Beauty Advent Calendars 2013

The must have christmas countdown for beauty lovers is back. But you've got to be quick to enjoy these treats!

Beauty advent calendars took the beauty world by storm last christmas, selling out everywhere way before santa came to town, leaving many of us heartbroken. To help you avoid disappointment this year, I've found the top 4 on the market, so all you have to do is decide on your favourite and click the link to order yours today. 

SELFRIDGES £84.00

Christmas Advent Calendar

Selfridges says:

Selfridges' exclusive bijoux Christmas advent calendar brings you the best in beauty. From Viktor & Rolf, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl's and Giorgio Armani to Lancôme and Maison Martin Margiela, you can discover a precious treat behind every door to make you dazzle, sparkle and shine this festive season.

Includes:

Lancôme Hypnose Classic mascara 2ml

Armani Code Femme eau de parfum 3ml

Lancôme Hypnose Star mascara 2ml

Flowerbomb miniature 7ml

Maison Martin Margiela Untitled 7ml

Lancôme Tresor Mini 7.5ml

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle 4ml

Lancôme Bi-facil 30ml

Yves Saint Laurent Opium 7.5ml

Lancôme Galatéis Doucheur cleansing fluid 50ml

Lancôme Absolu Nu lipstick in 302

Kiehl's Creme de Corps deluxe sample 30ml

Kiehl's Ultimate Strength hand salve deluxe sample

Yves Saint Laurent Khol eye pencil  

Lancôme Renergie day cream 15ml

Lancôme Hydrazen Neurocalm moisturising cream 15ml

Lancôme Advanced Genefique 7ml

Lancôme mini Juicy Tube in 17

Yves Saint Laurent Forever Youth Liberator Serum 7ml

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate deluxe sample

Lancôme Visionnaire serum 7ml

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 7ml in 385

Absolue Precious Cells Yeux deluxe sample

Order online @selfridges.com

BENEFIT £50

Countdown to Love Calendar

Coming Soon

Benefit says:

Our one-of-a-kind advent calendar comes in a show-stopping Pop Art box and is filled with 24 fun and flattering beauty treasures! It contains a bevy of Benefit bestsellers and three glitzy little look goods…a charm necklace & bracelet and an adorable barrette. It’s the gift that gets more gorgeous every day! 

Includes:

• deluxe "that gal" 7.5 mL/0.25 US fl. oz.
• deluxe the POREfessional 7.5 mL/0.25 US fl. oz.
• deluxe high beam 2.5 mL/0.08 US fl. oz.
• deluxe sun beam 2.5 mL/0.08 US fl. oz.
• deluxe benetint 2.5 mL/0.08 US fl. oz.
• deluxe chachatint 2.5 mL/0.08 US fl. oz.
• deluxe posietint 2.5 mL/0.08 US fl. oz.
• deluxe ultra plush lip gloss in CORALista, sugarbomb,dandelion, A-lister 4 x 6.5 mL/0.22 US fl. oz.
• deluxe hoola, deluxe dandelion, deluxe CORALista 3 x 3.0 g Net wt. 0.1 oz.
• deluxe BADgal lash mascara 4.0 g Net wt. 0.14 oz.
• deluxe stay don't stray in light/medium 2.5 mL/0.08 US fl. oz.
• deluxe BADgal liner waterproof 0.5g Net wt. 0.02 oz.
• deluxe it's potent eye cream 3.0g Net wt. 0.1 oz.
• deluxe total moisture facial cream 8.9 g net wt. 0.3 oz.
• deluxe ooh la lift 2.5 mL/0.08 US fl oz.
• deluxe girl meets pearl 7.5 mL/0.25 US fl oz.

AND...
horseshoe charm bracelet
star charm necklace
ribbon bow barrette

The Benefit Countdown To Love Calendar will be available to buy for one day only - on the 2nd of November 2013 from selected Debenhams stores, Benefit Boutiques and online @benefitcosmetics.co.uk. 

CIATE £42 

Mini Mani Month

Ciate says:

The excitement of the traditional Christmas-countdown has been transformed from chocolate to girly nail treats in the Mini Mani Month gift set from Ciaté London. Every girl’s diary can now be filled with a daily dose of delectable mini nail treats, as behind each door lies a very colourful surprise. Gorgeously packaged with nineteen of our bestselling mini Paint Pots, four textured manicure toppers from Caviar to Sequin and a surprise full size paint pot, a girl will never be bored with this adorable nail gift.

