5 Minimal Waste Cruelty-Free Irish Beauty Products That I'm Loving Right Now

As I mentioned a while back, I have had a wild ride of utterly reevaluating consumption, blogging, and my personal responsibility to the environment. Stepping back and really looking at how I'd been going about things and taking stock for a moment made me realise that beauty blogging and fashion blogging, in the traditional sense that I had grown used to, were no longer possible for me. 

Basically, I stopped shopping except when necessary, shopped the stash of untouched products that had piled up in my house instead of going out for anything when possible, and made sure that I bought only sustainable, minimal waste items when I did need to get something. I replaced my toothbrush (once it was at the end of its life) with a wooden brush (three times by now), stopped buying traditional toothpaste (those tubes are not at all recyclable), switched to a reusable razor for shaving, and slowly changed everything that was on my bathroom shelf.

The biggest change, though, was simply not buying things. And this meant that I no longer had things to review all the time. Ergo, no real beauty posts for months beyond the less glamorous and more practical articles I have written about the experience of switching to more sustainable basic grooming options. Until today, when, after around half a year, I have finally accumulated five (the necessary minimum number for any listicle worth it's salt, obvs) beauty products worth talking about. All are cruelty-free (a pre-existing stance when it comes to products that I have maintained for years now), all are Irish (to reduce my carbon footprint and air miles), and all are made of either entirely, or almost entirely, recyclable materials. I still prefer refillable products when possible (brands, can you get on this?!) but these guys are the next best thing given the market we're in. Here are 5 Minimal Waste Cruelty-Free Irish Beauty Products That I'm Loving Right Now...

1. We Are Paradoxx Hangover Hair Elixir, 75ml, RRP €35.00

Look, I won't lie, this guy is pricey and I was totes initially suckered in by the packaging. That being said, I swear by hair oils and this is one of the better ones that I have tried. As someone who cannot go a day without washing their hair, I need the extra moisture and not only does this deliver that, but it also leaves a nice glossy finish and a lovely warm and sweet scent. It is also: "Clean, 100% toxin-free, organic + natural extracts, vegan, 90% plastic-free, paraben, perfume free, cruelty-free, ethical + sustainable, gluten-free, synthetic fragrance-free, eco-friendly, mineral oil-free, SLES + SLS free." And, as they note on the packaging, a little really does go a loooong way. Plus, come on, that's some damn cute packaging! Although I've gotten a few weird looks at the gym for pulling out what looks like a hip flask in the changing rooms...

2. Mungo Murphy's Nourishing Seaweed Mask, 20g (approx 5 uses), RRP €10.60

Admittedly, with this bad boy and it being a face mask, I haven't used it for the consistent two month minimum required before I normally talk about skincare. However, it's great! It calms the skin (and mine is currently super cross and covered in hormonal breakouts in the chin region), balances it out, moisturises, and leaves your face feeling soft and springy. Made from powdered seaweed, it comes in a small jar (no plastic in sight) and you take one teaspoon of it and add either add one teaspoon of water, natural yoghurt, or honey. I recommend honey for the consistency (water makes it very watery indeed) and to improve the experience as, I'm not gonna lie, it doesn't smell pleasant when you have it on but, if you get a little in your mouth (as I am prone to do) when it's mixed with honey it doesn't taste half bad, which makes the whole thing less unpleasant. 

3. Cloon Keen Perfumed Candle in Antique Library, 55-60 hours burn time, RRP €40.00

I actually met the Cloon Keen gang in their Galway store at an event a few years ago and got this candle as a press sample and fell in love with the warm, spicy, masculine scent. That candle was quickly used long, long ago and I decided to buy it again a few weeks ago as it had been over a year since I'd bought or had a scented candle. I allowed myself the treat and, boy, am I glad I did. My room feels instantly more elegant and cosy with this sucker going in the background. An Irish candle, rather than one that had to be imported, handmade in small batches, and packaged in glass and cardboard, it isn't going to leave too much of a mess behind or too much of a carbon footprint either comparatively. Excellent all around.

