Last Spellbound Nails Sale of the Year

Hello my lovelies!! The last sale of the year is going on in both my Etsy and my Storenvy shops. Another bit of amazing news - you can now get to my Etsy shop using spellboundnails.com. Yes, I finally got around to buying my domain name!! So exciting. I will be working extra hard on building my own website to go along with that domain name in the new year. Fingers crossed as we head into the new year. :)

And for those of you that have trouble loading images. Use the code GOODBYE2013 for 13% off your entire order until 12:00am 1/1/14. There is no minimum purchase required and this code will work for sale polishes too. :)

Until next time,

-Ashley

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New Years Eve Lip Product Picks

Christmas went too quickly but at least we've still got New Years Eve to look forward too. To get you through the whole night ( and morning for you hardcore youths) you'll need some long lasting make up. To help stop your lipstick from transferring onto your champers glass, dress, chin or your dates face here are my top picks for long lasting lipsticks. Get through the final hours of 2013 with these reliable beauties...

Maybelline SuperStay 14 Hour �6.99 LINK
Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain �7.99 LINK
Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick �5.49 LINK
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer �6.49 LINK
Revlon Ultimate ColourSuede Lipstick �8.99 LINK
LUSH Lip Scrub �5.25 LINK
Guinot Vital Lipcare* �30.37 LINK

The trick to making lipstick last even longer is to exfoliate lips first with a scrub or an old toothbrush. Don't forget to coat your lips in your favourite balm the night before too. Enjoy the last few days of this year and have a lovely New Years Eve whether your spending it out on the town or tucked up in bed!

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Merry Christmas

Hello lovelies!! I'm a little late posting today, but right after finishing these this morning I had to immediately leave. How immediate? Immediate like I was terrified I was going to smudge them while getting dressed - thank goodness for my trusty Seche Vite top coat! The chance of smudging made me snap a few quick pics and then I was out the door. I just now settled down to watch some Christmas Doctor Who (goodbye, Doctor #11 ??) and realized I never got around to taking the pics off my camera. So, here's my Christmas mani ... late but at least it's still Christmas. :)

I wanted a mani that I could wear after Christmas. Once Christmas is over I want Christmas over so I went simple - more winter than truly Christmas. I started with 3 coats of CQ Pearls and then topped it with 2 coats of Firefly from Hell.

If you'll remember Firefly from Hell was the glow-in-the-dark glitter topper from my Halloween collection. There are still a few of these glow polishes left if anyone wants one; you can get them on sale for $6 in my Storenvy shop. :) I adore how the stamped snowflakes still show up in the dark!!

I think I'm getting better at this whole stamping thing!! These snowflakes were done in mere moments (with China Glaze Blue Bells Ring) as I was in such a hurry and they're almost all there - only a few smudges and missing lines. And, as you can see, I also added a pearl to the center of the large snowflake on my ring fingernails. I think it added a slightly elegant, dressy touch.

So, how was your holiday? Do anything special? Wear anything special on your nails? How about gifts?? Did you get everything you asked Santa for? :)

Until next time,
-Ashley

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Pre-Christmas Pamper & Festive Update

So the big day is finally here tomorrow, I've got three days off work to fully enjoy the holidays! I'll be spending time with family, stuffing my face with food (hello five yorkshire puddings on my plate) and watching old films on telly. Before I go into a food coma I thought I'd give you a little update and of course I had to mention some beauty products. Tonight I'm doing a pre-Christmas pamper. I'm whipping out my Sensationials kit and treating my feet to a pedicure. For my festive fingernails I'm opting for golden glitter by No7 which was featured in my last post - one for hardcore glitter lovers. To sort out my dull complexion I'm going to double face mask with the aid of Ren and Guinot. All finished off with my new face oil from Botanics and an early night (and obligatory mince pie).

Right, time to pack away the laptop and sign off Make Me Up for a few days. I'm sure i'll be updating you with a couple of cheeky snaps on Twitter and Instagram. Thank you to everyone who has commented/read/lol'd at my blog this year, you have no idea how much it means to me. Hope you enjoy your Christmas and make sure you spend it with people you love. X
image source

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Santa Came To Say - More Christmas Stamping

Yes, this is another attempt at Christmas stamping. I think I'm getting a little better. I'm still working on placement and which colors I can stamp over which polishes but not too horrible if I do say so myself.

This is Eight Tiny Reindeer with an accent nail of Holly Jolly. The main polishes used in this mani are from my Christmas collection and except for Holly Jolly, which was a freebie with select Christmas orders, you can now get them on sale here!!

I couldn't do a Christmas mani, especially one with a polish like Eight Tiny Reindeer and not use the reindeer stamp! And since this was inspired by Rudolph, this mani just wouldn't be complete without a bright red nose on at least one of the reindeer. :)

And since this didn't show up on the full mani shot I had to do a close-up of Holly Jolly. Just look at that sparkle! Holly Jolly is red, green, silver, and gold micro-glitter, and this is just two coats for full coverage! It also works wonderfully as a glitter topper - such a versatile little glitter.