Includes: 

• 19 x 5ml mini paint pots
• 1 x 13.5ml paint pot
• 2 x 10g caviar pearls 
• 2 x 5g sequin/glitters
• 1 x mini funnel

Pre-order online @ciate.co.uk

BOOTS £30

Beauty Advent Calendar

Boots says:

Wake up every morning to a new beauty treat and fill the month of december with gorgeous gifts to pamper yourself from head to toe. Featuring brands such as Soap & Glory, Nails Inc, Paco Rabanne, Juicy Couture, Rimmel, Mavala, Umberto Giannini and Many More....

Includes:

• Balmi Cube Blistered Lip Balm – Strawberry 7g
• Boots Emery Board
• Boots Salon Shine Solution 8ml
• Botanics Hair Serum 30ml
• BXS L’Exces For Her Parfum 1.2ml
• Carmex Lip Balm Pot Original 7.5g
• Couture La La Juicy Couture EDP Spray 1.5ml
• Ghost Moonlight Frangrance (sample size)
• Ghost The Fragrance (sample size)
• Mavala Diamond Nail Polish 5ml
• Mavala London Mini Nail Polish 5ml
• Nails Inc. Porchester Square Nail Polish 4ml
• Nina Ricci L’Eau Parfum 1.2ml
• Orly Bonder Base Coat 5.4ml
• Rimmel Stay Mate Mini Foundation 8ml
• Seventeen Blowout Mascara – Blackest Black 12ml
• Seventeen Miami Supreme Shine Nail Polish 10ml
• Seventeen Tatoo Me Liquid Eyeliner – Raven Black
• Soap & Glory Mini Clean Body Wash 75ml
• Soap & Glory Mini Flakeaway Body Scrub 50ml
• Umberto Giannini Mini Backcomb In A Bottle 30ml
• Umberto Giannini Pom Pom Pony Band
• Vichy Idealia Life Serum 3ml
• Vichy Liftactiv Eyes and lashes 3ml

Order online @boots.com

Special Offer: Black Beauties by Jessica

Black Beauties by Jessica is an absolute must have for your nail polish collection. Packaged in a sleek black gift box, the two colour set contains Black Matte and Black Lustre - the darkest possible blacks you can get, and for a limited time only, if you buy the duet, you will receive a free stylish cosmetics bag (pictured below).

BLACK BEAUTIES

MATTE/GLOSS DUET

Black Matte 14.8ml –  Shine-free, soft matte textured coloured nail polish. 

Black Lustre 14.8ml – The blackest of black amplified by incomparable shine.

The colours can be worn solo or tone-on-tone to create attention grabbing designs (it's all about matte nails with glossy tips for me). 

Priced at £17.50, this stylish little package makes the perfect gift.

Available now from Jessica salons & spas and online @gerrardinternational.com & @jessica-nails.co.uk.

4 of the Best: Professional Body Moisturisers for all Skin Types

Upgrade your skincare routine with my pick of the best professional body moisturisers for all skin types. Perfect for daily use, these elite products will deeply nourish and hydrate your skin whilst the exquisite fragrances delight your senses. 

Aromatherapy Associates

Renewing Rose Body Cream 

£34.00 (200ml)

Experience the deeply moisturising and conditioning powers of rose, geranium, shea butter, and evening primrose for a rich and luxurious daily treat. This renewing body cream ensures your skin is left silky soft and healthy looking.


Available @aromatherapyassociates.com

Spa Find

Heavenly Hydration Mineralising Body Lotion

£23.20 (400ml)

This mineral-rich, pure and creamy body lotion deeply hydrates even the driest skin, preventing irritation and promoting a smooth, velvety skin tone. This lotion blends natural Dead Sea Minerals with precious plant extracts of Aloe Vera, Grapefruit, Mango, Peach, Camellia, Ginger, Chamomile, Jasmine, Rose and Coconut. 

Available @musthave.co.uk

DECLEOR

Aroma Confort - Moisturising And Firming Body Emulsion

£31.50 (250ml)

This body moisturiser envelops your skin in a comforting and protective layer of moisture. It not only re-hydrates the skin, but improves skin elasticity and firmness enhancing the overall appearance of your skin. With its light texture, it hydrates and softens the skin’s surface layers to give the skin a velvety smoothness. 

Available @decleor.co.uk

Elemis

Skin Nourishing Body Lotion

£24.00 (200ml)

Rich in concentrated milk protein, soothing oat kernel, nourishing camellia, macadamia and jojoba oils, Elemis Skin Nourishing Body Lotion will replenish dry skin, whilst softening and balancing the acid mantle. Excellent for treating excessively dry skin conditions. 

