BEAUTY NEW IN: EVE LOM SHEER RADIANCE TRANSLUCENT POWDER

Ever since I first laid my hands upon a sample of Eve Lom's legendary Cleanser I have been a die-hard fan. I've stocked up on a big pot of the Cleanser and multiple muslin cloths and am this close to nabbing the Morning Time Cleanser too. The Eve Lom website have a great offer on at the moment - they send you a perfect travel sized 30ml pot of Cleanser with every order over £40. Run! 

So - given my new found love for all things Lom, I was very excited about the new make-up offering. I won't lie -  fuelled by Lisa Eldridge's rave review - there may even have been a pre-order.

This powder replaced my Shu Uemura Sheer Face Powder which I've been pretty loyal to over the past few years. However, sometimes I feel it has a bit of a dulling effect on my skin if I'm accidentally a little heavy handed with it. 

When I first tried the Eve Lom powder I was concerned a little too much came out of the brush and it was hard to control how much powder you apply. I'm used to applying my powder with a powder puff rather than a brush and only like a light sweep to mattify around the forehead, nose and chin. However, having used it a few times and become confident with the application I can safely say I LOVE IT! It mattifies perfectly (my number one concern), allows for light application and leaves my face with a nice glow. There is no dusty, powdery look that I sometimes find there is with Shu Uemura. 

It's also the perfect size to pop in your bag for a top up during the day. Perfecto!

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BEAUTY: CLINIQUE BLACK HONEY

 Just a quick post to mention my latest nail varnish obsession: Clinique Black Honey. I adore this shade - it's the perfect near black with a hint of wine. Anyone who has tried the lipstick in this shade will know it more than earns its cult status. 

I love a glossy black nail but being on the pale side, it just doesn't work for me. Somehow this shade is just perfection and I urge you to go out there and grab one for yourself post haste. 

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THE FRAGRANCE QUEST: BONPOINT

A new perfume has made its way into my collection! Eau de toilette Bonpoint. 
Now I know what you might be thinking - am I a mother? No. Does this matter? Not in the slightest. This perfume spoke to me and many others precisely because it fits well with people that love wearing a fragrance but don't want something overpowering and in your face, but something subtle and expensive smelling. It's the perfect every day scent. 
The blend of orange blossom, petitgrain and jasmine makes for such a gentle, elegant perfume. On me, I find it has that clean, crisp, ever so slightly masculine edge in amidst the florals. It's exactly this that I love in Jo Malone's Lime Basil and Mandarin cologne and attracts me to the classic Acqua di Parma scent. 
As if being a lovely perfume wasn't enough, it was so beautifully packaged and presented in a little pink dust bag. Perfection.

Eau de toilette Bonpoint 50ml £39

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THE FRAGRANCE QUEST

I kid you not, I have used the phrase 'perfume crisis' a shameful amount of times over the past few weeks. Frankly saying it just once is a tad shameful. 

I have always been very picky about my perfumes. I demand quite a lot from them. I shy away from strong, heady, smoky, rich perfumes, which serve only to make me feel a bit travel sick. Ideally I like my perfumes to be light (but with staying power), fresh, pretty, with a dash of complexity thrown in for good measure (and all wrapped up in a beautiful, simple bottle). I love the ritual of putting on perfume before leaving the house. It's such a perfectly chic finishing touch.

In the past I've definitely been guilty of buying perfumes that are decidedly not me, buying before trying because I've fallen for the hype, or the beautiful bottle, or knowing it has graced the pulse points of my sartorial heroes. Par example: I'd love to love Byredo's Gypsy Water or Bal D'Afrique, Frederic Malle's Carnal Flower, Kai, Diptyque's Ombre dans L'Eau, Jo Malone's Blackberry & Bay and everything by Le Labo... but I'd just be lying to myself (and making myself feel nauseous into the bargain). 

Up to now, my favourite perfumes (that are no longer in rotation) have been: 

Diptyque Eau de Lierre, Diptyque Eau Duelle, Jo Malone Wild Bluebell, Byredo Pulp

Still in rotation: 

Jo Malone Lime, Basil & Mandarin (for work) and Creed Love in White (spring/summer)

I think, if I'm honest, my ongoing quest for new perfect perfumes comes down to wanting a perfumes that are 'me', but also contain an aspirational element - 'the me I want to be'.  I think this is why I will most probably not be the sort of person who has one signature scent. I like to think I'll have a collection of signature scents, archiving different stages of my life and the development of my tastes. When I spritz perfumes I have previously worn, they enable me to take a trip down memory lane. When I stumble across a new scent, it is like turning over a crisp, fresh page. New perfumes feel full of possibilities. 

