Harvey Nichols beauty binge

I went a bit nuts in the beauty hall of Harvey Nichols at Mall of Emirates in Dubai recently as a bit of a treat to celebrate a promotion at work. Ok so I actually only went in to get a Mac eyebrow pencil so am post-rationalising!!

Anyway, here's what I got- I've tried out a few things already but will do full reviews in time:

Rodial bee venom extreme performance eye cream (690aed)- a huge treat! It just looks and sounds incredible! Bee venom?! 'Extreme' performance?! I've not used this yet as just finishing off another eye cream but can't wait. 

Ren morocco rose otto (120aed)- this shower gel smells divine, a heady rose scent that is fabulous first thing in the morning to wake you up, plus I love the pump dispenser too. I'd never ever spend this much on body wash normally, but I always read good things about this stuff, plus it recently won an InStyle beauty award. 

Eve Lom cleanser (380aed)- this is a cult product that I've always wanted to try. Everyone raves about it and it has been on my beauty wish list for years and years. It came with some pretty hefty instructions so need to read through and use a few times... 

Herra Protect (185aed)- this was a wild card being the one brand and product I'd never heard of! A lovely HN assistant sprayed a bit in my hair and it smells lovely, it has uv protection- great for sunny Dubai as well as moisturising ingredients. 

Kiehls powerful wrinkle reducing cream  (280aed)- have just started using this and I think it is my new face cream love. Watch this space for a review! 

Kiehls creme de corps (123aed)- this is another cult product that everyone seems to love. Haven't tried it yet, am curious about the yellow colour... 

Giorgio Armani maestro eraser dark circle concealer (205aed) and Giorgio Armani lasting silk uv foundation (280aed)- the lovely make up artist Gloria tried both these out on me and I loved, although when I got home the foundation is a bit light (never trust mall lighting peeps!) so will mix with a darker shade. 

Giorgio Armani lip maestro (175aed)- now I don't really need any more lipsticks but this one wowed me when Gloria put some on me. The texture is like velvet and it comes with a wand like lip gloss but isn't glossy, sticky or slippery. Can't wait to wear it. 

Mac eyebrow pencil lingering (92aed)- the reason I went to Harvey Nichols in the first place! A staple product that I've been using for years. Great colour, easy to apply and long wearing. I just wished the pencil lasted a bit longer, I seem to buy a new one every month.

Mac lip pencil subculture (90aed)- nude lip pencil that I hope I can use under any colour lipstick to line my lips and stop colour from bleeding. Will keep you posted :-) 

The lovely ladies at HN also popped quite a few samples in my bag - have used the Kiehl's Sunflower Colour Preserving Shampoo which smelt amazing and am loving the Flowerbomb perfume sample.

So I definitely splurged! All this stuff will take me months if not years to get through! Sometimes you just need a beauty blow out xx

Two new plum lipsticks

I added two new plum lipsticks to my blossoming lippie collection- a girl can't have too many right?! 

The first- Marks & Spencer Limited Collection was actually a fab secret Santa gift and the other, Rinmel, was a self gift....

Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Plum Shine: I've never tried any beauty or make up products from M&S and the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous packaging! 

The lipstick has a lovely moisturising and glossy formula and is a plummy purple with a pink undertone. It almost looks like it has purple glitter in it, but doesn't look glittery when you wear it. It is the kind of colour that looks different in different lights... Not sure the technical term!!! So in my pic it looks quite pink but in real life it's a bit darker and more 'plum'.

This isn't a lipstick I would have picked for myself as I always steered towards matte formulations however I was really surprised how much I liked this one. The colour is bold and builds up well. Although this isn't as long lasting as some of my other lipsticks (Smashbox = wow!) it applied and reapplied easily. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish 120 Cutting Edge: I already have 006 Pink Blush and 170 Alarm (red) from this collection as well as five from the Kate range and two oldies from the Colour Show Off range and I love them all- in my opinion Rimmel lipsticks are very nearly perfect! 

This 120 colour caught my eye, it's a lovely matte plum and is very wearable. It's easy to apply and super long lasting. The product doesn't bunch on your lips or wear off in patches and it keeps it's even opaque colour.

I wore it without lip liner as I do with most lipsticks  but this one after a few hours bled into the fine lines around my mouth. So I would definitely recommend wearing it with a lip liner and the next time I will! 

So... any other plums I should add to my collection??? X

Maybelline Baby Lips -what's the big deal?

The Maybelline Baby Lips lip balms are getting so much love and attention with people seriously raving about them in magazines, in blogs etc.

So what's the big deal? Is this lip balm really the best thing since sliced bread and does it make me want to stop buying my beloved Carmex and convert? 

Well no, actually it's just a lip balm. It's ok as lip balms go but it's not some kind of wonder product like people are making it out to be! 

I got the Cherry Me version which, you've guessed it!, smells like cherry and has a red tint. I used it solely for a week and found my lips to be in the same state they always are, and maybe actually a little dry. 

And the packaging is cute. And that's it, review over! There's really nothing more to say!!! Will I be ditching the Carmex? No! Will I buy this stuff again? Nope! 

