UTan and Tone's Coconut Tanning Water : the fastest and easiest way to tan your face!

 I cannot be the only person out there who is a total wimp when it comes to using fake tan on my face. I'm good with tan, I like it, I love it, but there's something about wiping the mitt all over my face that makes me ever so nervous.
So nervous in fact that I'll let you into a secret.... I hardly ever fake tan my face (unless I'm desperate.). I'll tan up to my neck/chin and then pop on darker foundation when doing my make-up! 

Secret Santa & Stocking Filler Finds Under £10

Spotted my top Xmas picks yet? If not - why not have a look... here!

I LOVE buying stocking fillers and little secret santa type gifts - the more things to wrap up for people the better (although I do hate wrapping. I'm bloomin' awful at it!).

Is it time to start panic buying? Yup... it probably is!
So if you're in need of some ideas for small additional presents or a cheeky little stocking fillers check out the below for some fabulous bits and bobs all priced £10 or under!!!
(Side note.... I'm not too sure how these photos have come out so yellow *cries*)

Burt's Bees are always on top when it comes to cute Christmas gifting! The 'A Bit Of Burt's Bees'* gift sets are priced at just £5.99 and include a natural lipbalm alongside a hand treat such as cuticle cream or hand salve! These are perfect at-desk beauty bits for any hand working lady (or man!) in your life! 
For something a little more luxury why not try Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Vanilla Bean Gift Set* (£9.99). A moisturising dynamic duo gift set - featuring Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream and 100% natural Vanilla Bean Lip Balm these are the perfect naturally nourishing festive season duo - who's doesn't need hand cream at this time of year!
This brand is perfect for all ages - and they smell amazing! So if you're struggling to find something for that choosy aunt or has-everything Granny Burt's Bees have the perfect pick me ups for bargain prices!

Nails, nails, nails! 
Leighton Denny are nail experts and for only £10 you can grab 2 of their best selling shades! A Little Piece Of Me* duos come in a gorgeous little hanging box filled with 2 x 5ml polishes -  Kiss Me Quick & I Love Juicy, Twinkle Twinkle & Easy Peel Base Coat or Best Seller & Double Up Base and Top Coat! What a perfect little stocking filler these are!

When it comes to higher end beauty sometimes there isn't a lot you can get for under £10 but I managed to find a few little gems!
First up - Percy & Reed's Little Luxury Big, Bold & Beautiful Dry Instant Volumising Spray* - now this is the PERFECT time of year to be trying this out! With all those Christmas and New Year's celebrations our hair needs a bit of wow and this amazing, non-sticky, dry instant volumising spray plumps up your hair in a flash! For only £6 this is the perfect little handbag hair saviour - and a great way to try out a new product without buying the full size!
Next up... just the GREATEST primer in the world! I bloody love that Benefit do these smaller sizes of their products - it means that even when I'm on a budget I can snap my favourites up .... and just use them when vitally needed! The POREfessional is just fantastic, the best primer I have ever used and this 8ml tube is an amazing way to introduce a friend of family member to a product I am obsessed with without breaking the bank. Heads up ...you can buy this from Boots online and get it delivered to your nearest store for FREE for the next day, so if you're running out of time - all is not lost!
Another product you can order on the awesome Boots service (#notanad) is Soap & Glory's Khol-Eyed gift set*! Another gift knocked out of the park by our favourite pink brand - this amazing kalidoscope packaging is actually filled with three gorgeous khol eyeliners -Smoulder, Foil In Love and What A Night! Seeing as these liners usually retail at £5 each - for £10 you're getting a bargain!

It wouldn't be Christmas without FOOD!

December is the time of year where anything goes and calories don't count.... right? I mean - when else would you have chocolate for breakfast every single day?

Shortbread and mincepies.... it doesn't get more Christmassy than that (unless we're talking turkey and brussel sprouts!)

Walkers, yet again, have released a gorgeously festive with prices ranging from £1.25 to £28!  The team were kind enough to send me a range of Christmas gifts all under £10 for me to test out and put my seal of approval on and I have to say, they did not disappoint!

These shortbreads and mince pies are simply DELICIOUS (there are a few missing from the image above... including mini mince pies - these are adorable and perfect for kids!)

These gorgeous tins, exciting flavours and fun shaped treats make lovely presents for families, aunties/uncles, grandparents without breaking the bank! Treat someone to something they may treat themselves too! You can buy them from Walkers and Boots!

A few bedside table essentials now!

I am obsessed with coconut and I know a lot of you must be too so this next beauty buy will come at no surprise to you all!

