About a month or so ago, I decided to finally purchase the most talked about highlighter of recent times and one that had been on my wishlist for so long. Having not heard of the theBalm before this product because it is a U.S based brand, I was pleasantly surprised to see it now stocked in Superdrug stores and over on the FeelUnique website. This means it is mega easy for any UK beauty lovers to get their hands on any products this brand has to offer!

For a product that is hyped about so much in the beauty world, there is always that challenge you experience whether or not to buy into the hype and to check out if the product is really worth it. Now having tried Mary-Lou Manizer for just over a month now, I can tell you that I was not one bit disappointed with this product and can see why it is so popularised!



This highlighter is such a gorgeous product! I feel like theBalm have worked so hard on making their products very recognisable out in the big wide world of beauty. They definitely have the whole retro/50's/vintage theme down to a tee, much like the same theme Soap & Glory go for. All their products seem to have really cute and catchy names to them, Mary-Lou Manizer is no exception with the play on words it creates, e.g Mary-Lou Manizer aka The Luminizer.




Mary-Lou Manizer is what could be described as being the most perfect golden champagne powder highlighter! It also has a slight shimmer to it which is very subtle and adds an extra glow to the face. I much prefer golden coloured highlighters as opposed to more pinky-toned ones. This highlighter would work really well on yellow-toned skins due to the yellow undertones it has. But also it looks great on those with light-medium skin tones. I have quite light skin and it suits my tone really well!

 It has such amazing pigmentation, you seriously do not need a lot when using this product, because literally a lot does go such a long way.  I can definitely seeing this product lasting such a long while because of this reason, which means the £17.50 price tag is so worth it! As I mentioned previously, I have had this product for just over a month and so far I haven't made any dents in the product or can see that I am about to hit pan any time soon.

I apply this down the bridge of my nose, over the tops of my cheek bones, on my brow bones, on the middle of my chin and on my cupids bow. That might sound like way too much, but personally for me it doesn't look overpowering and it just helps to give my skin a nice healthy looking glow. It really helps to brighten up my skin and not make it look as dull!

I personally think I would be lost without this highlighter. I am so glad I invested in it and it has become a part of my daily make-up routine now. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has been looking at this but hasn't made a purchase yet. It is so worth the money and I can honestly say you will not be disappointed with the outcomes of this product. theBalm have created such a stunning and high pigmented highlighter that is so worthwhile!

I've been feeling really slumped for blog post recently. I have no idea why though, since I have so many written down in a notebook, yet I find myself lacking enthusiasm to write them up. Having said that, I have some Christmassy posts coming up on my blog within the next few weeks, which I am looking forward to posting and sharing with you.

So today's post is going to be the Would You Rather - Beauty Edition tag. Having done one tag post previous to this, I really enjoyed it and thought why not do another to fix my slump in ideas. Plus it's a beauty edition, so what is not to love about that?
1.Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eye liners, lipsticks and lip glosses or lose all of your palettes and eye shadows? 
For me personally, I don't tend to wear a lot of eye shadow or use a lot of my palettes on a day to day basis. So for me I'm going to have to say lose all of my palettes and eye shadows. Mascaras, eye liners, lipsticks and lip glosses are some of the products that make up some of my face make-up anyway haha. Plus I couldn't bare to lose any of my lipsticks!!! They're my favourite make-up product.

2.Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?
Obvious answer for me is that I would rather never be able to cut it again! I have quite long hair, so I think for me to chop it all off at once would be a very drastic change. Therefore, if it kept my hair the way it was and never chopped it again, I would still have the option of styling it however I want and not being restricted to just once look if I was to chop it all off!

3.Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?
Pink cheek all the way! I've never really tried a coral coloured blush, so I think I would stick with the pink themed cheek as it would be versatile to wear all year round.

4.If you had £1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or make-up?
I'd probably say clothes because I would be in need of them more than make-up. Fashion is constantly changing, a lot more than make-up is. I rarely change up my make-up look completely, so I wouldn't know what to buy or when I would use a £1000 worth of make-up. So for practicality, I would say clothes!

5.Would you rather apply lipstick as eye liner or eye liner as lipstick?
Eye liner as lipstick, because I would try get away with it as being a lip liner haha!

6.Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?
Even though I have never been to Sephora, I would probably go with only shopping there, because they have a lot more choice of brands to shop for. Where as only shopping in Mac, you would be restricted to only purchasing products from there!

