Delightful Disaster's Christmas Gift Guide

It's that time if year again, when the house smells of pine and the lights twinkle on the tree. Everyone is happy, the mulled wine is out and the Christmas shopping begins in force. But what do you buy? There is always someone who you just don't know what to do about but with the Delightful Disaster 2012 Gift Guide, you won't be stuck giving out that rubbish gift set you got for your birthday!

Every girl loves getting beauty products, and by choosing from this selection of the best in the market, you wont go wrong!

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil £28 for 100ml

The Brand says:

Huile Prodigieuse is a dry oil with a unique superactivated formula combining 30% Precious Plant Oils and Vitamin E to nourish, repair and soften face, body and hair in a single gesture. Face and body are soft and velvety. Hair is supple, glossy and full of volume.

I love this stuff. The oil is fantastic for dry skin and makes a brilliant alternative to a thick moisturiser as it soaks into the skin really quickly and doesn't leave clothes greasy.

Clinique High Impact Mascara £16

The Brand says:

High Impact Mascara is a multi-benefit mascara that adds maximum volume with definition and length. Specially developed brush and formula work together to dramatically thicken lashes while separating. 

I got a free sample of this mascara in a magazine. I've never really used too many Clinique products as I don't like the fact that the brand was formed as a scientific skincare range, packed with chemicals. but the mascara sample was amazing, giving really thick black lashes, and I bought a full one a few weeks ago. At £18 it's quite pricey, but unlike its premium competition it lasts a long time and doesn't go cloggy. this is a firm favourite, and a winning stocking filler.

Chloe EDP £54 for 50ml.

The Brand says:

Your Chloe Eau de Parfum is created with a mix of natural and couture materials. The bottle is made with genuine silver plating and graced with a finishing touch, a hand tied ribbon. This unique example of craftsmanship and sublime rose scent perfectly capture the house of Chloe spirit, effortless chic and femininity.

For years I worried that I wouldn't ever find a fragrance that I liked enough to be a signature scent. My grandmother and mother both had one; a fragrance that they had worn for years and that made me think of them every time I smelled it and I wanted one for myself. And then I discovered Chloe. It's a really fruity smelling fragrance, and remains my favourite on the market.

Moroccan Argan Oil £29 for 100ml

The Brand says:

Instantly absorbing, Moroccanoil Oil Treatment helps eliminate frizz, easily detangles your locks and provides long term conditioning for added bounce. A wondrous multi-tasker, Moroccanoil Oil Treatment helps to soften thick and unmanageable hair, helps build flexible strength, restores the shine and softness to once dull, lifeless looking hair and even protects against environmental damage. If your hair's been damaged by colouring and styling or you have hair extensions, this product is for you. The unique quality of instant absorption allows it to impart instant shine without leaving an oily residue. 

I first got a trial size of this in my Glossy box, and I loved in on contact. I've used it ever since, and the hairdresser now says that despite the fact I don't get my hair cut as often as I should (oops), I straighten it to within an inch of its life and dye it bright red, its in amazing condition. I thank you, argan oil.

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc £28

The Brand says:

Shimmer Bloc is a unique baked formula that applies effortlessly while brightening the eyes, cheeks & body with a hint of natural colour and light. Light-reflecting properties blend together to give the skin a healthy all-over glow. The modern wearable pearl leaves skin gleaming without being too frosty or metallic. Layer over Bronzing Gel or Tinted Moisturizer for a natural sheen.

This is something that no girl should be without. If you cant afford the Laura Mercier version then the Body Shop do one equally as good, but this remains my favourite on the market. I prefer the peachy toned bloc, but there are lot of versions for different skin types and colourings. Its a gorgeous finish that makes your skin shine with a healthy glow, and adds a sparkle on a bad day.

Essie Nail Varnish, various colours

In my opinion, of all the premium nail varnishes on the market, the Essie range is the most economical. They don't go gloopy after a few uses and they last such a long time without chipping that they are my favourites.

What products are on your Christmas list this year?

