May Favourites

Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil
My cuticles are one of my most neglected areas & the skin around my nails is always really dry. I can't resist peeling the skin away which in turn makes my fingertips red & sore. I've been trying to take better care of my nails lately & the condition of your cuticles makes a huge difference to the finish of your manicure. Slathering on a bit of the Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil every night has really improved things & has made my fingertips look much healthier. The oil is quite light in texture so it sinks in quickly & doesn't feel too greasy. It nourishes both the skin & nails plus the lovely apricot scent makes it a pleasure to use. It comes with a nail brush applicator so it's really easy to apply & it's something you can quickly do whilst sitting in front of the telly. I'll never neglect my cuticles again, pinky promise!

Illamasqua Rosepout Lipstick
This is one of Illamasqua's newer Glamore lipsticks which have a creamy satin finish. Although I do own and love quite a few of the older Illamasqua lipsticks, they were often very dry, matte & unforgiving on the lips. The Glamore lipsticks are definitely where it's at & I would highly recommend these if you're looking for something that is colour intense, long lasting & comfortable to wear. Within the Glamore range there are seven different nude shades & they even have a guide to choosing the perfect nude lipstick for your skin tone. Rosepout is a gorgeous neutral pinky brown colour & works beautifully with my cool toned pale skin. It has a modern retro feel to it & looks amazing paired with 1960s style eye makeup.

The Library Of Fragrance Mountain Air Cologne Spray*
Having never climbed a mountain before, a perfume inspired by the smell of mountain air was very intriguing to me. It's normally quite easy to imagine what The Library Of Fragrance's fantastic range of single note colognes will actually smell like but Mountain Air is a lot more complex & very unique. This breathtaking cologne spray combines together all the different elements that you would find at the top of a mountain. It's a cool, crisp & clean concoction of snow, water, flowers, trees & soil. This wonderfully refreshing unisex scent is really something quite special.

Alterna Caviar CC Cream
Hair creams have become my weapon of choice when it comes to styling my locks. After a quick blow dry I love running a few pumps of this stuff through the lengths of my hair. It helps to smooth down any flyaways & adds just the right amount of hold. Whilst CC Creams are normally for facial colour correction, the Alterna CC Cream delivers 'complete correction' to the hair. This one product provides 10 different hair benefits which are moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, UV protection, manageability, strength, anti-breakage, heat protection & light hold. It really helps to keep my bleached hair looking healthy & it smells amazing too! The whole Alterna Caviar range is simply incredible & well worth the investment if your hair is looking a little lacklustre.

BECCA Flowerchild Mineral Blush
Peachy pink shimmery blushers are my absolute favourite & this BECCA Mineral Blush is exceptionally pretty. Flowerchild has the most gorgeous golden sheen running through it that really illuminates the cheeks & gives them a fresh Summery glow. The shimmer is extremely subtle with no chunks of glitter so it won't accentuate large pores. The texture of this blusher is silky smooth & it blends like a dream. The colour can be built up without it ever looking cakey or chalky. Flowerchild adds the loveliest flush of colour to my cheeks & really lifts my complexion. It doesn't look like much in the pan but this is a truly stunning product & it would look fabulous on many different skin tones.

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June Favourites

Essie Spin The Bottle*
This Summer is all about nude shades for me. My current favourite nail polish is Essie's Spin The Bottle. It's a milky creamy peach colour that blends in well with my skintone. I actually really like the mannequin hands look haha. Unlike many nude polishes this goes fully opaque in two coats. I can't stand sheer polishes so this is much more my style. It's such a flattering colour & would look perfect adorning your digits whilst relaxing on the beach. Check out my swatches here.

Illamasqua Eye Brow Cake in Motto
I'm becoming slightly obsessed with trying new brow products much like the way that I compulsively purchased nearly every highlighter going a couple of years ago. If I want to use a powder on my eyebrows I normally go for MAC Omega eyeshadow as it's a very natural looking soft taupe shade. I've had my eye on Illamasqua's Eye Brow Cakes for quite a while though as I really love those dramatic Illamasqua style brows. As I have ashy blonde hair & dark eyebrows I went for the shade Motto. It looks very grey in the pan but it actually works brilliantly on anyone with cool-toned hair. There's no red tones or warmth in it at all. The power is buttery soft & very easy to apply. It is highly pigmented & stays put all day long. You can use it wet or dry depending on how you want your brows to look. Mix it with a drop of Illamasqua Sealing Gel for extra drama. I think the texture is what makes it superior to my good old MAC Omega. Somehow it's easier to get really thick & full brows that still look natural. There's something special about these Eye Brow Cakes, I can't recommend them enough!

