Zelens Vitamin D Treatment Drops

As I march through the valley of time, I find myself adding more layers to my skincare than I ever thought possible. Zelens is a brand I adore and I've talked about the Resurfacing Facial Pads and how  revolutionary they are.

I did not pay full price for this product. Not because I am a blogger and brands give me freebies or discounts. No, sadly not. I follow Caroline Hirons and she often has discounts to share and recently she had a 30% off everything Zelens code so I got properly involved. When something costs £110 (I know, I know), a 30% discount is significant.

Caroline raved about these drops. I have been using them twice a day for a month and I am smitten. Add after cleansing, before your serum. I am not sure I'd use these in Spring and Summer (well, I would if I had a lifetime supply). They are what my skin needs right now with central heating, wood burning stoves and freezing cold weather walking my dog. It adds a level of comfort and protection.

It's very light and non-greasy yet deeply moisturising. Like I say, I am smitten.

I am aware these are very expensive and out of many people's budget but if someone is looking to buy you a present or you want to really treat yourself then these are well worth it.

Superdrug Naturally Radiant range

If you're feeling the pinch of Christmas, then I have a little treat for you. For the price of a coffee, you can buy this acid toner.

I was told this was very good and so I investigated, it's only £5.99 yet I was still able to get something else from the Naturally Radiant for free so I chose this night cream.

My verdict? The toner is excellent value. It's not a patch on the Zelens pads that I adore and love but it's a fraction of the price.

The night cream is a joyous surprise. I love it. It glides on and I am quite addicted to it. Both products are currently half-price so legitimately the price of a coffee. You can't say fairer than that.

I have Zelens news to share soon. I swear that I wish I hadn't discovered Zelens, cheap it ain't but it works beautifully.

Simplehuman sensor mirror aka the magic mirror

Before we begin, this is expensive and you're going to want it. I am going to say it upfront and I am sorry except I am not because this could change your life. I've waited four years to splurge on this because every time I went to buy it, I couldn't quite justify £159 on a mirror.

I've had mine for four days and I am obsessed with it. This is a big magnifying mirror with natural light built in on a sensor. I have a huge mirror in my dressing room/office and very pretty it is too but putting make-up on in the depths of winter is something of a challenge, I switch on every light and still end up squinting at myself in the dimness thinking, is that blended? Do I look like a clown? Sometimes I've thought, no, it's all good and then sallyed forth into the world only to realise it wasn't good.

All that is a thing of the past. You sit down, the mirror lights up beautifully and off you go. Honestly, it's genius. Yes, it's expensive but worth it. If you already have great light at your dressing table or equivalent) then you don't need this. If you are in your 40s with your eyesight perhaps not what it was and having to get ready when the sun hasn't risen then I would say this investment is worth every single penny.

I bought it, and some Zelens acid pads, from Cult Beauty and then qualified for a free box of tons of goodies. I don't need them all so I am selling some and making about £60 or so back. Others will be gifts. There is often a way to fund what you need.

It charges with a USB cable and the charge lasts about five weeks. My only regret is waiting four years.

Beauty gift ideas

I am not going to mention the C word. But it's November and today I soaked the fruit for my cake ready to bake it tomorrow. It's coming. I'm sorry but it is and if, like me, you simply feel exhausted at the thought, allow me to cheer you up with some beauty gift ideas. They can be for you after all.

The NARS Man Ray collection. I need none of it and probably wouldn't use it but look. Look at this and tell me you don't want it.

This limited edition Chanel nail polish makes my pulse race. It's basically British Racing Green. Divine.

I want this hand cream. I want to hold it and love it for the rest of my life.

 Sparkly red or gold nail varnish by the best in the business. Yes please.

The Dyptique holiday candles are always something to get excited about although I have found my perfect Dyptique candles now, having tried pretty much all of them. This one for the living room, and this one for my study (since you ask). But these are beautiful.

I bought a beauty box (yes, I am obsessed with beauty boxes) and this came in it (full-size) plus many other things that made it SUCH good value. Get into beauty boxes, they are amazing. Anyway, this serum is annoyingly good. It feels like you are putting water on your face.

