March Glossybox - The Harrods Edition

Last month I posted that Glossybox had included a card advertising a mystery box for this month.  You had to go on to their site and use the letters they gave you as a clue to work out what the box was.  I had mentioned that I thought the box might be designer - well I was wrong as the box was in fact Harrods. 

If you are unfamiliar to Glossybox, then you can look at my previous January and February posts for more information or click here to be taken to the Glossybox website.

Rather than the usual dusty pink box, this months box was white with The Harrods Edition written on the front.  You were also given an Age-Defying Skincare brochure which gives advice on how to care for your skin depending on your age.

As usual, inside the box you have a card that gives the details of all the products included.  However this time they do not tell you how much the full size would cost and how much product you get.  This is a little annoying but I guess it is a great marketing ploy as it forces you to go on to their website to find out.  The card also includes a discount code of 20% of selected beauty products at Harrods.com
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The packaging inside also continued the Harrods theme by including a green ribbon with gold lettering and a Harrods sticker to seal the paper.

Inside, on first glance I was genuinely quite excited about the products.  Although I was a little disappointed to see that there wasn't any full sized products (usually you get at least one).

1. Ojon - Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum £16 / 25ml: 



This is described as being a weightless, highly concentrated serum which helps to restore brilliant shine and softness to dull, damaged hair. You warm one to two drops in the palms of your hands and apply to either damp or dry hair concentrating on the ends. It can be used daily before heat styling or as a finishing touch. I haven't yet tried this on my hair but this is the product that I was most excited about as I have very long/coloured hair and I like to use either a hair oil or serum on the end to protect them. I have a few to use up but once I have tried this I will let you know.

 2. Fendi - Fan Di Fendi Eau de Toilette £35 / 30ml:

I am always disappointed when I receive a perfume sample, firstly because I think perfume is a very personal choice and I love my Chanel and Dior perfumes and very rarely stray from them.  Secondly, because often you can get free perfume samples from counters.  This sample however was nicer than previous ones as it came in a beautiful miniature version of the full size.  The only downfall for me is that the lid is the stopper and I am always frightened of spilling perfumes like this (I once knocked over and spilt a whole bottle of Eternity by Calvin Klein when I was younger - very frustrating).  I much prefer a spray bottle as it's easier to apply and carry around in your bag. 
The perfume is described as a luminous floral fragrance, radiant with sunlight and leaving a lasting impression of light Roman leather on the skin.  I haven't yet tried it on my skin, but I agree that it does have a light floral scent and I think this would be lovely for spring/summer, although it's not something that I'd prefer to wear instead of my current perfumes.

3. Clarins - Extra-Firming Body Cream £39.50 / 200ml:

I could not find this product (or any Clarins products) on the Harrods website.  The price listed above was actually from the John Lewis website.  I'm not sure as to whether or not you can buy Clarins in store but it is rather odd that it isn't on their website which leads me to think that this might be an extra product that Glossybox decided to include.  Or perhaps Harrods are planning on including Clarins in the future. 

This product is described as a formula rich in regenerating and firming plant extracts which immediately helps to lift and tone, for firmer skin and a younger looking body.  I'm always quite skeptical about whether products like this one actually do what they claim to do.  But as I've recently had a baby, my skin could certainly do with a little firming so I'm more than happy to give this product a try to see if it works - fingers crossed!

4. Burberry Beauty - Miniature Lip Cover, Rosewood No4 £23 / 3.8g:

I was really pleased to receive this product as lip products in general are probably my favourite makeup item.  The lipstick is a complete miniature of the regular product and as you can see from the picture the lipstick is even embossed with the trademark Burberry print (so is the lipstick case but as it is reflective the picture doesn't show it).  Described as a soft satin lipstick that offers intense moisture and luminous long-lasting colour. Combining oils and light waxes, the super light formula is easy to apply and contains anti-aging ceramides for fuller lips.   This product is certainly very smooth on application and feels very moisturising on the lips.  The consistency reminds me of the Cremesheen lipsticks from Mac.  The colour is a deep berry stain and complements my dark hair and eyes, however it is a colour that I would be more prone to wearing on a night out.  However you can apply it lightly for a sheerer coverage if you wish for a day time look.  This certainly is a luxury product and one that would look very stylish in any makeup bag, but I am reluctant to purchase a full sized product as there are so many comparable lipsticks at a fraction of the cost.  But if it was bought for me as a present, I wouldn't say no!