Claudia Louch Chamomile Face Wash*
To give my skin a break from all the acid treatments I like to balance out my skincare routine with some gentler products. This is a soothing gel cleanser from Claudia Louch's botanical skincare range. The combination of chamomile, red clover, elderflower extracts & white willow bark extract really calms everything down & naturally relieves any inflammation in the skin. People tend to think of gel cleansers as something that will strip the skin but as all the Claudia Louch products are 94% natural & free from harsh chemicals that isn't an issue here. It cleanses without leaving my face feeling dry or taut, simply nourished & refreshed. This would be a really brilliant cleanser for anyone with sensitive skin. Full review here.

Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner
When I recently repurchased my fave Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash I noticed that Gorgeous Shop had a special offer on where you could get both the cleanser & this toner for just £25. I've always wanted to try one of Elemis' toners so it was too good a deal to pass up. The Soothing Apricot Toner maintains the skin's pH level without alcohol or harsh chemicals so it doesn't strip the skin of it's natural oils. It is very gentle so it would be suitable for those with sensitive, delicate or hormonal skin. As the name suggests this toner has a delicious apricot scent & feels very calming on the skin. It helps to reduce redness & soothe any irritation. You can apply it with some cotton wool or by spraying it directly on your face. It makes my skin feel a bit sticky but that soon goes away after I apply my moisturiser. I sometimes take this out with me to cool down as the temperature rises. A quick spritz of this toner keeps my skin looking fresh & radiant, lovely!

SkinChemists Rapid Facial*
This face mask is simply incredible and so it should be considering it's insane price tag. If you have blemishes, blackheads, blocked pores, congestion or dull skin then this stuff will work wonders for you. This mask uses glycolic acid to chemically exfoliate the skin & it also contains some grainy particles for a bit of manual exfoliation too. It feels very tingly on the skin but it doesn't make my face look red or irritated at all. It completely clears out the skin & resurfaces it leaving your face feeling super smooth. My skin is left looking glowy & bright too. The results are almost as good as going for a proper spa facial. If only it came with a fluffy white gown & some brownies! Make sure you check out the SkinChemists special offers page as they often lower the price of their products to just £19.99. Read my full review here.

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New Nails: Essie Nudes

Essie Spin The Bottle* / Essie Topless & Barefoot*

When it comes to choosing a new nail polish I'm normally all over the neons, pastels & glitters. I like my nails to make a statement. For some reason I've been craving classy nude shades lately. Sometimes a bit of minimalism can do you good. My Essie obsession is still in full force so I added a couple of newbies to my collection. If you're after a nude polish there's no better brand than Essie. They have so many different shades to suit every skintone. I decided to get Spin The Bottle from the Hide & Go Chic Spring 2014 collection and Topless & Barefoot from the A French Affair Spring 2011 collection. I was kindly sent these by NailPolish.co.uk. As well as Essie they also stock a huge range of polishes from brands such as Barry M, China Glaze, Tanya Burr & Sally Hansen. They even have the infamous After School Boy Blazer just incase you're still searching for that perfect navy blue. Plus they offer free first class delivery in the UK on every order. The Essie polishes on their site come with the traditional brush rather than the wider one from the Essie diffusion line but that doesn't stop them from being just as awesome.

Although the two shades have a very similar appearance (especially in the bottle) they're actually quite different. Over the years I've heard so much about Topless & Barefoot from other bloggers. It's often raved about as the perfect nude polish. It's a soft & pretty beige pink. It might be slightly too pale for my skintone but I still think it's gorgeous nonetheless. In contrast I've noticed that many people were disappointed with the Spring 2014 collection & said that Spin The Bottle was sheer and streaky. I've got to disagree with them. Just like Topless & Barefoot it was perfectly opaque in two coats. Both of these are a welcome respite from the plethora of sheer nudes that plague nail polish stands. Spin The Bottle is an absolutely beautiful milky peach polish & I love how it looks on me. I know some people aren't fans of the 'mannequin hands' look but I really like how this shade blends in with my skin colour. It's slightly peachier and darker than Topless & Barefoot so I was surprised to find that I prefer this one. It's just so darn flattering. There's nothing quite so effortlessly chic as a nude nail polish & I'm utterly smitten with both of these shades. What's your favourite nude polish?

