balance Me. Radiance Face Mask

I was really impressed with the balance Me. Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm sample in this month's Joliebox, so very happy indeed when balance Me. asked if I wanted to try their Radiance Face Mask. I was feeling a little under the weather when I first tested this, so immediately found the herby scent (lavender, rosemary, rose geranium) quite reviving.

The mask contains kaolin, but it also contains glycerin so it doesn't dry on the skin the way more clay-based masks do. As a result my skin had the post-clay-mask super purified feeling, but it wasn't at all dry or tight. You only need to leave it on for 5 minutes, so it's perfect if you want to give your skin a boost when your short for time and it's so gentle and calming that it won't leave your face looking irritated - a perfect pre-event treat! It is quite the little multi-tasker, with ground walnut shell which gently exfoliates as you wash it off and it can also be used daily as a face wash.

I followed with a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir (obsessed) and massaged in a little Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. The latter sunk in incredibly quickly and my skin was super soft and comfortable. A 75ml tube retails for £18, so it isn't the cheapest mask out there, but in terms of performance and credentials it seems very reasonable indeed. 

You can pick up balance Me. products from Waitrose where you can get the Radiance face mask for free when you buy any two balance Me. skincare products until 8th May.

*PR sample.

Neom 'Sensuous'

As I'm sure you know, I'm a big fan of Neom products so I was excited to try out a couple of their new body products. However my first use coincided with a mystery illness complete with a rather miserable rash. Thinking it was the result of something I had tried, everything was put away until I could see the doctor (who didn't have a clue what was wrong with me - but said it was definitely not a product reaction). A week or so later, and after using medication the doctor had given me, my skin became horribly dry and I was scared to put anything too chemically on it.

So out came the Neom products again, for round two! As usual the products are free from nasties, which I think is particularly desirable in products which you won't be washing off. The body lotion is  a whopping 95% organic, but not to the detriment of performance or scent (which is completely gorgeous). I usually hate using body lotions, as often the most nourishing leave a greasy residue, but I found myself actually enjoying using this everyday. The Sensuous body lotion is very rich, containing Shea butter, Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn oil but it sinks in quickly to leave a velvety finish and a little goes a long, long way. It's hard to tell, but I'm convinced the lotion has helped to speed up the healing time of my skin and left it baby soft. 

The 'Sensuous' fragrance is a combination of Ylang Ylang, Frankinsence and Patchouli which 'gently eases tension and anxiety'. It didn't really make a dent in my essay-season anxiety but the way the scent of the body wash fills the bathroom, when combined with the steam from the shower, is a real treat. The fragrance is warming but not too wintery, and feminine without being too girly for gents to use (I know this because I walked into the bathroom after my boyfriend had showered and the whole room was filled with the scent!). 

The Sensuous Organic Body Lotion retails for £23.50 / 240ml and the Body Wash for £16 / 240ml. A little pricey for everyday use perhaps, but the scent and performance is that of a much more expensive product - most of which can't boast the same quality of ingredients.

*PR sample

Glossybox: April

Figs & Rouge Lip Balm

100% Pure, 100% Natural & 100% Organic multipurpose balm. Excellent for soothing & naturally hydrating dry lips and skin!

I've blogged about Figs & Rouge before and the Peppermint & Tea tree balm that I received didn't disappoint. 

Inika Cosmetics Certified Organic Eyeliner

A rich and creamy consistency unparalleled in the world of natural liners.

Organic is not necessarily something I look for in makeup, but it's a really nice concept and, importantly, the liner performs really well. It's creamy and stood up to quite a lot when I tried to remove it! It's a shame about the colour as it's probably not something I'll use, but I always seem to get the crazy colours in beauty boxes and I'm sure there is someone with a black liner wishing they had a bright blue one - you can't please everyone!

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum

This newly-launched ultra-concentrated serum is extremely natural and plant-based, ensuring your skin never lacks moisture.

I've become a little bit hooked on French pharmacy brands, and in particular Caudalie's beauty elixir, of late so I can't wait to give this a try. It's lovely to see a newly launched product featured in the box too!

Philip B Drop Dead Straightening Balm

Philip B Drop Dead Straightening Balm is a non-greasy, silicone-free water-soluble styling aid that gives curly or wavy hair a straight, tangle-free, and sleek finish.

