L'Oreal Telescopic mascara

You meet someone with amazingly long eyelashes, you ask them if they just have amazingly long eyelashes or whether they have found the holy grail of mascaras. None of them ever say 'well yes, I am blessed with amazing eyelashes.' They modestly blush and say 'well, I do use xxx mascara' I rush out and buy xxx mascara and sigh heavily.

This, my friends is what brings us to today's mascara review.

It's nothing special whatsoever. The search continues. In the meantime my favourite is still Max Factor Masterpiece Max.

Nail fun

This purchase was totally unnecessary but so much fun. It's basically one of those nail displays you see when you go and buy nail varnish. The Opi counter in Selfridges has it so you can hold each fake nail next to your own and see what the colour will look like. Well, I saw them online for a massive £1.50 each and thought 'must have!' and so indeed, I had.

I ordered seven - one for me and six for the lady who does my nails each week. Every week I go through her vast collection picking each one out thinking 'hmmm, not sure, maybe that one' and no doubt it drives her mad.

I spent an extremely happy half an hour painting each nail with my own collection and here is another picture.

It's basically the grown-up, slightly OCD take on colouring in. If you want some of your own to play with, you can buy them here. I can't really describe how much fun it is and the reaction I've had - people have oohed and aahed!

Recommended

I now have a new label for my A list products that I heartily recommend.  It's called, handily enough, Recommended.

Thanks for reading.

Origins Clean Energy oil

I never really reported back fully on this. I bought it a few months back and have just purchased my second bottle. It's wonderful and not at all oily. You put it on dry skin and then lather up from there. It rinses off easily and leaves your skin dewy and soft. I love it. It also lasts a fair amount of time and you don't need much of it. You can get it here. For £15 I think it's a bargain.

Highly recommended.

Kindle love

Why am I writing about my new Christmas present? It's not beauty related. Aha, but I have managed to combine my love of gadgets with my love of shopping by buying The Book in Kindle form. This means whenever I shop and I smell a perfume, I can immediately look it up! Me, a geek? Never!

Watch out bank balance. I think I need a perfume declutter actually before I go and sniff some more.

Anyway, since we're here talking about Kindles, I can report that I love it. It's so dinky and easy to use. You can get loads of classics for free and this means I have no excuse, I will read Anna Karenina. I shall do so while wearing red lipstick and an elegant hat. Rather like a Mad Men character.

New perfume

Christmas isn't Christmas without a bottle of perfume under the tree. And so my exploration of Guerlain scents continues and my enthusiasm is not dented by having several bottles now.

To recap, here is what I have:
L'Heure Bleue
Idylle
Mitsouko
Nahema
Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune

Out of those, Mitsouko is my favourite for several reasons. Mainly I feel it can be worn at any time of the day and whatever mood I am in. It's just wonderfully comforting and always right. It doesn't make a hangover worse (in fact, I find it helps clear my mind) and it never feels too much.

I love L'Heure Bleue and blogged about it here.  However it's really not a day scent unless you want people around you to wonder if you have another 'evening' job.  It's very heavy and sexy. I love it and often put it on after an evening bath and spend the night sniffing my wrists.

Idylle was a Christmas present last year. I wasn't wild about it to start with but I have grown to really like it. It's quite sweet which isn't my usual taste but it's very classy. When I am in the mood for it, I enjoy it.

Nahema is rosy heaven.  I love it but again, it's not a perfume for any time of the day. I have to be in the mood and it can give me a headache. When I am in the mood, it's simply fantastic and lasts beautifully. I love it even more a few hours into wearing it.

Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune reminds me of the South of France as I bought it for a holiday there. To me, this is such a holiday perfume. It's full of sunshine and happiness. But it's not a perfume for this time of year. It feels like I am trying to fool myself if I wear it in January.

So, that brings me to my new perfume. It is Apres L'Ondee. I tried this a year or so ago and was unimpressed. However, earlier this month I tried it again and was bowled over. It just goes to show how emotional and mood-driven perfume can be. This is just a lovely scent. Very comforting and soft. The Book describes it as a heavenly heliotrope and one of the twenty greatest perfumes of all time. I am not going to argue with that. It's also another beautiful bottle from Guerlain. They really know their perfume.  I am going to have to go to the shop in Paris soon...

