Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème

I Indulged in a pampering bath today and enveloped my post bath body in one of the nicest body cream scents ever.... Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème is so wonderfully decadent, rich and sweet and yet not overpowering. As with all the Laura Mercier body crèmes this is a real treat to use.

Laura Mercier say 

Top Notes: Tangerine, Coconut, Almond
Heart Notes: Tiger Orchid, Milk Flower, Heliotrope
Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla Beans, Brown Sugar, Sandalwood

Enriches the skin with Vitamin A, C and E derivatives
Grape Seed and Rice Bran Oil condition the skin
Vanilla Extract and Honey offer soothing benefits
Sweet Almond and Hydrolyzed Rice Proteins, along with Pro-Vitamin B-5 provide moisture balance and protection

My thoughts 

This is a luxurious body cream that is light, yet whipped in texture. It leaves skin feeling silky soft and this feeling lasts for hours. I applied this at 12pm and 9 hours later I can still smell the scent on my skin and feeling the moisturising benefits. It starts off with a delicate citrus scent and then becomes milky, vanillary and sweet. Just gorgeous.

Wickedly indulgent ..a Laura Mercier Body Crème should be on everyone's Christmas list.

May I suggest the Laura Mercier Soufflé Body Crème Sampler Collection which retails for £40 and features the following four delicious jars of good enough to eat scents -  Almond Coconut Milk, Ambre Vanillé, Crème Brûlée and Crème de Pistache. 

Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème costs £43.50 for a 300g jar.

*Item pictured is a mini sample

Jade's Rock It Glitter Liner - Little Mix By Collection

The item that I wanted to try out most from the Little Mix by Collection bits that I was sent was the glitter liner.. it was turquoise sparkly loveliness and that was just in the tube!

Swatched it looked very promising and the application brush was decent and didn't splay when I applied the product, which I was really impressed with given its price...

Collection say

Easy to apply precision glitter liner

Fast drying, water resistant and long lasting.

My thoughts 

It was indeed really easy to apply to my eyes and it did dry quickly to my relief.It really set off my green eyes and I loved it, will definitely be using this again and again.  For my complete look I teamed it with lashings of black mascara and peach glossed lips - first I applied Revlon's Smoked Peach Matte lipstick and topped it with L'Oreal Glam Shine in Watermelon.

My Face Of The Day - What do you think?

Jade's Rock It Glitter Liner is £2.99

*PR Sample

Little Mix By Collection Perrie's Lipstick - Purple Pout

Being in my mid 30's I am probably not the target market for the Little Mix by Collection Makeup Range, I know nothing of their music or really who each of the ladies in the group are. However, what I do have is a passion for makeup and I do like Collection Makeup's incredibly affordable products - see the Lasting Perfection Concealer and Cream Puff lip cream so when a few bits from the collection arrived on my desk, I didn't waste too long in trying them out.

Perrie's Lipstick 

When I swatched this lipstick it was quite light and sheer and I thought it was a deep plum shade so planned to wear it out on the Saturday.

I must not have applied it hard enough as I wasn't prepared for how different it looked when I applied it to my lips. A colour popping purple, there was no hiding from anyone with these statement lips.. honestly, I would have never chosen to buy a purple lipstick as I wouldn't have thought it would suit me but actually..I think it does!

What do you think?

Little Mix by Collection Perrie's Lipstick costs £2.99

*PR Sample

Pond's Institute Natural Beauty Cream with Green Tea Extract - Review

I have been using Pond's Institute Natural Beauty Cream for the past couple of weeks and so far so good. I have been using it day and night.

Suitable for - All skin types

Pond’s Institute say

Moisturises and helps protect against the first appearance of wrinkles

A nourishing day cream rich in green tea antioxidants, Natural Beauty Cream helps protect the skin from the first signs of ageing whilst providing necessary daily hydration.

