It's that time of year again! Christmas work do's are in full steam and many a family gathering are being had. For me, this means sweat/weatherproof makeup (not so glamorous, I know) and extra sparkle! 

So I thought I would give you a rundown of my go-to special occasion makeup, from long-lasting products to the sparkliest makeup products I own! 


For my final instalment of this year's Christmas gift guide, I thought I would share a few skincare and body care gifts, the latter being pretty easy to buy while skin care gifts taking a little more thought. 

Which is why I decided it would be nice to give a few suggestions and share my favourite gift sets for Christmas 2017! You can see the rest of my Christmas Gift Guides HERE!



Onto the serious Beauty Gift Guide today!

While there may be more you want to put on your own Christmas list here than gift others there are some great value sets here worthy of gifting to those that you want to spoil this year! 

You can find the rest of my Christmas Gift Guides 2017 HERE!



My annual Christmas Gift Guides are officially here! Yes, I'm excited about them! 

Whether you are in the midst of your Christmas shopping, need ideas for what to ask people for or even just to earmark a few gift sets you may want to treat yourself to come Boxing Day my gift guides for 2017 should help!

Today's Christmas Gift Guide is for those that are semi on a budget/don't want to overspend, however still want to gift something really nice! I tried my best to pick the gift sets and gifts that are good value for money and I think I've accomplished that with some real gems... let me know what you like the most!




With Christmas fast approaching I think we are all in PBM (Present Buying Mode) and while it hasn't reached PPMB (Panic Present Buying Mode) levels just yet, we all want to nail down some good gifts for our nearest and dearests.

Which is why if like me you've been asked 'what do you want for Christmas?" or "give me ideas?!" more than a few times since November! So here is the post to give you ideas of what to ask for or simply so that you can drop hints about what you would like to see under the tree come Christmas morning.



Fragrance is without a doubt one of the most gifted (and possibly most returned/re-sold) items at Christmas! The allure of the fragrance gift set! So when jotting down ideas for this years Christmas gift guides here on Makeup Savvy I decided I need to focus on fragrance for one of them.

Gifting perfume can be tricky, although it may not seem it, especially if you don't know what your recipient prefers, so my first section of this guide is all about giving a gift of fragrance that is foolproof - yes, it can be done! Moving onto affordable fragrances after that and then more luxurious scents for the ones you really want to treat this year. I really hope this fragrance gift guide gives you a little inspiration!



I don't know about you but Christmas is one of my busiest times of the year and although I love it I require daily downtime to stay on top of it all and enjoy it!

Of course, sticking on a Christmas movie is one way to relax while saying in the spirit of things but for me, I also like to combine my love of reading with this special time of year! This is something that I started a few years ago, seeking out festive reads instead of my go-to thriller genre.

So today I thought it would be a nice idea to share my own collection of festive reads and put together a Christmas reading list that not only could you pick and choose from yourself but you could also gift others, especially if you know a fellow Christmas fanatic! Below you will find a good mix of reads, from a book for all ages, something that will prompt nostalgic memories of Christmas as a child, a festive cookbook with a twist and even a short story from author, John Green - who knew he'd written a Christmas tale!



Ahh, it's finally December. Well, I say finally but I think we are all baffled by how fast 2017 has gone. So much has happened yet it seems only yesterday it was the start of the year. Who knows!

For me, December is 'Christmas' as I find the lead up just as good, if not better, as the day itself. The sparkle of Christmas lights both indoor and out, along with feel-good adverts about getting together and giving back adds a lightness to my days. I also feel Christmas is the season where regressing in age is fully acceptable, so I fully intend to be sat by my Christmas tree feeling presents through their wrapping paper while watching Arthur Christmas and eating too many chocolates in the days leading up to the big day. Actually, isn't it funny how we call it 'the big day'?

But what I'm here for other than celebrating the fact it's December is to share with you what you can expect to see on Makeup Savvy over the next month and a little chat about what I will be getting up... because I'm excited!



When it comes to getting excited about Christmas nothing quite excites me more than decorating my home. With all homeware stores coming out with amazing new Christmas decorations each year it can be all little overwhelming where to shop and what to go for, especially if you don't want to spend a lot! 

Which is why I thought I'd write a rundown of my favourite homeware stores for budget Christmas decorations, whilst also sharing what a few bits and bobs I've picked up this year. I also thought it would be nice to share the DIY decorations I've made for the past five Christmases.



ebay-cheap-christmas-gifts


With my Christmas gift guides just around the corner I thought I'd first pull together an eBay gifts round-up for those that are looking for stocking fillers or simply want to spend less! 

Everything here is under £5 and includes free delivery (UK listings only!). I really hope you like my picks as I personally think everything here looks much more expensive than it is.