Given the close of summer, my beloved Love in White doesn't feel right for the new season, rendering me in a perfume-less rut! The quest is back on in earnest, and with any luck, the "crisis" will be over soon. 

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NEW IN: LIPSTICK QUEEN

I'm a huuuuge fan of Lipstick Queen by Poppy King. My favourite all-time every day lipstick is without a doubt Jean Queen. I left it in Devon this weekend following my visit home, and I miss it dreadfully. Whilst I wait to be reunited with my One, I'm happy to be distracted by the new Endless Summer collection which is made up of 3 great shades: nude, hot pink and coral. I plumped for the coral 'Stoked' shade in the end, though it was a close run thing with Perfect Wave (the pink).

I also picked up the Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Cameo. I was after a very subtle nude, something to add a polished gloss to lips that is a step above a simple slick of balm. And this delivers! The only thing I'd say is it does veer ever so ever so slightly towards that chalky quality some nude shades have IF applied to poorly prepped lips. Lips need to be moisturised and nicely exfoliated before application. I wasn't able to satisfactorily capture the shade on film, because it is subtle, but I'd definitely recommend it. 

As you can see, I did attempt to photograph the Stoked lipstick in action, and it was harder than I thought!! I'd say in reality the colour is just a little brighter. 

 I know what one looks for in a lipstick is different for everyone, but I personally always look for a sheer, glossy, lightweight lipstick. Because of this I'm drawn to the Clinique Chubby Sticks and the like. If that's the kind of lipstick that floats your boat, I think you'll definitely find your dream lipstick amongst Lipstick Queen's offerings. 

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BEAUTY: NEW MUST HAVES

I wanted to take some time to share some products I've discovered recently that I now would not be without. I try new things quite often, but over the past few months, these fellows have really stood out and are definite buy-again-ers. 

I bought the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque and Phyto 7 Hydrating Day Cream after watching Lisa Eldridge's video about her in flight beauty routine. If you have a long-haul, or even a shorter flight coming up, I would urge you in the strongest possible terms to run straight over to her website and watch it for yourself. My boyfriend found my little plastic bag bursting with beauty products for the flight most amusing, but I am not exaggerating when I say I stepped off the flight to New York (and the return flight too) with better skin that when I climbed aboard. This will be my trusted routine for all flights from now on, it's really that good. 
Given this sparkling review, I'd be mad not to incorporate two of the products into my regular beauty routine. The Dermalogica mask is a true hero product. On a flight, Lisa recommends applying it twice, and taking it off with Bioderma 45mins before landing. It works like a dream. I would therefore now apply it before bed and wash my face the following morning. 
Phyto 7 Day Cream is exactly what it says on the tube, a day cream for your locks. I love how it smells (sort of very subtly nutty) and it leaves my hair soft and more manageable. Of course there is still dryness - I dye my hair, blowdry it and use heated tools on it - but this cream adds a certain silkiness and ups the manageability big time. Again, I noticed this most after getting off my flight after having applied it to dry hair to protect it from the brutal air con on board. On a day-to-day basis however, I apply it to towel-dried hair pre-blowdrying. 

Whilst we're nattering about hair, I bought Oribe's Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray from Space NK in an attempt to combat the humidity in New York and Washington DC. IT ACTUALLY WORKED! There were days were a a tiny touch of fluffiness crept in, but this works reliably better than any other anti-humidity product I've tried. I read recently how important it is to follow instructions on products like this - we all too often spray vaguely and hope for the best. I followed Oribe's instructions to the letter: spray all over post-styling, flip head over and spray all over again. 

In the make-up stakes there are two products hugely deserving of a mention. By Terry's Rose de Rose (which I first heard about again via Lisa Eldridge's website) and Lipstick Queen's Jean Queen. As Lisa points out, Rose de Rose is not for all over face application as By Terry seem to suggest. I use it as you would a blusher and it gives such a beautiful glow. When you first dispense it you might be a tad fearful - it looks VERY pink. But as you apply it, your fears will fade away. I'm rather on the pale side, so use shade 1 (Fresh Rose), and half a pump is plenty.
I bought Lipstick Queen Jean Queen a little while ago, but it has become the lipstick I turn to everyday. It is the perfect everyday shade for 9-5, and to add a polished, pretty look for evening. 

Are there any new beauty products you've tried recently that have become firm favourites?