I hardly ever wear my hair straight, but I'm a big fan of hair products that feel lightweight and aren't loaded with silicones. Philip B is another brand that I've heard positive things about but haven't yet gotten around to trying. 

Monu Professional Skincare Enriched Body Cream

A rich, indulgent cream to comfort and nourish the skin. Skin feels soft, smooth and nourished.

I usually moan about body creams/lotions/butters in beauty boxes, but a mystery rash has left me with dry skin so I'm actually using up all of the samples out of necessity. It's nice to have another one to use which is very nourishing without being greasy (pet hate!). It has a light, sherbet-y smell too. 

• I love this month's Glossybox. There is something for hair, face, lips and body and all by brands which I already like, or have been wanting to try. The natural theme this month is also a nice idea and the matte, beige biodegradable box was a really cute touch. 

GlossyBoxes cost £10 plus £2.95 p&p.

Glossybox provided me with this box for consideration. All options are my own.

Current Skincare Routine

Products mentioned:

La Roche Posay Micellar water

Antipodes Juliet Skin Brightening Cleanser* 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish hot cloth cleanser

Clarins Hydraquench lotion

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

Caudalie Beauty Elixir 

Alpha H Absolute Eye Complex 

Alpha H Liquid Gold 

Antipodes Apostle skin brightening serum* 

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula lip balm

Clarisonic Classic

Buya Beware

I was hoping it wouldn't be necessary to post this, but as over 14,000 people have watched this video in which I said a blush I bought from Buyapowa is 'authentic, they're not fake', I feel some responsibility to let you know what I've discovered (or not!) when emailing Buyapowa today.

There were numerous comments on the video from viewers telling me they didn't feel the MAC products they had bought from Buyapowa were authentic and I began to become a bit concerned about the Warm Soul mineralize blush I had purchased from them. As I said in the video, I was underwhelmed with the gritty formula and it didn't seem like the blush several people had waxed lyrical over. 

(Left: MAC Warm Soul from MAC counter, right: MAC Warm Soul from Buyapowa)

I emailed Buyapowa to ask about the source of the products and concerns over authenticity last night and was informed, '[Buyapowa] only ever sell genuine MAC products (and any other brands in fact). From time to time, our products are sourced internationally where packaging can differ.' 

By this point I had managed to borrow a version of the blush, purchased from a MAC counter, for comparison side by side and it was not just the packaging that differed (as it might in a 'grey market' product). I replied to the email with a picture of the blushes beside each other to show the discrepencies not just in the packaging, but in the colour and texture of the product itself. 

'We have raised your concerns with our supplier, and they have reiterated that the products are genuine Mac which have been sourced from US retailer overstocks - who buy them directly from Mac.'

(Left: MAC Warm Soul from MAC counter, right: MAC Warm Soul from Buyapowa)

As fas as I know, MAC cosmetics are only manufactured in North America and Europe. I've purchased products from MAC counters on both sides of the Atlantic and there are absolutely no differences in packaging, and certainly none in the actual product. 

'However, given the nature of products varying slightly in different geographical markets based on when and where they were manufactured, we are unable to ensure what you receive from us will match 100% to what you would get at your local Mac counter.'

There is not matching 100%, then there is looking like an entirely different product. I can (almost) believe the comment about international packaging - but, as you can see below, the blushes are not even remotely similar in colour or texture. 

(Left: MAC Warm Soul from MAC counter, right: MAC Warm Soul from Buyapowa)

As Caroline fairly pointed out on Twitter, you take your chances when purchasing from an unauthorised seller. However regardless of my (or anyone else's) naivety, it is illegal to resell counterfeit goods and I don't feel as though Buyapowa's responses are sufficient evidence as to the provenance of the products. Nor would the 'reiteration' from their suppliers (who probably wish to maintain a contract) be adequate proof that the products are authentic in a court of law. Furthermore, if the blush was not manufactured by MAC, it leaves me wondering where it did come from and what it contains. I certainly won't be putting it on my face.

This post is intended merely to inform and not as libel. Buyapowa are maintaining that the blush is authentic and have stated: 'if customers are not 100% happy with the product, we are more than happy to accept returns for a refund AND pay the full postage cost of returning the product'. If you have a problem with a product you've purchased from them, they advised me that emails should be directed to hello@buyapowa.com.

However if they wish to maintain any customer confidence, there needs to be more clarity about where these products are coming from.

