All Things Bright and Beauty-ful - Beauty Reviews - A Christmas Pamper Routine.

Hi!!!

It's Blogmas Day Nineteen and today I have a little Christmas pamper routine to share with you. You might want to save this for when you get home on Friday night, you might want to save it for Christmas Eve - there is nothing more dreamy than a pre-Christmas pamper that makes you feel like a sparkly star on Christmas Day. But also, you might want to take some time this evening, especially if 5pm on Friday seems a million miles away and you want to give yourself that sparkly feeling to get you ready for the home stretch to Christmas. Whenever you find time to do this, I would definitely recommend taking some time for yourself. Without further ado, here's what I recommend.

This is a pretty straightforward pamper routine, and it doesn't take up twelve hours of your time, which I like. This is my go-to at the moment, but sometimes I'm all about the long baths and Lush bath bombs so feel free to add to it or change things if you want. The above photo is sadly not from my bathroom but was taken at Chatsworth last year - it was a room based on the theme of the Sugar Plum Fairy's dressing room, and I think this festive pamper routine is one the Sugar Plum Fairy would be very happy with so I had to include it.



Before I get in the shower, I wash my face with my Aloe Calming Foaming Wash from The Body Shop. I don't wear makeup everyday, but if I do happen to be wearing it then I take it off using The Body Shop's Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (if you're into cleansing balms or oils, there are also a few of those in the range). I remove my makeup with it, then wash it off with warm water and then I go back in with my Face Wash to get rid of any last dregs of makeup.

 

Then I'll hop into the shower. I use (and love) Herbal Essences Classic Silk n Shine Shampoo and Conditioner to wash my hair.

 Then, since it's Christmas, some festive body care products are in order. I'm using Lush's classic Snow Fairy Shower Gel. It has such a dreamy scent - it's super sweet, which it's bubblegum pink colour might suggest, and it definitely makes me feel like an actual fairy princess who lives in a castle made of candyfloss, so that's nice. If sugary smells aren't your thing, then check out Lord of Misrule, another one of my favourites from Lush's Christmas range which has a more earthy scent, and Vanilla Chai Shower Gel from The Body Shop which is one for those who like spicy, warmer fragrances. The shower gel featured is in a plastic bottle but Lush also make a 'naked' version of this shower gel (available here) which does the same job but without the plastic packaging and I would highly recommend checking that out and reducing your plastic consumption without sacrificing that sugary goodness.

 

To go with my shower gel, I have the Snow Fairy Body Conditioner (this is also available in a 'naked', plastic free version - here - yay and a million points to Lush for caring about the planet). This product works like a hair conditioner - you apply it to your skin in the shower (so while it's still damp), leave it for a few minutes so it can soak in, and then you wash it off. It does feel a bit weird if you're used to using typical body butters but it's a lovely product and concept and means you can just get straight into your pyjamas and get on with your evening.
 

 

I'd then paint my nails - to see my product recomendations, click here - and then either listen to some music, watch a Christmas film or read a book (but I'll definitely be drinking hot chocolate, no matter what).

Thanks for reading today's Blogmas post - I hope you find it useful. I also really hope you like the photos as much as I do.

What are your night in essentials at this time of year? Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed today's post. I'll speak to you all tomorrow.

Have a wonderful day!

GingerSnaps xxx 

I've Been Thinking... - Some of My Favourite Christmas Candles

Hi!!!

For Blogmas Day 3, I wanted to chat to you about some of my favourite Christmas candles. I've picked out some that I really love the fragrances of and which really remind me of Christmas and they are all available in a variety of sizes and a variety of price ranges - all of them can be bought for less than £17 depending on the size you opt for.

First up is, as I described it last year, "my number one bae of a candle" - John Lewis Winter Spice. I love this one so much. This has a traditional Christmas scent - I'd describe it as spiced orange, with a good balance between the fresh and fruity orange fragrance and the spicy notes cinnamon. When I first came across this one I was delighted because it really reminds me of Christmases from my childhood. I reach for this one time and time again because I know it will take me straight into a festive state of mind and because it really throws its scent around the room making it well worth the money.

