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.