Christmas Gift Guide: Rimmel

If you are reading this in hope of finding some stocking fillers, or main gift ideas for the more expensive brands, then my personal opinion would be to steer clear of Rimmel. Although it may seem a cheap way to bulk out the stocking, the products feel just that; cheap. 

So not to spread complete negativity, I'll start with the Stay Blushed! cream as it is my favourite of all Rimmel products. A pea-size amount spread over both cheek bones will boost your rosiness and help define your features. 

In two colours, Pop of Pink (pictured) and Sunkissed Cherry, you can choose between brighter or more blushed cheeks. 

When applying, I tend to put it on in-between my foundation and powder as it is a cream so will wear away at pressed foundations and powders. If it's just a little boost of colour I'm after, I'll put it on in-between primer and foundation. So it's worth a practise-run to find your preference. 

This is a lovely product and would come in use to any lovely lady with an interest in makeup. Available in Boots for £4.49. 

The Fix and Perfect Primer and Hide the Blemish concealer aren't really worth a try in my opinion. The primer is useless and makes no difference to my skin/foundation/general makeup application. If you're looking for a primer that won't break the bank, I'd head towards the Maybelline counter and give Baby Lips a go. Review to come shortly. 

The concealer reminds me of the one I had when I was going through that greasy-skinned teenage phase, used purely to cover spots, with no other makeup on my face. It's thick and the lipstick style, solid applicator will actually hurt if you brush it over a sore spot. It doesn't last and, because of how heavy it is, it doesn't blend all that well either. 

I've been using my Touché Éclat as a concealer for the time being but it's a costly habit I'm going to have to try and avoid. 

I rarely like to bad-mouth brands as they all have their good and bad qualities but from personal experience, I'd rather an honest review than someone who is simply trying to sell the product. Over the years I've tried a number of Rimmel mascaras and foundations but have yet to find any that are worthy of a good review. So watch this space. 

Christmas Gift Guide: Soap and Glory

Soap and Glory has quickly become the go-to for Christmas gifting and it's easy to see why. Even without smelling or using the product, the packaging is enough temptation. 

And the range of products available is so varied, you can make it personal to your loved one. 

The perfume is £16.50 a bottle but it comes in a number of gift sets. The fragrance reflects the trademark Soap and Glory scent that can be found in the classic shower gels and Righteous Butter, giving you that clean feeling all day. It makes for the perfect daytime perfume, especially at such a low price and is a great stocking-filler. 

The Breakfast Scrub is a great exfoliant that obviously carries a wonderfully feminine scent. It is a great product, especially when paired with the shower gel and body butter. 

Pot: £8.00

The Face Soap depends on personal preference as many women are a bit hesitant to use any old product on their face. From use, I have found it to bring me out in spots and leave my skin feeling a little dry. For someone with naturally oily skin that rarely gets spots, you can imagine it isn't my favourite product. So for this one, I would recommend it as part of a gift set for them to try or for someone who already uses it. 

Bottle: £8.00

The body butters come in a number or forms, bottles and scents. They all smell fantastic and do the job, however can be a little greasy. As I said, my skin is naturally oily so I use it sparsely, but they are ideal for someone who is looking for deep moisturisation. 

Pot: £10.50

Bottles: £10.00

Finally, to change it up, there's the Soap and Glory makeup range. The only product I have trialled is the Thick and Fast mascara and I really liked it. Although not the greatest mascara I have ever used, it makes for a great daytime mascara - the kind you use solely for work etc. 

Mascara: £10.00

I also highly recommend all of the body washes, Girligo moisturising mist and Heel Genius (although not featured in the photo). 

All products are available to buy in Boots. 

Christmas Gift Guide: Estée Lauder

With Christmas around the corner, companies are gearing up to ram their gift guides down the throats of vulnerable shoppers. Promoting their products as if they hold no faults, and showcasing all of the fantastic 3 for 2 offers to lure you in, it can create a false sense of security. 

So instead of trying to sell their products, I thought I'd offer more of a review guide for possible Christmas gifting, to help buying for your loved ones a little easier. 

First up, we have Estée Lauder for those who don't mind spending a little more on a high-quality product. 

As you can see, the advanced night repair is a tester pot so I'm yet to say I'm an avid user. The tester has lasted me a few weeks however so I definitely recommend asking for one if you fancy giving it a go yourself. 

The main temptation with this product was that it is a serum rather than a thick night cream as my skin is already a little oily so doesn't need the extra layer. This lightweight serum leaves your skin feeling silky, not dry or oily. Bonus. 

After a few weeks of use, I have noticed that my skin isn't as oily as it once was and it seems to have balanced my skin tone, minimising redness. With constant use over a long period of time, I can only imagine the affects would be extremely beneficial. 

However, the smallest 30ml bottle is priced at £49.00 so it depends on how much you are looking to spend. This serum would make the perfect gift for someone who likes to look after their skin with high-quality products. 

I'd never been one for expensive foundation, I was always drawn in by brands such as Maybelline and Rimmel. That was until I moved to London and realised such products just don't stand the test of travel. By the time I got to work, I looked like I hadn't even bothered putting foundation on that morning. So it was time for something more durable. 

I had heard so much about Double Wear that I decided to give it a go and ask for a tester. It wasn't long until I upgraded to an actual bottle, and I can't see that I'll look back with any regret. 

A number of reviews had said it was too thick and made the wearer appear caked in make-up so I asked the girl at the counter to show me how to apply to avoid this. She told me to layer it rather than attempt to put it all on in one go. 

By pouring a pea-size amount to the back of my hand and applying thinly using a brush, it gives me the power to control how much coverage I want. 