I bought this tinted lip salve a few months ago and it's so good. I take it everywhere and it comes in three shades.

Early doors. I'll be back with more ideas in the coming weeks.

While I am here, I would like to recommend Dynasty on Netflix, it's trash TV of the highest order but the clothes and make-up are to die for.

Huda Beauty

The future belongs to millennial bloggers whether we like it or not. It's hard for me to keep up with all the trends, what's in and out beauty-wise. Beauty has always been big business but in the last few years it has exploded. Everyone is an expert now. Savvy consumers read all the fine print and look at ingredient lists like a hawk. Mineral oil is out (for some), hyaluronic acid is the bees knees for moisturised skin. I know the basics but I am no expert. I like what I like and read up before making any serious investments in wonder products.

Those beauty bloggers who really know what they are doing now have their own lines. And that brings me to this post. Huda Kattan started as a blogger and now has her own make-up range. I'd never heard of her until I started seeing all the hype around this eye palette.

Desert dusk palette. I am not buying it because I am nowhere near good enough with eye make-up to use this how Huda intended but it's so pretty. It's a thing of great beauty and it's everywhere. Huda has world-class PR.

This is gorgeous too:

This is the textured shadows palette.  Both cost £56 which, for 18 colours, is pretty good value if you know you will use them all. And they are beautiful and would look divine on the dressing table.

My heart belongs to the desert one.

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner Duo

Oh hello. This is clever. I have often thought, I like these very much but I never finish a whole pot without them drying out. And just look at what they've done, they've split the pots and given you two colours in smaller amounts. Genius.

I swear, I should be working for a make-up brand because I would have thought of that if I had the time to think about such things. Anyway, obviously I want them all. I need nothing, nada, zilch. I have all the eyeliners a girl ever needs in all the formats yet... sigh. They are pretty.

Check them out here.

Soaper Duper shower gels

You can buy these in Tesco or Liberty and that's it. Or online. Utterly weird. If you buy them online, you have to buy a lot of them and so that's what I did. I bought five bottles and a mini bottle in a package for £32.50. It was a risk, what if I hated them?

It was unlikely, these have rave reviews from people I trust online. So far I've tried the Zesty Lemon and the Rich & Creamy Shea Butter. Both are very nice but the shea butter is completely gorgeous. It smells like heaven. I use it in the bath and then sniff myself like a lunatic for the next hour.

I can't wait to try the Zingy Ginger but I am not opening them all at once so I shall have to be patient. The packaging isn't much but the quality of these are excellent and I highly recommend. As the nights draw in (clocks go back this weekend - HOW?), we all need a cheap and cheerful pick me up.

Mio Workout Wonder Muscle Gel

This was in my Space NK gift box and it's a delightful surprise. Massage this into your legs and you suddenly feel like you can walk on air. This is fabulous after a work out or just to wake you up on a particularly sluggish morning. I can't get enough of it.

I think I might have to buy more when my bottle runs out.

Lipstick Queen

Lipstick Queen is the brand that does stupid colours like green and blue and that adapts to your lips to a universally flattering shade. Whatever. I always thought it was a stupid gimmick.

Then I ordered some stuff from SpaceNK and got the free gift box. It had a full-size Hello Sailor lip gloss in it. I popped it on and thought, yeah, boring barely pink colour and forgot about it. An hour later I looked in the mirror and it had transformed into a berry deep pink and I really liked it.

I am not sure I'd have paid for this but I am more impressed than I thought I would be. It's also not drying. So it's been added to my extensive lipstick/salve/gloss collection.

NARS Liquid Orgasm

I tried so hard to resist this. Honestly, I did. I know I don't need it. I know I have many blushers. But, well, it's miraculous. It gives you a glow and a gleam that makes you look and feel instantly perkier.

A little goes a very long way, seriously, you need a teeny pump for both cheeks. So, although it is £23, it will last forever. We all need rosy cheeks for the Autumn, no?

Marc Jacobs eye primer

I didn't think I could find a better eye primer than the NARS one but then I met this.  I picked this up in Sephora this week (yes, I was in Sephora in New York - the mothership) and I am deeply impressed.