Feeling sluggish?

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. I am sure some of you go for Boxing Day jogs and so on but if you're anything like me, you're feeling a tad sluggish. I have just the solution and it's not too expensive. Grab a bottle of this baby and jump in the shower. Elle Macphearson's Double Duty Cleanse & Scrub.

It's a really zingy scrub and you can feel it doing you good. The best bit though is the Instantly Smooth Firming Lotion. This is almost the perfect body lotion. It smells lovely, it sinks in easily with no tackiness and it makes your legs (or wherever else you put it!) tingle like mad. For about half an hour after you put it on. It must be firming my wobbly bits, right?!

I discovered this a few weeks ago and have been meaning to share with you all.

Nail colour of the weekend

I can never resist a Christmas nail polish and this year I have bought Ali's Big Break from the OPI Burlesque collection. It's a beautiful shimmery, low-sparkle red. Very Christmassy indeed. I just applied it (not very well or I'd give you a photo).

Now I am very much in the festive mood.

Nail colour of the week

This week's colour is a new Essie one - Smokin' Hot. Already it wins for having such a great name. It's also a fabulous colour. A dark grey with a very slight dark purple tinge, it's gorgeous. I love it. Next week my nails with be a Christmassy red. Watch this space...

Eye palettes - j'adore

I have a weakness for an eye palette. I don't know what it is - I think it's the combination of pretty colours all together and the possibilities contained within. Oh if I just have that eye palette, I too will have gorgeous eyes and look effortlessly chic... so the thinking goes.

This month's Red magazine has a list of the best beauty buys, I shall post more on this at a later date. And they recommend Dior eye palettes as the best eye shadow. I found myself in Westfield this week and so I went to have a little look. Dior make-up has never really been on my radar before. But the eye palettes are amazing. So beautiful and perfect colours. However, they are £39. Seeing as I do have a rather large eye shadow collection and I am still enjoying my Bobbi Brown eye shadows, sanity prevailed. So I pored over them all for a while and reluctantly walked away into Boots.

There I walked past Bourjois which had eye palettes for a rather more reasonable £6. Three eyeshadows instead of five but one can't have everything. Also, I have been told many times that Chanel make Bourjois make-up do you are hardly slumming it if you choose this over Dior. It was enough to sate my desire for an eye palette without spending silly money. Also, they currently have a 3 for 2 offer on. I did just buy one though - the grey set. You can check out the colours here.

I am very impressed with it. It applies beautifully (as long as you have the right brushes - why do they even bother giving you those stupid sponge things?) and lasts for hours. I wore the smoky eye to my Christmas party on Friday night and no smudging at all. Impressive.

I recommend it. If you have the money and buy the Dior set (or already have it), please do tell me what you think as I still have my eye on it... excuse the pun.

Also, as I was googling for the Dior set to show you, I found this. How divine. Christian Dior* me indeed.

*Best line in a song from Evita.

Cover Girl's Heroes of 2010

We don't need another hero. Except we do. We always need beauty heroes. 2010 is drawing to a close and it seems timely to look back over the past 12 months and the dozens of products I've tried to give you my heroes of 2010. These are the new discoveries that have become my must-haves.

I think it's best to start with perfume. It's always my favourite place to begin. My Chanel Bois des Iles has been a revelation. From the moment I realised Chanel did exclusive perfumes, only available in standalone stores or Selfridges, London, I was intrigued. The entire experience in Selfridges is one to behold and if you've not been, I can't recommend it enough. The women are scarily orange and over made-up but it's beautifully done and designed to make you want the perfume like you've never wanted anything. Restrain not being one of my characteristics, I succumbed. I used getting married as my excuse to spend £170 on a bottle of perfume. But you get 200ml. So that's alright then. A day doesn't go past when I am not delighted I bought it. It is just completely divine. Soft, not overpowering but sexy and immensely sniffable. This is a perfume where you just smell your wrist all day long.

My second hero is Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energising Mask. I don't know what I did before I got this. It works a treat. It was something I knew instinctively would be amazing when I read about it. It's a skin life saver and really good for the party season. Ask for it in your Christmas stocking.

