The Christmas Tag.

As we all know, Christmas is creeping up very closely. I'm thoroughly enjoying coming home from UNI to multiple vlogmas/Christmas themed videos everyday on YouTube. I think with being at University, it's so hard to get into the Christmas spirit as you're thinking of all the deadlines you have to meet and stressing over them instead of basking in 'the most wonderful time of the year' - I know, this year especially, I've found it quite hard. 

So, to try and prepare myself for the season a bit more, I thought I would do "The Christmas Tag" also, it gives you lovely people reading, a little more insight to my life and a little snippet of how my Christmas will more than likely go. 

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

As soon as I read this question I immediately thought of Elf, but then re-thinking it, it would definitely have to be Home Alone 1&2. Home Alone, never, ever fails to make me laugh, no matter how many times I watch it. I just think little Kevin McAllister is a genius. It also always makes me want to celebrate Christmas in New York, imagine how festive that would be! I also really love The Muppets Christmas Carol - but who doesn't?!

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Last year my Mom gave us huge bags on Christmas Eve with pyjamas and a mug inside, with a film and a few sweets to eat with the film, but this year, I don't think she will be doing this. So, Christmas morning definitely - I think doing them Christmas Eve kind of takes away all the magic!

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I think I have far too many Christmas memories to write down - something I don't actually remember but I have seen in a family home video, is me aged 3 or 4 sat on my Nan's lap opening up presents and not leaving her side (because I was ill). I don't think then it was a very fond memory, but since she passed away and I saw the clip I remember it so frequently that it's become one of my favourite memories outside of Christmas as well!

4. Favourite festive food?

I'm just going to throw this out there...I'm not a huge fan on chocolate. I'm not the type who would sit there and eat chocolate so early in the morning - if I even ate it on Christmas Day at all! My favourite festive food has to be the Turkey, right?! We get to eat the majority of the same food all year round but its not often you get to eat a turkey with all the trimmings and whatnot, now, is it?

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

When I was younger I remember begging my parents every single year for a Baby Born and I would always hopefully unwrap presents hoping she would appear, but instead I used to get Baby Annabelle or Baby Alive and although I loved them too - it was never Baby Born - but I vividly remember when I did receive my Baby Born and I cried for so long whilst I tried to free her from the box because I was just so happy that she could join my little baby collection, haha - that sounds a bit strange.

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

Ah, this is easy. My favourite scent of all time is Apple, the apple scent is just something I absolutely adore, so when in Christmas the apple scents become a little bit more spicy - I just can't cope, especially when I can smell apple crumble being cooked...

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

Noooo, I wish we did. Other than sitting down, watching films and going to bed early, nothing spectacular. Though this year will be different as my boyfriend and I will probably FaceTime each other until midnight and wish each other Happy Christmas and then fall asleep and wake up on FaceTime together, which should be rather cute and lovely, (I'm secretly very excited for this).

8. What tops your tree?

An angel, always has been an angel and even when I get my own place and have my own little tree, I'll still have a little angel sat at the top of my tree so she can watch over me and my little family.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

This is actually a hard one, because I don't really remember...I kind of just forgot because I'd get something just as good and be extremely happy with that - though I'm sure my parents probably remember a few tears over something I never got. This year (even though I haven't asked for one) it will unfortunately be a MacBook that I won't be receiving.

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

The best part about Christmas for me, beside all the music and decorations (and films on television, oh god, they're good). Is family. This year, just like last year will be so special, because I don't get to spend a large amount of time with my family, I always appreciate it so much more when I do, so I know this year I'll absolutely love it - considering that it's one of my nieces first Christmas and also because my youngest nephew and second youngest niece are both three, so they kind of understand Christmas more, so I can't wait to see their excitement. 

Well...it certainly got me a bit more excited! I can happily say that I'm excited to give my boyfriend all of his presents and I'm excited to be awoken at 6am with smiling parents on the 25th! Now that all of my UNI work (due before Christmas) is out of the way...maybe I can actually relax and start to enjoy the festive season!!

Thank you all for reading, and if you would like, leave a comment down below telling me what your favourite part of Christmas is!

Chels x

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30 Beauty Questions Tag.

