Christmas gifts out at Boots already!

Wow, it's not even Halloween yet, but Boots are getting ready for the Christmas gift giving season. You can see their selection of goodies here, but here are my top picks!

Okay, so I'm a bit selfish, I guess. I picked things I would love to receive... but then I think when it comes to beauty products, if you don't wanna receive it, why would anyone else? ... Yeah, erm, I know that's not always the case, but I think these gifts would probably be well received by any lucky lady!

No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense Experience, £35.00

First things first. Skincare is beyond important, and no matter your age, or the intended recipient's age (well,,, within reason), a lady cannot go without reliable skincare products. So my first pick is this No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense Experience. It may seem a bit steep at £35.00, but it has an awful lot of useful products included in the 'experience', such as:

• No7 Soft and Soothed Toner (30ml)
• No7 Soft and Soothed Cleaner (30ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Beauty Serum (30ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream (25ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Eye Cream (5ml)
• No7 Protect and Perfect Intense night Cream (25ml)
• No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator (15ml)

I know personally, I would love this set. Most of the products are smaller than the full size, so if you haven't used it before, it's not a massive commitment, but it's still a lot bigger and more substantial than a sample. Also, I have been dying for No7 to bring out travel sizes! Those big glass jars may look lovely on my dresser and in the bathroom, but when I'm on holiday it's the last thing I wanna carry around with me.

Dior Christmas Expert Eye Palette, £52.00

This Dior Christmas Expert Eye Palette contains everything you need to pull off a sexy smokey eye. But of course, as it's a shade of neutral browns, you don't have to go full on smokey sexiness, but can keep it casual for the office. This is an amazing palette, and no matter what any girl tells you, she can never have enough brown eyeshadows. They are so versatile and everyon can wear them. Dior eyeshadows are also a great gift for any lady who loves premium makeup.

This kit includes it all:

• Serum primer
• Mini-Eyeliner Pencil
• Matte Serum enriched eyeshadow
• Shiny Serum enriched eyeshadow
• Glow
• Brow liner
• 2 double-ended applicators

Hello Kitty Liberty Lip Gloss Collection, £10.00

Last, but certainly not least, is a more purse-friendly option from Hello Kitty and Liberty Arts. Hello Kitty and Liberty Arts actually did a similiar collaboration last year, which included 4 shades of lip gloss in a collectable tin, which they have repeated this year. However, the colours are different: Golden Rose, Pink Shimmer, Pale Pink, and Natural Shimmer (8ml each). Notably, there is a bright pink replacing the darker lip shade, but on the whole the shades are all wearable and this is a must have for any girly girl or lover of Hello Kitty.

Have you already started your holiday shopping? Or are you too busy making your wishlist?

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss 732 Orange Bolero

I've been coveting this baby for awhile now. Okay, I actually caved and bought it awhile ago, but haven't got around to blogging about it.

I'm a big fan of Dior's lipglosses, and I've been intrigued by orange of late, so orange bolero was on my list.

Here's a swatch!

Yes, it's very orange! I love the sparkles too. Dior lip glosses love the sparkles too. This is actually super pigmented and shows up really bright on my lips. Sometimes it's a bit too bold for me, but I'm really digging it.

As always, Dior lip glosses aren't cheap, but when you find a colour you love, they're worth it!

Are you a Dior addict?

Here's a song by a Russian pop group Краски (Kraski) called Оранжевое солнце which means 'orange sun.' I thought it might be appropriate!




Especially the chorus:

Оранжевое солнце в облаках
Оранжевое небо на руках
Оранжевые песни над землёй
Оранжевое счастье нам с тобой

Orange sun in the clouds
Orange sky in our hands
Orange songs off the ground
Orange luck for you and me

Dior Addict Lipstick 322 Beige Perfection Review and Swatch

This was my first Dior lipstick purchase. I really like the various lip gloss releases from Dior Addict that I've tried over the last few years, and was curious to see if my love could extend to include the lipsticks as well.

I have to admit to a purchase in the pre-Christmas sales and online, so I didn't actually see the colour in person before buying. Sometimes we just do things like that. I went for no. 322 Beige Perfection which I thought would be a good everyday colour. A colour that I couldn't go wrong with.

At first, I was pretty disappointed. I found it felt a little gritty, but it was moisturizing, not drying at all. I don't think the grittiness is really fair. I've been wearing it on and off for a few weeks now and I don't notice it being gritty. My lips were really dry from travelling and a chance in climate, so I suspect it was probably that. Anyone else try these and notice anything?

Actually, I think these might be pretty good, but I think it's just a case of a colour choice I didn't love. The colour looks a light peachy pink with some shimmer, unfortunately, my lips are pretty pigmented, so I don't really notice much difference. I was expecting this to be a bit brighter I guess, after all, the Dior Addict lipsticks are meant to deliver vibrant colour and spectacular shine. I didn't really find that Beige Perfection did either particularly well for me. My mom has been eyeing this, so I think I will probably give it to her as I don't think I'll wear this very much. If you've got pale lips or you're a fan of a lipstick that adds very little colour, than this might be a good choice for you.

I'm also not too keen on the packaging. I realize my pictures might not have captured it, but depending on the light you can get a kinda cool prism effect with light refracting into the colours of the rainbow. That aside, it's chunky and bulky. I don't think it looks particularly sophisticated or princessy (what I usually prefer in my beauty product packaging). It also doesn't seem very sleek. I know the packaging isn't a big deal, but for an expensive product, I think it matters. This retails in the US for $28 and £22 in the UK.

Have you tried Dior Addict?