NOTD: Tattooed

I'm not at all skilled with nail art, so when I saw this Cutepolish tutorial for tattooed nails I really wanted to give it a try. 

All you need is a base colour (if you want the design to be clearer, try a white rather than the neutral I used), temporary tattoos (I bought mine from eBay for £1.49 and used less than a third of the design) and a topcoat. You'll also need a dish of water, cotton pads, nail varnish remover and cotton buds.

• Paint your nails with your chosen base colour and allow to dry for at least 10 minutes. (I used nails inc Porchester Square*)
• Cut the temporary tattoos into small pieces to roughly fit your nail.
• Peel the plastic fronting from the tattoo and place it, design side down, onto your nail. 
• Dab a damp cotton pad onto the back of the tattoo until you can feel the design coming away from the paper backing.
• Slide off the paper, allow to dry for a few seconds and seal in with a quick drying topcoat. (I used nails inc Kensington Caviar topcoat*)
• Use nail varnish remover on a cotton bud to tidy up any excess tattoo around the cuticle.

What do you think? The design is a little cracked in places but overall it's a really quick, and surprisingly easy, way to achieve patterned nails without using nail wraps (which really damaged my nails!).

* received at press event

L.I.L.Y

My all time favourite perfume is Stella McCartney's Stella EDP. For that reason I desperately wanted to love the newer fragrance from the Stella stable - L.I.L.Y. The name is taken from Paul McCartney's nickname for Stella's mother, L.I.L.Y. - 'Linda I love you'.

I love the way the texture of the box mirrors the faceted glass, and the subtly tinted cut-glass of the bottle is beautiful. However the oval is surrounded by a metal frame which is not so nice. Stella said 'I wanted it to have a sense of touch as well' but the frame is slightly bendy - causing metal to grate, jarringly, on metal as you pick it up. A small detail, perhaps, but I think the real impression a perfume gives you starts when you pick it up.

Top notes evoke the rich, mineral freshness of truffle.

Heart notes of green and luminous lily of the valley create an irresistible addiction.

Base notes reveal the earthy warmth of oak moss.

It is the fragrance that really let me down. The top notes are quite soapy, which is easily carried by something more complex like Illamasqua's Freak, however in L.I.L.Y they are followed by the sweet, somewhat dowdy floral notes of lily of the valley. For me the 'earthy' and 'rich' notes never arrive, instead there is a bizarre mushroomy, muddy scent (yes, muddy is different to earthy!) coming through the sweet florals. Think spring flowers languishing amongst toadstools. It's not offensive, but what really bugs me is that I can imagine a subtle hit of truffle working in the right floral fragrance - and this isn't it.

I don't hate it. It just doesn't seem to deliver on its promises.

L.I.L.Y Eau de Parfum starts at £43 and is available from Boots and department stores. 

*PR sample

Scalp Shampoo

I asked if anyone would like a post on scalp shampoos and I had quite a few people saying yes please. It seems it's not only me who struggles with scalp issues and, whilst it's not glamorous, I hope it will help someone.

So before we get started on the products, I should probably explain my issue. I think the main problem is mild eczema (yes I have been to the doctor - they are fairly indecisive and suggest medicinal over the counter shampoos) as I get red blotches around my hairline occasionally but my scalp also seems just plain sensitive! Sometimes it is tightness and dryness (which can lead to mild dandruff - although this isn't a common problem for me so please bear this in mind when reading my reviews) and sometimes I get sore lesions/spots which take forever to heal. Stress and dairy definitely make it worse. Upping my intake of fatty acids and B vitamins definitely make it better, but don't completely clear it up. 

There are plenty of medicinal based shampoos, some of which I will mention, that will help the scalp issues but at the end of the day I want something that is a good haircare product too.

Aveda Scalp Benefits I like this Aveda range, but I don't love it. It smells nice and herby, but it sat somewhere in the middle in terms of effectiveness - it was decidedly mediocre at improving scalp or hair condition, but it didn't irritate anything either which can be half the battle when you're the lucky owner of a sensitive scalp. It is also one of the most expensive that I've tried. 

RRP £14.50 / 250ml

Clynol Soothe Sensitive* I really didn't get on with this range. Not only did it make no difference to my scalp, it gave me really fine dandruff which I didn't have before I started. Needless to say, I'd give this one a wide berth. 