Order 6 full-size Christmas sale polishes, and I will include a mini of Holly Jolly in your order completely free! :) This offer is only valid until the year's end, 12/31/13, so order quick!!

Until next time,
- Ashley

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Happy Christmas To All

Hello lovelies! Welcome to another very simple mani idea for Christmas.

I've said it before but OPI The Spy Who Loved Me is perfect for Christmas manis. However, if you don't have this you can use a really any shimmery red or even just a plain creme red. I believe my go-to polish last year was Orly Star Spangled. It's a little bit of a darker red from what I remember, but is just as, if not more, shimmery!

So, super simple! Two coats of OPI The Spy Who Loved Me and three coats of my own polish, Spellbound Nails Happy Christmas To All as an accent nail.

This mani looks so much better in person because you can really see the sparkle and shift of the glitter and this does seem to trick the eye into thinking Happy Christmas To All really does look like a Christmas tree especially with that star at the top of my nail. I admit I started this mani with a different design in mind; a bit of a tape mani to create a tree shape on the accent nail with a carefully placed star glitter, but once the star came out of the bottle (without my permissions lol) and refused to budge it all came together so much better in my opinion!

I plan to have at least another one or two designs before Christmas so keep an eye out for those.

Until next time,
- Ashley

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Candy Canes and Holly Berries - Holiday Christmas Nail Art

Hello lovelies! Can you believe it's already less than a week until Christmas?? I feel like it was just last week that it was months and months from Christmas. Still, the Christmas spirit seems to have hit me hard ... well, hit me with nail art ideas because my house still isn't decorated and I have done less than no Christmas shopping.

And speaking of nail art ideas ... I think I'm a little obsessed with candy cane stripes. I seriously just want to keep these on until after Christmas; I love them so much!

These are actually really simple to do but there's a lot of waiting involved because the stripes are done with tape and the white polish has to be completely dry before you can start. If you don't wait for it to dry it will dent if you're lucky or ruin all your work at worst.

I think I'm also developing an obsession with OPI The Spy Who Loved Me. It is such a lovely shade of shimmery red and has such wonderful coverage. It also makes perfect candy cane stripes ... and holly berries!

Well, I think that's just about it. I hope you enjoyed yet another of my Christmas manis. :)

Until next time,
- Ashley

*A huge congratulations to Ariel of Lacquer: The Best Medicine for winning my Season of Giving Giveaway!! Her prize is already in the mail. :)

Looking for more holiday manis? Take a look at these!!

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Christmas Nails 2013

A bit of sparkle painted on nails is kinda the done thing at Christmas. This year highstreet brands have really stepped up their game, with glitzy new shades from Rimmel, Barry M and No7 to name just a few. Time to turn your tips into mini disco balls with my top Christmas nail varnish shades!

December is the month for red, from bright reds to deep burgundy shades - anything goes. 'Pillarbox Red' by No7 is from their new Gel-Look Shine range which promises to deliver complete coverage with one coat and a durable gel-look finish. If you want something with more shimmer, JN Beauty has got it covered. This shade in '006' has a opalescent finish to it which looks stylishly subtle worn alone or great as a topcoat. Looking for a gorgeous golden shade suitable for all skin tones? Let me present you with 'Golden Sands' from No7, an opaque colour that only needs one coat.
Every girl should own a bottle of gold nail polish. This cute duo from Ted Baker is perfect for the festive season and would make an adorable stocking filler. Barry M are on top form when it comes to releasing new textured polishes, for Christmas i'm loving '336' which reminds me of tinsel! If you're looking for some grown-up glitter, No7 'Twinkle Glitter' contains shots of shimmer shards and looks beautiful on top of grey or navy blue.

So whether you're an hardcore glitter lover or prefer some subtle shimmer, I hope this post will be of some help! What's your favourite look for a Christmas mani? 

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Luxury Beauty Gift Guide

If you want to raise the beauty bar this year with your presents, this luxury gift guide will come in handy. If your budget isn't limited take a peek at these luxurious beauty gifts. Maybe you'll be adding some bits to your Christmas list!