When I get home from work, I still feel like I'm wearing make-up, although admittedly not as much as when I left the house that morning, but a definite improvement to the cheaper brands I was using before. I would happily recommend this product to anyone who wears foundation normally so I believe it would make the ideal Christmas gift. 

The Double Wear foundation is £29.50 and comes in a number of shades so if you can slyly get your loved one to get a colour match, you'll be a winner come Christmas Day. 

Bare Minerals VS PurMinerals

For years I have suffered with oily skin, and no amount of mattifying face cream has been able to stop it slowly wear away at my foundation. By the end of almost every day my face would be almost foundation-free, which is not the look I was going for surprisingly.

Up until recent months, I had always been naive and uneducated when it came to makeup, I was more of a follow-the-trend kind of girl. This meant I was using liquid foundation and piling on powder to dry it out. Big mistake. Liquid foundation on top of oily skin is a disaster waiting to happen, and the layers of powder made me look like I was applying my makeup with a shovel.

That is when the wonder that is pressed foundation came into my life. A friend of mine bought the Bare Minerals Ready foundation, and after seeing her wearing it, I was completely sold. For the first few weeks of using it I felt so much better about my skin and had finally found a resolution for the oil. When the pot was coming to an end, I went into an M&S and saw their PurMinerals counter selling almost the exact same product. One of the girls working there had told me that not only was it makeup but it was also a skincare product. Deciding to give it a go, I started using it before the Bare Minerals had completely ran out and I have to say, there is no comparison.

Yes, they may seem like the same product, but PurMinerals has so many qualities that Bare Minerals seems to be lacking. After using the two, I have noticed that Bare Minerals builds up throughout the day and ends up looking rather cakey. Not only this but the skin-tone range isn’t as broad as its competitor and as it takes it’s time to build up, you end up piling on more than necessary as you feel like you have nothing on to start with.

With PurMinerals, there is no cake and no hassle. It goes straight on, the colour matches my skin perfectly and it doesn’t wear away throughout the day.

Although it isn’t a well-known brand, PurMinerals wins hands down for me and I recommend everyone to try it. Marks and Spencer offer a wide range of PurMinerals products, with the foundation costing you £24. It’s my ultimate makeup bag must-have and I think it would be yours too.

How to dress for meeting HER parents

No matter what kind of a person you are, meeting the in-laws is always going to be daunting and we all know that first impressions are important. So what exactly are you supposed to wear to such an occasion?

The best way to make sure you won’t end up wearing a suit to dinner with a family who enjoy Adidas a little too much is to ask your girlfriend what kind of clothes her dad or brothers usually wear. This gives you an idea of the dress-code so not to be feeling too over/underdressed on the night. However, don’t try too hard to look like her dad. Turning up in chino’s and a sweater-vest will probably be just as embarrassing and won’t be easy to phase out for the second meeting.

Secondly, ask a few of your friends what they wore to meet their girlfriend’s parents. If there seems to be a trend and their relationships are still going strong, you have your answer.

If all else fails, turn to the ever-so popular smart/casual code. A smart pair of jeans or coloured chinos with a shirt or polo is probably the safest option as it is always better to be a little overdressed than underdressed in this scenario.

It’s important to remember that your girlfriend will want her parents to like you so if she thinks your look isn’t quite right; she will probably let you know. Ask her in advance what she is wearing and see if you can plan something based on her choice as she will know their preferred attire and should be able to help you.

If you want to be sure to impress, be the best version of yourself and don’t arrive empty handed. You probably know by now that women never complain when it comes to unexpected gifts so a bunch of flowers for her mum will distract away from what you are wearing for a little while. Ask your girlfriend what her dads favourite drink is and bring him a bottle so he doesn’t feel left out.

With the outfit decided and the gifts given, all you need to worry about is making it through the evening without offending or insulting either of them. Throw in compliments as often as necessary, especially about how beautiful their home is and her mum’s cooking (if you’re there for dinner) but try not to over-do it so her dad thinks you are hitting on his wife. Swearing is a complete no-go, even if they use it and the rest is down to you.

What Twitter thinks

We asked the males of Twitter to give their opinions on what’s acceptable and not-so acceptable when meeting the in-laws for the first time:

“@colinroweuk: view it like a job interview, better to be overdressed than underdressed.”

“@rcurtin6: always wear socks! Some people get weird about feet and they could be 'shoes off in the house' people.”

“@matt_hght: something smart but casual and comfortable at the same time.”

Celebrity Look of the Week

Jameela Jamil is always on point with her outfit selection and this weekend at V Festival was no different. Festivals create fantastic opportunities to show off your styling skills and Jameela has proven that it doesn’t always mean a new wardrobe by mixing and matching her favourite, past season pieces.

Representing tall ladies everywhere, the 27 year-old, Radio 1 DJ has admitted on Twitter that her outfit is made up mostly of Topshop and ASOS items making it every bit more desirable.

The dress, originally from ASOS, can be replaced by a casual black skater dress available from ASOS and most high street stores for around £20.

With the unpredictable weather, you can never be too prepared. Luckily, Topshop are offering a wide range of green and black parka coats in a variety of styles from £55-£99.

Patterned tights are available from almost every high street store so it won’t be too difficult to find the perfect pair to team with this outfit; however H&M have a black leopard print pair just like Jameela’s for £6.99.

To finish the look, add in a quirky Lulu Guinness box clutch or over-the-shoulder bag. The Black Doll Face Fifi clutch is just-as-odd yet just-as-fabulous as the telephone one Jameela is seen sporting. 

Buys of the Week

Lime Dress: River Island £22

Kaleidoscope Top: River Island £25

S Initial Midi Ring: Topshop £4

Barry M Greenberry Gelly Polish: Boots £3.99

Rimmel Pro Matte Finish Topcoat: Boots £4.59