Roller Blah

I am not a negative person.
Cynical, sometimes a little bit sceptical and often doubtful.
But hey, I try and see the glass half-full.

Which was why I was so excited to be invited to the Blistex Roller Ball this week. To celebrate Lip Splash being voted as one of the products of the year, Blistex (or rather their PR company) held a roller ball in Vauxhall (the home of disco...) - It's got a rollerball applicator you see.
Clever.

Now I love disco, I love (or loved when I was 7) rollerbooting and I am a huge fan of all sorts of camp fun, so armed with some buds I headed over to, ahem, Vauxhall for a roller ball bonanza.

A bonanza was not had.

Some words of advice to Blistex/unnamed (out of politeness) PR company:
1. If you genuinely want to break a world record, do not attempt it on a Wednesday night.

2. Do not attempt to use a room full of freeloaders who are a) a bit drunk because you've been serving booze and b) a bit tired and/or pissed off because you've had them skating round in a circle for two hours waiting for you to start your 'attempt'.

3. Mention to said freeloaders before they are finally allowed to get in line for record attempt that they will be expected to roller skate for almost TWO MILES to break the record.

4. Do not employ angry skating obsessives to shout at semi-drunk/sleepy people for 'looking around at each other' and 'not taking this seriously enough'. They're not taking it seriously - they just wanted a free lip balm.

5. Do not lead 232 people, 200 of which have not roller skated since 1986, OUTSIDE THE CLUB on a bit of cardboard. Someone will fall, sue and Blistex will be out of business.

As I'm sure you've guessed, ultimately the record failed and camp fun was not had by all. After being bullied all the way round the course, someone let go just as we were almost back inside. Since the first attempt took an hour and failed, we bailed on the second.

I'm not sure what the PR company's aim was from this because all I saw being generated was a lot of ill will towards the brand and lots of photos of grumpy people being shouted at. The first hour was great - lots of Jackson Five and bad alcopops on wheels but as soon as the record came into play... Eurgh. Messy.

And, as a sidenote, I find Lip Splash a bit greasy (sorry) and the moisturising effect only lasts for approximately five seconds before you have to reapply. Which is really difficult when you're in a rollerbooting chain and you're not allowed to let go...

Questions, Questions...

Hello my lovelies,

Just been for a long lunch so not feeling very beautiful - in fact, feeling like an over-stuffed sausage so I'm going to answer some of your beauty questions (to the best of my abilities!).

I've had a couple of queries about the Bad Gal Blue mascara from BeneFit. Now, I'm a big fan and I haven't loved a coloured mascara since the ill-fated FCUK cosmetics range in Boots (loved Moonie, the greeny blue, sob for discontinuation). On its own, the effect is very strong - this really is an electric blue blue blue so not for the faint hearted. I wore it one day in New York on a bit of a whim and got some very funny looks up the Empire State Building - but then I like a funny look. For a more subtle look, I would use original Bad Gal or Get Bent and just tip your lashes with this baby.

Unless you're going rollerbooting, like I did last night - more on that tomorrow...

I do love it though, there's something very retro and cool about it, plus there aren't many good coloured mascaras out there and this is great quality.

Another thing I've been asked about is hand cream. Now, I have a complete phobia of Madonna claws so I moisturise my hands religiously, whenever I moisturise my face, when I get into work, when I'm leaving work, whenever I wash my hands - you get the picture - so I've usually got a few tubes on the go.

At the moment, I've got a tube of Dove Protective Hand-Balm at my desk which I love because it's not greasy, it's a lovely cream gel type formula and it sinks in right away, leaving your hands feeling refreshed. At home, I'm using Soap&Glory Hand Food which is really rich and creamy and perfect to put on at bedtime. And both are a complete steal at under £4 each!

If you need something to use on the go, use the Dove. If you want something really rich, go Soap&Glory.

You can find Bad Gal Blue at HQ Hair.com, Dove in all high street beauty retailers and supermarkets and Soap&Glory exclusively at Boots.

Hope that helps!

Minty Fresh

Sorry not to post yesterday, I'm a bad person.
But I was on exciting business, hope to update you all on that sometime soon!

