Nail colour of the week

Essie Chocolate Cakes this week. I need to tell you that is much nicer than this picture, it's a rich, dark, deep chocolate. I rarely choose brown nail polish but I am loving this. It goes with my new ring.

Bliss triple oxygen instant energizing eye mask

I've just returned from a lovely weekend away in the country staying in a divine little hotel. I hesitate to call it a hotel since it only had 5 bedrooms but calling it a B&B would be misleading. This place had the best food I've eaten anywhere. It's here if you're interested and I highly recommend it.

I always do a beauty treatment when I go away somewhere for the weekend, especially if I have a nice swish bathroom. It's fun and adds to the decadence. I bought these Bliss eye masks in New York in November on the recommendation of my boss who raved about them. I hadn't used them yet (they are expensive, I wanted to feel that I could properly relax with them) and so yesterday I tore into one.

You have to pierce the liquid side and let the masks soak in it and then put them under each eye. The regular Bliss oxygen face mask is a miracle worker and I am here to report that these babies are also The Business. I was looking a little weary having been drinking wine and cocktails the night before and not slept very well. I popped these on and they are sooooo soothing and cooling. They almost sting a little and I was concerned I was going to have red patches under my eyes but no fear, I think it was just the ingredients revitalising me!

I really did feel fabulous 15 minutes later. You only get four per pack so they are a real treat but wow. I highly recommend these for those jaded days.

Chanel skincare

I've steered away from Chanel skincare in the past with my thinking going something like this: I don't want to get into Chanel, clearly I will adore it and it and will cost me a fortune. Sometimes the universe wants you to have something despite your best intentions and last week, a friend at work gave me a full size Chanel serum and toner as she said they didn't suit her skin. She gave them to me with the words: "I wondered who would appreciate them and thought of you". Discussing make up and skincare by the water cooler seems to have finally paid off.

I'd love to tell you they are nothing special, nothing to see here, move along. But the serum is amazing. It just sinks into the skin, no tackiness, no stickiness, no greasiness and makes you look better. Does it have to be so sublime? The toner is also lovely. I don't go much for toners but this one is gorgeous. Anti-pollution, it's as gentle as can be and you can feel it working. 

Oh for goodness sake, why did this have to happen? The toner is £29 which isn't too ruinous but it's just a toner. It's water.  The serum is £78. The last serum I got was L'Oreal's and was £10 in Boots. I thought I liked it. Ha! How little I knew. It didn't make me feel like I was getting visibly younger as I applied it. Those French know about skincare. 

If you're Victoria Beckham, I recommend it although you probably bathe in it. If your husband is an investment banker (or indeed you are) get the whole range. If you have a normal income then get the serum if you can, it's wonderful.

Selfridges beauty hall

And so to Selfridges with a friend who needed foundation advice. I took her to the Armani counter and all was well as she fell in love with the Maestro foundation. She also bought a lipstick which I was very impressed with. In fact, I love all the Armani make-up, it's beautifully packaged and very classy. The lady did her eyes too and the colours were superb, the range is called Eyes To Kill and they are so pretty:

I was tempted I must say. We looked at Tom Ford make-up which, as always, breaks my heart in its perfection. However, it's ruinously expensive and there is nothing I feel I must have.

In case you think I am sickening for something, I will say I did spend and it was at Bobbi Brown. The Skin Perfecting Retouching powders have intrigued me and a lovely girl put some on me. They come in about 5 or 6 colours but if you are white then you're down to two - yellow or pink. She thought pink would be the one for me but it was the yellow that worked like magic. It was the end of a long day and I was looking pretty weary. She put this powder on and it simply revives you like magic. The site says it works like magic and I really cannot disagree.

It's £25 and I think that's reasonable however unfortunately I fell in love with the brush she used and had to have that.

And naturally I could not resist the lure of the long wear eye gels.

I got Ivy Shimmer Ink and it's fabulous. I am sporting it today and I am convinced with my magic powder I am ready to take on the world!

We then retired for cocktails with our loot (and free mascara from Bobbi Brown) feeling very happy with life.

Nail colour of the week

Don't Sweater It. Honestly. That's what it is called. It's a nice neutral, slightly dark brown/beige. I like it. I was in the mood for something a bit different today. Part of me is wishing I had Luxedo though.

I have my eye on...

Hello,  I've not abandoned this blog. I've been having a quiet January and not had much beauty news to report. However, yesterday I went shopping and perused various beauty counters. I didn't buy anything (well, no beauty things) but I have my eye on a few things I want.

First up of course is Bobbi Brown. I can't get enough of Bobbi. I am so loving the long-wear eye gels and want Chocolate Shimmer, Black Mauve Shimmer and Ivy Shimmer Ink. No, I don't need them but I want them.

I am also intrigued by the new Retouching powders. I tried these on my hand yesterday and think they could be winners.

I've never paid much attention to Origins make-up before but I've heard good things about their Ginzing mascara. Out of interest I had a look even though me and my beloved Estee Lauder Doublewear are rarely apart these days. It looked ok but the brush is too thick for me. However, the eye creams caught my attention.

These were in a gorgeous range of neutral, easy to wear colours, and the texture felt fabulous. If I needed them at all, I'd have bought one.

Finally I don't know how much longer I can resist Tom Ford make-up. 

Be still my beating heart.

Nail colour of the week

This week I am sporting Stylenomics, from the Essie Fall 2012 collection, Yes, it's a stupid name. It's a great colour though, it's not nearly as green as it might seem. In some lights it looks grey. I am liking it.

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?