As we are less than two months away from Christmas I thought it was time for my annual Christmas decorations from eBay post!

Due to most items being incredibly cheap and with free delivery, for the most part, they are from China. This does take longer than UK post, hence why I'm writing this in good time, however, I do find the items get delivered much sooner than stated on the listing, often taking around 3 weeks. Basically, rest assured everything here will get delivered before December.

Hope you find a few inexpensive festive treats here!



I know I'm beyond late with this New Years sales post! 
But I'm going to be totally honest here and explain how I just wasn't feeling my  pre-Christmas gift guides so I decided to switch it up a bit.

You see back in December I enjoyed writing my book gift guide as it was more likely you'd find recommendations for yourself if you love to read and possibly a few gift ideas. But when it came to writing my huge beauty gift guide I realised it was pretty unlikely for people to have a ton of family and friends that were into beauty in the same way as them.

So I decided to skip my last Christmas beauty gift guide and instead now share a few products I've been personally loving in this kind of sales guide in which you can snap up a few bargains if you wish or possibly use any gift cards you may have from Christmas! This just makes much more sense to me and hopefully to you too! If you would like to see detailed reviews of any products featured here just let me know.

The Ultimate Palettes 



Urban Decay Ultimate Basics Palette
£34.65 Feel Unique HERE  
Now this may very well be the neutral palette of both 2016 and 2017! If you're a matte neutral eyeshadow lover then you may want to snap this up while it's discounted. This amazing palette contains 12 very wearable eyeshadows in Urban Decay's standard ultra smooth formula. I personally cannot fault this palette and will sure to write a stand alone blog post with swatches very soon as it's been my go-to palette for over a month now. Favourite shades have to be 'Extra Bitter' (2nd row, 2nd from left) as it's such a warm toned orange brown shade, and 'Commando' (1st row, 4th from left) as it's just the ideal all over lid colour for anyone with a pale complexion. I've own nearly all of the Naked palettes from Urban Decay now but this really is the winner of them all!

Urban Decay Blackmail Vice Lipstick Palette
£28.35 House of Fraser HERE  
Onto another Urban Decay palette I delved straight into once taking the above photos. This is another stunning palette that UD have really upped their game on, from the thought out aesthetically pleasing packaging to the impressive shade range. The lipstick palette contains two options in 'Blackmail' and 'Junkie', I have 'Blackmail' which I'd definitely say is the more wearable of the two palettes containing many more nude shades. However if you are looking for a unique palette with some lilac and green lipstick shades then 'Junkie' is for you! In the few weeks I've been using this palette I've found not only is this basically 12 UD lipsticks for under £30, but it really allows you to be braver in your colour choices and even mix shades together on the back of your hand before applying. My favourites have to be all the nude shades, but I also love how EZ and Big Bang look together. Another palette I really need to review in much more depth as it's just perfection.

Fragrance 



Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Travel Size 30ml
£27.00 Cult Beauty HERE
If you are into fragrance then you will most likely know about Molecule 01, which without a doubt is the most confusing scent out there! Trying to explain this fragrance without adding to the confusion is tricky, so lets just say this is the colour adapting lipstick of the fragrance world! Unique on every wearer and an enhancer of all your existing scents this is a fragrance staple is you are into your scents. I personally find it quite a masculine scent on myself but so far I've had quite a few compliments and now I'm realising how I smell the scent isn't how others do. However I do really love it as a base fragrance to all the other perfumes in my collection. Although this isn't discounted I wanted to feature it as the refill travel size bottle which doesn't contain a top (no biggie) is considerably cheaper than the other products in the Molecule 01 range making it ideal to try if a scent like this intrigues you! 

Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely Gift Set 100ml
£21.95 Fragrance Direct HERE
SJP's Lovely has been a staple scent of mine for 10 years now and I make sure I'm never without a bottle. It's soft, fresh and importantly wearable any time of year, but especially so in Spring I always feel. As you can see this is a gorgeous looking set that is unbelievable priced at £21.95 right now! You receive not only the 100ml EDP Lovely fragrance but a 10ml roller ball ideal for travel or your handbag, a gold compact mirror, plus a lovely compact clutch bag. The 100ml fragrance alone retails for £20.00 so this is such a good deal.
 