7.Would you rather only use one eye shadow colour or one lipstick colour for the rest of your life?
I like to keep my eye make-up look as natural as possible, so in my everyday make-up look I apply a really neutral eye shadow to my lid and more of a shimmery bright eye shadow to the inner corner of my eye. So, I would probably only use one eye-shadow colour for the rest of my life and then I always have the choice of changing my lip colour!

8.Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?
I hate being hot and feeling like I am overheating haha! So for me I would probably rather wear summer clothes in the winter.

9.Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?
Bright nails!!! I have way more bright polishes than I do dark.

10.Would you rather give up your favourite lip product or your favourite eye product?
Mascara is probably my favourite eye product. I think it can just change the way your eyes look so quickly and can really bring out your eyes! So I would probably give up my favourite lip product instead of my favourite eye product.

11.Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a pony tail or a messy bun?
God, I am such an indecisive person haha! I literally am so undecided about this question haha. I think a messy bun because it would give me a little more height as I am so small. With a bit more volume on the top of my head it would make me appear taller, if that makes any sense? But I do love a good pony tail.

12.Would you rather never be able to paint your nails again or never wear lip gloss?
I'm not a massive lover of lip glossy. It's too sticky! I must prefer applying lipstick. So I would rather never wear lip gloss. Plus I can't stand bare nails, I have to have some form of varnish on them.

13.Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday?
This is probably the hardest question of them all hahah! I don't think I have the guts to shave all my eyebrows off and have none at all! But then, sharpie eyebrows just seem's way over the top and cringe, but in this circumstance I'm going to have to say lightly sharpie in my eyebrows hahahha.

14.Would you rather live without make-up or nail polish?
Even though I said I can't stand bare nails, I would probably have to say I would rather live without nail polish. Make-up really helps to boost your confidence and helps bring out your best features. Plus it's fun to try out new products and create different looks. Over time, I think I would get use to having bare nails haha.

Since I've never done a favourites post before, I thought I would share with you some of the things that I have been loving through out the month of November. I always love reading other people's favourite posts or watching their monthly favourite video's. I've decided to include a mixture of different things that I've been loving through November, ranging from some beauty products to my favourite apps and music albums.


Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo:
I mentioned this shampoo in my 'hair care and styling routine' post last week and the reason why I am showing it again is because I really am enjoying using it. It has made my hair feel so soft and smooth. I'm actually really impressed with it and it has definitely made me want to try more from the 'Ultimate Blends' range that Garnier have brought out. Plus this shampoo smells amazing and makes my hair smell just as good! I love it.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water:
This product has been really hyped and raved about by beauty bloggers over the past year or so. I thought it was about time I jumped on this bandwagon and saw what all the fuss was about. Because I was trying it for the first time, I decided to go with a mini bottle just in case I didn't like it and then wouldn't have to waste a big bottle.

However, I was really surprised at how good this cleansing water was. I'm not really someone who purchases a lot of cleansing products, so I don't have much to compare it with. But I was impressed with how it removed most of my make-up and how quickly it also did. I sometimes find with using make-up wipes, that it takes a lot longer time to remove the make-up as you end up going over the same place a few time to make sure it has all come off. But with the Micellar water it was coming off with ease and quickly. For a cleansing water between £1-£2 depending on what offers are on at the time, you can't really go wrong with it due to the affordability, can you?


The Balm - Mary-Lou Manizer:
This product is literally my new holy grail! I am so in love with it. I was so lucky to be able to pick this up in my local Superdrug store before it sold out. I had seen so many positive comments about this highlighter that I really just had to try it out for myself. I am so glad I did because it is such a good highlighter. It is such a gorgeous shade, it gives the right amount of glow to your skin and works wonders on fairer skin tones. I would highly recommend this highlighter to anyone!

I'm thinking about doing a more in depth review of Mary-Lou, so if you would like to read that, then please let me know!

Alien Perfume by Thierry Mugler:
I had my eye on this perfume for such a long time. Last Christmas I was lucky enough to receive it as a gift. Since then I have been using it sparsely because I really don't want to waste it. I tend to wear it more during this time of the year (autumn/winter). I feel like the scent is more suited this time of the year as opposed to the spring/summer where you have more fruity scents. Alien is more of a toned down floral scent with hints of jasmine and musk. It's very feminine and classy in my opinion. Also  it is a really long lasting perfume, it has lasted pretty much the whole day on me before and it is definitely worth the price tag!