Lucky Cloud's Coconut Lip Butter* has been my go-to balm throughout these past fewc colder weeks - I HAVE to pop some on before bed so it basically lives on my bedside table with my other beauty essentials!

At £4 this is slightly more expensive than your usual vaseline but I can hand on heart say it is SO much better and worth those couple of extra £s! Enriched with coconut butter, sweet almond oil, thistle oil, vitamin e oil, cocoa butter and soya wax these lip balms are vegan friendly and smell divine! Plus you don't need alot so the cute little tin they come in will last weeks and weeks! I love being able to introduce friends and family to new brands I've fallen in love with especially as a gift, and this is definitely one I will be shouting about.

Next a fabulous set from Tropic Skincare! As you may have seen in previous posts on here and Instagram I am currently trying out a variety of products from Tropic - including THIS ... Limited Edition So Sleepy Collection*.

I have wanted a set like this for years, but others that I have seen haven't been half as affordable. For £10 you get a 15ml pillow mist and a 5ml temple roll on. Literally amazing for anyone who travels a lot and/or people who would like to test out the products to see if they are for them! I have fallen in love with this set and I'm kind of praying Tropic bring it out in a full size version...

Last but not least.... a few little gifts perfect for your besties! I always think framing a well-loved photo is a lovely little addition to any birthday or Christmas present. I grabbed this frame from Tesco for only around £3 - and you can print photos instantly in Boots from 39p ... cheap and thoughtful, you can't go wrong! (I bloomin' love this snap from one of my best friends wedding earlier this year!)

Purple Ronnie is SUCH a classic (if you are around my age you would have grown up with it) - this Best Friend Forever book is full of fun quotes and pictures at only £5.99 is a cute thoughtful addition to any stocking!

Well there you have it .... stop reading my blog and get shopping you don't have long!

Palmers New Coconut Oil Formula Range

You may well remember last week I posted about the new body lotion I had been using and how I had fallen madly in love with it! (here)
Well since then the lovely people at Palmers have sent me more of the new range to have a little goosey gander at - exciting right? #thankyou

I am obsessed with coconut oil and this range is yet again another huge HIT for Palmers in my opinion!
 I thought it was only fair that I gave you a little look at the collection that has been released....

Left to Right :

Palmers Coconut Oil Formula Body Oil*, Body Lotion*, Body Cream* & Head Cream*

The body oil is something I probably wouldn't normally pick up when shopping for myself - I'm always drawn more to lotions and things that I know will sink it's the skin and not leave it greasy. Well, I am so glad I've managed to try something different here as my thoughts on oils has completely changed. This stuff is lovely and perfect for popping on before leaving the house when I've got my legs out!

The body lotion I have already talked about in my previous post so you can read all about that right..... here!

The thickest of the bunch is the body cream. In a 125g tub just a tiny bit of this rich cream goes a whole long way. A little blob covers my whole arm (even my bingo wings!) and it's only £5 - cheaper than the body shop right?! This is perfect for helping the skin stay smooth and hydrated - and keep that tan! (which I WILL get this year!)

Now the product I know that I am going to use the most - the hand cream. My hands get so, so dry - especially with the amount of hand gel I use daily. This is the perfect product to have in my handbag 24/7 and it smells divine! 

So there's a little sneak peek for you - this range is out NOW and I highly recommend it to all your coconut lovers!

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Beauty Haul - October 2014

Hh dear.... I've been let loose with the bank card again!

 I always get the urge to splurge and this month I have succumb to that ever-so-present beauty blogger itch and treated myself to a few new bits and bobs! 

Some of my favs re-purchased and some brand spanking new things I will no doubt fall in love with aswell and I thought why not let you girls and boys have a cheeky peek inside my shopping bags!

Sorry for the pretty pants photos - it is my mission of the next few months to really try and improve my blog's content and photography, hopefully you will be able to tell the difference soon!

First up the make-up.... those bits I expect you are all probably most interesed in! I'll start at the top and work my way along!

Nivea Fruity Shine Lipbalm in Watermelon
Nivea is easily one of my favourite bargain drugstore brands so when I spot a newbie enter their collection I have to get my hands on it! Lip balm's are a must for this time of year and although I already own about 42 million I couldn't help but be sold buy the words "new" and "watermelon" - this smells lovely and has a lovely pink tint to it aswell!

No7 Presicion Lips Pencil in Raspberry
It came to my attention that although I wear alot of fuchsia's and bright pink lip colours I don't have a lip liner that goes with them and with the classic £3 off voucher for No7 this seemed like the perfect bargain. It's a gorgeous pink which blends with some of my favourite lipsticks so well!

