Gifts Galore...

9 Days to go til the big ho ho ho... If you're struggling to find a gift, here's a few more ideas...

No7 Skin and Bodycare Bag £25
The Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Oasis £20
Fresh Sweet Smoothie Treat £10

All Boots.

Redder than Rudolf?

Shu Uemura's Base Control is one of the brand's signature products and is perfect for these cold winter months. This genius little creation is applied under foundation to reduce dullness, redness and even out the skin tone.

There are four blending and highlighting shades - silver, gold, bronze, and white - which can be mixed with foundation to enhance glow and smooth texture. There are also two correcting shades available in green and purple which cleverly use lighting technology to optically correct the way we see red. These are worn under foundation and are perfect for correcting any flaws whilst helping make-up to stay in place for longer.

At this time of year when the cold weather bites and all outer extremities turn a bright shade of Rudolf red, we're lucky to have found a product that really works. Thumbs up from (what was) the reddest deer in town!

Available from £15 at select UK retailers or online at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/.

Bulldog becomes UK's first cruelty free brand for men

Men! (Or ladies buying for men) Do you want a moisturiser that hasn't been tested on animals? If so then look no further as Bulldog has become the UK's first cruelty-free male grooming brand to be recognised and approved by BUAV (British Union for Abolition of Vivisection) under their Humane Cosmetics Standard.

Born out of frustration that there were no options available for switched-on men who wanted to reduce the number of man-made chemicals in their bathrooms, Bulldog's products also don't contain controversial man-made chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours, or synthetic fragrances.

Bulldog Co-Founder, Simon Duffy, said: "I'm delighted that Bulldog is the first male grooming brand to be recognised by the BUAV. Consumers deserve to know that the products that they use are cruelty free." Bulldog is now calling on other brands such as L'Oreal Men Expert, Nivea For Men and Gillette to follow its example and make their own positions clear.

Founded in 2006 by Simon Duffy and Rhodri Ferrier, Bulldog has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a comprehensive men’s range of grooming products including an anti-aging moisturiser, a facial scrub and sensitive shave gel.

For more information visit http://www.meetthebulldog.com/.

Gifts Galore...

Cute retro packaging and bursts of watermelon and pink grapefruit for only £15. This Spa Paradisa tropical sensation shower set includes body cream, exfoliating shower wash and bath lily. Debenhams.com

Dove pro-age is a huge hit with the ladies already, so get granny something you know she'll like for a pocket friendly £7.50. Boots.com

And on our wish list... Burts Bees Polka Dot Perfect Mani-Pedi £20 from Boots.com £20.

Gifts Galore...

With the Christmas clock ticking we are going to provide a December full of treats...

Today... the natural, pure way...

For a natural treat that's luxurious and guilt free invest in the divine WILD organics. Derived from fresh lime, white willow, red clover and mellow peppermint, these 99% natural products are free from harmful chemicals but still leave skin feeling clean and invigorated. The fruity line up includes washes, scrubs and lotions to pamper the skin, and 10% of sales goes to charity. Available from QVC, prices from £12.50.

Lily Allen announces break from music to set up fashion boutique

Pop princess Lily Allen has announced in an interview with Radio 1's Sara Cox that she will be taking a break from making music to set up a fashion boutique.

Lily confirmed that her last gig before the planned sabbatical will be with Dizzee Rascal concert at the O2 in March 2010. It seems that the singer aims to turn over a new leaf, she wants to “stop being so hypocritical”, to reduce her online presence and start leading a ‘neo-luddite’ lifestyle.

That’s not to say she’ll be putting her feet up and relaxing all day long; Lily and her sister plan to launch Lucy in Disguise, a fashion rental store in which designer clothes will be hired-out to the public at a fraction of the price they would cost to buy.

Talking of her new venture, Lily said: "It's about getting really nice clothes but letting people rent them for affordable prices so they can go out and feel like a million dollars and it won't cost them a million dollars."

Lily has also announced that she will be setting up her own small-scale record label in which she wants to provide support for emerging artists.

It’s not clear which venture will take priority; however for Lily Allen fans it’s fair to say there will be a long wait before she releases any new material.

To listen to the full interview, click here.

Beat the budget; it’s offers galore!

It’s December, it’s nearly Christmas, is anyone else biting their nails over the budget? Of course we’re not talking about the one that Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling are banging heads over, but if we were we’d be high fiving one and other as we’ve found 20 excellent deals to see us through to next payday.

1. Up to 20% off in The Gift Spectacular until Thursday 3^rd December and Free Delivery at Debenhams today (enter SHC5 at the checkout).

2. 25% off Home and Gift orders at Laura Ashley Wednesday 9th December (enter 19AG at the checkout).

3. 25% off in-store and online at Monsoon until Monday 7th December (enter MON25 at the checkout or download voucher here and take in-store).

4. 20% off orders at Wallis until Wednesday 2nd December (enter VCP20 at the checkout).

5. £10 off orders over £75 at ASOS until Sunday 13th December (enter STEALLATER at the checkout).

6. 10% off menswear orders at ASOS until Thursday 3^rd December (enter ASOSMANTREAT at the checkout).

7. 10% off orders at Buyagift until Sunday 6^th December (enter vcodesuk10 at the checkout).

8. £5 off all Christmas orders over £25 at Buyagift until Thursday 31^st December (enter xmas5 at the checkout).

9. £10 off all Christmas orders over £100 at Buyagift until Thursday 31^st December (enter xmas10 at the checkout).

10. 50% off classic and continental chocolates at Thorntons until Friday 4^th December (enter VC19 at the checkout).

11. £5 off orders over £50 at GAME until Sunday 6^th December (enter VCCOUK50 at the checkout).

12. 12% off orders plus Free Delivery and Returns at Boden until Thursday 10^th December (enter LN1Q at the checkout).

13. 13% off orders at Red Letter Days (enter VCODES13 at the checkout).

14. Save up to 50% on fragrances at Amazon until Thursday 10^th December, visit the website for more information.

15. 5% off all orders over £30 at Feel Unique until Wednesday 16th December (enter XMAS2009 at the checkout).

16. Free Delivery on orders over £75 at Liberty until Thursday 31^st December (enter VCCOUKDEL at the checkout).

17. 10% off Christmas Gifts over £15 at Hotel Chocolat until Wednesday 23rd December (enter VCXMAS09 at the checkout).

18. 20% off online orders at Peacocks until Saturday 5th December (enter NOV20OFF at the checkout).

19. Free Delivery and Luxury Gift Wrap at Myla until Tuesday 22^nd December (enter Mylafree at the checkout).

20. 15% off at Bagzontherun.com until Sunday 20^th December (enter botru at the checkout).

Wowza! Now don’t say we don’t give you anything!