Christmas | Gifts For The Girls

Being a girl myself, it's not hard to think of gifts us ladies would love this Christmas. I've trawled the shops and the internet to find some of the best gifting options in beauty, books, gadgets, and everything in between...

The Sunshine Scents

I love fragrances and am a big believer in bringing out different scents for different moods, events and seasons. I'm clearly not alone in my thinking, as Andrea Rickard, Trading Director at The Perfume Shop, explains, “While perfume choices depend on the person, their mood and often the occasion we do see a small shift in sales as shoppers opt for much lighter fragrances with ingredients such as citrus and zesty notes which make us feel revitalised and fresh in the spring and summer.”

So, with spring in full effect and summer just around the corner, it's time to start switching up your scent stash. Here are some of my favourites..

Let's Talk... Resurfacing

If you've been noticing the word 'resurfacing' popping up lately and don't know what the fuck it means, don't worry. To keep things simple, it's an ever-so-slightly more hardcore version of exfiolation.

As with your typical exfoliation products, resurfacing products work to remove the very top layers of the skin to deeply cleanse the skin, increase collagen production, brighten the skin, treat hyper-pigmentation and reduce minor scarring.

Weekly Worship: Fountain, Hylamide & Philosophy

It's been a while since I gave y'all the lowdown on beauty products I've been loosing my shit over recently. One of those products is the Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker (£53.00 John Lewis / $75.00 Sephora). Now I've used Philosophy body products for a longtime (I love them!), however I've never been massively into the brand's facial skincare until I used this newbie. This brand isn't bullshitting you when it says this is the ultimate miracle worker....it really fucking is. It is a creamy moisturiser that feels super lightweight on the skin. It blends effortlessly, which is a big bonus for any SPF moisturiser. An even bigger bonus is that, unlike other facial SPFs, this cream doesn't leave a white film or chalkiness on the skin.

I find the Ultimate Miracle Worker deeply moisturising and nourishing. It also sits really well under makeup and over other skincare products - regardless of the type of product, texture or ingredients it contains. Although it's on the pricey side, a little product goes a really long way and the results make it oh-so worth it. I promise.

Christmas Gifts For The Girls

Christmas is fast approaching, so there isn't much time left to get gifting! Luckily I've been compiling some of the best presents to gift us girls to this year...

Starting with the gorgeous Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau de Parfum 50ml (£58.00 Boots). Featuring top notes of orange blossom, middle notes of jasmine and base notes of white honey, cedar, rose and patchouli, this fragrance is floral, feminine and intoxicating. It also packs a lot of power, so it is not a scent for the subtle girls; it is strong and intense and lasts for hours. Elie Saab Le Parfum is a classic fragrance that deserves a spot on any girl's dressing table.

Ingredients 101: Coffea Arabica Seed Oil

Natural or Synthetic: Natural

Origin: Coffea arabica seed oil is extracted by cold pressing the green coffee beans from a coffea arabica plant

Location: Coffea arabica originates from the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia, however today it is cultivated worldwide

Beauty Benefits: Coffea arabica seed oil contains a high concentration of essential fatty acids, sterols and vitamin E. This makes it a powerful antioxidant that can protect against skin damage, as well as deeply hydrate the skin and assist in the prevention of inflammatory skin disorders.

The ingredient is also known to increase elastin and collagen production. In fact, a recent study found that, when used topically, coffea arabica seed oil causes significant improvements in the appearance of wrinkles, firmness, redness and skin texture.

Warnings: Coffea arabica seed oil is safe to use topically

Found in: Philosophy's new Time In A Bottle 40ml (£55.00 John Lewis / $74.00 Sephora). This lightweight anti-ageing serum features a breakthrough DNA renewal complex that supports healthy DNA function by helping to promote skin's natural renewal and protection processes. Unlike other serums, you have to activate this one yourself by pouring in a vial of high-potency vitamin C, using an adorable mini funnel - very sciency!

God Bless America(n Beauty)!

Us Brits may not celebrate Independence Day but it's the perfect excuse to celebrate the best of American beauty. Some of the world's best beauty beauty brands and products were born in the US of A, so it's only right we put them in the spotlight!

Now, no American beauty round-up would be complete without mentioning Elizabeth Arden's famous Eight Hour Cream 50ml (£26.00 Boots / $21.00 ULTA). This true beauty hero is loved by women all over the world because it calms, protects and hydrates skin for up to eight hours. It was created back in 1930 by Miss Elizabeth Arden herself and, although it was originally made to soothe skin, it has a crazy number of other benefits. This handbag essential can be used to treat dry skin, chapped lips, dry cuticles, rough elbows and calluses, in-flight dehydration, sunburn and a million other skin problems. Eight Hour Cream = The American Dream.

It would also be impossible to talk American beauty and not mention Stila, one of America's favourite cult beauty brands. Stila's One Step Colour Corrector 30ml (£24.00 stila.co.uk / $36.00 Sephora) alone deserves a spot in the American beauty hall of fame. This award-winning primer instantly colour-corrects, brightens and covers skin imperfections for a flawless face or perfect base. It combines lavender, peach and green tones that neutralise redness, conceal spots and pigmentation, counteract sallow undertones and brighten the skin. The One Step Colour Corrector is a makeup bag must!

The next product I have to mention isn't just loved by Americans, it's loved by freakin Oprah! It goes by the name of Hope In A Jar 60ml (£34.50 philosophyskincare.co.uk / $42.00 Nordstrom) - Philosophy's award-winning moisturiser. It is the perfect all-rounder, helping to hydrate and gently exfoliate skin, making it smoother, healthier and more radiant. It is also packed with powerful antioxidants, which help to protect skin against environmental damage!

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 250ml (£27.00 John Lewis / $29.50 kiehls.com) is another American classic that is arguably the best body moisturiser in the world. This ultra-nourishing cream is formulated with Beta-Carotene (an antioxidant found in red vegetables), Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Squalane, Vitamins A and E and Vegetable Oils to soothe, hydrate and moisturise the skin. It has a rich, creamy texture that applies easily and absorbs quickly. Creme de Corps is an absolute must for those who suffer with very dry skin!

Now, if you are completely lacking American beauty experience, Glossybox is currently selling the perfect solution - a Stars and Stripes themed box (£10.00 glossybox.com). This special, limited edition beauty box contains amazing products from the likes of Tarte, Mary Kay and Carmex, so it would make the perfect start to your American beauty journey!

The Beauty Myth: Applying Vaseline Nightly Will Prevent Wrinkles

Verdict: False

God, if only  there were such a cheap way of preventing wrinkles!

Vaseline contains 100% petroleum jelly - a deeply moisturising ingredient that forces oils into the skin and prevents them from evaporating. So Vaseline can make wrinkles less apparent - as the moisture it provides softens fine lines - however it just can't prevent skin ageing.

In truth, only skincare products containing active ingredients (such a retinol) can keep wrinkles at bay. So swap the nightly Vaseline face treatment for an effective anti-ageing night cream. I am a big fan of the Philosophy Help Me Retinol Night Treatment 30ml (£38.00 Boots / $47.50 Sephora).