Rimmel's Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel 
This is a must for me - use it daily and have probably gone through about 203 in my lifetime so far.

Seventeen Define & Conquer
 A newbie from the high street, Seventeen have bought out a contour kit yippee! and although I'm totally happy with my one from Sleek I couldn't just walk past this and not pick it up! A gorgeous bronzer alongside a shimmering highlight, I know that I will get so much use out of this!

Boujouis' Healthy Mix Foundation -Vanilla
Another repurchase - this is one of my go-to everyday foundations, I'm near enough always wearing either this or L'oreal's True Match.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick - Ole Flamingo!
Seeing as Bourjois was on two for £14 I had to pick up something else (obviously) and I went for this little beauty! Having seen sooo many people posting selfies with a gorgeous lip colour and soooo many times seeing it is this shade I finally decided to grab it! It's a lovely matt pink which I know I'm going to be wearing alot over this next season.

Seventeen Phwaorr Paints - Medium
You've seen been rave about this countless times! The best concealer I've ever used I go through sooo many - I've even got my Mum using it now! 

Seventeen Quicker Slicker Nail Polishes x 3 
It was about time I purchased some new darker nail polishes! I recently did a huge clearout out of products and things and lots of nail polishes didn't make the cut so it was time to stock up on some newbies!

Natural Collection Lipglosses - Vanilla & Turkish Delight
I like having cheap lipglosses in my bag especially for work days, these smell amazing and were only £3.50 for 2! 

Now a few skincare buys - which I definitely probably didn't need but you know what us girls are like...you can never have enough!

Nivea Soft Cream

I got through so much of this stuff! I use it every evening and swear by it!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

This was actually on clearance at only £5.50 so I grabbed it! It is for oily sensitive skin which is perfect for me at the moment as my skin as taken a greasy turn for the worse, I'm really looking forward to trying ti out as I have heard such great things about this brand!

Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion

This stuff has become a total life saver so it was time I stocked up on some more! This is amazing for dry/irritated skin I highly recommended it!

Boots Simply Sensitive Deep Cleansing Mask

The first of the face mask's now and one that I haven't tried before! I am obsessed with trying out new ones and this was so cheap I thought it it was worth a go! Something that will last more than one use aswell!

Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks

This will come as no surprise to you regular readers - I buy these like they are going out of fashion and as they were on 3 for 2 in Boots I grabbed a handful! I got 3 of the creamy coconut, 1 hot sauna, 1 hot chocolate and 1 nut oil! All have been reviewed on here before so if you want to read more then just search them in the search bar on the right!

Ultimate Blends The Sleek Restorer Shampoo & Conditioner

I've bought these before and loved them, this new collection from Garnier is doing so so well, I've seen everyone picking them up! I love the scent, coconut is the best for me when it comes to haircare! The Sleek Restorer really does work aswell making my hair smoother and frizz-free... for once!

Ultimate Blends The Sleek Perfector Oil

After seeing VelvetGhost's September favs video and watching her rave about this stuff I decided to give it a go myself! I have used it so much already and am LOVING it - I'm sure it will be mentioned again on here soon!

Boots Coconut & Almond Intensive Hair Mask

More coconut goodness! These are the best value for money hair mask's ever! £1.99 each or 2 for £2 on offer - I bought 4! I use this a couple of times a week and it leaves my hair so shiny and smelling great!

Moroccanoil Treatment Oil

Probably my favourite oil I've ever tried, it is a tad more expensive than others I have but I only use it after I've washed my hair so maybe 3 times a week!

Some random bits now!

Venus Pro Skin Sensitive Razor

BORINGGGG I bought a new razor coz' it was half price... nothing more to say haha!

Zoella Blissful Mistful

Yayyyy I finally got some Zoella Beauty bits! Keep your eyes peeled as these are going to have their very own post very soon!

Zoella Let's Glow Candle

I've nearly burned this whole thing already! It's so cute and smells lovely! Like I said above... a full review will be coming soon!

Oral B 3D White Replacement Heads

Well... we all need to brush our teeth don't we!

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April Favourites

Favourites posts are probably some of my favourite's to write and definitely some of my favouite's to read!
 I love sharing the products/things which are top of my list for the month!
As always most of my favourites this month are beauty related (duh) but of course there are a few other things sneaked in there!