5. Erno Laszlo - The Hollywood Collection: 5 Piece Cream Gift Set:

I had never heard of this product before so I went on to the Harrods website as I was intrigued to find out more. However once again, I could not find the brand. However on doing a bit of research I was able to find out some information. This Hollywood Collection is to celebrate 85 years of Erno Laszlo.  Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Madonna are just a few of the Hollywoods finest who have been huge advocates of this revoluntionary skincare and there is a store in Covent Garden where you can purchase the products. Dr Erno Laszlo was a Hungarian dermatologist who, back in 1927, started the company that went on to become a worldwide sensation. At first, the Erno Laszlo institute would only treat those who came via recommendation, thus assuring its exclusivity. Now, however, anyone can enjoy the benefits of Laszlo’s skin-boosting systems, from their classic Black Sea Mud soap to luxury spa treatments that target anti-ageing, brightening and problem skin.  So perhaps Harrods are about to launch this product in their stores too.

This sample pack contains Morning Beauty Rescue, Refresh Moisture Infusion, Instant Eye Repair, Intensive Porcelain Veil and Velvet Night Cream.  I'm not sure what all of the products claim to do but you can click here to go to their website.

As you know, I love my Liz Earle skincare products but I might just have to give these products a try.  I just hope that I don't like them too much as I doubt I will be able to afford the price tag as the US website has the items ranged from $85 to $175. 

A little tip - if you have samples in a sachet make a hole using a safety pin so you can squeeze out a small amount at a time ands then seal with some sellotape afterwards this ensures that you don't waste any of the product and so they last longer and don't expire.

Initial impression:

I'm really pleased with my box this month, and I'm happy with all of the products, especially with the hair oil.  The only thing I am slightly disappointed with is the perfume sample which I feel you can get over the counter anyway, but other than that I think this months box was a great edition and I look forward to future limited edition boxes that Glossybox do.

What's in my everyday makeup bag?

This is the makeup bag that I carry with me on a daily basis.  I do not keep a full face load of products with me, just a few items to refresh my makeup if I need to.  The current contents listed below were the items that were present in my What's in my handbag post. No items were added or removed, so this is a true reflection of what I carry with me (which is probably too much!). 

Mac Makeup bag from the Graphic Garden Collection
(Bought in San Francisco in 2009

The picture and list below shows you the content in more detail.  The majority of these products always remain in my makeup bag.  The only items that I change are the eye liners I use and the lip products and these tend to vary on a daily basis depending on what kind of look I am going for.

Starting from the top:

Estee Lauder Pure White Linen in Light Breeze 4ml: This is my signature summer scent, however I always leave it in my makeup bag as on the odd occasion I have forgotten to put perfume on (which I hate to do) and this sample means that I can quickly spritz some on me where ever I am.

Freedent Chewing Gum: I don't have chewing gum all the time, but again this is something that I like to have with me just in case I need to freshen my breath.

Gosh Velvet Touch Eye Liner in 006 Bananas: This is such a pretty light gold colour which I often use as an inner corner highlight, especially if I am wearing gold/bronze shadows.

3 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Yeyo (white), Bourbon (brown with gold shimmer), Zero (black): These eye liners by Urban Decay are my all time favourite as they last all day long without smudging.  They also come in an array of colours.  I bought mine in a gift set that contained 5 or 6 different pencils so it is worth keeping a look out for these if you are interested in trying them.  I use the white eye liner as an inner corner highlight and the brown and black tend to go with the majority of makeup looks.  I usually just line the outer half of my lower lash line (if I line the whole lash line it tends to make my eyes look to closed and small).

Benefit It Stick: This is a pencil concealer (I shade fits all) that I use to cover any blemishes or redness throughout the day.  I like that it is small so it doesn't take up much room and it is really creamy so it is easy to apply.  Sadly I can't seem to find it on their website so it's probably been discontinued (something Benefit do a lot which is most annoying), but you still might be able to find it on Ebay or Amazon.

Mac Select Moisture Cover Concealer in NW20: This is my under eye concealer although I do sometimes use it to cover redness and blemishes as well.  If I am out and about all day and not heading home, I like to have this to refresh under my eyes so I look a little brighter.  It is really creamy and very easy to blend which is important as the skin around your eyes is so delecate that you don't want to damage it.