Anyhoo, after consuming a monumental amount of garlic bread last night, I was in need of as much minty freshness as possible this morning.
Toothpaste, check.
Mouthwash, check.

Floss, check.

Masses and tea and Polos, check.

But something was missing... could it be my fabulous new Stila Lip Plumping Glaze???
Maybe it could!

I love Stila Lipglazes. They're gadgety enough for me to enjoy clicking them loudly in public, they smell yummy, they feel divine and the colours are punchy enough to make me feel alive, even on my drabbest day. So you can imagine how excited I was to find out they had launched a range of plumping glosses.

Stila say this:

Pout like you mean it! The world-famous glaze now has active ingredients to help promote beautiful, full, healthy lips. camellia oil, high in oleic acid making is a fabulous moisturizer; anti-oxidant rich vitamin E helps protect cells against environmental damage; and naturally occurring peptides, offer just the right amount of minty plump but without burning or stinging the lips.

I say, they feel like you've rubbed an extra strong mint on your lips in the best way. I'm not sure they actually plump (I'm not sure anything actually plumps, apart from restelyne) but it does feel tingly and lovely and you sort of find yourself doing a bit of a pout anyway. Not a Posh pout but a bit of a 'hey boys' kind of a thing... kind of. And unlike Lip Venom, the feeling really lasts.

I went with Berry Mint which is almost clear. In fact my only issue with these would be that they are all very clear and maybe we don't need six different shades?

But I won't argue, they're super lovely and I felt fresh as a daisy!

What's in the Bag Keren Greenfeld

Today's Miss Keren is a mucho foxy designer of many pretty things, including many children's books so it's no wonder that her bag is also full of pretty things and - shock - lovely colours.

Hurrah, this is so my favourite bit!

What's your signature make-up product and how does using it affect your mood? Bronzer, if I don't have a tan I'm convinced look ill! So cheating with bronzer all year round makes me feel healthier, somehow… I used to use Rimmel Sunshimmer religiously, but I decided I needed to invest a bit more as I use it so much, so I now use Clinique True Bronze, which does stay on a bit longer.

A beautiful boy is on the approach and you only have time to apply one product - what is it? Lipgloss, but please can I put a bit of bronzer on as well? Well, I don't want him to think I am a sickly person.

Out of every product you've ever had, current or sob, discontinued, what would be your favourite beauty product ever? Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, I find sometimes lipgloss, no matter how lovely, makes my lips a bit dry and this rescues them instantly.

The bag… well, actually a drawer but when I need to squeeze it all into a bag I always use the freebies you get from Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Lancome, but currently a Benefit one… until the next freebie comes along. I'm always waiting for the next Clinique Bonus Time or extra points days at Boots, which is why my make-up in heavily weighted towards Clinique and Benefit!

Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer - again that 'brown makes you look healthy' obsession.

Clinique Airbrush Concealer, I always have dark circles and I prefer this to Touche Eclat - shock, horror!

Stay-Matte sheer pressed powder in Stay beige.

Lancome Definicils Mascara - is my favourite but I'm always being led astray and regretting it. Most recently regretting Maybelline. It ended up halfway down my face…

Lip gloss - too many. But mostly I just apply Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, which my manly man turns his nose up at when he moves in for a kiss, 'ugh, it's that stuff that smells of medicine, again…'

Eyeliner - for the day ,Clinique quickliner for eyes in Smoky Brown, for the evening I'm always rying to perfect the smoky eyes look - but usually look more like I haven't slept for a week. For this delightful effect I use a Lancome Black Kohl pencil. I'd be a most happy lady if you do an article on the the perfect smoky eye…

Eyeshadow - Bourgois Eyeshadow in Blanc Diaphane is my most used eyeshadow, but for the day, mostly Colour surge eye shadow duo in Victorian pink, which came from one of those Bonus Time promotions.

Recent discoveries thanks to Beauty Mecca, Benefit FYEye - no more nasty eyeshadow creases, and Smashbox Photofinish Primer - my make-up no longer slides of my face by lunchtime.