One Direction - Made In The A.M:
If you know me, you'll know how much I love One Direction and how I have been a big fan of these boys since the beginning, when they were on the X Factor and I was a massive Liam girl. Now fast forward five years and they're onto their fifth album. I seriously cannot believe how far they have come and how much they have already achieved in the first five years of their career. I am so unbelievably proud of them and this album, so of course I had to include it in my November favourites.

I really feel like 'Made In The A.M' has really given them a chance to prove themselves and to really find their style of music that they want to make. Just like every album they have produced, I love all the songs and I always find myself singing along to them even when I'm not even listening to the album. Some of my favourites include Temporary Fix, End Of The Day, Never Enough, Olivia, History, Made In The A.M and Walking In The Wind. As you can probably tell, that's a lot of favourites from just one album, but if I could I would have probably listed every single song on the album that's how much I am in love with it!

The only downside I feel to this album is that I won't hear it on a tour within the next year. Every year since X Factor, I have been to see them and it just feel's weird that I haven't got tickets to see them. I don't know how long it will be till I hear them sing these songs off the new album live, but I really hope that it won't be too long till they come back from their well earned break.


Instagram:
Even though I have been on Instagram for a few years now, the past few months or so I've been trying really hard to up my game on there with regards to the photo's I'm posting and promoting my blog on this social platform. Therefore, I decided to include it in my November favourites for that reason. I hit 200 follows during this month, which to some people I know isn't a lot, but for someone who has been stuck on the 130 mark for such a long time, I felt happy that I was able to move forward and build on my followers.

I love using Instragram to check out what other people are doing or loving at the moment, it gives me a chance to also share what I am up to, as well as promote my latest blog posts to an audience. Also I love checking out other bloggers Instagram's to see what their latest posts are and it also gives me the opportunity to find new bloggers to follow, check out there blog's and communicate with. Instagram is such a good marketing platform, but also so much fun to get involved with.

Welcome to my one of three Christmas gift guides and my first of many Christmas posts! I can't believe Christmas is next month. Where has this year gone? It has definitely flown by that's for sure! Because Christmas is just five weeks or so away, you might be panicking about the large amount of present shopping you still have to do. But try not to worry, since I have got that all covered for you, just you wait and see!

Today's post is the first of my gift guides and it is a list of some present ideas for any beauty lovers out there. I've tried to choose affordable or worth the money pieces, that are easy to get hold of whether you're more of an online shopper or someone who likes to go in store to check out items. Feel free to use this guide to build ideas on what you might want to buy your best friend, sister, mum or girlfriend. I personally feel like there's something there for all beauty lovers out there, whether they're more of a fan of taking care of their skin or they are wanting to try new products and build their make-up collection. Or maybe this list might be able to give you some inspiration of what it might be that you actually wish to receive this Christmas. Let's roll...
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1. Benefit REAL Cheeky Party Kit - £29.50:
Starting off with one for the make-up lover, this Benefit set is perfect for anyone who is wanting to try out some of Benefit's products or is already a fan of this brand! The set contains six powders including popular 'Hoola', best-selling mascara 'They're real' and 'They're real' liner. I believe this set is really affordable, as some of the Benefit products start between £20-30 for just one. But in theory, you're getting seven products for less than £30!!!!

2. Kérastase Discipline Fondant Fluidealiste - £14.45 (on feelunique.com):
If you know someone who is a big fan of taking care of their hair and loves trying new products to maintain healthy locks, then this gift will be perfect for them! This product aims to transform hair to be softer, smoother and fluid like. It provides suppleness and shine with a lightweight finish. Who doesn't love the sound of that?

3. Philosophy Peppermint Stick Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath - £3.50:
Not only is this gift idea very affordable, but who doesn't love to receive a shower and bath gift? This present would suit almost everybody! Philosophy also do other scents of the same product, so if you know someone who loves a particular scent, then go check out what other scents they do in the range and find that perfect gift!

4. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Starter Kit - £15.50:
This cleanser is the most awarded cleanser in the UK, which surely means that it is a great product, right? If you know someone who takes really good care of their skin or maybe someone who is struggling with their skin at the moment, why not treat them to this cleanse and polish starter kit? Perfect for mums, sisters, girlfriends, friends and even your grandma!

5. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Palette - £39.00:
This palette has grown increasingly popular and is a great buy for make-up fans! I'm pretty sure that a few girl's have got this on their wishlist at the moment. This palette contains powder shadows that are infused mattes or shimmers shades of natural browns, delicate pinks and luscious plums. I personally love the look of this palette and it is packaged like a chocolate bar, how cool and different is that?

