December 2019 Favourites & Dislikes

My last blog post of December has to be a favourites but sadly there is a dislike in it.

BEAUTY

Ciaté Love Me Oil Cranberry Cuticle Oil
You may have seen on my Instagram page that I have been putting up nail polish pictures, well you may have noticed that one product that stays the same is the cuticle oil, my cuticles have been really nice.

Merry Christmas 2019 #Blogmas2019

Merry Christmas!

I just want to say a huge Merry Christmas from me, I hope you have a lovely festive season with those you love.

2019 For Me #Blogmas2019

I did this last year, it's to recap what's gone on over the year, with highs and lows so here goes.

REVIEW: PS… Nude Addiction Eyeshadow Palette #Blogmas2019

I had to go into Primark to make a return for a friend and walked past the makeup section and thought I would have a look and saw this palette and just got drawn to this palette.

Just on first appearance I feel these colours are me, they are neutral but with shimmer. The packaging is cardboard with a magnetic closer, it's pretty sleek.

TAG: December #Blogmas2019

So last year I did this tag and thought it could be an annual thing and see how much my answers change.

1. What do you love most about December?
This year I have been loving the turtle-neck jumpers that I have been wearing, I love the cosy clothing.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Percy & Reed Totally TLC Hydrating Mask #Blogmas2019

If you haven't seen my UNBOXING blog post for December's Birchbox then why not but if not then here is a sneak peek of a product that was inside. 2

CLAIMS:

• Nourishing marshmallow extract and coconut oil, Totally TLC Hydrating Mask provides intensive condition for dry, damaged or lacklustre hair
• The indulgent treatment softens and improves manageability, while adding healthy-looking shine.
• Not forgetting Aloe Vera and mango seed oil, which are rich in vitamins and minerals

GIFT IDEA: Christmas Eve Box 2019 (For Myself) #Blogmas2019

I have put together myself a Christmas Eve box, I have done it for my godchildren but this time I thought it would be for me.

If you want to see me using these products then check out my Instagram page @theblogofaliciamaude to see pictures.

Weekly Pamper Routine 2019 #Blogmas2019

I always give myself a little pamper on a Sunday, it's a time for me to rewind and treat my skin a little better, this is also when I try new face masks for my blog as well as other products. So I have wrote down my normal step by step routine however there was a few changes the week I took the photos so at the end I will do a quick run through on what did happen.

Candle

I always start off by lighting a candle and of course I using my own range of candles, so if you didn't know this but I own an online store called Maude & Noah. This candle I was burning was a trial of my candle called Fairy Dust and that is the reason why there is no label on it.
Product I used: Maude & Noah Fairy Dust Candle

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Yes To Tomatoes Blemish Fighting DIY Powder-To-Clay Mask #Blogmas2019

I was interested in this face mask, a DIY face mask, I just felt like a big kid again.

CLAIMS:

• A customisable face mask for acne-prone skin.
• Fighting breakouts, Tomatoes Blemish Fighting DIY Powder-to-Clay Mask is a single use mask for acne and blemish-prone complexions. 
• With a unique powder formula, mix with water or other natural ingredients such as yoghurt, honey or avocado for an added nourishing boost.
• 100% Cotton
• Plastic-free

Nail Polish Collection 2019 #Blogmas2019

I LOVE nail polish so this blog post really excites me, I have even put pictures of me wearing it if I find them.

REVIEW: Forgive Me Suzie Eye Swear Eyeshadow Palette #Blogmas2019

I received this palette in December 2019 Birchbox, it is a Birchbox-exclusive eyeshadow palette with five autumnal shades, metallic, shimmer and velvety-soft matte shades from a striking red-brown and dusky rose to a warm copper, 100% cruelty free and vegan.

GIFT IDEA: Christmas 2019 (For My Work Colleagues) #Blogmas2019

This year I relocated and changed jobs and have made some friends within the company I work for so wanted to treat them but also I work in a very male dominate industry and us women are looked down at by a few members of staff so this gift is also to say keep up the good work, they have all helped me in different ways if it have a personal chat or teach me how to do bits or even just make me laugh.

