Koko's Christmas Giftlist

Happy Wednesday Folks, 

Its the time of year where the last minute panic of Christmas presents takes place (especially for the males) so I decided to put together a suggested gift list for all the lovely ladies who love make up and beauty. Boys I hope your reading... I have saved you hours of time and effort! 

I have broken down my top picks into categories to fit every girls taste and every gift givers budget.

Something Special (£50-£200)

For that special person, the sister who always goes the extra mile  for you, the girlfriend you want to spoil, or just to say thanks to your mum for everything she does.  

Source:
http://www.ghdhair.com/hair-straighteners/
ghd-rose-gold-deluxe-set

GHD Rose Gold Deluxe Set 

£195.00

This was on my wish list this year, thanks to my lovely mum I was able to get it as a slightly early Christmas Present. This gift would make any girly girl ridiculously happy on Christmas day. 

GHD is the most well known hair appliance brand, and this range oozes beauty. It comes with both the GHD V hair straightener in rose gold; which straightens, curls and flicks hair and the the black and rose gold GHD Air hairdryer. I have tried this hairdryer before, the results are so amazing you will never want to go back to any old hairdryer, it reduces the time needed to straighten and smoothes hair like a dream. 

Source:
http://www.beautybay.com/accessories/
zoeva/rosegoldenbrushset/

Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Gift Set

£56.95

Not only are Zoeva brushes great quality for any make up fanatic, rose gold is SO in right now (can't you tell I just love the trend). The recipient will instantly fall in love with this, even if it was not on their list. This beautiful set includes the following brushes : 

106 Powder Brush

102 Silk Finish Brush

110 Face Shape Brush

127 Luxe Sheer Cheek Brush

142 Concealer Buffer

227 Soft Definer

231 Petite Crease Brush

317 Wing Liner Brush

Source:
http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/
the-bombshell-gift-box.html

Charlotte Tilbury 'The Bombshell '

£145.00 

For every females inner glamour girl this set is a must have, it is perfect for a festive season party look. 

Charlotte Tilbury is the queen of high end make up products and gets it right every time. Out of all the sets she has released, this one is my favourite because the products create a classic look. Every girl should master this trend to get heads turning on a night out. 

The set includes the following products: 

Colour Chameleon - Amber Haze (Eyeshadow Pencil) 
The Feline Flick - Panther (Eye Liner) 
Full Fat Lashes – Glossy Black (Mascara) 
Cheek to Chic – Sex On Fire (Blusher) 
Lip Cheat – Kiss ‘N’ Tell (Lip Liner) 
K.I.S.S.I.N.G – So Marilyn (Lipstick) 
Lip Lustre – Red Vixen (Lip Gloss) 
Complimentary Make Up Bag & Gift Box

Source:
http://www.selfridges.com/en/yves-saint-laurent-limited-
edition-la-laque-nail-varnish-24-
piece-collection_456-84033258-TGB23159/

YSL La Laque Collections

These nail colour sets are exclusive to Selfridges, I have found myself gazing at them in absolute awe. Then again my justification for spending £405.00 on nail products is limited, however the La laque nail varnish trio is a lovely and more affordable treat and a great gift for a girl who loves to have her nails done. 

La Laque Couture

£405.00 

24 shades to compliment any girls wardrobe all year around.

Source: http://www.selfridges.com/en/
yves-saint-laurent-la-laque-nail-varnish-trio
_456-84033258-TGB23160/

La Laque Nail Varnish Trio

£55.00 

The set includes three festive colours; white, glitter gold and reflective bronze in the following shades:

Blanc Symbolist

Bronze Aztec 

Feuille D'Or

Just Because... (£50-£70)

These are great smaller gift ideas or to add as part of a bigger gift. 