RRP £8.54 / 300ml

Head & Shoulders (several of them) Shampoos like this seem a bit like junk food for your hair. They are satisfying for a few hours then make you feel even worse. The active ingredient, pyrithione zinc, may work for dandruff (it seems quite efficient at sloughing off skin) but as a result I don't think the formula is suited to sensitive scalps.

RRP £2.99 / 250ml

L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Liss Ultime This is not technically a shampoo targeted at scalp issues, however it contains Olive and Argan oils as it's targeted at frizzy hair. It's a little heavy to use more than once a week if you have normal hair, but if you are suffering with a dry scalp, I found this was quite hydrating. 

RRP £7.75 / 250ml

L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Sensi Balance My hairdresser recommended this one, but unfortunately it didn't do a lot for me. It didn't irritate my scalp but I couldn't feel or see any difference even after finishing the bottle. 

RRP £7.75 / 250ml

Naked Detox Naked products claim to be 97% natural and SLS, paraben, petrochemical and phthalate free. Unfortunately the shampoo I tried still set my scalp off, and didn't leave my hair feeling as nice as conventional shampoos do either. The Detox shampoo appears to have been discontinued, but Naked do now offer a Care Sensitive shampoo for delicate scalps which I haven't tried.
RRP £4.19 / 250ml

Oilatum Scalp Treatment This is quite an effective weekly treatment for soothing and cleansing the scalp, but I really hate the way it made my hair look and feel. Also it may be concentrated, but it's pretty expensive!
£12.79 / 150ml

Polytar The least sexy shampoo. Ever. If you're in pain, the mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect will offer you some relief, but it's not something I want to smell of! It can cause skin irritations too, and I think long-term it is more suited to scalp issues resulting from psoriasis rather than sensitivity.
RRP £4.84 / 250ml

Redken Scalp Relief Soothing Balance This is my newest acquisition and so far so good. It seems to actually do what it says on the bottle, leaving my scalp feeling comfortable and my hair feeling fresh and clean. I've noticed the blotches around my hairline are fading and whilst this shampoo might not be treating them, it certainly doesn't seem to be irritating anything. It does contain eucalyptus which gives it a nice tingle, but if you are super, super sensitive you might want to be cautious. 

RRP £12.45 / 300ml

As I know someone will suggest it, I have tried baby shampoo and, whilst it is very gentle, babies have quite different needs and don't tend to use styling products in their hair (..well not the ones I know) so it's far from ideal for adult heads in my humble opinion. One thing I haven't yet tried, but want to, is Nizoral. I've heard about it before, but Anna's excellent post on psoriasis made me think it might be a good thing to add in to my hair routine a few times a month if I'm under extra stress.

If you are suffering from persistent dandruff, rather than scalp sensitivity, it might be worthwhile visiting your doctor if you haven't already. All kinds of things can cause dandruff, from fungal infections to chronic skin complaints. As I said, I notice a vast improvement  (or worsening) in the condition of my scalp when I change elements of my diet - so if topical treatments don't work for you, and the doctor has ruled out the nasties, maybe research elimination diets. 

Phewf. Sorry for the essay, but I really hope this helps someone. Feel free to share any good/bad scalp products you've tried in the comments! 

LUSH Aqua Mirabilis

I've just finished this so I thought it was about time I mentioned it on the blog! First off, 'body butter' is pretty misleading. This is more of an exfoliating bar with added skin-friendly almond and cocoa butters but it isn't hugely moisturising, more softening.

This has the nicest smell of any LUSH product I've tried so far - nutty without being cloyingly sweet or artificial. It leaves skin super smooth but I didn't find the moisture stuck around once I was out of the shower. It also isn't as solid as exfoliating bars I've used in the past, so you can only expect about 7 uses from it. That said, I do really like it and I'll be picking up another bar next time I feel like treating myself!

£5.50 / 95g 

*birthday present from Essiebutton!

NOTD: nails inc Sprinkles in Pudding Lane

This is one of the polishes from nails inc's new Spinkles Collection. All of the polishes in the collection contain mattified glitter particles which layer up to give an effect which is not too dissimilar to a certain company's fishy manicure. 

The difference being that this is a super simple application of two coats (or one over a different polish for a sheer look), rather than chasing tiny beads across your bedroom floor. The glitter is suspended in a jelly-like polish for even distribution and a fairly smooth finish (rough, glittery nails put my teeth on edge...is it just me?). 

