winter favourites

I can't believe that we're over halfway through January and I haven't updated my blog yet, it's scandalous. Well, not really but it's pretty lazy of me. I have no excuses but the usual, I've been busy and well that's about it. There are so many things I love (and equally hate) about winter. I love the sheer amount of new things, gifts from Christmas and stuff that I've picked up in the sales. It's rejuvenating to buy new stuff and I just like buying things, ok? Please, don't judge me. So, I thought it was about time that I put to use all my new stuff and make a winter favourites post. So, here it is.

The Body Shop

The moment that Body Shop started teasing their Christmas range on Instagram, I was ready to do an exceptionally expensive online shop. But I resisted. Instead, I popped into the shop a few days after Christmas and hunted around in the sale. I only picked up a few things, the frosted plum and vanilla chai shower gels, a vanilla chai hand cream and, this I couldn't resist, the sparkling body shimmer puff. Firstly, I have to say the scents of the Christmas range are amazing and I regret not picking some stuff up sooner (but I do not regret the amount I saved buying in the sale). The hand cream is strongly scented and you can smell it even after it's absorbed into your skin. 

This sparkling shimmer body puff is absolutely stunning. After taking off the protective seal and letting the product move around a bit, much like a loose setting powder for your face, it's as easy as coating the puff with glitter. There is so much glitter so use as sparingly as possible or you'll look like you've bathed in glitter. Then press onto your skin. I tend to dab it onto my chest and shoulders before a night out for a really glowy shimmering look. Any glitter lover with adore this product.

With all the money I saved, I decided that an online shop wouldn't be such a bad idea and bought a few more items from the Christmas range (see picture below). I got two different creams, the lotion and body butter, both in vanilla chai because I love this scent especially when it's all over my body. I picked up another hand cream for when the other one runs out, the same shower gels, and the rainforest moisture hair butter. The little star is a frosted plum scented soap which was £1 so I had to buy it, right? It was too cute and cheap not to pick a couple up.

Last but certainly not least, I purchased the vanilla chai shimmer mist. I don't even know where, to begin with, this one. The scent, like the rest of the collection, is absolutely perfect and it's also infused with shimmer. It's like a highlight for your body that leaves you smelling amazing. My friend even commented on how nice I smelt when I was wearing this the other day. If they still have it, you should buy it right about. It's stunning. The body shop was not playing with this Christmas range. 

Lush

You may already know this about me but my major weakness in life is Lush. This time last year I was walking past the Lush in town and caught sight of their Unicorn Horn Bubble bar. I resisted buying it and when I went to the shop a few weeks later it was already gone. But, my addiction to their products began. It started with bath bombs and eventually shifted onto other products too. Since then, I've always kept a little stash of products for rainy days when all I need is a nice bath. Over Christmas, I realised I was running low on some things so I popped in during their in-store sale and picked up the items in the picture below. These four things: two butterbear bath bombs, a sherbert dip bath bomb, and snowman bath jelly. It only cost me £6 and I instantly regretted not buying more.

Butterbear Bath Bomb 

This little fella is adorable and the scent is just heavenly. It isn't one of those jaw-dropping bath bombs that change your bath into six different colours. This bath bomb is simple and nourishing. They don't sell these anymore but there is an ordinary butterball bath bomb, if you're unsure about using their products, maybe start with one of these little guys. 

Snowman Shower Jelly

This shower jelly is better than all over shower jellies for the simple reason that it's actually shaped like a snowman. The snowman is packed into the container and when you pick him up, he quickly falls back into his snowman shape. The scent is sweet, simple and citrusy. I haven't chopped him up yet because he's just too cute. 

I've done a few more lush hauls since then but I think I'll do a whole post dedicated to it. 

Makeup Revolution Strobe Highlight in Shade Gold Addict

I saw this in Superdrug a couple of weeks before Christmas and was intrigued. I love a good highlight, I use it every day and this beautiful vibrant gold shade was missing from my collection. This was a gift and I was eager to try it. I had some reservations that this shade may be too pigmented, like Fenty Beauty shade but this is a subtle golden shimmer that sits really well on the skin and can easily be built up for a brighter, pigmented look. I wear this every day to work and have received a few compliments already, also, this looks great as an eyeshadow. 

MUA Burning Embers Palette

I love eyeshadow and this autumn/winter there was an influx of beautiful warm shades that were just irresistible. This is another Superdrug find that I put on my Christmas list because I just love the shimmer colors in this palette. It may not be a high-end palette but there is a lot of pigment and I've really enjoyed the looks I've created so far with this, I can't wait to play around a bit more with some of the brighter colours. 

L'oreal Paris Fine Flowers Cleansing Cream and Cleansing Wipes

Winter can be tough on the skin and I'm always open to trying new products so when I saw these recommended on Instagram, I thought I'd give them a try. I found them in Superdrug and picked them up straight away. First, the cleansing cream. It's a soft formula that is perfect for melting away makeup while nourishing the skin. I simply wipe a blob of it over my face and then use a cotton pad or two to take away the cream. It leaves my skin feeling soft and clean. But, if you wear makeup as often as I do, you know how hard it can be to get all traces of it off of the skin. So, I follow this with the cleansing wipes. The fine flowers formula is great for all skin types but is especially good for those with dry and sensitive skin, so you know the moment you put it on, it's going to be perfect for these harsh winter months. There is also a cleanser but they were specifically for dry skin which I don't really suffer from, so I decided against it. But, I may pick it up to try in the future because I adore these so much. 

L'oreal Hydra Genius Aloe Water

The moment I saw this, I knew I'd have to give it a try. It's a hydrating water type thing. Yes, I have a way with words. What I mean is, this is not a cream but it's hydrating an moisturising like a cream. It's lightweight and the perfect addition to any skincare routine. I managed to find one for normal/combination skin and picked it up straight away because it was already sold out online. I put this on before my moisturiser and it's super refreshing. Try it now. You won't regret it. 

L'oreal Paris Smoot Sugars Clear Scrub

Another new L'oreal product. I'm a huge fan of their face masks and thought a sugar scrub was worth a try. I've taken a step away from abrasive facial scrubs and exfoliating gels in recent months because it's too much for my skin at times but this is gentle and nourishing. This is the perfect mid-week treat for my skin and it also works on lips too which is a bonus. You only need a small amount to smooth over your face with water and while you work it into your skin is complete dissolves leaving behind a soft smooth feeling. Honestly, if you're on the fence about these I would just try them. I'm aching to buy the other two now. 

Marble Effect Duvet Cover

I found this duvet cover in Matalan a couple of weeks ago and I just had to pick it up. The marble effect is just so pretty and a few months ago I was almost tempted by a similar but more expensive duvet with the same pattern. So, this purchase was a necessity especially after some nail varnish was spilt on one of my other ones. I like this white side best because it matches the rest of the room but it's double sided with a black marble pattern too which is just as pretty. The pink pillows are also new and from Matalan too. I just love buying stuff from home departments. 

And there we have it, my winter favorites. If we've gathered anything from this post it's that I have a real problem with shopping especially in terms of skincare, makeup, and bath stuff. It's my weakness but there are so many wonderful products, can you blame me? I do not regret any of these purchases/gifts, they've changed my life. There are so many things that I could talk about here, I decided not to put in clothes or we would have been here until next winter but maybe I'll include some of my favorite clothes from the season in another post. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and read this post.

Tiffani. x