Here is a sneak peek of the carrier bags for Maude & Noah, I got loads of sample and decided I will use them, I know my packaging for this gift isn't very Christmas-y but it is me, the packaging is me.

Everyone has a little Christmas card which are old ones from Paperchase, I haven't written a Christmas card in years but to know who's gift is for who I thought I would write a little card.

Next is one of my candles, now only one member of staff that is receiving a candle knows I own this company, there is a mixture of candles: Berry Comfortable, Caramel Latte and Fairy Dust. I chose a flavour for each of them that I thought would be best suited to them.

After the stressful time we have all had I think they deserve a drink so I got them a mini bottle of Canti prosecco.

I got a few boxes of my favourite chocolates, Lindt, so I shared them out.

I want to say thank you to Claire, Talia, Tracey, Ginta, Jess, Hollie, Margaret and Maine, can't wait to work with you in 2020.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Daily Concepts® Multi-Functional Soap Sponge Mother Of Pearl #Blogmas2019

I got this soapy sponge in my Birchbox so thought I would try it out on my face and not body.

CLAIMS:

• Suitable for both face and body
• 2-in-1 soap sponge combines a radiance-boosting cleanser with a gentle exfoliator so you can skip a step in your routine (and the shower)
• Expect to feel satisfyingly squeaky clean after using, as the mother of pearl purifies and boosts skin's texture

UNBOXING: Birchbox UK December 2019 #Blogmas2019

I used to get Birchbox subscription every month but stopped, I saw there was an offer on their website and resigned up.

The Box

AKA bag, this month the theme is Ready, Set, Glam, embracing the glitz and glamour of Christmas. There is a blue pouch with rose gold glitter star on the front and rose gold zipper. There isn't a box or drawer this month but this amazing pouch.

Daily Morning Skincare Routine 2019 #Blogmas2019

I did this last year and thought I would share this years routine as life has changed a lot, I now get up at 5:30am to get to work so I use less steps now. I have suffered a bit of a breakout so my skin doesn't look the best.

Cleanse: Sanctuary Spa Foaming Micellar Cleansing Water

I know my face is pretty clean when I go to bed but I love to quickly clean my face.

Toner: Liz Earle Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic Spritzer
My face gets a little red when I wash it or cleanse it so I like to spritz it with this toner, I feel like it also helps the other products to sink in quicker.

Eye Serum: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
My eyes generally are puffy so I put a little treatment on and also I feel like you need to protect your eyes more from ageing and also in general.

Moisturiser: Astral Face & Body Moisturiser
I love how this gives me a bit of a glow.

Lip Balm: Sephora Nourishing & Comforting Vanilla Lip Balm
Only just got this back in November but love it and have been using it ever since.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Night-time Face Tissue Mask #Blogmas2019

I love the Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask so when I saw a night-time one I was interested, I had to check there was no lavender in it.

CLAIMS:

• Super hydrating tissue mask to help repair skin barrier and soothe tired skin before bed
• Enriched with deep sea water and hyaluronic acid
• Relaxing skin boosting treat
• Leaves your skin feeling soothed and hydrating
• Tissue mask infused with an ultra-light moisturising formula, enriched with deep sea water and natural origin hyaluronic acid
• Use before sleeping for a boost of hydration and instantly refreshed skin
• 1 mask = 1 week of hydrating active*. *Equivalence in average Glycerin concentration in 7 daily applications of Garnier Rose Water Day Cream
• Suitable for tired and sensitive skin
• Proven effectiveness: In just 15 minutes: skin is intensely hydrated, skin feels soothed. skin feels nourished
• By morning: skin appears refreshed, skin appears rested, skin complexion looks radiant
• Super hydrating
• Helps to repair skin barrier
• Soothes skin

Makeup Collection 2019 #Blogmas2019

I love being nosy in other people collection now before we start most of this makeup I have purchased myself with my money, they were either gifted by family and friends for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas and then there is some that I have swapped with my sister.

The drawers are from IKEA called MOPPE, they sell skinnier versions now but these aren't available anymore.