Rediscoveries

In an attempt to use up all those products that I've had hanging around my dressing table for months, some even years, I've rediscovered some old favourites and completely fallen in love all over again with things I'd completely discarded and forgotten all about.

Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink (£18)

So old, they've now completed changed the packaging to a square design with a flip-up lid. This was the first Bobbi Brown purchase I ever made and a firm favourite throughout my late teens (I'm now 22). Somehow it got replaced as my blush collection grew. I used it less and less in favour of trying new purchases, and eventually it was pushed aside and completely forgotten about. When I stumbled across this again I was over the moon. It just looks so inviting - the brightest pale pink you can imagine, it literally leaps from its case. The formula is wonderful, it glides on evenly and it's super pigmented and you only need the tiniest amount. Since I rediscovered this little beauty I've been applying it to the apples of my cheeks most days and absolutely loving the result. It gives you that fresh, 'just came in from the cold' glow. I'll never neglect this beautiful blush again.

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam (£10)

I have an extensive collection of highlighters to say the least. My favourite has been Soft & Gentle by MAC for a while, but before I discovered what is now my holy grail, this was my go-to cheekbone illuminator. It has millions of shimmer particles and the golden colour looks amazing, especially on tanned skin. It isn't the most subtle of highlighters so I reserve it mostly for nights out, but I am really glad I found this again.

Chanel Vitalumière Foundation (£29)

I put this foundation to one side when I decided to switch to using oil-free only bases. That was until recently when I read somewhere that Chanel Vitalumière does in fact have an oil-free formula. I dug it back out and put it on the very next day. I hadn't used it for a while and forgot how much I liked it in the first place. It blends really well on my skin, leaves a flawless matte finish and lasts all day - what more can you ask from a foundation? I'm now really keen to try the Vitalumière Aqua.

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (£20)

Ever faithful to my Rimmel Lash Accelerator, I don't mix up mascaras very often. But I got a sample of this (which came in the cutest little tube) from a Chanel counter a few weeks ago. I tried it and liked it, but then completely forgot about it. For the last few days I've been using it in conjuction with my Rimmel mascara, and loving the result. It's super black and makes my lashes look really dramatic. It stays put all day, although it can be a bit tricky to take off. I'm definitely going to purchase a full size of this the next opportunity I get.

Benefit Benetint (£24.50)

When I was younger I used to apply this to my cheeks, but when I got more into makeup I started to prefer powder blushers. However, recently I've been using this exclusively for my lips. I find it easier to wear than lipstick, not drying at all, and can be used sparsely for a subtle daytime look, or built up for a dramatic red lip for night time. I'm really glad I kept hold of this, especially as red lips are all the rage this season.

L'Oréal Elnett Heat Protect Styling Spray

I picked this up in my November haul and have been using it for a week or two now, and I must say I really do like it.

L'Oréal have created three different variations of this heat protecting styling spray: Volume (the one which I'm currently using), straight and waves. They claim to protect hair from heat styling up to 230 degrees, which is excellent if like me you're conscious about the damage that the hairdryer, straighteners and curling tongs must be doing.

It also claims to lock in your hairstyle for three days. I usually wash my hair every other day anyway, but even by the second day I don't think my style was exactly 'locked in' from using this. It did stay put longer than usual and I didn't feel the need to use quite as much hairspray as I would usually, but three days really is pushing it.

You spray the product onto damp hair before styling as usual. Initially you can really feel it in your wet hair, feels kind of like you've put loads of hairspray in. I was sceptical on my first use to say the least. But once hair is dry the sticky feeling completely vanishes and you're left with silky voluptuous locks.

I was really impressed with the volume that this gave to my hair, as I've found that most volumizing products don't live up to their promises. But after using this my hair was bigger than usual and I didn't feel the need to undergo the tedious backcombing that I'm so used to doing.

It's great value for money, the usual price is £5.99, but is currently on an introductory offer in Boots for just £3.99, and you get a whopping 170ml for your money. I also really like the packaging and the scent, which is light and fruity and fresh. I'm sure this spray will become a staple in my haircare routine.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

I received a sample of this in a magazine earlier this month (I think it was Elle, but I'm not 100% sure on that). I added it to my collection of samples to try out, and got round to using it last week. The next day I found myself in Boots purchasing the full-size tube. I am completely blown away by this product, going as far as to say this is the best primer that I've ever used.

It's a clear gel-like substance and a pea sized amount applied to your face after moisturising leaves your skin ultra smooth and velvety. It felt so nice when I tried it I couldn't help but stroke my face! It creates the perfect base to put foundation on top of; makeup just glides on after this.

The formula is oil-free (perfect for me as I'm trying to only use oil-free products at the moment because they don't seem to make me break out). It mattifies the skin so I think it's important to properly moisturise before hand to keep skin hydrated, although I haven't found it particularly drying so far.