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November Favourites

Essie Bahama Mama
I've fallen hard for Essie's nail polishes. The formula is brilliant & the applicator brush is just so perfectly shaped. I want them all! I've been rocking Bahama Mama all month long. When it started to look a bit tatty, I removed the chipped polish & applied it again. I get bored really easily so this literally never happens but I adore this plummy Autumnal shade. Chloe's been begging me to paint her nails ever since she first spotted me doing mine so I finally christened her tips with a matching Bahama Mama manicure. We're a cool pair ;)

Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid
This is such a lovely lip balm. It is made from pure whipped lanolin & features organic lemon oil. The result is a super slick, creamy, non-sticky balm that deeply moisturises & exfoliates your lips all at the same time. It works really well and leaves my lips feeling incredibly soft & smooth. It stays put for hours even after eating & drinking. Plus the lemon scent & taste is absolutely gorgeous! Full review here.

Organic Surge First Class Face Mask
I've been reaching for this face mask a lot lately. This mask works to clear up blemishes & hydrate the skin at the same time. It's perfect for when I have some congested areas that need a bit of a detox. I love the rosemary & lemon scent of this mask, it turns a weekly skincare treat into an indulgent aromatherapeutic experience. It makes my skin feel so soft & fresh. Detox masks can suck all the moisture out of your skin so this is a much better choice if your skin is too dehydrated or sensitive for other products. Full review here.

HealGel Face
I really love this moisturiser. It's such a joy to use because I can notice my skin improving every time I apply it. This creamy white gel is quickly absorbed & it uses hyaluronic acid to rehydrate the skin. It makes my skin feel really soft & it also plumps it up by boosting collagen production. It has helped to fade some of my scarring, heals blemishes faster & it soothes any irritation. It's easily one of the best moisturisers I've tried. Full review here.

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
I've wanted to try this brow pencil for so long & I finally treated myself when Space NK had their amazing gift with purchase offer a couple of weeks ago. I've been using this every day since I got it & it was instant love. This product combines a powder & wax in the form of an eyebrow pencil. One end has a spoolie to brush through your brows with & the other has the pencil. What really makes this special is the shape of the pencil. It has a thin slanted triangular shape so you can get really defined edges. You can use the tip to draw in thin lines or you can use the side to create thicker shapes for fast filling in. It's a very versatile product & using this always results in a pair of beautifully groomed brows. I have the shade Soft Brunette which would suit anyone with ashy brown or silver hair. No warm tones in sight! Hourglass are just one of those brands where I want to try everything. Their products are amazing & well worth the hefty price tag.

PS. Apologies for the late monthly favourites! My Macbook Pro needed a new logic board so I've been without a computer for the past few weeks. Hopefully everything has been sorted now though!

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New Nails: Essie Additions

Essie After School Boy Blazer / Essie Bahama Mama / Essie Chinchilly / Essie Bachelorette Bash

Like many people I cannot resist the allure of the Essie stand in Boots. It's even harder to stay away when there's a 3 for 2 offer on. So I picked up a few shades that I'd been lusting after for a while. I've been dying to get my hands on After School Boy Blazer. I don't think there's been such a hyped nail polish in the beauty community for a long time. This gorgeous blackened navy sold out really quickly both instore & online. I kept checking my local Boots for weeks but they never restocked it. Then I had the bright idea to check the drawer at the bottom of the stand where one single bottle of it was left. I actually squeed when I saw it. I never normally go for dark colours, even during Autumn/Winter but I'm really feeling the seasonal shades this year. I love this colour so much! If you're still after this polish you're probably better off looking for it online now.

I also got the 'Favourites To Fall For' duo of Bahama Mama & Chinchilly. Neither of those are colours that I would've normally bought but that little box just kept calling to me every time I went into Boots and I'm so glad I got them. They're both such beautiful colours. Bahama Mama is a warm plum shade that couldn't be any more fitting for Autumn. Chinchilly is a sleek granite grey. This was the least pigmented of the bunch as it needed three layers before turning opaque. I actually really like this for an accent nail with a brighter polish on the other fingers. I have a bit of an obsession with hot pinks so the last polish I picked up was Bachelorette Bash. This is such a lovely bright & creamy fuchsia & it goes completely opaque in one coat. I think this one might be my favourite from my mini haul. What's your favourite Essie colour? Not that I need or have any room for more nail polishes but I'm still curious ;)

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August Favourites

Bumble & Bumble Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme
I normally hate my hair the day its washed. If I didn't add a plethora of hair oils to the ends & smooth it round with my Babyliss Big Hair styler I would probably resemble Worzel Gummidge. But once I've made the ends look good again the roots can become greasy and flat. I used to use volumising powders or dry shampoo to sort out my roots but I was never satisfied with how they made my hair feel. I've been using this product in my hair recently and it adds the perfect amount of volume and texture without overloading it or making it look greasy again. Its great for creating messier hair styles and gives your hair that unwashed look without making you look dirty. It also works really well as a base before backcombing. I just rub a small blob between my hands, tip my head upside down and pull it through my hair concentrating at the roots. I then blow dry my hair upside down and finish off with the Big Hair styler. My hair is left looking balanced with volumised roots & well nourished ends.