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OFF TO FRANCE: AIRPORT SHOPPING LIST

I'm off to France for a long weekend this coming Friday, and as per, one of the bits I'm looking forward to the most (and my boyfriend will do his darndest to curtail) is scuttling around duty free in Heathrow's stupendous Terminal 5. I literally cannot wait. 

I must admit I've already ordered the Supergoop face serum and lip balm (I don't know if I would have found this in the airport and as we all know, sun protection is not something to take a chance with!)
I'm hoping to visit Clarins for sure, and am crossing my fingers that there will be a Laura Mercier stand somewhere. I'm out of my ever-faithful illuminating tinted moisturiser. Likewise, I'm hoping I'll be able to seek out Origins too - I've decided it's time to look into eye care products and reign in my perennially puffy under-eye bags. Looking tired at all times ain't cute. I'd really welcome any eye cream recommendations you have!

I'm definitely going to buy Hydraluron soon after reading so many good things about it, and am entertaining a vague hope that it might (for some reason) be a little cheaper in the airport Boots. 

Once in France, I'll naturally be popping over to the nearest pharmacy like a woman possessed, clearing the shelves of Bioderma Crealine in one fell swoop, like you do. But I'm also keen to secure La Roche-Posay's Serozinc.

Last but not least, the sunglasses trying on session. No airport visit would be complete without it - oh how I love it.The dream scenario would be being left alone by the Karen Walker stand for long enough to find my perfect pair. 

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HARD WATER HAIR

I have not often shared my "Devon" hair with you. But trust me when I tell you it is something pretty special when compared to my "London" hair. It belongs to the soft, manageable, shiny categories. It is willing to be styled in the way I want it to be. 

In stark contrast, my London hair is like its rebellious, nasty little sister. It simply will not do what it is told. I style it into what are supposed to be loose waves and it sits, flat, uncooperative, tangled, static and sad. I muss it up, to give it a Parisian air of effortlessness but I end up looking like I live in a cardboard box. It is nothing short of a tale of haircare woe. 

I knew it was going to be hard moving back from Devon to London and accepting my Devon hair would turn its back on me until I returned. So, in a desperate attempt to make the transition easier, I decided to research hard water filters that could be attached to showers, hoping against hope it might make even a smidgen of a difference. I didn't want to spend my life savings on a swanky new device, so opted for eBay to test-drive this latest attempt to solve my London hair issues. I sent off for a universal shower filter which attached easily to my shower and waited to see what my hair-future held. I have to say, the results were more than I dared hope for. My hair didn't seem as static, as oddly sticky (I know, I know), as depressed. But I'm no fool, I've oft noted how, upon one's return to London, for some reason there is a grace period where you think the whole situation wasn't nearly as bad as you'd remembered it, and then... the hard water creeps up on you like a thief in the night, mocking you for ever thinking it could be different. 

But miraculously, we're a good couple of weeks in and my hair is more or less as it should be! There is still the slight day of static, but I curl it, and the waves stay. I run straighteners through it and it doesn't look like I spent the morning rubbing a balloon against my head. I leave it do to its thing naturally, and it is actually shiny, rather than dull. All in all, I have to say I'm very, very pleased. So far, this little filter is doing exactly what I hoped it would do (touch wood). The filter has to be replaced every three months or so, but at around £12, this is no more than one might pay for a build-up reducing shampoo. 

So I wanted to pass this on, in the hope that it might help others with their own hard water hair problems. Trust me, it is definitely more than worth a try! 

I bought mine from the The Water Filter Men via eBay.

NEW IN: REVLON COLORSTAY NAIL ENAMEL IN BEIGE NUDE

 After reading about Revlon's new range of Nude nail varnishes I was very keen to investigate. I picked up the 'Beige Nude' shade this weekend and I LOVE it. Before buying this, my favourite nude shade was Essie 'Brooch The Subject' which was a great first foray into nude varnishes, but it didn't seem to respond well to base coats, which I prefer to use. The Revlon varnish goes on beautifully - in quite a thin, gel-like way. I used a couple of coats and that was enough for me with a layer of Seche Vite top coat. I think this will definitely be one of my go-to varnishes for the foreseeable future!

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NEW IN: DAVID MALLETT SHAMPOO NO. 1 L'HYDRATION & LA ROCHE-POSAY THERMAL SPRING WATER

 

I'm an avid reader of Emily Weiss' Into The Gloss and so was naturally sold on nigh on every product she mentioned in her recent 'Emily's Essentials' Top Shelf feature. I'm always inclined to trust implicitly the products that beauty aficionados trust, simply because they spend so much time editing out all the products they try and only keeping back the ones that really work. But regardless of all that, I love trying new products and was very intrigued by the two above. I have to admit the thermal water spoke to me for no other reason than Emily's story that accompanied her recommendation: it has made it into Emily's routine following the advice given to her by a terribly chic French woman who said spritzing ones face post-cleansing with thermal water is something one absolutely HAS to do. Needless to say I scurried off to Boots sharpish.