La Prairie Ultimate White Caviar Gift Set �384 LINK
Want to splurge on a skincare gift set for someone special? This luxurious large box from La Prairie contains three white caviar products to transform dull skin, resulting in a firmer, more youthful complexion.
Diptyque Chai Orange Candle �45 LINK
This limited edition candle from iconic fragrance brand Diptyque combines orange, quince and Indian spices to produce the ultimate Christmas fragrance. Look how gorgeous the packaging is!
Nars Larger Than Life Eyeliner Coffert �30.00 LINK
Nars lovers will be desperate to get their hands on this limited edition gift set. Featuring three best-selling eyeliners and two new shades created especially for this collection. The convenient travel size products come in this beautiful black patent bag.
Creme De La Mer The Nourishing Collection �200 LINK
Pamper a loved one with this set from cult skincare brand, Creme De La Mer. Each of the five products in this set are designed to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin and leave it looking smoother, firmer and deeply refreshed.
MoroccanOil Styling Essentials Set �47.50 LINK
Housed in a stylish white clutch are three styling essentials - treatment oil, styling cream and shine spray. Who doesn't want the gist of shiny, smooth hair for Christmas?
Laura Mercier Body & Bath Quartet Ambre Vanilla �60.00 LINK
How cute is this gift set from Laura Mercier. This includes a body scrub, honey bath souffl�, body creme and candle. Each one is scented with sweet vanilla, tangerine, brown sugar and a hint of sandalwood - mmmm good enough to eat!
Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Wardrobe �65.00 LINK
Part of Laura Mercier's Holiday Colour Collection, the two level luxury colour palette is pretty much all you need this festive season to create and perfect a flawless day or night makeup look.
Clive Christian 1872 for Men Perfume Spray �185 LINK
Now let's not forget the men. This beautifully packaged fragrance is housed in a handsome green bottle. It would make the perfect treat for that special man in your life. A spicy, citrusy chypre with petit grain, bergamot, nutmeg and black pepper.

A collaboration post with The Urban Retreat Beautique. 

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A Candy Cane Christmas with another Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate

Hello again!! First off, have you entered the giveaways I'm either hosting or a part of yet? If not you can enter here, here, and here. That's a lot of polish you could win; don't miss out! Go on. I'll wait. Done? Okay, onto the nail art!

I really wanted something simple but eye-catching so I started with a base of OPI The Spy Who Loved Me. This polish was a Christmas gift last year but red is always in season around Christmas. What makes this polish even better is the gold shimmer.

In some lights the shimmer will just look red but as you can see here and in the next pic the gold will occasionally show itself. It can be a little shy. :)

This one is a little blurry but it really shows off the gold shimmer.

via BornPrettyStore

To complete this mani, and add just a little more of a Christmas-y touch, I used my new-found stamping skills and added some candy cane stripes in white. This was done using the Born Pretty Store stamping plate M65. If you'll remember I used this stamping plate before to create my Elegant Border Nails. You can buy this stamping plate right now for $2.99. As always feel free to use MLE10W21 for 10% off your BPS orders.

If you don't have and don't want to buy this stamping plate you can always draw the stripes on freehand, use a base coat of white and put down some striping tape before painting on your red, peeling up the striping tape after ... or just use the striping tape itself to create the stripes! All it takes is a little imagination!

Until next time
? Ashley

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Liz Earle Christmas Star with Signiture Lip Colour Gift

Want a beautifully packaged gift? Look no further than British beauty brand, Liz Earle.
Housed inside this star ornament is a gorgeous lipstick in the shade 'Hibiscus', a sheer, glossy red. The signature Lip Colour is enriched with a blend of vitamin E, avocado oil and shea butter. The lipstick glides on smoothly to deliver an irresistible burst of radiant colour. This would make the perfect stocking filler or secret Santa! They also do the Christmas Star gifts with their iconic Cleanse & Polish and Nail Colour. The star-shaped packaging can also be re-used as a Christmas tree decoration, cute!

Liz Earle Christmas Star with Signiture Lip Colour* �14.00. Available on the Liz Earle website here or at selected Boots.

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And To All A Good-Night featuring the Born Pretty Store Christmas stamping plate

I was busy mixing polish and filling orders last night when I was suddenly and inexplicably struck with inspiration for some nail art. Maybe it's the Christmas spirit finally kicking in? I'm not real fond of Christmas. Lemme explain! I loved it as a kid - the wonder of going out and picking/cutting/bringing home our own tree, decorating, going for long drives to see Christmas lights; the anticipation on Christmas eve, attempting to sneak out to the living room to see if Santa had come yet ... when finding anything under the tree was a surprise and a delight, but it's just not the same and hasn't been for a long while. And it's not just because I'm not a child anymore. Now-a-days, most kids (and adults are guilty of this too) are all about the receiving - how much their presents are worth and how many they can get ... and most are completely ungrateful. Where's the spirit of good will and charity gone?? So yeah, my reasons for wishing Christmas would come and go quickly.

But my Grinch-like behavior isn't what this post is about. This is about nail art inspiration and my very first truly successful attempt at stamping!

I used 2 coats of And To All A Good-Night from my 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Collection. I put down a layer of top coat and then sponged the tips with basic white. Another layer of top coat and then came the attempt at stamping. You've all seen my previous stamping disasters so I went into this with a cringe on my face. But I read somewhere that you should file the gel bit of your stamper before you use it the first time. Well, I never did this ... didn't know you should, but I figured why not? What's the worst that could happen? The filing could ruin it but it was of no use to me now so worth a shot right? I'm guessing since this attempt at stamping was a roaring success that this does help!

