Getting ready for Christmas!

Can you believe that Christmas is TWO days away?! What is this madness?! I swear just the other day I was 10 years old and now in a few weeks, I'll be 21. Crazy. Anyway, I'm finally back home and I'm now ridiculously excited for Christmas. With Christmas comes parties and with parties and gatherings, you're going to want to look your best. So the wonderful guys at Chapstick put together this fabulous kit to help me prep for Christmas - let the festivities begin!

I've raved about these lip balms before. The Chapstick Lipsations Shimmer* - £1.99 are perfect for Christmas. Not only do these add moisture and softness to the lips (which is perfect during the winter months) but they add a bit of gloss and shimmer, making the lips irresistible - perfect incase you find yourself under the mistletoe. My favourite flavour has to be the Berry one, it tastes absolutely beautiful. A definite must-have for me is a tan. I'm a pale gal and the Trilogy Instant Bronzing Gel* - £17.50 is perfect. Many times I've found myself going out last minute and having to wear tights to cover up my snowman legs. But this quick drying bronzing gel delivers instant colour on application that doesn't streak and applies evenly. This means that you can apply, get dressed and not worry about looking like a ghost.

I've not been a fan of nail wraps in the past. I find them a bit of a nightmare and instead of being a fun treat, they're a chore to apply. Despite the fact that the Elle MacPherson Instant Nail Wraps* - £7.49 look gorgeous, I'm afraid I'm going to be giving these ones a miss for now. I just can't get the hang of the things! But if you have any suggestions on how to apply them, please let me know in the comments. The Collection Does It All Mascara Waterproof* - £4.99 has quickly become my mascara of the moment. I'm constantly reaching for it and I think it's down to the multi-bristle brush. It's huge, don't get me wrong, and sometimes I end up with it everywhere but it separates the lashes while added volume and ensuring every lash is coated. The name says it all... this mascara really does do it all.

But if mascara doesn't do it for you then falsies will do. Quick and easy to apply the LASH Eyelashes Volume Edition #21* - £4.19 from Superdrug are perfect. They look natural but add a little something extra to your eyes and really make them pop. No look is complete without hairspray. The Pantene Volume & Body Hairspray* - £3.69 is quite frankly perfect. Not only does it oomph your hair up but it holds it and keeps it in place all night long. That's all I can say. It's wonderful, it's perfect and if you're after a new hairspray, buy this one. Now a tin of STEAMCREAM* - £13.00 is something that I've lusted over for a way. This miracle moisturiser does everything. Using raw materials this tin of wonder moisturises the face and body and is suitable for all skin types. It sinks into the skin quickly and smells delicious.

What are your must-have products to help you prepare for Christmas?
*PR Sample

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REVIEW: ChapStick Lipsations Shimmer

When you see my lip balm collection, I don't think there's any doubting my addiction. There's something so satisfying about throwing a new lip balm into your bag and keeping your lips hydrated throughout the day. And there's something even more satisfying about that lip balm providing a pop of colour and a little bit of shimmer. The original (I think) and the best, ChapStick have released a new range of lip balms; ChapStick Lipsations Shimmer. This new duo aims to provides a combination of "moisture, softness and protection with a beautiful pearlescent shine." These lip balms come in two flavours, Berry* and Tropical* and they have 10 different moisturisers to help keep lips looking healthy and feeling soft. ChapStick also recommend using the lip balms as a top coat to your lipstick to give it an extra shine and radiant. I've been using these for a few days now and I adore them; especially the Tropical taste but tastes like coconut. They're really good at keeping the lips hydrated without leaving behind any nasty residue. They also, of course, taste and smile nice and leave a little sheen on the lips to add something else. You can see from the swatches below how shiny - but not chunky - it leaves your lips.

The lip balms are available from Superdrug and they retail for £1.99. You can also "like" ChapStick on Facebook.