There will be four shades available, named after London locations as usual:

Sugarhouse Lane pastel grey with monochrome glitter

Sweets Way pale blue with pastel blue, pink and white glitter

Pudding Lane (above) teal with navy and gold glitter

Topping Lane pink with fuchsia, silver and blue glitter

They're priced at £11 which, whilst not super cheap, is the same as nails inc's standard polishes.

Available from June 2012.

* received at press day

Soft Waves - Short Hair Tutorial

If you follow my Youtube Channel, you might remember in February I spoke about doing some short hair tutorials. I started with the milkmaid braids, but since then hadn't really gotten around to doing anymore. But I'm back with another one! Again it is super simple (I can just about hold a hairbrush when it comes to hair skills) and this is pretty much how I wear my hair everyday. 

While I was drafting this post I received an email from ghd offering a set of snazzy, new (rather than 7 year old battered ones like mine, pictured above) irons to give away to you guys...I might be a teeny bit jealous! The straighteners are from the new ghd Peacock Collection which comes in Green, Blue and Purple - the winner will get to pick which colour they would like. The Peacock irons also come with a protective plate guard and a heat resistant roll bag. 

• You don't have to do anything special to enter, just leave me ONE comment telling me which colour you like best and an email address or twitter handle that I can contact you on if you win.
• If you're under 18, please check with a parent or guardian that it's ok for me to give ghd your postal address.
• Entries close on 26th April 2012 at midday GMT. NOW CLOSED
• Unfortunately this giveaway is open to the UK only. Good luck!

Joliebox - April

Balance Me Daily Essentials Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm

A daily cleanser containing anti-oxidant Arctic Cloudberry and gently polishing oatmeal.

I've been wanting to try something from Balance Me and think this might be my next cleanser when my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish runs out! The packaging says normal to dry skin but this left my combination skin cleansed and comfortable and, as it is oil based, it made short work of removing my eye makeup. It doesn't contain any nasties either.

Tropic Skincare Skin Revive

Bursting with vitamins and pure plant actives that help to visibly firm and intensely nourish the skin.

Tropic Skincare was founded by Susan Ma. Yes, the annoying one from the Apprentice. The moisturiser smells suspiciously like a fly spray I used to use on my horse so I don't think I'll be putting this on my face...sorry Susan!

Pure Fiji Exotic Bath and Body Oil 

A multi-tasking nourishing oil that can be used on the body, hair and scalp.

I personally love the smell of this oil - but if you don't like coconut, you probably won't. It sinks in the skin quickly without leaving a greasy residue and, as I've said before, I love a multitasking product so may well give this a try on the ends of my hair. 

Bellápierre Black Mascara

This long lasting mascara instantly creates thicker and fuller lashes.

The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the tiny ingredients list and the BUAV leaping bunny. I'm not familiar with the brand, but both are definitely bonus points. As for performance, it gave me super black, fluttery lashes. It's quite a big sample size so this will definitely be taking up residence in my travel makeup bag!

KMS California Freeshape Hot Flex Spray

A protective heat styling spray for hair that lasts until the next wash. 

I've never tried anything by KMS (although I have heard positive things about their products) so I was looking forward to trying this and I'm really impressed. It's super light and defines waves and curls without leaving your hair crispy (as I've found with some heat protectants). You may see it crop up in a video pretty soon!

• I really liked this box. Again I wasn't blown away when I opened it, but I've found two products (both by brands I've wanted to try but was reluctant to spend money on without testing them) which I'm almost certain I will be purchasing in full size! This month's Joliemag is a good read too.

Jolieboxes cost £10 plus £2.95 p&p.

Jolie Box UK provided me with this box for consideration. All options are my own.

Clinica Fiore

The other week my mum and I went along to Clinica Fiore on Endell Street, Covent Garden. I booked a SkinCeuticals facial as a belated mother's day treat via Wahanda* (which I mentioned briefly in my mother's day gift guide) and they were running a 2-for-1 deal for £75. We had such a nice experience I thought I'd write a quick post about it as, in the melé of London's hotels and spas, it can be tricky to find good quality treatments that don't require selling a kidney beforehand. 

