Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF50

Calling all holiday goers - this one's for you. Whatever you've heard, there's no denying that using sun daily protection will protect your skin, prevent damage and premature ageing and help to keep the skin moisturised when exposed to excessive UV light. So it's time to stock up. 

Top skin brand Dermalogica has developed Protection 50 Sport SPF50* (£29.90), which has all-important backing by the The International Dermal Institute. It can be used daily on the face and body, saving vital suitcase room and valuable time. After testing it on the top of my hand, I was impressed with the lightweight feel and how well the product spreads. It doesn't leave a white film and is absorbed fairly quickly by the skin. 

To get the best out of this product, it should be applied generously 15 minutes before sun exposure. It also has 40 minutes of water-resistant coverage, but everyone's skin is different - if you feel burning, it's time to reapply. Your skin will thank you for it. 

And then there's the part when you get back to the hotel room. Every good sun screen needs an aftersun to soothe and cool the skin and Dermalogica has paired the protection product nicely with the repackaged After Sun Repair* (£29.90) with calming camomile, lavender and one suprising ingredient - Szechwan pepper?!

What is your go to sun protection product? 

*Free samples. All opinions are my own

I'm an award-winning journalist!

If my life could be summed up by one song today, it would be Pharrell's 'Happy'. Not just because it's an absolute tune, but because last night was the absolute highlight of my career to date.

Last year, I felt so inspired after my first experience of the Johnson & Johnson Journalism Awards, and decided to pitch an article to the Daily Mail on skin toners, which was my first ever freelance article. This year, I was so thrilled that my article was shortlisted for the Best National Newspaper Beauty Journalist award, and even more so when I was announced as the runner up for that category. 

It made my week, and it made my year.

I just want to thank all of the lovely journalists and bloggers who congratulated me on this achievement. Here's to hoping I've got some more good news to share with you next year!

STEAMCREAM Does Movember: Mo & Little Mo

There aren't many beauty brands that don product design the way STEAMCREAM does, and it has really outdone itself with the simple, statement tins launched specifically for Movember. 

Meet MO and Mini MO, which come as a pair for £12.95.

Each tin is filled with the multipurpose cream, which can be used on your face, hands, body and even your hair as a styling product.

Not only are they adorable, but they are also practical. There's always something you can do with each tin when the cream has been used up. Use one as a quirky jewellery box, a place to store your cufflinks or a handbag saviour for the little bits that float around at the bottom of your tote.

And, importantly, 10% of the proceeds go to the Movember Charitable Foundation. So, if you are dying to try STEAMCREAM, now is a great time to go for it.

Will you be celebrating Movember this year? xxx 

Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex

Just like the facial skin care sector is saturated, so is the eye rejuvenation market. You could literally spend hours searching for the best of the best - ones that reduce puffiness, ones that remove dark circles, and ones that minimise fine lines and wrinkles - so the best thing to do is search for reviews or go with trial and error. After all, everyone's different.

My first ever eye cream purchase was Origins GinZing, which was good to start with but disappointing after a few uses. Then I came across a sample of the Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex in a package from QVC and decided to give it a go. 

I've heard a lot of great things about Alpha-H skin care, but I've never really been sold on it. I wasn't desperate to get my hands on Liquid Gold, thinking a lot of the hype was down to the use of the word 'gold' and nothing more. But after trying the brand's eye product, I have changed my mind.

In terms of its texture, it's a clear gel that is easily absorbed around the eye area. You don't need too much per eye and you will feel a slight tingle for a few seconds - this is the Eye Complex working with ingredients such as peptides (reduce loss of elasticity), hibiscus flower (reduce dark circles) and cucumber (reduce puffiness).

The reason why I love this eye product is purely because of the results I have seen. After 3 or 4 days, the dark circles around my eyes were significantly less visible and my skin looked tight and refreshed. If you're looking for an eye cream that really does work, give this one a try.

What is your favourite eye cream? xxx

New Kid On The Block: Indie Lee

Say hello to new skin care brand Indie Lee, which has just launched today in the UK and is exclusive to abeautifulworld.co.uk.

Natural skin care lovers will be thrilled to know that the brand is all about using natural ingredients. Its motto is 'what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it'.

