Monday 22 December 2008

All I want for Christmas...

Now, it's come to my attention that it is CHRISTMAS TIME and that possibly, I am not the easiest person in the world to buy for (I don't believe this is true FYI, I'm a massive, massive fan of stuff and welcome it in all its many guises) and so I thought I'd throw a few last minute suggestions out there. In case you're anywhere near a department store and feeling generous...


As I might have mentioned, I'd be all over the MAC holiday collections, especially the Little Darlings Pink Lipglass and Lusterglass set. Too pretty and only £18.79 which is practically free. And while you're on the counter, you might as well get me the Adoring Carmine basic brush set. Pretty.


While you're hovering around the make up counter, you could pop over to Bobbi Brown and grab me the eye and lip palette that I've been lusting after. I'm not normally a one for big palettes, they just take up too much room but I sort of love this one a little bit. Failing that, I'll take the lipgloss trio. I like Bobbi's lipglosses anyway but these come in a super cute little purse that I think might just complete my life. Not to overdo it or anything.


That should about do it for pretty things, now how's about some sweet smelling treats. My beloved Bliss Spa is always a good go-to location for presents. Who wouldn't be delighted to open up a Youth as We Know It gift set? Or some delicious Lemon+Sage goodies? I'm almost all out of body scrub. Just so you know. Just so you know.


And if you just so happen to be in the states between now and Thursday (you don't know, do you?) I'm almost all out of my Harajuku Lovers perfumes. I'll just buy the mini bottles, she says, fingering the full sizes in Sephora. When do I ever use a full bottle of perfume? And besides, they're so pretty! Well, colour me stupid because I've been obsesso girl with these bad boys since I picked them up in October and now I need a new G and Music and quite frankly, all the others because they're so damn pretty.

Okay, so I'm not going to be about too much over Christmas - there is a lot of drinking, eating, boy kissing, sleeping and cat-staring-out contests to contend with as well as a small matter of a second book to finish. I hope you won't hold it against me and of course if I hear about any amazing sales or prods, I'll be online in a heartbeat.

Merry Christmas!
BeautyLover x x x

Thursday 18 December 2008

The Morning After the Night Before

I feel like shat.
Sorry, I'm just feeling really really rubbish.
Luckily, I'm not looking as shiteous as I feel (I hope) thanks to a speedy but heavy duty repair job this morning...

If you know you're going to look a little bit crapola, try and drink lots of water before bed, ALWAYS take off your make up and ALWAYS ALWAYS moisturise. I find a good thick slick of Beauty Flash Balm helps and come morning, a blast of Liz Earle Brightening Mask or Bliss Triple Oxygen Energising Mask. This morning was heavy duty, so it was the Bliss bad boy...

As for the base. There's no point going for a make up mask, too much make up is almost worse than none at all. If your skin can take it, just go for tinted moisturiser (I LOVE the Creme de la Mer plus it's a relatively cheap way to buy into the brand), a cream blusher like Ruby & Millie's face glosses or a cheek stain like Benetint. Then add liberal amounts of Touche Eclat and a healthy highlighter or brightening powder (Dandelion or Georgia depending on your skintone) to fake that first flush of health.

Mascara is a must, curl those lashes too, open eyes are imperative! I find a light wash of sparkly shadow, like Stila's Cloud really helps.

Lips need to be soft and smooth - just go with a tinted balm unless you're always a lipstick wearer. Whatever happens, I don't want to see post-office party snog chapping.
Or beard rash...

Wednesday 17 December 2008

Desk to Dance Floor

It's the most wonderful time of the year... no, not just Christmas but Christmas party time!
YAY!
But as well as the opportunity to get ratted and embarrass yourself in front of all your colleagues, Christmas party time also presents a major desk to dance floor beauty dilemma. Sometimes it's just not possible to do a new full face of slap. My office party (sigh) has moved from a really rather fab Soho club in 2007 to our reception in 2008. This is not only massively disappointing but also a major slap issue. You can't get 500 girls in the toilets tarting up at once (no matter what Boots might want you to believe) so you're left with the option of adding to what you've got.

I am going to TRY and keep it simple.
Ahem.

First things first, freshen up your base. Taking off your foundation and starting again is a complete arse, so go for a bit of a spritz - try the Trilogy Hydrating Mist - and then add a sweep of a pinky or peachy blusher, whatever looks most natural and don't forget the Touche Eclat for under eye shadows...

Once your eyes are looking fresher, add some sparkle. I'm so excited that the MyFace range has launched in time for Christmas because quite frankly the Eye Touch eyeshadow trios make Christmas party make up embarrassingly easy. I love Morococo and Band of Gold for browns and golds and Bell Bottom Blues for something a bit more OTT.