It claims to extend makeup wear, and I can confirm this. The ultimate test for the lasting power of my makeup is when I go on my all to frequent marathon shopping trips. Today was one of those days. I applied this in the morning before my foundation, then took to the shops. I was out of the house for a total of seven hours and the weather was dreadful, windy and rainy. I'm pleased to say my makeup looks just as fresh now as when I left this morning and I'm putting that down to the primer.

I would really recommend this primer, particularly for those with oily or combination skin. It costs £25 for 30ml which is kind of expensive, but you don't need to use a lot so hopefully a tube will last a while. If you just want to try it out, a travel size 12ml tube is available for £12.50.

All Time Favourite Eyelahes

I live for false eyelashes. I've got better recently, but I went through a phase (I say phase, we're talking three years) of wearing them every single day. You'll be pleased to hear I've cut back, number one because I don't think wearing them that often can be that good for your own lashes never mind your eyes, number two because that is one expensive habit I can tell you.

Nevertheless I still love them and wear them whenever I'm going somewhere nice.

With my vast experience in pretty much every brand of false eyelash out there, I've managed to whittle it down to my two holy grails - one for a daytime look and one for the night time.

The Daytime Eyelashes

Ardell Demi Wispies (£5.49)

I really like these for daytime because they're subtle and I think they look really pretty and will pretty much look good on anyone. The words flirty and flutter spring to mind, and wispy funnily enough. The band is transparent which means you don't have to wear them with a tonne of black eyeliner. The band is also very flexible making them really easy and quick to apply. They're relatively cheap, costing £5.49 in Boots, who also often have offers like 3 for 2 across the Ardell range. For any bargain hunters, if you buy them in bulk on eBay you can literally get them pennies.

The Night Time Eyelashes

Nails Inc Get Gorgeous Strip Lahes (£6.50)

I love love love these eyelashes, they're super thick and full so they just make your eyes stand out so much and generally look amazing. They don't flick out at the ends; the longest lashes are in the middle which apparently makes eyes appear wider. They create a rather dramatic look so I usually reserve these for nights out (although they're have been days when I've been feeling glam). The band is quite stiff and I wouldn't recommend them for a novice because they can be a bit tricky to apply. But once you have them on you're all good to go. You can pick these up at most Nails Inc counters, or Superdrug's own brand 'Girls With Attitude' do an identical set that cost around £1 less.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation

Sadly, I'm coming to the end of my first bottle of Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation. It's been my go-to foundation for a couple of months so I thought this would be the perfect time to do a little review of it.

I chose this foundation because I'm trying to switch to oil free products for my face as I find they're much better for my skin and don't make me break out. Also, I've loved everything I've ever tried from Mercier, especially another one of their foundations I'm sure you all know about: the lovely Silk Creme.

The shade I have is Tawny Beige, which I thought was a little dark, especially since my summer tan has now long gone. However, the foundation melts into the skin and blends so nicely this hasn't been a huge problem. It leaves you with a flawless semi-matte finish. The coverage is medium to full, perfect for me as I like a lot of coverage from my foundation so I don't have to use too much concealer. Another huge bonus is that this product has real staying power. Staying power is something that I think everyone looks for in makeup, particularly when it comes to foundations - it's not like you can easily reapply your base in the middle of the day. It has a moisturising formula with vitamin E and lots of other good stuff so it feels really nice on your skin too.

To sum up, this foundation is definitely worth a try if you have oily skin or are prone to break outs, like good coverage and want a product that's easy to apply, comfortable to wear and lasts all day. It retails at £33, which seems a little pricey but really that's become the standard for a high-end foundation these days. I do think this is a quality product that's worth the price, and I'm sure I'll be buying this again soon.

Laura Mercier Supreme Oil Free Foundation available at Space NK.

My Clarisonic & Why We Didn't Get Along

My skin is nowhere near perfect. It's not completely dreadful either, but I'm prone to blemishes and the littlest thing can break me out. Last Christmas my endless quest for a miracle skin perfecting product lead me to the Clarisonic Mia.

Before I got this I knew every little thing there is to know about Clarisonics. The more research i did, the more I became convinced that this was going to be my skin saviour. I was so excited. Then it arrived and we began our eight month long relationship (I'm making this so dramatic).

So it costs £120 and is exclusively available from Space NK, a shop I know, love and trust. Maybe I was blinded by this and assumed that the expensive price would lead to results, but I was completely smitten. I went straight out to buy all the accessories I could: various brush heads, including the deep pore cleansing one and a few of the normal and sensitive ones, along with a lot of cleansers to use with it - Dr Brandt's Pores No More, the Eve Lom Cleanser, Benefit's Foamingly Clean Facial Cleanser, Ren's Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel, and they're just the ones i can think of off the top of my head.