The brand's standout product is said to be the Squalane Facial Oil, which is 100% pure and derived from olives. Its main benefits are cell regeneration, oxygenation and boosting the skin's elasticity.

Although it's not a greasy formula, I've been advised to try one or two drops at first, rather than two or three as recommended, just to see how my skin absorbs it. I've managed to get my hands on a sample, so watch this space for my review!

Will you be trying Indie Lee? xxx

Currently Obsessed With #4 The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter

Don't get me wrong, I love The Body Shop's shower gels and scrubs (who doesn't get nostalgia when using the strawberry shower gel?), but when it comes to the brand's skin care I've never been that fussed. So when I heard about the new camomile-based range with a make-up remover and cleanser, I couldn't have cared less. That was until the blogger recommendations started coming through, and I knew I had to try it.

For someone who is extremely fussy about cleansers and generally anything I put on my skin, it says a lot that I think this is one of the best cleansers I've come across in some time. It works like a cleansing balm - you massage it on dry skin and rinse it off with warm water - but it's so nourishing and moisturising that it literally melts into your skin. 

Not only does it smell amazing, it feels amazing too. If I wasn't so in love with micellar waters, I'd be stocking up on the camomile make-up remover immediately.

Have you tried this cleansing butter? xxx

Payday Haul: Skin Care, Make-Up & Hair

There's nothing better than payday and Friday and a well deserved trip to the beauty haven that is Selfridges. Naturally what started off as a trip to stock up on thermal water and foundation ended in several pretty things being purchased. Here's what I picked up...

SKIN CARE

Everyone who follows my blog will know that La Roche-Posay is slowly becoming my favourite skin care brand - its Thermal Spring Water has been a staple product in my morning and evening routines for a good few months now and I've repurchased it many times, so I did it again! 

As I love a lot of the products from the brand, I also thought I would try its micellar water for oily and sensitive skin. It's a little pricey at over £10, so I'll probably stick to my highstreet fave - L'Oreal Skin Perfection - in the future.

MAKE-UP

I don't know what's more shocking - the fact I bought an eye palette, which I never thought I would do anytime soon, or the fact I paid £39.50 for it. Either way, the Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette is full of stunning nude eyeshadows, a dark brown liner and a double-ended brush. It says a lot that I wanted it so much when I rarely buy eye make-up, so I was pretty impressed with it.

Then I bought one of my all time favourite foundations - Guerlain's Parure De Lumiere Cream Foundation. I've repurchased this about 3 or 4 times, but haven't bought it since my spending ban started or finished. I love everything about this foundation from the packaging through to the colour and texture - it's expensive but its also real winner.

One of my most exciting purchases was the OCC Lip Tar in Black Metal Dahlia - it's like a dark metallic red, which is so on trend right now and exactly what I was looking for.

HAIR

My final purchase was the Bumble & Bumble Creme De Coco Masque, which I've been wanting to try for a while. I really loved using the mending mask on my distressed tresses, so I'm hoping this one lives up to my high expectations.

Did you buy anything this payday? xxx

Beauty Looks A-Z: Walnut

With A/W 13 just around the corner, it's time to get deep when it comes to make-up for work and glam nights out. I can't think of a more gorgeous colour than walnut to get us beauty lovers in the mood for cosy knit jumpers, mugs of hot chocolate and movie nights.

Here's the products I'll be reaching for this month:

 Charlotte Tilbury Rock'n'Kohl Iconic Liquid Eye Pencil in Barbarella Brown (£19)
Sisley Hydrating Longlasting Lipstick in Golden Copper (£33)
Clinique All About Shadows in Black Honey (£16)
Montagne Jeunesse Nut Oil Masque (£1)
MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked (£12.50)
Original Source Mint and Walnut Scrub (250ml, £2.65)
Tom Ford She Wolf Ombre Eye Colour Palette (£50)
Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Colour in Mahogany Brown (£6.99)
Essie Nail Polish in Chocolate Cakes (15ml, £7.99)
Batiste Dry Shampoo Brown - Dark & Deep (200ml, £3.99)
Clarins Limited Edition Colour Breeze Gloss Prodige in Chocolate (£17)
Everyday Minerals Brow Color Selection (£5.95)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented
T for Texture
U for Unisex

V for Velvet

Payday Weekend Haul: Champneys, Vichy, MAC, Body Shop & Rimmel

When payday comes around, it doesn't take long for me to pay a visit to the likes of Boots, Superdrug and Selfridges - you name it, I'll be there with my debit card burning a hole through my handbag.