6. Ghd Limited Edition Arctic Gold V Classic Styler Gift Set - £129.00:
Everyone know's how popular Ghd's are for styling hair. So why not treat your loved one to the limited edition Arctic gold V classic styler gift set? Ghd's are great for multi purpose for not only straightening hair, but also creating curls and waves! This set contains a styler, heat mat and roll bag with the gold gift box which makes storing away your styler great! I love the gold finish of this set and to me it just screams Christmas/Winter time.

7. Soap & Glory Belle Of The Ball - £12.00:
For me personally, I always feel like Soap & Glory always do some of the best gift sets out there! This one is definitely no exception. I love the design of this with the inspired christmas bauble. This set is scented with pistachio, almond and sweet vanilla. It contains a body wash, a scrub, a body cream, a hand cream and a body polisher. Also it is such great value at only £12!!!

8. Real Techniques Core Collection - £20.99:
I literally swear by Real Techniques brushes. They're affordable and work really well when applying make-up. The core collection is a great set as I believe that you can end up using all the brushes in the set every day! Plus the set comes with a case so it makes storing your brushes easy, especially when you're travelling.

9. The Balm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer - £17.50:
This product has been raved and popularised by beauty bloggers! I believe this highlighter is so worth the money. It gives such a gorgeous high pigmented glow on the face. Every make-up lover would be more than happy to wake up on Christmas with a new make-up product to try.

10. Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet - £56.50:
Fragrances are such an easy gift to buy for any type of woman from young to old! They're so many out there with different scents and price ranges. This one from Dior is floral fruit scent and just look's so elegant from the bottle.

11. Nails Inc Festive Cracker - £19.00:
This one is definitely for those nail lovers out there! I love the christmas cracker idea and the festive polishes picked inside.

12. Urban Decay Naked Smokey Eyeshadow Palette - £38.00:
It seem's like everyone is obsessed with the naked eye shadow palette's these days. This is the latest one from Urban Decay and a great buy for anyone who has already got a collection going or someone who is after one of the naked palettes. They're definitely worth the money!

13. The Estée Lauder The Ready In Red Makeup Collection - £39.00:
A great red themed set of products which are great for those wanting to expand their make-up collection, as well as gain a red party bag in the process. I believe this is a perfect gift for mum's who love high end up make-up and want to feel glamorous this season!

14. Tanya Burr Handy Candy Manicure Set - £8.00:
I think this manicure set is so cute and handy! It includes everything that you could possibly need to prepare your nails before a polish and also comes with a cute travel friendly case.

15. The Body Shop White Musky Smoky Rose Treats - £6.00:
A really affordable Christmas gift set that is perfect for those who love to relax in a bath! Body shop always do some really cute gift sets with lots of different scents. There's always something there for everyone.

16. Clinique Moisture Favourites Gift Set - £40.00:
I think we all from time to time suffer with puffy, tired and cycles are our eyes. Unless you unfortunate like me, I suffer with dark circles all the time! This gift is great for bringing moisture back to your face and eyes, it also includes an overnight mask which will help you wake up feeling fresh!

17. Burberry Lips Burberry Kisses Limited Edition Festive Gold Collection - £25.00:
We all love a bit of glamour in our lives, right? I love the packaging on this lipstick and think any lipstick lover would dream of adding this limited edition festive lipstick by Burberry to their collection. A great buy for Christmas!

18. Jimmy Choo Blossom Parfum - £36.00:
Bold, bright and fruity, a perfect gift for someone after a new fragrance and aimed at the young party girls.

19. John Frieda Me & John Luxurious Volume Gift Pack - £6.00:
Another inexpensive buy! If you know someone who loves creating volume in their hair and wanting to try new looks, then this could be the gift for them. Contains shampoo, condition and a spray bottle to help create voluminousness looks!

20. Sleek Make Up Pink Gift Box - £20.00:
Sleek is a really affordable brand with so many great products! This box is great for introducing someone to the brand, but also great for drug store make-up lovers out there. There are also other box sets available from the brand with different products!

21. Elegant Touch Polished Nails Nancy (red) - £6.59:
You might know someone who always struggles to grow their nails or prefers fake nails as opposed to painting their own nails? Then Elegant Touch nails may be the perfect gift for them! A range of colours and nail art available out there for great prices.

22. Soap & Glory Winter Wonder Hand - £8.00:
Back on the Soap & Glory hype, I have added another affordable gift set to the gift guide. The set contains three hand creams which I'm sure are going to smell amazing!