What are your favourite lip balms? Have you tried these out?

xxx

*PR Sample

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My Lip Balm Collection

My lip balm obsession runs as deep as my foundation collection - if not deeper. I'm not too sure why as when it comes to my lips, there's nothing wrong with them. I don't get dry lips and I definitely don't get chapped lips. They're not perfect though and obviously lip balms help with lipstick application so I love using them.

I'm also ashamed to say that this is not my full lip balm collection; this is just my university one and at home, I have quite a few more. 

I absolutely love lip scrubs and I've incorporated them into my daily routine. For me, they're just like a moisturiser.

Lush Lip Scrub in Bubblegum - £4.95

This one tastes as Snow Fairy would taste if it was food. It's absolutely beautiful and it smells just like Snow Fairy too. It works really well at scrubbing away dead skin and as you can see from the pot, it's definitely well used.

Lush Lip Scrub in Pow Wow - Limited Edition

I'll never forget when I first bought this and opened it. I was disgusted at the colour and I almost didn't dare use it but it's so good. It's a lot more abrasive than the Bubblegum scrub and you have to be careful when using it as your lips will turn green. But it's fabulous! The taste is popping candy and as you lick the scrub away from your lips the popping candy pops in your mouth.

I really love Nivea lip balms. The packaging of them is great and they're wonderful for throwing into your handbag throughout the day. The Nivea Pure & Natural in Milk & Honey - £1.99 tastes lovely. It's really milky and very moisturising. The Nivea Essential Care - £1.65 is of the same moisture level of the Milk & Honey but I'd say it penetrates deeper and has a better lasting effect. And finally, the Nivea Hydro Care - £2.03 is the most hydrating of the 3 and it is less sticky.

I must admit that Blistex is my favourite lip balm brand. You also must check out their new website - I had too much fun playing with the new features haha. 
Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner* - £2.59
This is a great lip balm. It adds moisture and it tastes and smells nice - like mint. I don't think it deeply moisturises the lips though. It's more of a nice top up throughout the day.

Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast* 
A great hydrating lip balm that tastes and smells incredible! This always reminds me of last years holiday as I took it away with me.

Blistex MedPlus Cherry Berry* - £2.34
This tastes incredible! It's not like the fake cherry berry scent/taste that is in most lip balms either. It's also very good for the lips and is exceptionally moisturising but not in a way that comes off too waxy on the lips or too thick. I love it!

Blistex Lip Massage* - £1.83
This is amazing. It has a special top that dispenses the lip product and it gently buffs away any dead skin and leaves you with beautiful, soft lips. This is great for in the morning.

Blistex Soothing Splash Liquid Lip Moisturiser* - £2.59
I have been loving this lip balm recently and it's the one that has been coming everywhere with me. It applies via a rollerball which is wonderful for soothing the lips. The balm is quite thin but it's pretty glossy and it's great for adding fullness to this lips. Like I said, it soothes the lips and surprisingly it's very moisturising as well. I love it! My new favourite.

Blistex Lip Brilliance* - £2.49
A really nice lip balm that is similar in consistency and hydration as the Nivea ones. It also adds a lovely hint of pink colour on the lips.

 I love SoftLips! The packaging is so cute and girly and I love how inexpensive they are. The SoftLips French Vanilla* - £1.49 tastes incredible. It sort of tingles on the lips which I love. The SoftLips Vitamin Enriched* - £1.49 is the exact same as the French Vanilla one but it doesn't have any flavour.

'I kissed a girl and I liked it..' Chapsticks were probably my first 'make up item' that I owned. But they're actually very good lip balms. My sister loves the original one but I prefer ones with flavours. They're not the most moisturising but they're a great base for lipstick.

Strawberry Chapstick - £1.05

Cherry Chapstick - £1.05

Boots Essentials Lipsalve in Spearmint - £1.01
My sister bought this at the airport as she had forgotten her lip balm but as soon as she found out the flavour she gave it to me (she doesn't like flavoured lip balms). I like this one. It's not that moisturising but it really smooths the lips and it tastes nice.