Before I go on I'll just quickly fill you in on what the Clarisonic promises to do:

• Removes 6X more makeup than manual cleansing
• Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
• Cleansing helps products work more effectively
• Gentle enough to use twice a day
• Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Minimizes the appearance of visible pores.

Sounds pretty good, right? So you can understand why I went to work straight away, using it twice everyday as if my life depended on it.

I was pre-warned in Space NK that for the first few weeks skin would appear to get worse, but that's because it's purging all the bad stuff that's been trapped in there for so long out. I was prepared to sacrifice one little January of bad skin, for a lifetime of flawless skin.

However, I didn't really notice this happening at all. For the first two weeks at least my skin actually did seem much smoother and brighter. I was still getting the odd blemish here and there, but they weren't getting any worse or better.

After about one month my skin started to feel really dry in places, so I went and bought a whole bunch of moisturisers that had been recommended to me for use with the Clarisonic. This was when the trouble started. I guess it's just my skin type, but when I put on these heavy duty moisturisers after a bit of 'sonic cleansing', I broke out more than ever. I kept it up for a while and then cut back to only using the Clarisonic every other day, which improved it but it was still worse than before I got one.

It wasn't until I went away for a month and forgot to pack my skin gadget that I realised it was really not helping me at all. One month without and my skin was clearer than it had been in ages. It's remained in my drawer ever since.

I'm interested to hear about other peoples Clarisonic experiences. I know some people absolutely swear by it and I really think it just depends on skin type. My skin's always been on the sensitive side and it just really wasn't for me, which is such a shame. If it hasn't worked for you either, or you're looking for an alternative cleanser, check out my Dermologica Daily Microfoliant post. 

Tools of the Trade

I cleaned my makeup brushes last night, so figured this is the perfect time to do a post on my favourites while they're all nice and fluffy and clean.

A selection of my favourite brushes

1. MAC #187 Duo Fibre Face Brush (£32.50)

I use this stippling brush to buff foundation into my skin. I much prefer it to traditional foundation brushes; it leaves a lovely even finish and feels really nice to use. This is actually the third one of these that I've owned (number one was chewed up by my dog and number two was lost when moving house). Unfortunately I've found that this one's starting to shed a bit recently, so next time I'm going to go for the Real Techniques version as I've heard great things about it, it's much cheaper and I really love all of their other brushes.

2. Real Techniques Powder Brush 1401  (£12.99)

Wonderful powder brush, it feels really soft and I find it the perfect size for sweeping just the right amount of finishing powder over my foundation. I use this most days to apply MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (which I discuss here). It's made completely of synthetic fibres, meaning it's really easy to clean and generally a very low maintenance brush. You can't go far wrong with Real Techniques brushes: they leave you with a flawless finish, they don't shed and they're very reasonably priced. I can't recommend them enough.

3. MAC #109 Small Contour Brush (£26)

I use this brush for contouring. The slightly domed tip makes it deliver just the right amount of colour. I've had this brush for a while and even though I use it all the time and really like it, I'm sure there's now very similar products out there for less.

4. Bobbi Brown Blush Brush (£35)

This brush is absolutely beautiful, I can't sing its praises enough. It's wonderfully soft and the long pointed wooden handle makes it feel so luxurious when using. It also applies blusher to cheeks like an absolute dream, with it's rounded tip delivering the perfect amount of colour. I actually got this brush for my mum last Christmas, but I liked it so much that I went out and bought my own. I know its on the expensive side, but when you use it you can really understand why. I think it's worth every single penny.

5. HD Brows Eyebrow Brush (Comes as part of palette £20)

This eyebrow brush came with my HD Brows palette (which I absolutely adore and can't be without by the way). Initially I discarded this little gem as I already had a brow brush that I liked, but one day I thought I'd give it a whirl and in no time it had worked its way up the ranks to my favourite eyebrow brush. I like how slim the brush is, making it very precise. It always works particularly well with the HD Brows powders.

6. Space NK Brow Brush

Loved this brush but I'm afraid that it's been discontinued guys. It's a very short angled brow brush making it great for precision. I still use it now and again but I've had it for so long the bristles are starting to fray and as Space NK no longer sell it, i can't buy it again.

7. Urban Decay Good Karma Shadow Brush (£14.50)

Again I got this eye shadow brush with a palette (Urban Decay's famous Naked palette in fact). I really like it because you can do so many things with this. Use the flat side to sweep on colours all over the lid, use the fine tip for more precise shading, and it's stiff enough to smudge up your eyeliner a bit and blend. I've also discovered that it's the perfect tool for applying Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre eyeshadow.  This is my favourite brush for blending and one of my must-haves.