L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick - 401 Fuchsia Drama 

This is a product I bought over a month ago now and I am still crazy in love with it! I have been using it both alone and pairing it with lipsticks too - I love it over the top of Mac's Girl About Town. These liquid lipsticks are fab, so pigmented, as soft as a lip balm and super glossy - perfect if you aren't a lipstick fan but want a bold look! (Full review & photos here)

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon - Peach On The Beach

It wasn't long ago that this was featured on A Yellow Brick Blog (post here) but it has to go in my April favs! I've been wearing this ALOT since buying it a few weeks ago! Love love love, fab colour, fab product! Possibly the best lip crayon I've used so far.

L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Masque 

You may have seen this in my Boots Haul this month and I have been saving to talk about it until now! After the first us I knew this was going to be in my monthly favourites! This stuff smells lovely and left my hair feeling so soft, smooth and healthy (although I haven't noticed any major change in the thickness yet!) I have been using this once a week and cannot rave on about it enough.... and I got it when it was half price so even better!

Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub

A skincare favourite now. I bought this along with the matching face wash and they have had a firm place in my shower ever since.

 The wash is something I use daily-every other day (I tend to alternate with others) in the mornings and the scrub is something I use probably once a week! It leaves my skin looking and feeling refreshed and they aren't expensive at all - I am very lucky with my skin so I don't feel like I have to splash out on anything too expensive, it is something I will definitely repurchase.  

Yankee Candle - Black Coconut

 I'm all about smells. Products - first thing I check out is the scent, perfumes - so much love for perfumes ..... smells are something I just notice alot.
 So moving into my own flat I am always obsessed that it smells nice.
 Queue an aray of yummy candles. I love candles and this one has been burning bright alot this month! I may have actually shown this in a favourites before or maybe in a haul but nethertheless - it's here again. A strong, coconut scent which really lasts - this is so yummy! And lets face it ... everyone loves a yankee candle! 

American Horror Story
TV show now. AHS is something I have been wanting to watch for years an years but I have been too chicken to watch alone. Haha I know - what a wimp! 
So when the boyf agreed to start the first season with me on Netflix I was super excited! Since then we have watched season 1, season 2 and are now half way through season 3! This show is brilliant.... some of it a bit bloody weird but it is amazing! I love that each season is totally different but they keep the same cast! I have alot of love for Evan Peters right now!

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Montagne Jeunesse Creamy Coconut Face Mask Review

Night in on my own, Eastenders & The Kardashians on TV, Easter eggs and a cup of tea by my side ..... the perfect time for me sit back, relax, grab a cup of tea and try out a new face mask!

So, I've had this sat on my dresser for the last week or so and it's just been whispering my name... "Kirstie, try me. I smell good, check out my hydrating power" - so as soon as the boyfriend ventured out for the night I knew it was time to cleanse, tone and go coco-nutty on my face!

I picked this up when it was on offer in Boots - it was only 66p!! That's right 66 British pence, if that's not a bargain I don't know what is! When it's not on offer aswell it is only £1 so is not going to break the beauty blogger bank!

I saw the words coconut and shea butter and was sold - I am such a huge fan of both and new it wouldn't be too harsh on my skin.

I cleansed my face good and proper, getting rid of all my make-up from my boring work day and giving myself a nice clean base to work with!

Sachet opened the application progress begun. 

This stuff feels just like a moisturising cream, normally you can feel that a mask is a mask and it can be quite heavy but this stuff felt lovely and light just like I was putting lots of my Nivea cream on!

I love love love the smell of this mask, if you aren't a coconut fan then give up now - you will not like this. 

The scent is really soothing and it definitely made me feel nice and relaxed.

I probably could have got 2 uses out of the sachet but I always make such a mess using these so once my face was covered I did chuck the excess in the packet away - I'm sure they'd be enough if there was 2 of you sharing it!

Once my face was covered with a fairly thick, even layer I sat back, relaxed and left it for a good 20 minutes - on the packet it says 10-15 but clearly I was highly distracted by the Kardashian's and that special place that is the internet.... so I left it a little longer!

Face washed and mask removed I was delighted with the results.  My skin felt so smooth and soft and it didn't leave my skin looking red or blotchy at all. (this sometimes happens with my skin when using masks that are a little harsher.)

Hydration is what it offers and hydration is what I got, my skin feels plump and has been giving a lovely healthy glow!

I will definitely be re-purchasing this, for the bargain price it is a perfect calming mask to use every fortnight or so! 

There are lots of other Montagne Jeunesse masks I've been checking out so I think it's time I bought some more - do you have any favourites?

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Wishlist : eBay #5

Bag | Sleeping Beauty Top | Wizard Of Oz Doorstop | Sunglasses | Jelly Shoes | Victoria's Secret Body Spray | Hairband

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