Elie Saab La Perfum EDP Intense 30ml 
£35.70 Fabled HERE
Plus 15% off with 1st order - code VOU386623174
When looking for a new fragrance to treat myself to at Christmas I went with one from Elie Saab after remembering I'd tried a tester many moons ago and instantly loved it. With the stunning packaging and advertising I'd presumed Elie Saab's fragrance range was high end and out of my price range, so I was surprised to see that this 30ml eau de parfum intense bottle was pretty affordable, and even more so if you are a new customer to the Fabled website! The scent is fresh and clean but also smells sparkly if that can be a thing, which makes it sophisticated to wear during the day but also works well as an evening scent. The scent without a doubt has that high end aroma to it and I just can't get enough of it! As a fragrance fanatic I will now to seeking out samples of all the other Elie Saab scents to try out.

Nails 



SensatioNail Ultimate Gel Start Kit
£40.00 Boots HERE
Now you may want to ignore the above image as I'm talking about a set that combines pretty much the contents of the Gel Starter Kit and the Polish to Gel Kit (above) in one which is actually on offer right now! Basically if you are thinking of creating your own gel manicure at home then this is totally the set to pick up as it contains the lamps, all the essentials you require, plus two SensatioNail gel polishes! I own both kits and although I love my gel nails only one kit is needed which I recommend being this starter kit as it's the lowest priced kit and it contains the most! Plus it includes the all important nail shields which really do prevent damage to the nail beds - they really do make a difference! You can find my full review of the Polish to Gel Transformer Kit plus swatches to see the finish of at-home gel nails here

Nails inc Mini Gift Sets
Peace. Love. Kale Set £12.00 HERE
After Christmas Nails Inc gift sets always go on sale! So if you love the brand it's worth looking at all the main retailers for a heavily discounted set. Although the Nail Candy set (seen above) is now sold out I personally love the Peace. Love. Kale set which contains the cutest slogan makeup pouch and three Nails Inc minis, one of which is a nail car product, all for only £12. I'm very tempted!

Hair 



Nicky Clarke Supershine Salon Dryer
£47.49 Tesco HERE
I've often found a new year to be a good time to replace old beauty electricals; from the electric toothbrush that has seen better days or the hairdryer that constantly overheats and just doesn't perform how it use to. My newest upgrade is this impressive Supershine hair dryer by Nicky Clarke which not only leaves hair as it describes; super shiny, with also fairly straight without even using any blow drying techniques or brushes. This really is a powerful hair dryer that lives up to it's salon professional claims and does the job well. Ideal for anyone with long hair. Side note - The rose gold details are a plus!

Lee Stafford Chopstick Styler
£15.99 Lee Stafford HERE
Just how affordable is this hair styler?! Okay, this may not be for some but this is beyond amazing for crazy curly hair, whether your hair is naturally curly and could do with more definition or if you want to go from straight hair to crazy curls that will literally transform how you look. I'm personally not sure I can rock a full head of curls however I've been loving creating a high up ponytail and then curling it quickly. I've already tried this on lots of other people as the results look different on everyone and it's so fun to use. A really fun styling tool! 
 
Off to shop the last of the sales a bit more now!

Hope you all had a very lovely relaxed Christmas & New Year, 

Fee xo.


Today for my last blog post before Christmas I thought I'd share with you a few Christmas Day nail ideas! 

Plus I wanted to show you the combo I've been wearing this last week and what I plan to changed them to ahead of the big day! 
  
 
First up Christmas nail combo ideas! It's all about the glitter for me so I always opt for an opaque base colour and then a festive glitter. 

One of my favourite duos is actually a free gift with purchase from Barry M in Superdrug stores! Simply spend £7 on Barry M products and receive this lovely nail duo that consists of a brown shimmer (Gingerbread) and a silver holographic tinsel style glitter (Icicle). I wore this on my nails last week and it's such a lovely combo. 

I'm also totally digging the KIKO holiday collection 2016 nail polishes. These come in three glitter shades - 01 Pleasant Silver Rose, 02 Rich Gold and 03 Full Red and are currently reduced to £3.00 online here and hopefully in-store! My favourite of the three is Rich Gold as there aren't may fine gold glitter nail polishes on the market and paired over a deep nail polish (as you can see above, paired with Essie Bahama Mama) or even black really makes the glitter come to life!

Lastly if you aren't a fan of that gritty feeling of glitter nails or hate the snooze-worthy removal process then the Sensational Nail Glitters £2.50 each here may just be perfect for you. This is a dry non-nail polish glitter that you lliterally puff over wet nails and seal with a clear top coat - how clever?! They can be used over regular nail polish or with an at-home gel kit and they come in 3 shades - red glitter, black and a super amazing holographic silver (shown above, paired with Seventween Gel Colour in Mint Cooler). I just can't get enough of these! 


As for what I've been wearing on my nails recently, this past week I've been sporting one of my most favourite Essie glitter nail polishes; Summit of Style Boots £7.99 or Fragrance Direct here for only £2.49, over Bourjois La Lacque White Spirit (ASOS here or Boots in-store) which is just a good white base I always use. I was tempted to apply a matte top coat to see how they would look however as I loved the sparkle from Summit of Style I decided to leave them!