Developed by the Pond’s Institute experts, Natural Beauty Cream contains the following ingredients;

Green tea: a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect skin against the ageing process.
Glycerin: a highly effective moisturiser which helps retain water levels in the skin, leaving it soft, smooth and
hydrated.
Fatty acids: maintains integrity of skin barrier, increasing the skins ability to hold on to water keeping it firm and supple.
Vitamin B3: maintains water content and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines. Skin tone is improved by reducing skin discolorations and redness.

My thoughts

A light textured fluid/cream that smells absolutely gorgeous and fresh, it absorbs fast leaving skin feeling beautifully soft. A great, affordable fuss free skincare product.

Pond’s Institute Natural Beauty Cream 50ml costs £4.07 and is available exclusively in Superdrug Stores.

*PR Sample

Nails Inc. Kensington High St. Gel Effect Polish - Nails Of The Day

Today's Nails Of The Day is the perfect Autumn/Winter shade - a rich red claret Kensington High St Gel Effect Polish from Nail Inc. is glossy when dry, smooth to apply (I used two coats) and is simply quite gorgeous, I fell in love with it before it even hit my nails. Winter summed up.

Nails Inc. Kensington High St. Gel Effect Polish 8ml costs £14 and is available from Debenhams

*PR Sample

Superdrug Detoxifying Dead Sea Mineral Mask - 99p!

Friday is the day when I pop on a facial mask and today I was specifically looking for a deep cleansing mask to really draw out the impurities and generally brighten my skin, Superdrug's Detoxifying Dead Sea Mineral Mask seemed to fit the bill.

Superdrug say 

Detoxifying Dead Sea Mud Mask contains ultra purifying dead sea minerals and nutrient rich seaweed that combine to penetrate deep into the skins pores to improve skins vitality.

For the ultimate relaxer- the aroma of Lavender leaves skin feeling relaxed and de-stressed.

Suitable for normal to oily skin
Suitable for vegetarians.
Paraben Free
BUAV Approved

My thoughts 

Smooth to apply, you apply an even layer to the skin and wait 10-15 minutes for it to dry. I found the faint scent of Lavender really pleasant and I am not normally a fan of it, the mask felt soothing and gentle. It tightens and lightens while it dries. Rinsing off with warm water was easy and my skin looked bright and pores really clean. My face felt soft to the touch and not at all red and irritated which trying to remove some masks can leave it.

A treat for the face at the super bargain price of 99 pence a sachet, this facial mask is fantastic.

Superdrug Detoxifying Dead Sea Mineral Mask costs 99p

*Using it once, there is still enough left in the sachet to use it about twice more

Kiko Cosmetics 01 Lounge Warm Tones - Colour Impact Eyeshadow Palette

Ah Kiko Cosmetics... If ever there was an eye shadow palette where I will use every shade this is it. 01 Lounge Warm Tones contains six shades that are completely me. This palette has been my go to for a few weeks now as it is such a wearable day to evening palette.

Featuring three mattes and three shimmer shades from light to dark, it has everything I need. A neutral yet brightening base shade, bronze, gold and brown shimmers. A rich dark brown matte and a deep berry shade (perfect for this winter).

Creamy and blendable texture wise these are a dream and even the shimmers are wonderfully soft and not gritty. The staying power of these shadows does not disappoint either, yesterday I applied three of the shadows at 7.30am and they were still there at 6pm and still going strong. 

Love.

Swatches of 01 Lounge Warm Tones 

Kiko Cosmetics 01 Lounge Warm Tones Colour Impact Eyeshadow Palette costs £16.90 and is limited edition 

*PR sample

Benefit Countdown To Love Beauty Advent Calender - Flash Sale!

Beauty lovers will rejoice in this first ever and fabulous Beauty Advent Calender from Benefit, 24 windows behind which is a fun beauty treat, featuring all your favourite Benefit make up products and more. I have seen the exact contacts and this calender really is a feast for any beauty fan.

Sure to be a sell out when it is released -* FLASH SALE on 2nd November 2013 this calender costs £50 and will be available exclusively from selected Benefit Beauty Boutiques, selected Debenhams Stores and online at www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk *

Smiths Of Jersey - Spa Quality Products In Your Home

I have had a lovely pampering morning at home with new British bodycare brand Smiths Of Jersey. Inspired by the sea, the capsule range consists of four products. Certified organic and harnessing the benefits of local seaweeds and marine extracts this is a luxurious range of products that bring the Spa into your home.