4. Inchydoney Soap in Lemon, RRP €6.00

Made in Cork, these lovely soaps are handmade by the owner, Louise, in an old cowshed on her family's farm with environmental impact firmly in mind. This lemon scented one is super-fresh smelling and is what I use in the shower, now that I have long-since abandoned shower gels and their plastic bottles.

5. Clarke's Of Dublin, Helping Hand Cedarwood & Sea Salt Soap, RRP €8.50

Going even more local, this lovely and super-clean smelling soap is 100% natural, hand poured, and hand cut using traditional methods in Dublin. It also boasts the finest natural ingredients sourced in Ireland, such as Offaly goats milk, Donegal seaweed, beeswax from Meath and Irish spring water. The Achill sea salt inside is designed to gently exfoliate. All in all, a kind of dream team combo of Irish products to make one rather excellent soap.

So, if you're trying to do your bit for our planet, you may need to slow down the consumption and make some changes but you don't have to miss out on little luxuries entirely, just be conscious and source them carefully. And in Ireland we're pretty damn lucky as there are plenty of people making some great beauty products with the earth in mind.

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Bar Shampoo, Brushing Your Teeth With Dirt And Other Failures And Successes In Making A Zero-Waste Beauty Routine 2019

A few weeks ago I wrote about the changes that would happen on this blog and the ways in which I had changed, myself, in how I related to objects and consumption. I have drastically altered the way in which I buy and use beauty products, in particular, as I try to consume in a more sustainable and ethical way and it has lead to some ... interesting ... experiments, results, and failures.

I. Buying Less

This is the most important change in my routine and the most crucial for anyone trying to consume more responsibly. Buying less is the easiest way to be kinder to the planet as it uses less resources to make, package, and deliver products and leaves you with less waste afterwards. Many of us buy things without even thinking about it, not entirely finishing something before moving on to the next thing, abandoning one product for something we've seen used or advertised. However, in an attempt to correct my chaotic overconsumption in the past, I've been buying only what is absolutely necessary in my routine. This has also simplified my routine. No more random skincare items infused with the trendy ingredient of the moment or some gimmicky fad but, rather, only the basics: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, sun cream. And you'd better believe I'm cutting things open and using every last drop.

II. Shopping My Stash

Continuing on from buying less, I've also been rooting through presses and drawers and rediscovering things I forgot I had and making sure to finish them all. Something I was already doing, it has been further bolstered by the inspiration of Estée Laundry's daily #shopmystash posts in which the self-described "anonymous beauty collective" shares followers' pictures of the products in their routines and how they are doing with their own journeys towards being more sustainable. Also, for independent, unbiased information about beauty brands, beauty news, discussion about diversity and ethics in the industry, deep dives into various trends and issues, and more, you should give EL a follow as they are one of the most important pages atm for anyone interested in the area.

III. Bar Shampoo

I noted my attempts to switch out products for items with less or no packaging over on Bean a while ago. One of my first trials was the switch to bar shampoo from Palm Free Irish Soap. In theory, it's perfect, right? No packaging at all, relatively cheap, long-lasting, and it smelled nice. However, sadly, it was a case of something being too good to be true. 

Now, perhaps, if you have some sort of different hair texture, bar shampoo might work for you. Maybe if you wash your hair less often than me, if might work for you. Maybe if you're a more meticulous person, it might work for you. But from day one I hated the bar shampoo and it clearly hated me in return. On first use I lathered too much and I couldn't wash it all out. I thought I had been thorough in rinsing but the horrid, greasy mess I woke up to said otherwise.

