Boxing Day Sales Haul + Christmas Pressie

I always fancy reading “What I got for Christmas” posts but I am not doing any this year because I specifically did not want anything for Christmas (and meant it). I was incredibly lucky to receive so many gorgeous gifts from PRs and Brands for my Christmas Gift Guide posts so I didn't see any need for more products. I kept all my favourite ones and gave out some to family/friends. I also have a few products I purchased myself for a Giveaway which you can find here. However, the Man absolutely spoilt me and bought me the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette which I had my eyes on for a long time. I had mentioned to him in passing (a while ago when it was launched) that I was lusting after it. At a point, I thought he would get it as my Birthday Present but I gave up when I saw that it was sold out in all the popular retailers. You can imagine my surprise when I opened this as my Christmas present.  I was so delighted and was smiling from ear to ear like a silly gal. During the sales,  I also picked up a few coveted items which I would be sharing with you below. These items are so beautiful and I cannot stop looking at them all!! They were all  purchased at very ridiculously low prices and I would link them where possible.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette// £65 // Link

This is definitely my favourite gift of the lot because I had given up hope on getting it. I really appreciate the effort that went into buying this gift. Seeing that it was sold out in all the popular retailers, he finally found it on Net-a-Porter and he snagged one before it was sold out again. I have already used it a few times and I absolutely love it.. It is perfect for me because I don’t own anything from Hourglass so having all these beauties in one compact is definitely the dream. To be honest, I think I would still have purchased this palette even if I had other Hourglass products as it is gorgeous. I plan on posting a full review of this palette soon. I know there are numerous reviews but I have not seen many from ladies with my complexion so I am sure it may be helpful to some people.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette// £38  (paid £27.36  from Beauty Bay)// Link

I have had my eyes on the Urban decay Naked Palettes for a long time. Initially I wanted to purchase the Naked 1 but the packaging absolutely out me off (like seriously who even likes felt lining?). If they change the packaging, I would totally purchase it. The Naked 2 was too cool toned a palette for me but the Naked 3 had my name written all over it. The warm pink shades were calling my name from a distance. However, I could not bear parting with £38 at all. I was patient and waited (and waited). Come boxing day, I was on all the beauty websites like a gazelle until I spied this on Beauty Bay for £30.40. That’s not all- They also had a 10% discount on top of that. I only paid £27.36 and you need to see my smug face. I felt like I won the damn lottery!! I would be reviewing this on its own as well but I absolutely love it.

Estee Lauder Color Portfolio 2015 (Limited Edition)// £55 (paid £36)// Link

I remember spying this on the Estee Lauder Instagram page and quickly checking out how much it cost. I was like Hell No!! £55 for a palette!!. Well, to be fair, it’s actually good value for money as you are getting 3 interchangeable eyeshadow palettes (30 shadows in total), 2 mini lip glosses and a Kajal eyeliner. However, I still did not want to pay full price. I waited once again until Selfridges sent their early access Sales Email to my phone on Christmas Day (absolutely no chill from them). The first thing I saw was this beauty for £36.50 and I checked out before you could say Liv!. Then, I went back to check out other sales items because if you don’t check out; items in your basket can disappear while you are dilly dallying. I don’t know why on earth I thought I would not like it and even mentioned to the Man that I may return it. Well, all that flew out of the window when I went to pick it up from Selfridges. It is absolutely stunning and indeed a collector’s delight. A review will be up soon…fingers crossed.

Zoeva Smoky Palette// £15.50 // Link

This was the gift that totally made my day last week when I was having a rather tough day. You know some days, everything just goes wrong and you can’t figure it out. I was having one of those moments and I got back home and found this beauty waiting for me. I had not ordered it at all!! It was a giveaway prize from the lovely Christine who writes Yveschild Blog. She had a Giveaway on her blog and I entered hoping to win. The prizes were seriously mouth watering and the winner is one lucky girl. However, she was kind enough to pick two more winners and yours truly was one of them. *drumrolls* I was beyond excited and I did not know what would be sent which made the surprise even better. I was so delighted to open up the gift box to see the Zoeva Smoky Palette which I almost purchased. It is so pretty and it’s everything and more I ever hoped it would be. Now my Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette has a play mate!! A massive thanks to Christine and you should be following her Blog and Instagram if you are not. She has such stunning photography and content!