This weekend, I popped over to Boots to take advantage of the Champneys offer (free Distant Shores body scrub when you spend £10 or over) and bought the invigorating Energising Lime Foaming Body Scrub. I also grabbed the Vichy Thermal Water (my skincare essential) and added the Golden Bronze Scandaleyes Shadow Paint to my collection.

Then I got the gorgeous Ruby Woo Retro Matte Lipstick at MAC. I nearly bought Cyber too, but I think it looked a little too gothic on me - wish it was a little bit lighter!

Finally I shot into the Body Shop to buy my new skin care favourite - the Camomile Cleansing Butter. I got a sample of this a couple of days before and it's so lovely to use - it melts into your skin and leaves it clean and soft. If you love skin care, it's well worth a try.

I'll be back later this week with my Feel Unique purchase...

What did you buy this weekend? xxx

Saturday Beauty Steal #17

If there's one event on every beauty lover's mind right now, it's Feel Unique's summer sale. And with bargains like this Elemental Herbology Weekend Facial Kit for £16.48 (45% off) and free delivery to boot, is it any wonder we've been so excited?

What is it?

Elemental Herbology Weekend Facial Kit comprises three 30ml masks - the Facial Glow Radiance Peel (exfoliate, stimulate and harmonise); Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask (for spot-prone, irritable skin); and Biodynamic Facial Souffle Intensive Hydration and Repair Mask (to soothe and repair). Each product should be used once per week to shed dead skin cells and nourish the skin. The set also comes with a muslin cloth. 

What do I like about it?

Peels and masks have been the absolute antidote for my skin problems recently. I've been dedicating one day a week to facial exfoliation, so this set would be perfect for me. I love the idea of using a mask depending on what my skin needs the most - if it's dry, I can use the Facial Souffle Mask, and if it's breaking out, I can use the Detox Purifying Mask. It's the dream team of facial masks.

Why is it a steal?

When you break it down, each mask is worth £5.50 - and that's not including the muslin cloth either! Elemental Herbology is a coveted brand among skin care enthusiasts and it's definitely a brand I want to try. Why oh why is it not pay day yet?!

You can buy the Elemental Herbology Weekend Facial Kit here.

What do you think of this week's beauty steal? xxx

Beauty Looks A-Z: Unisex

Do you live with your other half? Does he ever moan about your new beauty products and worry that you are spending too much at Boots (he doesn't understand the amazingness of the points card)? There are some products you can buy and use together, and save a bit of money every now and again. And I'm only talking essentials like shaving foam, shampoo and shower gel, not your holy grail face masks or cleansing oils (panic over).

Here's the products that will please your other half (and his bank balance):

Jergens Moisturiser Skin Firming Daily Toning Body Moisturiser (200ml, £4.99)
Baylis & Harding Black Pepper and Ginseng Hand Wash (500ml, £2)
Nivea Lemongrass & Oil Shower Gel (250ml, £1.29)
Sanex Moisturising Shower Gel (500ml, £3.09)
Boots Essentials Shaving Foam (250ml, £0.99)
Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm (40ml, £8.50)
Sensodyne Gentle Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste (75ml, £3.30)
Radox Refresh Shower Gel & Shampoo (250ml, £1.99)
Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm (£1.65)
Boots Essentials Cucumber Moisturising Cream (£0.99)
Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo (250ml, £2.69)
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (236ml, £8.99)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented
T for Texture

Beauty Launches: Artdeco, Lancôme & Bobbi Brown

Artdeco Cream Rouge in Creamy Pink, £12

Artdeco Cream Rouge in Creamy Orange, £12

Lancome DreamTone Serum (Fair Skin), £69

Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette, £39.50

Is it any wonder our bank accounts are suffering when the best beauty brands are bringing out gorgeous launches left, right and centre?

I'm especially in love with the look of the Artdeco cream-to-powder blushes for cheeks and lips and the neutral but dazzling Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate eyeshadow palette. 