The next candle I want to tell you about is Yankee Candle's Christmas Cookie. This is definitely one for those of you who like sweet smells - if Lush's Snow Fairy bath products are your go-to at Christmas, then I think you'll like this, but perhaps not one for traditionalists. I think the main scents in this are sugar (like pure sugar) and vanilla but there are some slightly less sweet notes that ground it and do give it the quality of sugar cookies baking in the kitchen (so it does what it says on the tin).

Another Yankee Candle that I really like at Christmas-time is one called Red Apple Wreath. The notes of apple make it quite a fresh and fruity smelling candle while also being reminiscent of Christmas punch as it also has top notes of cinnamon and clove and mid notes such as walnuts. It is a very homely scent and one that I think would make a lovely gift as I know plenty of other fans of this candle.

And to finish, one more offering from Yankee Candle - and a footnote that so many are here because I have received gift sets of their festive fragrances in the past. Candy Cane Lane is a great one to burn in the kitchen or anywhere where you're looking to make smell fresh. It really does smell like someone has crushed a load of peppermint candy canes and made a candle from them and so while it isn't necessarily the first scent you'd look for in a Christmas candle, it is still rather festive.

Thanks for reading my Blogmas Day 3 post - I hope you enjoyed it.
What are your favourite Christmas candles? Do you have any other comments or perhaps a suggestion for a post you'd like to see during December? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
See you tomorrow for Day Four. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Have a fantastic day!

GingerSnaps xxx

I've Been Thinking... - 7 Little Things To Get You Feeling Festive

Hi!!!

Hands up if you are excited for Christmas - I know I am! And to help get you feeling super duper excited too, I've made this list of seven little things you can do in the run up to the big day that will make you feel just like Buddy the Elf. Let's begin, shall we?

Swap your normal shower gel for a Christmas shower gel.

It's probably unlikley that you'll get chance to use your Christmas bath bombs everyday, but by treating yourself a festive shower gel (and maybe also a scrub/moisturiser/lip balm), you still get that feeling of being pampered and to use those lovely seasonal scents. Check out Lush's Snow Fairy, Lush's Lord of Misrule and The Body Shop's Vanilla Chai.

  Buy yourself some Christmas socks.

Never underestimate the power of a good pair of festive socks. Buy any with snowflakes or reindeer or snowmen or Father Christmas on, and feel that little sprinkle of joy when you get dressed everyday (and when you get home and take your shoes off). Its such a simple thing,  but so fun. Primark always do some cracking ones.

Treat yourself to a Christmas Costa.

Whether you stay in the café or get yours to go in one of their adorable Christmas jumper inspired take away cups, it'll put a smile on your face. There's something to suit all tastes - hot chocolate and coffee - so take a look next time you pass one. Or, y'know, just make yourself a really snazzy hot chocolate at home. Also, big thanks to Elf Girl for helping with the presentation in the above photo (and for reading the list of drinks for me each visit -#shortsightedproblems). Check out the menu here.

Have a movie night.

 Line up some of your favourite seasonal movies - see a list of mine here - get in your PJs, grab a blanket and a hot chocolate and work your way through all of them. Laugh, smile and enjoy them all at your own pace. Oh, and turn the big light off, and get the fairy lights going instead - it gives it all a much cosier vibe.

Play Your Favourite Christmas Songs At Top Volume.

 Normally on the way home from going to see a pantomime, we have a huge family sing-a-long in the car. Last year, we outdid ourselves - playing songs top volume, screeching along to them, dancing in the car and laughing at each other. We even had a dance off with another family at the traffic lights. So whether yours is part of a car journey or in your house, and whether you perform solo or with a group, go for it and have fun. Play all of your favourites and pretend you're on stage. All the fun. And FYI, I wrote a post about my playlist last year if you need some inspiration.