8. Laura Mercier Eye Colour Brush (£23)

Laura Mercier is an all-time favourite brand of mine, and this brush delivers the quality that you'd expect from their products. The bristles are quite long and soft, leaving you with a soft finish that's great for everyday.

9. Topshop Eyeliner Brush (£4)

This brush has a fine stiff tip, making it great for creating that precise smooth line above your lashes. I just think that it's a great little brush and at £4 you can't really go wrong. Another triumph for Topshop makeup.

10. Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush (£22)

Again, the super fine tip makes it easy to create that flawless line. I particularly like the long wooden handle, which makes it easier to control and looks really elegant.

Dermologica Daily Microfoliant

I am so amazed by this product. It's basically a gentle facial exfoliator, but unlike any that I've come across before. Instead of the exfoliating gels and lotions that my bathroom's awash with, Dermologica's Daily Microfoliant comes in the form of a rice-based powder. To use it you apply a small amount to wet hands, massage into your face and then rinse.

It's gentle enough to use everyday, which is really unusual for an exfoliator. The powder almost turns into a thin lotion when it comes into contact with the water in your hands. The granules are really small (I guess thats why it's called Microfoliant), so small in fact you can barely feel them when your rubbing this all over your face.

After you've massaged, rinsed and patted your face dry it's left feeling so bright, so clean and so ready for whatever the world has to throw at it you'll wonder how you ever survived without this in your life. Unlike a lot of other exfoliators and cleansers that I've tried, I don't find that this makes my skin too tight either (obviously still moisturise afterwards as you would with any cleanser).

The formula contains Salicylic acid, which is really good for keeping blemishes at bay. Apparently the rice-enzymes micro-exfoliate dead skin cells, which is how skin is left feeling so much smoother and brighter. To be honest I don't really get the science behind it, I just know that as someone with quite blemish-prone skin, who's been searching for the perfect daily cleanser for what seems like forever, I think I  may have found it.

75g of this wonder product will set you back £38.50 (ouch). I was sent a trial size of this in Glossybox and think I probably would never have splashed out that much for it if I hadn't tried it first. But now I have tried it I'll definitely be repurchasing when my little one's ran out. 75g will last for ages (like ages and ages). You only need half a teaspoon at a time (which is a tiny amount) and i reckon there's an awful lot of half teaspoons in 75g. I honestly do think it's worth it and can't recommend this enough. I feel as though my prayers have finally been answered.

OPI Nail Lacquer: Significant Other

Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar

Harvey Nichols opened it's first shop dedicated exclusively to cosmetics in Liverpool recently. It's a three floor heaven for any beauty junkies like me.

The ground floor is similar to beauty departments that you'll find in most high-end department stores (just a bit smaller). There's a MAC counter, a Laura Mercier (which I was particularly happy to see), a Tom Ford Beauty, a Nars, a Bobbi Brown, the most beautiful Jo Malone display and so much more.

I will say that it feels a bit cramped, but that's only because it's filled with such an array of posh products.

Taking the escalator up to the first floor and you'll arrive at a much more light and airy space with even more on offer. A particular highlight for me was the BeautyMART on the first floor. BeautyMART sells a whole range of tried and tested as well as new and innovative products from the best brands, and has something to suit every pocket. I noticed that they had a lot of Bourjous and Revlon products which I wouldn't necessarily expect to find in Harvey Nichols but was happy that I did.

WOW Bar is also located on the first floor - glass of champagne while you reflect on the days purchases? Don't mind if I do. There's also a hair lounge, champagne nail bar, brow bar and lash bar. Talk about a one-stop beauty destination.

Up on third floor there's a Medispa which offers everything from dermal fillers to laser hair removal, a spray-tan studio and waxing specialists.

I had such high expectations of Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar and I'm happy to say that not only were they met, they were exceeded. The shop offers a range of the most desirable makeup, fragrance and skincare. In addition to all this I really noticed how welcoming, helpful and professional the staff were. I can see myself spending a lot of time here.

November Haul

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Heat Styling Spray: Volume (£5.99)

This is a new product from L'Oreal and I don't know too much about it yet. The main reason that I picked this up was because there was an introductory offer of £3.99 instead of £5.99 in Boots. It claims to "create a voluptuous and bouncy blow dry and lock out fly aways and humidity". Yes please.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara: Extreme Black (£7.99)

My favourite mascara. I've already talked about this here. If you haven't tried it yet than I recommend that you do.

Guerlain Météorites Perles: 02 Teint Beige (£35.50)

I am beyond excited to use this. I've been lusting after it forever, it was even included it in my Winter Wish List post. It's basically a setting powder that gives your skin an all over glow. I'm totally in love with the packaging already.