Speaking of masks. The Sisley Radiance Mask is also another firm favourite. This is perfect to pep your skin up and is such a joy to use. It's ruinously expensive and I am very grateful to my lovely friends for buying it for me.

Back in July I know you were all on the edge of your seat wondering what nail varnish I would choose for my wedding day. I know, right? Bermuda Shorts it was. This is a classic in the making. Such a bright purple and yet very wearable. I shall look forward to digging it out again in Spring - it's certainly a sunshine colour. And Essie gets an honourable mention - best nail varnish hands down in terms of application.

The jury is still out on the Brazilian blow dry but the Pureology shampoo I discovered is a keeper. I won't use any other shampoo now. Shiny hair and hardly any product plus SLS-free. I love it.

Speaking of hair, Moroccan Hair Oil is fab-u-lous. The hair literally drinks it up. I am thinking of just dousing my hair in it and seeing what happens! Shine without grease - It's a Christmas miracle!

Finally, my love affair with Bobbi Brown continues. The corrector I got as part of my wedding makeover is wonderful. I don't use it everyday as I am actually quite lazy (can you believe it?!) but for those mornings where you despair, it's worth having. 

Thank you to you, my lovely readers. I enjoy all your comments. Keep telling me what you think.

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

Now I don't do home hair colour. This is not me being a snob (well, it's only a little bit me being a snob), it's mainly because I am hopeless at it. The bathroom looks like an abattoir, I ruin towels and bath mats, my neck and ears go brown, I get patchy results as my hair is too thick to ensure I can actually apply it properly. Total disaster.

So for the last 10 years or so I have had my hair coloured by a hairdresser. Yes, it is more expensive but I get a permanent colour so they only do the roots and it means every single hair gets coloured. However, I was in Boots yesterday and this caught my eye. A foam colour. No dripping they say. Easy to apply and covers all grey they say.

I remain sceptical so I thought I'd ask you all if anyone had tried it and had any feedback? The website is fun - you can put in your hair colour, say how much grey you have and they give you a selection of colours they think will suit you.

Nail colour of the week

Bit late to post with this but this week's colour is Essie's Poor Lil Rich Girl. A very nice red but it's a bit too browny for me as I tend towards pinky reds.

Yes, I am obsessed with hair

I make no apologies. It's very cold out and my hair always appreciates some extra loving. I've been meaning to write about this for a while. A dear friend bought me this - the friend I went to have the Brazilian Blow Dry with. We're hair buddies!

Anyway, she got this for me and it's divine. It smells like total heaven and the scent really lingers in your hair. You hardly need any and it totally smooths and conditions your hair. I use it once a week. I don't leave it on for as long as they say as I am quite impatient. It would be perfect to take on a beach holiday too. You can buy it here. And I have just noticed how much it is. Thank you Fiona. Have I told you lately that I love you?

Moroccan Hair Oil - update

Since I posted about this the other week, I seem to be seeing this hair oil everywhere. It's in Grazia magazine this week as a 2010 beauty buy. I am sooooo ahead of the curve. Well, by about a week or so anyway.

I am here to tell you it is truly a miracle product. I absolutely love it. Run don't walk. You need this. If you want your hair to look like this picture. Which isn't mine. But it's shiny isn't it?

OPI's My Private Jet

It's hard not to buy a nail varnish with such a name. So obviously I didn't even try and resist. My nails are still in Material Girl so I've not tried it yet but it's a sparkly grey. Normally I hate sparkly varnish but for this name, I make an exception.

The day I fly in a private jet - and yes, I have every intention of doing so one day - I will take great joy in wearing this colour.

More bubble bath

It must be winter as I am posting about bubble baths. Twice in one week! Winter and a rather intense work week = lots of bubble baths.

So, this is my absolute favourite bubble bath of all time. Yes. I am making a strong claim for Best for this. It's amazing. Olivina bubble baths. It comes in three flavours: Lavender (divine), Olive (fresh and green - yummy) and Fig (FIG! Need I say more?) It has no nasties in it. It's a pretty bottle and not made of glass (always annoys me). It's total heaven and if you've not tried it, add it to your Christmas wish list. I've just ordered two bottles as they had free shipping on at lookfantastic.com.