Moving forwards, I used less and less of the product with each wash and that yielded better results but it still drastically affected my hair. Prior to bar shampoo, my hair was incredible; soft, silky, and impossibly shiny. When I brushed it, my friends would marvel and say it was shampoo commercial hair. Only now is it returning back to that state, a month after abandoning my bar in favour of refillable shampoo in glass bottles from The Glass Dispensary. 

Great in theory, in reality bar shampoo just isn't an option for lots of us, particularly those with lots and lots of very fine long hair that requires daily washing. However, the Glass Dispensary's refillable bottles are a great alternative and mean that you still aren't generating any waste. 

Oh, and don't worry, I didn't just throw away the shampoo bar. It still smells nice so I used it as regular soap instead.

IV. Brushing Your Teeth With Dirt

Okay, so I obviously wasn't actually brushing my teeth with dirt but another of my swaps was for toothpaste. Toothpaste tubes and the difficulty in recycling them really, really triggers my anxiety. I don't know why it is so especially strong for this particular item but it is. Therefore, it had to be one of the things I focused on finding an alternative for. 

Years ago, I used Lush's toothpaste tabs - which are little tablets you chew up and then add water to with a wet toothbrush - but I really hated the texture and never went back to them. In an attempt to find a better alternative, I tried Georganics' glass toothpaste pots. A natural toothpaste, the texture is a bit different to your regular toothpaste, more crumbly and drier. Pair this with the fact that I was using the charcoal variety in their range and you might be able to see why it felt as though I was brushing my teeth with dirt. It's great for whitening and does a decent job cleaning but I really missed feeling minty fresh while using it. Plus, I dreaded the texture and hated using it. It made brushing my teeth a real chore. I want to try the peppermint flavour next and see if that is any better but I have to say that it's not my favourite experience I've ever had, overall. With few better options, however, I guess I'll just have to learn to put up with it all. 

V.  Getting Rid Of Disposable Cotton Rounds

This, I think, has been my most successful swap. I have traded disposable cotton rounds for reusable ones and they're great. I've heard of others not liking them but I tried them anyway and I'm into it. I actually think they drink up less of my toner, allowing me to use more and waste less of it, stretching out the life of that product too. They are also pretty low maintenance and my pack of five is perfect for using a side each night and then throwing however many I've used in the wash with my clothes. I always having some clean ones lying about and never have to worry about running out. 

Progress(?)

All of this has been a bit of a learning curve for me and I'm always trying to find more sustainable options and do better. While some of the experiments that I have undergone on this journey have been vaguely disastrous or unpleasant, I do think I owe it to the planet to go through a little discomfort. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal or that much of a sacrifice. And, perhaps, you can use my experiences and anecdotes to help yourself get started too...except with some things to keep in mind and avoid.

Let's all do our best and try to be better!

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Skinfull Affairs - Affordable, Vegan, Cruelty Free Beauty In Dublin

Well, this has been a long time coming. Shit's been rather real lately and I just couldn't bring myself to sit down at the computer and blog once I got home every day. Apologies for the hiatus but it was kind of needed. I am sad that I didn't share today's post any sooner, though, as I'm stoked about the content. See, near the start of this year, a new shop and salon opened up in Dublin's city centre that I was dying to try out and I finally got around to it a couple of weeks back.

Skinfull Affairs, on Exchequer Street (right next to the standalone Ladurée store) is a store and beauty parlour that sells products and offers treatments that are cruelty free, natural and, in many cases, vegan. There are few places of this kind in the city and none that I can think of offer both beauty treatments and products. There are also few places to get ethical beauty treatments in Dublin that don't cost an arm and a leg. As ethical beauty is something that is really important to me, you can imagine how intrigued I was, once I heard about the store.

So, one evening after work, I finally wandered in for a goo. First of all, I was super into the aesthetic of the store from the neon logo sign to the metal details and the green and neutral colour scheme to the wood and marble effect furniture. Housed in the sleek and funky interior, however, was the main event: the treasure trove of cruelty free beauty and treatment. You can get everything in the store from natural sex products to basic skincare, henna tattooes to manicures with seven free polishes (nail polishes minus seven of the most harmful chemicals often found in the stuff), threading and tinting to facial treatments and massage.