My next purchase I think will be Bobbi Brown foundation - I recently observed a friend putting some on with a foundation brush… and thought to myself, how very professional, I must copy that!

Hurrah for Friday!

And for being hungover at your desk.
I'm not even attempting a recovery job today and am blatantly not the right person to be giving beauty tips right now... so straight on to the good stuff.

The winner of the BeautyMecca lottery is... Hayley from Hemel Hempstead! I spent three months in Hemel on a work placement once. This truly is a humanitarian mission, I feel like Angelina Jolie.

Hayley, go forth and spread the word to the Hemel Hempstead collective. Big bag of beauty treats on it's way to you!
And not to Thomas who emailed in to say his favourite brand of cosmetics was TrannyAnny... Some people.

Fake it till you make it!

have an apology to make.
I recently gave the Rimmel Recover anti-fatigue foundation a less than glowing review but you'll never believe it - it actually works!

For the last two mornings, I've been the sleepiest puppy in all of the world. A combination of early mornings, late nights, giggle juice and stressy day job admittedly, but I hate getting up at the best of times so getting up and looking crap comes very high on The List of Things That Piss Me Off (TM).

So imagine my surprise this morning when I decided to take action - hot shower, Bliss Oxygenating mask (bloody love that), serum, moisturiser, BeneTint, High Beam - all fine but my tinted moisturiser was not covering up my blotchy, red, irritated and basically skanky skin. So I gave the recover another shot. And bugger me, I looked human again.

It has even worn quite well thanks to Smashbox primer underneath and L'Oreal True Match powder on the top. Not well enough to avoid me going sparkly silver eyes to distract from red, blotchy badness but it's okay.

This is all good news when you have a surprise meeting thrust upon you and you have sit next to a pretty boy for an hour and half, trying to concentrate on digital publishing opportunities, stay awake, not have your stomach rumble loudly enough for EVERYONE to hear and willing your body to create it's own lipbalm because you know you look like a corpse, while your boss sits laughing at you. Grrrr.

And the Recover foundation is currently on offer in Boots - £4.99 instead of £6.49. Hurrah.

Eye-Eye...

I love wearing eye make up because it's often shiny and sparkly and I'm a complete magpie. Also, if your eyes never have a fat day, they never gets spots (I hope?) and they never look greasy when you get up late and don't have time to wash them...
What I don't love, is taking off my eye make up. The miracle that is Johnson & Johnson PH 5.5 Eye Make-up Remover Pads is ripping through my bank account faster than my comedy adult driving lessons - I know £3.99 is hardly the crown jewels but I go through so many! And I've tried every cheapo version out there. Every single one could feature in the dictionary under the phrase 'false economy'. I'm naming AND SHAMING the following:

Boots Complete Skincare Eye Make-up Remover Pads - like greasy toilet paper. Ew.

Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Eye Make-up Removal Pads - like oily toilet paper.





I'm seeing a pattern.
Boots, I'm a huge fan but if you're going to knock off a fabulouso product - MUST TRY HARDER.
I've never known anything as wonderful as the J&J pads - they don't drag, they're cushiony soft and they take away every little trace. I'm thinking of lobbying to have giant packs made available on the NHS...

Don't forget to enter our lovely competition for many wonderful beauty bits at beautymecca@gmail.com!

Just a reminder...

That you can still win a tonne of BeautyMecca goodness...

Just email me at beautymecca@gmail.com for a chance to acquire some seriously good sh*t. Not that I'm a pusher...

Really though, there's fab BeneFit make-up, Smashbox lipglosses, Stila eye make-up, some Bliss bits and pieces and tonnes of other luverly stuff for your body, bath and all round beauty-making wonderment.

email email email!

3 for 2 Joy at Boots

You all know I'm a mug for crazy, messy Blondie bedhead?

So you won't be shocked to hear that not only do I lurve the good people at the Lee Stafford salon in London, I also love his product range, conveniently located on a shelf in my local Boots.
Handy.

And you also know that I'm a sucker for a promotion, you all know that, right?

