Christmas Gifting doesn’t need to be super expensive. Stocking fillers are typically priced below €15 and if you are as sold as I am then I am almost positive that your memories of these are things like pencil cases and maybe a book. As a Cork based beauty blog I find that we are not limited in anyway especially with the online options and all of our amazing shops and pharmacies

This week I am looking at gifts under €35, if your list is lengthy then you will get the best value in your local Pharmacy. IsaDora Bronzing Kit €9.00 Christmas Set comes with a travel size Bronzing Powder in Terracotta Bronze and a free kabuki brush and miniature mascara – to fit the teeniest party purses! Perfect stocking filler for a glam on the go gal like myself. Available selected pharmacies nationwide. This brand recently hit Irish shelves and it is a massive hit with all ages.

Firstly we have the e.l.f. Double the Drama Eye Kit €25.00 From brows to lashes, everything you need to build and eye-opening look! Eye Enhancing Mascara The light reflecting, metallic mascara is designed to enhance and compliment the colour of your eyes. Baked Eyeshadow Trio: The lightweight baked formula can be worn wet for a vibrant effect or dry for softer pigment. Lock on Liner and Brow Cream: Glides on smoothly to sculpt, shade and define brown. Shape and Style Wax Pencil: Sculpt shape and tame brows. Brow Comb and Brush Sets brow shape and helps soften hair texture. e.l.f. Cosmetics are available from Penneys and pharmacies nationwide.

Ziaja are a pharmacy only brand that offer exceptional value for money for all age groups. Goat’s Milk Gift Set (rrp€14.99): take the milky way to beautiful skin with this gift set containing three top-selling ziaja goat’s milk heroes – a day cream, night cream and award-winning hand and nail cream. Manuka Skincare Gift Set (rrp€13.99): catering specifically for combination to oily complexions, this ziaja gift set combines three unique skincare products to cleanse, hydrate and restore the perfect balance – contains manuka tree day cream, manuka tree cleansing gel and manuka tree face toner. Jasmine Skincare Gift Set (rrp€19.99):  treat your complexion or a loved one’s to ziaja’s bestselling anti-ageing range – a collection of jasmine skincare treats that are guaranteed to smooth away concerns about ageing.  This gift set comes with three essential skincare products – jasmine day cream, jasmine night cream and a jasmine micellar water. Mens Gift Set (rrp€10.99):  the perfect edited gift set for men with three grooming essentials – Men Soothing Moisturising Cream SPF6, Men Soothing Shower Gel and Men Anti-perspirant.

Roger and Galet are famous for their pretty sets and the Fragrance duo set comes in a lovely keepsake gold tin that you could us afterwards for storage.  1x 30ml Wellbeing Water1x 50ml Body Lotion RRP: € 22.50.

Phyto was the first all-natural hair care brand and their exquisite, all-encompassing range of supplements, shampoos, hydrators and treatments have been painstakingly developed to nurture every hair type and texture – so whether yours is dry, frizzy, weakened, fine or thinning – Phyto have a super-charged botanical solution. The PHYTO Phytodensia Set, which includes the Phytodensia Plumping Serum and Phytodensia Plumping Shampoo, for anyone with thinning, devitalised hair €33.

For the make-up addict (all ages) try the new luxurious GLOWrious Highlighting & Bronzing Palette has three textures that practically melt into the skin to give it a radiant glow.  It is an absolute must have to help you through the festive season to get your skin gleaming! The palette is available in two different shades – Rose Addiction and Gold. It is a gorgeous trio of an illuminating bronzer, one soft highlighter and one metallic highlighter. Your skin will have a nice subtle sheen and a sun-kissed shimmer. Priced at €15.95 you can find L.O.V GLOWrious Highlighting & Bronzing Palette in Shaws Department Stores and selected pharmacies across Ireland.

I must admit to getting myself in an awful state when I heard that this pallet was being launched. As a middle aged blue eyed woman I could think about little else until I got it in my hands. Of course after the big walloping disappointment that was the naked basics ultimate I was still hopeful. I needn’t have worried or fretted because this delivered everything I expected . A nice selection of warm orangey tones which compliment my eye colour. A mixture of textures and finishes which were suitable for day or night.