Philip Kingsley Smooth & Shiny Trial Pack (£15)

Contains Philip Kingsley Re-Moisturizing Shampoo (60ml), Conditioner (60ml) and the wonderful Elasticizer (40ml). Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer is one of my favourite hair treatments and the main reason that I bought this pack. I've never tried any of his shampoos or conditioners before so this is a good way to see if they work for my hair before splashing out on the full sizes. The miniature bottles will be great to take on weekends away too.

Barry M Nail Paint: Peach Melba (£2.99)

A bit of an impulse purchase. I'm not a massive Barry M fan but this caught my eye in Superdrug and I think it'll make a great base to some of my glitter polishes. I like peachy nail colours because they really flatter tanned skin.

Models Own Nail Polish: Snowflakes (£5)

I already have a lot of glitter polishes, but I do love them and this one is kind of festive (looks like the fake snow you can buy). I think it will look really pretty over a lilac or sky blue undercoat.

O. P. I Nail Lacquer: Significant Other (£11)

I first discovered this little gem when I was in Berlin earlier this year. For some stupid reason I didn't buy it there and then and have been on the lookout for it ever since. I was over the moon when it jumped off the shelf at me in John Lewis. It's an iridescent lilac colour which almost looks turquoise in some lights. I'm going to put it on as soon as I've finished this post!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer: Medium (£4.19)

I usually go to more high-end brands for concealer (big fan of Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage), but I've heard so many bloggers rave about this one that I thought I'd give it a whirl. When I swatched it in the shop it was creamy, not too thick and gave good coverage which is all very promising.

Neutrogena: Visibly Clear Pink-Grapefruit Oil-Free Moisturiser (£4.99)

I haven't tried this product before but I always go for oil-free moisturisers because I find that they are better for my skin. It smells just like grapefruits - really refreshing and perfect to wake me up a bit in the mornings.

Candela Profumata Candle: Vanilla (£6)

Not a brand that I'm familiar with, but the vanilla scent is subtle and not too overwhelming which I like.

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Spray 60 ml (£7.50)

I've used this product before and quite liked it. It's an anti-breakage, heat-protecting conditioning spray. I don't find it too heavy and I love the smell. I've decided to really start looking after my locks now as I use heat styling tools a lot and after all your hair is the outfit you wear everyday.

I think that's everything from my little beauty splurge today, hope you liked it!

The Glitter Army

With December just around the corner, the party season is almost upon us. And there's no better way to prepare than to form your own glitter army of nail polishes. I adore glitter polishes and there's such a good range out there at the moment there's really no excuse not to adorn your nails in the same way you'll soon be adorning your Christmas tree.

My Glitter Soldiers

Deborah Lippmann: Ruby Red Slippers (£16)

The polish that I gave my glitter virginity to, Ruby Red will always hold a special place in my heart. Every time I wear this I get tonnes of compliments . I like it best worn over the top of a dark red, such as Chanel's Rouge Noir. Big red glitter flakes are suspended alongside tiny flakes in a transparent black polish. The overall effect is amazing. Somehow Deborah Lippmann makes glitter super sophisticated with this polish.

Deborah Lippmann: Glitter in the Air (£16)

The first time I used this polish I was disappointed. I expected it to cover my nails in sparkle in the same way that Ruby Red Slippers does, but this wasn't the case. Instead Glitter in the Air makes your nails look as if they've been sprinkled delicately with flakes of soft pink and baby blue glitter (rather than dipped straight into a pot of glitter). After a couple of uses I completely changed my mind, and I really like this polish now. I wear it over a light base coat and it creates a really pretty effect. The colours sort of remind me of a winter wonderland too.

Louise Gray for Topshop: Pinch Punch (£6.50)

Definitely my favourite glitter at the moment, Louise Gray's creation for Topshop looks incredible on top of almost any base colour. It contains large silver and rose gold glitter particles and thousand of teeny tiny ones too. The glitter really stands out against a dark base coat, and it is oh so eye catching on top of corals and pinks. I really can't get enough of it. It's limited edition so if you want to get your mitts on this you must hurry! I'm itching to try out the other ones in this line.

Available here.

Deborah Lippmann: Across the Universe (£16)

Similar to Ruby Red Slippers, only with blue and green glitter as opposed to red. This looks fantastic on top of a deep blue base coat (I usually use Chanel's Blue Satin). If you really want to sparkle, two coats of this bad boy will do the trick.

Nars: Arabesque (£14)

I had to hunt this sort-after little number down. Every time I visited a Nars counter for weeks it was sold out, but perseverance paid off and I eventually found one. At least two coats of this are needed to get a nice even glitzy coating, and although I do think the finished result is very pretty, sparkly and wearable, I prefer glitter polishes with different size particles; I just think they create a much more eye-catching and interesting effect.

Available here.