No, it's not cheap. Sorry. But it lasts for a long time unless you are married to someone who is also a bit partial.

Today's nail colour

A classic for today's cold, winter weather. Essie's Material Girl. Very dark, almost purpley red. Gorgeous.

A bubble bath at the end of a long week

At the end of a, frankly long and arduous, week, I felt the need for a bubble bath. And I was in a rare position of running low on supplies. How did I let that happen? So I picked up a bottle of this on the way home. I wasn't expecting much but it is really lovely.  I've no idea what is in it but it's not over scented yet very bubbly and it has a strangely medicinal smell but in a good way. And it's only £4.10.What a bargain.

Of course I got home and did a bubble bath order immediately online.

Moroccan Hair Oil

I went for a much-needed visit to the hairdresser tonight. After two weeks in Thailand, my hair needed some TLC. Plus it's growing really fast so the roots were a bit desperate. Anyway, my colourist put in very dark lowlights which I am loving it as it makes the colour richer. Then my stylist used this Moroccan Hair Oil. You put a few drops on your wet hair and then blow dry. I was very unsure as I thought "oil = grease".

I could not be more wrong. It's miraculous. It makes hair super-shiny and no trace of oiliness. Obviously I bought some. It comes with a pump dispenser so you don't put too much on. I have since discovered that seemingly the entire internet is raving about it. Google it and you'll see what I mean.

Finally it seems it's good whatever your hair type - thick, thin, coarse, fine. Miracle product? Maybe. I shall keep you all posted.

Toe nail colour of the week

I had a pedicure in New York and picked this Essie colour - Limited Addiction. It's a lovely classic red.

I had Midnight Cami on my fingers this week and I've told you about this before. Still loving it.

Essie has some new colours out and the one I really want is Smokin' Hot. Check it out:

The New York beauty haul

I have just come back from a work trip to Manhattan where it is obligatory to shop. I was tireless in my efforts to cover the island and bring back goodies. I did very well on the beauty front.

Here is what I got:

Urban Decay eyeliner in Stash. How I love these eyeliners, they have amazing staying power and come in gorgeous colours.
Urban Decay eye primer. Because I forgot to take mine and you can never have too much.
Tweezerman tweezers. I only have 5 pairs of Tweezers and one always needs more.
Philosophy Gingerbread shower gel and bubble bath. In a mini bottle. I couldn't resist. I am not a huge Philosophy fan but this is lovely.
Clinique Laser Focus serum. I was advised to get this as it is half the price in the US. I love it. You can read more about it here. I'll report back properly on this when I've been using it for a few weeks.
I also got some hand cream as I am obsessed with hand cream.

And in exciting news, the Chanel limited perfumes (of which I have Bois des Iles) is now available in 100ml size in Bendel's. Now I didn't make it to Bendel's to confirm this rumour but I am excited about this. Next time, I am totally checking this out. They might even make it to these shores...

Hermes Voyage

My radio silence is due to the fact I've been on holiday. Thailand since you ask and yes, it was lovely thank you.

Bangkok airport: best beauty shopping I've seen at any airport. Just amazing counters with MAC, Nars etc all represented. And no annoying staff buzzing around you. I had a great time sampling and trying things.

Now obviously I don't need a new perfume so I didn't buy one. Yes, you read that correctly. However, I did sample the new Hermes one. (I know that has an accent over it somewhere but I don't know how to do that.) It is called Voyage and look at the advertising! I am not a horse kind of girl but I do think this advert is spectacular. And so perfect for Hermes.

The perfume is really lovely. It's unisex which normally does not appeal to me but it's really a gorgeous scent. It's light but interesting and I couldn't stop sniffing my arm. It's also expensive. Of course it is. Since when does Hermes ever do anything cheap?

This reminds me of when I went into the Bond St Hermes shop with my dear friend Hayley. I rather liked the enamel bracelets and was looking to see how much they were. I thought one said £60 and thought 'oh, that's affordable but that can't be right'. I checked and in fact that was the size. It was £450. For an enamel bracelet.

Anyway, if you are in need if a new perfume and have the money to spare, I can recommend Voyage.

