New and exciting mascara

Lancome Hypnose Precious Cells mascara. Where do they come up with these names? And how do they do so with a straight face?

Anyway, another in-flight purchase. 12 hours is a long time, I got bored, ok? This promises to 'regenerate' your eyelashes, used continuously it says it will make your lashes thicker. I am so sceptical, I have a face of pure scepticism.

However, I can report that this is almost a perfect mascara, it applies beautifully, it amplifies one's lashes, it barely smudges and it comes off without the need for a shovel. It's £22 so frankly it should be good but it really actually is. Something to buy in-flight again (where it only cost me £18 - I say only, it's still really expensive for a mascara). It's not often I find a new mascara I actually would buy again but this, I would. Recommended.

Nail colour of the week

Jamaica Me Crazy. Stupidest name ever. The colour is nothing like the bottle above. It's much pinker with some sparkle. It's the sort of colour a ballroom dancer would wear. And why not?

My New York City awesome blow dry

I was in New York the other week staying with a friend of mine. I arrived somewhat jaded, with a cold I'd had for days and on the red eye from LA. Let's just say, I wasn't at my most gorgeous. My first day was taken up with shopping. My second day still involved shopping but we were also meeting in the evening for cocktails and dinner in the funky meatpacking district. I walked past a mirror, saw my hair and decided Something Had To Be Done. It was while I was in Origins buying Christmas presents I had this realisation so I asked them where the nearest hair salon was. They directed me to Aveda just round the corner.

I used to adore Aveda. They definitely had a moment in the late 90s as being the place to get your hair care products. However, I hadn't investigated it for some time. Needs must and all that, I high-tailed it there and asked if they could squeeze me in for a blow dry (or a blow out as the Americans call it much to my amusement) and of course, they said yes.

Up I went to the very fancy salon (I was on Spring St - one of the hippest streets in Manhattan) to be met  by my stylist. It's clearly impossible to work in Manhattan unless you are the coolest cat in town, she was no exception however it emerged she was from Hull. Really, I go all the way to New York, decide to splurge on a blow dry and my stylist is from Hull? I had to laugh.

She started by offering me a choice of three oils for my scalp massage. I picked peppermint, she massaged it into my dry hair and it was heavenly. Then she shampooed and conditioner very thoroughly. Then someone came over and gave me a hand massage which was very lovely but I had just had a manicure so a little redundant. Oh, and I was given a delicious cup of liquorice tea. She asked what I wanted and I said BIG HAIR! Forgive me but I was in Manhattan, I wanted Fifth Avenue bounce. Most hairdressers really struggle drying my hair and it ends up being too flat. This is a bug bear of mine, I don't want flat, ironed hair. It doesn't suit me and it's too Atomic Kitten for my liking. But the lady from Hull understood! She gave me the most awesome blow dry - she really put herself into it, volume lotions, hair spray and pulling that brush up rather than out. It was fabulous. If I say so myself, my hair looked better than it's ever looked. If only I could have that sort of blow dry twice a week, I'd be sorted. When I am mega-rich, I am doing that.

The point of this post was to tell you about the hair spray she used. I never thought I could be swayed away from Elnett but we have a new upstart; Air Control.

She used loads of this. I was a bit worried as too much product makes one's hair greasy the next day but this didn't. It was very light and yet just gave the hair flexibility. I bought a little travel can and have been using it and it's a revelation. You can read about it here. It also smells yummy. I've put it on my Christmas wish list as a full-sized can costs £16. I don't know why I've decided to be frugal after the Sisley mask but hey ho!

So I bounced out of there, hair a-swinging and sashayed off for cocktails. Life felt good. Life always feels good when your hair looks good. True Fact.

By contrast today my hair looks a complete mess. My roots need doing (roll on Wednesday!) and it needs washing but I am seeing my personal trainer so no point washing it before seeing her. In breaking news, I am getting a keratin treatment the week after next. Expect full reporting back.

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask - review

I mentioned I wanted this a week or so ago. Well, that want turned into an obsession as seemingly every magazine I opened was reviewing it. I had £50 in John Lewis vouchers and decided if I put them towards the cost, it wouldn't be quite so extravagant. Yesterday I hot-footed it to Peter Jones and bought it. They had a 10% off all toiletries offer on too. So the total I had to pay out was £29. Yes, told you it was expensive.

The very nice lady asked me the magic question: "Would you like any samples?" Does anyone ever say no to this? Here is what she gave me:

Here is what was in that pouch:

10 samples! I was astounded but very grateful.

To the mask, what's it like? Well, I put some on after my long bath yesterday. You leave it on for 10-15 mins and then simply wipe off excess with a cotton pad. I hadn't realised this when I got it and had I known I may have had second thoughts as I am a fan of masks that require rinsing off because I think they work better on my skin. My verdict is it's lovely. It smells gorgeous and it rehydrates your skin. I wasn't too wild about just removing excess with a cotton pad as I did feel quite sticky for a few hours afterwards but after about four hours, my skin felt softer and plumper than it has done for ages. This would be a great post-flight mask.

Is it worth over £80? Well, it's a tricky one. I honestly am not sure it's any better than the Olay masks. It's obviously more luxurious etc but in terms of performance, I'd have to use it a few more times to give a rounded verdict. I can say that it's not as good as their Radiance mask.

The samples almost made it worth the spend though! I've always wanted to try their hand cream and now I have two sachets.

Original Source Mint & Walnut body scrub

I bought this on an impulse as I was in Boots and running out of body scrub and I have to tell you all that it's amazing. It smells lovely and it's refreshing and minty, it scrubs beautifully and it's cheap. What more could you want?

On a Winter morning, it's nice to have something to get the blood pumping and this makes all your bits, and I do mean all, tingle. Recommended.

Nail colour of the week

Be still my beating heart, we have a new blue on the block and it's lovely. It's very similar to the Dior blue I hunted down at the beginning of the year but Essie and therefore cheaper and better.

I love this, it's called Bobbing for Baubles and it's part of the new Winter Collection.

Size Matters is also lovely and I nearly went for that one. The rest don't inspire me much.

YSL Beauty Sleep

A name so clever, you wonder why nobody else did it first. I bought this on the plane because frankly, who wouldn't? I was staring down the barrel of looooong days and jet lag, I needed every bit of help I could get.

So far, I am impressed but not wowed. It does leave your skin feeling super-smooth. I was so tired on this trip and had a cold so nothing short of a face lift would have really wowed me but it's not that expensive (compared to Midnight Secret) and it's worth a go with the party season coming up. I shall be reporting back as I continue to use it.

You can read more about it here.

Nail colour of the week

Sometimes you just need to give your nails a bit of a break from bright colours. Pink Glove Service by Essie is the perfect rosy pink that is almost not there but makes you look finished and polished. A great neutral.

Best hotel toiletries ever

I've been away with work and spent a few nights in Palm Springs. Usually work hotels are very corporate, nice and comfortable but not somewhere you would choose for yourself. This hotel was very different - the Parker Palm Springs - it was beautiful and funky. The rooms were divine and imagine my joy when I saw the toiletries. I was so excited, I took a photo of them to share.

Penhaligans shampoo and conditioner, Molten Brown very large shower gel/bubble bath and best of all Hermes soap. Also, loving the lip salve since you are in the desert, you need it. So what did I do? I forgot to bring it home with me. ROOKIE ERROR! Am kicking myself about the Hermes soap. Ho hum.