Festive Friday - Beauty Advent Calendars

Hi guys! So I've decided to start a new series on Bee's Knees in the run up to Christmas - Festive Fridays! I hope to share something different with you every week which is in keeping with the festive theme, whether it's Christmas candles, decorations or gift buying ideas and tips! Let me know if you like this idea and if you have any requests for posts.

This week's post is all about beauty advent calendars. I'm sure many of you will be well acquainted with the festive offerings from big beauty giants like Benefit and Selfridges, but unfortunately much as I would LOVE to have the cash to buy them all I have picked up my two favourites - the Boots Beauty Advent Calendar (£30 HERE) and the Ciate Mini Mani Month (£42 HERE).

First up, the beauty calendar from Boots. I was really excited to see what this would contain and thought it would be an excellent more budget-friendly option in place of the Selfridges calendar. But when I came across The Sunday Girl's blog review listing the contents I was a little disappointed (read it HERE). It didn't seem worth £30 to me, and I decided against buying it... until a couple of weeks later I realised I had enough Boots Advantage Points to be able to get it for free! I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather spend my points on, and knowing how much enjoyment I got from my Ciate advent calendar last year I ordered it online to collect in store. I think it's currently out of stock on the Boots website (HERE) but you never know when stock might come back in. 

My other advent calendar will be no surprise to those of you who have followed Bee's Knees for a long time - it's the return the Ciate Mini Mani Month! I bought this last year and absolutely LOVED the experience of opening up a new mini nail polish every month. Even though all the colours were not necessarily to my taste (there were a lot of caviars which I haven't used, and many pink colours that I gave away) it was a great way to spend December and I posted about it a lot on the blog (read my summary post HERE)

Although Selfridges/Ciate have been a bit cheeky this year and increased the price to £42 (I'm sure it was closer to £30 last year) I had decided months ago that I would be treating myself to this so I had the money put away long before it came on sale! I really recommend this if you can afford it and love nail varnish, you won't regret it! I posted every day in December last year showcasing the polishes behind each door - I'm not sure if I'm going to do the same this year so watch this space.

I'm really glad I bought the Mini Mani Month because the shades are much more appealing to me this year - not to mention they've added in a full sized polish on Christmas Eve! Bring on the 1st of December. You can pick this up from Selfridges HERE.

Are you a fan of beauty advent calendars? Have you treated yourself to any? Which are your favourites?

xx

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24 Days of Ciaté - Mini Mani Month

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you have followed and enjoyed my daily posts on what's been hiding behind the doors of my Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar! I thought what better post to have on Christmas Day but one with the complete month of polishes!

How pretty are all the little pots with their bows on?

I got 4 different pots of nail caviar...

An assortment of bold colours..

Some stunning metallic shades...

Some more sophisticated colours...

And some absolutely gorgeous glitter polishes!

I am so happy I decided to treat myself to this advent calendar - it's been the best December ever!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my Mini Mani Month every day this month, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Day!

xx

What's Behind Day 24: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! Today is when the real magic starts happening, it's as magical for me as Christmas Day & Boxing Day. And of course today means the last day of the Mini Mani Month, I'm so sad to be opening up the last one!

I love today's Marilyn quote - if you follow me on Twitter you'll know I'm going to be dressing up as Marilyn for my boyfriend's birthday night out in January!

WOW. This has to be my favourite Mini Mani Month polish by a mile! How amazing is this gorgeous red glitter?

It's called 'Enchanted Rose' and reminds me of the ruby red slippers Dorothy wears in The Wizard of Oz!

So that's it folks, the Mini Mani Month is over! But come back tomorrow to see a special post showcasing all of the beautiful mini polishes together!

xx

What's Behind Day 23: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Oh my goodness I have so much to do before tomorrow! As I've said, in my family we put up the Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve, so I have to have everything ready by then. I did all my shopping online this year and had it all delivered to my Dad's house, which is great as I don't have to carry everything on the train but I do have to wrap it all by tonight! Stress!

Today's polish is this quirky citrus shade!

It's called 'Mojito' which I think is the most appropriate nail varnish name ever!

This is unlike anything I have ever owned and I'm excited to try it in the Springtime when I think it will be a real winner. For now I might stick to my plummy reds and glitter shades though!

xx

What's Behind Day 22: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

I have scheduled this post because right now I will be on my way home for Christmas! Not the best way to spend a Saturday morning but I can't wait to get home! Only 3 more days until the big day, and only 2 more polishes to go on the Mini Mani Month!

Today is another nail caviar!

I think this is my favourite caviar of the ones I've opened up - its called 'Sundance' and I really like the combination of the different colours. I may try this one first!