Sigmas travel lip brush:  I love Sigma brushes and I bought mine over a year ago as part of the Premium Professional Kit from their Website in America.  Unfortunately you can't buy this brush individually at the moment, however you can now buy some of their brushes in the UK from Love-Makeup.

Kirby Grips & Hairclip: I have very long hair and sometimes (if I have a side parting) my hair really annoys me and gets in my eyes so I like to hair a few hair grips with me so that I can clip it out of the way especially if it is windy outside as I don't want my hair getting stuck to my lipgloss.

Saline solution: I keep a few capsules with me at all times as I wear contact lenses and sometimes my eyes can feel a little dry, especially if I have been wearing my lenses for a while.

Vicks Inhaler Nasal Stick:  This might seem like a random product to have in my makeup bag but as you may have realised by now, I like to plan for the inevitable.  So many times I have been rescued from a blocked/stuffy nose at work by remembering that I had this with me.

Nail file:  Not sure what brand this is as it was a present.  I always have a nail file with me as there's nothing more annoying than having a chipped nail and I know that if I don't file it immediately I will keep picking at the chip making it a lot worse in the process.  One little tip - make sure that you get a nail file that comes in a sleeve - I stupidly didn't once and I had it in my bag and it scratched some of my things.  I was very upset!

Benefit Eye Bright: This is a instant eye brightener which comes in a milky pink shade.  I often apply it as an inner corner highlight or to line my lower waterline which helps to brighten your eyes, especially on those days when you are feeling rather tired.

L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Carbon Gloss in Carbon Black: I cannot say enough good things about this product - it is my favourite liquid eyeliner of all time and it is always in my makeup bag.  If I have been out all day, by refreshing my eyeliner (especially the little flicks that I like to do at the outer corner) I never feel the need to reapply my mascara as the eyeliner seems to make my eye makeup look as though I have just done it.  L'Oreal also do the same liner in Silver Black and I like to use this colour if I want a softer look on the eyes.

Mac Lustre Glass in Pinkaret:  This is a beautiful pink lipgloss with gold shimmer and I usually like to wear this in the summer months, but lately I have been applying this over my Mac Tinted Lip Condition for a more glossy finish.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit:  This is a sheer pink lipgloss that is extremely moisturising on the lips and perfect if you want to add a little colour and gloss to the lips.  I got this product free when I ordered some Clinique products via their website.

Plasters:  These often become more used in the summer months when I start to wear pumps on my feet as no matter what I do I always seem to get a slight blister on my heal.  I have learnt that rubbing Vaseline into the backs of shoes helps and it does, but you never know when you might be in need of a plaster so I always keep a few to hand.

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm:  I really like Carmex as a lip balm and this is probably my favourite for moisturising dry lips.  It is also handy as it comes in a squeezy tube and it is not as big as some of the tins that you can buy.  At first I didn't like the smell (sorry - not sure how to describe it, I guess it reminded me of playdoh) but I now quite like it.

Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink:  This was in my January favourites and still is one of my favourite products I use especially as it has an spf 15.  It has a slight vanilla scent (like most of Mac products) and it really leaves your lips feeling smooth and kissable whilst adding a nice tint to the lips.  Definitely a product that I will continue to repurchase in the future.

Hairbands:  I carry these for the same reason I carry hair grips and that is because my hair often gets in my way.  Especially if I am carrying Olivia as she is just starting to grab things (my hair being one of them).  No matter where I am, these hairbands (which prevent snags) mean that I can quickly tie back my hair if I need to.

Laura Mercier Hand Cream in Creme Brulee:  This product can also be found in my January favourites.  During the Winter months my hands have been a lot dryer so I always make sure that I keep hand cream with me.  It also means that my nails stay in better condition too.

That is everything!  Like I said at the start, the majority of the items above can always be found in my makeup bag.  It is usually just the lip products and perhaps eye liners that change.  I don't carry a pressed powder with me as my skin isn't oily and my foundation tends to stay in place all day.  I also don't bother with blushes and it would mean that I would need a brush which would take up more space.  In the summer months, occasionally I might carry a cream blush with me as that can be applied with my fingers but my cheeks are quite pigmented anyway and my blusher usually stays in place (I always use Mac's Cream Colour Base in Hush underneath my blushes so that helps them to stay put).