I used my Born Pretty Store stamping plate QA19. I'm pretty sure I received this free last year, just after Christmas, when they did a flash sale/giveaway thing. You can buy it right now for only $0.99! If you'd like to buy this stamping plate or anything else from their site you can always use my 10% off code: MLE10W21. I only had a small amount of trouble with the tree, and that was all my own fault ... I didn't roll the stamper enough on my nail and the tip of the tree didn't stamp. I had to attempt to line it up so it's just a little lopsided. And I did loose a line or two on the house; I don't think you can really tell though.

But overall, I really couldn't be happier. I'm already dreaming of buying some more stamping plates and seeing what other quick and easy designs I can come up with. I don't have time anymore for full out nail art, but I should have time for stamping. :)

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The Season of Giving GIVEAWAY

December is supposed to be the season of giving right? Well, this year I'm embracing that wholeheartedly! I am part of 2 huge giveaways (here and here), and I took it one step further and am now hosting my own with some of my wonderful bloggers. You may or may not recognize their names but I'm sure you'll recognize their nails. They do almost all the lovely swatches you see when checking out my polishes. If it's not my swatch, it is more than likely one of theirs. How could I give away some polish as a thank you for all the support and love you've all given me and not include them?

First up, the thing I'm sure you're all eager to know - the prizes! The winner will have their choice of 6 mini bottles from my Christmas collection - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

I may even toss in a few other things I've been holding onto for a giveaway. Season of giving and all that. ;)

And now onto business - the rules. As I cannot ship internationally at this time this giveaway is only open to those in the US or Canada ... or those who have a friend in either country willing to risk shipping for them. Once the package is out of my hands however, I take no responsibility for it - especially during the holidays when customs is sure to be cracking down on shipping polishes. Or pass on the season of giving by shipping to a friend in the US or Canada as a present. :) The giveaway starts 12:00am EST 10th December and ends 12:00am EST 17th December. The winner will have 24 hours to reply and claim their prize. If I get no reply in 24 hours, I will be forced to choose another winner.

Onto the fun! Use the Rafflecopter app below to enter. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Christmas Party Prepping Products

Nice bit of alliteration there.
I love getting dressed up for the festive party season but I've been hiding my pasty pins in cosy leggings for the past few months so I have some serious prepping to do. December has come around so quickly, don't worry I have some beauty bits to help you with your pre-party prepping. I went along to my work Christmas party last Saturday and these are the products I turned to for the event...

The first place to start for me if with a good scrub. I like to use Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush Body Scrub to buff away dead skin cells and ready my skin for some fake tan. Follow up with your favourite moisturiser to keep skin hydrated in the colder months. Use a multi-purpose lotion like Steamcream (12.95) to save time, this handy little tin can be used from top to toe. Steamcream uses the best quality raw maetials, diresctly from sustainable sources making it ethical, affordable and ideal for all skin types. As it is Christmas, I'll be reaching for products with added sparkle. Trilogy's Instant Bronzing Gel (17.50) contains subtle hints of shimmer which adds an instant natural glow to skin. The gel dries quickly so perfect if you're in a rush (I only had 40 minutes to get ready for my work party!).

Time to move onto the fun part - makeup. I opted for a classic red lip with a little twist. I blended Rimmel Apocolips in Eclipse around the edges and brushed Natural Collection lipstick in Crimson onto the centre. I posted a tutorial of this berry ombre look here. Don't forget to hydrate your lips before applying lipstick as it helps lipstick stay put longer. Check out Chapstick Lipsations Shimmer �1.99 as they are formulated with fine shimmer particles which offers subtle highlight. As I went for a bold lip I wanted to keep the eyes looking subtle. I followed Lisa Eldrige's latest tutorial which was a 'Old Hollywood Inspired Party Look' created using vintage gold shades on the eyes. To finish off the look I cut LASH false eyelashes �4.19 from Superdrug in half and placed them on the outer corners. Opt for a waterproof mascara incase one too many mulled wines reignites any family/work feuds. The Collection Does It All Mascara is enhanced with a multi-bristle brush and a five way formula which curls, volumises, lengthens, conditions and is long-wearing.

For nails, go with something quick and easy but a bit different. To get perfect nails with minimum fuss try nail wraps. These ones from supermodel Elle Macpherson (�5.99) come in pink, gold and silver and include a nail file. They are super quick and easy to use.

Whether you'll be spending your Christmas parties with friends, family or collegues, I hope this post has given you some beauty inspiration. Here's a photo of me at my Christmas party last week. It ended well. 

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Spread Possibilities with New Hershey's Spreads

*All products were sent to me for testing and review, completely complimentary, from Crowdtap. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to be one of only 1000 given the chance to try the new Hershey's Spreads. I'm not sure if others who were given this opportunity got anything different, but the spread I received was Chocolate with Hazelnut.

