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.