Smiths of Jersey Regenerating Honey & Sea Salt Body Scrub 200ml £24.95

Smiths say

Say goodbye to dry areas and a dull complexion with this luxuriously nourishing Thalasso Body Scrub. Mineral-rich Atlantic Salt blended with Honey, Shea Butter, Organic Sweet Almond Oil and Marine Extracts gently exfoliates and removes impurities, rapidly renewing the skin cells and intensely moisturising to restore softness, suppleness and radiance to the skin – for spa-quality results at home.

My thoughts 

This body scrub is to be applied to dry skin and then washed off using a body wash (I used the one in the collection) It feels buttery soft out of the container but as it is rubbed over the skin you can feel the grains of salt as they exfoliate the skin. It has a pleasant scent that is slightly salty. As water made contact with it, my skin felt like I had applied grease to it but I needn't have worried because as soon as the body wash was applied the scrub rinsed off leaving my skin soft and smooth.

Smiths of Jersey Marine Rich Detoxifying Bath & Shower Wash 300ml £19.95

Smiths say 

Experience pure spa indulgence at home with this soft lathering organic body wash. Packed with detoxifying and toning Marine Extracts, collagen-boosting Sea Kelp, Barley Sprout Floral Water and Papaya Extracts to deeply cleanse, maintain pH balance and rapidly renew the skin cells - leaving the skin feeling soft, supple and revitalised.

My thoughts 

The bath and shower wash has a gel like texture that just glides across the skin, it doesn't foam which personally I prefer in my body washes. This has a delicate fresh scent which I liked, feels really gentle to the skin and my skin felt beautifully soft when I stepped out of the bath.

Smiths of Jersey Sheer Hydration Body Lotion 200ml £24.95

Smiths say

Gently massage this sensationally silky lotion into the legs, arms and feet for the ultimate skin treat. Packed with revitalising Marine Extracts, Propolis, Elemi oil and Organic Cornflower Water to effectively restore skin’s natural moisture balance, increase suppleness and alleviate the signs of ageing. Skin is left feeling deeply soothed, hydrated and silky smooth, without a dry patch in sight.

My thoughts 

Once again the scent on the body lotion is really delicate which is ideal for those of us who are not overly keen on heavily scented products and prefer our scent to come from our perfume.. Texture wise this is a really light lotion which absorbs fast and does a fabulous job of hydrating the skin. At the end of my pamper session I was surprised at how super smooth my skin was, how even the tone and flawless my legs appeared. You know when you see airbrushed legs in adverts?..well that is how my legs looked.

Smiths Of Jersey Nourishing Ultra-Rich Hand & Foot Cream 100ml £18.95

Smiths say

A beauty must-have, this organic hand & foot cream has a sensationally rich texture that melts into the skin. Enriched with moisturising Shea Butter, soothing and hydrating Sea Fennel, collagen-boosting Sea Kelp and other revitalising Marine Extracts to effectively nourish, moisturise and regenerate dry and cracked skin, restoring silky smooth softness to hard-working hands and feet.

My thoughts 

Oh now this was amazing. The hand and foot cream is reasonably light in texture but made light work of my feet, leaving them literally like silk and incredibly soft that I couldn't stop feeling them! I absolutely loved this product. As with the other products the scent was delicate.

Final thoughts

Often I read descriptions and claims of products and take them with a pinch of salt but it was hard to disagree with the words from Smiths Of Jersey, having used the products I found myself nodding along as I agreed with everything they said. The products provided me with a spa like experience in my home, were a real pleasure to use and left my skin feeling so good that I just could not fault them. Home pampering at its finest.

For more information visit www.smithsofjersey.com

*PR Samples

ARK Skincare Remove Pre Skin Cleanse & Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser

I mentioned recently that I had been lucky to have been trying out some great cleansers recently and now it is time to share another gem (or gems) with you.