As part of this sample there were various challenges to complete. I could create a video, but I'm not good at those. I could be daring and try to pair my Hershey's Spreads with something unusual, but some of the options for this (such as pickles) turned my stomach a little. So I went with the challenge of coming up with 5 pairings that I'm going to share with you.

I've said this in every food post but I always feel the need to point it out again. I am not a food blogger. I don't have the time or patience to come up with new recipes and do some fancy set up for pictures. That said, I like food, I love sharing it with you, and I do try my best with the pictures. I really hope you enjoy my fumbling attempts; I know I enjoyed eating/drinking them. :)

The first pairing I tried was hot chocolate. I love making my own hot chocolate with Hershey's powdered chocolate so I hoped this would work just as well. And it did! Better in the case that there was no extra chalky powder at the end of the cup. Though, I was really sad not to have some mini marshmallows in my cupboard but the rich, chocolate-y taste with a slight nutty flavor sated my chocolate craving and warmed me up after a horrible ice storm.

This hot chocolate is very simple (and quick) to make. Simply whisk 3 tablespoons of Hershey's Spread into one cup of milk over low heat - you don't want to scald the milk or burn the chocolate. You can add a pinch of cinnamon (or your favorite hot chocolate spice) for a more Christmas-y drink or take a trip back to your childhood and toss in some mini marshmallows or a scoop of marshmallow fluff.

For my second pairing ... walking down the snack aisle I saw some yummy looking chocolate covered pretzels. However, they were fancy and expensive. Given that the bag had only a handful of pretzels inside it really wasn't worth the price, but it gave me a horrible craving for chocolate pretzels. So, I walked further down the aisle and picked up a much cheaper, very full bag of simple pretzel sticks and satisfied my new-found craving by dipping them into the Hershey's Spread. It was the perfect snack!

I thought and thought and thought about my next pairing. All that thinking made me hungry so I snooped through my cupboards and came up with this sandwich pairing. I love peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and I occasionally love peanut butter, honey, and banana sandwiches. It was really a no-brainer to substitute the peanut butter for Hershey's Spreads.

It was like eating chocolate covered bananas dipped in honey. It was really yummy! I'm also really eager to try just the Hershey's Spreads with honey, and I'm already dreaming of grilling up some Hershey's Spreads with jelly much like I do with pb&j sandwiches.

So, I did snacks, drinks, and lunch with my last pairing ... what about other meals? Say ... breakfast?? How about some chocolate pancakes? I apologize, but I never learned how to make pretty pancakes lol. I just pour some batter into a small skillet and spread to the edges of the pan as best as possible - cook, turn, cook and eat. For this just use your favorite basic pancake recipe (I prefer quick and easy with the least amount of ingredients possible so I use Jiffy mix) and add a spoonful or two of Hershey's Spreads. 

What I also never learned to do is leave well enough alone! I just had to spice these pancakes up a bit. I drizzled on some of my favorite syrup - dark Karo syrup and then I added a scoop of cherry preserves. Oh sweet pancake gods above (or maybe below with how absolutely sinful these are)!! It was like eating chocolate covered cherries for breakfast. Almost tooth-ache inducing but too good to put down! I'm almost hoping a food blogger sees this and runs with the idea because these pancakes really deserve to look pretty!!

But ya know what? All that thinking and mixing and eating ... my all time favorite way to eat Hershey's Spreads is just with a spoon.

Or, since this is my own personal Hershey's Spreads, with my fingers. I have been caught many times just like this.

Want to try some of my pairings for yourself? The new Hershey's Spreads hit shelves December 6th so if you can't find them in your local shop yet keep looking!

*All products were sent to me for testing and review, completely complimentary, from Crowdtap. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Primark Christmas Jumpers 2013

I've never bought a Christmas jumper until now. This year I popped to Primark after seeing everyone's Christmas jumpers last December. 

There were SO many to choose from and all costing a very reasonable �12.00. Designs ranged from the subtle, classic xmas jumpers to 3D padded features. I took some photo's of Primarks offerings to help you choose if you're looking to get one. Be quick - these are flying of the shelf! I opted for the one with Santa's bum stuck in the chimney and I haven't taken it off this month! They are surprising good quality and cosy. Don't forget to check out the men's section as they have some goodens. 

Have you got a Christmas jumper yet? I'm blogging '12 days of Christmas' this month, catch up here. 

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Shimmery, Glitter Makeup

Glittery, sparkling makeup isn't a look i've been keen to try out, takes me back to my middle school days. Those glitter powder puffs? Yeah , I had one of them. Since then, glitter makeup has grown-up a lot and has recently made it's way onto catwalks at Jason Wu and Dior. Get ready to go all Magpie-eyed on me with these sparkly makeup gems.