What do you carry in your makeup bag?  Leave a comment below and subscribe for future makeup related posts. x

January Beauty Favourites 2012

It's that time of the month where I share my monthly favourites.  These are products that I have repeatedly loved using throughout the course of the month and are either new discoveries or items that I have re-discovered.  Some products, for example those mentioned in my skin care routine etc will not be shown as they are products that I have loved and used for a long time and would therefore be present in every months favourites, not just in this months (see below for the list - perhaps I will do a separate post about these).  The items below are in no particular order.

Long Standing Favourites (these are products that have not changed for a long time):

Skincare: Liz Earle (see skincare favourites)
Powder: Mac Mineralised Skinfinish Natural
Foundation: Estee Lauder Sheer Tint Release
Bronzer: Nars Laguna
Concealer: Bobbi Brown Corrector, Mac Select Moisture Cover Concealer and Bare Minerals Eye Brightener in Well Rested.
Eye Liner: L'Oreal Liner Intense in Carbon Gloss
Mascara: Benefit They're Real
Brows: HD Brow Set

This months favourites are:


Organix Brazillian Keratin Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner £6.99 each from Boots

I have discovered a new shampoo and conditioner that works wonders on my hair.  Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo 385ml is described as being an exclusive blend of antioxidant rich cocoa nut oil along with lush keratin proteins to help strengthen and soften the hair, while organic avocado oil and cocoa butter smooth the cuticle for straight, strong tresses, adding a brilliant glow and luminescent shine.  I have straight hair (with a slight kink to it if left to dry naturally) so you may wonder why I even bothered to try a Keratin shampoo as they are designed for people with curly hair who want to straighten it.  I chose this product because of the ingredients and to help create silky smooth locks that are really conditioned from within.  Along with using the Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy Conditioner 385ml I really feel that I have finally achieved the hair that I wanted which is in good condition, shiny and full of body.  It is also sodium and sulphate free which is also good for your hair - for more information about this click here.  I will probably do a separate review on this product as I have really enjoyed using it so far, so I will save some of my thoughts and feelings about this product until then.

Amazon Kindle £89

This was one of my favourite Christmas presents that I received this year (so excited to finally have one) and has been used continuously throughout January.  I love reading, but I was finding it increasingly difficult to read a book (especially if I was holding Olivia and she fell asleep) as I couldn't turn the pages.  The Kindle solved this problem completely as it is light to hold and easy to turn the pages with one click of a button.  I also like to carry a book with me (as you never know when you might get the chance to read) and with all of the things that I need to carry with me for Olivia there is not much room for a book in my bag.  The new Kindle is so practical for this as it is smaller and lighter than traditions books as well as the original Kindle.  Some people may not like that there isn't a key pad available (the new one you have to scroll through an on-screen keypad using the cursor) but this doesn't bother me as it is not as though you need to use the key pad all the time.  The page size is exactly the same as the original but the new Kindle only holds 1000 books, which is more than plenty for me (the original holds 3,500).  One thing I will add is that it does not come with a charger.  It has the cable required, so if you have an Apple charger with a USB port you can use this or you can charge it directly from a computer using the USB cable.  It was not a problem for me as I had an Apple charger that I could use but if you don't then it might be worth purchasing one for ease (although the Kindle does stay charged for a very long time).

Laura Mercier Hand Cream in Creme Brulee £13 for 50g

This month I have found that I am reaching for hand cream more than ever as I am forever washing my hands or washing-up bottles etc and due to the cold weather they have been a lot dryer than normal.  My favourite hand cream is from the Creme Brulee range by Laura Mercier.  It is a rich creme that nourishes the skin without leaving a greasy film. It contains grape and olive oils which help to soften and moisturise, while soy proteins rich in amino acids help in the repair process. The fragrance is a deep rich caramel with nuances of sugar, vanilla and musk and as Creme Brulee is my favourite dessert to eat, how could I possibly resist this.

Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Parfum

As you can see from the bottle (which is 100ml) I do not have a lot of this product left.  I was trying to save this until I bought another bottle and recently I received one as a gift, so throughout January I have been using this product like mad as it is one of my all time favourites.  The perfume is describe as being a fragrance created for an elegant and spirited young woman in love. Romantic by nature, Miss Dior Chérie inspires an intense and playful love, for which she is also searching. She personifies the spontaneous joie de vivre of today's young women, representing a particular type of freedom and seduction. The fragrance is characterised by an instant and captivating charm. Whether or not you agree with their statement is up to you but whenever I wear this perfume I always feel elegant and girly and I love the combination of citrus fruits and floral notes.

Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink £11 for 15ml

Due to the weather being a lot colder and the fact that I can't stop kissing Olivia (her cheeks are so cute I can't help myself) I've been avoiding wearing as much lipstick/lipgloss.  This month I wanted my lips to be conditioned but still have a slight tint of colour to them.  I raided through my make-up collection and re-discovered my lip conditioner from Mac in the shade Petting Pink.  It is a protective emollient balm formulated with SPF 15, and gives a sheer wash of colour and an all-natural sheen. It helps to condition the lips, and locks in moisture, and contains Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, Vitamins A and E.  It gives my lips a pretty pink tint to them with a lovely sheen and goes with anything that you might put on your eyes or cheeks.  The best thing of all - it doesn't transfer when I give Olivia a kiss, or get stuck to my hair (which is something I really hate about Lipgloss).

Palmer's Cocoa Butter £3 - £4 for 250ml

This was my favourite moisturiser when I was pregnant and throughout January when the weather is cold and leaves my skin on the dry side.  Palmer's Cocoa Butter is a rich creamy lotion made from pure Cocoa Butter enriched with Vitamin E, and is an advanced moisturiser that softens, smoothes and relieves dry skin. It is also designed to help smooth and blend marks and scars so is helpful in preventing those dreaded stretch marks which so many women fear when pregnant.  I didn't get any stretch marks during my pregnancy and this was the only product that I used on my skin.  The scent is quite strong and it not to everyones taste but I really adore the chocolate smell that it leaves on my skin.  However if you don't like the scent you can purchase a fragrance free version and still enjoy the benefits.

I will post my favourites around the same time each month and if you would like any of these products reviewed in more depth then please leave a comment below.  Also you can subscribe for future updates on my monthly favourites.

2011 Beauty Favourites

I love make-up and all things beauty related.  In fact if I had the chance I would love to train as a make-up artist and work on the London fashion shows but I also love my life as it is with my husband, daughter and two cats (Bailey and Murphy) so for the time being make-up will just have to remain as a hobby of mine. 

I hate to admit it, but yes, I am one of those women who don't leave the house without makeup on even to go to the supermarket.  I just don't feel like me without it on - even if my husband says that I look beautiful without it (he always knows the right things to say).  Don't get me wrong I don't wear a ton of make-up but I do like to wear it - perhaps it's the actress in me, putting make-up on to play a part.  Although that makes me sound that I'm fake and lack confidence - I'm not and I don't.  I can lack confidence in myself at times just like anyone, but make-up just makes me feel pretty! When I was growing up I would sit on my mum's bed and watch her put on her make-up and for years I thought that all women did that.  It wasn't until I had an office job when I was 18 that I suddenly realised that not all women wear make-up to work and it took me a long time to understand why.  

Well enough about me justifying why I like make-up, I just do and so I thought I'd share some of my favourite products from the past year.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: 100ml pump £12.25

I tried this product a couple of years ago and it was at a time when I was using a combination of different products and something caused my skin to react and not create spots but instead a raised rash.  I therefore stopped using this product thinking that it didn't work for my skin.  At the beginning of 2011 I was running out of my favourite face wash by Estee Lauder and came across the cleanse and polish.  As my skin was currently in a good place I decided to give it a try but just at night time.  I was astounded by the results as it made my skin so soft and smooth.  Slowly as I was running out of my moisturiser and other skin care products I switched over to Liz Earle and I have to admit that I couldn't be happier with the results.  The cleanse and polish is a fairly thick and creamy consistency but you only need a pea sized amount which is then massaged onto dry skin.  Using the polishing cloth to then remove any dirt leaves the skin feeling moisturised and very soft.  I cannot rave enough about this product and it is one that I will continue to repurchase time and time again.