Once I'd had my wander and a nose, I decided to make an appointment and came back the next week to try one of their facials. I went for their basic facial which costs an extremely competitive and affordable €25, which is then redeemable against product on the day (*Edit: The cost of the facial is no longer redeemable against product. Though I was told the offer may return at some stage. I suggest asking when you book an appointment.).

When I arrived, I filled out the standard forms and had a lengthy discussion with the facialist about my concerns and skin type. I got a refreshing lack of bullshit and good advice, if not delivered a little bluntly at times, and once we went over my routine, we realised I had somehow skipped over exfoliation. I'm constantly trialling new products and, admittedly, rarely buy much of my skincare, so sometimes things fall through the cracks. We picked out an exfoliating product from the in-house Yonka line called Gommage 305 (I'll probably review it separately some time) that cost €36.50 so, in the end, I only that amount for the facial and product - a serious steal.

The treatment room for the threading and quicker facials is on the ground floor at the back of the shop and doesn't have a door so I had some reservations about being in such an open and bright space but the lights were turned down and my chair was flattened out and it was easy enough to get relaxed and tune out the street noises in the distance. For longer treatments (more complex, targeted facials, microdermabrasion, massages etc) there is a more private room downstairs. But the upstairs room is perfect for such a quick facial and pick-me-up during the week. You get plenty relaxed with the aromatherapy elements of Yonka's products and the elements of massage involved in the facial and when you're done (in around twenty minutes) you can get up, pay and float out the door for a good night's sleep.

Even when I have a good experience somewhere, I tend to be a bit of a commitment phobe but I was so impressed by Skinfull Affair's venue, customer care, service and price that I made a follow-up appointment on the spot and plan to head back next month! If you care about ethical beauty, like Instagram worthy locations or are in need of a quick and affordable pick-me-up for your skin, this spot is bound to please.

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Easilocks Homecare Range Launch - High-quality Extensions and Haircare with a Conscience

There are certain things that I always get behind and like to support here on this blog. Anyone who knows me or has been a long-time reader will be familiar with these things that I am so passionate about and it really is important to me that beauty and fashion have a conscience.

Easilocks ticks a lot of boxes and has a lot of conscience. The brand is Irish, started by a young entrepreneur who worked his way up, cruelty-free, vegan friendly and all the hair extensions in the line are made from ethically-sourced human hair from around the world (largely Russia and Mongolia).

The company was started by Irish award winning hair stylist Shane O'Sullivan, who started out in the industry at age thirteen in his family owned salon (also named Easilocks) in Dublin. Having worked in the industry and with extensions, in particular, for years, he noticed that they could be better and spent five years designing a line of high-quality extensions that could be used at home.

Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength and can boast Gigi Hadid, Margot Robbie and a whole host of other celebrities as fans.

The range of extensions is large with lots of pieces that can be added to instantly change a look and are available in a wide selection of shades and tones. In addition to this, Easilocks has also now launched a range of products and tools to help take care of your extensions and your own hair at home.

I attended the exceptionally packed launch a couple of weeks ago and, though I could only stay briefly, was amazed by the crowd and buzz of excitement. Bloggers and press were getting extensions put in to try them out first-hand, drinks were being had and Shane was on hand to answer questions personally.

Admittedly, I didn't get a chance to personally try out any of the extensions but I have been using the press samples I received on the evening on a daily basis since then: a rather impressive-looking copper styling brush and their Rose Gold Oil.

The brush is nice enough but a little big considering how short my hair is now and how bad I am at hair styling. However, the Rose Gold Oil is an absolute star product for me. I've been using hair oils for around 6 months now to help maintain the softness and smoothness of my hair and tame fly-aways and there have been a few I've really liked. This one, however, smells like an absolute dream, as well as performing well, which is why it has become my go-to. Seriously, it smells so good. I love me a spicy rose scent.