After reading lots of very positive reviews about David Mallett hair care, and trying and failing to track down sulphate free shampoos, I decided to send off to Paris for the first step in the L'Hydration range. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover a sample of the conditioner in the box too. Really looking forward to adding both of these highly recommended products into my routine and seeing how they fare.

Are there any products you've recently enjoyed adding into your routine?

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NEW IN: SHAY & BLUE

After spotting Shay & Blue in various magazines recently, my interest was more than piqued. I'm always drawn to interesting, natural fragrances and love offerings from the likes of Diptyque, Jo Malone, By Redo and Creed.

Dom De Vetta (he of Chanel and Jo Malone) and perfumer Julie Masse are the duo behind Shay & Blue, and emphasise the boutique perfumery's use of real flowers, fruits and spices - with Almond and Cucumber containing real Mimosa from Grasse.

It's described as 'a fragrance of refinement and softness, with splashes of refreshing green cucumber blended with delicate mimosa and warming, crunchy almonds. Soft and gentle, a subtle whisper.' Of course this description spoke to me! I don't enjoy a perfume that announces my arrival before I do, nor hangs in the air long after I'm gone. It's early days, but I'm really enjoying this fragrance. Don't worry about it being wishy-washy from the description - it is delicate but surprisingly multi-layered and with a lovely creaminess too. All in all - a delight!

Almond Cucumber Natural Spray Fragrance, £30 for 30ml.

Find the full collection at www.shayandblue.com.

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NEW IN: SPACE NK VISIT

I read about Lipstick Queen's Jean Queen in a recent top 50 beauty buys article in the Guardian's weekend supplement and was instantly sold on the description of this being a lipstick made to be worn with jeans and a t-shirt. Nothing heavy or over the top, just a universally flattering, easy to wear shade that adds a groomed look to every day outfits. This is exactly the kind of make-up product I'm always in search of. I'm also a fan of Lipstick Queen's sheer Medieval lipstick, which is so flattering and ridiculously easy to wear if you're a bit of a lipstick-phobe (like me)!

 

I'm not sure my love affair with Diptyque candles will ever end - they're equally beautiful when fragrancing a room as they are sitting unlit on display. My favourites are Mimosa, Figuier, Gardenia and Menthe Verte for Spring/Summer and Oranger and Baies for Autumn/Winter. The new daffodil inspired Jonquille candle also sounds lovely for this time of year. Jasmin is new to me, so the mini-candle size is perfect for giving it a whirl and taking it away on an upcoming trip.

 

Diptyque Jasmin mini candle £20 and Lipstick Queen lipstick in Jean Queen £15 - both at Space NK.

 

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NEW PRODUCTS: JANUARY

I wanted to share a few new products that I've been enjoying lately. They've become key players on my dressing table and frankly the old guard have been throwing them more than a few bitter glances. As well they might, they're not going anywhere. I'm pretty smitten. 

Aveda Damage Remedy & Aveda Phomollient: I invested in these two products after visiting Taylor Taylor salon on Commercial Street in London. I had a lovely hair cut there recently - they listened to what I was hoping to get from my appointment and offered genuinely useful styling advice. These Aveda numbers were used during my visit to give my struggling ends a helping hand (damage remedy) and provide the hold needed to maintain a few loose waves (Phomollient). They smell lovely and actually do what they say they will. Something that seems increasingly rare! I've never been a fan of mousses and products designed to 'hold' - they normally see me frantically reaching for a shower and some shampoo, so desperate am I to get rid of that stiff, crispy feeling! But there are no such worries with this mousse. It gives just enough hold to fine hair, without weighing it down and making it dull and over-styled looking. Definitely not crispy. No sir-y.

Jo Malone Body Creme and Cologne: I've got quite the Jo Malone obsession, I can't lie. The black ribbon, the cream boxes. It's almost too much to take isn't it? Recently I've been enjoying the Blackberry & Bay body creme (a Christmas gift) and the English Pear & Freesia cologne - a beautiful scent that just seems to get better as the day goes on. I love it layered with Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne too. 

