Cover Girl: 2012

End of year beauty shop

I went to the sales briefly as I do love a beauty bargain and buying products doesn't involve changing rooms. Harvey Nichols was a treat, I've not been there for ages and the Bliss sale was excellent. I now don't need any shower gels or body lotion in 2013. No I don't. Don't let me buy any...

I love the Blood Orange scent and this pack had 40% off it. As did this one.

This Snow scent was a special Christmas one. The woman assured me there was no glitter in it but of course, there is. It's very subtle though so I am willing to forgive her. It smells lovely, very gentle and a 'clean' smell.

The Bliss body butters are perfect - they sink in beautifully and are not overpowering.

I also bought a travel sized Blood Orange set because I can never resists travel sized anything.

In other news I decided it was time I had a serum. I've always been a bit dismissive of them but time ravages on and a girl has to be realistic. I got this one from L'Oreal as it's had great reviews and it was only £10 in Boots. So far, I am liking it very much, it's very smooth with not a hint of greasiness.

The Shu Uemura Karl Lagerfeld eyeshadow set was half price in Harvey Nichols by the way. You'll all be proud of me as I didn't buy it. Of course I am beset with regret but I just couldn't justify it.

Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate

Clarins is a brand it's easy to forget about. It's not very sexy or funky but the products really do work. I recently treated myself to this (it was in the sale and I couldn't resist) and it's simply divine. It smells like heaven, you only need a teeny bit and it leaves your skin soft and smelling delightful. What more could you want?

You can buy some for only £14 here.

Nail colour of the week

Essie's Swing Velvet. If you want Christmas on your nails, this is your colour. It's all velvety, red and pretty.

2012's heroes

We are reaching the end of another year and it's time to take stock. I've been having a think about products I've discovered this year and what have become staples. Here is my list.

First up is this simple Tangle Teezer. I have no idea why it took me so long to buy one of these but if you have thick hair that is prone to tangling then it's life-changing. My pink one fell in the toilet the other week so I had to replace it with a pale blue one. I got it from Amazon.

This root canal spray is what I bought after I had inches lopped off my hair. I adore it. It gives your hair a boost and is easy peasy to use.

You know I am all about eye make-up. I've bought a lot of it this year but the one thing I am wearing every day is this old favourite from NARS - Nepal eyeshadow. It's the perfect base, easy to apply and goes with everything you layer over the top.

For fun, you can't beat the Maybelline eye tattoos. The blue one is gorgeous used as an eyeliner, the more daring may want to go full-on with it. Nothing shifts these babies until you are ready.

This was the year I finally found the perfect mascara. Estee Lauder Doublewear. It's perfection to apply, it never smudges, it lasts all day. Why did it take me this many years? My life is littered with failed mascaras but no more.

Coupled with the Liz Earle Lash Care eye base, my eyes have never been happier.

I've had a love affair with Bobbi Brown this year. The eye gels are fabulous and my navy liner is a look I frequent most days. And the other brand I've adored this year is Bliss. The pedicures are heavenly and you really must treat yourselves if you've not done so. They last far longer than a regular pedicure

I am saving my perfume musings for another post. What have you loved this year?

I resisted for days

However, after occupying my mind for too long, I had to get the Armani Maestro. And then I had to get the Antique Gold Bobbi Brown eye shadow, it had sold out in Liberty which made me want it more so I ordered it online.

Am very excited to try both and report back.

Nail colour of the week

I had to do my own nails this week. I know darlings, I know. This OPI Russian Navy is one of my all-time favourites. It's perfection in a bottle and somehow never looks tacky despite being so dark. I love it. And amazingly, I managed to do a halfway decent job with application, much of which I think is down to luck as well as skill. Sometimes it's just a disaster all round but yesterday, it all went swimmingly. I am loving it.

Christmas shopping tips

Some people find Christmas shopping hard. I don't understand how shopping can ever be hard but here are some tips for the beauty addict in your circle.

The Karl/Shu Uemura collaboration continues to make my heart sing. This eye palette is so divine, who wouldn't want it?

Bobbi Brown is our friend when it comes to easy make-up and her gel eyeliners are legendary for a reason. I have my eye on this Antique Gold one.

I also love the look of the Black Pearl Eye Palette.

The NARS Andy Warhol set is so beautiful, you'd never want to mess it up.

I know I am always going on about eye make-up. I make no apologies, it's the most fun you can have. And the Urban Decay eye palette is so much fun, you can create loads of different looks with this.