I have recently been tagged in the '30 Beauty Questions' tag, and since it's been quite a while since I uploaded anything beauty related, I thought I would give it a go. I hope you all enjoy, maybe learn something new? and get a little bit of inspiration from my answers.

1. Do you remember your first makeup item? I mean, when I was younger I'd receive a lot of 'cheap' kids make up, but the first product I bought was a pencil eyeliner from Barry M.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications? Its a tie between Maybelline Last Sensational and Benefits They're Real! I have to say that the Maybelline one is definitely preferred, but both fit exactly what I look for!

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation? It depends! In the summer, I rarely wear foundation, if anything its just a simple BB cream, but in the winter, I definitely prefer full coverage!

4. Favourite high end brand? It's so hard to pick one as I am a huge lover of Benefit, Urban Decay, MAC, NARS...etc. Though I own more Urban Decay products (my beloved Naked 2 will always win).

5. What cosmetic brand have you always wanted to try but still haven't? Tarte! I have fawned over Tarte products for so, so many years and I am yet to try their products.

6. Favourite drugstore brand? Ah Rimmel or Maybelline - I couldn't chose between them as they were staples in my earlier teenage years!

7. Do you wear fake eyelashes? When I go out with everyone from UNI, or its a very special occasion, I tend to buy a pair - I absolutely LOVE Fleur De Force's Eylure range!

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can't leave the house without? Whichever lipstick I am wearing on that day, granted its more than likely MAC Whirl. 

9. What is your most cherished beauty product? Has to be either my Naked 2 or my Morphe palette.

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get loads of goodies at once?  I pick up items here and there, normally when I can't afford to be doing so - but I'm always on the hunt for new make up.

11. Do you have a beauty budget or do you spend freely? I usually spend freely, I mean, it depends if I have the money, I will spend it.

12. Do you utilise coupons, reward cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics? Unfortunately couponing its not something thats overly done in the UK, though when No7 have vouchers, I will use them to my hearts content - as well as my Boots Rewards Card.

13. What type of products do you buy the most? Definitely eyeshadows - although they're all basically the same colour.

14. Is there a brand that you absolutely cannot stand? Nope, I'm always looking to try new brands and I've never disliked any of them.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulphate? No, I never think of these kind of things, I trust a lot of bloggers and Youtubers and if they like the product, I'm certain I will too.

16. Do you have a favourite place to shop for makeup? Boots, boots all the way.

17. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine? I have an endless amount of skincare products - though more recently I've stuck to my Garnier Micellar Water and then Simple's Facial Toner and Hydrating Moisturiser.

18. Favourite bath and body brand? Lush...I cannot express how much I love Lush.

19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose? Definitely Urban Decay, they have everything a girl could want and more!

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging? YSL, for sure. I think the packaging is so sleek and classy.

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup? Tanya Burr! Though some may not class her as a celebrity, she has been my role model for a long time - and I'm always keeping up with her lifestyle.

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities? Not yet, though that's something that I would love to do in the future!

23. 5 favourite beauty gurus? Although they're all not 100% beauty guru's - these are people I like to watch/read about when they talk about beauty. Tanya Burr, Zoe Sugg, Gabriella Lindley (velvetgh0st), PixiWoo & Estee Lalonde.

24. Do you like multi functional products like lip and cheek stains? I've never really adventured into that type of beauty - though I have used bronzer for eyeshadow more than once.

25. Are you clumsy when putting on makeup? If I'm in a rush - then my make up will end up everywhere.

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes? Yes, I use Urban Decays - Primer Potion in Eden

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day? If I wash my hair - then three products, if not, just the one.

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation? If I'm having a bad skin day - concealer!

29. Do you ever consider taking makeup classes? When I was younger I had a make-up lesson from Estee Lauder - but other than that, I've had nothing, but would love to work with someone like NARS.

30. What do you love about makeup? Messing, in general. I love creating new looks and playing with new products. I love changing up eyeshadow combinations.

Thank you very much for reading and I apologise again for how long its taken me to upload a new post - I have had the busiest summer but I promise that from now on, uploads will definitely be more frequent. 

Chels x

twitter; @chelssteward

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