Source:
http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/
product/2325/
32022/Makeup/
Cheeks/Shimmer-Brick/
Shimmer-Brick-Compact--Copper-Diamond/
FH14/index.tmpl#i.1ar0my2wc3dywy

Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick

£35.00 

If you know the Bobbi Brown collections well you will know the shimmer brick is one of the most amazing and essential additions to any girls make up bag, so what better over the festive season than this new copper diamond shimmer brick?  This is a great highlighting product, and Bobbi's shimmer bricks are always a people pleaser, you just can't go wrong! 

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

£45.00 

This is a great gift for any girl; whether she likes subtle and natural every day make up, or is just a make up junkie. The most amazing part of this unique palette is that it actually smells like chocolate- make up AND chocolate you say? What more could a girl want?!

I am aware Too Faced is releasing its new Semi Sweet Chocolate palette on the 15th December, however I am not sure if this launch will be exclusive to Sephora, or also be available within the UK. 

Source:
http://www.theperfumebaseline.com/
female-perfume/black-orchid-tom-ford/

Tom Ford- Black Orchid

Price begins at £46.50 for 30ml

I first came across this amazing fragrance from my manager, once she shared the secret with me I HAD to try it at the airport on my way back from holiday. Although it doesn't come cheap, I will guarantee the scent of this is worth every penny spent. 

The scent is a combination of luxury florals and fruits, and is so beautifully distinctive it will get people talking as you walk past. 

Stocking Fillers and Secret Santa (£15-£40)

Beauty essentials any girl would love to receive...

Source:
http://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/
anastasia-beverly-hills-dipbrow-pomade.html

Anastasia Dipbrow Promade

£15.00 

This is the revolution in eyebrow products. Since I have got my hands on this I will never turn back, and neither will any blogger you come across. This is the best eyebrow product on the market, no matter what your eyebrow shape or shade. 

Source:
http://www.beautyblender.co.uk/
product/beautyblender_classic/

The Beauty Blender

£16.00 

I shamefully only just received my first beauty blender, and all I can say is I can't believe it took me this long. 

The beauty blender is a sponge like tool which blends foundation and concealer effortlessly for a flawless finish. 

If you girls don't have one of these in your make up bag, please send a hint to get one for Christmas- I promise you won't regret it! 

Source:
http://www.selfridges.com/
en/tom-ford-lip-color_450-3001058-LIPCOLOR/

Tom Ford lipstick

£37.00 

There has been a big trend on Tom Ford lipsticks, I did not quite understand it until I tried one for myself. Oh gosh, I want them all! 

These are slightly on the expensive side for a lippie, but make amazing gifts to treat someone special. I recommend a shade which can be worn both day and night to get the most wear and money out of the product, I opted for 'Casablanca.' 

Source: http://www.boots.com/en/
Essie-Winter-Baby-Its-Cold-Outside-Quad-Box_1636143/

Essie Baby its Cold Outside Quad

£24.99 

I love loVE LOVE Essie nail varnishes. Anyone who knows me well knows my obsession for nail colour. These polishes are great value for the price they come at and are available in a massive variety of colours. I find they stay on well with a good top coat (I use Seche Vite). 

Each season a gift set is available, this winter the set includes: 

Mademoiselle : the most classic grown up pink 

Chinchilly: sleek granite grey

Toggle to the top : sparkling crushed garnet red

Belugaria : highly textured matte black

So those are my top recommendations guys and girls... 

Are you are struggling with beauty related gift ideas?

I am always here to help and give me opinions so leave a message and I will try my best to advise you, in the mean time happy holidays... 

K xx

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Pucker Up!

Hey Guys, 

Those of you following my Facebook page, twitter or Instagram will know I recently went to the IMATS in London. It was obviously heaven on earth for me- the make up, and discounted prices, I will definitely be making another trip in store next year! The talking point at the IMATS was the huge queue going through the whole venue. But what were hundreds of make up enthusiasts queueing for? Was it worth the hour and a half wait...?

The queue was for NYX and in my opinion it was definitely worth the wait, the brand always does great products with a professional finish and this post will show you exactly what I mean.