Essie Lilacism
Like everyone else I've completely fallen in love with the Essie diffusion line at Boots. The great colour choice, fast drying formula & wider brush make these polishes well worth the £7.99 price tag. One shade that I keep going back to is Lilacism. This pretty purple shade is just irresistible to me and since I've bought it all my other nail polishes have been totally neglected. I can't wait to get my hands on the new Model's Own Mirrorball collection and add some purple glitter to a Lilacism base.

Treacle Moon Her Mango Thoughts Body Butter*
I try not to buy too many body butters or lotions because I always forget to moisturise. Its so much easier to just whack on some of my Lush Ro's Argan body conditioner whilst showering. But I was given this in one of the goodie bags from the Leeds blogger meetup and I can't stop using it. Thats really weird for me because I normally just can't be bothered but the gorgeous mango scent makes me want to slap it on every day. It does a decent job of keeping my skin hydrated but the smell is the real selling point. I think it only costs about 4 quid for big tub. They also do a mango shower gel so I'll definitely be trying that out next.

Yankee Candle Red Velvet
I'm such a Yankee Candle addict! My dream is to have a whole shelf dedicated to them. They last for ages and they come in some incredible scents. I'm a sucker for sweet smells and the Strawberry Buttercream one is my all time fave. I'm always looking in department stores fantasising about which one to buy next (yes my life is that sad!) and I recently spotted a new candle called Red Velvet. Now I love cupcakes, especially red velvet ones so I did a little jump for joy when I saw it. It smells quite similar to the Vanilla Cupcake candle but with more of a chocolatey/brown sugary scent. Its such a delicious smell and when this one runs out I think I'll be getting the large one to replace it.

Boux Avenue White Chiffon Room Spray
If you've ever purchased any of the gorgeous lingerie they sell at Boux Avenue you probably will have noticed the divine smelling white rose petals scattered in your shopping bag. That smell is Boux Avenue's signature scent White Chiffon. Its a light, fresh scent with gentle notes of lily, jasmine and elderflower. I'm completely obsessed with it, having coveted it for months. I spray it around my room every night and its really relaxing before bed. I also bought some of the White Chiffon beads to keep in my clothes drawers. The room spray only cost £10 and is one of the best smelling products I've ever bought. Boux Avenue also sell bubble bath, hand cream, candles, reed diffusers and much more all with the White Chiffon scent. If I had my way I'd buy it all!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains
I just can't resist trying out new lip products and these Revlon Balm Stains are the only thing thats caught my eye recently. I love their Lip Butters so I knew I had to get my hands on some of these. I absolutely detest traditional lip stains. You know those felt tip ones? They always bleed, make your lips look like they belong to a 90 year old smoker and taste revolting. So the balm formula seemed to be a good alternative for long lasting lip colour. I actually really like these. They keep your lips moisturised, are easy to apply and last pretty well. I like that you can apply them like a normal lipstick or smudge them a bit so its more like a stain. The only thing that I find disappointing with this product is the shade range. Honey and Rendezvouz were the only colours I liked the look of as the others just seemed a bit gaudy to me. Hopefully Revlon will bring some more of the US shades over here.

Spector - Enjoy It While It Lasts
I love a good indie disco. My friends and I were always going to Frog, Club NME or White Heat back in the day. One of the bands I fell in love with at the time was Les Incompétents. Their song How It All Went Wrong was always a high point of our nights out. Sadly they disbanded back in 2006 and the golden age of indie disco soon died with them (in my opinion anyway!). Then one of the singers Fred MacPherson started another band called Ox. Eagle. Lion. Man and I was also obsessed with them. I saw them live countless times and it was a sad day when they went on hiatus. Then Fred started another band, one you might have actually heard of, called Spector. Again I absolutely love their music, showing that everything Fred touches is gold. They recently released their debut album Enjoy It While It Lasts and its really brilliant. I pre-ordered a copy from Play.com where they had signed loads of albums. I'm totally jealous of Olivia who actually went to one of the signings but I guess this is better than nothing haha. This is the best album I've bought all year & if you haven't heard of Spector already go watch some of their videos on YouTube because they are amazing. Catch them live soon before they start selling out arenas!