For my Christmas day nails I'm planning to go all red as it's just such a festive look. Of course I couldn't just go for all red nails, I had to find a perfect red glitter to go with it! For the base I've picked C&E nail polish in Apple/Rouge Sublime but really any classic red would work. Then for the red glitter it was a hard choice but I decided to go for a slightly more raspberry red glitter in Sally Hansen Strawberry Shields. I love rich sparkly red nails so I'm excited to sit down tonight and give my nails an even more festive manicure!

So there you have my Christmas nail polish combos that have hopefully inspired you to try out a glittery combination!

Happy Christmas everyone! 

Fee xo. 

Skincare-Christmas-gift-guide-2016

Welcome to my first ever Skincare Gift Guide!

I thought I'd start with skincare because I have such a passion for it and both skincare and body care sets make a lovely gift to give. Below I have quite a few budget options, both skincare and body care gift sets and two affordable cleansing devices I really do rate.

Hope this gift guide gives you a few present ideas or even what to treat yourself to in the Boxing Day sales!

Budget-skincare-gift-ideas-2016

Budget Skincare Gift Ideas

Bee Good Clean Sweep Set 
£11.50 BUY HERE
Okay, I will admit I was totally lured into this gift set because of the Raspberry & White Chocolate Lip Balm and can confirm it's just as yummy as it sounds! This is a really lovely gift set that will suit most as it contains the lip balm (everyone needs one in Winter!) and a cleansing water over a cream cleanser that I know a lot of people don't use. The Honey & Wild Mint Cleansing Water very much reminds me of one from Caudalie as it's so mild in scent and gentle and refreshing on the skin. For £11.00 this is the perfect no nasties, vegan gift set that will suit all skin types.

Sheet Mask Bundle 
£1-5 for 3 to 5 masks
Sheet masks are certainly popular right now so I think a stack of various ones from all different brands would make an interesting and affordable gift for a friend or family member. You can find a wide range of Korean branded sheet masks such as the Tony Moly one above in TK Maxx for only £1.99 and Garnier have just come out with a moisture sheet mask which you can find on offer for £1.00 in various supermarkets right now.

Patisserie De Bain Hand Cream Collection 
£9.99 BUY HERE 
If you know someone that always uses hand cream then this gift set will be just perfect for them. For many a good hand cream means something that's moisturising but also well scented and fortunately Patisserie De Bain do the best smelling hand creams I've come across. The set includes – Strawberry Cupcake, Creme Patisserie and Caramell Whip and let me tell you they all smell beyond amazing. Caramel Whip smells like the inside of a pecan caramel pastry, Strawberry Cupcake reminds me of a children's strawberry yoghurt and I've decided Creme Patisserie is basically vanilla custard... I was that close to giving it a lick when I first used it! If was want someone to unwrap your gift and sit there ooo'ing and ahh'ing as they try it out then this is what you should get them!

Wilko Rose Glow Gift Set
£3.00 Wilko in-store
If you what to go super cheap but don't want to compromise on look or quality then I'd highly recommend a trip to Wilkos. I couldn't resist picking up this gift set for the price and the fact it's rose gold... my eyes seriously honed in on the gorgeous rose gold pouch that is worth buying the set for and filling it with a few beauty treats in my opinion. But if you want to keep it whole then it's a great extra gift or gift for a work colleague. It includes 4 items – Rose Glow Shower Gel, Rose Glow Body Lotion, a shower flower puff and a nice sized rose gold makeup pouch. Well done Wilkos!

Skincare-gift-sets-Christmas-2016

Skincare Gift Sets

Elemental Herbology Radiant Skin Set
£19.00 BUY HERE
When it comes to gifting skincare I believe even if you are on a budget it's always worth giving a skincare brand you trust. It may mean the gift set is smaller however I'm sure the recipient will be more grateful of it than they would a larger unbranded set. A perfect example of this is the Elemental Herbology set which is fairly small for the £19 price tag but if your gift-ee uses the set there's a high chance they will fall in love with the brand and want to purchase from EH in the future! The two minis included in the set are – Vital Cleanse Facial Cleanser and Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream. I haven't tried either of the products as I'm giving the set as a gift however I can say they smell so fresh and amazing. Also I've yet to dislike an Elemental Herbology product, they are one of those brands that use only quality ingredient which make all their products highly effective. Plus the gift box is copper... what's not to love!