Nude Pro Genius Treatment Oil and Radiant Day Moisturiser: I'd heard pretty good things about Nude and was thus pretty keen to try the brand out. I bought these two in a gift set from Space NK in order to try them out without enduring the knock on effect upon my ability to pay rent that comes with buying full-size versions. I'm glad I did - they're just so nice. I can genuinely see a difference the morning after using the treatment oil, and one drop is perfect for boosting the day moisturiser whenever you feel your skin needs that something extra. I use 3 drops each evening and maybe a drop or two more for a mini-facial from time to time. The day moisturiser doesn't feel at all heavy but seems to give my skin the moisture it needs for the day and provides a good base for make up. I can honestly say I don't think I'd be without the treatment oil now though - it is perfection.

Are there any products you've been trying recently that you now wouldn't be without?

Aveda Damage Remedy, Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam, Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia, Blackberry & Bay Body Creme, Nude Natural Radiance Set

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HELLO ANYA

I thought I should share one of my favourite Christmas/Birthday presents (yes my birthday falls but three days after Christmas and folk do like to combine the presents - woe is me). 

Because I now have to split my time between London and Devon I decided it would be jolly lovely to ease the transition with be-a-u-tiful travel accessories. I therefore dropped festive hints accordingly, as you do. 

This is the best wash bag going - brilliantly roomy (much bigger than you would think) with trademark organisational pockets on the inside. 

It means I can now throw my whole bathroom in without having to painstakingly funnel each and every product into mini plastic bottles before leaving the house. 

There were also a few lovely products in my Christmas stocking which will also find their way into the new wash bag of dreams. 

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Soap (not pictured), Chanel Pirate nail varnish (an early Christmas present to myself!), Aesop Fabulous Face Oil and Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner. 

A word on the leave in conditioner - it is brilliant, I urge you to try it. 

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MY CLASSIC 10

About a zillion years ago... (yes I have been absent for too long) Miss Sophie so kindly tagged me to put forward my classic 10, following her own brilliant post which you can see here.  I have at last got my act together and have tried to put forwards the 10 elements that I rely upon in my wardrobe, and paint the clearest picture of my closet.

Perfumes on my dressing table - the essential finishing touch to every outfit! Diptyque, Jo Malone and Byredo

I have an addiction to the perfect grey tees - and search high and low for them. These are a mix of American Apparel and Reiss

Stripey tees - must haves. I have a zillion more, but these three are my favourites: APC and Petit Bateau

I am powerless when faced with anything with an elbow patch attached. Just so easy, so nonchalant, so cool. These are COS and Zara

I'm very loyal to Topshop jeans. If they're good enough for Emmanuelle Alt, they're perfect for me. These are my new obsession - the 7/8ths style, cut perfectly at the ankle. So chic. I have black, blue and pink

I love these kimono style silk jackets for a dash of colour and a lovely vintage feel. Thrown over anything they just work perfectly

These need no introduction nor explanations: my beloved Isabel Marant Dicker boots

Beaten up but enduringly perfect. I can't imagine ever stopping buying Converses,  enjoying them particularly with my 7/8ths jeans at the mo!

Essie nail varnishes, all variations on the same shade of colour, pinks to classic reds. I mostly stick to a red shade, but if I feel in need of a jazzing up change, I veer towards a shocking pink. I'm rarely ever without painted nails

Pinkish to red lipsticks (noticing a pattern here?!): Chanel & Nars. Lipsticks are rather a new thing for me, but I'm learning to utilise them as an accessory more and more often these days


It has been an interesting challenge, because I found as I tried to put my 10 together I had to keep thinking about possible elements - they didn't all spring forwards with ease. This is, I suppose, both a positive and a negative thing. Positive, in that I didn't come up with millions of pieces and categories to have to whittle down to 10, so my wardrobe and my approach to dressing is not overcrowded. Negative, in that there were bits that I always mark out as key components of the kind of wardrobes I have long admired, and I found out, with a bit of surprise, that not at all of these were present or well represented in my wardrobe. I think namely these come in the form of those prefect few dresses, non-jean trousers (something crisp, yet effortless), more delicate gold jewellery and friendship style bracelets piled up on your arm, and the perfect white tee. (Between you and I, I think I might have stumbled across it today - will feed back about that anon!) I also need to up the ante on my ballet flats. I have LOADS, but I'm keen to invest in some high quality fellows - French Sole, Repetto or... Chanel?! Ha.


Overall though I feel these photographs and glimpses into my wardrobe sum me up very well. I love simplicity (simple tops, classic and chic footwear) combined with dashes of the unexpected - a colourful lip, a patterned silk jacket, all set against a groomed back drop. Shiny, effortless hair, a flick of eyeliner, clear skin (whenever possible!) and a subtle, lovely perfume. That's the aim anyway!