Christmas Gift Guide : Best gifts for Mothers who deserve to be spoilt.

Every year since I was little my Mother has said all she wants for Christmas is 'a home made card and a cup of tea in bed' which is painfully sweet and humbling but we all know that every Mum deserves to be spoilt on Christmas day. And as advent calenders get eaten and the countdown to Christmas is getting nearer it is totally handy that all the gifts featured below are available online (click the link below the image) and are under $100!!!

Jurlique Sugar Spiced Eco Candle $35.00 available from www.jurlique.com.au and from Jurlique Stores

This candle is of a more sophisticated festive ilk, housed in a very decor friendly chocolate frosted glass jar. The scent is powerful enough to fill a room with it's beautiful spiced cinnamon and brown sugar smell, Jurlique sure knows how to make a delicious smelling candle.

ASOS Leather iPad Case in Metallic Crackle $47.61 available from www.asos.com

One of the best things my Mum ever did was buy an iPad, she is obsessed with it and is on it constantly cheeking Twitter, reading the news and sending me cute animal stories from smh.com. iPad accessories can be drab, boring and way too over priced, this gold leather case ticks all the practical and glamours boxes a tech savvy Mother needs.

Korres Nourishing Almond and Linseed Hair Mask $19.05 available from www.asos.com

Some Mother's are not into the glitz of perfume and cosmetics as gifts but still love a little indulgence from time to time a face or hair mask is perfect gift for the au'naturale Mother. Korres is a Greek brand made of naturally derived ingredients which smell divine, this hair mask is really nourishing and great for dry or damaged hair and the packaging is a cool as a cucumber.

Mason Pearson Handy Bristle and Nylon Hair Brush $99.00 available from www.victoriasbasement.com.au

This hair brush is very nostalgic for me, it was the brush my mother used to comb the knots out of my hair before school everyday. Mason and Pearson brushes are a complete luxury and I know there are much more affordable brushes on the planet but these last for years and years and the bristles keep your hair really shiny and healthy. If you search around online there are lots of sites which offer them at dramatically cheaper prices,so my advice would be to buy online.

Farmer Jo Muesli from $14.95 available from www.farmerjo.com.au

Farmer Jo Muesli is soooooo tasty, it is like a muesli party in your mouth. If your Mum likes indulgent organic foods or you are just looking for a delicious stocking stuffer then look no further. I love the Burnt Fig and Cinnamon flavor and am looking forward to munching on a bowl of it on Christmas morning whilst we open our pressies together.

This Works. Sleep Balm Beauty Bauble $22.85 available from www.asos.com

The ultimate present would be to give my Mother back all the sleepless nights I have given her growing up, this being impossible an extremely amazing nights sleep to make up for it is my only option. This Works. Sleep Balm has the most soothing and calming scent, and when rubbed on your pulse points makes you drift off within minutes, perfect for over tired and over worked Mums.

xxx Nella

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What's in my bag: Fashion Week Essentials

Next week is MBFW?!?! That is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week here in Sydney. I will be attending a few shows to cover beauty and hair trends to share with you dear readers and also do a lot of people watching. I am a little nervous about the week long event, so organising myself with lists and pre-packing my handbag is making me feel a little more at ease. Here are my essentials which will be seeing me through the week, I want to be more prepared than a girl scout going to camp!

Mason Pearson Junior Bristle and Nylon Brush $115.00
Once you Mason Pearson you will never go back, I hate all other hairbrushes. The difference is that when you brush your hair the bristles grip your hair and distribute natural oils and any product from the roots to the tips and it just makes your hair look 'done'. They are pricey but they do have the royal seal of approval, worth it.
Available from www.victoriasbasement.com.au

Avene Eau Thermal Spring Spray $7.99
French water in a can, calms my nerves. A spritz after applying makeup gives a dewy glow to the skin to avoid the cakey look.
Available from www.chemistwarehouse.com.au

Beauté Gazette Business Cards
Just in case! If you have a blog please get yourself some business cards, they are super useful when you are at events and meeting people.

Tissues
Because I don't want to sneeze on any fancy fashion people.

Panadol
Fashion might give me a headache.

HydraLyte
People in the fashion industry are usually quite thin, so I am unsure about sustenance over the week. I am also contemplating packing some protein bars and spacefood sticks.

Chuppa Chups
Same same, I'm sure at that 3pm daily slump fashion people just pop the champagne and Ciroc but I am packing Chuppa Chups.