Anyway, I should probably brush upon our shared apprehension when I looked at the Clinica Fiore website after booking the facial (never leave these sorts of things to me!) and saw that they were 'a leading clinic for botox and fillers'. Now my mum may reside in Essex, but I'm pretty sure she has no ambitions of looking like a TOWIE cast member. As she is a lady of a certain age (she doesn't look it), I was a little concerned they would try to up-sell her the complete TOWIE package, but we needn't have worried. 

Both of our treatments were highly professional and, if anything, the clinical background made me feel as though the therapists knew more about skin than your average spa. My therapist was Hilary, who hails from New York where she was an instructor for spa training so she was happy to answer my questions about the products she was using. One product she used was the SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5, an intensive gel with hyaluronic acid. Applied to the under eyes and around the lips it left my skin feeling very plumped up and smooth. She also dealt, very deftly, with my main concern - milia. Hilary said that the inclusion of glycolic acid in my skincare routine meant they were sitting close to the surface (so definitely something to try if you have trouble with milia) and she removed a good two dozen of them with minimal discomfort and redness. Mum's treatment focused more on rejuvenation but we both commented, later that week, that we hadn't had any of the breakouts or redness that can sometimes happen after facials and mum felt her skin looked a lot brighter. 

The clinic is spotless and modern but not too clinical so you can relax if your chosen treatment is needle-free. Both of our treatments involved a hand mask and lovely heated mittens which was a nice touch (I always have cold hands so it was quite a treat) and they seem to have found a good balance between professionalism and friendliness. 

*I paid in part with a £50 voucher courtesy of Wahanda - the rest was paid for by me. I wasn't required to write this post!

New In - Redken, Alpha H and Caudalie

This is the second half of my end-of-the-month spree. I asked on Twitter for eye cream recommendations and Caroline from Beauty Mouth (aka the Queen of Skincare) recommended Alpha H Absolute Eye Complex. It was a rather eye watering (pun intended) £34.50 for 15g from lookfantastic.com and, if I'm honest, not at all what I was expecting. 

You know I love Alpha H, I trust Caroline's advice and I'm sure I will write a full review in due course but if you are thinking about buying it, there are a couple of things to note. Firstly it is a gel (a very hydrating gel, but a gel nonetheless), secondly it contains just about every paraben going, thirdly the pump is terrible. I am seeing some good results already, but I just thought I should warn you!

I took advantage of FeelUnique's easter offer to stock up on shampoo and conditioner. Much as I wish I didn't, I absolutely swear by Redken haircare, mostly because it doesn't irritate my scalp. I reordered my favourite conditioner, Redken All Soft, and although it's not the cheapest, a bottle lasts me just over 4 months - I blogged about it the last time I picked it up in December and still have 2 or 3 uses left! 

I decided to try out their Scalp Relief shampoo after testing one from another brand and ending up with a bigger, more painful problem than I started with - if anyone would like a post on scalp shampoos, let me know. It's not the most glamorous topic but it can be miserable to live with and I've tried so many 'wonder'/sulphate-free/organic products that didn't work. Anyway, I've only used this once so far so I'm a little tentative to say it's amazing, but it really was instant relief. It has a eucalyptus scent (and tingle) and left my hair shiny without leaving my scalp feeling tight and painful (hurrah!).

Caudalie Eau de Beauté also found its way into my order. Supposedly a toner and serum in one I already know I will be ordering the full size when I run out. It creates a fine mist of a cooling mint-rosemary scent and it is said to be brilliant for troubled skin.

Have you tried any of these products?

New In - MAC Splurge

I have absolutely no excuse for this little splurge, except I placed my order on pay day. But seeing as this little haul included my first item from a MAC limited edition collection, I thought I'd post about it anyway.

So this was the point of my order from the actual online store, MAC's new 'In Extra Dimension' collection. As I'm sure you know, MAC bring out about thirty billion half-baked collections each year and I don't think I've ever bought anything from them before. However I was reading one of my current favourite blogs, Getting Cheeky, and saw Jessica's review of the Extra Dimension 'Whisper of Gilt' highlighter. It's beautiful! I'm personally not crazy about the imprint but what drew me in is that it is a 'liquid-powder highlighter' - like the near impossible to find Estee Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée. 