The look of lilac - 2014 hero colour

Did you see Rita Ora's stunning make up at the Grammys? If not then stop everything you are doing and google it immediately!!! 

Perfectly summing up the shade of the year (not even season!) Rita's mua Kathy Jeung paired lilac eyes with flawless skin, a divine glow and pale pastel pink lips. Impeccable. The products used are listed on Kathy's Instagram. 

So why is lilac so hot right now? It's been simmering for a couple of years, with hints of lilac in fashion and make up. And now there's a full on explosion with Radiant Orchid named the colour of 2014 by Pantone. 

It's also been seen on a number of spring summer 2014 catwalks including Peter Pilotto and Holly Fulton.  And has been on a number of beautiful faces including Emily Blunt and Georgia May Jagger.

As well as a perfect lilac eyeshadow in my Coastal Scents palette, I have three fab lipsticks in this colour family, from left to right in pic below: 

Stargazer 115- a cool matte 

Mac Viva Glam Nicki 2 amplified- a warm, pinkier shade and my favourite if the three

Kaoir Racquel- a deeper blue toned shade, closer to Georgia's below 

So take your cue from Rita and use on the eyes, or from Nicki and pop on the lips- or if you're not feeling brave enough for that then wear on your nails or toenails. Enjoy experimenting my lilac lovelies! 

Estée Lauder skincare: must-have / meh

I've used Estée Lauder's advanced night repair on and off for years and the last time I bought some I also picked up the Time Zone anti line / wrinkle eye cream and the pore minimising skin refinisher Idealist. 

I've used the eye cream for the past year- not every night but probably two or three times a week and I have to say I'm super impressed. 

Firstly it has lasted aaaages considering its a relatively little pot. It has a screw on lid and I like the fact that you only use what you need. I hate using tubes where you end up squeezing far too much product out and can't put it back! 

I have very sensitive skin around my eyes and have binned eye creams after one use as they have irritated my eyes. This stuff however, doesn't sting even though it says for all skin types and isn't specifically for sensitive skin. It sinks in and has a lovely light texture. It also has a delicate scent. 

  

It claims to 'dramatically reduce the look of eye lines and wrinkles' with 'TriHyaluronic Complex' to plump away fine, dry lines and a 'powerful blend of Biomimetic Barrier Lipids' to hydrate  and 'help restore skin's natural protection'. 

I'm v lucky in that I have very few wrinkles and lines around my eyes (and I'm in my early thirties!) and I think this cream definitely has something to do with that! I will certainly buy again - if the seemingly endless pot ever runs out ;-) 

*Verdict: must-have! 

Idealist- again I have used this product occasionally for the past year. It feels absolutely amazing when you first put it on with a divine silky texture.

It claims to help pores 'appear a third smaller instantly' and 'repairs the look of uneven skin' as well as seeing 'more clarity, luminosity and more even tone'. 

Honestly, other than the immediate silky soft feeling you get when you first apply this and which lasts about a second, I do not see any difference in my skin, in how my pores look or in how my make up goes on.  I actually find this stuff quite drying for my skin.

I won't be buying this again and have given away the bottle with half left to a friend as just don't see any benefit.

*Verdict: meh! 

Has anyone ever used any of the other Time Zone products? Wonder if they are as good as the eye cream...

Make up inspired by Alexa Chung...

The gorgeous Alexa Chung is known for her black winged eyeliner, and this look adds a blue twist in Glamour uk magazine's January issue. 

I didn't have any bright royal blue eyeliner- now on my to find list (!)- so used bright blue eyeshadow teamed with a hint of peachy orange, both from the Sleek matts eyeshadow palette.

I wore it with this outfit and a bright blue handbag and got lots of compliments! Love matching my outfit to my make up! Does anyone else do that?! 

Daiso Japanese Store beauty haul

My lovely friend told me about this place- it's a kitsch store that sells everything cheap as chips imported from Japan. 

I visited the one at the Oasis Centre, just off SZR in Dubai and there's a bit of everything here, the shop is stacked and packed. Of course I headed straight for the beauty section and straight for the black eyelash glue that my friend had told me about. 

Whilst there I couldn't help pick up a few other bits (non beauty too). Everything I bought below cost seven dirhams (just over £1) so absolute bargain! Can't wait to try it all... 

As well as the black eyelash glue I picked up two sets of false eyelashes. I get through lashes very quickly as I can never reuse them - I always seem to destroy them after one wear! 

I also got some Sumi face papers which say they are 'made from old traditional Japanese Mino-Washi Paper', are 'strong absorbing excess facial oil' with 'natural ingredients... gentle on sensitive skin'.  Well here in Dubai my face gets pretty shiny in the hot summer so these papers in a sturdy card box will be perfect to keep in my handbag for quick touch ups! The papers are grey and have used one once already to dab my oily eyelids before applying make up and it worked a treat.

I also got an eyebrow template- a plastic measure which helps you line up your brows with your eyes for the perfect brow. Seen as I'm trying to grow my brows like Cara's this will help no end to help fill in and also see strays. 

And also some bright nail files, some super cute and super useful containers for travelling as well as a bright teddy bear faced pen pot holder perfect for my make up brushes (my mug can go back to the kitchen where it belongs!). 

