clarabellasecrets: December 2016

Laura Geller Lights of Venice Cosmetic Collection

For anyone who has been reading my blog for a while, then you will know that Laura Geller is one of my all time favourite makeup brands. I have never once been disappointed by one of her products and always look forward to receiving them. This Christmas, Laura brought out her Lights of Venice collection which is definitely one of my favourites already. The box is so beautifully designed and I will definitely keep it as a little room decor piece.

The collection contains eight products which includes:

- Baked Balance-N-Glow Illuminating Foundation

- Baked Chandelier Blush in Chandelier Glow

- Eye Dew Cream Shadow Crayon in Pewter

- LusterEYES 24 Hour Eyeliner in Luster Black

- GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara

- Colour Enriched Lipstick in Pink Mink

- Colour Luster Lip Gloss in Venetian Lights

- Retractable Powder Brush

For a change, I couldn't possibly pick a favourite from the collection because every product is absolutely fantastic, which is exactly why I adore her brand. I've only ever used the Dramatic Volumizing Mascara before so I couldn't wait to try out the others. I've also used the Balance-N-Brighten Foundation, so it was nice to try out a new one. One of my favourite features of her brand is the fact that most of the powders are baked which create the most beautiful marble finishes. Another beautiful finish is the Chandelier blush which is definitely one of the main things that attracted me to the collection. It's such a lovely blush to wear during the day is at it leaves a naturally soft pink flush of colour.

I haven't tried the Eye Dew on my eyes yet but when I swatched it on my hand, I was very much impressed. The shade is definitely something that I would use and the best part is that once dried, it does not budge one bit. It also has a relatively creamy consistency which means that it blends very easily. You could use this crayon in any part of the eye whether thats on the lid, in the crease, or even below the lash line. Similar to the crayon, I've also never used the eyeliner because I'm not a big fan of liquid liners and prefer to use felt tips. However, I did also swatch it and noticed that it was jet black and very pigmented. The brush was also thin and flexible which may actually help me out and make trying to get used to liquid liners easier for me.

I always opt for a nude lipstick whenever I'm doing my makeup. Its very rare that I will wear a bold red or pink and although this lipstick is more pink than nude, I was still overjoyed to open it up. Maybe this lipstick will help me step out of my nude comfort zone and give me the confidence to try out more colours, especially with Spring and Summer round the corner. I also greatly admired the little 'Love, Laura' carving in the lipstick as it makes it much more personal.

I haven't worn a coral lip in a very long time, so much like the lipstick, I'm hoping this gives me the confidence to step out of my nude comfort zone. I say that as I ordered MAC's Velvet Teddy and Whirl lipstick the other day, but I have a feeling I will be much more open to it when Summer comes around. The gloss isn't very pigmented and adds more of a sheen instead, which would look lovely on its own or top of a lipstick. It's also not sticky whatsoever which I absolutely despise when it comes to lip glosses, which is why I hardly ever wear them.

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, by Luna Love

beauty

Nivea Hydrating Moments 3 Piece Gift Set

Although Winter has its perks, it can be a horrible time for the majority of the populations skin as the cold weather tends to dry it up and take out all the moisture. Thats why its always important to take extra care when the cold months come around. I received this Nivea gift set for Christmas and was overjoyed with the products inside as these are the products I always find myself using in Winter. The gift set came with an Express Hydration Hand Lotion, Body Lotion, and Hydro Care SPF 15 Caring lip Balm. Although I definitely wont need the SPF 15 properties in the balm, its definitely nice to know that I have a lip balm stored away for summer.

Although it comes across as an extreme hydrating body lotion, the consistency is very light which means that it soaks into the skin relatively fast. However the one thing that I did notice about it was the oily residue left on my hands at the end, which I wasn't a fan of, I have to admit. The lotion also smells incredible and really refreshing which is also nice when it comes to body creams. Overall, I think its a fantastic product as it leaves my skin looking and feeling very soft and supple. I would definitely use this in the day time or before I go out somewhere if I feel my skin needs a little pick me up.

The hand cream was a little thicker than the body lotion, which was expected given that hand creams normally have heavier consistencies which is why its best to use them before bed so they have all night to soak in. However this one also soaked in relatively fast which I liked because I now have a hand cream that I can take on the go. The only disappointment was once again, the oily residue that is left on my hands but that soon disappears once the cream has completely soaked in. The scent was also the same as the body lotion which was once again really refreshing and clean smelling, if that makes sense.

I've had this lip balm before so my reaction was no different to the first time I used it. It's definitely a lip balm I would opt for in the Summer rather than Winter, especially with it having SPF 15. I generally tend to stick to extremely hydrating balms in the Winter like Vaseline for example, because my lips are always the first to dry up. My chapsticks are normally kept for Summer as a quick top up product.

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, by Luna Love

british

Christmas Day 2016

I had such a good Christmas this year and definitely couldn't let it go just yet without writing a blog post about it. I took so many photos yesterday and it took me ages to sort through them all and pick out the best ones. Although, you wouldn't think that I have done much given the amount of photos still in the post! Also I could resist but take a photo of one of the gifts I received and share it above. I am the biggest hot chocolate fan around Christmas time and my mum and dad definitely got this message. I am so excited to try them all out!

We started Christmas morning just like we do every year; open presents, have breakfast and wait for family to come round. Then once everyone had left, I got ready before hitting one of our local pubs with a few of the men in my family before dinner. I hadn't been for a Christmas pint with them before because I only just turned legal in February. However, I thought it was about time because the last time I had went to the pub with them, I remember I had just received a pink LG Cookie phone.

I absolutely adore the dress I picked out for the day, but I can't seem to remember where I bought it from. I got it back when I was in Huddersfield and I think it was from one of those wholesale shops like Catwalk. The only disadvantage to garments sold from these kind of shops is the thin material, but luckily this dress wasn't see through. I thought the shape and colour was so flattering, I will definitely get a lot of wear out of this next year.

My nana made the most incredible dinner! It's a shame I didn't wait long enough to take a photo of the plate once all the food was brought out. However, I did get a few pictures of the pretty set up. After dinner, I also had a little photoshoot with the most beautiful cat in the world! I'm normally not fussed about cats, I'm definitely more of a dog person, but I always have time for this little one. She is so friendly and loving, I couldn't imagine my nana and grandad's house without her now. We also sat in the living room listening to Christmas countdowns, waiting for our food comas to start kicking in.

Since I wasn't at home for Bonfire Night, my family saved some fireworks for my return and what better time to set them off than Christmas Day. I absolutely love watching firework displays but my camera is the worst and getting good firework photos. I do however have more photos of food because come on, it's Christmas!

Around 6pm, my nana then lays out a little buffet with everyone and she certainly doesn't disappoint. The table was filled with sandwiches, chicken pieces, macaroons, cupcakes, quiches, seafood, sausage rolls, mini pies and so, so many cakes. This was when I realised, I was definitely going into a food coma.

Yet again, another little photoshoot with this little princess. She is just so photogenic, I cant help but take millions. Luckily I was able to pick my favourite and not put them all in the post. I can't say I wasn't tempted though.

Once we got home, my first thought was how much I wanted a bubble bath with all of my new bath stuff I received the following morning. I can not wait to start using up all my new products, but I will definitely have them featured on the blog beforehand.