Estee Lauder Day Wear: 50ml £34

This is Estee Lauder's version of the tinted moisturiser and I have to say that I love wearing this product especially at the moment during the cold weather as I feel that it really leaves my skin moisturised.  It blends really easily so this product is perfect for first time mums and for the mornings when you have to get ready in a hurry.  I first bought this product during the summer last year as I wanted something whilst on holiday that could even out my skin tone without it looking too cakey and this product certainly did the trick.  It is on the pricier side for a tinted moisturiser but I like the fact that it includes an SPF 15.  The product is supposed to be designed for all skin tones as it is a sheer release that on application and blending into the skin changes colour.  I'm not sure whether this would be suitable for every skin tone though.  I am an NW20 (Mac colour range) usually and at the moment I would say that it is a little too dark for me, so I make sure that I only use a small amount and that it is well blended.  In the summer though it is perfect, especially if I want to achieve a natural glow but with some coverage.



Nars Laguna Bronzer: £24

 As  you can see from the picture above I have used a lot of this product.  In fact I have had this bronzer for over 18 months and there is still a lot left.  I love to wear bronzer but I am not one for the Oompah Lumpa look hence why I have so much left.  This product does give a bronzed glow to the face which is just what I am after and even though there is shimmer in the product it is not too much and I don't seem to notice it on the skin.  The product also doesn't look too muddy which can also be a problem with bronzers, instead it gives a natural tan (but this can change depending on how it is applied).  Nars products always look very sleek and stylish in their packaging but it does becoming quite grubby looking after a while if powder gets on to it.  With a mirror included in the compact, this product is perfect for travel as it is a decent size. 


Mac Mineralised Skinfinish Natural in Medium: £20.50 10g

I tend to have combination skin which features more on the dry side than the oily.  However I do like to set my makeup every day with powder to ensure that it stays in place.  Mac's Mineralised Skinfinish Natural allows for a light coverage to the face without it looking as though you have powder on - perfect!  I tend to use the shade Medium all year round to save buying a different shade for the summer months.  When I do have a tan I tend to increase the amount of bronzer I use on my face but as I only apply a small amount of power anyway it doesn't seem to matter that it's a shade lighter. There is a lot of product here and tends to last for a long time before having to re-purchase, in fact my last one lasted well over a year and I used it every day. 

Mac Mineralised Skinfinish in By Candlelight
£21.50 10g

 I love wearing highlighters and some of my all time favourites are from Mac in the form of their Mineralised Skinfinishes.  By Candlelight has been my absolute favourite this year and although it is a limited edition product it has be re-promoted in the past in different collections so it is always worth keeping your eyes open for them.   This product really does give a lovely glow to the cheekbones and tends to go with anything as it has a slight pink/beige undertone.  This truly is a product that I think would work on any skin tone, but if you can't find this then there are always others that you could try.  Again a little goes a long way so you won't need to buy another one in a hurry - unless like me you like buying them.

Urban Decay Naked Palette £35

I didn't really have a favourite eyeshadow this year - I had a whole palette.  The Naked Palette by Urban Decay has been named as being the favourite for many beauty gurus in 2011.  Some people don't like the fact that this palette is mostly shimmer but I am not one of them.  I love a shimmery look (not glittery though) on the eye and this palette includes some of my favourite colours to wear which are pink/taupe, and gold/browns.  My favourite combination from this palette is to use Sin all over the lip with Toasted in the crease.  I then take Hustle and put it in the outer v and along the lower lash line.  I then use Virgin as a highlighter for the brow bone and inner corner.  This gives me one of my staple looks and one that I will continue to love and wear well into 2012. This product is great value for money as it includes 12 shadows and all of them give amazing pay off.  With the release of Naked Palette 2 this month I am just wondering if that will take over as being my favourite for this year, who knows!

Chloe Eau de Parfum £39.50 30ml

I am awful at trying to describe scents.  All I will say is that whenever I wear this perfume I always have people asking me what I am wearing and complimenting me on it.  Not only has this scent been perfect for the Spring/Summer as it is light and fresh, it is also perfect for Autumn/Winter as it is slightly musky.  I love this perfume and I'm sure it will be one that stays in my collection for some time.


Moroccan Oil Sample £5.99 10ml

During my pregnancy the only thing I really suffered from was tiredness (I know, I was very lucky).  This meant that getting ready in the mornings was a chore and often I would do my makeup but not really bother about my hair.  My hair has become very long at present with it almost reaching my bust and still I don't really do much to my hair as I don't have the time.  This is where Moroccan Oil became a life safer for me as I still wanted to ensure that my hair was left in good condition especially the ends which were becoming rather dry.  This product can be quite expensive but you can get different sizes and you don't need a lot of the product especially if you are only concentrating on the ends of the hair which is what I do.  As mentioned, I am not very good at describing smells but the oil has a really pleasant smell and leaves your hair feeling soft and smooth.


Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque £17
Mac Pain Point in Bare Study £14.50 5g
Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Lemon Drop £16.50

Due to constantly being overtired I am paranoid of it showing especially around my eyes and so concealers have paid a large part in preventing the world from knowing just how tired I really am.  Bobbi Browns Corrector has been a life saver this year.  With its creamy consistency it is really easy to apply and neutralises the skin around the eye area (I also use it around the nose, mouth and to neutralise blemishes).  I then apply my favourite concealer (Mac's Select Moisture Cover in NW20) over the top and it's goodbye to tired eyes. 

I work long hours and most mornings I do my makeup at 6.30 am so I need it to stay put all day.  I combine two products everyday to ensure that my eyeshadow stays vibrant and doesn't budge.  Lots of people love Urban Decays Primer Potion to do this but I have always loved Two Faced Shadow Insurance as it is creamy without being greasy and gives a lovely base which neutralises any redness on my eyelids.  I then use one of Mac's Paint Pot on top before applying my eye shadows to make them more vibrant.  My favourite this year has been the colour Bare Study which is a shimmering champagne colour and looks beautiful on the lids even if worn alone and goes perfectly under any eye shadows and prevents them from creasing.

L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Carbon Gloss in Black £6.49

Eyeliner is something that I always wear and for a long time I used gel liners like Mac's Blacktrack fluid line, however that was until I discovered this product.  L'Oreal's Super Liner creates the perfect line and helps to create flicks with ease.  I prefer the black version in Carbon Gloss rather than the traditional black as I feel it gives the line a nicer finish.  This is the only liquid liner that I have tried that really lasts all day and doesn't smudge if my eyes get wet.  For now this is the only liner that I need (and I have a lot of all different colours and types) for the time being - I just hope that they don't ever discontinue the product.

Benefit They're Real Mascara £18.50 8.5g

This was a late addition to my favourites this year (the product was only released towards the end of the year) but one that I thought was worth including as I really love the way it makes my lashes look.  The first time I tried Benefit's They're Real mascara I wasn't that convinced as the product appeared to be quite wet in consistency and didn't really hold a curl in my lashes.  I kept persevering with it as I had heard so many good reviews about it and as the product dried out slightly (they all do after a couple of days as air gets in) I was really impressed.  The brush allows for all the lashes to be coated and the spikes on the tip allows for even the tiniest of lashes especially in the inner corners to be coated.  Unfortunately I am not blessed with gorgeous long lashes, but this mascara does lengthen them (although not as much as I would like). It also holds the curl in my lashes and is easy to remove which for me is so important as I don't want my lashes to fall out unnecessarily.  So, for now I will be repurchasing this product as I like the way it makes my lashes look but I will continue to try new mascaras in the hope of finding a holy grail product but perhaps one that's a little cheaper.



Mac Lipstick in Plink and Patisserie £13.50 3g

  

Nars Lipgloss in Super Orgasm £17.50
Mac Plush Glass in Ample Pink £16.50

I have two favourite lip combinations that I wore this year.  The first being Mac's Patisserie lipstick (which has a lustre finish and creates a beautiful sheen to the lips) with Mac's Ample Pink Plush Glass over the top.  This was infact the lip combination for my wedding day so it holds a special place in my heart.  It creates a natural (my lips but better) lip that has a slightly dark pink/mauve tint and goes with any eye colour worn but especially a smokey eye and is one that I wear all year round.  The second combination that I love to wear is more appropriate for the summer but can be worn all year around too.  It is Mac's Plink lipstick (a lustre as well - they are my favourite) which is a light shimmery pink.  I then put Nars lipgloss in Super Orgasm over the top which is a deep pink with glitter throughout.  This combination gives a beautiful summery pink lip which looks perfect with a tan.


L-R Super Orgasm, Plink, Ample Pink, Patisserie (with flash)

The swatches above don't do these products justice as they all appear to look the same, but trust me, they are two lip combinations that are worth swatching in person and trying.

There are rather a lot of favourites shown above, but they are ones that I have loved throughout the whole of 2011.  Each month I will post my beauty favourites and there won't be as many as here, just products that I have either rediscovered from my collection or new products that I have been introduced to.  Perhaps some of my favourites are some of yours too!

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