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.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Ciaté Knight In Shining Armour Overnight Nail Mask #Blogmas2019

My nails have really been suffering so when I saw this on Birchbox UK I had to give it a try.

CLAIMS:

• Brighten and revitalise dehydrated nails
• A breakthrough in beauty sleep!
• Overnight nail mask is a man saviour.
• Enriched in Marula Oil for hydrating, brightening, revitalising results.

TAG: 89 Good This or That Questions #Blogmas2019

I found this tag on a website called Life Hacks and thought I would answer them myself.

Cookies or cake?
Cake but as long as it is vanilla or coffee cake with no icing.

Cat or dog?
Cat! Not to say I don't like dogs but I have had cats all of my life.

Computer games or video games?
I don't play them anymore but as a kid I used to have these Playskool computer games and I loved them, I kind of wish I still had them, you used to put your game thing if it be the baking one or the shop and strap it onto the keyboard and play the game, earning money and points to reward you with certificates.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Maybelline Fit Me® Dewy + Smooth Foundation (aka Luminous + Smooth) #Blogmas2019

I have heard so many people rave about Maybelline Fit Me® foundation but it's the matte one everyone goes on about so when I saw in Sweden this one I had to get hold of it. Now in Sweden it's called Luminous + Smooth whereas other countries call it Dewy + Smooth. Also did you know H&M in Sweden sell other makeup brands.

CLAIMS:

• Dewy foundation with SPF 18 that hydrates and smoothes skin texture.
• Leaves a naturally luminous finish.
• Fit Me® Dewy + Smooth Foundation face makeup. 
• Maybelline's smoothing concentrate hydrates rough patches leaving skin with a naturally luminous finish.  
• Ideal for normal to dry skin, this foundation hydrates and smoothes skin texture and leaves a naturally luminous finish.
• Protects with SPF 18.
• Dermatologist tested. 
• Allergy tested.
• Non-comedogenic.
• Fragrance-free.  

My skin is dry but before I do my foundation I always use a moisturiser.

I have two applications I like to alternate with when applying foundation so thought I would apply the left side (right on the picture) with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush and the right side (left on the picture) with my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I prefer the side using the sponge, it looks a little more flawless.

I applied my eye makeup and a bit of contour otherwise no concealer or highlighter, I quite like this look as my usual everyday makeup look.

Update #1 (7pm): I am looking pretty glow-y which I like, I applied the foundation at 5:30am so it has lasted pretty well.

Update #2 (10pm): Still got that glow, I look tired and so does my skin.

I won't be doing a revisit of this foundation because I can tell you as I write this blog post a week after trying the product out that I have continued using it and love it. My dry patches aren't made out to be a big issue, my skin looks dewy all day and you can build it up to a decent coverage however I do add a little concealer but that's normal.

Purchased From: H&M

Shade: 110 Porcelain

Price: ?

Star Rating: 5/5

Date Tried: Saturday 23rd November 2019

TIP: Quick Makeup Brush Cleaning #Blogmas2019

I have figured a way to quick spot clean my makeup brushes when I am away like for example when I was in Stockholm how I could quickly clean my brushes without bringing another bottle of product.

What I have been doing is using micellar water on a cotton pad, now some of you probably already do this but I thought I would just share.

All I do is put a little micellar water on the cotton pad and circle the brush on the cleanser cleaning them up. I wouldn't recommend you constantly do this, your brushes need a proper deep clean.

Daily Evening Skincare Routine 2019 #Blogmas2019

I shared the daily evening skincare routine last year and thought I would share this years, I have changed a few things and use a few different products but just to let you know these are my favourites at the moment, I am always trying new products out.

Before you read this just remember I am not a specialist, this works for me and I know people will think it's wrong but like I say it works for me and it may work for yourself.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Sephora Lychee Face Mask #Blogmas2019

When I was in Stockholm I bought a few Sephora products because we can't get hold of it in the UK so when I saw a face mask that is ultra moisturising and brightening.

CLAIMS:

• A second skin, plant-derived fibre support
• Thirst-quenching texture and concentrated super-ingredient formulae for visible results in just 15 minutes
• Moisturizes the skin instantly and durably
• Ultra moisturising and brightening
• Gives an immediate glow effect

Perfume Collection 2019 #Blogmas2019

I don't think I have got many or even any new perfumes since last year except replacing empty bottles of What If?

I thought I would show each area and link as many of them as possible.

• Red Shoe
• Stars
• Loves Me Loves Me Not
• Poker
• Jean-Yves To Go
• Ed Hardy

• Night Flower
• Fame

• Vera Wang Princess
• Giorgio Armani Si
• Lady Gaga Fame

• What If? x2
• Laugh With Me Lee Lee
• Lady Million Empire (sample sent)
• Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

FOTD & OOTD: Works Christmas Do #Blogmas2019

I thought I would share what I wore for my Christmas works do now I some how forgot to take a photo of my actual makeup, I think it was because I was having too much of a good time. Now we went to play a round of mini crazy golf at Junkyard Golf Club then drinks and dancing at Revolution around the corner.

My Outfit:

• Ivory Rose Lingerie Underwired Black Lace and Mesh Body (I know I never mention my underwear normally but I thought I would this time because they are amazing, so comfortable)
• PrettyLittleThing Black Basic Lace Sleeve T-Shirt
• Never Fully Dressed Chelsea Print Jaspre Skirt
• QUPID Pointed High Heeled Shoes
• Ted Baker Flossie Soft Leather Studded Black Camera Bag
• Michael Kors Rose Watch
• Pandora Rose Gold Heart Stackable Ring
• Pandora Silver Heart Stackable Ring

GIVEAWAY: Christmas 2019 #Blogmas2019

It's the first blog post of Blogmas 2019 and it has to be a giveaway like I did last year so here goes.

WHAT'S IN THE GIVEAWAY:

• Maude & Noah Rose Gold Caramel Latte Candle: if you don't know this then here you go, I have a candle company called Maude & Noah, our best seller is the caramel latte so thought I would giveaway one.
• Montagne Jeunesse Soften Sock Masques & Soften Glove Masques: I am obsessed with these, I use them on a weekly bases.
• Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask: One of my favourite face masks, I feel like my skin is at it's best when I have used this mask.
• Barry M Base Coat, Top Coat & Nail Hardener (All In One): I have had multiple of these so thought you may as well have one.
• Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Pink Lemonade: I haven't got this myself but expect me to get one because it is just such a 'me' colour. Barry M was the first nail polish brand I ever owned.
• Barry M Nail Paint in Gold Carpet: I am going to be honest I got this as a free with purchase when I bought the nail polishes for this giveaway, it came with another one which I kept and decided to give the winner one.
• Barry M Wet Set Quick Dry Topcoat: I have got this myself and like it.