That Gal - Benefit

Being at the airport for work on a Sunday necessitates a small spend I think we can all agree. Since the top I liked in Reiss wasn't available in my size, I bought this. I don't know why.  I think it was the prospect of a three-day conference, bad food and no sleep. I felt my skin might need some help.

This is a primer but you can wear it by itself which is what I did. It's got an ingenious way of dispensing, you twist the bottom and it comes out of little holes at the top. Literally minutes of fun to be had!

It's good. It brightens up your complexion and it's not heavy at all. I recommend it. Only £17 duty-free which I consider a bargain.

Bliss lid and lash remover

No, it doesn't actually remove your eyelids and lashes. That wouldn't be good. I ordered this when I did my lookfantastic order. I love Bliss products. And I am always on the quest to find an eye make-up remover that doesn't sting and actually works effectively.

Call off the search! Here it is. This stuff is miraculous. I tried it tonight on my heavy duty mascara (I wear quite a lot) and it removed it effortlessly. No rubbing. No panda eyes. It's a lovely clear gel. No stinging. I am LOVING it.

All about eyes

I've not tried a new mascara for ages which is a bit slack of me so I have given two a road test in the last few weeks.

First up Maybelline - The Falsies. Yes it really is called that. I picked this up in America where Maybelline is priced correctly unlike over here. It cost about $5. I rather liked this once I managed to apply it but it isn't easy to apply. Smudge-o-rama. The cotton buds were out in full to mop up my mistakes. However, this does make your lashes look longer, there is no doubt. But, application is key and I don't think I can recommend this. It's also hard work to get it off at the end of the day.

Next up, No 7 Exceptional Definition. Now, I never learn my lesson with No 7 mascara. This time I was tempted with the offer of a eye shadow palette if I bought the mascara. Look how pretty it is. How could I resist?

So I bought the mascara. And it's a complete waste of time. It's so underpowered. I put on four coats and peered into the mirror thinking 'surely I must be able to see some thickening or lengthening or something'. Nope. It's rubbish. But the eye palette is lovely and I would happily wear all the colours. So basically it was £12 for an eye palette. The mascara will be consigned to the bin (unless anyone wants it) and I shall now officially never buy No 7 mascara again. Also, where do they get the price from? It's Boots for goodness sake. If I want to spend £12 on a mascara, I shall go to Clinique.

I've just placed a big order at Lookfantastic. A great site by the way. They give you loads of freebies when you buy things. And I am quite excited about one purchase in particular. I shall report back.

This week's nail colour

A bit late to post this one but this week I chose Pouf Daddy. A lovely red and I have enjoyed it.

Yesterday I had 10 minutes to spare in the High Street Kensington Boots (which is one of the best Boots you can visit) and I was very tempted by Chanel's Paradoxal nail varnish. This is a very unusual looking purple. However, Chanel nail varnish really isn't worth the money (and it is expensive) as the formula simply isn't very good. So I resisted and bought other things instead which I'll tell you about soon.

Brazilian Blow Dry, part 4

I am officially liking it. It's taken a while for my hair to settle down into it and I think I was expecting a radical change which I haven't had. However, my hair does have that glossy blow-dried look. Even the day after I wash it. I love the shampoo and conditioner I bought too - they smell lovely and you hardly need any for full-on foamy action.

Am off to 80 degree heat in Washington DC today so that will be a test of the frizzy factor. However, two weeks in and it's a thumbs up.

Today's nail colour

Essie's Sew Psyched. Yes, my manicurist had the new colours in. What a treat at the end of a long and particularly trying day. We played with them all. I can confirm that Merino Cool is very nice indeed. A sort of mauve grey. Tres chic. And the Velvet Voyeur is a proper dark, dark purple. I nearly went for it but decided to go completely different and have this.

I like it but I am not sure I would want to own it. It's very stylish but I am not in love with it.

Essie's Autumn Collection

Well, they call it Fall but I am having none of that. Ooohhhhh - look at them. I want Merino Cool and Sew Psyched. And that's just for starters.

Brazilian Blow Dry, part 3

I've never been so delighted to wash my hair in my life. It was bliss. My concern about the SLS-free shampoo was unfounded. It lathers up beautifully and you hardly need any at all.