GLAMGLOW Gift Sexy Treatment Set
£39.00 BUY HERE
Talking of effective products you won't find better face masks than the ones from Glamglow. Unless you know someone that absolutely loves skincare and face masks and deserves thoroughly treating then this really is a set to snap up for yourself in the after Christmas sales in my opinion, especially if you are new to Glamglow. Included in the set are four 30g face masks that target anti-ageing, hydrating, clarifying and firming and all though not all will suit your skin type three out of the four masks will work well, although I wouldn't recommend this set to anyone with sensitive skin as these are some potent masks that really do get to work and fast! I of course love how effective these masks are but I also love how most of them also double up as a different treatment. For example the Supermud mask can be used as a spot treatment (it works amazingly well overnight), Youthmud is grainy so you can exfoliate with it and Thirstymud can be used as an overnight mask which doesn't need to be wash off. If you are into your face masks then this is the ultimate set that you may want to ask Santa for or treat yourself to!

Pai Everyday Hero Collection
£38.00 BUY HERE
Onto a good all round skincare set that is ideal for someone you want to treat and you know they will embrace a skincare routine thanks to the set. As Pai is rich is organic extracts this is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or prefers natural feeling and smelling products. The set includes 3 of Pai's bestselling products – Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser with face cloth, Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream. And with the cleanser alone costing £28.00 this set is mostly definitely good value for money. Ideal for a mum or aunt that deserves an extra special gift.

Dermologica Power Rescue Masque Trio
£43.25 BUY HERE
Back to face masks because I can't get enough of them, I have a trio of three 38ml Dermologica face masks. Dermologica is a brand I associate with spa facial treatments and again come up with highly effective products. The trio includes the Charcoal Rescue Masque, Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque and the Skin Hydrating Masque, which are suggested to be used at the same time for various areas of the face. Now I personally think they are all amazing stand alone face masks but they could be used together if you have a combination skin type. My favourite has to be the Charcoal Rescue mask as it's amazing at drawing out impurities in the skin and instantly brightens. However even on first use I can tell that the Multivitamin Power Recovery mask is something totally different are really rejuvenates the skin, perfect for ageing skin or after being ill. Comparing this to the GlamGlow set as they are similar in price I feel the masks here are just as effective however less commercialised; no pretty packaging and the scent of the masks leaves much to be desired. Basically if you love skincare and use face masks often then this set will impress you!

Bodycare-gift-sets-Christmas-2016

Body Care Gift Sets

Neal's Yard Shower Gel Organic Collection 
£15.00 BUY HERE 
This may seem an odd question, but do you know someone that loves having showers over baths? If you do, then an all shower gel set with no wasted bath products may be the perfect call. Also it's a gift you know they will use! This lovely gift set from Neal's Yard includes four 50ml shower gels in four glorious relaxing and uplifting scents – Geranium & Orange, Jasmine & Ylang Ylang, Rose & Geranium and Rosemary & Elderflower. My personal favourite has to be Jasmine & Ylang Ylang as it's such a relaxing and comforting scent, so much so that I'm tempted to treat myself to a full size bottle. A gift set just perfect for shower lovers or anyone that travels often.

Soap & Glory 12 Christmas Washes 
£30.00 BUY HERE
Next up possibly the ultimate bath & shower set that contains 12 mini S&G products! This pretty affordable set is ideal for any lovers of the Soap & Glory scents, new and old. First of all I feel I need to mention the amazing packaging as the box is not only huge but it actually lights up... I'm not sure of the purpose but it's a fab Christmas novelty none the less! The jumbo set contains 5 x 50ml products and 7 x 75ml, which would last anyone a pretty long time. What I really like about this set is that is contains a good mix of products from scrubs to body washes and even a face wash, plus there's even two of the new shower jelly's included to try out. I know a lot of people that would be thrilled to receive this gift set!

Baylis & Harding Miidnight Fig Body Wash Cracker 
£6.40 BUY HERE 
Baylis & Harding offer some well priced gift sets so I had to feature something from the fairly large range. This large cracker shaped gift includes a huge 500ml Midnight Fig & Pomegranate Balancing Body Wash that makes a great extra gift or a gift for someone you don't necessarily know so well. Paired with a box of chocolates you've got a fab gift for under £10!

Wilko Handwash Duo 
£3.00 Wilko in-store
Staying with budget gifts I had to include another amazing Wilkos gift set that's only £3.00! This duo hand wash & hand lotion set is ideal for anyone older or anyone you've noticed likes to have duo hand products next to the sink. Not only is the outer packaging really well presented for the price but the bottles really are lovely and could definitely be re-filled after they have been used up. Skip the supermarkets for budget skincare gifts and head to Wilkos, you won't be disappointed!

