Who’s excited for Christmas? To get myself in the festive mood, I’ve been busy testing beauty products from my beauty advent calendars. Here’s how I’ve been getting on with days 1- 11…

Beauty Workshop Advent Calendar 2016, Selfridges, £65 (total contents are worth £230)

DAYS 1 – 4

Day 1 – Enchanted Afterdark Lashes, Eylure

You might find this shocking but I’ve never worn false eyelashes. Really. There’s something about them that freaks me out and to be quite honest, I’m always terrified they’re going to fall off or I’m going to get glue in my eye (I am THAT clumsy!). That said, these beauties are perfect for New Year’s Eve so I may have to conquer my fears and wear them.

Day 2 – Original Balm, Dr. Paw Paw

Although this is a cult product for many, I don’t understand why. I’m not a fan of products containing petroleum but I thought I’d give this a go. Unfortunately, this is too greasy for my lips. It might be handy for dry cuticles though!

 Day 3 – Luna Play, Foreo

I’ve always wanted to try this but I’ve been overly cautious because of my sensitive skin. Fortunately, this silicone face cleansing brush is super gentle. In a word, it’s INCREDIBLE. It makes my face silky smooth and glow as if I’ve had a facial (think Ryohei Kato meets Ok Taec-yeon). The only bad thing is that it isn’t rechargeable. However, I’m aware other Luna designs are so I may have to investigate further…

Day 4 – Geranium and Neroli Elasticizer, Philip Kingsley

This is an update on their classic Elasticizer. I love how nourished my hair looks with this. It feels silky smooth too!

DAYS 5 – 11

Day 5 – Bloterazzi, Beauty Blender

I was very sceptical about this but I was wrong. It’s fantastic. It absorbs any excess shine on my T-zone without removing my make up to keep my skin looking dewy, not greasy. It also comes with a mini sachet of cleaning solution. Perfect.

Day 6 – Brow Tamer, bbrowbar

To say I like eyebrows is like saying I’d like to meet Novak Djokovic. UNDERSTATEMENT. I’m a big fan of thick eyebrows but to help mine look neat I’ve been using this. A lot. No werewolf brows for me. Halloween is over you know…

Day 7 – Bio Cellulose Eye Catcher, STARSKIN

I’ve been keen to use this but unfortunately, I wasn’t overly impressed with it. They didn’t stay under my eyes very well and my face was red after using them. What a shame!

Day 8 – Mini Better than Sex Mascara, Too Faced

There’s a lot going for this other than the tongue in cheek name. It makes my eyelashes look thick and full of volume. I love the cute size, which makes it perfect for travelling. J’adore!

Day 9 – Lip Crayon, Lord & Berry

This subtle nude isn’t my usual lip colour but I really like it! It’s very easy to apply and is incredibly long-lasting too (even after a glass of champagne!).

Day 10 – Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner, Eyeko

A black eyeliner is a beauty staple in any beauty junkie’s bag. This glides onto my skin and has serious staying power for the perfect Alexa Chung look.

Day 11 – Bee Venom Deluxe Cleanser, Rodial

The smooth texture of this makes it a real pleasure to use. I’m new to cleansing balms (I’m fiercely loyal to DHC’s Cleansing Oil) but this is very effective at removing my make-up and cleaning my skin. I’d definitely use this again.

Beauty Advent Calendar, Marks and Spencer, £35. Total contents are worth £250

DAYS 1 – 5

Day 1 – Bee Lovely Hand Cream, Neal’s Yard

Love. This.  Really. The delicious scent of honey and orange is divine! It has a lovely consistency and works wonders at moisturising my dry hands (winter, you are a wicked season!). This looks like it’s going to be a repeat purchase.

Day 2 – Super Acid X-treme Acid Rush Peel, Rodial

This has a lovely, light scent and gets to work fast. My skin feels noticeably smoother when I use this. I have sensitive skin so I only use it once a week but I might be a rebel and try it twice a week (as suggested). 

Day 3 – Time-Filler, Filorga

I was very keen to try this. I like the tightening effect it has on my skin and because it’s easily absorbed, I definitely think I’m going to have to buy this when this tube runs out. Love it!

Day 4 – Brow Tamer, Pixi

I’m obsessed with eyebrows but although this is good, it doesn’t hold my brows in place like my usual brow gel. I also prefer to use a tinted brow mascara. However, it’s great to layer over brow pencil.

Day 5 – Radiant Shine Hair Treatment Oil, Josh Wood

I’m surprisingly low-maintenance when it comes to my hair but it could benefit from a little TLC in winter. This hair oil is fantastic. My hair is instantly smoother and shiny without being greasy (as you might expect with hair oil) with this. A little goes a long way so I’m sure I’ll have this for a while (the large bottle is great value!). I can’t do without it!

DAYS 6 – 11

Day 6 – Mini Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Eyeko

See previous review

Day 7 – SPF 30 Face, Ultrasun

Hmm. It’s winter so sun cream seems like a pointless beauty advent calendar gift, right? WRONG. We’re still surrounded by harmful UV rays during winter and it’s important to protect our skin throughout the year. I adore sun cream and couldn’t wait to try this. Although I usually wear SPF 50 on my face, this is lovely to use. It’s very lightweight on my skin.

Day 8 – Liquid Gold, Alpha-H

Another one I’ve been dying to try. I like how smooth and refreshed my skin feels after using it but I dislike the chemical smell. I’m not sure I’ll buy this when I’ve finished the bottle.

Day 9 – All-in-one Nail Colour – Cranberry, Autograph

A beautiful, shimmering plum shade. Perfect for Christmas and New Year. It makes my nails super strong too!

Day 10 – Gel One Coat Nail Polish – in Piccadilly Court, Nails Inc

I’m a big fan of Nails Inc and this classic shade will look lovely underneath the mistletoe!

Day 11 – Moringa Cleansing Balm, Emma Hardie

An absolute delight to use. It has a lovely scent and it doesn’t clog my pores (always a bonus!). The gentle formula makes it perfect for sensitive skin.

Keep reading my blog for the rest of my beauty advent calendar reviews coming soon!

Tags:  alpha h bbrow bar beauty beauty addict beauty advent calendar beauty blender beauty junkie bloterazzi christmas christmas 2016 eyeko eyelure filorga josh wood lord and berry luna play marks and spencer beauty advent calendar 2016 nails inc. neal's yard remedies paw paw philip kingsley pixi rodial selfridges beauty advent calendar 2016 skin care starskin sun cream too faced ultrasun