Will you be buying any of these new beauties? xxx

Luxury Beauty Lust List

As per every other beauty blogger, I'm lusting after a hell of a lot of things. Whether it's skin care, make-up or hair care, I've got my purse at the ready and my bank card trembling in its broke boots.

Just so you know, all of these items are at least £10, so if you are not one for premium beauty, it might be best to turn away now!

OPI Jade Is The New Black

I love bold colours for my nails and I'm always drawn to greens, blues and reds. This one from OPI looks like a wearable, sophisticated green and I need it in my collection.

Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate

I'm really intrigued by night creams, oils and serums at the moment, as I've been using Trilogy's Rosapene night cream and have seen a difference in the appearance of my skin. I don't know if it's the pretty packaging speaking to me here, but Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate looks like a great one to try and it's always getting rave reviews on beauty blogs.

Noble Isle Rhubarb Rhubarb Hand Wash

Noble Isle is such a fantastic brand - I first came across it in a beauty box circa 2010 and thought the shower gel I received (Summer Rising) smelled fantastic and oozed English elegance. Rhubarb Rhubarb sounds fun and fruity, but it is a little expensive at £18, so it might stay on my lust list for quite a while!

Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator

If there's one brand I can't stop lusting over, it's Jurlique. I have wanted to try a fruit enzyme exfoliator for ages and this one looks really good.

Cane + Austin Retexturizing Pads for Body

Even though these cost a bomb and a half, they look incredible. We always hear about retexturising products for facial skin, but not really for the body, so I'd love to put these to the test!

Becca Resurfacing Primer

Resurfacing primers are generally amazing - not only do they enable your make-up to last longer than usual, but also they create a fresh, even base to start off with. I saw a fab review of this the other day, so I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it.

Sacha Juan Ocean Mist

There's loads of rave reviews about this product and it looks so pretty! There's lots of buzz around salt and texturising sprays right now, and I reckon this one is at the top of the list.

Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel

I'm all over at-home peels at the moment - they do an amazing job on my skin! After seeing this in Selfridges a while back, I have been waiting til pay day to make a purchase.

FACE Stockholm Blush-On in Shamballa

This is the item that has caught my eye every time I've been to BeautyMART. It's such high-quality, gorgeous pink blusher and looks like a perfect cheek product for this time of year.

What's on your luxury beauty lust list? xxx

Guest Post: My Handbag Essentials

Hey everyone! I'm Albertine and my blog is DippyWrites. A couple of days ago, Natasha sent out a tweet asking if anyone would like to do a guest post for her and I jumped at the chance.

I've decided to share my handbag essentials with you; these are the quick-fix items I always have with me when I'm on the go.

Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer 

This is the best concealer I've tried ever and I can't bare to leave the house without it. It comes with a blemish and undereye concealer, a setting powder and a tiny mirror all in one sturdy compact, making it perfect for make-up touch-ups on the go.  

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl in Nude 

You know those days when you're up early for work and you just feel and look super tired and drained? Well this eye pencil is for those days! I love having this in my bag so I can just apply a bit to my waterline, instantly making my eyes look a bit more wide awake and alert.

Revlon Crease Brush 

You're probably thinking 'ermmm why do you carry a makeup brush around with you?'. Well, it's for those days when your eyeshadow and primer really just aren't holding up. I like having this in my bag when my eyeshadow majorly creases, so I can quickly blend it again!

Hask Argan Oil 

I love to keep a little vial of this argan oil in my bag for when my hair is being particularly unruly. I just run a pea sized amount through the ends of my hair and it immediately helps to tame them, make them feel silky smooth again.

Carmex Lip Balm

I don't know how I could survive without my massive stash of lip balms! Out of all of them, Carmex lip balm is my favourite one to stash in my handbag. As well as moisturising dry lips, it also has SPF15, which is really useful for protecting your lips from the sun when you're out and about.

Avene Eau Thermale Water Spray 

I love having this in my handbag, especially when the weather's super hot (like it has been recently!). I use this to refresh my makeup throughout the day, but I also like to use it to cool my skin down when the weather is really hot.

So there's my handbag essentials! I hope you've enjoyed reading this - if you have, don't forget to pop over to my blog and have a look at the other types of posts I write.