So, my hair. Is it worth it? I say yes. It's super shiny and it's much easier to style however it does still need some styling and by styling I mean blow drying. But, the task is much easier and more satisfying. So far, I am impressed. But I am not blown away (pun, fully intended). I would not call this life changing but it does make a difference and I imagine the longer your hair, the better the effect. Mine is shoulder-length.

I shall keep you all informed naturally.

Today's nail colour

As previously mentioned, Autumn is here and it's time to dig out the darks. Especially today on a rainy, overcast nasty day. So I went for Racy not Lacy. A lovely dark, dark red - Rouge Noir territory. Perfect. Cruella da Ville is moi.

Amazing M.A.C cake

I don't normally post about cakes but check this out:

Unbelievably clever. This is taken from the Cake Wrecks blog and you can see a lovely big picture here.

Brazilian Blow Dry, part 2

Coming up to the end of the 72 hours with no washing and styling of hair. Hardest thing ever. Urgh. My hair feels disgusting. It would be bad enough for me to leave my hair three days without washing it normally but this is when it's been coated in keratin and is really heavy.

I am literally counting the minutes until I can leap in the shower. I forgot to mention on my last post that you have to use special shampoo and conditioner (which naturally is very expensive). Basically you can't use products with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in them as it strips the keratin out of your hair. I am one who likes my SLSs! That's what gives you the lather.

I hope this is worth it...

Autumn colours

There is a slight nip in the air, leaves are falling, bonfire smoke can be smelt (well, if you live outside London I expect it can) and autumn is here.

I love this time of year. New beginnings, new school term, fresh pencils and notebooks. And of course, autumn colours to be worn. With clothes and make-up, I like to embrace the seasons. And none more so than autumn. There is something satisfying about warm woolly tights, tweed, knee high boots, scarves, cashmere. Mmmmmmmm!

I'm going to redo my nails today as the Forever Young has chipped a bit. And I plan to do them in Angora Cardigan. Another nail varnish from my recent visit to NYC. It's a gorgeous dusty purple/pink and so perfect for this time of year. It looks great with grey and with navy blue (something of an obsession at the moment in my wardrobe).

I am also embracing eyeshadow as opposed to eyeliner. Now the weather has cooled, it's much easier to wear without feeling overdone. So the wedding make-up is back on! As I said back in July, I had a Bobbi Brown makeover for my wedding. The eyeshadows I got are lovely. I have Ivory, Cement and Mahogany. You do the base in Ivory. The socket in Cement and the liner in Mahogany with one of those special brushes which you wet first. If that sounds like a faff, it's not. The whole thing takes me two minutes max. I prefer to wear darker eyeshadow as an eyeliner rather than buy a pencil. The effect is much softer. You, of course, blend all three. But you don't need me to tell you that.

And this week, the Chanel lipstick is being dusted off as well. It's time to look polished ladies. After all, the fashion is Mad Men. And you don't think those ladies wore lipgloss do you?

The Brazilian Blow Dry

At last I have had this done. I went yesterday afternoon to Fordham in Soho. A slightly scary salon when you walk in - the receptionist was wearing mini shorts and had the most interesting massive tattoo round her whole thigh. And she had long bleached blonde hair, massive false eyelashes and freaked me out a bit. As it turned out she was very friendly and nice.

The man who did my hair was beautiful. I mean, I know I am married and all but he really was very attractive. And Not Gay. No. He told me so.

Anyway, so they wash your hair but don't add conditioner. Then they towel dry it and paint on keratin in sections. Then they blow dry it. Then they take each bit and straighten in with irons to seal the product in. It's quite fun as loads of steam happens. It took about and an hour and a half but he was super quick. The keratin smells like chocolate. It comes in three flavours - strawberry, mint and chocolate. I thought he was kidding but he wasn't.

It looked so shiny and glossy while he was doing it (and still does). You are not allowed to tie your hair back, tuck it behind your ears or anything for 72 hours. This is the worst bit. I am only on day two and it's driving me mad. You are allowed to use dry shampoo which I think I'll be needing by tomorrow!

The real test is when I do finally wash it, how easy will it be to handle? I'll keep you posted...

Today's nail colour

Forever Young by Essie. A lovely, classic red which I was in the mood for. Yasmin le Bon wears it too apparently. So that's ok then.