Topshop Nails: Silver Bullet & Moonshine (£6 each)

Ok, so these aren't exactly glitter polishes, but I've included them in this post because they're still perfect for the party season and provide plenty of glitz. I'm always impressed with Topshop's Nails range and these two were no exception. Worn on their own they look great and I find that they work particularly well against tanned skin (or fake-tanned at this time of year). I think Moonshine (right) is my favourite of the two; it's a very light rose godly colour with lots of little shimmery particles. Again you'll need two coats.

Available here.

Deborah Lippmann: Razzle Dazzle (£14)

I received this miniature quite a while ago from Glossybox. It's similar to Ruby Red Slippers in colour, but it only contains lots of tiny red glitter flakes and doesn't have any big ones. I like to wear it in the same way (on top of a deep red base coat) and usually find that one layer of glitter is sufficient to transform my nails into a dark red glitter ball.

Couldn't Live Without

Sisley Phyto-Khol Perfect Eyeliner

The ultime kohl eye pencil, I've never loved an eyeliner quite like I love this one. It goes on smoothly, it lasts longer than any other pencil liner that I've tried and the colour is intense. I use the black matte one on my inner lids every single day and it's great for smudging too. It is pricey at a budget-breaking £31.50 (an outrageous price for an eyeliner I know), but I can almost guarantee that once you've tried this bad boy out you'll never look back.

Available here.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

I have three of these on the go at the moment and find them absolutely essential in my make up routine. It's basically a face powder containing minerals, that provides medium coverage and a matte finish. I have three different shades and have found different uses for each of them. My lightest shade, Medium Plus, I use as a setting powder for my foundation. My medium shade, Medium Dark, I use as bronzer and to enhance my tan. And finally my darkest shade, Medium Deep, I use for contouring. At £21 a pop, they're not cheap but I really would be lost without them.

Swatched from left: Medium Plus, Medium Dark, Medium Deep

Available here.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

I rarely buy mascara from high-end brands as I don't think that they deliver anything extra for the higher prices they charge. I've been using Rimmel's Lash Accelerator for a while now and I'm pleased to say I'm still as impressed as I was the first time I tried it. The formula is quite wet, meaning it coats every last lash without clumps. Even when I've piled on a few coats it doesn't seem clumpy. The wand is slim so you can lengthen your lashes with precision and it stays put all day. I've recently bought the Extreme Black version of this too and I'm in love with it, it's a more intense black and it really makes eyes stand out. As if all that wasn't enough, Rimmel also claims that its Grow-Lash Complex can promote eyelash growth (up to 117% apparently, although I'm not sure where they've got that statistic from- that's more than double). So at just £7.99 I think this mascara is an all-round winner and I wouldn't be without it.

Available here.

Oiling Up: The Best Hair Oils

I've been colouring my mane since the beginning of time, I use heat styling tools, I'm not averse to a bit of back-combing now and again, I pile on endless amounts of product and I'm ever so reluctant to have it cut. So it's vital I give my locks as much nourishment as possible. I'm forever trying new masks, serums and oils. Recently I've been favouring oils over other treatments and here's a run down of some I've tried and tested:

Moroccan Oil Treatment for All Hair Types

This was the first oil treatment that I tried, and I must say it was love at first use. I used it in a similar way to using a serum: applied a few drops to the mid-lengths and ends of hair before blowdrying. Having never used a hair oil before I was slightly concerned that it would leave my hair flat and greasy (I hate it when my hair's flat), but that wasn't the case at all. When my hair was dry, it felt much silkier and smoother than usual and looked shinier, without compromising on volume, and I didn't notice any residue. The website also claims that the oil reduces drying time but I didn't find this. I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of the bottle it comes in, I found it difficult to dispense the exact amount that I wanted to use, and if you're a little on the dozy side (guilty) and don't screw the lid on tightly enough it leaks. A lot. That being said I do think that this improved the condition of my hair from the first time I used it. Moroccan Oil retails at £12.85 for the 25ml bottle, which is the one I had and it lasted for a while. It's definitely a product that I'd be willing to recommend and purchase again. I'd also like to mention that I've used the shampoo and conditioner from this range before and absolutely loved them too. 

7/10

Moroccan Oil Treatment for All Hair Types is available at feelunique

Argania Organic Moroccan Argan Hair Oil

Described as a "fast absorbing treatment that instantly creates brilliant shine", I found this product to be an inferior version of the original Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment. Again it's applied to damp hair before blowdrying, much like a serum. The smell is heavenly - it has notes of vanilla and really is divine. The bottle is huge (100ml) and seems to last forever, so at £14.99 it is good value for money. It delivers everything that Moroccan Oil does but to a lesser degree. I also bought the shampoo and conditioner from this range, but I wasn't blown away (although the smell is out of this world).