When I was approached to try products from ARK I have to admit of not having heard of them so I had a quick look on their website to get a better feel for the products and the ethos...

ARK Age Aware Skincare 

Your skin is the best indicator of your overall wellness and vitality. When it comes to boosting your confidence, great skin is the place to Start. ARK believes that to improve your skin you should also support its natural functions according to your age-related needs.

ARK have products in age categories.

Being in my mid 30's I was sent the Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser (suitable for mid 30's -50) along with the Remove Pre Skin Cleanse for the famous double cleanse that is said to make a real difference to skin....

Remove Pre Skin Cleanse 125ml

ARK say 

A revolution in skin cleansing. This innovative product is the first step in our powerful cleansing routine. The multi-fruit lipid blend dissolves every last trace of daily grime, excess sebum and make-up – even waterproof mascara – while nourishing and soothing skin with a blend of natural ingredients.

Grape seed, Avocado and Kiwi Oil deeply nourish skin and protect against dryness
Margosa Leaf Extract destroys bacteria and inhibits its growth on the skin
Zi Cao is an Ayurvedic herb, which soothes sensitive skin

My thoughts 

This is a really smooth oil and gentle feeling oil. It doesn't really have much of a scent but it just feels like it is melting away heavy make up as you massage your skin. Once water makes contact with it it goes slightly milky like an emulsion as it rinses off. My skin is left feeling soft and ready for stage two, the cleanser.

Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser 

ARK say 

This ultra-nourishing cleanser helps with skin’s natural exfoliation for a clear, radiant complexion. Effectively removes make-up and excess sebum to leave skin exquisitely clean, plump and supple. Perfect for sensitive souls as the natural ingredients soothe redness and inflammation too.

Kiwi and Passion Fruit lipids are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids to boost skin’s moisture
Blue Lotus, the ‘sacred flower of anti-ageing’ is a powerful antioxidant which helps skin firmness and elasticity
Moringa Oil is rich in Vitamin A and C and gently removes make-up and grime while retaining essential moisture

My thoughts 

The cleanser has a slight gel texture to it and a really pleasant delicate citrus scent. It gently lathers up and leaves skin feeling uber soft and silky and incredibly clean ready for applying the next stage of skincare.

I have to say that I saw (and am still seeing) a real difference to my skin using the double cleanse method, The products are so nice and gentle feeling that spending a little longer cleansing my face is not a chore at all and certainly doesn't feel like I am spending any longer on it. My skin feels beautifully soft, looks really clear. In fact I had some tiny white spots on my cheek bones that had been there for what felt like forever and these have disappeared (except for the odd hormonal appearance) making my skin look smoother and dare I say it more youthful!

Beautiful cleansing and incredibly gentle. Fabulous skincare.

ARK Remove Pre Skin Cleanse 125ml £24

ARK Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser 250ml £23

Also available is a Double Cleanse Set featuring both these items for just £41

Visit www.shop.arkskincare.com

*PR Samples

Pond's Institute Eye Contour Cream - Review

A couple of weeks ago I went along the the wonderful Victoria & Albert Museum for an evening with the Pond's Institute and a private viewing of the Pearl's Exhibition.

I am a huge fan of pearl jewellery and wearing pearls so it was an utter delight to view the pearls that icon's Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor wore, along with pearls from centuries ago and some real bling statement pieces that had us all oohing and aahing. If you get a chance you should definitely pop along.

I have been using the Eye Contour Cream night and day since that evening, coming into my third week now I have to say I have been very happy with the results.

Pond's Institute say 

Pond’s Institute has developed an eye contour cream without perfume. The formula is enriched with vitamins and essential nutrients to achieve a double action: care for delicate eye area and help reduce puffiness while smoothing the skin.

Vitamin E: helps improve the skins hydration.
Pro-Vitamin B5: helps restore and soften the eye contour skin.
Essential Nutrients: Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter help protect, nourish and calm the skin.