Available @timetospa.co.uk 

Product Profile: Frangipani Monoi Body Oil by Elemis

What is it?

Intoxicate the senses with an exotic blend of Coconut Coprah Oil and sweet scented Frangipani flowers. This exquisite treatment oil has long-lasting hydration properties to seal in moisture and leave skin silky soft. Can be used as an intensive conditioning treatment for hair and nails.

This truly exotic oil is one of my all time favourite products. It is rapidly absorbed providing superior moisturisation for dry, parched or mature skin.

What does it do?

• Provides superior moisturisation
• Free radical protection for dry skin
• Leaves the skin feeling satin smooth
• Can be used on the hair, nails and feet as a conditioning treatment
• Absorbs deeply into the skin
• Scented with the exotic aroma of Frangipani 'Flower of the Gods'
• Safe to use during pregnancy
• Formulated to be more skin friendly, in line with the Elemis promise

How do I use it?

The product solidifies at cooler temperatures. Place the bottle in a bowl of warm water to return it to a silky liquid. After bathing, apply oil to damp skin, massaging over the entire body. Concentrate on hands and feet for an intensive moisturising manicure or pedicure. For a weekly treat, massage a small amount into hair. Cover with a warm towel and relax for 15 minutes, shampoo and rinse.

What are the key ingredients?

Frangipani 

• The exotic aroma restores peace and harmony
• Deep cleanses and rejuvenates the skin
• Deep moisturisation even for the driest skins

Coconut Coprah Oil

• Excellent conditioner for dry skin
• Deeply cleansing & exfoliating, pH balancing
• Highly moisturising, nourishing & hydrating

How much is it?

£31.50 (100ml).

Where can I buy it from?

Available at all Elemis locations, salons and spas (to find your nearest stockist visit elemis.com). Also available online @timetospa.co.uk.

In Pictures: MAC Divine Night Collection for Christmas 2013

 

Enjoy yourself – past midnight, the darkness keeps the secrets. Gorgeous colours in rich finishes captivate at every angle, inspiring an evening of lavish living, on the scene and to be seen. Blush and Skinfinish rise to the occasion, pairing rich, contrasting shades with the graphic impact of a limited-edition powder design. Sultry eyes are done with Mineralize Eye Shadow, Fluidlines and Kohl Power Eye Pencil in glittering shades of pearl, from red to green to gold. The ingenious double-lush brush of False Lashes strokes each lash with dramatic volume, sharpening eyes with ultimate definition. Experience finishing touches that are fit to fire up everyone’s envy: lustrous lip shades in nude, satin taupe, red and plum and glossy nails in velvet gold, darkest silver suede and blackened burgundy.

LAUNCH DATES

• Online -  14 October 2013  @maccosmetics.com 
• U.S. - 17 October at MAC stores
• International - November 2013 at MAC Locations

LIPSTICK

• You’ve Got It: Nude taupe with green pearl
• Flair for Finery: Cool nude
• Private Party: Plum mauve with pearl
• Prepare for Pleasure: Bluish red

CREMESHEEN GLASS

• You’ve Got It: Nude taupe with green pearl
• Flair for Finery: Cool nude
• Private Party: Plum mauve with pearl
• Prepare for Pleasure: Bluish red

MINERALIZE SKIN FINISH

• Center of Attention: Pastel peachy pink with fine pink shimmer outside / 24-carat gold shimmer inside
• Perfectly Poised: Bronzy coral with golden tones outside / Creamy beige with pinkish purple sheen inside
• Scene to Be Seen: Mauve with pink sheen outside / Brick rose with gold reflects inside

MINERALIZE BLUSH

• Talk of the Town: Warm brown base with yellow bronze (Satin)
• Lured to Love: Coral pink base with pink frost (Satin)
• Lavish Living: Violet with silver pearl base with gold pearl (Satin)

MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW

• Captivating: Bright white gold outside / Deep gold inside (Frost)
• Exquisite Ego: Bronze outside / Soft white champagne inside (Frost)
• Gilded Night: Bright gold with silver pearl outside / Black with pearl inside (Frost)

• Until Dawn: Soft gold outside / Purple taupe inside (Frost)
• Midnight: Blackish purple with violet pearl outside / Soft white pink frost inside (Frost)
• Tonight’s Temptation: Black with pearl outside / Royal blue inside (Frost)

FLUIDLINE

• Military: Black matte with silver suede pearl (Frost)
• Fierce Entrance: Rich gold bronze (Velvet)
• Gadabout Girl: Blackened plum (Cream)