Bath & Body Works

Whenever I visit the US, I try and got to a Bath & Body Works. It's not a cool shop. I know this because there are only two on Manhattan island and when I mentioned I was going to a NY colleague, she wrinkled her nose delicately.

No matter! I go for one thing and it's this shower gel. I first came across it about 10 years ago and I just love the smell. It smells like clean laundry. I know that sounds weird but it's the 'cleanest' scent you can imagine.

They always have sales and 3 for 2 deals on. So I also bought some Cucumber Melon shower gel which CoverBoy likes. And I got one called Rainkissed Leaves which is a ridiculous name but it smells pleasant.

The rest of the shop is a disaster. Loads of that awful anti-bac gel that people are so obsessed with. It dries your hands out and is nasty stuff. And plug in air fresheners which I loathe and despise.

But for Sea Island Cotton shower gel (also nice as a bubble bath), it's the business.

Nail colour of the week

I am completely in love with this colour. It's a perfect grey but not one that makes you look dead. Essie's Chinchilly. You need it. Trust me.

Origins

I was given a sample of Starting Over a while ago and liked it so when in NY this week, I did what any sane person does, I hit the Origins shop. Origins is somehow so much better state-side. It's cheaper (although still not cheap) and they have standalone shops which is always more fun.

Anyway, I bought some of this and I must say I am loving it. It's not greasy yet very moisturising. And it's especially nice as a night cream. It smells gorgeous too. They do an oil-free version as well.

And I got the GinZing eye cream. What can I say? I was hit at a weak moment. I don't particularly believe in eye creams but after the flight, jet lag and 7am office starts every day, I looked wrecked by the time I made it to the shop.  It's pretty good and you get loads for your money so I suspect it will last me for at least 10 years!

Sisley Radiance Mask

I've waited a long time for this little beauty. But a birthday came and so did this, all wrapped up beautifully. Seriously beautifully actually - my friends ordered it on Harrods.com and wow - the packaging! Completely over the top and there is nothing wrong with that. I love bling.

Anyway, what with getting married and escaping to Italy, I hadn't had time to try this but last week I finally cracked it open.

First thing I like about it - it promises to work in 5 minutes. I do like a speedy beauty product.
Second thing - you don't have to chisel it off your face after 5 minutes. It washes off very easily.
Third thing - it works. This is what the Sisley site says it does:

1. The skin is cleansed and purified
2. The skin is smoothed and matified
3. Pores are tightened
4. The complexion is more radiant

Let's take each in turn.
1) Yes, it does cleanse your skin in that deep cleanse way one expects from a mask.
2) Yes it makes the skin smooth (although to be fair, my skin is smooth already so it's hard to measure but it felt a little smoother afterwards!)
3) This is a big YES. Pores were tightened. I have blackheads on my nose and they were noticeably smaller after this.
4) Yes, my skin was more radiant I would say. Although not blinding.

The big sell for me was the pore tightening. It really delivers on this promise. I can see this lasting me quite a while as you don't use much with each application. So per use, it probably isn't that expensive but I do know it's very expensive to buy and I am very grateful to my generous friends for getting it for me.

If I could only have one mask (horrors - thank goodness I don't have that dilemma) then I would probably pick the Bliss one. However, if money is no object, I would say have both!

Shiny happy people

Shiny, smooth non-frizzy hair. It's the dream. Right? Well, I have recently purchased this little beauty and although it doesn't make your dream a daily reality, I am really impressed by it.

Alterna Hemp Shine and Texturising Catalyst. You really couldn't make up these names, could you? Anyway, you put a little bit on combed, wet hair and it does very much help smooth your hair without making it lank and greasy. I'd buy it again.

The really exciting news is that in two weeks I am getting a Brazilian blow-dry. Nothing to do with your nether regions, fear not. I shall be reporting back fully of course.

Today's nail colour

I was feeling sophisticated so went for Playa Del Platinum. It's part of the Resort Collection gift I have previously mentioned. It's from the school of Beige neutrals that Chanel started with Particuliere. I wasn't sure about it in the bottle but it's actually really nice - it looks like putty. And it makes a nice change. I feel very Fifth Avenue Princess.

