My Pre-Christmas Haul!

With Christmas just around the corner and all my gifts finally wrapped under the tree, I thought I'd show you guys my Pre-Christmas Haul. I've been quite reserved this time around in comparison to past years, I haven't gone too wild (leaving that for the SALES!). I have a sneaky suspicion that I'll be buying alot more clothes in JanuaryThere was a couple of things I've had my eye on for a while so over past month or so I purchased them. I by no means picked them up all at once as I definitely don't have that kinda money at all.

I wasn't completely blown away with any of the Boots Star Buys this month. I bought the Fearne Cotton Hat Box at the beginning but other then that nothing really called out to me at all. That is until I spotted Soap & Glory's The Best of All gift set. This gorgeous pink bag contains 9 full sized products, it's all about presentation for me so when I seen this I had to buy it! In the bag you also get some S&G coupons which you can use on products next year, some of them seem really good too so I look forward to using them. There's some bits in here that I haven't used before like the Smoothie Star Body Milk which smells amazing by the way! The only product I probably won't be using in this gift box is the mascara. I've tried it before and I wasn't overly impressed by it, the brush is ridiculously big. Besides that small issue I can't wait to use all these S&G goodies, they'll definitely take me far into next year.

Last week in Kiehl's I did splurge a little and I bought three of their lip balms which came in this gorgeous tin. I fell in love with the design isn't it so pretty? I thought this would be great for storing some makeup bits in, it's one of those things that would look beautiful on your bedside table on display. In the past I've tried their lip balm and I was really impressed by it. I've never bought a product from Kiehl's yet that I didn't like, that just shows how much I highly rate this brand. This set contains a original lip balm, a mango scented balm and their tinted lip balm which has SPF 15. The box I bought was ready made but I do believe you can choose what three balms you want to include or if lip glosses are more your thing you can fill it up with them. I do recall the latter being a little bit more pricier though. I doubt I'll need to be buying lip balm for a long time, I should be stocked up til mid 2013!

After seeing this set on one of my favourite blogs, (Essie Button if you're wondering!) I had to pick it up. This set was by no means cheap but the products you get in it are amazing. I tried their Almond Shower Oil a couple of months ago and fell head over heels for it. I've always wanted to try some more bits from this particular range but they always came across as that little bit too pricey for my liking. After seeing the review post over on Essie Button I went into my local L'Occitane and saw the amazing saving (even in euro!) for myself so I scooped this up right away. Off the bat everything in here smells amazing, if you've tried their shower oil already your bound to like all the other products in this box. The only product that doesn't have a distinctive almond scent for me is the hand cream for some reason, I have no idea why! Last but not least I adore the packaging, it's such a enchanting design. I'm definitely one of those people that keeps pretty boxes for storing makeup and the like so you bet I'll be holding on this it's too nice to toss out.

Lastly I bought some goodies from Catrice and Essence. If you haven't heard of either, there both European brands, that are super affordable. I know their products are available in the States now but I don't think there available yet in the UK which is such a shame. I got a couple of products from their new limited edition collection, Fabulous 40ties (see what they did there!). At present I've used the eyeshadow palette and eyebrow lifter, I can safely say I love them both. The pale pink shimmer shadow in the palette could be a bit more pigmented but I couldn't really expect more from something that cost €5 really. I was lucky to get my hands on the Catrice Berlin Collection Eye and Cheek palette in Penneys (Primark) they only had the testers left on display but when I was going up to pay for the Essence Winter hand creams I spotted one at the till. What are the odd of that happening, I was really happy to get my hands on this as it's such good value for what you get inside. I may do a post featuring just this with swatches and a review in the New Year hopefully. Back to the Essence Winter Collection Hand Creams, they all smell amazing. I went a bit mad and bought all three but I guess you can never have too many. Well I can't anyway, I always carry them around in my bag. There €1.49 which just shows you how great this brand is as the products themselves are huge and there sure to last a while. All the hand creams smell like festive drinks, the three scents are Gingerbread Chai Latte, Caramel Hot Chocolate and Apple Cinnamon Punch. At first I was loving the Caramel Hot Chocolate option but since then I've done a complete 360 and changed my mind in favour of the latter, Apple Cinnamon Punch. It smells so good, I may have to purchase a back up before they all sell out before Christmas.

Have you bought yourself any goodies before Christmas or are you patiently waiting for the SALES to begin?

Laura<3