Cleansing-skincare-devices-review

Skincare Cleansing Devices

Foreo Luna Play Cleansing Device
£29.00 BUY HERE
A few years ago cleansing devices were pricey, and quite a few still are, but thankfully Foreo had made trying out sonic facial cleansing accessible to all budgets. This Foreo Luna Play is a mini version of their larger Foreo Luna and offers 100 uses. This means you can cleanse with the device for a few months to see if a Foreo is worth the investment. Having used this device before I can say it's just as good as larger cleansing brushes and really does remove makeup well. I also love that the bristles are silicone which means they don't splay and the entire device dries quicker without any bacteria forming. A perfect gift for anyone that's into cleansing or is wanting to improve their skin. To make it into a gift there is a gift set available for the same price here or you could pick up the day cleanser 100ml which will last the same amount of time as the Foreo Luna Play if used together. Even though the Foreo Luna Play is under £30 this would seem such a generous gift to give.

Magnitone Daily Cleasing Brush 
On Sale £50.00 BUY HERE 
Another well priced cleansing brush that certainly gives the Clarisonic a run for it's money is the Magnitone Daily Cleansing Brush. This can be currently picked up from Look Fantastic for the amazing price of £50 – this is the time to try one or ask for one if you've never used a sonic cleansing brush before. Unlike high-street versions which still cost around £30 it's the sonic element and the brush quality that makes the difference of how well the brush cleanses your face. Having tried of the Magnitone brush and the Clarisonic I can say that they are pretty much identical, in fact the Magnitone is much more lightweight and the magnetic charger (it's literally the best thing!), plus the 12 month warranty make this the one to go for. A perfect gift to ask for or sneakily buy for yourself for amazing skin in 2017!

So there you have it, my skincare gift picks for Christmas 2016!

Make sure to look out for my Beauty Gift Guide on Monday – it's gonna' be a big one!

Fee xo.

ebay-christmas-gift-ideas-2016

Today I thought I would share some last minute eBay buys that would make ideal Christmas gifts or just to treat yourself to! These are all UK listed items with free delivery and will arrive before the big day, so there's no need to worry! Hope you find something here!

Set of 3 Maybelline Brocades Nail Polishes 
£3.99 HERE 
Normally £3.99 each this trio of Maybelline nail polishes is great value for money. It contains the most perfect shades the festive period and into the New Year, in particular Knitted Gold (middle) which reminds me of an Essie nail polish and looks absolutely stunning from the nail swatches I've seen.

LaRoc 4 Piece Makeup Brush Set with case 
£4.99 HERE
Now I've sure you are thinking this looks very similar to another makeup brush set with metallic orange handles... I was thinking the same thing! But I've checked it out and LaRoc is an established company and everything seems legitimate, making this a total bargain of a set! I know I'd be pleased to receive this especially with the wide range of brushes and handy stand up case.  

2 Pack of 3 Essie Winter Collection Nail Polish Kits 
£4.49 HERE
I've mentioned these a few times now because they are an absolute bargain! These Essie trios generally cost £12.99 so two sets for only £4.49 is amazing value. The bottles are miniatures but I find them the perfect size as who ever finishes a nail polish? Plus the set includes 3 lovely shades with a slightly off white, a stunning silver foil and a vivid red shade. Just perfect for this time of year... and because you receive two sets you can give one as a gift and keep one for yourself! I've soooo tempted to snap these up! 

Set of 6 Models Own Lipstix Lipsticks 
£4.99 HERE
Recently Models Own went and had a revamp of their makeup line and sadly discontinued the Lipstix range... hence the amazing price for a set of 6 which did use to retail for £4.99 each! The set includes the full shade range including my favourite shade, Beauty Blush! Such a bargain!

A5 Blue Floral Diary 2017 
£5.00 HERE
A 2017 diary is a great gift to give especially if it's as pretty as this one! I'm totally digging the blue floral design and A5 is just the right size. This could be gifted with a nice pen to make it feel like a whole gift. I know I'd be pleased to receive this.

Set of 5 Rose Gold Makeup Brushes 
£5.59 HERE
Last but not least a budget brush set that I own and absolutely love! I'm sure you can see the quality of the brushes just from the stock image. I remember being so surprised at the quality for the low price! Expect the prettiest rose gold handles and the softest brushes here that can be used on both the face and eyes. This would make a perfect gift to a makeup lover or even a sneaky treat for yourself! 

This is my last eBay post of the year so I really hope you've found a few bargain here! I will of course be back in the new year with even more eBay finds! 

Fee xo. 
 
Book-gift-guide-Christmas-2016

Welcome to part 2 of my Christmas Gift Guide for Book Lovers! 

If you haven't read Part 1 you can find it here with lots of book recommendations, from popular recent releases to YA fictions and even how to pick up affordable signed and special edition books! 

