Get Festive with the Top Christmas Beauty Buys of 2011

It is November and so finally I can start talking about Christmas!

Although I shall try not to overdo it...

I thought I'd start by mentioning some of the festive beauty treats, currently hitting the shelves.

Chanel's Christmas Collection has launched and this year it features a new eye palette, Les 4 Ombres "Tentation Cuivree", offering two light and two dark shades, in bronze and rose colours. For a seductive evening look, wear them damp, creating a smokey-eyed effect, for a daytime look, wear dry and blended together. Although it isn't necessarily a bargain at £35, it will last you a long time and so is definitely worth splashing out on.

Meanwhile, Mac is turning all glitter and ice, as it launches its holiday collection. My favourite is Dazzlesphere!, with mini kits for lips, eyes and nails. Packaged in clear, bauble-like spheres, they are ideal Christmas gifts or unique tree decorations with an added bonus! The colours range from cool silvers to warming bronzes, and at just £25.50 each, they are well worth it.

If it's the perfect rouge lipstick you're looking for, try YSL's Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in Pur Hellios. A festive shade, great for the Christmas party or for brightening up a winter outfit. They retail at £22.50 and are available in a variety of different colours. This shade shall sit alongside Mac's Lady Danger in my make up bag.

 For tips on how to wear your red lipstick, watch this video with Sali Hughes , the Guardian's beauty expert...

                                                                                                                                                                            

If you're not feeling brave enough for vixen lips, then red nail varnish could do the trick. This Christmas duo from Illamasqua 'Untold & Ruthless', can be worn individually or applied together for a more glitzy evening look. Give those talons some power and passion with these fab polishes. At £20 I can justify the price, knowing I'll be getting a set of polishes which are long lasting and remarkably chip resistant.

I am a self confessed addict of Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess body oil, so was delighted to find that Guerlain have brought out something similar for Christmas. Meet Vol de Nuit Powder Spray. It is based on the scent of the original perfume, which was launched in 1933, but it has been relaunched with a twist. The packaging is a more glamorous version of the original and contains a light pigmented powder, which when sprayed on the skin leaves a shimmer. £49.50 for 17.5g.

Each Christmas I always end up buying something from Urban Decay's holiday collection, and this year will be no different. The 2011 collection is as good as ever and I have already set my eyes on the long awaited, Book of Shadows IV and the Sparkling Lickable Body Powder, yes that's right it is edible! The Book of Shadows are always popular but this edition tops the lot, featuring a mini speaker so you can plug in your phone and listen to music as you beautify yourself...genius. The book features 16 shadows in a variety of shades, and includes 10 exclusives, available only in this palette. It also features an eyeshadow primer, black liquid eyeliner and mascara, for just £46. If this isn't enough, the palette comes complete with a 'Get The Look' QR card, which offers step by step tutorials on how to use the eye shadows to achieve different looks.

The Sparkling Lickable Powder is also amazing. Although it has existed long before now, the new snazzy packaging hasn't. The new, smaller and sleeker boxes make these perfect gifts. Available in two flavours/scents, honey (golden shimmer) and marshmallow (silver shimmer), costing £14 each. They're an exciting alternative to your standard shimmer body dust and the fact you will be edible makes them all the more fun!                                           

There's nothing better than soaking in the bath on a wintry Christmas evening, and Philosophy do the best and most delicious smelling bubble baths. I love the Gingerbread one, but if you want to get into the festive spirit, then Tinsel Town, which has a berry scent, is perfect. Lovely packaging always wins me over, and the box for this one is no exception. It is £14 for the full sized bottle, or alternatively get the set, which includes a smaller bottle and a high shine lip gloss for just £16. Again if you're stuck for gift ideas, these make ideal presents.

I hope this has given you some festive ideas for gifts and beauty treats for you and your loved ones! Just remember they may not be around for ever so it's best to snap them up quick and in time for Christmas!

Bye for now,

Olivia xxx