Boots Botanics Skincare Top Picks

Recently I have rediscovered one of my favourite budget skincare brands. The Botanics range from Boots has 180 products in their line and all are made by combining the latest skincare technology with all natural plant extracts. 

Collabrating with the UKs central science laboratory to assess its raw materials portfolio for beauty products, they have helped identify the impact of chemical ingredients on water and land based eco systems and have eliminated the risky ingredients- creating a pretty great eco-friendly skincare line! 

They have also worked alongside The Royal Botanic Gardens 'Kew,' to understand how best to source vital plant extracts! Now the background info is done, here are my top 3 favourite products from this line that i've been using for the past 3 months!

First up;

Purifying Face Scrub: All Bright

£3.99 (currently on offer for £1.99)

This is a really gently face scrub that contains refining walnut shell, to help buff away flaky skin while crushed apricot seeds help gently sweep away impurities. It also contains hibiscus, which is nature's brightness booster while natural AHAs help leave skin smoother and brighter. I use this at least twice a week after cleansing and I have definately noticed my skin looks much brighter and even after using this little gem! 

Hydration Burst: 3 in 1 Micellar Water

£4.99 (currently on offer for £2.49)

This is a recent addition to the Botanics skincare line, just in time for Winter! I use this every morning and have been really enjoying it, it is a gentle Micellar water for dehydrated and sensitive skin. It effectively removes makeup and impurities while the active plant extract Clary Sage, is rich in flavoniods that are well known to hydrate and soothe your skin. 

Microdermabrasion Polish: Radiant Youth

£7.99 (currently on offer for £5.33)

As someone that suffers from the occasionly bout of acne, I like to use this polish after it clears up, to help improve my skins texture and get it back too looking more refined. This intensive micro polishing treatment helps encourage cell renewal for younger looking, more radiant complexion. It helps banish dullness and refines pores. Ginkgo is the natural plant extract in this polish, it is one of natures most trusted protectors. Environmental stresses can cause free radicals that degrade collagen and elastin, which give skin its youthful structure while the Ginkgo leaves help protect from this damage helping your skin look younger for longer. I use this once a week as it is a pretty heavy duty product, definately worth checking out if you are interested in microdermabrasion!

Have you tried anything from Boots Botanics line before? 

Carly x

Yankee Candle Christmas Top Picks

If like me, you love this time of year and use it as a good excuse to restock your candle supply with some seasonally appropriate scents this post is for you! Here are my favourites from the Yankee Candle Christmas collection...

Christmas Cookie 

(sweet)

If you love sweet scented candles this one is for you! It smells of buttery rich, vanilla scented cookies, perfect for filling your home with a freshly baked treats scent!

Cosy By The Fire 

(spicy)

This is a new addition to the Yankee Candle Christmas selection. A warm mixture of ginger, cloves and orange  combined with woody notes to give the snap of a crackling fire and the comfort of a hot drink beside it.

Christmas Tree 

(fresh)

If you love the scent of pine Christmas trees, you'll love this candle. A fresh aroma of fresh cut pine boughs and zesty berries!

Candy Cane Lane

(fresh & sweet)

A lovely peppermint scented candle that combines the aroma of freshly baked cookies and creamy vanilla icing- sounds good enough to eat!

Gingerbread Maple

(sweet)

Another new addition to the Yankee Candle family (and one of my all time favourites!) This candle combines the rich aroma of baking spices and warm fragrance of cloves with a touch of maple. Dreamy!

Sparkling Cinnamon

(spicy)

A real traditional Christmas scent, spicy warmth of real cinnamon sticks with a touch of clove. Perfect for bringing some

scented comfort into your home.

What candle would you pick?

Carly x

Christmas Stocking Fillers For Him

1. Fudge Brownie Cookie Dough Bites

£1

Who doesn't love a good sugar rush? American candy makes for great stocking fillers. You can choose from a wide selection on Amazon, but bargain shops such as Poundland and B&M have recently started stocking a selection of American candy!