Below you will find even more gift ideas that are more non-fiction based and even some non-book gifts that's I'm really excited to share as they look amazing but are beyond affordable.

Motivational-book-gifts

Motivational books
Motivational books make an ideal present any time of the year but especially at Christmas with a new year looming. Here are a few popular and uplifting reads that would make an excellent gift. 

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
£6.29 BUY HERE
For all creatives and aspiring writers there is Big Magic. Big Magic is about embracing ideas and creativity whilst staying realistic. Ideal for anyone currently writing or studying. This easy to read book is a total joy!

Rise Sister Rise by Rebecca Campbell
£7.69 BUY HERE 
If you are wanting to give an empowering feminist read to someone then this is the book to give! A contemporary yet spiritual guide to rising up and becoming our powerful and authentic selves. Rise Sister Rise is a call to arms for women to rise up, tell their truth and lead. It is a guide to co-creating a whole new archetype for women in these awakening times - a woman who does not keep herself small in order to make others feel more comfortable, a woman who knows that she is not her body weight, her sexual partners or her career. A woman who understands the true meaning of sisterhood, and that alone we are strong but together we are fierce. Side note - It also has the prettiest pastel sun prism page edging!

Girl Boss by Sophie Amoruso
£6.99 BUY HERE
For me this is a certain type of motivational book compared to my other choices. This is an inspiring books for someone 18-25  that's wanting to be their own boss. Whether that's in the fashion industry or not as this is an honest look at becoming your own boss by ultimate girlboss Sophia Amoruso. A perfect first motivational read for that strong career focused friend! 

The Year of Yes
£6.29 BUY HERE
From award-winning Creator and Executive Producer of the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal, Shonda Rhimes, comes this personal yet deeply funny look at how she started to say 'Yes'. The ideal book to give in the run up to a new year, especially for someone you know will value a book like this of self discovery and change. 

Beauty-book-gifts

Beauty books (because I couldn't not!)
I've come to realise that a lot of people that love makeup don't own a single makeup book! In recent years there has been a spike of some amazing ones so it's the ideal time to gift an updated beauty book. Below you will find a varied selection of well put together books that I absolutely adore.

Face by Pixiwoo
£9.99 BUY HERE
Finally a book created the amazingly talented Chapman sisters! Now this would make an amazing book for any fans of their Pixiwoo Youtube channel, however if you're unsure you're recipent knows of them or not don't fear as this is still an amazing makeup book regardless! You can read my in-depth review here if you like, but in summary this is a comprehensive guide to makeup and covers everything from skincare to all makeup techiques. One of the best practical makeup books I've read to date.  

Face Paint by Lisa Eldridge  
£12.91 BUY HERE
Maybe you know someone with a deep interest of makeup that goes beyond applying it. They might have expressed an interested in vintage makeup or maybe their a makeup artist. Basically this isn't your typical makeup book as this is a detailed history of makeup from the politics of colours throughout history to key women through the ages and the makeup they wore. There's also a section about the business of beauty that anyone with a passion for makeup will find deeply interesting. Lisa Eldridge's love of makeup and the history behind it really shines through in this book and for that reason it makes such a detailed read. 

Pretty Honest & Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes
£12.99 BUY HERE | £12.00 BUY HERE
Written by the beyond knowledgeable Sali Hughes, Pretty Honest is like no other beauty book. If you are looking to give a makeup book with lots of visuals then you may want to opt for Face by Pixiwoo but if you are after a solid book then you will get that in an abundance with this Pretty Honest Unlike most makeup/beauty books Sali has a clear writing style that is intelligent and witty, making for a really good read. Points are covered on anything you can imagine associated with beauty -  how to manage makeup counters, salon etiquette, hair problem solving, wearing red lipstick and even how to pay and receive compliments. As for Sali Hughes' follow up book; Pretty Iconic, think of it as a beauty product bible. Expect the same intelligent and engaging writing style but wrote as almost mini essays (one per page) on products new and old. Both a nostalgic and interesting read and a book sure to make your recipient want to go out and treat themselves to some new beauty products!

The Body Book by Cameron Diaz 
£14.88 BUY HERE  
If you are looking for a book that mixes aesthetics with health and the body then you can't go wrong with The Body Book. I was refreshingly surprised when I read this to find an educational book on living a healthy lifestyle and fully understanding your body. This is far from a book about Cameron Diaz but one in which she shares her knowledge and with the help of nutritionists explains the key points to being healthy in great depth. Cameron also has a follow up book called The Longetivity Book that looks at age and health in more depth which may not be as ideal to give as a gift but interesting none the less. 

