Christmas stocking fillers: Burt's Bees Honey Pot Collection

Hands up, who hasn't finished their Christmas shopping yet? I finished mine on Saturday, which is surprisingly late for me as usually it's complete by November. I haven't done any Christmas gift guides this year purely because I don't want my house to be inundated with PR samples, I don't want to buy things I'm not going to use and I don't want to show things that I've bought for others in case they read it. But for those who are still in search of a gift, this one is absolutely perfect. 

I bought the Burt's Bees Honey Pot Collection last week while having a bit of a splurge in Marks and Spencer's beauty hall. I've had my eye on it for a while because it's been doing the rounds on blogs, and as a lover of honey I knew I had to make it mine. First of all the jar is beautiful. It's a glass honey pot and it's currently housing my most-used make up brushes. It also comes to with brand's beeswax lip balm, honey lip balm and mini hand salve - must-haves for winter.

The idea behind the gift is great, the packaging is beautiful and reusable and it's affordable. It retails for £8 normally, but Marks and Spencer currently have it on offer for £5.60 - not half bad at all.

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Korres Wild Rose Collection

Korres is one of those brands that regardless of your age, you're bound to enjoy their products. And with Mothers Day just around the corner, the Korres Japanese Rose Gift Set* makes a beautiful gift. Including the best selling products; Japanese Rose Body Milk, Japanese Rose Shower Gel and Wild Rose Lip Butter, this trio is the perfect way to celebrate Mothers Day and say "thank you" to your loved one.

The Japanese Rose Shower Gel is extremely moisturising on the skin and leaves it almost glowing. It has an array of goodness inside of the product including Aloe, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and antioxidant enzymes which all work together to enhance the skin's immune system. The scent is very delicate and uplifting and is the perfect way to to kick start the "rose routine." Follow this up with the Japanese Body Milk for extra silky skin and another layer of scent. The body milk is lightweight, sinks into the skin nice and quickly and provides long-lasting hydration. Finally, the best product of the bunch (in my opinion) is the Wild Rose Lip Butter. Packed with moisturising and healing properties and enriched with Shea Butter and Rice Wax, this lip butter hydrates the lips and leaves them feeling soft. Not only that, but it has a beautiful red/fuchsia pigment that really makes the lips "pop." Perfect for no make up, make up days.

You can buy this kit here where it retails for just £20 (a saving of 23% if you were to buy the products separately).

Have you tried any of Korres' Rose products before? What are you doing for Mothers Day?
*PR Sample

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Marshmallow Blends; the perfect Lush alternative

I've loved Nicoletta for a long time now. Her blog was one of the first ones I followed and over the years, we've kept in touch. Back in 2011, she opened up her very own online shop called Marshmallow Blends which I've kept up to date with since the start. I constantly see the delicious products that she's currently making and testing out on Facebook and dream of getting my hands on a few of the products. Recently, I got the opportunity to try some out (and now, I can't wait to branch out further).

Activated Charcoal & Red Clay Soap* - £4.50

This soap is aimed at those with oily or problem skin. With activated charcoal, rose clay, tea tree oil and grapefruit essential oils, this soap gently cleanses the skin and keeps it looking clear and healthy. I received this just as my beloved Clearasil face wash ran out and this became a godsend. I haven't used a bar cleanser for a very long time and although it was strange at first, I've been loving it. It doesn't foam up much but instead creates a small lather of what feels like silk that massages into the skin and removes any impurities. I've only been using this in mornings so I can't comment on what it's like with make up removal, but when it comes to keeping shine at bay throughout the day, this is actually perfect.

Sugared Rose Lip Butter* - £4.00

I love my lip balms and this one has made its way to my coveted bedside table of beauty products. This lip balm is bursting with natural butters and oils that all work together to hydrate and keep lips soft and supple. This scent in particular - which is Sugared Rose - is one that I didn't think I'd like originally. I'm not a rose fan at all but this (like Korres) has converted me. It's a sweet rose that is relaxing and perfect for smothering onto your lips before bedtime. 

