Blogmas Countdown: 1 Big Thank You...

To everyone that has read, followed or commented on this blog. It really means a lot, and blogging has definitely added something special to my year. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and an amazing New Year.

Lots of love,

Laura xoxo

Blogmas Countdown: 2 Facial Treats

At this time of year, we tend to neglect our skin, and put it through a lot. What with the late nights, partying and the heat. So here are two little facial routines I like to do to re-vamp my skin, and keep it looking fresh for the big day.

Routine One - Hydration

I start by mixing together the Emma Haridie Cleansing Balm and the exfoliating seeds it comes with. I massage this all over my face, then leave it on for five minutes. I then massage the remaning seeds in and wash it off with a hot cloth. I then slather my face in the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask and go to sleep. When I wake up my skin is fresher and healthier and ready to go.

Routine Two - Exfoliation

I start by making sure my face is clean and fresh by using the Emma Hardie cleansing blam, then when my face is dry I slather on a layer of the REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate. When that has sunk in I love to slap on some Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins moisturiser. When  I wake up in the morning it's like having a new face.

What are your facial treats?

Laura xoxo

Blogmas Countdown: 3 Feel Good Products

For today's post, I thought I would show you three products that make me feel that little bit more special when I wear them, and who doesn't want to feel special this time of year?

Tan De Chanel - This product gives the perfect hint of colour and contour to your cheeks. And how can you not feel good knowing you're wearing Chanel?

MAC Doubennet - I never thought I'd be a dark lip person, this lippie has me falling head over heels. I just feel so classy and sophisticated when I wear it.

Dior Amber Diamond - Every girl should own this. They just should. It gives the perfect golden glow, and it's just so pretty.

What are your feel better products?

Laura xoxo

2 more sleeps to go!!!!!!!!!!

Blogmas Countdown: 4 Christmas Hairstyles

With all the Christmas parties the season brings, it's difficult to look different at each. So here I've had a stab at four different hairstyles, that aren't my usual curls and waves. Hope you find them helpful, and if not, you can always just have a laugh at my facial expressions.

Step 3 is meant to say fishtail plait your hair ( I'm a dummy)

This look is completely Alix's (video here) but I thought that it is such a cool, and different twist on the regular top knot that it would look really great at a Christmas party, so I had to include it.

It took me forever and a day to master the fishtail braid, but, now I can, I love it.

This look, is a mixture of two of my usual looks. I love having a plaited fringe, and think by putting it underneath my hair, instead of on top, gives a nice evening twist. Of course I need to work on making it thicker for a better effect, but hey, practice makes perfect.

Having only just mastered the fishtale plait. I had to get it in somewhere. Also, I love that my hair is now long enough to do it. Yay me.

To see how to get this look, see this post!

How have you been wearing your hair for Christmas parties?

Laura xoxo

3 more sleeps to go!!!!

Blogmas Countdown: 5 Christmas Jumpers

I have really fallen for Christmas jumpers this year. I think it's a great way to be cosy and festive during the holiday season. So today I thought I'd share with you five cute Christmas jumpers.

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I guess this makes it six kind of, but both are from Primark!

Have you been bitten by the Christmas jumper bug?

Laura xoxo

4 more sleep to gooo!!!!!!!

Blogmas Countdown: 6 Make-up Ideas

For today's post I've combined a lot of bold lips and golden eye colours for six Christmas party/ Christmas day/ New Years Eve look.

For this look I used the No.7 Deco Darling Palette, and teamed it with a peach cheek from my Nars Multiple in South Beach, and finished off with a Nude lip (Urban Decay Naked.)

This look I went for a darker eye (MAC, Charcoal Brown and Omega,) with a bold lip, and a just pinched cheek colour (Nars Portofino.)

This look, I used a golden eye along with a brown liner to create a festive eye colour. I then used the Laura Mercier Coral Red Quad, and a red lip to finish it off.

