refining Facial Polish (30ml) - Enriched with marine micro-algae, this Refining Facial Polisher refines texture, and brightens tone, while natural pumice exfoliates dead skin cells, smoothing the epidermis and helping regenerate the skin.

Nuxe Shower Oil Prodigieux (30ml) - An ultra-sensorial shower oil which gently cleanses, leaves a satin finish and a delicate fragrance for a moment of pure pleasure. Rediscover the fragrance of the iconic Huile Prodigieuse® in a shower oil! For all skin types.

ESPA Overnight Hydration Therapy (15ml) - This unique, rejuvenating night mask blends replenishing plant extracts, restorative marine actives and soothing essential oils that transform skin overnight. Intensely rich, the cream-gel blend feeds skin with the essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals it needs to look and feel smooth, hydrated and energised. A bespoke blend of pure aromatic oils help calm the mind for a blissful night’s sleep.

Margaret Dabbs London Glass Crystal Nail File - This is a slim and elegant but most importantly, effective to use nail file. Smooths and seals the tip of the nail, protecting the nail and reducing the risk of snagging. The finest, highest quality abrasive crystal finish protects the nails, making them less prone to splitting and can be used on both finger and toe nails.

MUA Twelfth Night Palette or Dusk Til Dawn Palette - There will be just one of these two offerings in each Advent Calendar. So sparkle this season with MUA’s Winter Eyeshadow Palettes. These 12 shaded highly pigmented palettes are packed with stunning natural and deep tones that will keep you looking gorgeous all Christmas. The Dusk til Dawn & Twelfth Night palettes have the perfect combination of glam and easy wear colours that will take you from desk to dusk.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (10ml) - A good night’s sleep should be the first step in your skincare routine. Infused with 100% natural essential oils of Lavender, Vetivert and Camomile, deep sleep pillow spray is clinically proven* to improve your sleep quality. Harnessing the potent aromatherapy power of the award-winning deep sleep super blend, you will wake up feeling and looking refreshed.

So there you have it, one absolutely amazing advent calendar which has something for everyone and even though I am a subscriber to the box, there are a handful of products that I have never tried before and am now looking forward to doing so!  AND the £10 off code that you need is:

AC10YOUADVENT

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Jurlique Activating Water Essence

If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat then you may have seen the Jurlique event that I was lucky enough to attend. I am a huge fan of Jurlique and you might have seen some of their products mentioned rather alot across my social media, especially the Rose water balancing mist which I get through bottles of. 

This event was to celebrate the launch of the new Activating Water Essence, which will be an extra step in your skincare routine, but it is a step worth adding because it’s all about flooding your skin with hydration and then locking it in! I have combination skin which leans to the oily side and no water which company I have a skin scan with, one of the reports which comes back is hydration for my skin should be a top priority. Well this Water Essenceis designed to do just that. Packed with Marshmallow Root Extract, a botanical ingredient known for it’s soothing and hydrating properties.

Keeping your skin really hydrated allows it to function normally, stay healthy, and retain its smooth and soft appearance. But as we all know there are many factors that can cause your skin to become dehydrated. The natural ageing process and to much exposure to elements such as air conditioning, weather and pollution are just a few. So anything I can do to ensure my skin gets everything it needs is worth a try.

With my skincare routine, this product is used after I have cleansed. I tend not to use a toner everyday, but it would come after that if you do use one. Dropping just a few drops (3-4) onto the palms of my hands, rub them together and then press onto my skin. Having done that, it is then when I add my serum and moisturiser. So the Water Essence fits in the routine right in the middle.  The marshmellow route extract delivers lasting hydration while protecting your skin from moisture loss. It leaves skin feeling soft and healthy, and ready to absorb the full benefits of the rest of your skin care ritual.

One thing I have noticed since using this daily for the last 4 weeks is that my skin does feel much more hydrated to the touch.  I suffer with dry cheeks which often look chapped and sore, so far (touches all the wood) this hasn't yet happened and instead my skin is soft and smooth to the touch and as my skin isn't dry, my foundation stays in place for much longer and doesn't have anything to cling too when it comes to dry skin!

The Jurlique Activating Water Essence cost £40 and is available online from places such as Lookfantastic and on the highstreet from Debenhams.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

L’Occitane Arlesienne Fragrance and Skin Collection

L’Occitane have launched some absolutely stunning products this uear, including their amazing value for money Advent Calender which I reviewed here. The latest launch sees the beautiful Arlesienne Fragrance and Skin Collection which features three flowers which are described as being ‘full of character and depth’; so we have The Rose of Grasse, The Violet of Tourrettes-Sur-Loup and The Saffron of Provence. The collections consists of a fragrance which is the star of the collection, alongside many more bath and body products which all have the stunning Arlesienne fragrance.

The collection is described as follows:

Daring and gracious, the woman of the city of Arles encompasses the beauty of Provence. Elusive and attractive, she leaves a fragrant trail bursting with colour and life, that lingers wherever she goes. L'OCCITANE celebrates the beauty and refinement of this iconic woman with our Arlésienne collection; a subtle bouquet of rose for her grace, sweet violet for her mystery and saffron for her temperament.

Rose from Grasse, sweet violet and saffron from Provence come together in a floral fusion that reveals unexpected nuances. The Arlésienne fragrance evokes the woman of Arles - full of mystery, beauty and grace.

L’Occitane Arlesienne Eau de Toilette 75ml £49 - If you like your floral fragrances, then you will love this because it is just such a stunning scent. It belongs to the Musky Floral family and has Head notes of Bergamot Essense, Saffron Extract, Galbanum and Hawthorn Accord. Immediately when it is spritzed the bergamot note bursts into life for the citrus effect and is settled with Saffron and the slight almondy scent of Hawthorn alongside the greenness of Galbanum. The heart notes of May Rose Absolute and Violet Leaf Absolute brings to life the floralness of the perfume which is quite intense but as the base notes of Musk, Ambrette, Sandalwood and Ambrox settle the fragrance down, the floral and musk notes come together and this fragrance is feminine without question. 

As always with an EDT from L'Occitane, the longevity is amazing because it just lasts and lasts for hours and on clothes, you can still catch it the following day.

L’Occitane Arlesienne Beauty Milk 250ml £21. A moisturising body milk, fragranced with the irresistibly floral and deeply captivating scent of Arlésienne. Enriched with organic shea butter, it moisturises the skin and enhances its beauty. The velvety texture envelops the body in a delicate scent with hints of Grasse rose, violet and saffron from Provence. These three flowers, symbolic of Provence, exude both an innocent softness and a bold sensuality. Is the description given to this body milk and it is just as the description states.

The Milk itself is lovely and silky and on the skin it is just incredibly nourishing on the skin leaving it feeling soft and smooth to the touch. The fragrance, which matches the perfume, is just as stunning and of course when worn together, that scent becomes more intense and longer lasting.

This is for me, another amazing collection from L'Occitane and one worth looking out for is a musky floral is your kind of fragrance. With an entire collection which spans handcreams, shower gels, hair mists, lip balms and soaps to name but a few, there are gift sets that would make the most amazing present!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise