Cath Kidston Pretties - Christmas Gift Inspiration For Under £20

Five gorgeous present ideas from Cath Kidston and they are all under £20. Secret Santa, Stocking Fillers or Beauty Gifts they are all here.. with many more ideas in store, these are my favourites.


Merry Christmas Stanley Mug £5 

 Kentish Rose Notebook £5

Provence Rose Compact Mirror £8

Little Birds Glasses Case £14

Provence Rose Mini Make Up Brush Set £18 

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Decorations

At the weekend the decorations went up, the tree was adorned with baubles and more and the scent of Christmas wrapped around the house with the aid of The White Company Winter Mini Home Scenting Kit 

Finally it feels like Christmas!

The White Company Winter Mini Home Scenting Kit - The Scent Of Christmas

Out shopping on Saturday I ventured into The White Company, I say venture as every time I enter the store I find myself taken by something and parting with cash... this time I was greeted with the most intoxicating smell of what I can only describe as the scent of Christmas. It had such an effect on me that it made me feel so good I bought this Winter Mini Home Scenting Kit £30 to recreate the experience at home.

The scent is full of warming, spicy cinnamon, clove and bursts of fruity orange.

The gift set comes in a presentation box and includes the following -

Mini scent diffuser 50ml
Mini home spray 15ml
Votive candle 70g (around 18 hours burn time)

A Winter favourite and perfect for the run up to Christmas!

Christmas Gift Sets From L'Occitane

With just over a week to go I thought I would share with you my top Christmas gift selections from one of my favourite skincare brands, L'Occitane. Every year they produce fabulous, money saving box sets and stocking fillers and this year is of course no exception. If you are stuck for ideas or indeed if you want to treat someone to some fabulous scents or bodycare head down to one of their shops and you will be sure of a friendly welcome.

Stocking Filler Delights 

Miniature Grasse Assortment £28

This year L'Occitane introduced their fine fragrance Grasse Collection of scents, four incredible scents and in this mini set you will get all four, perfect for the traveller.

Hugs & Kisses Hand and Lip Duo £16

Available in Violet or Rose

Shower Gel Collection £20 

Another great gift for the traveller, these shower gel minis are perfect for weekends away. In Lavender, Almond, Cherry Blossom and Pivoine Flora.

Almond Petit Gift £18 

A great introduction to the fabulous Almond collection

Deluxe Gifts 

Cannot decide which collection to go for.. why not choose the bumper The Best Of L'Occitane £62 featuring all the best sellers

Under my tree it won't be complete if I don't receive my favourite classic box - The Delightful Almond Collection £49

Amber & Santal Collection £65

This is one of the newest fragrance launched by L'Occitane - This is a warm and sensuous scent, perfect for this season.  Features -

• 75ml Amber & Santal Eau de Toilette
• 175ml Amber & Santal Shower Gel
• 175ml Amber & Santal Body Lotion

Men are not left out at L'Occitane why not treat them to the following skincare and scents that are on offer this Christmas

L'Occitan Grooming Essentials £49 

  100ml L’Occitan EDT 
  250ml L’Occitan Shower Gel
  150ml L’Occitan Shaving Gel
  150ml L’Occitan Soap
  30ml L’Occitan After Shave Balm

The sporty man may like the icy freshness of  the Verdon Collection £46 

EDT 50ml
Pebble Soap 150g
Fresh Water Shower Gel 250ml
Pure Face Wash 50ml
Invigorating Shave Gel 150ml

Or why not treat the man in your life to L'Occitane's newest male fragrance in this super gift set -

Cedre & Oranger Collection £65

Cedar and Orange are combined in this modern and sophisticated scent. Features

- 75ml Cèdre & Oranger Eau de Toilette
- 175ml Cèdre & Oranger Shower Gel
- 75ml Cèdre & Oranger After Shave Balm

Happy Shopping x

BeautySwot's Perfume Of The Year 2013

There really was no contest for me this year, Si by Giorgio Armani EDP stood out a mile. I literally walked into this fragrance and was instantly smitten. From the initial freshness of citrus, the movement to a delicious and delicate floral to the final sweet notes of Vanilla, Si captured my heart and my senses.