What are your handbag essentials? xxx

 

Beauty Looks A-Z: Texture

Textures are all the rage in the beauty world right now. Everyone's talking about the latest feather effect nail polishes, velvet touch cream blushers and volumising hair salts.

This week, I've dedicated my beauty looks post to all the crazy textures that have become popular over the last year. It's an interesting one!

Here's the products that are shaking up the beauty world:

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel (125ml, £19.50)
Accessorize Sweetcheeks Cream Blush 2 Bloom (£3.95)
Bumble and Bumble Bb Texture Cream (60ml, £10)
VO5 Give Me Texture Instant Oomph Powder (£4.19)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Foundation Primer (£7.99)
Nicole for OPI Nail Texture Coat in Red (£7.99)
Nails Inc Leather Effect Nail Polish in Dalston (10ml, £12)
Sally Hansen Sugar Coats in Cotton Candies (£6.99)
L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique BB Blush (15ml, £7.99)
TRESemme Texture Style Backcomb Dust (£5.49)
Ciate Velvet Manicure in Berry Poncho (£14)
Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat in Sea (£6.99)

What do you think of this week's beauty look? xxx

A for Atomic
B for Burlesque
C for Caribbean
D for Dynamite
E for Enchantment
 F for Fantasia
G for Gatsby
H for Halo
I for Indigo
J for Jelly
K for Khaki
L for Lemon & Lime
M for Morello Cherry

N for Neverland
O for Ocean Blue

P for Pearl
Q for Quads

R for Riviera

S for Scented

GOSH CC Cream Foundation

When it comes to product hype, BB and CC creams have been up there with the best of them for over a year. However, when faced with one of these all singing, all dancing skin perfectors, I run a mile. I just don't see the big deal, especially when BB is being slapped onto every beauty product with a label.

But it wasn't until I tried the GOSH Cosmetics CC Cream in Sand (30ml, £8.99) that I realised what I had been missing out on. Contrary to what I believed, the coverage is quite good, and it wasn't just a tinted moisturiser pretending to be a foundation, or a day cream masked as a cover-up cosmetic. It is light alternative to foundation, with a medium coverage and smooth finish.

In terms of the packaging, I like that there's a small nozzle - it limits the amount of cream I use, as I usually end up with waste until I get used to how much I need.

Then we have the CC cream itself. At first glance, it looks a bit too dark for my skin, but it actually blends in really well. It doesn't take long to sink into the skin, and it doesn't leave it dry or patchy.

I still use a bit of powder to set it, but not half as much as usual. It lasts all day and leaves the skin dewy, but not too shiny.

All in all, I think the GOSH Cosmetics CC Cream Foundation is a great Summer base product and would highly recommend it.

What's your favourite foundation for Summer? xxx

*This post features a PR sample. All views are my own

Superdrug & Marie Curie Camomile Facial Cleansing Wipes

It's no secret that face wipes aren't my thing, but I know that many of you like to use them for a cleansing fix after a night out. And when a loved beauty brand makes a conscious effort to support those in need, it's well worth spreading the word.

On the 15th of August, Superdrug will be launching its redesigned Limited Edition 4-in-1 Camomile Facial Cleansing Wipes, which are suitable for use on all skin types. Each pack costs 99p, and 15% will go to cancer charity Marie Curie with every purchase. 

This will be Superdrug's first ever charity project, and I think you'll agree it's a fab one to start with. It is hoped that the money raised will fund 40 Marie Curie nurses, which would be an incredible achievement. So, if you like face wipes, it's well worth giving these new ones a go.

Have you tried any Superdrug skin care products? xxx

Post-Holiday Haul: Nails & Face

Shock horror - I've been shopping again! Although, I have to admit that being on a spending ban has really made me think about what I'm buying. I stopped myself buying two gorgeous blushers during the week - I think you'll find that's dedication.

But of course I found the time to invest in some gorgeous beauty buys at Boots and Superdrug. A lot of it was on offer, which I feel justifies my spending! I know you will agree.