I never sleep well in New York, I wake up at 3am every night and then I have to get up at 5-6am for work which involves being on calls, then going into the office, meeting people for lunch, going out for drinks, meeting more people for dinner. I am not complaining, I have a lot of fun. This trip, it was hot, summer is still happening for people outside of the UK. I tell you all this to demonstrate that this eye primer was properly tested. It went on at 6am and had to last until 11pm, through hot weather, drinking, laughing and tiredness. My eye make-up was immaculate at the end of the day. I didn't want to take it off.

It's £20 and you all need it.

Bobbi Brown Dual-Wear Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick

How many different eye products does one need? I don't know but I admit to buying one of these and it's fantastic. I always use the excuse of 'I travel for work, I need convenience.' And to an extent it's true but I've not got on a plane for work since June so, well, yeah.

However, this is marvellous. I have the blue one (of course) with a neutrally brown at the other end. They are designed to work together. Someone has done all the work for you. You can just take this on a trip and be done for your eyes (well, you'd need a mascara). Also, they stay stuck to your eye all day long. Bobbi knows.

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.

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel with Marula Oil

I am returning to Clarins lately. I am not sure why I strayed to be honest because Clarins is consistently good with skincare. This cleansing gel is a dream, it removes all make-up easily without a hint of dryness and rinses off easily. Of course, it smells great too. My only gripe is the packaging, it always splodges out a little more than I need. This is irritating. Nonetheless, this is a great cleanser and I recommend it.

Charlotte Tilbury eye palette

Birthdays are the best. Especially when you have a sister that never says, oh but you're so hard to buy for, I never know what to get you blah blah blah. She sensibly reads this blog and takes notes.

And so we come to pass, a heavenly chorus sang and angels descended because this year she bought me this baby. The Rebel palette from Charlotte Tilbury. Just look at it. Green goodness in a sleek palette. Dreams are made of such palettes. I can report that it's marvellous. Each colour is coded and you are told what to do with them. You can wear a little in the day and build up for night or just slap a ton on and wear with attitude at 8am. The quality is very good, easy to apply, they stay put. It's all really rather fabulous.

Nobody needs another eye palette but nobody turns one down either. Lovely.

St Tropez Express Sheet Mask

This self tan lark is such a bore isn't it? I bought these sheet masks a while ago but somehow couldn't find the time to apply it. The idea is you put on this sheet mask for 5, 10 or 15 minutes (depending on level of brown you want) and then rub in the excess and wait for it to develop.

Post holiday, I decided to give it a go. I left it on for five minutes. Let me be 100% clear about the results: I looked bright neon orange. It was fine to start with, I glowed gently after a few hours and thought, oh yes, this is great. I woke up the next morning, looked in the mirror and yelped. And I had to go to work.

I can't even begin to imagine what 15 minutes would look like. These are ridiculous and also, they leave you with a white neck because of the way they are designed. They have received rave reviews and I can't understand why. I am not the palest person to ever walk the earth, I am normal pale.

My strong advice is to avoid but if anyone wants to try it, I do have another one as they come in a pair.

CND Vinylux nail polish

We've not talked nails for a while. I have discovered CND Vinylux which lasts for a week with no chipping. And it really does. You don't need a base coat, you paint on two coats of the polish and the special top coat and bob is your uncle.

I had them done at the salon across the road from me and was so impressed that I invested in some colours myself. It's exactly the same as normal nail varnish in terms of application and it comes off with regular nail varnish remover. I don't know how it works but it does.

I bought these three colours from this site and am now cooling my heels before I start another obsession of buying 500 new colours.

Here are my nails in the blue which is exactly the same as the wondrous YSL blue. Disclaimer: these are done by the beauty therapist, not me. I am not that good.

If you find your nail varnish always chips no matter what you do, then give this a try.

Jo Malone

I have rediscovered my love for Jo Malone. I bought the Lime, Basil and Mandarin body and hand wash from someone off the internet for a tenner and have been loving it.

At the airport on my way to Mallorca I bought this.

Which is as lovely as it sounds. Fresh and perfect for a sunny holiday. Then CoverBoy rediscovered the Amber and Lavender cologne and yes, that's divine too.