5/10

Argania Organic Moroccan Argan Hair Oil is available at Boots

V05 Give Me Moisture Hot Oil

After reading about these hot oil 'shots' on various beauty blogs, I knew I had to try them out for myself. The directions for use are a bit of a faff, but the finished product is worth it. Before washing hair, you take one of the 'shots' and place it in a cup of hot water to heat the oil. Before shampooing you massage into wet hair and leave for one minute and then rinse and wash as usual. I was sceptical at first, after all how much good can 15ml of oil do in one minute before being washed away? Well, it turns out quite a lot. Of all the oil treatments I've tried, this is my favourite - I really noticed a difference, even while my hair was still wet it felt so much smoother. It delivers shine and softness and doesn't weigh my hair down at all. I use this treatment about once a week to give my mane a treat, and at £4.29 for four treatments they're a brilliant beauty buy.

9/10

V05 Give Me Moisture Hot Oil available at Superdrug

Ojon Damage Repair Restorative Hair Treatment

I received a sample of this overnight oil-based hair treatment, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to try it out before buying a full jar. So I'll begin with the smell: it was weird, kind of like chocolate but not quite. I didn't mind the scent too much - it apparently comes from the Tonka bean, but I've read reviews from people who found it completely unbearable. The directions state that the treatment should be warmed up in the palm of your hands before being applied to the hair in sections. I enjoyed warming the treatment up, it turns from grainy wax to oil before your very eyes. I had to use a lot more product than was recommended to coat all my hair (my hair is fairly long and thick) and when I was done I looked quite frankly ridiculous (definitely save this for when you're home alone). You must leave it on for a minimum of 20 minutes, or overnight for a more intensive treatment. I opted for overnight. When I washed it out the next morning I did notice that my hair felt softer in the shower and when I dried it. However, no matter what I did I couldn't get any volume to return. I don't think it left a residue as such, my hair just seemed heavier. It is for this reason I wouldn't splash out £16 for this product. Any damage reverse that may have occurred was quickly undone by the endless back-combing and curling that had to take place the following day.

4/10

Ojon Damage Repair Restorative Hair Treatment is available at Boots

Winter Wish List

Just a handful of things that I'm lusting after at the moment:

1. Rodial Glam Balm LIP

If you've read my previous post then you'll know that I'm a sucker for a good lip balm. I noticed this one when that last time I was in Space NK (hands down my favourite shop). It has a floral scent, and as well as repairing dry and chapped lips, it supposedly plumps and smooths imperfections too.

2. Chloé Signature Solid Perfume Necklace

I've been wearing Chloé perfume for years and I adore its fresh and elegant smell. It's no wonder then that I've popped this pendant on to my Christmas list. I love the antique style locket and it would be so perfect for freshening up on the go.

3. Guerlain Meteorites Perles

I have wanted this product for so long now, I really don't know why I haven't bought it yet. The six different coloured pearls all perform different skin perfecting tasks (such as white to illuminate, gold to highlight, and so on). It apparently "cloaks the face in an incredible radiance". I am sold.

4. American Apparel Glitter Nail Polish in Constellation

This nail polish is doing the rounds on a lot of fashion and beauty blogs at the moment. I love the effect it creates when layered with other glitter polishes and think it will be to die for paired with my Louise Gray for Topshop varnish in Pinch Punch (a current favourite of mine, and one I'll hopefully do a post on soon).

5. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Candle

I've never owned a Jo Malone candle before. Now that the nights are drawing in I can't imagine anything nicer than snuggling up with a few magazines and one of these flickering away by my side.

6. Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder

I'm new to setting powders. Until now I've used MAC Mineralize Bronzers to set my foundation, but I'm ready to try something different. I absolutely adore Laura Mercier products and have heard good things about this powder so I think I'm going to take the plunge.

Lip Balmy

The cold weather has well and truly arrived and our lips are left crying out for nourishment even more than usual. I've always been particularly prone to chapped lips, and so am constantly on the hunt for the latest super moisturising balms to leave my lips soft and supple. Recently I've taken my search for the ultimate lip balm up a notch, as I'm moving to the French Alps for four months in December, and I just don't know how my lips are going to cope in the freezing temperatures out there.
Fortunately I've found a few miracle-workers and here's a list of some of my all time favourites:

Eve Lom: Kiss Mix

This has got to be one of the best lip balms on the market at the moment. It's unusual for me to completely finish a tub of lip balm before I lose it or it gets forgotten about in favour of newer purchases, but I scraped every last bit from my last pot, and I can't wait to get a fresh one. It has quite a solid texture in the pot, which melts when you dip a finger in and smother it on. Menthol ingredients make for a cooling and very refreshing lip balm experience. I will say that whenever I have this in my handbag I find myself reapplying all the time, so I'm not convinced it's particularly long-lasting (I'm probably just doing this because I love the feeling of it on my lips). Although it appears white in the tub, it goes on clear and leaves a beautiful subtle shine. The luxurious formula contains zinc oxide, which moisturises lips as well as protecting from UV rays. Kiss mix retails at £16 for 7ml, which seems pretty expensive but this is one lip balm that really delivers and so I can't recommend it enough.