Barry M Dazzle Dusts �4.59
These pots of loose glitter are oldies but still a goodie. The loose glitter can get a little messy but these are great value for money and last ages!
Barry M Nail Paint �3.99
A glitter mani is just what you need to get into the festive season. I love these Barry M nail paints, they come in so many different shades and textures. This subtle glitter shades makes a gorgeous topcoat or you could just paint an accent nail for less sparkle.
Eyeko Liquid Metal Liner in Black Onyx* �21.00
A new launch from British beauty brand, Eyeko. The twist-up design means the eyeliner won't dry out! Once you get use to dispensing the right amount it's a doddle to use. Little flecks of gold glitter are suspended in the black liquid adding a subtle, sophisticated twist to the classic cat eye.
Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in Pink Light �11.99
Tiny particles of glitter are suspended in this light cream, leaving skin with a gorgeous glow without looking shiny. This comes in three different shades to suit all skintones. A little bit goes a long way so I squeeze a small amount onto the back of my hand and use my fingers to dab it onto my cheekbones, brow bone and nose. This highstreet highlighter is a great, cheaper version of Benefit's High Beam - good job Revlon!
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss �6.99
I'm not a massive lipgloss fan but they are ideal for winter as they offer extra moisture and hydration than lipsticks. These go on sheer but you can build it up for a more intense colour. A little hint of shimmer helps to make lips appear fuller. I love the packaging with these, they resemble something more highend.
OPI in Rainbow Connection �12.50
I dont own many OPI varnishes because they are so pricey but I love this multi-coloured shade. This looks great on it's own or layered on top of grey or white. L'oreal have bought out a great dupe for this recently which costs a lot less!

Time to embrace the glitter make up and December is the perfect month to infuse your beauty routine with all things glittery. A few ways to change things up: Mix an illuminator with your body lotion, or brush some loose glitter onto the tips of lashes for a sparkly flutter. 

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Guinot Polished to Perfection Gift Set

For Christmas 2013 beauty brand Guinot have launched their exclusive 'Belle Coffert' collection. The whole Belle collection is beautiful hand illustrated by Jessica Creighton with watercolour to represent what each box contains.

'Polished to Perfection' is the perfect gift for those who enjoy doing their nails at home. The gorgeous gift set contains two nail varnishes, hand cream and nail varnish remover pen. The classic peachy-nude and red nail polishes suit all skin tones and the nail varnish remover pen guarantees perfectly polished nails!

Guinot Polished to Perfection* rrp �35.00 from selected Guinot stocked salon and �29.95 from Active Beauty here. Visit the Guinot website here. 

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Orla Kiely Bath & Face Cloth Gift Set

I'm a huge fan of Orla Kiely products and I wasn't disappointed with her Christmas 2013 collection. This cute set is free from parabens, sulphates and artificial colourings.

The mini geranium scented body lotion and shower gel duo is perfect for travelling or for anyone who loves a good bath. The orange face cloths features the gorgeous Orla Keily signature stem print. The geranium range features a blend of 10 essential oils including geranium, eucalyptus, lavender and clary sage. Not only is this a really relaxing set it also cleanses and nourishes skin.

The Orla Keily Geranium Bath & Face Cloth set is �12.00 from John Lewis here. 
Coming up tomorrow: Guinot Gift Set 

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Naked Fake It Gotta Glow Gift Set

Finally, a natural option to fake tanning! The Naked 'Fake It Gotta Glow' gift comes with a silicone free Glow It Up Self Tan Lotion and a 100% natural Dust Me Mineral Shimmer Powder. This is perfect if like me, you aren't jetting off anywhere sunny soon but still want that golden glow all year round.

The Glow It Up self tan lotion is enriched with Shea and Cocoa butter to help hydrate skin and leave it feeling super soft. There's no chance of that funky fake tan smell with this as the lotion has a fresh pink grapefruit, zesty bergamot, amber and vanilla extract scent (YUM). The fragrance-free Dust Me Mineral Shimmer Powder is ideal for a quick tan fix.

The Naked Fake It Gotta Glow gift set retails for �14.00 from the Naked website here or online here. 

Coming up tomorrow: Orla Kiely Gift Set 

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Ted Baker Putting On The Glitz Gift

Flicking through the Boots Christmas catalogue is something I look forward to each year. I love the range of brands and the 3 for 2 offer is good value. When it comes to beautiful and stylish gifts, Mr Ted Baker has it covered. The Ted Baker Christmas  range this year has a 1920's twist with a vintage charm.

'Putting on the glitz' is a highlightling and bronzing set perfect for achieving a natural, healthy glow. It contains a Bronzing Pallette, Bronzing brush and two Illuminating Liquids. The bronzer compact comes with a mirror, so great for touch-ups. The illuminating liquids are very similar to Benefits High Beam and Sun Beam highlighters. Four high quality products for �16.00 is great value and perfect for bronzer loving friends!

