The 2013 Christmas TAG!

Picture courtesy of MakeupPixi3

This fun christmassy TAG has been created by Georgina from MakeupPixi3 - check out her fantastic blog & her answers HERE!

When I saw this TAG I knew I HAD to do it as I really love Christmas & everything that goes with it!

So here are my answers:

1.  Do you prefer a real Christmas tree or synthetic?

I have  only ever had real Christmas trees as I usually go home to Germany for Christmas and we just don't do plastic ones (kind of akin to social suicide)! One of the main differences is  that the Christmas tree only gets put up and decorated just before Christmas Eve. I'm normally decorating the Christmas Tree together with my father on 23 December in the early evening.  I love getting out the decoration which has been stored in the basement - some of the decorations we have had since I was in nursery! 

And it also got to have real bee wax candles!

We also usually have light on a firn tree in the backgarden!

2.  You're in a coffee shop, it's December, what do you pick?

A hot chocolate with cream - no doubt about it!

This should ideally be consumed while having a little wander around a Christmas market!

3.  Whats your favourite colour scheme for decorating the tree?

Our Christmas Tree is decorated in muted gold shades - with baubles, stars & snow crystals!

(But I also like a classic colour scheme - dark green, red & white!

4.  Giving or receiving?

While it is exciting to open gifts, I really love to pick them out trying to find the perfect present for everyone!

5.  To mince pie or not to?

Traditional German Christmas biscuits!

I'm not really into mince pies - I've tried them but I prefer apple strudel or christmas biscuits.

Lebkuchen & Zimtsterne!

6.  What's your traditional sunday lunch?

Venison in wild mushroom gravy with potatoe dumplings and red cabbage!

7.  Christmas day fashion

We dress up to mark the occasion - also advisable in case neighbours come round or relatives are visiting. So strictly no pyjamas after 9a.m.!

8.  What's your favourite Christmas song?

It's got to be this one:

While American Christmas songs are fun on the radio once in a while I do ultimately prefer what feels more festive & christmassy to me.

9.  What's your favourite Christmas film?

I really enjoy "Nightmare before Christmas!!

10.  Open presents before or after lunch?

Neither - we normally open our presents on 24 December after mass and after we have had our Christmas dinner - so around half past eight, nine o'clock in the evening. When I was a child we went to the early children's Christmas mass and presents were opened after that (around four in the afternoon).

EVERYONE is tagged - please tweet your links to Georgina @TwinkinPixi3 and it would be nice if you could leave a comment with a link here if you have done it as I'd love to read about other people's Christmasses!!!!

Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013

My Monday Wishlist (would benefit from a plane ticket to the US...)!

M y   M o n d a y   W i s h l i s t!

1. Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder

I'm really curious to try this setting powder - especially for my under-eye area (just need to work out how to get hold of this in England as it is currently listed as "unavailable" on Amazon's UK website...)!

2. Lorac Pro Palette

I have read so many great reviews and watched quite a few tutorials where this has been used - it appears to be the perfect neutral, great quality palette.

Once again this is not easily obtained in the UK - hence it's on the wishlist...

3. Benefit Sugabomb Lipgloss

Sugabomb is one of my favourite Benefit face powders! So, clearly giving the matching gloss a try is a MUST!

Available here for £14.50


4. Chanel Illuminating Face Powder

This just looks so amazing in the pan! In fact it actually looks to nice to use...if it looks even half as pretty on the skin as it looks in the pan, then I'm sold!

Even more annoyingly this appears to be currently (?) unavailable...


5. Nars One Night Stand Cheek Palette

This palette contains the Laguna Bronzer, Orgasm, Deep Throat, Mistinguette, Goulue and Devote Highligher - so basically all the Nars "Must Haves" in one handy compact. I think that pretty much speaks for itself!

Available here for £45.


6. Bobby Brown Long Lasting Creamshadow in "Ballet Slipper"

This pale pink is just the perfect colour to smudge across your lids for a barely-there, long-lasting smudge of colour!

Available here for £18.50.

What's on your Wishlist?

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It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013

October 2013 - My Monthly Favourites!

My fave products October 2013!