Speaking of which, I'm off to New York next week where Essie nail varnish is only $8 a bottle! I shall be stocking up.

I swapped the MAC lipstick

I hiked off to MAC today. I know, it's such a trial being me. While waiting for it to open, I browsed Peter Jones and found some jeans that make me look a stone lighter. And I mean that seriously. They are proper amazing. Not Your Daughter's Jeans. Check them out.

So my wallet a little lightened, I skipped to MAC. And there was no queue to get in, unlike yesterday.  I swapped my broken lipstick for a Cremesheen Glass lip gloss. I needed more lip gloss in my life. I just did. OK? Good. I got it in Right Image.  It's very nice and just the right glossy without catching in your hair on a windy day.

We are the world...

I was just perusing my blog stats. And wondering why nobody had commented for weeks. I can't answer that, I still have lots of visitors. Have you all gone shy on me? Am I boring you?

Anyway, you are able to see where the visits come from in a map form. It's quite interesting. I got excited to see I had a visitor from Georgia but further investigation showed they stayed for one second. Way to deflate my ego.

Anyway, am I boring you? You used to all have lots to say! It's nice to know I am talking to someone.

Birthday beauty haul

Not only did I get married this month, I also had a birthday. My present haul post is later than usual but I know you'll forgive me. I've been kind of busy. As always, I did very well on the beauty present front.

From my sister, I received the most perfect shower gel from Bliss. Blood Orange and White Pepper. Sounds bizarre but is very refreshing and gorgeous. As Bliss products always are.

My besties surpassed themselves and win 'most attentive to my blog' award. They bought me products I mentioned on this very blog in February 2009. That is what I call listening.

They got me the Sisley radiance mask and MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo. Now, I confess to not having had time to try the mask so I will be reporting back. And the MAC lipstick? Well, they ordered it on the internet as they are busy people. And it came in a ridiculously large box. Almost shoe-box size for one little lippie. I opened it with much excitement, undid the lipstick (as one always does with a new lippie) and the whole lipstick bit rolled off and onto the floor with a mighty thump! It was all dried out and broken. So I need to return it. Which I tried to do today but there was queue to get into the MAC store which so enraged me, I left. I may be swapping it for something else though as I don't think it's a red that suits me. Sorry girls if you are reading! But I loved the thought and that you are reading through my back catalogue.  Am not loving MAC however.

My husband (forgive me, it's still a novelty) bought me vouchers for my local beauty salon. Which I did ask for but it doesn't make it any less appreciated. And of course I got the nail varnishes I mentioned in my last post.

Excellent haulage.

Today's nail colour

Summer is here and so is the Essie Resort Collection. A lovely friend bought this for me for my birthday and it was the perfect present for a nail-obsessed person such as me. The colours are lovely. So lovely, the lilac was almost my wedding colour but was pipped to the post by Bermuda Shorts.

I think my favourite one is Splash of Grenadine, the lilac one however they are all very yum. I am currently sporting the pale blue one: Lapis of Luxury. Perfect name too.

Bobbi Brown wedding makeover

So after my £750 SpaceNK makeover (I'm still not quite over that one and won't be for some time), I went to Bobbi Brown in Peter Jones on Kings Rd. AKA my personal mothership.

I had no appointment but I must have looked panicked two days before my wedding asking for help and I got very lucky with the lovely Vickie. Who became my best friend over the course of the next hour. I really cannot recommend highly enough how good this makeover was. She listened to me. She didn't try and sell me anything, saying things like, if you have powder at home, that's fine, use that, no need to buy Bobbi Brown powder, and she did the make up in a way I could replicate easily.

I bought:
Tinted moisturiser
Bronzer
Blusher (of joy - I love it - powder pink shade)
3 eye shadows (and a cute little palette to put them in)
Concealer stick
A corrector
Concealer brush

Although there was quite a bit of make up involved, I didn't feel overly made up and fake. I felt like me. Only smoother!

The revelation was the corrector she used. You have to apply it with a brush (and yes, you really do, fingers are far too clumsy) and it just magically erases any dark circles. Not that I have any of those you understand...

Well, I think I know what you are all going to ask, so to preempt you, here is a photo of me in said make-up. Very easy to do myself. 10/10 Bobbi Brown!