Secret Santa Beauty Gift Ideas Perfect For Female Friends

It’s that time of year again - the festive season. 

Please don’t mistake that first sentence as Grinch-like. I actually can’t wait to pop up the Christmas tree and make yummy festive treats to give to friends. But, one Chrissie ritual I (normally) hate is the ever-popular Secret Santa. They can be so tricky, especially if you don’t know the person that well. 

This year I’ve come up with two excellent ways to choose something much more exciting than a tray of Ferrero Rochers that’s certain to make your receiver feel like the archangels are looking down on her favourably.

Scenario 1. Your budget for the gift is $10, you’ve only spent $5 and are looking for a clever way to use up that last fiver.  

The Answer: Lush’s Limited Edition Relentless Whale Soap, $4.95.

 Not only is this totally adorable whale soap beautifully scented thanks to ylang ylang and jasmine, 100% of the proceeds from each soap go straight to marine life conservationist group Sea Shepherd. The money donated will help them embark on their 10^th Antarctic campaign to save and protect whales which are hunted by Illegal Japanese boats.

If you’re just as passionate about this cause as I am please visit Lush online or in store. I’m sure the receiver of your gift will also be stoked to know that their gift is helping to save such a beautiful and majestic animal.

Scenario 2. Your budget is $25, within this price range you have plenty of options to choose from at your local shopping destination, except you don’t know what to choose. Many trinkets seem too personal – you don’t know the receiver that well, and you don’t want to give her something she’ll hate. 

The Answer: Goldwell Limited Edition StyleSign Packs, $24.95

Because it’s Christmas and Goldwell are feeling ever so generous, they’ve decided to package up not only one of their amazing salon hair care products for you, but they're pairing it with a chic Butter London nail polish. Essentially, you’ll be gifting your Secret Santa with luscious locks and beautifully painted nails. See, no need to buy her an awkward monogrammed Monday to Friday underpants set!

 There are ten different packs to choose from, and all are paired with one of ten popular Butter London nail polish colours (the nail polishes are valued at $22 alone!). Have your pick from options like the amazing Diamond Gloss Spray Shine to the very popular Naturally Full Bodyfying Spray (a personal favourite!). 

To check out the ten packs on offer head into one of Goldwell’s Salons. I’ve provided the link here so you can see which stockist is closest to you! Packs are limited edition so get in quick girlies before they sell out (or I go buy them all!).

I’m content knowing I have both of the above options to pick from this year, I hope this helps you guys as well. Here’s to Secret Santa shopping for 2013!

SS x
 

Swatch Out! New Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss

Hello lovers!

Weekends are for handywork. You know raking up leaves, putting on a couple of loads of washing, baking bread, maybe even getting crafty with a paintbrush.

While I'm guessing most dads would only have home renovations in mind when asked to think of said paintbrush - my only thought is of DIY mani's. Well painting is part of this activity right?!

 You can't blame me either, you'd be dreaming of mani's too if you just received the latest and glossiest polishes from Covergirl's new Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss Collection.

I swatched all three colours over the weekend and snapped the results above. Here's my thoughts.

From top to bottom:

1. Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Violast:

Firstly this laquer doesnt lie when it claimes to be glossy! When slicking it on, you can immeditaly tell by the thick matte texture that the end result will look like a professional mani with no streaks or wishwashy colour.

When applying, I asked Aaron (A.K.A boyfriend) what colour he thought it was. After some consideration he said "blurple" because "it's not quite blue, not quite purple" - what a cutie! And he's right, this deep shade of lavender is a perfect mix of both.

Extra points for drying time - after two coats it only takes roughly 2-3 minutes for this nail gloss to dry. Pretty impressive!

2. Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Coral Silk:

Don't have the annual leave to jet off to the Great Barrier Reef? Who cares! Grab yourself Coral Silk and you can cast your eyes on this vibrant tropical hue all day long! Out of the three colours above, this has been my favourite yet. I love how acid bright this variety of orange is. It's definitely helping to perk up my dreary winter mornings. Once again, only two coats is needed.

3. Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Midnight Magic:

Midnight Magic was the only shade with shimmer particles that I trialled. Because it isn't of the matte variety (like the two above), I had to apply three coats to reach the perfect colour vs. sparkle ratio. At first I was worried that this would mean my nails wouldn't dry properly from excess polish, but after waiting the normal time of 2-3 minutes my nails were rock-solid and dry! I love how galatical my phalanges looked! Ahh-maze!

Over all, this new colection does offer a super glossy finish even when dried. The colour is easy to apply, there are seventeen amazing hues to choose from that are all very on-trend (not one ugly, murky colour in the collection!) and at $6.95 - you can't really go wrong can you?

Which of the above swatches do you love most?

SS x

Pink beauty buys that I'm loving right now...

Hey Peeps!

I've been enjoying so many pink coloured beauty products lately that I thought I'd be nice and share them with you! My pink finds cover all bases including a long wear lipstick, fruity-tutti scented face washes (in the candy coloured hue of course!) a bath time novelty, as well as a luxe cheek pigment that looks so natural people will actually accuse you of blushing!

Without further ado:

1. Australis Go Long Long Wear Lipstick in Uber Cool:

As you can see by my swatch, it's a beautiful primrose colour with purple undertones. This lipstick actually delivers what it says, it goes so long that I only have to reapply once a day. I've been rocking this shade as my daily go-to because it has a beautiful wintery berry tone. $12.95

2. Lush Fun in Pink:

I bet you're starring at the above image, scratching your head and puzzling over exactly what this pink doughy log is. Well... it's kind of exactly that, accept its a pink fun doughy log.

The bath time masters at Lush came up with this quirky concept, it's basically a multipurpose, mouldable soap that can be used to cleanse the body (or hair!) in the shower or bath. The pink version is fragranced with a citrus burst of lime and lemon essential oils to leave the skin feeling refreshed.

I've been using it when shaving or I crumble a little bit in the bath and allow the fruity scent to sooth my daily woes. Pst! It's also vegan friendly. $9.50

3. Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash:

I call this my face cocktail. Why? Well because it actually smells like a pink grapefruit beverage (gin optional). Seriously, as soon as I tried this pretty face wash for the first time I was catching memories of myself at a low key bar in Surry Hills sipping on freshly pulped and juiced grapefruit concoctions. Good memories too, which makes this face wash a well rounded pimple fighting demon.

The refreshing gel purifies without over drying so it's gentle enough to use daily (unlike a lot of pther acne face washes), while pink grapefruit uplifts the senses with a fresh burst.$14.99

4. Makeup Store Blush in Chic:

Latley I've been swirling Makeup Store's Chic Blush onto my cheeks. Although in the above picture the shade looks quite pigmented and bright, when applied with a large bristled brush, the shade is very natural and delicate. It looks as though you are flushed with colour after a brisk winter walk - and that's a pretty look! $POA

What pink products have you guys been using of late?

SS x