If you're interested in extensions or haircare but can't afford to entirely break the bank, check Easilocks out.

(The items briefly reviewed here were given as press samples. However, I was not paid to write this post and all opinions are my own.)


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Recent and Upcoming Urban Decay Launches

Urban Decay have been busy, haven't they?!

When I went to their presentation on recent and upcoming launches last week, I was properly blown away. Both by particular launches (*cough* Vice Vault *cough*) and the whole presentation. They are a brand that is savvy about trends but also about listening to their customers and what they actually want. We were told that Wende, one of the founding partners of the brand, personally reads through comments on their social media and considers fans' opinions when launching and creating new products.

The biggest launch of recent months is the Naked Ultimate Basics Palette (RRP €47.00), which went on sale on the 29th of September and is already proving a firm fan favourite. The latest in the Naked family, it delivers the all matte selection of shades that lovers of the previous palettes were crying out for. Featuring 12 all-new neutral shades that are exclusive to this palette and different from the shades in Naked Basics and Naked 2 Basics. Some shades, however, may trigger memories of colours from other UD palettes, such as Extra Bitter, as they are refined versions of some of the most popular eyeshadows that the brand has produced. Speaking of Extra Bitter, of the sample pool of bloggers and makeup fans I have chatted with, it's the winner and the one shade I've managed to wear yet. I can state that it truly is gorgeous and blends out and builds like an utter dream.

Another product that had people oohing and aahing was the Naked Illuminated Trio (RRP $36.00), which is part of this year's Holiday collection and brings together three of the brand's beloved marbled highlighters in one palette that makes for a perfect gift. Given the obsession with highlighting, I struggle to think of anyone I know that likes makeup who wouldn't be pretty delighted with this as a gift. Featuring a gold (Pyrite), ivory (Oasis) and peach (Twilight) highlight shade, the palette suits a variety of skin tones and preferences or someone who merely likes options/layering/mixing highlight shades.

Other new products include the long-lasting, high-coverage All Nighter Foundation; the re-invented Brightening and Tightening Complexion Primer Potion that is now for all over the face and not just the cult-favourite for the eyelids; the Perversion Waterproof Fine Point Eye Pen, that extends the ultra-black Perversion line from just mascaras to eyeliners as well; and the Razor Sharp Long-Wear Liquid Eyeliner, that is offered in a very wide range of shades.

It was, however, the Vice Lipstick Vault that blew everyone away. The second it was put on the table, the room erupted in excitement. This limited special edition and latest "vault" product houses all 100 shades in the Vice line in one giant, beautiful box. It's enough to make one weep at the beauty of it. I don't know who's buying it but it's damn gorgeous.

(In the interest of fairness and full disclosure, while I did not strictly review any of the products here, I would like to point out that I did receive free samples but was not paid for my comments and all opinions are entirely my own)



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Youngblood Cosmetics Launch + Brow Artiste Review

Just before I headed off to fashion week I attended the launch of Youngblood Cosmetics to hear all about the brand, how it started, what it stands for, their hero products and what is launching in the next while from their MUA Daniel Chavez.

I was already majorly intrigued by the brand, having received press releases about it for a few months, but had never personally tried any of their products or seen them in action IRL. One of the particular selling points for me is that Youngblood was established by a former medical aesthetician, Paula Youngblood, who made sure that the formulations of their products would be both effective and kind to the skin. And, importantly, they are also a cruelty-free brand.

The launch itself was very entertaining (in spite of the unnatural heat that had a packed room of beauty bloggers perspiring their makeup right off) and Mr Chavez is an absolutely gas character. Tara O'Farrell interviewed the MUA about the brand and his own particular tips and tricks of the trade before he demonstrated some of the products on model Claire Treacy.