Then I was shopping at the weekend to buy a leaving present for someone at work. She requested Jo Malone and frankly, who wouldn't? I found myself adding the Grapefruit body and hand wash to my basket for me.

The perfumes I consistently finish are Jo Malone. I mean, I wouldn't want to only have Jo Malone but they are always delicious.

Maybelline Lasting Drama Waterproof eyeliner

Two posts in one day - I spoil you! I have to tell you about this eyeliner. I bought it on a whim in a CVS in Boston last month and I think it's a winner.

I have it in Glossy Emerald and it's a divine colour. I have bad news, I don't think you can get this colour in the UK. In fact I am not entirely sure they sell this in the UK. The site is not very clear.

Anyway, it glides on and lasts for hours. I reckon it would last for days. It's quite disconcerting, it's not that easy to remove to be honest. But for a clear, non-smudgy line, it's one of the best eyeliners I've ever used. Tip, apply it and then leave your eyes closed until it sets (a few seconds maybe). Don't blink because then you get an attractive line on your upper lid. Maybe that's just me. I discovered this was the case after an evening out thinking I had smoking hot eyes. Yeah. No.

If you can find it in the UK, do let me know. If not, then I am sorry if I've created a burning desire in you that can't be sated.

Beauty Pie

Hello! I am back. Apologies for the lack of posts recently. I've been sunning myself in the Med (dealing with carry on luggage only - a beauty junkie's nightmare).

Today we are talking about Beauty Pie. A new venture by the woman who is behind Bliss. It's a new approach to shopping for beauty. You pay £10 a month and then you can shop for products at factory prices. For someone like me (i.e famously befuddled by numbers) I found it quite hard to properly get my head round so let me explain what I have bought and how much it cost me, all in.

50ml of this serum cost £7.79. It's really good. It has a great texture, it sinks in, it smells good. I am already a big fan. People, we may have solved my serum needs.

A primer. £3.18. I have not tested this enough to give you a thorough review. I have post holiday tan which means I am not wearing foundation. However, I will say it's very heavily scented and it would be better not being very heavily scented. However, at this price, who cares if it's not a hit?

A lip set for £7.78. This I am very impressed with. First up my lip pencil had snapped off. I called customer service and a new one was despatched that day. Excellent response and makes me like them more. I now have two (I sharpened the broken one) and that's a jolly good thing because this is a revelation in lip pencil technology.  Every lip pencil I've used has been drying and tugs the lips. This glides on. It's magnificent. I absolutely love it. The lipstick is also a treat, very moisturising. The lip gloss is also good although I find lip glosses a bit sticky as a rule. Did I need any of these? No. But I am very glad I have them and the colours are gorgeous and very flattering.

Five minute facial - £5.86. I returned from my week on a boat with skin that needed a little TLC.  I put this on and it made everything better. Stick it on, wait five minutes, rinse it off. Glowy skin is yours. It gets great reviews and I can see why.

Having paid my fee of £29, this haul came to £60.12. I consider this very good value. However, if I want to order more (and I will be ordering more serum, I can tell you that right now), then I have to pay more money because you can't buy at the factory prices for a one off fee. I can see why, you could pay £29 for a year and then buy a ton of stuff and how would they make a profit? That isn't made as clear as it could be. Read more here. They also wildly over estimate how much each product would cost and make a big deal of the factory price. For example, they claim the serum would be £85. Maybe and I know plenty of serums that cost that much however, I am not sure this would.

I will certainly be buying again from Beauty Pie, I am very impressed with what I have and the lip liner is a game changer.

By the way, I am not paid a penny from any company to blog about products. I buy everything myself and am not affiliated with anyone. I have a day job and this blog is a hobby and always has been.

Mary Greenwell Lemon perfume

I trust we all know who Mary Greenwell is? Legendary make-up artist that's who. She launched a perfume or two a few years ago and I love her for not launching a make-up line. I am not sure we need another make-up line, I can barely keep up with it now. But perfume, well, now she's playing to my deepest weak spot.

