Eyelash serums and other excitement

It's been a while hasn't it? I'd like to say it's because I have found all my desert island products and have nothing new to share but that would be a lie. I continue to shop more than I should and I fail to resist on most occasions. 

I thought I'd tell you about the latest discoveries.

First up is the miracle that is Revitalash.

My beautician told me that this worked and I trust her implicitly. Plus she said it as she fluttered her very long eyelashes at me. I got mine from Cult Beauty, if you wait a while, they have 15-20% off everything and at this price, that is worth it. You have to apply it daily. It doesn't hurt at all. And you have to be patient for about 5-6 weeks. However, suddenly, out of nowhere, your eyelashes are like Bambi's. I am entranced by this and find myself wondering why everyone isn't using it? I do understand there is a cost of living crisis so maybe not everyone but anyone who hankers after longer lashes and spends money on endless mascaras. STOP RIGHT NOW. Get this. I waited for my lashes to emerge and then booked a lash lift and eyelash tint with my beautician. I then had to stop looking in mirrors. It wasn't in vanity, it was in astonishment.

Cirque nail varnish.

A hangover from the pandemic is my renewed obsession with nail polish. I follow some fascinating Instagram accounts. People spend their lives swatching every single new nail colour and it's deeply soothing. I saw this and had to have it. A neon orange is like a siren call to me. It's only available from the US.  I ordered this and a couple of others (after all, one has to justify shipping costs) and it arrived and was everything I dreamed of. I've worn it pretty much non-stop. I then ordered the entire Vice Collection (they had 20% off) and they are all neon-tastic joys but this is the best. Bad news: it's sold out. I now have two of this one (Vice) and I am already feeling the pain when I've used it up but that day is long into the future although the bottles are not very big. It applies like a dream. Even the most cack handed could do a professional job. I adore it. I am sporting the blue on my toes: also gorgeous.

Victoria Beckham Beauty

I'm sorry, Victoria Beckham Beauty is excellent. I don't want it to be any more than you probably do. But it started with her Estee Lauder co lab and it continues. I've not gone near the skincare as it's too expensive to start liking and I still love Beauty Pie. But this Satin Kajal liner in Olive is beautiful. I resisted for months but caved as I knew I would. 

I also bought the Reflect Highlighter stick.

This is perfection. It glides on, stays put and makes you look better. What more could you want?

I use it with this bronzer: Solar Paint from Glossier.

Together, they are all you need when the weather is warm. I'm not one for bronzer but this one is so nice. The perfect texture and easy to blend.

Finally, for now, I decided that I needed a solid perfume to take on holiday with me so I can take carry on luggage and not compromise with my toiletries. 

Of course I went to Diptyque for such precise needs. I had a sample of Eau Capitale so I knew I liked it. It's a chypre which is always my favourite and it's a perfect summer scent. The packaging on this is so addictive. I find myself playing around with it, opening and closing it, holding it in my hand. It's like worry beads for the perfume-obsessed. 

If you are still checking in and reading, I thank you. Hope you are having a wonderful summer.

Victoria Beckham for Estee Lauder

It annoys me just how good this range is. Damn. And it's expensive. Sorry.

I was in Selfridges on Friday morning, the day this range launched. My friend and I were at the counter at 10am. It's important that you understand this was not planned. I am not some sort of VB uber fan I can assure you. However, there is something very nice about knowing you are the first people at the testers.

It's all lovely, it really is. Victoria knows her make-up which can't be a great surprise to anyone.

I bought the finishing powder which is now already sold out online. Look, it's £62 which is a lot of money I know. But I had read about it and then I tested it and I simply had to have it. This claims to soften, smooth, even and set make-up. And it does, it's really good. I have never regretted spending money on the Modern Mercury highlighter (which is back, fill your boots) and I wear it every day and there is tonnes left.

I also liked the look of this eyeshadow duo.

That blue is to die for and the textures are fabulous.

And the creme blusher is wonderful.

However, I draw the line at spending £46 on a blusher. Blushers are easy to find, I should know, I have about ten of them and I love them all. Perfect powders are much harder, I have tried several and not been 100% happy so for me, it's worth spending the cash.

The packaging is a little bit different, being sleek and lovely but also distinctive. The powder comes in a gold compact and it's delightfully satisfying.

If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to go but hurry, it's selling out fast.

Victoria Beckham Modern Mercury Highlighter

After posting that I wanted this, the usual happened. I became like a heat seeking missile about it and decided I must have it. Now.

I then had a brainwave and remembered I have loads of Amex points and you can cash them in for many things, including Net A Porter vouchers and this is on the NAP site. Ta da! Genius. No sooner had I thought this, I was logging in and making it happen. Ordered it and I've been wearing it every single day since and I love it. I adore it. DAMN!

The packaging is sublime. Solid, compact, reassuringly expensive. It's extremely finely milled and subtle. A little on cheekbones and it's incredible the difference it makes. I never 'got' highlighters before but this is knocking it out of the park.

This picture of VB best shows it in action.

You can clearly see she has some on her cheekbones and forehead. She probably has it on her legs and back as well but we're not all on photoshoots.

Yes, it's £48 and yes, that's a lot of money but it will last for ages and it's a thing of beauty on your dressing table.

It's the end of days, I am recommending VB products and posting a picture of her.

Victoria Beckham for Estee Lauder

I am typing this with a mouthful of humble pie. I've always found VB annoying and fairly mediocre. And I've been vocal in my opinion of her. However, as I get older and more Yoda-like, I find myself uncomfortable with being mean about women I've never met. Who I am to criticise VB, Charlotte Tilbury, Nicole Kidman (and many, many more I've vilified over the years)? I am not yet ready to be 100% kind about Kim Kardashian but I will hold my tongue more. We don't know the struggles these multi-millionaires go through every day, do we?! Sisterhood and all that.

I was intrigued by this collection. I much prefer VB as a fashion designer than a pop star and I am fully bought into the notion that she might know a thing or two about make-up. It took me a while to get my hands on this because it's not at all Estee Lauder counters. My flight back from Dubai this week provided me with the opportunity to check it out. What could be more perfect than shopping high-end make-up at Dubai airport? They had it all out to play with and nobody was hovering around me trying to help me. I also wasn't encumbered by TeenBoy (whose patience on such matters is not extensive) since he was buying smoked almonds (yum!)

There I was in my element playing with it all on the back of my hand. It is with regret that I have to report it's really bloody nice. I could have happily bought more than one thing except it's not cheap. It's Tom Ford prices and having just spent a small fortune on our holiday, I felt obliged to rein it in.

I purchased an eye foil in Burnt Anise. It has a lip gloss type applicator and it's all shiny (even after it dries). The texture is perfection. I must say it's not the easiest to master and just swiping it on from the applicator causes one to look like a clown. I use a brush to draw a line on and then smudge gently. I could do with more tips on how to work with it to be honest but I love the idea of it and am pleased I got it.

Today I explored the collection more in Selfridges and I can confirm I really badly want this.

The Modern Mercury highlighter. I've never been one for highlighters but this is good. Easy to apply without overdoing it and very subtle. Damn. It also seems to be sold out online and now I wish I'd got it in Dubai when it was all cheaper too. The eye foil is £40 and I got it for £30.

The lipsticks are lovely too - both very wearable colours. The eye metals (eyeshadows) are gorgeous. The Morning Aura illuminating cream is very silky and covetable but expensive for something I'd canter through.

I imagine VB in one of her many mansions with this whole collection at her dressing table and I seethe with envy. That's how nice it all is. My show of envy is to prove I've not gone totally soft. Fair play VB.