Christmas Beauty Gifts

I mostly receive money for Christmas presents and then I go on to buy beauty products with said money. This year, however, I received quite a few beauty treats that I love already. Here are the beauty gifts I received this Christmas.

Nars Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set

The Nars Killer Heels Mini Lipstick Set was my Christmas present from Jess, and as always, she got me a great present. The Killer Heels Set is part of the Steven Klein collection and contains five mini lipsticks; Little Darling, Mayflower, Joyous Red, Jungle Red and Fire Down Below. Little Darling is a bit pale and doesn't really show up on my lips but I love the rest of them. Mayflower is a pinky rose colour and there's a brown red shade and a orange red shade, as well as a darker red shade. I can't wait to get some proper use out of them.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Varnish in Charivari

Charivari is a rich deep purple shade. It applies so smoothly to the nails and looks so shiny and thick in texture. I've already received a few compliments on it and have only been wearing the shade for two days, someone even thought I had acrylic nails on. I have also noticed that it hasn't chipped as much as some of my other Chanel nail varnishes do.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Varnish in Orage

Orage is a deep indigo blue colour. It looks almost dark grey/black and has a very slight shimmer to it. It has a very similar texture and shiny look to Charivari. It's the perfect winter shade.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyeliner in Barbarella Brown

I'm usually one to stick to black eyeliner but for Christmas I got a Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl eyeliner in Barbarella Brown. I wasn't sure what to expect but once I tried it I loved it. The brown shade is still dark but just something different. It's great for everyday makeup that isn't too intense. Also, the Rock 'n' Kohl eyeliners are the best pencil eyeliners I've tried as they last for hours without smudging.

Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara

This is one of my favourite mascaras and I was so sad when mine dried out. I couldn't justify spending £22 on a mascara again, especially when I couldn't just pick one up in a store when I was in America and at university. I was so happy that I got this as a gift and I can't wait for my mascara to dry out so I can crack this one open.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette in The Sophisticate

I love Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quads. The colours are unique, the concept of prime, enhance, smoke and pop is ingenious and the texture is so smooth and blendable. I already have the Dolce Vita palette and the Uptown Girl palette, which I get a lot of use out of. The Sophisticate is equally beautiful with 4 earthy matte shades that can be subtle or smokey depending on how they are applied.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre Lipgloss in High Society

I've always wanted a Charlotte Tilbury lipgloss since her collection launched but I always found something I wanted more. My sister got me this lipgloss in High Society and I love it. It's the perfect rosy pink shade and I know I'll be applying this a lot over the next year. The packaging is also so beautiful with Charlotte's typical pretty gold finishes.

What beauty gifts did you receive for Christmas?

Amsterdam

After spending a year in America, (I swear I will stop going on about it one day...) and doing a lot of travelling, going back to the realities of English university didn't exactly fill me with excitement. Therefore, my English study abroad friends and I decided to book a reunion getaway as soon as we broke up for the Christmas holidays. Our choice was the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Although it may have a reputation for being wild and sleazy, Amsterdam is actually a very pretty and peaceful place. I had already been once before with family but that didn't mean I was any less excited to go.

Day One

After a very short flight we arrived in Amsterdam and made our way to our fantastic apartment. It was located in the Canal Belt area of Centrum near an area called Rembrandtplein, basically a very central location with a great view of Amsterdam's famous canals. The apartment was huge with a beautiful living room and kitchen area upstairs and two spacious bedrooms downstairs. I could have lived there forever. After settling in we made our way to a cute little Italian restaurant. I ordered a four cheese pizza that was so delicious. Then we made our way to a cute little bar with an old style juke box and just one local sat peacefully for some beer and wine.

 Our Apartment

Quattro Formaggio Pizza from Pizzeria La Traviata

Day Two

The next day we made a quick stop for coffee then made our way to Museumplein, a square with Amsterdam's famous museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum. This is also home to the IAMSTERDAM sign. After a few photos and a watch of the ice skaters we headed to Bagels and Beans for lunch. I ordered an everything bagel with pesto and sun-dried tomato cream cheese and proscuitto, parmesan and rocket. Then we went to the Vondelpark, or bike park, where we hired bikes and rode around like true Dutch people, though we avoided the real roads at all costs. We then made our way to an area called Leidseplein, then went home for a nap. At night we went to an Indian restaurant, Memories of India, which was so delicious.

Museumplein and the IAMSTERDAM sign

Bagel and Cream Cheese from Bagel and Beans

Views in the Vondelpark

Christmas Decorations in Leidseplein

Day Three

Our first stop on day three was the Anne Frank Huis. We had been told that queues were usually ridiculously long, but we only waited around half an hour to get in. Unfortunately, many people had selfie sticks, taking pictures of themselves outside, which I found quite disrespectful. The same people then spoke very loudly throughout the museum, not really taking in any of the museum. However, the experience was still very moving and seeing actual handwritten pages from Anne's real diary was really good to see. We then headed for toasties in a really cute lunch place called Toastable, where I had a Dutch meatball toastie. Afterwards we went to a cheese shop and passed the Royal Palace, and then later on we went for a quick apple tart and coffee stop at Winkels 43. Once darkness arrived we headed to the Red Light District, which was a very bizarre place. After our busy day we went back to the area our apartment was in and tried some famous dutch chips in a cone and picked up a waffle from a Christmas stall for dessert.