The Ted Baker beauty gift collection is available exclusively at Boots store and online here. 'Putting on the glitz' is �16.00 and on 3 for 2.

Coming up tomorrow: Naked Fake It Gift Set

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Giveaway: Three Sets of Deep Heat Bath Soak & Rub

To get us all in the festive spirit i'll be doing a '12 days of Christmas' feature on here. It will include beauty themed gift ideas, DIY tutorials, xmas nail inspiration, a giveaway and lots more! What better way to start of this feature than with not one, but three chances to win some free stuff. So, whether you need some inspiration for your own Christmas wishlist or you're shopping for loved ones, there will be something for everyone and every budget on here this month.

We love Christmas but not the stress that comes with it. Last minute present shopping, forgetting to peel the carrots, all those Christmas parties...Dont worry, help is at hand. The good people at Deep Heat have kindly offered me three sets of their relaxing Bath Soak and Rub to get you through the hectic Christmas season. Read on to find out more about the goodies you could win!

With its unique, herbal aroma that allows you to enjoy a spa-like experience in the privacy of your own home, Deep Heat Muscle Rescue Neck and Shoulder Cream has been formulated with a combination of vanilla and rosemary to offer an everyday solution to tired, tense muscles. The convenient 50g portable pack has a soft sponge applicator providing to provide a gentle massage when applying. Or immerse yourself into the Deep Heat Muscle Rescue Bath Soak. It contains electrolyte minerals and a unique combination of essential oils providing the relaxing aroma of rosemary, orange and patchouli to rescue stressed, tense muscles.

For your chance to win one of three sets simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Winners will be announced on December the 10th and contacted by email. Open to UK residents only. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coming up tomorrow: Ted Baker Gift Set

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Eye Creams & Gels: Review

Eyecare has always been an important step in my skincare routine. I suffer from hereditary dark circles and dry skin around my eyes so I like to use either an eye cream or gel morning and night. I apply it after cleansing but before moisturising my skin. Here's a selection of some eye creams I reach for when my eye bags are big enough to qualify for extra baggage allowance.

REN Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel �20.00* 15ml
A light and cooling gel which helps to revive tired eyes. You can use this one under or over makeup, the latter I'm yet to try. With this a little bit goes a long way so I only need to apply a small amount. Like all REN products this contains no parabens, sulphates, mineral oil or synthetic fragrances. This helps to cool and refresh my eyes and does reduce puffiness but I don't find this has done a great deal for my dark circles.
L'oral Skin Perfection Awakening Eye Cream �12.99
Designed to ward off crow feet, quench tired eyes and conceal dark circles. This cream is slighted tinted so it does work to correct dark circles and illuminates the under eye area. I can't comment on whether it's any good for fine lines but I'm sure my future self will thank me. Possible favourite out of all five....
HealGel Eye Fix �32* 15ml
Not one for those on a budget but I've found with this a little bit goes a long way. The gel formula has a delicate scent so great for those with sensitive skin. This definitely helps to reduce puffiness and slightly reduces dark circles. I've only been using this for 3 weeks so will be interested to see in a months time whether this is worth the hefty price tag.
Guinot Eye Mask �28.50* 30ml
I didn't even know that you could get a mask for your eyes before coming across this one. This is a thick, clear non-setting gel which instantly cools and  soothes tired eyes. This would be perfect if the skin around your eyes gets irritated. Not only does this moisturise, it also tightens skin and improves circulation to help banish dark circles. I leave this one for ten minutes when my eyes are looking puffy and remove with cleanser. Key ingredients include witch hazel and hyaluronic acid.
Simple Revitilsing Eye Roll On �4.99 15ml �4.99
I keep this in the fridge to keep cool and apply it to my eyes in the morning to wake them up. I love the refreshing feeling the cucumber extract gives and it definitely helps to wake my eyes up. The roller ball makes this really easy to use, also this is a great option for those on a budget ( not pictured because I've misplaced it!).

Are you an eye cream obsessive like me? A special mention goes to Nip + Fab Eye Fix which is in my top 3 favourite eye gels, definitely repurchasing after I've used up these ones! 

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The Ugly Side of The Beauty Industry

So way back in 2011 I wrote a post about the sexualisation of women in the media (read here if you missed it) and a few things have happened in the past few weeks that have made me want to raise this issue again. It's something I feel very strongly about and as a beauty blogger I feel like it's my responsibility to talk about it.

Firstly, you may have already seen this video before. It was created back in 2011 by Global Democracy. It shows a normal women being photoshopped until she looks unnatural and non-human like. These over photoshopped images are seen everyday and have a huge impact on young girls, putting pressure on how they should look and brainwash their minds with unrealistic ideas of 'beauty'. And don't even get me started on photoshopping in makeup advertisements which i previously wrote about here. I was glad to hear a few months ago, Boots beauty brand No7 ditched air-brushing in all their advertisements and only use real women. I can only hope other brands follow their lead.