2. Apothecary87 Beard Oil

£6.40 - £65

If you have a bearded gentleman friend, they may appreciate a heavenly smelling beard oil. Apothecary87 are a UK brand and offer a wide selection of fragranced beard oils from vanilla and mango to  sandalwood and musk!

3. Hip Flask

Urban Outfitters £10

A neat little pocket sized gift for booze  lovers.

4. Lushs' Dirty Body Spray

£15

This is wonderfully fresh smelling alternative to aftershave. Scented with spearmint, sandalwood and herbal essential oils, it's something a bit different  and is totally worth the hype.

5. Navy Aztec Woven Scarf

New Look £12.99

You can't really go wrong with gifting someone a cosy winter scarf!

6. Ghostbusters Travel Mug

Retrorules £9.99

Who doesn't love Ghostbusters? Not many, probably...this is a fun way to take your coffee with you when you're on the go.

7. Green Moss Candle 

Izola $29.95

Candles for guys? Yes! There is some lovely musky, tobacco (manly..ahem) candles on the market at the minute. TK

Maxx stock unique and hard to find candles so is worth checking outbefore  splurging on a $30 candle. 

8. Field Notes Notebook

£9.95 Amazon

This is a great pocket sized notebook for the doodler, note taker and list maker on the go! 

Christmas Stocking Fillers For Her

I can't believe it's that time of the year again! Here's a few stocking filler gift ideas that will hopefully give you some

inspiration when you hit the shops next!

1. Urban Decay 'Naked' Eyeshadow Palette 

£38

This is a staple in my makeup collection and would make a great gift for a makeup lover. It's a beautiful eyeshadow palette containing 12 gold hued shades, allowing you to create anything from a delicate day time look to a dramatic evening look.

2. Lush Bath Bombs

From £1.95 to £4.25

You can't really go wrong with gifting someone a Lush bath bomb! There are so many too choose from and would make a nice gift for someone who enjoys a good pamper! Lush have recently released their Christmas products, my top picks from the collection are the Cinders Bath bomb and the Yog Nog bath bomb. Both smell good enough to eat! 

3. Mini Yankee Candles

£8.99

These mini yankee candles make for great little gifts, they have lots of festive scents out at the minute. My favourites are Maple Gingerbread, Christmas Cookie and Snowflake Cookie.

4. The Library of Fragrance Perfumes

£15/ Boots deal 2 for £25

If you are looking to gift someone perfume this year, I highly recommend checking out The Library of Fragrances collection for some unique scents. Some

of my favourites are Waffles, Cinnamon Buns and Cotton Candy and yes, they do smell as good as they sound!

5. Sali Hughes 'Pretty Honest' Beauty Book

£14.95

This is a great addition to any beauty lovers bookcase, Sali Hughes talks frankly about the do's and don'ts of makeup and skincare. A great read with some eye opening tips!

6. Hurraw Lipbalms

£5

These little lipbalms are organic, vegan and made with raw ingredients that work

wonders to keep your lips smooth and hydrated in the colder months. They have some interesting flavours and also do a tinted range! 

7. Philosophy Mini Shower Gels

£8 each

These are always a festive favourite of mine, who doesn't love a luxury 3 in 1 bath product! These come in adorable Christmas tree decorations and come of a range of different scents. Snow angel is one of my favourites!

8. The Balm 'Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer'

£17.50

One of the most talked about highlighters of this year is bound to go down a treat! This highlighter packs a punch when it comes to adding a healthy glow to the skin. Not too mention, how cute is the packaging?! 

Carly x

A Month in Photos #4

1. Discovering new Ben & Jerrys icecream flavours, yum!

2. I have been really enjoying a new book i've finally gotten around to reading, 'The Kind Worth Killing' by Peter Swanson. If you love crime thrillers, I'd definate recommend picking this up.

3. Getting into the Halloween spirit and carving pumpkins with my boyfriend.

4.  Surprise flowers!

5. Finding pumpkin flavoured coffee at last. If you are looking for unique flavours of coffee, I recommend checking out TK Maxx. 

6. Seeing Father John Misty live was probably the highlight of the month, he is

wonderful live *swoon*

What have been your highlights of the month?

Carly x