So it will be fab news all round that Lee Stafford is currently on 3 for 2 in Boots - hurrah!
I've already stocked up on RU Taking Protection Oily Roots (dry shampoo for lazy ladies) and Messed Up spray wax (a favourite with Mr Beauty Lover too!). On the way home this evening, I shall be indulging in the Soflee Soflee intensive conditioner also because it smells pretty, it pinks up my bathroom shelf and, god forbid, it works.

I rediscovered the range post haircut, having been a big, if a little fickle, fan a back when the range launched. and I'm very happy.

My itchy scalp loves it, my dry hair is shining and not overly weighed down by product. Nothing in the range is massively pricey, you get advantage points from Boots, you get fab hair and everyone's a happy bunny.

I might get the serum spray too - it smells like Angel perfume (only prettier) and it makes me look all shiny and new!

What's in the Bag Cheryl Morgan?

Today's beautista is Cheryl Morgan, marketing lady and all round photogenic minx - honest, my computer is just playing up...

What's your signature make-up product and how does using it affect your mood?
Hmm, it’s tough to pick just one product but it’s possibly lip gloss. The new Clinique plumping one makes me feel more vixen-esque or the pink Philosophy one has a mint scent which makes me feel super fresh!

A beautiful boy is on the approach and you only have time to apply one product - what is it? Maybe a quick swirl of Bourjois blusher to look all coy & flushed & trick them into thinking that I’m sweet & innocent!

Out of every product you've ever had, current or sob, discontinued, what would be your favourite beauty product ever?
I’d have to agree with former ‘What’s in the bag’ respondent Della Pike and say that Benefit Brow Zings are amazing. They make your brows look so much stronger but in a really natural way. I also love YSL eyeliner in shade 7. I was told by one ill-informed YSL assistant that this had been discontinued, leading to mad panic & a horrific binge on minstrels, before finding it in House of Fraser in Bournemouth. The lovely assistant there assured me that it will be available for the foreseeable future as it’s one of their most popular lines. Lastly (yes I know you’re supposed to pick one!) I love Stila shimmer in shade 9. It helps me create the illusion of cheekbones when I have a face resembling a baked bean.

So the bag…
In my handbag is a green Clinique make up bag which was part of one of their amazing Bonus Time offers (I’m a Marketer's dream as I always purchase 2 items to get the free gift whether I need said items or not!). At home is a white basket type holder with silver handle which contains all my wonderful make up.

Foundation: At present I’m using Bobbi Brown oil free but I have to say that I’m not particularly loyal & am still flirting with other brands in search of something which doesn’t turn me into an oil slick by mid-day but also doesn’t make me skin super tight & patchy. Roll on summer when I can revert back to Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, one word – lovely. Also on the recommendation of Beauty Lover I purchased Smashbox primer & am already a big fan.

Concealer: Rimmel Hide the Blemish

Under-Eye Concealer: Touch Eclat although as someone who suffers from the worst undereye circles in the world if I’m particularly hungover or tired even this doesn’t help. I’m currently using Avon dual eye cream/gel (the one on the adverts) which I think is helping a bit. Anyone who’s got a recommendation on good undereye concealers, I’m all ears.

Blusher: I’m a Bourjois convert following Daniel Sandler’s admission that he uses it on Kate Moss. However, the damn lid always breaks off & turns everything else pink so I’m looking to find a similar version with reinforced packaging.

Eyeshadow: Mixture of Bobbi Brown (thank you to my friends who bought me the most gorgeous neutral palette for my bday last year) & Clinique. I’ve got Urban Decay for funky evening eyes as well.

Eyelash Curlers: Mine are from Tweezerman and are pretty good but not a daily essential

Eyeliners: As mentioned before I love the YSL one. I also love a Clinique gel one which again came as part of a Bonus Time. It blends really well & can work in the daytime or built up for evening.

Lips: I’m a gloss girl – mainly Clinique (are you spotting a theme!) or Philosophy

Perfume: I’ve got three on the go: Philosophy Amazing Grace for daytime, Clarins Amour Toujours for summer & Cacheral Amor, Amor for evening. Also partial to a bit of Donna Karen Cashmere Mist as well.