Paint your nails in a Christmassy way.

  Maybe a red, maybe some glitter, maybe if you're super fancy and talented some penguins or presents or something. Or get some pretty pre-designed false nails if you're lazy or don't have much time to spare like me - look at these cute Henry Holland ones!!! (they also have Christmas Tree and Candy Cane designs if that's more your style).

Get the Christmas jumpers out.

Wrap yourself up in the cosy, cheesy-ness of them and love every second. Every time you look down at the fair isle/gingerbread men/reindeer/etc  on your jumper, you'll be filled with joy. And, what better excuse than donating to Save The Children's annual Christmas Jumper Day campaign and being charitable in the process?

And those are some of the things you can do to reach peak Christmas.

What are your favourite things to do at Christmas time? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks so much for reading.

I hope your day is magical.

GingerSnaps xxx

Shopping for Treats - Wishlisting - A Few Current Beauty Wants.

Hi!!!

Nice to see you here, thanks for dropping by! Today, I thought I'd d a bit of a different post; I say a bit of a different post because although I have never published a wishlist/wants list on my blog before, I have done a number of beauty/makeup posts. If you have been here a while, you may recognise the "Shopping for Treats" part of the title as I used it for a little beauty haul last summer. If you're interested in that, head on over (HERE).


Today, however, it is the beauty products - specifically bath/bodycare and makeup products - I'm very keen to get my paws on at the moment, that is the focus.

In no particular order...

My Current Beauty Wants.

• Raspberry Shower Gel, Body Butter or Body Lotion and Body Scrub from The Body Shop. 

When in Covent Garden recently, I popped into The Body Shop to look at their new bits and bobs and stumbled upon this range. The products smell utterly gorgeous; summery, fresh, sweet (but not sickly) and nearly edible. All the products in the range look exciting, I'm particularly looking forward to buying the scrub - it looks like jam!

To find the whole range (there are additional products), head on over (HERE).

• Bubblegum Lip Scrub from Lush is next up on my lists of  Wishes/Wants at the moment...        

I think this looks like an interesting product. It will be very good for lip care, and will also help provide a smooth base for my lipstick. I also love the idea of the flavour which sounds good enough to eat... Did I mention, after use, you can lick/eat away the remains?

Find the scrub, (HERE).

• Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel in Wild Violets available from Boots .

If you didn't already know, violets are one of my favourite flowers in the world and also one of my favourite smells in the world. I am also a huge fan of nail polish. As you can imagine, this product seems pretty awesome to me. The colour of this is a really rich, deep purple from what I could see in the bottle, and the concept of a scented polish fascinates me. I would also like to point out that the Autumn Spice and Wintermint colours/scents look very nice too, and I will probably be trying them at some stage.

Find this polish over, (HERE).

• No 7 Lash Impact Mascara from Boots.

I am basically in this product for the packaging - it is red and sparkly and everything packaging should be; it almost reminds me of old Hollywood glamour. Speaking of glamour, this product promises good things and I personally would buy it in the brown shade because I think the off-black (it is never a true brown) often suits me better and will be applying one coat, lightly. But yes, mainly packaging here since I don't always like to wear mascara. Is the packaging thing superficial?

Find this mascara, in its lovely packaging, over (HERE).

• Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub from Boots.

 I smelled this in store recently and I think it is amazing! It smells sweet, familiar, a bit like pancakes (probably the maple fragrance... not blended pancakes) and just... really nice. The texture also looked great in the tub. I think it will go nicely with the rest of my collection, which I haven't been let down by so far.

Find the scrub (HERE).

That is my list for the minute, then. There is more, but I should probably try and limit it. No doubt the rest of my wishes/wants will be appearing in the next few weeks, so if you are interested in that then do keep an eye out.

What is currently on your beauty (or other) wish/wants lists? What do you think about the things on mine? Any recommendations? Do you like beauty products? Any comments, ideas or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

As always, thank you very much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this post.

Have a totally brilliant day!

GingerSnaps xxx