It's A Dark Romance - Bobbi Brown Brush Review

I used to be a bit stingy when it came to makeup brushes; my thought was that as long as it was brush shaped and suitable for the job it was intended for, then what was the difference between spending a fiver and handing over twenty pounds for what was essentially the same thing.

I've been converted. And it's all thanks to Bobbi Brown (well, also some great beauty blogs that I read too).

I'm a thick black liquid eyeliner kinda girl. You know, with a dramatic flick at the end. I'm hoping you are envisaging more Audrey Hepburn than Amy Winehouse, but go where you will with this one, the end result is still LOADS of eyeliner.

I bought the little Maybelline pot gel liner, as I wanted to branch out and invest in a Bobbi Brown one, but was in a teeny Boots that didn't have a counter, and without my trusty makeup bag. It came with its own little retractable brush, and this worked well enough, but didn't have as much precision as I had hoped.

And then one day my friend was late to meet me for lunch, and I loitered around like an undesirable outside House of Fraser.

Dooooooooooonnnnt.... goooooooo..... innnnn...... I thought, trying to protect my already dwindling paycheck.

Ten minutes later I was buying an eyeliner brush from the Bobbi Brown counter, and my life has never been the same since.

The Brand says:

Easy to hold and control, this slim, tapered Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush creates a flawless line. The brush hairs are finely pointed and tightly packed for precise application.

It's quite possible the best brush I have ever used. It helps me achieve the really fine line in the inside corner of my eye, and then thicken it out where I need it to.

I'm yet to try any more of the range, but I'm interested in your thoughts.

This eyeliner brush is available on the site... I can't stay there long as I have a problem!!

Have you ever tried Bobbi Brown Brushes?

The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth

Or so William Shakespeare thought, but I beg to differ. It seems fitting that I review the product that has been by my side for as long as I care to remember, smoothing and softening my skin until I feel like a Princess when I slide between the sheets at night.

Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion.

The smell is iconic; it oozes luxury and decedance, and the cream isn't one of those that has all the pack of a high end brand's marketing team, yet no punch. As a sufferer or excema, sometimes this cream is the only thing that will do to calm my dry and itchy skin, despite not being able to calm my bank manager :) It's a winner if you suffer from scaly legs or blotchy arms, and can also be used sparingly if you suffer from excema on the face too, which isa problem I can find myself suffering from in the winter. It can feel a little greasy upon contact, but after a few minutes it sinks in to leave the skin feeling silky, and moisturises for hours.

The Brand Says:

Soothing comfort every body loves! Clarins’ moisture-replenishing lotion with Peach Milk, Shea, Candlenut Oil and Orange Blossom visibly minimises the signs of ageing caused by sun, cold, heating and air-conditioning. Helps smooth dry, rough patches and improve skin tone. Gently removes dull, flaky cells for a youthful, all over glow. Quickly absorbed. No need to wait before dressing. 

They aren't wrong. It's not the sort of body lotion that you have to dance round your room in your pants to dry for a good ten minutes, and it really does work on sore and sensitive skin.

The packaging isn't as glamourous as the price tag, but Clarins are a brand all about simplicity and being true to nature, and so the minimal, plastic packing is at least, environmentally concerned.

At a hefty £30 this one might be best saved till payday, but in my opinion, you won't be disappointed and your skin will thank you for it.

Have you ever tried Moisture Rich Body Lotion? What did you think?

For The Love of a Daughter - Elizabeth's Daughter Review

I am lucky to have worked a number of fun jobs in my time, but none more so than when I worked with Liz, of Elizabeth's Daughter. I played a part in researching competitive brands, helping find a gap in the market, trying formulations and scents and watching as a brand evolved.

And a brand that evolved out of love. Liz had problems with her skin growing up, and didn't want her daughter to experience the same problems. She saw a gap in the market for products, and realising the skincare industry was letting her daughter down, formulated them herself.