Moving into full-on autumn this month my focus was very much on moisture-rich everything with a dash of colour to liven things up! 

And this is definitively reflective in my favourite products this month!

Left to right: Soap & Glory Clean, Girls body wash;  Dolce & Gabbana "Light Blue" and Vaseline Spray & Go body moisturiser in "Cocoa Radiant"

As far as I'm concerned no shower is complete with at least one Soap & Glory product - and this month I've been loving Clean, Girls Body Wash. This is an extremely moisturising body wash with a great soft, powdery smell which is not overpowering yet lingers. 

This months Dolce & Gabbana's "Light Blue" has been my scent of choice. I love its light yet distinctive smell combining fruity and floral notes (this is the one perfume where people ask without fail what perfume I'm wearing).

This month I have been loving my new moisturiser discover: Vaseline Spray & Go in "Cocoa Radiant" which is super easy to apply and absorbs really fast (review here).

Left to Right:  L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in  Purifying Micellar Solution; Nivea Daily Essential Light Moisturising Day Cream Normal to Combination Skin LSF 15 and L'Oreal Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil Face and Eyes

The L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in  Purifying Micellar Solution  worked great for me this month cleaning my sensitive skin without irritating it. It worked well on its own or together with the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil Face and Eyes. TThe cleansing oil removed all traces of make up regardless how budge or waterproof! 

Nivea Daily Essential Light Moisturising Day Cream Normal to Combination Skin LSF 15  was my Go-To day moisturiser both as a great, light moisturising layer under my make up or on its own (if you are eagle-eyed you can spot that my tube was in fact purchased in Germany).

Left to Right: Nivea Lip Butter "Caramel Cream"; Maybelline Babylips "Cherry Me", Rimmel London Colour Rush Balm "The Redder The Better"; Nivea Lip Butter "Rapsberry Rose" and Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner"

I have been popping on my Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner most nights before bed to keep my lips hydrated and prevent chapping.  During the day one of my Nivea Lip Butters in either "Caramel Cream" or "Rapsberry Rose" has never been far from my lips and I have been loving the hit of shea butter and almond oil.

As I have been all about moisture this month my favourite red lips this month also came with some added moisture: Maybelline Babylips in "Cherry Me" for a subtle hint of red or Rimmel' Colour Rush Balm in "The Redder The Better" for more of a statement lip (I loved how easy this went on combining ease of application of a balm stick with an unexpected level of pigmentation)!

Left to Right: E.L.F. baked eyeshadow in "Toasted", Maybelline Colour Tattoo in "Pink Gold"; E.L.F. baked eyeshadow in "Enchanted" and E.L.F. single eyeshadow in "Sunset"

On my lids I have been loving warm, autumnal colours! Particular favourites were the Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Pink Gold" either on its own or as a base for harmonising powder eyeshadows.  

 As I'm totally obsessed with baked eyeshadows anyway I was really pleased to discover E.L.F's version in "Toasted" and "Enchanted" which I have really been enjoying this month. Another great find was E.L.F. single eyeshadow in "Sunset" for nice, muted pumpkin shade (see my review of the E.L.F. products here).

Left to Right: The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter, Too Face Milk Chocolate Soleil; Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation "Light Ivory", Bourjois Happy Light Primer Luminous and Collection Illuminating Touch 1;

Bourjois's Happy Light Primer in "Luminous" was my preferred base for 90% of the time adding a subtle glow to my foundation without being OTT.  I'm not sure how many of Collection's Illuminating Touch highlighting & concealing pens I've gone through - I guestimate about 10. It's just such a great product for an amazing prize making a beautifully illuminated under-eye area super affordable!

Max Factor's Whipped Creme Foundation in "Light Ivory" was a new discovery this month and I was totally impressed with its coverage and staying power while at the same time looking naturally flawless.  I used this in "Light Ivory" and the shade comes off much lighter on the skin when in the package! 

I love Mary-Lou Manizer for its flattering golden sheen - it's super pigmented and a tiny bit goes a long way!

As I'm pretty pale I'm loving the Milk Chocolate Soleil version of Too Faced's well known bronzer.  This light, matte bronzer was a great yet subtle pick me up combatting impending winter pallor!

What made your hit list this month?

Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013