Benah Kodi Bag $580.00
I LOVE BENAH! This bag is the cutest and just fashion enough to not feel judged and eyed off by all of the Celine and Chanel bags during the week.
Available from www.thebenah.com

Dries Van Noten X Linda Farrow Sunglasses
A little Anna Wintor and a little nap time, if it all gets too much I will just have some shut eye behind my glasses.
Available from www.lagarconne.com

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal $66.00
Having such a small bag is limiting....So I am busting out the trial size products. This product is instant glowy dewy healthy full of life in a tube. Pat around the cheekbones, temples and cupids bow and you will look 10% more like a Victoria's Secret Model.
Available from www.beccacosmetics.com

Stila Perfecting Concealer $37.00
What if I get a stress pimple from all the fashion?
Available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Becca Beach Tint in Grapefruit $42.00
Dewy cheeks, check! Its all about a bold dark lip so I am toning down the blush.
Available from www.beccacosmetics.com

Revlon Grow Lucious Mascara $21.95
Woah! Hello lashes! This big fat mascara wand gives you mega full on lashes in seconds. It is the only mascara I have found which is comparable to Make Up For Ever's smokey lash.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Loreal Shine Caresse in 200 Princess $19.20
After fiddling around with these, I have decided that I like them over the top of a lipstick to act as a long wear gloss.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Topshop Lip Pencil in Surrender $13.00
Hi vampy trampy lips.....a colour that I have been scared of wearing but my boyfriend is out of town and the fashion folks will totally get it.
Available from www.topshop.com

Kiki K Diary $19.95 and Pen
I am one of those people that no matter how many ical's and google calanders I have I still need to physically write something down to remember it.
Available from www.kikki-k.com

Pentax Camera
My trusty Pentax Optio is takes great photos and is very compact but if there is a camera fairy godmother reading I would really like the Pentax Q10 in Silver...pretty please.
Available from www.crkennedy.com.au

I will be updating you all on my fashion adventures constantly via Twitter and Instagram all the links are below.....Wish me luck!

xxx Nella

Twitter @beautegazette

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Winter Hair Care

So its finally winter, no more bare legs and skirts or just letting your hair dry naturally on your way to work - Yep its cold, its snuggle weather.
When initially starting this blog I did think to myself - probably wont write much about hair stuff because I don't do that much to my hair. That was a load of baloney! After a long summer of sun, beach, salt, maybe washing my hair once week because it looked good all beached out and gross. I am now paying the price, my hair is having a meltdown. Also I should mention I just dyed my hair from blondie to dark red after having a personality crisis stemming from a certain boy - I also pierced my ears with a second hole but that's another story.
Now I have got a handle on my mane here are my favourite winter hair care products :


1. Organic Care Shampoo and Conditioner 
This is from Woolworths its stinking cheap like $3.90 or something like that - no more than $5.00.

But its REALLY GOOD! My favourite thing about it is that its got No SLES, SLS, ALES, ALS and is free of Parabens and Prochemical cleanser.

2. Lady Jane Wide Tooth Comb
Heaps of hair dressers say that you shouldn't comb your hair when its wet - screw them. Using a wide tooth comb to get your leave in conditioner or treatments all through and well distributed is the best. The Lady Jane one is cute and has a nifty handle to hang off your tap in the shower. It was like $3.49 from Priceline.
3. La Biosthetique Conditionneur Protection Couleur
Ok bring out the big guns - this is expensive. I dont even know how much it costs because I have permanently deleted the memory of spending that much on a fancy conditioner. La Biostehtique is a salon brand, so maybe just try a treatment when you are next at a salon that uses it. This does make my hair shiney and lovely but I am looking for another alternative because I wont buy this again. But if you're really ritzy and you want to have a posh bathroom get it - fuck it get the 1500ml salon size!
4. John Frieda Sheer Mist Perfect Ends Full Repair
Any heat protecting product is a must in winter, you're not letting your hair dry naturally - and if your are - you're crazy! I am full heat blow drying the shit out of my hair within 10mins of getting out of the shower. Cold wet manky hair on my neck in winter is just gross and you will get a cold. This stuff is great, it doesn't leave any residue in my hair and makes the ends nice and silky, but I think I use too much because I have been buying a bottle every 2 weeks or so because its so good.
5. Mason Pearson Hair Brush
This has never not been in my hair care routine - since my mum was brushing my hair as wee blonde babe till now. Everyday I have used a Mason Pearson hair brush, and they are THE BEST. I've grown up and so has my brush, I now use the Boar bristle and Nylon. It really gives your scalp a good massage and all those lovely good oils get distributed through your hair when brushing.
6. Kérastase Elixir Ultime
Firstly this smells exactly the same as Tom Ford's Black Orchid. Is that enough? When that whole Moroccan oil thing started I tried it - wasn't my thing. If you have tried one of those oil type products and haven't got on well with it like it make your hair all slick and gross. Try the Elixir Ultime, it makes your hair super shiny and pageant worthy without being oily or heavy. Did I mention it smells like Tom Ford's Black Orchid? Probably the best winter scent ever.