My thoughts 

The eye cream is unscented, white in colour and the cream texture is quite light and fluid. I use a rice grain sized amount on each eye. From the very first application I noticed that my eyes looked brighter and the product hydrates the area really nicely which means that the skin under my eyes appears younger and smoother looking. A decent, budget friendly eye cream.

Pond's Institute Eye Contour Cream 15ml £7.99

*PR Sample

Christian Dior Rouge Dior 999 Lipstick

For years I have shied away from wearing red shades but recently I have been far more confident and giving brighter shades a go. Natalie Portman for Dior pretty much can sell me anything so I simply HAD to try the red lipstick in the above Dior advert..

This is Rouge Dior 999 - a beautiful and true red that actually I loved wearing during the day. I wasn't planning on trying on the lipstick so my corresponding makeup is not quite right for the lips, I would probably do it the way it is done in the advert, a far more subtle and sophisticated way to wear a red.

Shop Beauty & Raise Money For The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and you can help raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation by purchasing some of your favourite beauty products and special limited edition versions.

Aveda Hand Relief (ltd edit) with Rosemary Mint aroma £19 for 150ml 

*£2 from every purchase will go to the BCRF

Bobbi Brown French Pink Set Embossed French Pink Blush & Mini Face Blender Brush £35 (ltd edit)

*£5 from every purchase will go to the BCRF

Clinique Pink with a Purpose Almost Lipstick - Pink Ribbon Honey £16 (ltd edit)

*£2 from every purchase will go to the BCRF

Creme De La Mer The Hand Treatment 50ml £35

*£7 of every purchase will go to the BCRF

Darphin Silky Moisturising Lotion Essential Body Beauty 200ml £28

*£5 of every purchase will go to the BCRF

ESTÉE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II 50ml with Pink Ribbon Bracelet £65

*£10 from every sale will go the BCRF

ESTÉE LAUDER Dream Collection

ESTÉE LAUDER Evelyn Lauder Dream Pin £10 (pin features two stones, one pink and the other blue to represent the 1% of US men diagnosed with Breast Cancer)

*The full £10 of every pin purchased will go the BCRF

ESTÉE LAUDER Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Lip Collection £28
Features a full-size Pure Color Lipstick in Rubellite and limited-edition Pure Color Sheer RollerGloss in Hot Pink

*£5 from every sale will go to the BCRF

ESTÉE LAUDER Evelyn Lauder Dream Solid Perfume Compact containing Pleasures, one of Estee Lauder's most popular scents. £60 

*Estee Lauder will donate £60 (the full cost) of the Compact to the BCRF

Jo Malone London Red Roses Cologne 100ml £76

*£5 from every sale will raise money for the BCRF

Origins Drink Up™ Hydrating lip balm in Pink Guava 15ml £16

*£3 from every sale will go the BCRF

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer 30ml £25

*£5 from every primer purchased will go to the BCRF

Bolder Lips - Boots Let's Give It A Go

For the most part I am a nude lip kind of girl, that is not to say I like wearing nothing on my lips but I am always on the search for my perfect nude lippie or gloss. That is my everyday look and I don't think I can be parted from it ... However at a recent Boots beauty event I was invited to take an Autumn/Winter trend and "give it a go" I rarely touch red lipsticks as as a statement they are pretty much out there. So what would I make of it... well I have to say I am glad I gave it go as I loved it! Wearing a bold, bright red lipstick far from making me want to run away and hide actually gave me a new found confidence!

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in shade Love Red is highly pigmented to provide intense colour, is a long lasting lipstick with up to 8 hours staying power and gives a matte/ semi satin finish and has a creamy texture.

Swatch of Love Red

Wearing Love Red 

For more tips and tricks on how to give the hottest Autumn/Winter Trends a go for yourself visit www.autumnwintertrends.co.uk #bootsgiveitago

*PR Sample

BCA Campaign 2013 - We're Stronger Together - Circle Of Strength

At the beginning of the month I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Estee Lauder's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign for 2013. By now we are all well aware (or should be!) of the significance of the Pink Ribbon that was co created with Evelyn H Lauder and founder of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation that has raised millions for and raised awareness of Breast Cancer. Evelyn Lauder's aim was to help prevent and cure breast cancer in our lifetime.