I first discovered NYX least year at the pro beauty exhibition and I have been addicted ever since. My favourite brow palette was my first ever purchase, and I now double it up as a smokey eye shadow kit for an everyday look. At £9 (IMATS price- £13.50 online)it was a bargain. 

My new addition this time around are the lip creams. The finish and feel of these is better than anything similar that I have tried so far, both drugstore and high end make up brands. I bought four shades in two completely different finishes to test and I will definitely be adding to this.. 

The shades I bought are: 

Spice Xtreme Lip Cream (bright red- shine finish)

Candy Land Xtreme Lip Cream (baby pink- shine finish)

Buttery Nude Xtreme Lip Cream (peachy/nude- shine finish)

Milan Milan Soft Matte Lip Cream (baby pink- matte finish)

These ranged from about £3.50-£5.5-0 at IMATS and are available online for £5.50 (matte lip cream) and £7.50 (extreme lip cream). 

Top- Milan Milan
Middle- Spice
Bottom-Buttery Nude

My favourite is the nude, as I have found it difficult to find a nude which I feel suits me, this is perfect especially paired with NYX lipstick in Indian Pink (oh how well that fits!). My only regret is I didnt buy more shades in a matte finish, as at the time I was in a debate about whether I would like them. I actually love the Milan Milan I purchased in matte, and I think I will venture into more matte shades following on from my experience.

They feel really good and comfortable on my lips, and not sticky or drying which I find some super shiny or matte finishes can do. I can get away with wearing them for about 4-5 hours before needing to reapply which is amazing. 

All in all my favourite purchase of the day and I look forward to adding to my NYX collection, this really is a pro brand at a budget price! 

What are your favourite NYX products? 

K xx

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Las Vegas Sephora Picks

Hi Guys,

Another break on the posts but I have finally had a chance to properly test some of my goodies, which I picked up on my trip to Las Vegas in the summer. All of the below products are from what has to be my fave cosmetics store; Sephora. I have to say a massive thank you to the assistant who helped me at the store and really guided me to pick up some good items.

I specifically asked if I could have a few “American favourites” as I wanted to try a wider range of products to my usual collection. 

Bite Lipstick in Coral- No more expensive than my normal Mac or Bobbi Brown favourites, and I LOVE the pigment, colour range and the texture. The colour staying power is incredible and it was totally worth the money I spent, I will definitely be reinvesting in a more varied range of colours from Bite. The shade I went for is named "Coral" although I find it is more of a fuscia pink than coral. 

Bite Lipstick- $24  (£15.80) 

Lashes with the use of Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara

Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara- I have always been lucky enough to be blessed with long curly lashes and therefore I admit I am slightly lazy on the mascara hunt. but OH MY this has to be the best mascara I have ever picked up. For me the results imitate a false lash look and really volumise and intensify my lashes. The only downfall was the mascara wasn’t available in a waterproof version, as I have really sensitive eyes which tend to water a lot. The massive plus side is this was one of my steals at $15 which works out to around £9.54- bargain! 

Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara- $15 (£9.54)

Kat Von D Palette in Poetica- I needed a new more colourful palette for my pro kit as I already own the Urban Decay Naked for my more neutral colours. The assistant in the store suggested the Kat Von D palettes. I did a colour swatch on my hand and found the intensity and pigments to be strong and easy to blend, just what I like. The palette is based on purple and orange tones, and has some pearl and glittery shadows included. I have used this on a few clients as well as myself and I love the results to vamp up a smokey eye. I love this palette as it includes varied shades rather than 8 shades in the same spectrum. 

Kat Von D Shadows, Poetica- $36 (£22.31)

Overall I love all of the above additions to both my personal collection and pro kit. I will surely be reordering online soon, or grabbing some on my next holiday to keep me going. I also wondered if any of you have been in a similar dilemma: 

Do you have any overseas favourites you would like to see in UK stores? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others.