I will most likely spend today settling in at home and maybe beginning the mammoth task of wrapping all my Christmas presents! & then pub tonight for a catch up with my friends in Leeds.

How are you spending your Saturday?

xx

What's Behind Day 21: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Today is the last day I have to work before Christmas! I expect it will be a long day, but this time tomorrow I will be on my way to the station to catch the 9am train home to Leeds!

Today's polish is this grey toned purple.

It's quite a sophisticated polish, the shade is called 'Fade to Greige'.

I'm guessing the name means it's supposed to be a mix of grey and beige but it's definitely purpley!

Are you finishing work today? I hope it's not too unbearable!

xx

What's Behind Day 20: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Today is day 20 of the Mini Mani Month, which means it's pay day!! Thank goodness for that, I have been spending far too much lately! It also means only 2 more working days until Christmas, and a brand spanking new polish today too.

Today's polish is one of the special Ciaté glitter polishes that you can only get in the Mini Mani Month. I think the rest of the polishes will be glitter ones - this makes me very happy.

The shade is called 'Magic Carpet' and it's quite a pinky purple. It's not so pink that I would write it off completely like I do a lot of pinks, it's actually very similar to a purple polish I already own so I think I will try it out layering the glitter over the top!

Are you still loving glitter polishes or are you bored of them now? I still can't get enough!

xx

What's Behind Day 19: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Last night was my departmental work Christmas party and it was so much fun! I had a fantastic time, and although I couldn't drink I am mega tired today! I think I was in bed for midnight so not as tired as I could be, but I do have an hour long meeting at 9am... hoping not to fall asleep! 

We're now on day 19 of the Mini Mani Month - so close to Christmas I can taste it! 5 days until Christmas Eve and a mere 3 days until I am heading home!

Today's polish is a pretty pale nude colour!

This is 'Cookies and Cream' and I remember people went crazy for this a couple of years ago so I'm very happy to add it to my collection!

It's nude without being completely skin coloured, and I think would be a great base for a lot of different glitter polishes! On its own it has pink and grey tones so I think would be a simple and sophisticated nail look.

When are you heading home for Christmas?

xx

What's Behind Day 18: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

I have a bit of a weird day today - kicking off at 9 with some riveting training on private wealth banking...! And then after work is my departmental Christmas party! I feel like today will be a day of contrasts haha. But here's day 18 of the Mini Mani Month!

It's another bottle of caviar pearls!

This is called 'Candyshop' and its another of Ciaté's famous caviars. Another with a lot of pink and purples in there so a little girly, but I think if I use this as a statement nail with blue polish on my other fingers it shouldn't be too Barbie-fied!

I have yet to try the ones I already opened and the MUA dupes I have as I'm definitely preferring glitter and novelty Christmas nails at the moment!

Have you tried nail caviar before?

xx

What's Behind Day 17: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Absolutely amazing; after I posted early yesterday evening about reaching 70 followers, 2 more of you lovelies decided to stick around so now Bee's Knees is at 72! Thank you so much to the new followers :) I slept pretty terrible last night, which is always a shame on a Monday. It's like starting the week in the worst possible way! And I do have a whole week - I know some people are finishing on Wednesday or Thursday but I'm working all week, so if you are too then you can catch my early morning Mini Mani Month updates every day this week! Today is day 17..

Today's polish is this deep midnight blue colour.

The shade is called 'Power Dressing' - unfortunately I was up before the sun this morning so these photos were taken with artificial light & the colour doesn't show up very well.

It's actually a stunning deep blue! Although I already have a lot of blue polishes (if you don't believe me, check out my collection HERE), I reckon this one will get a lot of wear. Especially in post-Christmas winter. I think this would look great with a silver glitter polish layered over the top, to create a starry-night effect.

What are you up to this Monday? Are you working all week too?

xx

What's Behind Day 16: Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Another late post because of an incredibly lazy Sunday again, woops! I haven't been very well the past few days and because I am a very lucky girl my boyfriend made the trip down from Leeds yesterday morning to come and look after me, even though he was here last weekend! I'm now feeling much better, probably due to some beautiful flowers and lots of cups of tea. So on with the show!

Today's polish is this adorable pastel yellow!

It's shade 'Big Yellow Taxi' (which also happens to be one of my favourite songs of all time!) and although I can't see myself wearing yellow much in the winter, it will definitely come out around springtime!

How have you spent this weekend? Are you ready for Christmas?

xx

ps. Bee's Knees has now reached 70 followers! Thank you so much for reading my blog, it means so much to me!

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