Review: House of Holland false nails

Whilst back in England over Christmas I  noticed some amazing false nails from House of Holland and Elegant Touch in Boots. 

Super cool, bold designs at a bargain price! It was hard to pick just one so I went for two- the Heartbreaker design and the Zig Zag Stardust. 

Heartbreaker is gorgeous nude with raspberry heart shaped tips and then a couple with cracks down the centre or 'broken'.  Zig Zag Stardust are neon brights and multi patterned. Each box contains 24 nails in 10 sizes. 

I decided to wear Zig Zag Stardust for New Years Eve and put them on the day before on my long train journey. 

These nails are super easy to apply. Firstly the packaging is awesome- there are two trays, one which has the nails in a handy circle and the second underneath which holds a nail file, glue and the instructions. The first tray is covered by clear plastic and then all three fit inside the box. This means the nails don't fly everywhere when you open the box and you can pick the best sized nails for your fingers and lay them out in order in the tray - amazing! 

There is a big selection of sizes, although I'd say they need more smaller ones in there and less quite so huge, and the glue is straightforward to use and stuck down solid. I used a bit too much glue and I got a bit around the edges, so my advice is you probably don't need as much as you think! 

You'll also need to file down the tips of the nails as a couple were quite rough or had slight ridges. But once filed they stayed lovely and smooth. 

Anyway these lasted for four days and would've gone on for longer but I needed to take them off for work :-( They held up very well, although the bright yellow on my ring fingers started to wear off a teeny bit. Otherwise I got loads of compliments from friends and strangers alike. 

I loved these nails and would definitely buy these or others from the range again. They are definitely occasion nails for me (I couldn't get away with them at work sadly!) so am looking forward to the next big occasion when I can wear the Heartbreakers! 

Word of warning!! Make sure you have the right false nail remover to take these babies off! I used Superdrug's artificial nail remover concentrated acetone formula and needed to soak these for a good while to remove. 

Argan oil... Yey or ney

So I picked up some argan oil after reading about the wonders of the stuff.  

Argan oil comes from the argan tree which is only found in Morocco and is an ingredient in lots of cosmetics, beauty and hair products but you can also buy it pure. 

It's naturally full of vitamins and anti oxidants and is apparently great for moisturising skin, nourishing hair and can also be used in cooking. There's two ways to process it- one for cosmetic purposes, one for culinary. 

I bought some cosmetic Mona 100% pure Argan Oil from my local pharmacy, I've seen this brand in a few pharmacies around Dubai so I think it's widely available. 

So here's the yey- it's definitely super hydrating for my thick, wavy, bleached hair. It instantly tames my frizzy ends, doesn't look greasy or oily and seems to sink in to my hair rather than just sit on the surface. Winner! 

I've also used it on my skin and it is also hydrating, doesn't feel slimey and sinks in well. I wouldn't use it on my face (as suggested) as I have sensitive skin prone to breakouts but reckon it would be quite nourishing there too. 

So here's the ney- it stinks! It smells so bad of olives that I gag using it! And I like eating olives! I can only use it on my hair when it is in a pony tail away from my face and I then spray perfume on my hair to mask the olivey pong. Have used it once on my body and just couldn't get over the stench. I thought initially that it had maybe gone off so I googled it (of course) and apparently this is usual, some batches just naturally smell more olivey than others. So you could buy Mona argan oil and it might have a v different smell (I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!). 

Would I buy this again- no. Would i buy argan oil again-no. I don't even think I can finish this bottle (which is a lovely pump one) as just can't handle the smell! 

Please don't let that put you off- argan oil really does seem to do what it claims, you might have a completely different sense of smell to me, a different smelling oil or you might really like the smell of olives...

Spring summer make up trend: juicy orange

I'm a huge fan of orange make up and have been for years so am delighted to see so much of it on the spring summer 2014 runways!

Orange was out in force at the DSquared, Derek Lam and Fendi shows, and many more. Lip shades from what I call classic orange (reddy undertone), to neon bright to a softer more coral shade (pinky). I love them all! And it shows how versatile this colour is- play up for high glamour with bronzed cheeks and smokey brown eyes or paired down with a slick of eyeliner. It even looks awesome teamed with a pale green on the eyes. 

I've been trying to find a popping neon orange lipstick for a while now but to no avail... So if anyone can recommend one let me know! 

The orange lipsticks in my collection are: 

Make up for ever, rouge artist intense, 40 (wearing in pic below) - a lovely glossy, reddy orange 

Rimmel colour show off, 030 (sadly discontinued) - one of my favourites, a matte, subtle orange

Sleek make up, coral reef - a bright, impactful pinky orange 

Illamasqua, brink - a fab matte peachy orange 

Orange can also be used as a fab eye colour. I've used a subtle wash of Illamasqua powder eyeshadow in vulgar on my eyes below- this eyeshadow can be built up for a bright popping orange too. 

Orange is also an awesome cheek colour, as seen in pic below as a wash across the face with barely any other make up on - beautiful! Although I 'm not brave enough to forget the mascara...