The Royal Palace

The Meatball Toastie from Toastable

Dutch Apple Tart from Winkels 43

Day Four

Our fourth day was our most relaxed day. After a late wake up and a long trip to Starbucks we wandered around the Bloemenmarkt, or flower market, and had a look in another cheese shop. We then went to a chain lunch spot in Amsterdam called La Place where they have a wide variety of cuisines all under one roof, which are then made in front of you with fresh ingredients. We went for soup and a sandwich with some lemonade. In the evening we went to a burger place called Burger Fabriek before going to the Amsterdam Ice Bar. We got a cocktail and two ice drinks included in our ticket which was pretty decent. It was a lot colder than I expected so we didn't spend too long in there. Afterwards, I had a raspberry beer at a craft beer bar with a large selection of beers from all over the world before going home.

Inside the Amsterdam Ice Bar

Lights over the Canals

Day Five

On our final day we did some souvenir and cheese shopping and then stopped for lunch at a cute café where I had a warm mozzarella and pesto baguette. We then went on a canal cruise all around Amsterdam where we got to see the city's sights from water level for around an hour. We then went to a bar and browsed a few shops before going to the airport to go home.

View from the Canal Cruise

The bikes that have been retrieved from canals

I'll miss you Amsterdam!

October Favourites

It's now way too far into November already and this year seems to be flying by. However, the end of a month means a favourites post. Here is what I've been loving throughout October. 

Maybelline Colour Sensational Mattes Lipstick in Divine Wine

This has been my favourite lipstick of the month. It's the perfect autumn/winter dark, berry shade and the matte formula stays for hours and hours while still being creamy and easy to apply. I've gone to restaurants and gone to the cinema with it on and it's lasted the entire time, while eating and drinking. It also works really well as a day or a night shade. I would definitely recommend this lipstick and I can't wait to try some other shades.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze

I bought this bronzer a while back and instantly loved it. It's pigmented but not too over the top and gives you an instant sun-kissed look. There's a bit of shimmer in it but it doesn't make your face sparkle, it just adds a nice glow. I bought the lighter shade luminous bronze as I like a more subtle bronzer/blusher look and it's the perfect shade for me. I sweep it along my cheekbones, along the jawline and on my temples to complete my makeup look of the day. 

Stila Soul Eye Palette

I've mentioned this Stila palette in a favourites post before but I haven't loved a palette like this in a very long time. I use it nearly every day and when I don't use it I wish I had. It has a mixture of shimmers and mattes that are so highly pigmented. The colours last all day and blend seamlessly together. I also love the variety of shades in the palette that can be used day or night. My two favourites are Kitten, a champagne colour that is available as a single shade, and Thought, a shimmery taupe shade. 

Kiko Dark Tide Eyeliner in Black

I had heard of Kiko Cosmetics a few times on blogs and Youtube videos but never thought about buying anything or trying to find where to get items. Then a shop opened in my local shopping centre. They have so many products to choose from for a very reasonable price. After a lot of browsing, I picked up the Dark Tide Eyeliner from their latest collection. I wanted an eyeliner that could go on my waterline but could also stay put like the Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl pencils but for a lower price. A sales assistant showed me swatches on the back of her hand that hadn't budged all day and it had more of a waxy consistency. I have used it pretty much everyday since and it stays put all day and is great for lining the waterline. I haven't really used it for my upper lash line yet on its own but it seems like it is a long lasting, easy to use liner.

Kate Moss Rimmel Nail Varnish in Venus

In my last favourites I was loving the Kate Moss Rimmel Nail Varnish in Hip Hop. It was a really summery coral red so I thought I'd buy a more autumnal shade. I chose Venus, a dark purple colour, and I can't get enough of it. It lasts a really long time on the nails, which is quite the accomplishment for me. I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this nail varnish. 

Kerastase Masque Force Architecte

For years and years my hair has been extremely damaged. I have naturally curly hair that I don't know how to deal with. It's often frizzy and the curls are uneven. From a young age I have straightened my hair and probably won't stop, no matter how much my mum and hairdresser tell me to. I try to use products that will restore damage and keep my locks as healthy and strong as possible so I invested in a Kerastase hair mask. I'm not usually one to buy a high end hair product but everything Kerastase was on sale and I've always wanted to try their products. This mask really makes my hair feel healthier. I leave it on for 5-10 minutes in the shower before washing it out and my hair instantly feels smoother. It also smells incredible which is always a bonus with a hair product.

Zara Necklace

It's been a while since I bought a good bit of jewelry. I tend to stick to the same minimalistic and simple pieces everyday. I saw this gorgeous necklace in Zara and thought it would make a great day time statement necklace over basic jumpers. I've received loads of compliments when wearing it and it really dresses up an everyday outfit, and is great for going out too. 

What have your favourites been this month?

Muse of the Month: Gigi Hadid

This month's muse is model of the moment Gigi Hadid. She's the current queen of casual ensembles and catwalks. She's also the best friend of Kendall Jenner and is dating Joe Jonas. She's also recently been confirmed to walk in this years Victoria's Secret show, as well as starring in Topshop and H&M x Balmain campaigns. We can't wait to see what Gigi will do next.