Rather than putting words in her mouth, this is what she has to say:

Elizabeth's Daughter was created to provide beautiful, simple and effective skincare for young girls. It was born out of the frustration of trying to find products that were not harmful or astringent and fitted into busy young lives. Having suffered with skin problems for many years and struggled to find products that suited my own skin, I was particularly concerned about my daughter's skin. I wanted her to learn from my own experience and understand the importance of looking after her skin, not only from the outside but from the inside too.

The range was developed in conjunction with a leading authority in botanical extracts and natural products. Every Elizabeth's Daughter product has its own story to tell, with each natural ingredient selected for its unique health and well-being properties.

Investing in my daughter's skin today is giving her the gift of confidence for the future.

I have had the luck to try the majority of the range of products and they are all lovely, but I wanted to share with you my top three picks. I want to make it really clear that although the range was designed as a good base for a young teenager, its the kindest skincare I have ever come across, and I have built it into my weekly routine for the past 2 years. I love the photography, the way the products are packaged and the fact that its so gentle yet so effective. The bonus of this range is that it is free from parabens and nasty petro chemicals that our skin doesn't need, and packed full of juicy natural products like kiwi, peach and shea. What more could you want for your skin?

My three favourite products from the range are:

The Skin Spritz £15 for 50ml

The Brand says:

A light toning mist to help soothe and freshen the skin. Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and Rose Water gently refresh skin while fresh Strawberry Cells release their active toning and purifying action on contact with the skin. Naturally occurring glycoproteins from Mountain Balm, help leave skin moisturised and silky-smooth.

This is a product that comes with me every time I travel long haul. Its a glass bottle (which is the only thing I think could be improved) but its 50ml so I am able to sneak it through the strict customs). Its a lightly scented spritz that keeps me hydrated during the flight, because being prone to dry and dehydrated skin, I shrivel up like a raisin when in the air!

The Facial Gel Cleanser £12 for100ml.

The Brand says:

A refreshing wash-off facial cleanser to help leave skin smooth and bright. Aloe Vera Leaf Juice releases its natural moisturising properties in a base of mild, vegetable-derived actives. These help moisturise and restructure the skin by improving water reserves and limiting water loss. Fresh Kiwi Cells, rich in Vitamins C and E, help protect young skin from pollution and the elements.

I don't travel anywhere without this one. It's skincare training 101 that you shouldn't abuse your skin with face wipes, as they take the top layer of dirt off your skin, and then push the rest into your pores, causing build ups, and unless you are really lucky, blackheads (which no girl wants, teenager or no teenager!). This gel cleanser is fantastic as it doesn't leave the skin feeling tight and you definitely don't have that rush to get to your face cream before your skin cracks! It smells lovely without being too fragranced, and if you get it in your eyes, you don't scream. Which is always a bonus. It successfully removes every trace of makeup, and is a lovely product to use.

 The Eye Makeup Remover £12.50 for 100ml.

The Brand says:

A fresh, effective, yet gentle formula to remove eye make-up and help leave the eye area clear and bright. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant Pomegranate Extract combine with Vitamins C and E from fresh Kiwi Fruit Cells and Rose Water, to help protect and nourish the delicate eye contour area. Aloe Vera Leaf Juice gently refreshes, helping to leave skin soft and smooth.

The thing I love about the makeup remover is the dispenser. I have used the Nivea eye makeup remover in the past as I have really sensitive skin around my eyes, and my issue always was the lid breaking off and it spilling in my luggage. This is air tight, dispenses a good amount and is very gently on your eyes. It removes the most stubborn eyeliner (and I wear a lot of think liquid eyeliner) and it's by far my favourite product in the range.

The great thing about the Elizabeth's Daughter range is the price point. These products really are premium, and are a great substitute for more expensive products as they are of such good quality.

Have you ever tried the range?

Silly Twits Ignore Their Mitts

When I worked in skincare, people's hands never failed to amaze me. Women would spend the earth on anti ageing products to help them remain youthful; stay out of the sun to ensure they were free of age spots in later life, and use all sorts of lotions and potions to prevent the inevitable from happening. We are, after all, ALL ageing.

