I can hardly believe that we’re already almost at the end of another month and another step closer to Christmas! It’s been so hard to try and contain my excitement for Christmas over the last couple of months. I finished my christmas shopping a little while ago and have drawers full of beautifully wrapped presents ready to take their place under the tree so I feel like I’ve been on the verge of combusting with excitement for ages! I’ve also been absolutely dying to crack out my new festive jumper and pj’s but I’ve somehow managed to refrain so far. But, as soon as December arrives, I can unleash Christmas madness on my clothing, makeup and home, rather than just my makeup office!
So, with another month comes my November Beauty Favourites that I’m really looking forward to sharing with you as always. I’ve added a few non-beauty related items in too for those of you that also like the lifestyle favourites side to these type of posts.
1. MAC matte lipstick in Velvet Teddy
I’d heard so many people rave about this gorgeous lipstick and thought I’d give it a chance when I took my empties back for the Back to MAC programme (where you swap six empty MAC containers for a brand new lippie of your choice – if you have no idea what I’m talking about, take a look at my post here.) Anyway, the lipstick is classed as a deep-tone beige and I absolutely love it! When I first purchased it, I wasn’t too sure about the colouring against my mega pale skin, however, after applying my St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion to my face and acquiring a slightly bronzer shade of skin, I really loved how the lippie looked. Although it’s a matte finish, I don’t find it to be drying at all and think it actually feels quite creamy throughout the day and very comfortable to wear. It’s also very long wearing which is excellent for those days when you’re too busy to be able to keep touching your makeup up throughout the day.
2. Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion
Even though it’s the winter time and my skin is naturally pale, sometimes I like to add a little hint of a tint to make myself look and feel a little healthier. I really enjoy using the Dove Summer Glow lotion in the fair to medium skin tone as I find that within two days, I have a natural tan that’s just the right depth of colour for me. I can then top it up every three to four days as required. The only thing I don’t like about this tan is the smell while it’s developing. It smells gorgeous when you first apply it, but I do find it to have quite a strong biscuity smell as it develops. For this reason, I find it best to apply it nightly then wash it off in the morning to avoid smelling like a walking digestive.
3. Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes mascara in black
This is a beautifully deep black mascara that always makes my lashes look long and full without the clumping effect. It was gifted to me by my parents and I think it made such a special gift. I love everything about it from the sleek black and silver design down to the embossed Givenchy logo on the handle, but what makes this mascara most special is it’s spherical wand. The design features a small sphere with plenty of bristles that grab onto even the smallest of lashes to coat and curl them beautifully. It does take a little longer to apply this mascara as you can’t cover a bigger surface area like you would with a traditional wand, but I really enjoy the luxurious feel of it and I’d absolutely purchase this again and again.
4. F&F Scottie Dog Christmas Pyjamas
Okay, so this was another buy ready for mine and Lucy’s christmas stopover in Leeds! These gorgeous Scottie Dog pj’s (full pic below from the Tesco website) are so cute and comfortable and the fact that they have a dog on the front and pj bottoms just automatically sells them to me. The long sleeved top makes it perfect for chilly winter nights and the expandable waistband means me and Lucy can indulge on pre (and post…) party snacks. Wonderful!
5. F&F Holly Pom Pom Long Line Christmas Jumper
My cousin Lucy and I decided to plan a night out and stopover in Leeds so that we could go out and enjoy the christmas market, a few drinks and some gorgeous food. I want to wrap up warm seen as it’ll be extra cold when we visit in December, so what better way to get into the christmas spirit than to wear a new christmas jumper?! I found this one at Tesco (full pic below from the Tesco website) and loved it immediately! It’s long line which means it’s perfect to wear with leggings or jeggings (I’ll be choosing the latter for cold December!) and it has such cute little pom poms sewn on to represent the berries on the holly. How cute! What I love about F&F clothing is that it washes and wears so well so I’ll be able to save this cute little jumper for next year too!
6. Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb perfume
My absolute signature fragrance is by Givenchy, but I thought this beautiful perfume from Viktor and Rolf was absolutely divine when I first ever smelled it and I haven’t stopped falling in love with it with every spritz ever since. I usually save it for special occasions but just lately, I’ve been loving spritzing a little of this beautiful fragrance on before heading out of the door and gliding out in amongst a bouquet of floral loveliness. I adore everything about it, from the gorgeous bottle to the absolutely addictive trail of scent it leaves lingering behind you all day long. It has Top Notes of Bergamot and Tea, Heart Notes of Jasmine, Freesia and Orchid and Base Notes of Centiflora Rose and Patchouli. It was once also Cheryl Cole’s perfume of choice.
7. The Tangle Teezer
When the Tangle Teezer first came out, my Dad came home from a shopping trip with my mum and said he’d picked one up for me as a surprise. From the first time I used it, I was hooked! Since then, I’ve been through two brushes and I’m currently onto my third tangle teezer. The bristles comb through any knots in your hair so gently that even the most tangled tresses brush out smoothly and painlessly. I’ve found it to be amazing on both wet and dry hair and it works so well on my naturally curly locks. The brush is also excellent on my wigs or hair extensions so I know I can brush them out safe in the knowledge that they aren’t going to get damaged.
8. Plus White 5 Minute Speed Whitening Gel
I love this stuff! I use it in my custom tooth whitening trays I had made at the dentist and the amazing thing about this gel is that it only takes five minutes to work (you can leave it on for 15-20 minutes for really stained teeth). You use it twice daily for the first two weeks then every week or after that so to maintain your new pearly whites. Quick, convenient and not as expensive as the dentists offerings. It also doesn’t make my teeth sensitive which is a huge bonus!
I hope that you enjoyed taking a look at my November beauty and clothing favourites! Stay safe, keep warm and say a big hello to December!
© This post is copyright of Rachael Divers 2015.