Oooh, so many pretty things.
And who doesn't love Bonus Time?!

Happy Mother's Day!

Just a quickie today because I'm roadtrippin' up to my ma's to do the mother's day thing.
I love road trips.

What I also love is that my mum and both my grandmothers' have pretty good skin - you know it's hereditary, right? Love those genes. Not looking forward to the endless comedy illnesses I've got to look forward to in my sixties but hey. Swings and roundabouts.

Luckily, all my family is either pale as a pale thing (not a pale as Mary-Kate Olsen though) or olive skinned so sun damage is something I've always been aware of. Plus my maternal grandmother was a ginge in her day, so we're all about moisturising and SPF 25 in the Beauty Lover family. Can't recommend it enough.

If you haven't done the flowers and chocolates yet, can I recommend you head down to Boots and buy loads of mini travel-sized toiletries, put them in a pretty bag and present to Maman. I don't know about yours, but my mum is convinced she has to spend a billion hours looking after others and nada on herself. Even the cat gets more props. Treat sized products are a nice reminder of all the little treats she should be making time for.

Aww, we're so sweet you should dip our fingers in your tea...

Cheap Thrills For You!

Okay, a couple of things today...

Firstly, and I'm going to be completely up front about this, I need to be whoring this blog around a little bit more. I love writing it and fingers crossed, you're all enjoying reading it but I need more readers, more! And they will become my minions and together we will take over the... Sorry, carried away there.

Anyway, it works out pretty well for you. I have a big bumper bag of beauty swag that I'm prepared to part with to one lucky reader. There's a few things I bought in the US, some BeneFit pieces, Stila Smudgepot and Smashbox goodies in there as well as lots of other bits and pieces that have found their way to BeautyMecca.

How can you win this treasure trove of wonderous items I hear you ask? Easy. All you have to do is email me at beautymecca@gmail.com with your name and address, how you heard about the site and the answers to three simple questions:

What is your favourite beauty brand?
What is your favourite beauty product of all time?
What do you like/dislike about BeautyMecca?

Anyone that says they don't like me is instantly disqualified.
The funniest subject header will also receive a special treat.
I don't know what that is yet but it will BE FABULOUS.

All emails will be popped into a hat (not a literal one, I don't do hats) and a name will be drawn at random. You can increase your chances of winning by copying in all the friends you think would love/like/hate/rather chew their own ears out than read BeautyMecca into your email - for every name in the CC box, I'll add your name into the 'hat' again.

And just to remind you why you love BeautyMecca, here's a friendly word of advice to my favourite billionaire twin, Mary-Kate Olsen.



In this picture, you and Ashley look gorgeous.
MK is the Brunette.

In this picture (and this is said with love...)
MK is the white blonde FYI in case you couldn't tell.. Ashley is the one looking piiiiissed off.

You look like this.

Everyone who knows me, knows I love the Olsens.
I will not allow you to go the way of the Britney, I will NOT.

Who's with me on the intervention?

Last New York Post, I Promise

Really, for my sanity as well as yours...

Here are some of my fun beauty adventures in NYC.


How many mascaras can you possibly, possibly need?
These are just the MAYBELLINE mascaras in Duane Reade - it's sort of like Boots on crack.

For the record, I 've never been a massive fan of Great Lash. I remember begging my dad to bring me one back from a business trip in America when I was about 14 and feeling like the most glamorous girl in the world but I don't think it really delivers as a product these days. What do you think? I did like Lash Discovery though, lovely for a natural look.

Sephora is one of my favourite places in the world. There used to be one in the glamour capital of the UK, Watford, but it closed down. Now I have to get my kicks on, well, more or less every other corner of New York city. They stock almost all my favourite brands and there is always something new to discover.
Like this!
Mr BeautyLover works with toys so this tickled us both.
Okay, me more than him.

Word to the wise, the doorway heaters in the Times Square branch (biggest in the world apparently!) are way too close to the product resulting in a make up meltdown. At present they have Stila at the front to tempt you in but DO NOT buy Stila from this store. Everything is melted!