I bought this from someone on the internet and so it cost me less than half the price of retail for a full bottle. I highly recommend this internet lark you know. It's incredible what you can find out there. Given that I didn't have to pay full price, I felt fully justified in buying this because its been MONTHS since I had a new perfume. The description spoke to me: a fresh citrus floral with a soft chypre dry down. Hello my friend!

It's a very heavy bottle because the lid weighs a ton. Well, not literally but it's really heavy. Not sure why and I guess it's to feel luxurious but I find it ever so slightly annoying. However, this perfume is a dream. It's absolutely gorgeous. It feels refreshing and zesty as you spray and then settles into a much more interesting scent. How I adore a chypre scent. I knew I'd like this because I love Mitsouko and it's not a million miles from that.

I am in love and I like that it's not a typical scent which everyone will wear. I have a huge bottle so I fully expect to wear it on rotation for the summer and beyond.

Nail colour of the week

I am loving this colour: Meet My Decorator. It's from the OPI Breakfast at Tiffany's collection. I know I said I wasn't buying any more nail varnish but come on, I lasted until April. That's a good effort. I bought this at Dallas airport just because.

It's a perfect bright (but not neon) orange and just the colour for Spring.

Bases for Spring

Somehow I never have enough foundation or bases. I have two new finds to report.

First up, Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.

I've wanted to try this for ages. People rave about it. Armani is not in every department shop I discovered as I hiked from Liberty all the way up to Selfridges trying to find it. Excellent shop assistants who gave me two generous samples because I wan't sure what colour I was. I used it all week (it was a big sample) and decided to buy it. I love this, it's very easy to blend and looks completely natural.

Then I decided I simply had to try the new BIY (Blend it Yourself) Pigment Drops from Clinique.

You mix this with your moisturiser, 1, 2 or 3 drops depending on how much coverage you want. I bought some at the airport earlier this week and used it in Dallas. It was hot in Dallas, I didn't want anything too heavy. I like this very much. It's perfect for days when you want a little coverage but not much (one drop). I've not tried three drops yet!

While I was at the Clinique counter, I picked up this Pep-Start moisturiser.

A trusted friend told me this made her look instantly younger. Obviously I had to check it out. It is great for summer as it mattifies and does somehow smooth your skin. It doesn't feel terribly moisturising to me. I put some on and then 10 mins later mixed it with the BIY and put another layer on. If you have less dry skin, you will love this.

Both of these are really good. I gave up on the Hourglass Foundation Stick. I simply found it too drying so I sold it. It goes to show I can't agree with Sali Hughes on everything.

Nail colour of the week

OPI Plugged in Plum. I always paint my nails on a Sunday evening to set me up for the week and I love this purple which reminds me of an 80s youth club disco and therefore is fabulous. I bought this for my hen night (don't ask me how I remember these things, I just do) and I don't wear it often as it's quite bright and I have to be in the mood. But's the sun was shining today and I decided I need a little disco in my life.

I was reading an article this week on how long one should keep make up. It said throw nail varnish out after 18 months. Wait, WHAT? That's insane.I can only assume it was sponsored by a nail varnish company. I got married nearly seven years ago and this baby is still as perfect as the day I bought it. I have nail varnish older than seven years and all is well. So that annoyed me and I ignored all the other 'advice' it gave too!

Charles Worthington Everyday Gentle Micellar Shampoo

I read about this in three separate places in the space of a week in which there was much raving, and I decided I needed to try it with the conditioner. It protects colour and is very gentle. You can Google micellar, I am not going to try and explain it.

Anyway, it's really good. Nice and foamy despite no sulphates and rinses out very easily. It leaves my hair very bouncy. Forgive the cliches but I can't think how else to describe it, bouncy and light. It's my new favourite hair product. I highly recommend it if you want hair with some ooof. Yeah, I am never going to become a hair journalist.

New Spring make-up goodies

Today the sun was out and it was warm (ish). I went out without a coat. YES! Spring is in the air. I am still on my spending-ban but let me show you some of the lovely products I would totally consider if I could.

First up, YSL joy:

Lancome Blush and Highlighter cushion:

 Bobbi Brown Art Stick:

I don't know if this is new to Chanel but this nail colour is called Espadrilles.

It's enough to make you want to book a holiday and pack nothing but bikinis and nail polish!