So I was always surprised by the lack of care they took of their hands. You could spot their true age by paying attention to the skin on their neck and the back of their hands, and from this, regardless of how young they remained facially, you would know their true age.

Your hands are so important, yet people put them through such a lot of stress. Washing up with no gloves, or using harsh chemicals for cleaning without protecting them, and the amount of people (me included) who fuss with their cuticles, leaving the skin sore and peeling.

But I know that I hate hand cream. The phone always rings just as I have applied it, or I have to do the soggy handshake with someone, where a super greasy cream hasn't soaked in yet. It's not a good look!

There are two hand cream, however, that I do love.

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream. £19 for 100ml

The Brand says:

Professional, emollient-rich treatment—with soothing Sesame Oil and fortifying Japanese Mulberry—forms an invisible protective “glove” that shields hands from the elements, minimising signs of ageing. Softens and comforts dry, chapped, irritated skin. Helps strengthen nails and condition cuticles for naturally youthful-looking hands.

The iconic Hand and Nail Treatment cream is one of Clarins most popular products, in fact, during the Christmas period, they sell one every seventeen seconds across the world.It has a really strong signature scent which may be a bit off putting to some people, but my Grandmother is a big fan of this one and the smell is really familiar to me, so I love it. It's well known for being really good if you work outdoors, although the brand do a lighter handcream with an SPF in which might be better for that. Its quite thick and tends to sit a bit greasy on your paws, so it's one that you have to use before bed or risk your cup of tea sliding through your fingers!

Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Paraffin Super Softening Hand Lotion $12 for 74ml

The Brand says:

Keep skin soft and smooth with this super softening hand lotion. Formulated with Paraffin, Olive, Avocado and Apricot Oils plus antioxidant Vitamin E. Paraffin locks in essential moisture, ultra thick and creamy for ultra soft hands, light citrus fragrance. Not tested on animals.

This is my favourite hand cream of all time and when I am back in California I stock up on it for everyone I know. In the UK we wouldn't call it a lotion as it is thick and almost waxy in consistency, due to the paraffin, but it is the most luxurious hand cream I have ever used and I simply cannot get enough of it. At first it sits quite heavy on the skin, but given a chance it nourishes cuticles and dries to almost a powdery finish so you still feel that it is there, but it doesn't leave things greasy to touch.

 

I'd love your thoughts; what is your must have hand cream?

 

Scrub A Dub Dub - Clarins Tonic Body Polisher Review

Body scrubs are delightful, and can really help to provide a great base for lovely radiant skin. But I cannot abide by a scrub that basically feels like a body wash. I love a sugar scrub; something that really feels like it is sloughing away the dead skin to leave you revitalised and new. 

It's worth mentioning that when using a scrub on your decollete, you should always go for a finer scrub as opposed to a course sugar one, as the skin here is delicate and a heavy scrub can pull on the tissue and cause the skin to sag. And none of us want saggy boobs before our time, do we?

Over the years I have used lots of different body scrubs, seeking a cheaper version than this one but I have to say that I have always come back to it, as its the best on the market.

Clarins Tonic Body Polisher

The Brand says:

Body polisher for a smoothing and toning skin. Essential oils of Rosemary, Rosewood, Mint, Hazelnut, Geranium, Sugar and Salt crystals from the Camargue. Eliminates dead skin cells and impurities while respecting the hydrolipidic film. Refines skin texture and leaves skin wonderfully soft. It energises and refreshes both body and mind and promotes total well-being.

This is quite possibly my favourite product from the Clarins range. When the brand first started they had three facial oils and three body oils, and the Home Spa ranges have blossomed from this basis. I tend to get migraines, and warming the oil in my hands and inhaling it has often made the headaches start to fade, which must be one of the ingredients in it.