Vitamin Water Dragonfruit Flavoured - £9.49
I don't really like this. I can't remember why I had it. It's hydrating but I hate the flavour - dragonfruit, urgh.

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm - £2.69
I don't like Carmex at all. I don't know why I still have this really. It just tastes disgusting.

Liz Earle Sheer Pink Lip Shimmer* - £5.00
This is really cute! It's great for adding on top of matte lipsticks to hydrate them throughout the day and add a nice sheen to the lips.

Vaseline Sun Protection SPF 15 - £2.25
I use this constantly in the summer. It's just like the original Vaseline but it has SPF 15 in it.

Vaseline Rose and Almond Oil - £2.25
I'd say this is the most hydrating out of all of the Vaseline's and I really love the colour pay off.

Rhodes to Heaven All in One Lip Plumper* - £13.95
This is perfect - the best primer for lips. It plumps the lips up whilst hydrating them and really caring for them. It's just incredible and it's definitely worth the big price tag.

I Love.. Strawberries & Milkshake Glossy Lip Balm - £0.99
This tastes and smells incredible. It's not very travel friendly but it sits lovely on my bed side table. It's also very hydrating.

The Body Shop Born Lippy in Watermelon - £2.00
Tastes lovely and is great for summer. Not the most hydrating of lip balms but does a great job at softening the lips.

I bought a giftset from Boots at Christmas for £10.00 and inside it was a lot of cute lip balms. My favourite are the Boots Bright as a Button Mint Lip Balm and the Boots Bright as a Button Cherry Lip Balm. These ones taste lovely and the mint one also adds a bit of shimmer to the lips.

If you do have very chapped lips then there's only one lip balm that I'd recommend and that's the Blistex Relief Cream. Unfortunately, it's not featured in this post as my sister has stolen it from me as it's her favourite and she does actually have chapped lips. She really loves it and it's improved the condition of her lips so much. I even recommended it to a customer at Boots once.

xxx

*PR Sample

I Love Lip Balms!

My current obsession? Lip balms. Or lip butters, or whatever you want to call them! Basically, something that keeps my lips soft and smooth and hydrated all year round. I do aim on collecting the whole of the lip balm shelf in Boots by the end of 2011 lol!

This is where I store my lip balms. These drawers come in a set of 4 and were from Wilkinsons I do believe and were around the £5 mark.

First up are my Vaselines. I think I have every tinned Vaseline type (if I don't, please do let me know).

On the top row from left to right is Aloe Vera, Original, Rosy Lips and then on the bottom row left to right is SPF 15 and Cocoa Butter. When I heard Cocoa Butter was being released, I ran to Boots and got it the day it came out - shocking I know! My least favourite is Aloe Vera just because I'm not a fan of the taste and my favourite is SPF 15 in Summer and then the Rosy Lips. But they're all wonderful :)

Top Row L-R Lip Butter Papaya, Lip Butter Sweet Lemon. Bottom Row L-R Lip Balm Cool Mint, Lip Balm Watermelon.

These are all from the Body Shop. I'm not a fan of the lip butters because I think they're a bit thick and then I don't think the lip balms are moisturising enough. But all they taste lovely!

Top Row L-R Vitamin Water in Dragonfruit, Liz Earle Superbalm. Bottom Row L-R Carmex Original, Chapstick Cherry and Strawberry.

I love the Vitamin Water one, it tastes lovely and is incredibly moisturising. Next time I'm Boots, I'm going to try and different flavour. The Liz Earle Superbalm isn't just for the lips and a full review of this will be appearing this weekend so keep an eye out! I love Carmex, I'm not a fan of the taste but it's the one that works the best on chapped lips. As for the Chapsticks, they smell and taste beautiful and are pretty moisturising. I normally wear these under my lipstick.

What are your favourite lip balms? Any recommendations?

xxx