Clinique Chubby Sticks - update

I bought one yesterday in Debenhams. They didn't have them on display, I asked the OFL (Orange Faced Lady) and she said they are not on sale until June but she could sell me one. Like it was contraband.

Anyway, the watermelon one is way too pale so I got Chunky Cherry and I am pleased to report it is excellent and exactly what I've been looking for. It's basically a tinted lip balm, it's not a gloss. So your lips look natural but better. And that's what we want make up to do, right? Recommended. Plus 10% off at Debenhams this weekend.

New shower gels

Today CoverBoy asked me to buy him a present. Not one to turn down my dear true love, I headed to The Body Shop and picked some of this rather nice shower gel. It's a new range called Earth Lovers. It has no nasties in it and if you buy one, you get another one half price. I used the fig and rosemary one (hey, share and share alike) in my bath earlier and it's really rather lovely.

If you are looking for a non-chocolate Easter present (not sure why you would be) then this could be the ticket. He got me an After Eight easter egg. We were both content.

Clinique Chubby Sticks

I keep seeing these in magazines and I want one. I am annoyed as I was in town today and completely forgot that I wanted one. That'll teach me not to trawl Selfridges beauty hall as a matter of course. I want it in Woppin Watermelon (stupid name). Or Chunky Cherry.

Want, want, want. For summer. Perfect. Anyone have one?

Soap & Glory - Make Yourself Youthful

I know I said that I couldn't be bothered with the Clinique Laser Focus but since buying VitaZing I have been using it every morning as it gives a little extra something under the tinted moisturiser and it's been a success. However, I still think £45 a throw is steep. Yesterday I was browsing Boots (is there a better way to spend 20 minutes on a saturday?) and I noticed this so I bought it on a whim. There is currently an offer with a third off all S&G products so it was a steal.

I used it last night and this morning and I can't see how the Clinique one is any better to be honest. Also, this one smells nicer. I shall be keeping a close eye and reporting back naturally.

In other news VitaZing is magnificent and is my top find of the year so far. Run, don't walk, and buy it. You won't regret it.

Simple eye make-up remover pen

Hayfever season is here. I sneeze a lot and shock, horror - eye make-up smudges. Not a problem with this little beauty in your bag. It works really well at removing mascara smudges. And it is less than a fiver. I think we all need one.

Bumble and Bumble Texture Creme

I read about this in the Evening Standard magazine last night (a terrible magazine but it is free) and I think we need to try it. It gives your hair volume, makes your blow dry 'stick' and gives your hair texture. It does the opposite of serums, oils and conditioners and roughs your hair up a bit. I am intrigued and think I might have to investigate as summer is coming and beach hair is where it is at, no? You can read more about it here.

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara

I reported that I bought this in Burgundy last week. I've had a week to get used to it and here is my review. People rave about this mascara (not necessarily the Burgundy colour) and say it's the best mascara out there. I am sceptical about this claim. I think it's pretty good, it applies very nicely, it gives you nicely plumped up lashes but at £22, it's not exactly ground-breaking. It doesn't do anything Max Factor Masterpiece Max can't do.

I wouldn't buy it again based on all round mascara performance, however the colour is magnificent. It's hard to explain what a difference it makes, just so much softer but in a much more interesting way than a brown mascara. It looks fabulous with grey/green/brown eye shadow. In fact, I imagine it looks great with all eye shadow.

It freaked me out a bit when I removed it on day one and my cotton wool pad was purple. When it flakes (and all mascara does on me after 12 hours) it flakes with little purple bits. I am so used to black that I found this very novel.

If there was a cheaper mascara in this exact shade (and it's quite a deep purple, not a bright one) then I'd buy that. If there isn't, I shall have to buy this again when it runs out.

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino

I've been wanting to have a sniff of this for a while now and today my opportunity came when I found myself in Selfridges. Some frankly, rather risque advertising; all very Tom Ford. He is so beautiful isn't he? In fact, let's take a look at him.

He's just infinitely stylish. Only gay men seem to look so good.

So, what's the new pong like then? I am here to tell you it's divine. DIVINE. So sexy and fresh. It's definitely more of a masculine but women could wear it. I have been sniffing the back of my hand all day long. It's ruinously expensive though - well north of £100. I resisted. For now.