Hey my lovelies
So I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and you all got
lots of nice things, but let's take a moment to remember the real meaning of
Christmas, it's not all about the presents and the turkey dinner, it is about
spending time with family, friends and loved ones and making memories that last
a lot longer than a lipstick will.
Just want to get this out of the way, as I know it’s the done
thing on blogs and youtube, this post is not bragging or showing off, I have
wonderful friends and family who know me very well indeed, and the gifts from
my husband, most I asked for and some he bought himself, but we buy gifts from
June onwards and save hard, so we treat ourselves! Why not I say.
On to what you really came here to see! I will split it up
into skincare, make up and other bits!
SKINCARE
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
I was running out of my amazing Liz Earle cleanse and
polish, if any of you are looking for a gentle but good cleanser that really
gets everything off, I can really recommend this, I can see why it has the cult
status it has. Christmas night was great, getting the make up and cleansed with
this!!
My skin has become combination now, if you have read my
previous posts on any skincare items you will see that most of the time my skin
can get very dry, I have been putting this down to medication but for some
reason I have reverted back to the crazy oily t zone, so I really had to look
for something else. I am a firm believer if you spend your money on keeping
your skin good then you can get away with cheaper makeup.
Origins Products
I have heard a lot
about Origins as a brand and I went and talked with the girl in my local store.
We decided on the following for my skin:
10 minute rescue mask
She said this would help balance out my skin and I will
admit the first time I used it after a thorough cleanse, my skin felt wonderful
and soft and I definitely saw a difference
Modern Friction Gentle Exfoliator
She said that I needed something gentle as I had combo skin
and redness etc, she suggested this and I used it the other night and it has an
oaty texture which I was unsure of, but the results were great
Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask
This was actually a free gift because Scott had spent over a
certain amount of money, so that was a bonus, she said this would be good for
only my tzone, I haven’t tried this out yet, but I have heard lots of great
reports about it, so looking forward to trying it this week
MAKE UP
As you all know I started a MAC palette not that long ago, I
want a range of neutrals and smokey eye colours, if any of you have any cult
faves let me know!
I already had wedge and all that glitters, and wanted a base
shimmery colour, a matte brown and a grey shimmer for a smokey eye. I ended up
getting shroom, sable and knight divine. Shroom got battered a bit in the car
accident we had, you can check my youtube channel out for updates on that, so I
was annoyed it had a little mark on it,

I had been lusting after the MAC Soft and Gentle Skinfinish
for ages after it had been used on me after trying foundations in store one
day, its very very pretty and when I tried it on I liked it, but it is
definitely something that you need a light hand for, I would never think of
putting it over my whole face, I just used it for highlighting.
I saw the holiday collection brush sets online in MAC and
really wanted one, but at the price I thought would it be worth it, so when we
were in Belfast shopping I looked at it and the brushes yes are small but very
usable, scott kindly got this for me, and it is so pretty, I got the duo fibre
face brushes as it was mainly the 187 I was after, The bag they come in is
stunning! I am going to use it as a pencil case for uni next year, as in all
honesty all my make up brushes aint gonna fit!
Real Techniques are wonderful and I am sure you all know by
now there is a new bold metals collection coming soon so I am sure we will all
be lusting after those. Nic brought out a Nics Picks set in a gorgeous chrome
and black colour, these were on offer for £20 in superdrug and I think they
still are so pop over and buy them while they are cheap. It has 5 brushes 2
face and 3 eyes, they are the duo fibre ones and I haven’t properly used them
all yet but they feel fab!
OTHER GIFTS
My daddy got me a new camera, I picked the sony a5000 as I wanted
something of a dslr quality but in a compact size, I cant rave about this
enough, its sleek enough to look compact but it has great features.
My hubby knows I adore yankee candles and he got me my
favourite clean cotton one, this was my mummys favourite so I always burn it
and it just gives me a nice feeling. He also bought me a couple of little mini
jars to go with my burner.
I love Disney films and Scott got me frozen and malficent,
even scott has said frozen is good, I caught him singing let it go in the
kitchen last night!!
My faith is very important to me and Scott surprised me with
this beautiful frame with the verse “Love Never Fails” It actually made me tear
up because of everything we have been through, he has stood by me through all
my illness and has been my rock, and literally pulled me out of the car after
the accident a couple of weeks ago. Scott isn’t a massive believer but for him
to buy me that was very special and priceless to me.
My friends got me some stunning gifts including bobbi brown
eye pallete, an owl handbag, vouchers for Debenhams, charm for my bracelet,
scarves etc, but I will tease you and say you can see more of these on my
youtube video which will go up tomorrow.
So that’s it folks Christmas 2014 is over. I hope you all
had an amazing one!! Cant believe its
nearly 2015, my wee blog has been going since August and my channel for just
over 2 months, there is a long way to go and I am always learning, but to have
amazing support from all you guys is wonderful!!
Lots of love to you all
Next weeks post will be based around New Year and everything
in between!! If you have any suggestions for posts or videos just yell and I will
add them to the list
Ali xxxx
Looks like you got some great gifts! I got the RT brush set too and I've enjoyed using them so far. I've heard their new range has been priced very expensively (£25 for one brush!!) so I don't think I'll be getting any of the newer collection any time soon!
ReplyDeleteSimone | Thirty Something OAP
Thanks hun,I definitely think the real techniques brushes have been priced crazily. Will be interesting to see some reviews xx
DeleteThis was a great post! Love your blog! I'm excited to check out your video about the bobbi brown palette and other things you got! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks loads Nicole,the mac pallets are great xx
DeleteLovely goodies there :) Bet youre loving the camera :). Here's what I got http://gemmasthisnthat.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/christmas-2014-presents.html xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks gemma,will pop over and have a nosy in morning xx p.s loving the camera for sure lol x
DeleteSome lovely presents hun nice post. I feel you with the faith thing and the other half not agreeing so much lol xx
ReplyDeleteIt must be a man thing hun lol x
DeleteWow you got some amazing gifts! I adore the Cleanse & Polish - can use nothing else. Never tried Modern Friction so would love to hear your thoughts. Very jealous of your MAC stash, Im slowly but surely adding to my collection. Great post. Happy New Year to you x
ReplyDeleteThanks hun,on first use I like the modern friction, will be interesting to see how it works, I love mac,will just keep adding to it, you know us girls lol. Happy New year xxx. Oooh cleanse and polish is amazing isn't it x
DeleteIf you haven't tried it yet, that Origins Charcoal Mask is one of my favorite things. Like of ALL time. It doesn't always work with every skin type but it was a miracle for my skin.
ReplyDeletexx Amanda
I am going to try it tonight Amanda,heard fab reports xx
DeleteGreat post! You got some lovely gifts! Those Real Techniques brushes look amazing, might need to have a look at some myself, especially if they're on offer haha x
ReplyDeleteLizzie // xBeautyMagic // Beauty Giveaway
Can I just say that I love the origins line and I am so jealous of the products that you got (: also I have dying to get my hands on the real techniques brushes! You got some great some (:
ReplyDeleteAww thanks hun, my stuff was fab. You can check out my YouTube channel www.youtube. com/user/passionsandpreening for my video other gifts x
DeleteDefinitely lizzie,treat yourself lol
ReplyDelete