I listened as Elizabeth Hurley spoke about the great work that has already been done, I listened as leading Professors from the Royal Marsden spoke about how the money raised has directly benefited research at the Hospital in term helping sufferers. However, the underlying message was that although so much has been achieved so far there is so much more to be done.

Since 1994 The Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign has donated $38 million to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The BCRF has raised more than $450 million to date. I learned that an incredible 91 cents of every dollar goes directly to research and awareness. The BCRF does outstanding work in helping to save lines and improve the quality of care and survivorship for breast cancer patients through research worldwide.

2013's campaign goes that one step further - it is not just about raising money and awareness, now it is all about taking action. Strength in  Numbers encourages us to create a Circle of Strength - with friends and loved ones and spurring each other on to take action together or support each other to defeat breast cancer

Get annual mammograms at 40 or earlier if you are high risk.

Make healthy lifestyle changes

Raise funds for BCRF

Share inspiring, meaningful stories at BCAcampaign.com

Tweet or Instagram your support using #BCAStrength

8 Ways to Defeat Breast Cancer 

Early detection and simple lifestyle changes can help save lives

1. Examine your breasts regularly and report any changes to your physician/doctor.

2. See your doctor regularly for breast exams in your 20s and 30s.

3. Get annual mammograms at 40, or earlier if you are high risk.

4. Eat fibre and antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables.

5. Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight means extra risk.

6. Limit your alcohol intake.

7. Do not smoke and quit if you do.

8. Get at least 45 minutes of physical activity daily.

So.. who will be in your circle of strength?

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream Review

Another fabulous hand cream to pop in your bag ... Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream with macadamia oil + grapeseed extract.

Bliss say 

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream contains macadamia oil and grapeseed extract leave dry hands silky, not greasy.

• Supreme softening and surface smoothing
• Silky but grease-free
• Smoothes rough cuticles

My thoughts 

If you are not a fan of floral or herbal/medicinal scents you will love this hand cream. It has an exceptionally nice fresh scent with a faint hint of citrus. This cream has a lovely texture that is easily absorbed and non greasy leaving you with gloriously silky soft skin.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream 75ml costs £18.40
Product shown - Travel Size 30ml £5

*PR Sample

Dove Body Wash - Deeply Nourishing and Go Fresh Restore with Blue Fig and Orange Blossom

I love bath time, I am a real water baby and for many years I only used Dove products, a particular favourite was the body moisturise in the huge tub for silky soft skin). Now I do get to try a fair few bath and body products so it has taken a while to get round to using Dove Body Washes again but never mind here I am and what a treat they are.

Dove is probably thought of as a budget brand because the products cost so little but I think that the packaging looks nice and the actual product quality feels a lot more luxurious to use compared to the price.

The new range of Body Washes feature something called Nutrium Moisture - a unique blend of moisturisers enriched with skin-natural lipids, which absorbs into the skin to nourish while you shower. Used everyday, it helps restore skin's strength from the inside for longer lasting more beautiful skin.

Deeply Nourishing Body Wash is as exactly as it describes, rich, creamy (white colour) and indulgent and beautifully moisturising whilst being gentle to the skin, skin feels super soft all day. The scent is really nice, almost comforting and is the original Dove scent that I know and love.

Go Fresh Nourishing Body Wash Blue Fig & Orange Blossom is runnier in texture (blue colour) and a lot more fresh fragranced, this has an uplifting scent but still manages to be just as caring and softening for the skin.

Great purchases

Dove Body Washes retail for £2.30 for 250ml bottles 

*PR Samples

"Get The Look" Painting The Town Red With Vaseline

The lovely team at Vaseline recently invited me to take part in a challenge to create a look using the newest Vaseline tin "Paint The Town " Red Lip Tint.. for a chance to win 2 fabulous Lulu Guinness Lip Clutch bags for me AND one reader of Beautyswot.com. 