Rhubarb & Custard Bath Bomb* - £2.75

I do love my bath bombs, and having tried all of the Lush's offering, I was excited to branch out into another brand. The topping is a bath melt and the base is a bath bomb which has been made into a beautiful sweet shop favourite fragrance. The scent fills the room and for hours after, my housemates were commenting on how delicious the bathroom smelt - literally exactly like the sweets. It was uplifting and relaxing at the same time. The bath bomb itself didn't change the colour of the bath but it did add bubbles and moisture which left my skin feeling incredible soft afterwards.

Have you tried anything from Marshmallow Blends before? You can view their entire range here.
*PR Sample

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LIPS | Swizzels Matlow Lip Balm Collection

If there's one thing my sister and I love, it's Swizzels Matlow sweets. So when I opened this little stocking filler from my mum on Christmas Day, it's fair to say that I went a little bit crazy. My lip balm collection is huge and I love adding to it. I don't have particularly dry lips so I tend to use lip balms to keep my lips hydrated and soft throughout the day and before lipstick application. In terms of formula, these five little bundle of joys surprised me as they sink into the lips almost immediately and leave them them feeling soft and soothed. And of course, they taste absolutely delicious - exactly like the sweets! My favourite is without a doubt the Rainbow Drops one - guilt free "snacking." You can buy this collection here for £2.99 which is an absolute bargain.

What's your favourite Swizzels Matlow sweet?

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MAKE UP | Per-fekt Lip Perfection Gel in Melrose

Today, I have a story that I'd like to tell you. Sit back, relax and I hope that you enjoy the latest "product discovery" to grace my collection.

Once upon a time there was a young girl called Jemma who had a lipstick obsession. This lipstick obsession would've been all well and good if it wasn't for Jemma's awful lips. They were thin, unshapely and lip products tended to stick and highlight any dry patches. One day, there was a knock at the door. Jemma ran out of bed and twirled her way down the stairs and opened the door to see the Postman standing there in front of her. In his hands were a few parcels. Jemma twirled back upstairs and quickly tore them all open. In one of the parcels was a lip product. Jemma tossed it aside thinking to herself that'd be another beautiful lip product that she wouldn't be able to don due to her terrible lips. Fast forward a few days and Jemma was scouring her drawers when she saw the Per-fekt Lip Perfection Gel in Melrose* staring sadly back at her. After a bit of research, Jemma decided to give the product a go. The gel glided onto her lips, revealing the most perfect "my-lips-but-better" shade and instantly plumped her lips up and perfected them. It was love at first application and now, Jemma has found her "go-to" lip product for everyday wear.

The Per-fekt Lip Perfection Gel perfects and enhances the appearance of the lips as it works as a lipstick, lipgloss and lip treatment in one. It effortlessly glides onto the lips and improves the appearance of dry, chapped and thin lips while offering a hint of colour. It uses many different ingredients (such as hyaluronic microspheres, peptides, jojoba, vitamin A and C, spearmint and many more) which combine together to moisturise, reduce the appearance of fine lines, stimulate the production of collagen and taste great. The applicator, in my opinion, works as a lip scrub as it exfoliates the lips and buffs away any chapped skin leaving behind beautiful looking lips with a touch of colour. For a product that I originally showed no interest in, this lip gel has quickly become an everyday love of mine that I couldn't live without.

You can buy the Lip Perfection Gel here where it retails for £16.20.

Have you tried any products by Per-fekt? What are your favourite lip products?
*PR Sample

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Walls Ices Lip Smacker in Starship

I can hold my hands up and say that "yes, I am a lip balm addict." I'm not someone who is prone to dry lips (despite my minor breakdown on Twitter last week when my lips sadly blistered a little bit) but I adore keeping my lips in tip-top condition with beautifully smelling and tasting items. Lip Smackers and Walls Ices have recently collaborated to bring us the ideal summer beauty accessories. Yup, that's right... Lip balm that tastes and smells like our favourite ice creams.

I have the Walls Ices Lip Smacker in Starship* which tastes just like grape. I personally haven't had a Starship ice lolly in forever but the taste of this balm instantly took me back to my childhood. Taste aside as I could rave about it all day, the lip balm itself is beautiful. It makes the lips soft and prepares them for lipstick nicely. The lip balm isn't so moisturising that it leaves a nasty film on your lips as it sinks into the lips quickly leaving them soft, subtle and did I mention tasting gorgeous?