The scrub is a really course sugar and salt scrub, best used on dry skin before a shower. Be sure to put a towel down though, because it makes a real mess all over the bathroom if you aren't careful. The oily basis leaves a light film on your skin as the water melts the sugar, and it really works on those tiny little lumps and bumps on thighs and upper arms.

Its an expensive product at £30 for the tub, but a little of this luxurious scrub goes a long way, and I guarantee you will love it. It also comes in another fragrance, the Relax range, but that smell is a bit of an acquired taste and this is my personal favourite.

Clarins products are available in most department stores.

What would your favourite body scrub be? Is there a brand you know of doing it better? 

Glossybox UK - October 2012 DIY Skin Edition

The first of October brought new things; a new month, a new paycheck ready for me to start attacking the Christmas shopping list (more money for spending on myself in December that way, clever Coco) and a brand, spanking new Glossybox.

I signed up to these a few months ago, and I'm still not sure how I feel about them. Sure, it's lovely to get a box through the post once a month, wrapped in a ribbon with lots of little sample sizes to try, but I do now have a bit of a store building up of things I have tried once and never used since. Especially hair stuff. Face creams and nail polishes are my thing, but hair products get used once and then resigned to the drawer of despair, unless they are particularly good.

So this months Glossy box was a DIY Skin edition, and I received:

Anatomicals - Don't Just Clean It Woman, Scrub It! Body Scrub. Full size £3.60 for 200ml.

I love Anatomicals. I love their cheekily titled product names, and generally their products do what they say on the tin, which makes me happy.

The Brand says:

Anatomicals Don't Just Clean It Woman Scrub It is infused with fresh and invigorating melon and mint extracts. This clever deep cleanser, from the company that only wants you for your body, will leave skin fabulously fragranced throughout the day.

What’s more, this fresh and fruity skin treat contains ground walnut shell to gently slough off dead, dull skin leaving it stimulated, energised and smooth with a healthy glow in time for take off!  

Sadly with this one, it didn't live up to the high expectations I had for it. I like a body scrub to be more of a thick scrub, but this was more of a body wash with some round particles in it. Despite this, the smell was very strongly grapefruit, so it's lovely to use in the mornings to wake yourself up, just not a good one for getting rid of sandpaper knees.

Dr Jart Premium Beauty Balm. Full size £24 for 40ml.

Having never head of this brand before, I Googled it and after watching some amusing Korean videos on their official site, found that it was available to buy from Boots.

The Brand says:

This Dr Jart+ BB Cream provides high SPF40 protection with anti-oxidents. A slightly glossy, low coverage cream which helps fight ageing. Particularly suitable for those over 30.

This is one of my issues with Glossybox. They ask you to complete a fairly detailed profile when you register, including your age, skin type and preferences of product, and then still manage to send me a product for an age range which I am glad to be not in yet! Saying this, as a girl that likes her foundation applied with a trowel, this light BB Cream still gave a good coverage and didn't wear off through the day. Which is perfect. I don't think I would go out and buy a full one as I am too much of a fan of my own foundation, but it was definitely one of the samples that I used through to the end.

Yves Rocher Moisturising Cream Lipstick – COULEURS NATURE £14.50

Was a little suspicious of this one as my Mum used to mail order from Yves Rocher when I was a little girl. I also am pretty terrible with lipstick; I prefer a gloss, or better still, a swipe of coloured Vaseline.

The Brand says:

 Creamy care lipstick, pure satiny colour. A creamy, melting, hydrating, nourishing texture, non-sticky, non-run, to draw a clear outline and plump the surface. Perfect coverage from the first application: a smooth, supple luminous film covering the lips.

True Colour from stick to lips. Intense and satiny, remains beautiful, fresh and brilliantly vibrant for hours.

In honesty, I'm not a great one to review this. On application it felt creamy and light, but I just can't get used to the look of myself with lipstick on and couldn't face the surprised comments from my colleagues when I wandered in with a plummy colour on my lips. It's just not me, so my Mum is now the proud owner of a new Yves Rocher lipstick!

To see all the items from the October DIY Beauty collection from Glossybox, click here .