Roger & Gallet Jean Marie Farina Gift Set// £32  (paid £16)

I had actually never heard of this Cologne from Roger & Gallet but I adore all their fragrances. When I saw this Gift Set for only £16 in John Lewis online; it had to come with me. I was not sure of what to expect but I really like it. It’s a different scent to anything I have or the usual notes I go for. Of course it has very pretty packaging as expected from Roger & Gallet and I adore all their fragrances. I am not 100%  sure this is a fragrance I would wear everyday but I think I would leave it for days when I am in the mood. It is a really good deal though as it's an Eau de Cologne so it is so much stronger than the usual Eau de Toilette in my opinion. The fragrance comes in 100 ml bottle and there is also a cute perfumed soap which I absolutely love. I have not tried any of their perfumed soaps so I am super curious to see how this fares.






Ren Instant Beauty Heroes Exclusive to Marks & Spencer// RRP £100 (paid £35) // Link
The first time I saw this beautiful REN Gift Set, I almost purchased it at full  price because I thought it would fly off the shelves before it was reduced. However, I held myself back because it was £100. I know the total value of the individual products are so much more than £100 but I was prepare to wait. A few weeks later, Marks and Spencer had it in their half price deal at £50 and I was so close to picking it up but I didn't. The next time I was ready to purchase it, I was late as it was back to its full price and eventually sold out. However, it appeared that it really wanted to be mine (hehehe) as it came back at reduced to clear £35. I did not dilly dally this time around and I snatched it up. There were only two left and I fled to pay. The set is exclusive to Marks and Spencer and it contains some of REN's best selling skincare (full sizes)  including the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (50ml), Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial (75ml) and the Instant Firming Beauty Shot (30ml). I am so chuffed I got this set for £35 like Wowzass!! I can't wait to try them out and let you know about them.




Laura Geller Beauty Bits*
You all know I am a huge fan of the Laura Geller Beauty products and I have been kindly gifted a wide range of their products. This Christmas I was sent these gorgeous makeup products by MMCL (Laura Geller's Beauty Consultants). I  was so surprised to see them in my post box when I came back from my Christmas Break and I can't wait to put them in use. My little package contained the Baked Color Intense Shadow Duo in Dolce/Raisin, the Pout Perfection Waterproof Lip Liner and the Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipstick in Mulberry. They all look so gorgeous together and I can't wait to show you how I wear them.



Sleek Barekissed Illuminator in Pompei// RRP £8.99 (2 for £10 in Boots) // Link
I don't even understand why on earth I kept putting off purchasing this Sleek Illuminators. I have seen them in many tutorials and I knew it was something I needed in my stash. Boots had a 2 for £10 offer on all Sleek products so I had to pick these up at such a bargain. They look amazing and I know they would serve me well this Winter months when my skin tends to look dull and lack lustre. I have used them on their own already and they look so gorgeous because they blend so well into my skin and gives it a natural glowing look.



Body Shop Spa Wisdom Polynesia Range// Link 
This is a proper throwback for me because the Polynesia range from Body Shop is one of my favourites. The last time I purchased it was back in 2011 and I used them to the last drop. The Polynesia Oil became a little difficult to get my hands on over the years so I just moved on to other products. Then, my flatmate started using it and my love for it was reignited and I waited for Body Shop's usual offer. They currently have many of their products on half price and I also had a code so I only paid £7.50 for both products. They smell so incredible and very similar to the Body Shop Spa of the World range (just different packaging in my opinion). The Body Balm melts into my skin and keeps it moisturised while the Monoi Miracle Oil can be used on the body and hair but I love it on my hair. It's totally worth trying out and I am contemplating purchasing backups as I think they want to discontinue it but I hope not.


Overall Thoughts
I am very pleased with all my purchases and I am glad I got my hands on products I actually wanted. I still have one more product I am waiting for but I thought it is best to do this post now than later. I would add it in when it arrived. I don't want to sound too optimistic but I am beginning to think my makeup stash is now complete. I don't think I would be making any more purchases and this would be a good time to go on a spending ban. I do have two more hauls to share with you all (a drug store haul and a high end haul) from Black Friday sales so do stay tuned for these posts. I hope you enjoyed this post and if you picked up anything exciting during boxing day sales (which is still on). Have you tried any products in this post?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here