Lip Smacker do many other delicious flavours including Twister, Feast, Strawberry Split and Mini Milk. I'm definitely trying to hunt down the Feast flavour at the moment - chocolate lip balm?! Count me in. These retail for £2.50 from WHSmith.

Have you tried these Lip Smackers before?

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REVIEW: KIKO Kiss Balm in Strawberry

When it comes to my everyday make up, I love nothing more than a moisturised, glossy lip with a hint of colour and there's one product in particular that has filled this need for me over these past couple of weeks. The KIKO Kiss Balm has a velvety soft texture that moisturises the lips and protects them against the damaging effects of the sun with SPF 15. Instantly, this balm sinks into the lips adding a hint of colour and gloss and a delicious taste that comforts the lips. 

The Kiss Balm is available in 7 gorgeous combinations so you're guaranteed to find a colour, taste and scent to suit your needs. I have the KIKO Kiss Balm in Strawberry* which as the name suggests, tastes and smells of strawberries - so yummy. The colour is a beautiful pink-red that looks intimidating in the bullet but beautiful and sophisticated on the lips. You can view the entire shade and aroma combinations here and I without a doubt have my eye on both the Apricot and Coconut versions - they look delicious!

I've fallen head over heels in love with this product and it's quickly become a summer staple of mine. It does everything that a lip balm should do - a wash of colour, instant moisture, beautiful gloss that isn't sticky and of course, SPF 15. This isn't the longest lasting product that you'll find for your lips as it is very moisturising but it means that you'll just have to apply it more - and when a product tastes this good, I'm not complaining! You can buy the Kiss Balms here where they retail for £5.90.

What's your favourite lip balm? Do you like a hint of colour to yours lips?
*PR Sample

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REVIEW: Lip Smacker's Disney Princess Collection

Oh when I received this press release I got really excited. I'm a lip balm addict and a Disney addict so when you merge them both together you get one very happy beauty blogger. Lip Smacker's new Disney Princess collection leaves your lips nourished with a soft, glossy sheen. There are four different flavours of these lip balms: Cinderella - vanilla; Ariel - calypso berry with a hint of glitter; Snow White - cherry with a slight shimmer and Belle - natural coloured, moisturising gloss with a sweet scent. I was sent the Snow White lip balm* and I was expecting it to taste and smell like the usual artificial cherry lip balms but this one doesn't. Both the smell and taste remind me of cherry bakewells. It also leaves a shimmery tint of the pink on the lips and moisturises them without leaving behind nasty residue.  These are priced at £3 each and you can find them at Debenhams. Who's your favourite Disney Princess?

xxx

*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

Rhodes to Heaven - All In One Lip Plumper

If you read my blog often or know me then you'll know how obsessed I am with lip balms. I think I have over 30 of them and I still can't stop buying them. So when this little beauty found its way into my post box, I was extremely excited.

This lip treatment is a 3-in-one lip balm that plumps the lips up, adds gloss and also acts as a salve to protect and moisturise the lips. When I saw it was a lip plumper, I got very excited as my lips are quite thin and not very full so this seemed to be the product that I had been searching for. However, when it comes to lip plumpers, I always hold my breath as I've never actually found one that works. This lip balm is 100% natural and you find out more about it here.

But I was wrong to not trust this. This lip balm is wonderful. It's extremely moisturising and adds a lovely, subtle baby pink gloss onto the lips that can be used underneath lipstick, on its own or on top of lip stick. And as for the plumper, it does work. It doesn't give you super gorgeous, full Tanya Burr lips but it's probably the closest you can get without having surgery. I'm a big, big fan of this lip balm and I use it constantly, especially before leaving the flat or applying lipstick. It retails at £13.95 for a 10ml jar (shown above) and £8.95 for a 2.5ml pen. 

What's your favourite lipbalm? Have you ever used this? Or tried anything from Rhodes to Heaven?

xxx

*PR Sample but this doesn't have any impact on my review at all! All views are honest.