NAIL LACQUER

• Fierce Entrance: Rich gold bronze (Velvet)
• Military: Black matte with silver suede pearl (Frost)
• Gadabout Girl: Blackened plum (Cream)

KOHL POWER EYE PENCIL

• Orpheus: Intense black with gold pearl
• Raven: Intense black with red pearl
• Mystery: Intense black with green pearl
• Feline: Intense black with black pearl

FALSE LASHES MASCARA

• False Black: Black

My Autumn Nails: Alchimie by Chanel

There is something about Chanel nail colours that make me a little giddy. Every season, the “classic and trend-defining shades from the runways of Paris” have woman all over the globe lusting after the latest limited edition.

Some may say it’s down to the superior formulation, the unique shades so perfectly matched to seasonal trends, or maybe the ease of application and product consistency. 

However, I will admit that I love Chanel nail colours because purchasing them  allows me to regularly experience (if only a very little) the iconic brand, and own (despite very small) a product from the current collection. It feels good. I enjoy wearing the product more so than I would if it were another brand. Yep, I confess - I have been “Chaneled”, or in other words,  I’m that sold on the brand, I’m a loyal advocate. I can find all the justifications in the world to pay £18 for a 13ml nail colour. 

This honesty is especially important when reviewing or discussing designer branded cosmetics. So I put my hands up, when it comes to my blogs about Chanel, you will find it’s less review, and more gushing. 

Now I've “fessed up”, lets move on to my current Chanel love. Collection Superstition is the autumn 2013 colour collection inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s love for symbols of good fortune.

The enchanting make-up collection includes three nail shades - Alchimie, Elixir and Mysterious.

The limited edition shade, Alchimie, is my nail colour choice of the season. An unusual shade described by Chanel as golden khaki, it’s a metallic greenish gold with yellow undertones perfect for autumn and winter. 

The colour green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, and the desire to expand or increase; gold symbolises health, wealth and success; and yellow is associated with joy and happiness, which could explain why it feels so good to wear this unique hue. 

It’s exactly what I want from a nail colour at this time of year. As the colours of nature change to deeper, richer shades, my nails tend to follow this natural fashion. 

Alchimie is super sparkly and two coats are enough, but I’ve been using three for more intense colour, and sealing with my favourite topcoat - Seche Vite. Because it’s a metallic polish, the finish is prone to brushstrokes so careful application using as few strokes as possible is important, and for best results be sure to use a high shine topcoat. 

The other two shades in the collection are good all year round colour choices.  Mysterious is a dark olive green with brown undertones, and Elixir is a medium rose with a hint of beige which adds that Chanel class. 

Which Superstiton shade is your favourite?

I shall leave you with a short video by Chanel showcasing their top five timeless nail colours. I love it (of course).

RG x

FILM

LES COULEURS CULTE DE CHANEL

Why not assert your style with a Couleur Culte? Discover Chanel's five timeless nail polish colors. More on http://www.chanel.com.

Nail News: Gwen Stefani collaborates with OPI

Gwen Stefani is the latest celebrity to collaborate with OPI. This is especially exciting for me since I love her style, which is reflected in the collection.

Celebrating the role of music as a major influence in fashion, the collection brings us 7 new limited edition colours with breakthrough finishes. Highlights include a fierce red that pays homage to Gwen’s signature lipstick, a new semi-matte satin finish in shades of gold and black, and a stunning glitter also available in gel. 

NL G26 Hey Baby
NL G27 I Sing in Color
NL G28 Love.Angel.Music.Baby.
NL G29 4 in the Morning
NL G30 Push and Shove (comes with complimentary mini size of "Lay Down that Base")

NL G31 In True Stefani Fashion

I haven't seen Push and Shove yet but I hear it's a bold chrome, designed to be worn without a top coat but requires a special complimentary base coat – Lay Down that Base. One thin coat of Lay Down that Base + two thin coats of Push and Shove results in an intense, mirrored finish. 

Rock Starlets | Mini Pack Contents: 4 mini Nail Lacquers 3.75 mL – 1/8 Fl. Oz: 

Hey Baby, I Sing in Color, Love.Angel.Music.Baby., and 4 in the Morning.

The signature red, Over & Over A-Gwen, comes in a promotional box set which contains Swarovski black crystals and silver, gold and pewter studs, as well as nail glue for creating unique designs

The collection will be available in salons from January 1, 2014, and I can't wait to get my hands on 4 in the Morning!

RG xx