Here I am sacrificing myself at the altar of M.A.C. in Soho while Miss Make Up Lady gave me 'interesting' eyes. Pink as a base, green in the centre, grey brown at the edges. It actually looked okay... I walked away with Barbie loves M.A.C. eye colours in Magic Dust and Moth Brown, the lip colour in Sweet and Single and eyeliner pencil in Prunella. And I even got my buddy a Fashion Pack gloss for her birthday. I'm full of love.
Amongst other things.

The wonderful exchange rate meant that all this booty came out at less than $70, about £40 - what's not to love??

Just so you know, this is as close to a picture of me as you're getting... Note my attractive, hair tucked behind ears sideburns. Note to Lee Stafford Salon, the New York minus 4 weather and entertaining wind did nothing for my do, I'm very sorry. This is not negative advertising - the hair still rocks.

And this is the lovely lead singer of my favourite band who we managed to see while we were out there...


This pic has nothing to do with make up or beauty whatsover, except maybe he needed a good wash after the gig.
I have many shower gels and am happy to oblige.

Fake it till you make it!

I was looking forward to sharing some of my lovely NYC photos with you today but tragically, my camera doesn't want to give them up so you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Sorry!

You'll be pleased to hear I'm in a much healthier place mentally, but physically, my skin is taking the brunt of the jet leg and lack of sleep. Why do I keep waking up at four am??? I wouldn't even be awake in New York at four am??? And no one loves sleep like I loves me some sleep.

So, in the interests of working out which bottle of crap would be the best thing to smother my face in until my skintone returns to normal, I've been looking at new foundations. Here's what we're thinking...

Rimmel Recover Foundation
I don't really know why I bought this. I liked Cool Matte but not enough to replace it when it ran out (quickly!) and Rimmel colour are always a little bit off on my skintone. BUT, I did need the 'illuminating anti-fatigue' assistance it promised. Or rather the slightly chalky coverage it provided. It's not a bad foundation, it's just not great. I didn't really feel like it made me look any less crappy, the Porcelain colour is slightly too orangey and it felt quite heavy to me but if you're looking for a bargain foundation, this might be a good option for you. And it's only £4.99 at Superdrug right now, so that might sway you, mid-month.


YSL Perfect Touch Foundation
Apparently, if you love Touche Eclat, you're going to love this new foundation that delivers in pretty much the same way. Now we all know I'm a gadget freak and this has a fun click and squeeze delivery system but something about it just didn't work for me. Not just that even the lightest shade (no 3) was too sandy for my skin but the idea of using the same brush not really being able to wash it out because it's linked to the product made me come over a bit icky. Also, I'm all for sheer finishes but this barely gave me any coverage at all and I balked at the suggestion it would give me 'baby-skin'. Creepy, much?

I would love to get more feedback on this from people that like it. I loved the idea, I just don't think the final thing worked.

Stila Powder Foundation
Hmmm. I've never been a massive fan of powder foundations as they always seem to leave me a little bit chalky but I have to say, I'm really quite liking this baby! When applied with a brush in a stippling motion, rather than swiped on with the supplied sponge, it settles into your skin rather than just sitting on top and does last for a good long time. Plus, it is much easier to touch this up than a fluid foundation and if you can't carry the brush around (Stila do a great retractable travel brush though so no excuses!), the sponge will do for your t-zone.


M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid
This might be my favourite of the recent foundations I've tried. I know it's not new but it is fantastic. The colour range is massive, it's not overly expensive, the coverage is good and more importantly, you can build it without the foundation ever looking cakey. And best of all, it has spf 15. No wrinkles here!

I was going to post a picture of how AWFUL I actually look today but I just can't do it.

Even my eyebrows are disappointed in my levels of grooming.

And they are usually really easy to please.

What's in the bag - Beauty Lover!

Now it's been suggested by some helpful readers that my NYC posts were a little... I don't know... schizo? Harsh but fair.

I'm going to go back and review all my fun typos now I'm back at work and have actual things to do...

In an attempt to get back on track, I've decided to delve into the depths of my post-holiday make up bag and update you on some of my new staples! There are some gorgeous things out there this spring and the best news is, they're all really really easy to use - hurrah!