9/10

Eve Lom Kiss Mix available from spacenk.com

Dr Lipp: Original Nipple Balm for Lips

I know what you're thinking, nipple balm?! I thought exactly the same but I heard such good reviews of this product I had to try it. And I'm pleased to report it does live up to the hype. The balm emerges from the tube as a kind of thick yellowy wax that when rubbed onto lips leaves a subtle shine and moisturised feel. It doesn't all sink in immediately, it sits on top of your lips forming a protective barrier while moisturising at the same time. This is a 100% natural product (made from "medical-grade lanolin") and when you apply it you can tell that it's going to do your lips the world of good. At £11.50 for a whopping 15ml of this wonder balm it's definitely good value for money. Still not convinced? It's multipurpose too - use it on dry skin, eczema, burns, as a brow tamer, to highlight cheek bones, and of course on your nipples if you so desire!

8/10

Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips available from spacenk.com

Crème de la Mer: The Lip Balm

For the poshest lip balm out there head to your nearest Crème de la Mer counter. This balm really is the height of luxury, unscrew the silver lid to find a white balm that melts on your finger tips and into your lips. For best results you're advised to pat this on your upper and lower lips to moisturise and protect. It has a similar, although slightly less pronounced, menthol feeling to Eve Lom's Kiss Mix (see above), but for a considerably higher price. This product costs a hefty £40 for 9g. I did like it, but I didn't like it enough to justify the price and so doubt I'll be buying it again (unless I win the lottery). When I purchased this I assumed for the price tag it was going to be revolutionary, that I'd never look at lip balms in the same way, and that dry lips would now be a thing of the past. Unfortunately this wasn't quite the case. It did feel lovely and it is a good lip balm, but it doesn't provide anything you don't get from Eve Lom's Kiss Mix, which is less than half the price.

5/10

Crème de la Mer The Lip Balm available from cremedelamer.co.uk

Elizabeth Arden: Eight Hour Cream

It would be impossible to do a post on dry lip remedies without mentioning Elizabeth Arden's legendary Eight Hour Cream. This stuff has been around since 1930 and over the past 80 years has earned a huge cult following - and quite rightly so. To call this a cream is a little misleading as it's not very creamy at all; it comes out of its tube as a soft orange wax and has a distinctive smell which may not be to everyone's taste. The scent is quite medicinal, which I take to be a good sign its healing powers. I usually put this on before I go to bed if my lips are feeling a little dry or chapped, then leave it to do its magic for eight hours and invariably I wake up in the morning to a vast improvement in their condition. I don't tend to wear it during the day, mainly due to the strong scent, although it does leave you with a glossy finish if you wanted to. As with Dr Lipp's Nipple Balm, this is a multi-purpose product that can be used on a whole range of dry skin issues as well as having anti-inflammatory benefits. A massive 50ml of Eight Hour Cream costs £25 and I think it's a must-have in any woman's cosmetic armour. It's now available in a lip protectant gloss that I'm just itching to try.

6/10

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream available from Boots

Hurraw! Balm

I stumbled across this handy little balm stick when I was shopping in American Apparel a few weeks ago. I'd forgotten to take any lip balm with me and I could feel my lips getting dryer and dryer by the minute so I really just wanted something cheap to get me through the day. When I smelt this one at the tills I had to have it. I love the smell of almonds and I always go for almond scented shower gels because they just put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. One of the main reasons I love this product is the oval tube, the balm shapes to your lips after a few uses, and the tube is designed so that it fits nicely inside your pocket (genius!). It also has a twist bottom that makes it perfect to apply on the go. The balm itself glides onto the lips and leaves a subtle glossy sheen, which I love. It's not intensely moisturising like some of the other products I've mentioned, but it still does the job. Hurraw! is a vegan brand and the primary ingredients in this lip balm are almond oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter - who wouldn't want to smother all that all over their lips?! Your own stick of Hurraw! will set you back £3.45, which I think is such a reasonable price for such a great little product. Oh and if almond isn't your thing, other flavours include earl grey, chai spice, cherry, coffee bean, chocolate and coconut, to name but a few.

7/10

Hurraw! Balm is available from supersmoocher.com

Vaseline

And finally, everyone can benefit from a lovely layer of Vaseline on their smackers from time to time! My current favourite is the Cocoa Butter one (pictured above), although I can't wait to try out their new limited edition Pink Bubbly flavour - champagne for the lips, yes please!