The OPI Bond collection is genius. I almost don't care what the colours are like as I am so in love with the idea of wearing The Spy Who Loved Me.

I'm a bit over Jo Malone these days but you can't go wrong with bath oil and the Red Roses one is still my favourite.

I adore Bliss, their products are fun and they work. The body butters are gorgeous.

Make-up brushes are always a great gift. MAC has some fun ones. Look at the bag!

A Tom Ford lipstick is the height of luxury. Stupidly expensive but that's why we have Santa, right?

After all that partying, a good face mask is what every woman needs. I know it's not cheap but this Sisley baby delivers, trust me.

I could go on and on but I'll stop there for now. Happy shopping!

Experimenting with perfume

Having sold much of my perfume on ebay, decided that I had more than enough and a perfume for every mood, I made the mistake of reading a perfume forum and BANG! The obsession returned with a vengeance.

No matter how much perfume a girl has, it's never enough. My friend had a significant birthday approaching and I decided she needed a Chanel Exclusifs. After much soul searching and spraying, I plumped for 31 Rue Cambon.

I have to admit, I was secretly hoping she wouldn't like it so I could keep it but no, she loved it. And who can blame her? This is like rolling around in cashmere; soft and elegant. It's a total classic and I don't know why Chanel hide it away and push that hideous new Coco they are marketing the hell out of. Although I am quite relieved they are as we don't want everyone wearing this and making it common.

I bought a sample of Rue Cambon at http://surrendertochance.com/ which is a great site. You can buy decants and decide whether or not a perfume really is right for you. While I was there, I obviously had to buy a few more. Keeping to Chanel, I decided to get Pour Monsieur as I am always on the look out for a new scent for Cover Boy.

This is totally gorgeous but not typically masculine at all, it's got that Chanel softness and the dry down is quite sweet. If I was to get a bottle of this, I'd be very happy, although Cover Boy declared it nice but sweet so the search continues.

I've been reading rave reviews of Escentric Molecule 01.

I have to tell you, tread carefully, this is addictive. It smells different on everyone. Don't believe me? Read about it here. It's the most intriguing perfume I've smelt for a long time and it lingers. I really like it. Cool bottle too. I've added it to my Christmas wish list so fingers crossed.

I bought lots of others too but these are the three I can't get enough of.

Lush Twilight shower gel

I fell out of love with Lush a while ago and haven't been in a shop for a long time. Mainly because the assistants are so over enthusiastic and never leave you alone for a second.

Lush has recently opened at Waterloo station and I walk past it every day so I ventured in. I couldn't resist this purple shower gel and it is actually lovely. Full of lavender and slightly sparkly (but none of it stays on your skin thankfully). It smells delightful and I would recommend it highly except where do they get the prices from? It's ridiculous.

Nail colour of the week

From Essie's Fall collection, Skirting the Issue. It's RED, not purple like this picture. This is why you should never buy nail varnish online unless you've actually seen the colour. Anyway, it's very nice.

Essie has a new range out for Winter:

None of which excite me.

Toenail colour of the week

I went for a pedicure today and this time I took my own colour. My sister bought this for me and it's called... wait for it... Scarlett O'Hara. How can anyone resist? It's a lovely red, very Christmassy. Perfect for my winter toes.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup

I was in New York this week and had a precious afternoon of shopping at the end of a very long three days at work. Naturally I headed for Sephora where I encountered this little beauty. I have never seen such a lightweight foundation, it literally glides on like silk. I didn't buy any because I just couldn't bring myself to get yet more foundation but I have my beady eye on it. It was very impressive. There is also an under eye concealer that I was sorely tempted by but again, I resisted.

Don't worry, I did buy lots of other things that I shall tell you about soon but this is what I keep thinking about. Therefore, as we all know, it's only a matter of time before it's mine.

Nail colour of the week

Your eyes do not deceive you. This week I wanted something subtle and pretty having had so much dark colour. And So I went for Gucci Mucci Pucci which has to be the best name for a nail varnish ever. It is quite pink, a bit girlie but I am enjoying it because I never do this colour. Subtle, that's me!

Liz Earle perfumes

I am having a Liz Earle moment. Having raved about her make-up, I'd like to discuss her perfume. I got a bottle of Botanical Essence No 1 for my birthday and it's absolutely lovely. It's not pushing the envelope in any way as it's very simple however it's delightful and a fragrance I think would suit all. You can read the long list of ingredients here. It's a scent you put on when you don't know what mood you are in. I like it very much.