Base: Following my deep and passionate affair with Smashbox Photofinish Primer, I decided to give the green corrector version a go to even out my red skintone. It's amazing. I can't recommend it enough. As for foundation, I've switched to my summer Stila tinted moisturiser as of today's wonderfully warm greenhouse gas induced 17 degree weather. On the advice of Dana, the delightful Bloomingdales Stila make-up artist, I'm setting it with Stila powder foundation and a stippling brush which does help it last longer and gives a much nicer finish that the Stila pressed powder which I find, quite honestly, a bit chalky...

Mascara: You'll never tear me away from my Get Bent I'm afraid. Bad Gal Blue is fun and Magnif'Eyes was okay but I've gone back to my favourite.

Eyes: I'm absolutely in love with my new Stila eyeshadows. Cloud is the most delicious shimmery taupe colour that goes on as a beautiful sheer wash on it's own or can be blended up with Shore (a silvery grey) for gently smokey eyes. I've been mixing them up with some Antique Silver Stila Kajal Pencil all around the lash line, top and bottom, and then a touch (just a touch!) of Bad Gal pencil on the outer corners to make them pop.




Cloud and Shore... Gorgeous!

The new soft gold highlighter colour ('Magic Dust') in the Barbie Loves M.A.C. collection finishes it off perfectly on the inner corners and under the arches of your brows. Mmmm. Metallics are a huge story this spring/summer and these are really easy blendable ways to get into the them!

Lips: Back with Stila. I picked up a Raspberry lipglaze and it packs just the right punch of colour for me. I also got the new Plumping Glaze on Cherry Mint. I've never been much of a believer in plumping glosses but if nothing else, this baby has a lovely minty flavour and a pleasant tingling sensation that really lasts. Delish. Other than that, I'm rocking Vaseline to try and get some sense back into my skin.


Cheeks: Now, I've always been a Benetint girl or a pink flush blush but at the moment, I'm trying something new. At the recommendation of several make up artists, I'm trying peachy colours on my cheekbones and a soft bronzer underneath to create depth. And I have to say, it rocks! Helpfully, Benefit has just brought out a great product called 10 which has a bronzer on one side and highlighting powder on the other. The idea is you load up the brush and sculpt/highlight in one sweep. I would say this, blow the excess off the brush before you 'do the sexy sweep' and blend blend blend! No stripy faces here, ladies.






Now excuse me while I go and weep into my 200 emails and stacks of crap that no one covered while I was away... Grrr.

Sleep in a bottle anyone?

So, things didn't work out for me and my celebrity crush and I am home.
Grump.

My body physically rejected the very suggestion of coming home by breaking out in an exciting itchy rash all over my back an hour before we were supposed to fly back. For this, I recommend Lanacane Itch Relief... And not leaving New York.

Since I've returned, my beauty regime has mostly consisted of crying, sleeping and slapping on a lot of moisturiser. Mostly Nivea Creme - sometimes the oldies are the goodies.

Forgive me for not being all too chipper, I can't actually believe they MADE me come home (they being US immigration, my boyfriend, the Coventry Building Society and Rupert Murdoch. He's ultimately my employer and apparently has a lot of fingers in evil pies. My not being in New York is one giant evil pie.) I hadn't even tried all the make up yet! And I look like CRAP.

I keep being told to buy Guerlain's Issima Midnight Secret to perk up my post flight skin but despite my obsession, I freak out at pricey products but sometimes I understand they're worth it. After all, your skin is a lifetime investment and my theory is, you should be spending at least the same on your face (and haircuts!) as what you would spend on shoes. Your face will be with you a lot longer after all.

What I did get this trip is Bliss triple oxygen instant energizing mask and I've got to tell you, it's good. I'm not a massive fan of overenthusiastic magazine reviews (too many are influenced by advertiser spend) but I am a big believer in Bliss. Their products are fun and for what experience I have of them, effective. And this baby is no different.