Key take-aways from the whole thing? Apparently a brow can never be too arched and there is no such thing as too much highlight, blush shades are made for mixing, and a good base does most of the work in a makeup look.

Physical take-away? Youngblood's iconic Brow Artiste (RRP €37.50), one of their Hero Products. At first, I was surprised by the price on the press release and thought it was kind of expensive. Then I compared it to similar products from the likes of Benefit and found that it is actually in pretty much the same price bracket. I've also used a lot of other similar kits in the past and, have to say, I genuinely think this is one of the better versions on the market. The packaging is sleek and sturdy and is slim and compact enough to travel well. It is also big enough, however, that the mirror in the lid is one I would actually use. Normally mirrors in compacts are so irritatingly small that I never use them but I found myself using this one. Similarly, brushes and tools in kits are usually crap but the double-ended corkscrew and angled brush has a slightly longer handle and is quite handy, as is the little tweezers.

The formulation of the powders and wax is designed to be gentle so that it will be suitable for both those with sensitive skin and people who may have just had their brows plucked, waxed or threaded and have temporary local sensitivity. The two shades in the brunette kit look very similar but the ashier colour is light enough for those with brighter hair and the darker shade built up nicely so that it worked even with my rather dark hair. I can't say that the wax alone was effective in taming the movement of my brows or getting the shape completely down but, then, only the strongest formulations are up to the task and I expected as much. 

I've found myself reaching for the kit every time I've done my brows since I got it and that's the best compliment I can ever give a product.

(This product was given to me as a press sample. However, I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own.)

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12 Days of Giftmas - Lush ¦ Giveaway

On the first of Giftmas my true love gave to me, beauty gifts that are cruelty free...

Lush is probably a regular haunt for a large proportion of my readers and will, no doubt, already be a destination for at least some of your Christmas shopping. However, I thought it would be the best place for me to begin my 12 Days of Giftmas, not as somewhere new for gift ideas but somewhere with great gift options for different price points and people.

"But what, pray tell, might this 12 Days of Giftmas be?" you're probably asking.

Good question. The 12 Days of Giftmas is a project that occurred to me last week. An idea that I ambitiously decided to go through with very last minute - I must be a lunatic. It's a sort of advent calendar for me and my readers, a way of saying thank you for reading and rewarding you in a small way. For the first 12 days of December, I will be writing a post every day on a shop, brand or item that would make good gifts. This is instead of the long gift ideas posts I've done in the past and offers a more in-depth look at some amazing companies and things. To complement each post, I've also teamed up with these fantastic brands and will be giving something away each day! So, the 12 Days of Giftmas will give you some gift ideas and the potential to win something for a loved one (or yourself!).

Lush presents a lot of gift options. The regular Christmas line has lots of lovely festive-themed products to choose from to act as stocking fillers, gifts to yourself, items to personalise a hamper or care package or just regular gifts for fans of the brand. Particular highlights have to be the festive bath bombs and bubble bars with Dashing Santa, Butterbear, Golden Wonder and the Five Gold Rings bubble bars being personal favourites. Five Gold Rings is especially nice as a gift as it's five baths worth of bubbles in one and relatively inexpensive compared to other baths bombs and bubble bars. It costs €6.95 for those five uses (or one if you're feeling luxurious, I guess) versus five or six quid for an item that can only be used once or twice and requires cutting up for multiple uses.

Another item from the Christmas lines which caught my eye is the Snowman Shower Jelly. I've never used a shower jelly before but they seem fun and this one is in the shape of a snowman! So cute! At €5.45, it's a great stocking filler (though it'll leak a little so don't throw it in with other gifts willy-nilly).

Similarly, the lip tints are perfect to chuck into a stocking. Natural, with extraordinary lasting power (stuck with me through two glasses of mulled wine, party food, cake and a glass of champagne during the Toy Show) and vegan, they also have the added bonus of coming in a new tube format that is wayyy handier than the old pots. I was also suckered in by the name; Santa Baby Lip Tint (€8.25) goes on glossyish, dries matte but doesn't dry out your lips and is a lovely light but bright red shade. I highly recommend it.