I went into the Liz Earle shop again yesterday as I wanted to get more of the mascara base (if you don't have this yet, why?) and was planning to just get that but they had an offer where if you bought two make-up items, they gave you a free lip gloss. Naturally I found this irresistible so I picked some eye shadow which I've not tried yet, I'll report back. Then I was given a free Cherry lip gloss.

In addition, you also get to choose a sample. I am very impressed with Liz Earle service, you choose your own sample! Other brands could well take note. I picked the other perfume, Botanical Essence No 15. You can read the list of ingredients here.

I put this on yesterday after my shower and it's completely different to No 1. Much more complex and interesting. I was sniffing my wrist all night long. I don't think I'd get it but only because I have SO MUCH perfume that I have to fall in love completely to buy anything new but it's well worth seeking out. Given how great the service is, they'd probably just give you a sample if you ask nicely.

I can see why Liz Earle has such loyal followers. What she does, she does well with excellent service. Highly recommended.

Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura

Last night I met a friend for cocktails in Selfridges. We had a very strange evening in which I became friends with a lady sitting next to us (we're now Facebook buddies!) and we were given bread and butter without plates or knives. The margaritas were good and after a couple of them we said our farewells and I headed to the beauty hall as I needed a new primer.

Lesson number one: if you are a beauty addict, it's probably best not to shop when you have a few drinks under your belt.

Lesson number two: if you don't like aggressive beauty counter ladies and feel intimidated by them, then go at 8.30pm on a cold November evening. They really couldn't be bothered to sell me anything which was fine by me. It was beauty shopping as beauty shopping should be, me browsing and them waving at me with tired smiles.

I got a primer (Laura Mercier, I'll report back in due course) and then my eye caught the Shu Uemura counter. I had read that Karl Lagerfeld was collaborating with Shu Uemura and oh my word. It's so beautiful. Did you know Karl sketches using Shu Uemura eyeshadows and pencils? That right there is why I love Karl. Wouldn't you do the same if you created Chanel? I know I would.

Naturally my eye was caught by the shadow palettes. Look!

It's simply divine. However, even in my inebriated state, I realised I simply could not justify yet more eye make-up so instead I bought the cleansing oil. I've always wanted to try the Shu Uemura cleansing oil so I felt this was entirely a sensible purchase.

It's so pretty! It's also really good. The lady demonstrated it on the back of my hand (which wasn't necessary, I was so going to buy it based on the little black tie on the bottle) and it's soft and lovely. I can hardly bear to tell you how much it was. Ok, it was £57 but it should last a year. Ahem. It's now sitting proudly in my bathroom. Also, very generous samples which is something else they give you more of at the end of the day.

I guess we should all be grateful I didn't wander tipsy into the Vivienne Westwood concession. In fact, when I look at it that way, I saved money! Yay.

Estee Lauder Doublewear mascara

I have found it at last. The perfect mascara. No smudging. Perfect application. Great brush. Long-lasting. I don't know how it's taken me so long to try this mascara but I am very glad I finally did. You can get Volume + Lift, Curling or Lengthening. I went for Volume + Lift. Honestly, it's brilliant.

Now it's not cheap at £20 but I am really loving this. And I can't remember the last time I truly loved a mascara.

Nail colour of the week

I had forgotten how much I like this one. Damsel in a Dress. It's a purple with a slight shimmer to it, very pretty indeed. My nails have never looked better thanks to the great non-acetone remover discovery so I am pleased.

I have exciting mascara news to share. I think I may have found The One.

Nail colour of the week

I'm in a dark and mysterious mood so I went for a very old favourite, Wicked. It's a very deep red, almost black. I love it.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

I bought my first gel eyeliner from Bobbi Brown back in February. I am still loving it on a daily basis. The blue I chose is my favourite colour to wear and there's something very dramatic about it. However I think we can all agree that a girl cannot live with one gel eyeliner alone. In fact, I think I've been pretty restrained with only having one for seven months.

After a long and very challenging week at work, I woke up with an overwhelming need to go and browse beauty counters. I specifically wanted to get a new Bobbi Brown eyeliner and I had in my mind that a purple would be nice. So off I went to the mothership that is Peter Jones where yet another helpful Bobbi Brown assistant helped me. Violet Ink is the perfect purple and she kindly made up my eyes for me with it.

If you've not tried these eyeliners, you really must. They are so easy to apply and they last all day long. They are £17 but I can't imagine ever running out because you hardly need any. Well, unless you like to put it on your whole eyelid!

I then skipped off to the Origins counter and stocked up on essentials there, I cleverly managed to avoid the perfume counters because I really don't need any. No I don't. Nope.