Beautiful For Ever: Madame Rachel of Bond Street by Helen Rappaport
£8.99 BUY HERE
Another amazing read for anyone interested in the history of beauty is the intriguing story of Madame Rachel: cosmetician, con-artist and blackmailer. This true story tells of Madame Rachel who began life as a poor fish fryer in Victorian London. She ended up with a shop in New Bond Street, where her wealthy clients came in their droves, lured by the promise of eternal beauty. What they found there was a con-woman and fraudster who made a career out of lie and the desperate hopes of women wanting to be 'beautiful for ever'. A unique book for anyone interested in the history of makeup and the Victorian era. 
 
Christmas-book-gifts

Festive reads
Okay, so this section is more about books to treat yourself to than giving as gifts. However if you know someone that is all about Christmas and you exchance gifts before the big day then one of these may just be perfect for them. From festive fiction to a Christmas cookbook you will turn to each year. 

A Boy Called Christmas & The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig
£3.49 BUY HERE | £6.49 BUY HERE
Want to feel the magic of Christmas? Well The Boy Called Christmas needs to be part of your plan in that case. This festive fairytale wrote by genius Matt Haig is for children and adults alike and won't fail to bring a little sparkle to your Christmas. A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and a boy called Nikolas, who isn't afraid to believe in magic. It's also sprinkled with illustrations throughout which adds to the magical story of how Father Christmas came to be. And if you steam read though that over the festive period then you can also enjoy The Girl Who Saved Christmas which I plan to read next week! 

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R.Tolkien
£6.29 BUY HERE
Without a doubt the sweetest Christmas book I've ever purchased. This special book is a large collection of hand written and drawn letters from J.R Tolkien as Father Christmas to his three children from 1920 to 1942. With simple letters in shaky handwriting whilst his children were small, to more detailed and elaborate stories as the years go on, even with input from Father Christmas' polar bear chief assistant. Not only is this a book of short Christmas stories in letter form but the love Tolkien had for his children shines through making this such a beautiful and special book. A book I've thoroughly enjoying reading right now. 

Another Night Before Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy
£4.79 BUY HERE
A magical reworking of The Night Before Christmas here, wonderfully illustrated by Rob Ryan. This little book would make an ideal stocking filler or to be bought and read to children at bedtime on Christmas Eve. A book to cherish and bring out each year. 
 
Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson 
£21.44 BUY HERE  
I couldn't recommend my favourite festive reads without mentioning the cookbook I rely on every Christmas. Nigella Christmas for me is the ultimate Christmas cookbook with recipes you will actually cook and enjoy. This large coffee table sized book with over 250 pages includes stunning photography alongside the most glorious and indulgent sounding recipes. There's also a 50 page guide in the middle of the book to cooking Christmas dinner from the turkey to all the trimmings and multiple gravy recipes. P.S. If you pick this up please try out the fully loaded potato skins - you won't be disappointed!

Christmas-book-lover-gifts-2016

Book-ish Gifts
Last but not least I wanted to include some gift ideas that are still book related in a way which would be ideal for book lovers that you don't want to risk buying a book for that they already own or have read. I of course love books but these gifts are some of my favourites from this gift guidee!

Book Related Art Prints 
Roald Dahl Print £2.45 BUY HERE 
I personally believe a framed art print can make the most wonderful gift, whether it's at Christmas, a birthday or any other celebration. I came across this magical Roald Dahl print on Etsy along with so many other book quote prints on the site and simply downloaded it and printed it out, hence the super affordable price! The beauty of this is that you can print in whatever size you wish and a lot of prints come in a range of colours - this print could be printed in black or gold font. I also love this 'Eat, Sleep, Read' printable print here that's only £1.94 and again would make a wonderful gift when framed. 

East of India Bookmark
£2.28 BUY HERE 
Giving a bookmark as a little stocking filler or with a book is a nice idea I think. Bookmarks can be picked up all over the place, but I personally love these card East of India bookmarks from eBay. This is my own and it stops me folding down page corners or using scrap pieces of paper as temporary bookmarks! 

Stationery gifts
Lastly I wanted to include a few stationary ideas as often book lovers also love stationery... I know I do! Now you may be wondering how much that stunning ring bound weekly planner is going to set you back and I can happily tell you only £3.00! Yes, this is from Sainsbury's of all places, along with the lovely gold polka dot Daydreamer notebook, £2, and is just so well made for the price. For more affordable stationery that's Kate Spade inspired I'd recommend Home Bargains and for beautiful hardback notebooks TK Maxx/Homesense should be your port of call. 

I really do hope this Christmas gift guide has been helpful and make sure to check out Part 1, if you haven't already, here

Fee xo. 
 
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