This week Lily Allen made a comeback with her new single 'Hard out Here'. The video has caused quite a stir.The jist of it is about how women are exploited in music videos, which of course they are. I applaud Lily for her new video, it is hard out here for a bitch and not just in the media.

Has anyone else been enjoying this years 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here'? I love it but was sad to watch Olympic gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington get upset over her body image. She said that she had been bullied about her looks for years and that she had become very insure as a result. It's so upsetting that she wasn't trying to be a model and yet she was still being criticised for the way she looked rather than what she was achieving.

I wanted to end this serious debate on a lighter note. Earlier in the week I tweeted about this article from Refinery29 - 'Why Beauty Isn't About Being Perfect'. The beauty website pays tribute to three beautiful women with uniquely stunning looks which may not be considered as conventional beauty.

A face with scars, freckles, laughter lines etc...tells a story and is far more interesting then a flawless complexion. I truly believe beauty comes from within, having a pretty face but being a horrible person makes you ugly - beauty is a total package. If you ever feel down about the way you look or dishearten by the over photoshopped images you see, don't forget you're not alone and I'm always here for a chat if anyone wants to email me.

Would love to hear your thoughts on  topic? 

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Perfume Collection

Hi, my name's Kia and i have a perfume addiction. I like to change up what ones i wear but i do love them all. I'm not swayed by the brand or packaging (ok, maybe a little) the most important thing for me is the scent. Here is a peek into my current perfume collection...

Hugo Boss Orange Sunset

A fruity but floral fragrance with top notes of mandarin orange and bergamote. Hints of vanilla and sandalwood can be detected once settled into the skin making this perfect for daytime. 

Especially Escada Elixir 

This fragrance is fairly new, launched in July this year. A combination of turkish rose and oriental facts such as patchaouli, vanilla and amber. A sweet, intense scent - one for you rose lovers. 

Calvin Klein Shock

An impressive sweet scent without being over bearing. Described as an oriental-floral fragrance with top notes of passion flower and poppy. I'm not sure if i'd describe this as oriental - it kinda reminds me of those refresher sweets you used to get! 

Nina Ricci Ricci 

A sophisticated scent which can easily be worn everyday or for a special occasion. This definitely has a more mature scent to it than the others. Woody essences are combined lower floral elements to create a delicious fragrance. Top notes include rhubarb zest and bergamot. 

Diesl Loverdose

This is very much a love/hate perfum. If you like liquorice and vanilla, you're going to love this. This weet, musky fragrance is really unique and lasts around 6 hours on skin. 

Jimmy Choo

A lovely bottle to match an even lovelier fragrance. Read my full review of this here. 

Chloe Eau De Parfum

If you like rose scented perfumes you'll love this one from Chloe, read my full review here.

Emporio Armani Diamonds

Another sweet scent that isn't too overpowering. A mixture of lychee, raspberry, rose, lily and vanilla make up this fragrance. I love this for everyday and it's not heavy at all.

What is your must-have fragrance? Have you tried any of these?

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Calling All Doctor Who Fans

Source: Fanpop

I warn you now - get ready for the fangirling! And images, lots of images. If you want to skip the images and go straight to the polish you can simply go to my shop and see the swatches ... but just know that you will be missing something awesome!! AWESOME, I SAY!!!

Source: Pinterest

Seriously, don't wander off! You might miss something important ... and awesome ... definitely awesome.

Photo Credit: Adrian Rogers, � BBC

Did you know that this weekend is the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who?? Did you really think a Whovian obsessed nut like me could let that day pass without releasing a special polish?

Surely you jest!

Leave The Brakes On is a Tardis blue holographic. Did anyone else really love that bit in Time of Angels where River tells the Doctor that the Tardis isn't supposed to make that noise ... he just leaves the brakes on! Maybe you didn't love that bit. Still wandering why would I take my inspiration from the Tardis?

Photo Credit: Adrian Rogers, � BBC

Well ... the Doctor is always changing. Just about the only constant of the show is the Tardis. The Tardis never changes ...

Source: Doctor Who Wiki

Except that time it was an organ ...

Source: Rebloggy

Or, ya know, that time it was a woman.

Photo taken in my lightbox

 But really, the Doctor would be nothing without the Tardis and it's ability to travel through time and space. He'd just be some odd alien bloke who works in a shop.

Source: Tumblr

Yes, yes, it's pretty in my lightbox, but check out the pictures taken with flash and in the sunlight!

Photo taken with flash.

Photo taken in sunlight

Photo taken in sunlight

Source: Tumblr

Do you see it? Do you see the awesomeness of this polish?? I thought you might, so there is only one thing left to say ...

Source: Tumblr

WHY WHY MUST THERE ALWAYS BE A GOODBYE????

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