Readers of BeautySwot.com will know that I am a huge fan of the Vaseline tins, I have had a pot/tin of the original version beside my bed to apply to my lips last thing at night for as long as I can remember.  In my bag I keep one of the fab and delicious limited edition versions too. The latest limited edition has a pretty red tint and a yummy scent to boot.

For my glamorous night out look I opted for the classic red lips and sultry black lined eyes combination. Simple but effective, this look makes me feel incredibly confident, feminine and sexy... Look out guys!

I teamed the black liner with lashings of mascara (used original vaseline to set my eyebrows), kept my blush to a minimum using a neutral shade and added Benefit's High Beam Highlighter for added radiance across my cheek bones. I applied a gorgeous red lipstick and for extra va va voom glossiness applied Vaseline Paint The Town over the top for a beautiful pout.

To complete the look I teamed it with a red roses neck chain, tight black top and trousers. I really think the ultimate accessory for this look would be the Lulu Guinness Clutch, then I would be ready to Paint The Town Red!!

What do you think, do you think I should win??

*Fingers crossed

Bettina x

The First Flush Of Love - A Poem

The First Flush Of Love

Nothing can match the first flush of love
The initial rush of excitement and heart beating fast
Excitement abounds wondering when's the next date
Butterflies in the stomach, I have found my soul mate

Dancing around my room like a fool
A stupid grin on my face I can't quite lose
My hormones running riot I hope you feel the same
My heart not my head is surely to blame

Your voice on the phone, me shaking with nerves
A sense of relief you want to see me again
It's only been a few weeks and yet I can't bear to part
Like a brush to an easel, relationships are an art

As time goes by the excitement begins to fade
A content feeling, the start of the second phase
Emotions are cooled and I wonder what's wrong with you
Why can't you say those three words, I love you

An original work of fiction. All rights reserved

Soap and Glory Super Colour Fabulipstick Powdercoat Matte Lipstick - Pom Pom

With quite possibly the longest name for a lipstick.... Soap and Glory Super Colour Fabulipstick Powdercoat Matte Lipstick in shade Pom Pom arrived on my doorstep and wham one flick up of the bullet and I just couldn't resist applying it, even if it was 7am and I was ready to go on the school run.. Is it too bright for the school run, possibly but it certainly brightened my day and a few other mums mentioned how lovely it was so I felt happy and confident!

Soap and Glory say 

Soap & Glory Super Colour Matte Lipstick is a collagen boosting lipstick. In a POWDERCOAT™ matte finish for velvety, pigment-rich colour which fixes to lips for ultra-long wear.

3–D PLUMP™ PEPTIDE COMPLEX stimulates collagen production & builds up a three dimensional network to firm, tone and plump the lips’ surface
Antioxidant Orchid Extract to soften and moisturise
Revitalizing Vitamin E

Swatch of Pom Pom 

My thoughts 

Matte solid outer packaging, a lipstick with the Soap & Glory logo embossed on it. It looks and feels more expensive than it is. The lipstick is packed with pigment and just one application provides full coverage on the lips with a beautiful matte finish. I love matte finish lipsticks, certainly the ones I have tried make it easier for me to carry off brighter shades than a more glossy finish. Pom Pom is a delightfully bright and stunning red/pomegranate pink that is incredibly flattering and I would bet that it would suit most skintones. Last year I wore a similar shade from Burberry loads over the winter months and I am predicting now this is going to be living in my handbag.. Ideal to liven up dull winter days.

Lasting power is great, it barely transfers onto cups/plates/lips... and stays put lasting a good few hours whilst fading evenly. It does feel a little heavy on the lips but despite its matte texture it is not at all drying. Very comfortable to wear.

There are three shades in the matte formula, I am very tempted to try the Supernude shade (will it compare to my perfect nude lipstick that is fast running out ?....)

Wearing Pom Pom

Soap and Glory Super Colour Fabulipstick Powdercoat Matte Lipstick costs £9

*PR Sample