It has a more unique texture than my other powder highlighters, though still definitely a 'powder', and sits beautifully on the skin without emphasising pores or blemishes. The colour is nicely balanced between gold, bronze and peach, and has just enough yellow leaning to look natural and glowing on my skintone. I'm not sure about MAC's claim of 10 hour wear (I think it's pretty unlikely) but other than that I'm really happy with my first £21.50 (eek) foray into MAC's limited collections.

A poor excuse, maybe, but I didn't want to pay for shipping so a couple of other items found their way into my basket. The first one is a Sheertone blush in the form of Tenderling. This is a lovely peachy-beige (nude pink according to MAC) which I have seen used as a contour colour on fairer skins. I'm hoping it will join NARS Douceur and MAC Melba as one of those everyday, slightly sculpting go-to blushes.  

My final addition was MAC's Paint Pot in Groundwork. Described as a 'mid-tone neutral taupe' this is a really flattering and versatile shade (so I'm chuffed I picked it up as I almost opted for Rubenesque). I wanted to pick up a Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe (or whatever bizarre name they have given it for the UK market) but all of the Boots I've tried were sold out. This will probably get most use as an eyeshadow base, like Painterly, but I also think a slick of it with lashings of mascara and a dark lip would look beautiful.

If you'd like more in-depth reviews of these then let me know!

Risotto Manicure

I thought I'd post a little nail tutorial today. It's very cheap and easy to recreate and if you don't have any rice you can always opt for quinoa, cous cous or orzo.

First paint your nails with two thin coats of your favourite nail polish. I've chosen Topshop's Parma Violet, but you could always use a pastel yellow for more of an 'egg fried rice' look.

When the two coats have dried, apply a third coat and then immediately dip the nail into the rice while the nail is still wet. Gently press and compact the rice into the nail and allow to dry for 15-20 minutes.

Et voila! You have perfectly Risotto manicured nails!

Just so you know, I'm in the process of applying for a worldwide trademark so no recreating this look and calling it a 'Risotto Manicure' on your blogs, please. Thanks.*

*Ok so before you all think I've lost my marbles - this post is a joke! And no, I'm not applying for a trademark...the 'risotto manicure' is yours for the taking. If you don't know what I'm poking fun at then have a little read of this post on Lucy's Stash.

Evening Essentials

I've discussed my skincare routine before (although it is probably due for an update) but there are two products which have begun to firmly establish themselves as part of my evening routine.

On nights when I don't use my Alpha H Liquid Gold (full review here) I've been applying a light layer of Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate either under, or instead of, my usual moisturiser. It is supposed to 'plump and smooth' but I've found it has really speeded up the healing time of blemishes and prevented dry patches. As I said in my March Favourites, it contains Rosehip, Argan and Neroli oils and natural Vitamin E but doesn't feel greasy or heavy. Massaged in it just leaves the skin feeling really comfortable and the slightly botanical scent is quite relaxing. I have the 10ml rollerball which costs £19.75 and is lasting absolutely ages. The full size 28ml bottle is £40.25 and available from Liz Earle and John Lewis.

I wish I looked like Sleeping Beauty when I'm catching some Z's but I know that I tend to sleep with my mouth slightly open (please don't tell me about how many spiders I've probably swallowed, I really don't want to know!) which can leave me with very dry lips by the morning. So my next essential is to slather on a lip balm, not one packed with mineral oil which simply sits on top of the skin but something with plenty of natural butters which will sink into the lips a bit and leave them feeling comfortable. 

My current favourite is the Coco Vanilla balm* by Figs & Rouge (cute name!) which comes in an adorable tin and is 100% Organic with a teeney tiny ingredients list: Sunflower oil, Shea butter, beeswax, Vanilla oil and Cocoa seed butter. It's labelled as a 'lip, face, hand & body balm' but I just slather it on my lips to prevent them drying out through the night. Considering the nourishing ingredients, it doesn't feel too greasy and I find the natural cocoa-vanilla scent is quite comforting at bedtime too. The 17ml tins come in 7 varieties, cost £5 and are available from Boots, Look Fantastic and ASOS.

Do you have any pre-bed beauty rituals?

*Figs & Rouge balm provided for consideration.

Rouge d'Armani Sheer

Coral 302, Plum 600

There's always a bit of a hoo-hah around high-end sheer lipsticks. Half of me agrees with those who say it's pointless spending money on something so sheer but the other half thinks, as they are often so wearable, that they are better value for money than a super pigmented £13 lipstick that gets worn twice a year.