NAILS

Firstly we have the two Revlon nail products I bought from Boots, which both had £2 off the normal price (#bargain). I wanted the Essie cuticle oil, but as it wasn't in the store I went to I opted for the gorgeous blue Revlon Cuticle Softener, which I can't wait to try. Next to that is the Valentine nail lacquer - a gorgeous all-year-round deep red.

My existing Models Own nail buffery thingy is a bit tattered, so I decided to get this one - it's so cute and is the perfect size for my handbag. I also got another set of Quickies nail polish remover pads, which I think are great and a total bargain at under £3. Each pad goes a long way, so you only need to use a maximum of 4 for both hands.

FACE

My final Boots purchase was the Real Techniques Powder Brush. I can't fault the Stippling Brush for my foundation and the Blush Brush, so I thought I would add this one to my collection. Exciting.

Then I popped into Superdrug to get a new bottle of micellar water, as mine had run out during the week! I love the Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Water by L'Oreal and it was on offer for half price, so I had to grab one. 

What do you think of my latest haul? xxx

Saturday Beauty Steal #16

I've been by the sea this week in Clacton and Brighton, and the one thing I couldn't live without was my La Roche-Posay SPF50+ gel cream. But not all of us want to spend over £15 on facial sun care when there's holidays and days out to be paid for, so Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is a great alternative for £2.48 at Superdrug.

What is it?

Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is a light UVA/UVB lotion made with sunscreens to protect the face, hands and chest. It also contains a complex of antioxidants proven to prevent premature ageing and fight against free radicals, and 24-hour skin hydration is provided by Aquarich.

What do I like about it?

Not only does this lotion prevent visible signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines, but also it enriches the skin with antioxidants. It doesn't leave any residue and protects against both UVA and UVB, which is important when the skin is exposed to the sun and the environment in general.

Why is it a steal? 

Given that you can pay over triple the price of this product for those made by premium brands, the Mattifying Face Sun Fluid is an amazing multipurpose steal. It's rare to find an SPF face fluid that looks after the skin in more ways than one at such a bargain price.

You can buy Solait's SPF50 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid here.

What do you think of this week's beauty steal? xxx

The #JulyLondonMeetUp Haul Post

I'm so excited about this haul post! Yesterday, I was one of 30 beauty, fashion and lifestyle bloggers at the #julylondonmeetup and what a lovely day it was (thanks to Helen). It was even more amazing because it finally marked the end of the the two-month spending ban I'd been on with Sasha, Poppy and Rachel, so we could all treat ourselves to some sweet beauty treats. I clearly took advantage of this momentous day and bought a lot of pretty things. I'll go from left to right, as always.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sorbet

I've been using the Candy Apple lip butter for a while now and I love that its moisturising and has great colour pay-off too. I got Sorbet as it always looks lovely when people blog about it and it's a gorgeous raspberry shade. Perfect for this time of year.

MAC Powder Blush in Full Fuschia

I've been wanting a fuschia blusher for yonks, so took the plunge and tried this one out at the MAC Pro Shop. You literally need the tiniest dot of this per cheek - it's such a pretty colour if you've got slightly darker than fair skin. I'm going to love applying this with my Real Techniques blush brush. 

Mavala Nail Polishes in Bali and Milano

Mavala's range of colours is really something - I was drawn to Bali after seeing a picture of it on Twitter and Milano reminded me of the Grape Clinique nail polish I've been lusting over.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

It's no secret that this is the best top coat around - I just hadn't got round to buying one yet. I'm really looking forward to trying this bad boy out. 

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water

This was a repurchase - it's currently my skin care essential and I won't be without it.

Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque

Since having a quick browse in Boots, I've been lusting over a Bumble and Bumble hair mask. Poppy and I went a bit crazy and wanted everything - but I managed to choose the best mask for what my hair needs right now. At a price of £22.50, it better be good stuff!

Topshop Nail Polishes in Aurora and Suffuse 

I've got the Mermaid Topshop Nail Polish, which is like a silver version of Suffuse, and I absolutely adore it. I've had my eye on Aurora for ages and Suffuse was so stunning that I just had to have it.

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

This is such a pretty highlighter! It's like Benefit's Sun Beam in powder form (which I prefer for blushers and highlighters) and it's gold and shimmery but subtle too. This will be a firm favourite for Summer.

What have you bought recently? xxx