 I love the fact that the packaging is solid and robust. The textures blend so well. The only one I think there is excess fallout from is the shade ember, so I’d advise caution with that. Other than that it’s a good all rounder. There isn’t any shade I don’t use however I love the one “dirty talk”. I haven’t anything but intense love for this Urban Decay Naked Heat and you can get it in Debenhams €48. 
This wasn’t a press sample or gift but using my brain I bought it during Mega Weekemd and so got 10 percent off xxxxx
Happy Heat dolls x

Sheet masks are big business right now with the Korean trend taking the beauty world by storm. Hailed as a quick fix the idea is that they are infused with skincare and you can use them just once. Perfect for travel they are individually wrapped and super easy to use. They don’t break the bank either at €8.99 each. They work well for people what travel a lot or fly.. 

The one I am using in the picture is the charcoal one which decongestants and purifiys. It’s not harsh but my skin felt soft and nicely cleansed afterwards. Some clay or charcoal masks can leave you feeling tight but not these ones. They fit perfectly into my routine. My pores were enlarged after a long few weeks at the gym. With consistent use they will help to keep them clear. 

I think it’s best to use them in the evening as a pamper treat. You can put make up on afterwards however I feel you reap the rewards more if you leave your skin clear. 

To use them;Cleanse your face , press the mask onto your face and allow the serum to infuse for 20 minutes. No need to rinse. Rub the remaining serum into your face. 

Seoulista are free from parabens mineral oils and sulfates. So basically no nasties. They just work. It’s quite simple.

They are available from Dunnes Stores and SamMccauley. 

Time and time again during the summer there are weddings BBQs and events and life is just busy for most people particularly stay at home mums when the kids are off school.

If like me you love glam nails but aren’t especially skilled at making it happen then it is worth checking out Kiss ready to wear nails. They are so realistic looking and come in a decorated arty style or a plain more subtle style. Available in Dunnes Stores and pharmacies they start from €10 and are a great idea for holidays or a weekend away. Your own nails still grow under them and I tried them twice and didn’t notice any major damage to my nails. They are ideal for weddings or for people that aren’t allowed to wear nail polish in work, they aren’t ideal though if you are working in food preparation obviously.

Just make sure your cuticles are nice and trimmed and that there is no oil or cream on your hands prior to applying them.

/they wil offer you a glam short term fix and you can do them at home. A win win.

Matte Lipsticks are everywhere at the moment and so is the sun and hot clammy weather. this isn’t a good combination for our lips but if like me you are a lipstick addict then you will suffer or your art. The only way to wear the liquid lips is to get your lips in top shape. I have found this Kiehls Butterstick which has just been released on counter now absolutely fantastic for adding a smooth bit of moisture to my sometimes dry lips. There is a unique blend of oils and butters to help keep your lips supple and not cracked. The main one being the cure all coconut oil, which melts onto your lips like a dream. It is pricey at €22.50 however the product is amazing and the packaging clever so that it won’t open in your handbag and get ruined, anyone remember Labello? and how every single hair or fibre in your bag stuck to it because the plastic top wouldn’t stay on? So this will be a winter staple too and I think anyone thathas just starting dating or is on tinder might want to give it a try fro the kissability factor.

I’m a Shiseido fan and anyone that’s a long term follower will know this. I don’t think there’s been a release in five years that I haven’t loved. Well another one is being added to my collection now and it’s the replacement for the Sun Make up factor 30 that has come on every holiday since around 2011. I was hesitant because I adored the old formula. Fear not though because the newer version is even better. The consistency is similar enough in that it’s still a liquid shake bottle. It’s still glowy and smooth but the factor is now 50 and get this it’s even more water and sweat resistant. I have been using this throughout the heatwave and it hasn’t worn or budget apart from around my nose but that’s due to my sneezing and hayfever. The glowy coverage is medium and buildable and the best part? No chalky finish in the formula. Sad as it sounds I judge any foundation on the number of compliments I receive on it. This one is quite the winner as it’s not that heavy that it sits in fine lines. I honestly think that it’s a year round winner too because I’ve had no breakouts or milia from use. It’s easy to apply with a brush. It’s available on counter in August and retails at €32 which is a bloody good price too. 
Happy Tuesday x