Nail colour of the week

Essie's Fifth Avenue is exactly what you expect a colour called Fifth Avenue to be. A bright coral/red it's a perfect colour for Spring, bright and cheery.

Mint Julep Masque

Regular readers will know I have a weakness for face masks. I love them, you apply them, relax and 15 minutes later your complexion looks better. They are the ultimate beauty product for the lazy ones amongst us.

I read about Queen Helene's Mint Julep mask on the Sali Hughes forum.* It had rave reviews and it's cheap. Praise the lord, I have found something that works miracles and is cheap. I thought a lifetime of Chanel skincare was inevitable. It costs just £5.79 on Amazon for a big tube.

Does it work? It says it will shrink your pores and it is designed for problem skin. I don't have problem skin but I do have some blackheads on my nose - the glamour. Anyway, I layered it on yesterday expecting it to sting or be uncomfortable but no, it just felt pleasantly cool. It hardens in a very old school way and I then expected it to be a nightmare to rinse off but no, however I do recommend a muslin cloth to help. Then I looked in the mirror and lo and behold, my skin looked all smooth and airbrushed. I am not kidding. The effect of course doesn't last but it never does, right?

I am blown away by this, it would be perfect to take on holiday when your skin gets gunked up with sun block. At such a reasonable price, this is something I really think everyone should try.

*Caution: do not visit this forum if you have no will power.

Bourjois Cream Blush

I'm always on the look out for cream blushers as they are my desert island beauty product. Nothing makes you look better, faster than blusher. Bourjois has powder blushers that have always punched above their weight and it was with great interest I read that they have released a cream formula. I picked up one the other night, they are £7 and let me tell you, what an absolute bargain. I haven't loved a blusher like this for ages. It blends beautifully and lasts all day. It also comes in the dinkiest little pot. I am considering going and getting all four colours at that price. Highly recommended.

Guerlain Maxi Lash mascara

Although I said I wasn't buying anything else, I found myself in Selfridges the other night and before I knew it, I was purchasing this. It's had rave reviews, my sister declared it better than Estee Lauder Double Wear mascara so I felt obliged to road test it.

Firstly, let's talk about the packaging. Have you ever seen anything so divine? Boring old black tubes are so 2009 don't you think? This gold, twinkly tube will brighten up any morning.

I am impressed with the mascara. It has an excellent brush and there is no smudging on application. I had a very long day yesterday and I did detect some smudging after about 12 hours but I don't think that's too criminal.

Also, it smells of roses. How decadent! All in all, I am impressed and I am wearing it again today. I am not sure for me it's better than Double Wear but it sure looks the part in my bathroom.

Beauty buy update, part 2

I forgot some things. Yeah, I bought so much I forgot to tell you about some of them.

Now I am loving this, you pop it on, go about your business for 10 mins or so and then just rinse it off. It comes off easily, no chipping away at dried on mask and it makes your face brighter. Very nice.

I am also adoring this Grapefruit shower gel. It's lovely and refreshing and nicely rich, a little goes a long way.

Yesterday I went to Boots and got this.

I have tried so many dry shampoos and never understood the point of them, they never seemed to work on me however I think I have found The One. XXL volume is fantastic, I sprayed a bit on my hair yesterday which was looking a little lank and flat and instant volume was mine. I was amazed. There are now 14 varieties of Batiste so clearly it's a case of finding one that's right for you. Also, it's refreshingly cheap!

Beauty buy update

I may have gone a bit mad. The Dries Van Noten perfume obsession didn't abate so I succumbed to the inevitable and bought it.

It's heavenly and I am not sorry even though it wasn't exactly cheap.

I wanted the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick as they get great reviews but everywhere was sold out. This, of course, made me want one even more. To cope with my distress, I bought this Nars chunky eye pencil.

What a star it is, one swipe each eye and away you go. Gorgeous colour - black/grey with some sparkle but not too much.

Also, obviously I got this.

Both colours are perfect and very long wearing too.

And my sister texted me to say she found me the Bobbi Brown stick so that's coming this weekend. Ummm, yeah. Not exactly restrained then.