Top notes - Sicilian Bergamot, Mandarin Oil, Liquer de Cassis

Heart notes - Rose de Mai Absolute, Neroli Absolute, Egyptian Jasmine Absolute

Base notes - Patchouli Oil, Blond Woods, Amber, Orcanox™, Vanille Absolute

Housed in simple glass bottle this is a timeless and elegant scent. A well deserved winner.

* You can read my original review here - http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/08/si-giorgio-armani-perfume-sample.html

Soap & Glory 'The Yule Monty' Christmas Star Buy Offer!

It's here, the yearly Soap & Glory extravaganza of a deal! The Christmas Star Buy is back and I know a lot of people have been waiting for this...

Worth a staggering £60 you can purchase all the Soap & Glory favourites for less than half price in 'The Yule Monty'

For just £27* you will get these 9 full sized beauty, bath and body products in a Jonathan Saunders designed Christmas Bag -

HAND FOOD Hand Cream 
HEEL GENIUS Foot Cream
SUGAR CRUSH Body Wash
RIGHTEOUS BUTTER Body Butter
PEACHES & CLEAN Deep Purifying Cleanser
BUTTER YOURSELF Body Lotion
SCRUB OF YOUR LIFE Body Buffer
THICK & FAST Super Volume Mascara
SEXY MOTHER PUCKER Lip Plumper

* While stocks last. Available at Boots.com and in Boots Stores nationwide from Friday 13th December.

BeautySwot Beauty Products Of The Year 2013

As 2013 is drawing to a close, I felt it was time to share my 5 favourite beauty
products of the year. These awards are not taken lightly. All of these products have been selected for the following reasons

They live up to their claims
I reached for them the most
I would be happy to purchase them over and over again

So without further ado... the BeautySwot Products of the Year 2013 are -

1. Optrex Actimist 2in1 Spray for itchy, watery eyes

This product wins hands down for changing my life, literally. Although technically not a beauty product it was a product that was indispensable for me last Spring/Summer. I was hugely sceptical of its claims but one or two sprays per eye and I got instant relief from itchy, watery hay fever eyes. It meant that hay fever season wasn't miserable for me and it was so easy to use I could pop it in my bag and use it on the go. Magical

You can read my original review here... http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/04/instant-relief-optrex-actimist-2in1-eye.html

2. GINVERA Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream 

This BB Cream was my go to product over Summer and even now I still use it often instead of a standard foundation as it provides good coverage for even skintone whilst remaining light and natural looking and giving a nice glow to the skin. It has an SPF30 and it smells wonderful. I absolutely love this skin base, and although it came to the UK in 2012 it was in 2013 that I thankfully discovered it. A fantastic BB Cream that I rave to all and sundry about.

You can read my original review here..http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/04/ginvera-green-tea-nude-cover-bb-cream.html

3. Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30 

A primer with a hint of colour, SPF30 and a base so good at smoothing and covering the skin that I could go out with nothing else on. This is why I gave it the accolade of the Rolls Royce of primers. Excellent on its own or under foundation. I give it 10/10.

You can read my original review here... http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/08/dermalogica-skinperfect-primer-spf30.html

4. Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow 

This salt scrub is like heaven in a jar, it smells amazing. Elemis have excelled with this launch, it smells good and the scrub is gentle yet smoothing. A beautiful spa experience in your home, this is guaranteed to transport you to sunnier climes... (I wish it could, but for now I will settle for this!) Best bodycare product launch of the year.

You can read my original review here...http://www.beautyswot.com/2013/06/elemis-frangipani-monoi-salt-glow.html

5. Makeup Brand Of The Year - Kiko Cosmetics Milano 

Finally no year would be complete without mentioning Kiko. This was undoubtedly their year. A huge range of products, consistently good quality and on trend shades. I have reached for many of their products over and over again this year. If you are looking for good quality makeup and tools at a great purse friendly price you cannot go wrong with Kiko.

Excitingly they have just opened a huge store on Regent Street in London. A must visit for beauty lovers.

Well that's it, my five products of the year..what products have stood out for you this year?