I'd also recommend the Santa's Lip Scrub (€7.25) which I didn't purchase purely because I bought one from the Valentine's line that doesn't even have a dent in it after all these months. Seriously good stuff for rejuvenating winter-ravaged lips, this is a great gift idea for that pal with permanently chapped lips.

Then we get to the actual gift sets, of which there are many and there is a great variety of types and price points. They're also great as they already come wrapped up and ready to go! One of the starter levels is the Little Snow Fairy. At €11.95 with a Pink Fun and Snow Fairy Shower Gel, it's a nice gift for younger people who don't have a lot of money to spend, for Secret Santas with small spending limits and as a stocking stuffer.

A similar level gift but in more sophisticated packaging and scents for a, perhaps, older audience or someone not into candy-like smells, is Joy To The World (€13.95) which has the Love and Light Handcream and Yog Nog Soap inside - a nice idea for anyone who works with their hands and who might need a little pampering.

The Butterbear Tin (€21.50) set is SUPER-cute and comes with six Butterbear Bath bombs inside. It's also easily opened, unlike some of the other gift sets, and you can pop in some extra bits and customise it as you please. This is one of my favourites of all the sets which is why I chose it to give away! Read on to the end to learn how you can get your hands on it!

If you're sending a gift to a loved one abroad, the Merry and Bright (€21.95) gift set is perfect for this! I've been assured it only costs around €5 to post from Ireland to most of Europe and it contains a Beautiful Shower Gel, Rub Rub Rub Solid Scrub and Celebrate Body Lotion. A nice little surprise for someone who can't make it home or a penpal (do people have those anymore?), perhaps?

Comfort and Joy (€28.50), meanwhile, is considered a good unisex option - if you're gendering smells. It's also a nice pampering gift with two shower gels, a soap and body lotion inside.

And, if you're buying for someone with a body in need of pampering with baths but an adventurous spirit, the Human Cannonball (€33.95) is a must. Packaged in a tube which opens with a bang and confetti, it cannot legally be sold to under sixteens due to the fact that it has a minor explosive in it! This alone makes me want it! It also comes with five bath bombs inside so there's some substance to the gimmick.

It's Christmas Deer (€37.50) is another retro, adorable tin with lotions, bath bombs, bubble bars, soap and shower gels inside and it is seriously cute. While Christmas Wishes (€47.50) goes a step even further with the cute and is a tin in the shape of a carousel with turns, plays a melody and tells a story about the items included. It's something you'll keep forever and would be lovely for kids and nostalgia-prone adults alike.

And now we get to the big gifts. The ones for when you seriously love someone. These are the gifts that will induce squealing, hugging and cheek (maybe even mouth) kisses. The 12 Days of Christmas (€72.50) is the beauty advent calendar we all want with 12 lovely Lush bits included. This is for someone you want to spoil in the run up to Christmas, as well as on the big day itself. Wow! (€220.00) is what it says on the box - this extravaganza of Lush goodies includes bath bombs, lotions, shower gels, shower jellies, body lotions, dusting powders, body scrubs, lip tints and more. This is for the Lush fanatic in your life.


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...woo. Hopefully, you've gotten some gift ideas after all that! But let's get to the important part - the giveaway! Here's the deets:

1. Sadly, I can only keep my giveaways open to Ireland this time around. I apologise to those who might disappointed but I have to keep the generous brands that I'm working with in mind!
2. The prize is one Butterbear Tin.
3. All you need to do is comment below with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment!
4. Competition closes a week from now on the 8th of December 2015 at midnight Irish time.
5. Winners will be chosen at random.
6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

And that's it! Good luck and see you again tomorrow for the next brand and giveaway!

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