You slap a thick old layer on damp skin and then buckle yourself in for some serious tickling. Seriously, I'm not a good ticklee. My uncle will happily tell you if you ask (and sometimes if you don't) how I would, ahem, wet myself following extended tickling as a child. But infantile incontinence aside, this is really good. It foams up on your face and after just five minutes, I looked like I'd just come in from the spa rather than twenty minutes elbowing my way out of the subway at rush hour into minus 4 bitter bitter weather.

And I made Mr Beauty Lover try it too.
He giggled.

We make our own fun, okay?

Native New Yorker...

So tomorrow I have to come home.
I'm not dealing with this news well.
So not well in fact, that I'm hiding in the apple store on Prince Street (Mercer Street?) struggling with a very low Mac Book, trying to prove I could run my life from New York.

It's tragically not true.

What is true, is that New York is all about smudgey smokey eyes. Yet another reason for me to stay here,
The Young Knives cancelled on Saturday but I did my bit and rocked Brooklyn FOR YOU and can report kohl pencil is very popular, lips are very neutral and tattoos are huge. Not that I'm recommending them from a beauty point of view.

What I can recommend, having been smothered in make up for the last six days is:

Smashbox O-Glow - everything they said it would be and more. The amazing gel blush goes on clear and then changes to a soft pink that depends on your skin's acidity. I know it's different on everyone because I made Mr Beauty Lover try it on his hand. O-Glow is the grown up equivalent of those crazy lipsticks that were yellow in the tube and then came out lurid pink on your lips. But it's pretty and comes in space-age looking packaging. And I'm sold.

Also great (and I'm a little bit shocked to say this) is the BeneFit Bad Gal Blue. I don't love blue mascara but it's so vibrant and lush, it looks amazing as a flash on the tips of your lashes.

Other than that, I went a bit crazy on the Stila counter in Bloomingdales (loving Cloud eyeshadow and the new Antique Silver kajal pencil) and I might have accidentally bought a few pieces of the Barbie Loves MAC collection - but they were presents for a friend!

What do you mean you don't believe me?
Bastards...

Since you were so mean, you'll have to wait to hear about all the rest of my goodies (and all my pics) till I get home.

Well, can't sit around and be abused all day, I have to head down to Century 21 to look for more discount Marc Jacobs (I'm so class) and it's back to Williamsburg for me tonight. I'll let you in on a secret... My celebrity crush is playing a secret gig tonight and I have tickets! If all goes well, Mr Beauty Lover will have a spacious two seat journey home. Only kidding.

Probably.

Maybe.

Let's see how drunk I get.

Cheap Thrills - NYC edition

Hey hey!

Just a quickie to let you know I'm here, safe, well (apart from going deaf in one ear - damned long haul flight) and already Mac-ced out of my mind.

This isn't really a cheap thrills post as stuff is only cheap because I'm in another country with a weak currency.
God bless America.

In other fun news, I'm in love with the Barbie Loves MAC collection, beautiful, and Nivea creme is the best thing you can use to stop you dehydrating on a flight.

Tonight I'm off to Williamsburg to see The Young Knives so I'll let you know what the hipsters are wearing.

Ta-ta!

I have a problem

Okay, not a real problem like 'How do I stop world poverty?' or 'How
do I pay my mortgage without resorting to pole dancing?' but I
beautyaholic problem.

I've spent the last hour trying to distill this...











Into my very tiny travel make-up bag,
I'm not doing well.

I need my tinted moisturiser, my Benetint, High Beam, Smashbox liner,
primer, eyebrow make up.
I need my Get Bent, my lipliner, my liquid eyeliner, two concealers,
my dozens of eyeshadows, my bronzer and my busher.

And more than anything I need all twenty squillion lipglosses, balms,
sticks and stains.

What's that? I don't have a problem?
I'm just shallow, insecure and materialistic?
Oh, okay, just checking.

You probably don't want to know how many moisturisers I'm taking with me then...

p.s. BeautyMecca will be in NYC as of ten am tomorrow so posts will
be, erm, sporadic i.e. as regular as my Mr BeautyMecca's trips to the
Apple Store. So actually maybe daily.

p.p.s. If you know where I live, please don't rob me.