To see the make-up for this post, check my Original Post! I just thought it would look good for Christmas/New Year too.

This look is one that is really simple and can be worn to work in the day, then just put the lippie (Rimmel Berry Queen) and you're party ready. I used Origns Vita Zing as a base, then just some concealer, powder, and a natural no-make-up look.

This is the make-up I wore here! I think the liner and bold lip combo is one that can never go wrong.

I hope these gave you some inspiration. What have you been wearing these holidays?

Laura xoxo

Blogmas Countdown: 7 Festive Hair Treats

Ok, so there isn't really anything particularly 'festive' about these treats, but around this time of year, we subject our hair to a lot, so here are a few thinks to look after it.

1) A good conditioner is a must. I usually use the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, but I think my hair started to get too used to it, now I'm using this Triple Resist one by Loreal. I really like it, and it makes my hair feel super soft, and re hydrated after a bit too much heat.

2) Another great way to protect the ends of your hair, I've found is through some pure Coconut Oil. I picked this up from Superdrug for around £3. I like to place a little bit in the ends of wet hair, or put a load of it through the mid length and ends of my hair overnight, then wash it out in the morning.

3) This one isn't so much of a treat, as a life saver for work the day after the Christmas party. Dry shampoo is also great for adding volume to your hair.

4) Heat protectant should be high on every barnett's list. With the extra heat and styling taking place this month, it's important to protect our locks.

5) Who doesn't want their locks to shine, and look glossy? This TIGI Shine Spray does just that. It's very fine, and smells lovely, and adds a lovely shine to your hair.

6) I love putting this Extraordinary Oil through my finished hair, as it just makes it that bit softer, healthier and glossier. It also smells so lovely too.

7) After all the partying and products, I think it would only be fair to properly clear our hair of all the gunk, and this is exactly what this Paul Mitchell Shampoo will do.


What are your festive hair care treats?

Laura xoxo

Blogmas Countdown: 8 Festive Dupes

Now, today's countdown post has got a bit of artistic licence to it. There are only four 'dupes' which are more similar products, than perfect dupes, but still. The products I'm showing contain one high end and one lower end product, that I think are perfect for the festive season.

The first 'dupe' for you, is for my favouirte all time lipstick, which I'm sure me and Rachel have talked about a lot. I didn't even realise I had such a close colour to it (ooops) but as I wanted to wear Dubonnet for a night out, but was scared to take it out with me for fear of loosing it, I took this colour by Rimmel called Berry Queen, and it did a great job, and it is half the price of the MAC one.

I've already mentioned this 'dupe' before, but as they are such good colours for a festive event, I thought I'd mention it again. As beautiful as the Nars Eyeshadow duo is, the Stila palette is only one pound more, with eight more colours.

Another 'dupe' I've already mentioned, but again they are just perfect for the party season. Front Cover's Frosted Almond is the perfect match for MAC's Woodwinked, and it's only £1!!!! Bargain.

I don't actually have the high end 'dupe' of this, but I have tried it, and much prefer the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer to YSL's Touche Eclat. I also think this concealer is perfect for hiding your dark circles and brightening your face after the Christmas party.

Do you have any festive dupes to share?

Laura xoxo

Blogmas Coutdown: 9 Festive Traditions

Today I thought I'd share with you nine things I tend to do each Christmas.

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1) Listen to Fairytale of New York on repeat... 'You're a bum, you're a punk...'

2) Eat a vast quantity of Mince Pies!

3) Watch Christmas films.

4) Buy lots of festive related objects.

5) Pick a Christmas tree with my daddy.

6) Watch my mommy decorate said tree.

7) Get festive from head to toe.

8) Light up the close.

9) Spend time with the family <3 (although we spend a lot of time together through the year, there's nothing quite like Christmas is there?

What are some of your festive traditions?

Laura xoxo

Most of these images came from my Instagram @callofbeautyb - if not, sources are linked :)