I doubt there will ever be a consensus so we'll just move on to the sheer, high-end lipsticks in question - Rouge d'Armani Sheer. These are everything I hoped the Revlon Lip Butters would be (but didn't quite fulfil) - pigmented, hydrating, with a half-decent wear time. The only hitch is, like the Rouge d'Armani Lasting Satin Lip Colours, they cost £25. I found these to be very hydrating, and not just for the first hour of wear. Giorgio Armani claim this is down to the 'Colour Shine Moisture Polymer' which can 'retain twice its volume of water, enhance colour luminosity while locking in hydration on the lip surface for over 8 hours'. I think the time scale is a little ambitious but, in the 3 ish hours of wear I get from these, my lips feel like I've applied just my favourite lip balm. However the colour isn't sacrificed, as you can see you get a hit of colour which is perfect teamed with dewy foundation and a little black eyeliner. 

Like the normal Rouge d'Armani, everything about these lipsticks is incredibly elegant. But if, like me, you happen to be a not-so-poised kind of gal you'll be relieved to hear you can chuck these on without a mirror and with relatively little fuss. Oh, and the fact that the colour is very vibrant in the bullet, and a little less so on your lips, makes you look a bit more daring than you really are as you whip it out to apply it.

Selfridges currently stock 12 shades.

*PR Samples

April

[Image Source]

Err, sorry this is a week late but Happy April! I hope you all had a great month!

If my html skills are up to scratch, you should be able to just click the items above to be taken to their respective websites etc. Let me know if this is helpful or if you'd rather just have the links underneath.

I'm still a bit drawn to all things floral and pastel, and there is even more to choose from now. I had to include the Zara bag which started a bit of a Twitter storm after we saw it in all its beauty on Victoria at the Motel Rocks event. It's a beautiful dove grey colour with rose gold hardware and less than £20! I also stumbled across these Nelly pumps with, yes more, rose gold detailing and I'm sorely tempted to buy them. Not technically a highstreet pick maybe, but reasonably priced nonetheless. 

xx

Travel Makeup Bag

Sorry that posts have been a little thin on the ground so far this month (I will be posting a highstreet picks soon!). I've been to and fro so I thought I'd show you what has been living in my makeup bag. The bag is new from Topshop and a really pretty lilac colour with a polka dot lining. It expands quite a bit which is useful when you carry around as much rubbish as I do, and is just long enough to hold my Real Techniques brushes without squashing the hairs. 

So here's what is inside: (I forgot to grab an eyeshadow palette in a hurry so there is a rather obvious lack of eye products!) 

My usual base combination of NARS Sheer Glow in Ceylan and MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light Plus, plenty of concealer in the form of the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda palette and the Garnier Anti Dark Circles 2-in-1 (a ridiculous idea which is strangely effective and doesn't settle into the fine lines around my eyes), MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl for highlighting, NYX Taupe blush for contouring and a Topshop cream blush in Head Over Heels. A cheap but effective MUA clear mascara for my brows, L'Oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim eyeliner* and Collection 2000 Super Size Fat Lash mascara. To deal with my sleepy eyes I also brought along the UNE Skinglow pencil to brighten the waterline and Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair to brighten and moisturise the under-eye area. For lips I have my favourite lip balm, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lipcare, and a MAC glaze lipstick in Hue. 

Only a few tools in the form of my NARS eyelash curlers and three Real Techniques brushes (Multitask, Contour and Buffing...they are really all I've been reaching for lately). My Benefit Porefessional primer, which I have been loving, and finally a little skincare in the form of my go-to moisturiser, Clarins Hydraquench lotion, a new brightening serum that I'm testing out, Antipodes Apostle Serum*, and a great treatment for problem skin, La Roche Posay Effeclar Duo.

Are there any essentials that live in your travel makeup bag? 

MAC Neutrals Palette

Columns left to right, moving top to bottom.

Column 1: Retrospeck (lustre), Vex (frost), Naked Lunch (frost)

Column 2: Ricepaper (frost), Omega (matte), Soba (satin)

Column 3: Copperplate (matte), Quarry (matte), Satin Taupe (frost)

Column 4: Patina (frost), Cork (satin), Amber Lights (frost)

Column 5: Woodwinked (veluxe pearl), Charcoal Brown (matte), Mulch (velvet)