Go with the lightest colour as an all over base for the day, then add the darker colour into your upper and lower lash lines and socket line to add definition and ramp up the drama with the sparkly, sparkly wonderful blingtone shade in the middle. I bloody love this stuff. If you're feeling really dramatic, add a little smudge of eyeliner into your lash line and then slap on several thousand coats of mascara. I love the MyFace mascara too but Maybelline Colossal Volum' and Rimmel's Sexy Curves are also really good at the moment.

If lips are more your thing, there's only one place I'm prepared to go for a party pout - MAC. I will be slapping on layer after layer after layer of Dazzle Glass for a sexy sparkly sheen. They're usually limited edition and not the easiest things to lay your hands on so you could always cheat with a Lustre Glass or Lip Glass and add a pop of shimmer with a MAC glitter pigment. Gorgeous. Alternatively, Stila lipglazes and Lancome's Juicy Tubes are always a great option for a party, especially the limited edition Cinnamon Soho one that is out now or the sexy Juicy Black packaging. Gorgeous.

If you really want to do a classic red lip (it is Christmas after all) I heart Clinique's Red-y-to-Wear High Impact Lipstick and Ready or Not liner. I actually rocked this to a Christmas party on Saturday for the first time EVER in red lips and I loved it. Especially when I added a slick of Dazzle Glass in Love Alert but that's not one for the traditionalists. Just for those of us wearing a Mariah Carey Mrs Santa dress.
Don't ask.
Also do not try and combine the red lip with the dramatic eye for a work party. You will look like the office bike. Or tranny. I'm not sure which is worse.

And last but not least, add a bit of highlighter, either shimmer or sparkle (just don't go OTT PLEASE). Obviously High Beam is the old classic but not that portable so maybe try a touch of MAC's Strobe Cream. It's a classic for a reason...

Monday 15 December 2008

B Kamins Diatomamus Earth Masque

Hands up, who doesn't love a product that you can't actually pronounce?

No, diatomamus isn't a newly discovered kind of dinosaur but in fact a really rather wonderful face masque from B Kamins. I've been having a nightmare with my skin lately, seriously, it's just crappy. Dry, then irritated, then grey, then papery, then irritated again. And all in time for the prime boy kissing party season. Mew. Luckily, I have a great big jar of this bad boy on my bathroom shelf which is perfect for sorting me out on dry and papery front.



Aside from it drying on your skin a bit like the ace Body Shop blue face mask I had as a teenager (What was that called?) and it sounding like a dinosaur, I love this mask because:

a) it helps my skin look smoother and more hydrated.
b) it has diatomaceous earth in it. This sounds like it might be magical.
c) it has Bio-Maple compound and I like Maple Syrup on my pancakes. Therefore, I like this.
I am easily pleased.
You too can be easily pleased at HQhair... You don't even need to be able to say it if you're buying online. Brillbags.

I think this might be all kinds of awesome as a post-party pick me up and given the drastic three nighter I've just pulled, only to be followed by nights out every night from tomorrow until CHRISTMAS, I think I might need it.

Friday 12 December 2008

Elemis on QVC

I have a huge weekend coming up (Christmas starts here people!) parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and so my daytime plans amount to little more than rolling out of bed and onto the sofa, stopping only to kick the tin of Roses across the floor and make a giant mug of tea.
At some point there will be bathing and muchos make up application so I at least look human at each event but mostly there will very little activity.

There might be a bit of toenail painting and even a wee Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift mask to soothe my cream crackered skin but aside from that... not so much.

Which is why I'm so very excited about the Elemis Today's Special Value item that will be appearing on QVC on Sunday. I'm not proud of my QVC addiction but it makes the best hangover telly in the world and apparently, this gift set is going to be the best thing since forever. I don't know exactly what's in it (very cloak and dagger) but it's a six piece Pro-Collagen and Frangipani set and since I love both of those ranges, I'm super keen to find out what's on offer. And, you know, they'll probably make good Christmas presents. If you can bear to part with them.

The Elemis show airs at 12am, 1 am, 4am, 7am, 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm and 11pm on Sunday and if you can't even bear to turn the TV on (hangovers are terrible) you can order from the QVC website.
I'm guessing I might see the 2pm and for shame, the 4am.
Join me on my sofa of shame...

Thursday 11 December 2008

Mac-Tacular

I can't make my computer write Mac properly, you know, with the little spacer dots in the middle? Sorry Mac.

Anyways, I know I already talked about them this week but OH MY, I have to tell you about the Spring/Summer 09 Trends presentation I was lucky enough to attend. Seriously, it might have been my Best Day Ever. I don't want to give too much away but trust me when I tell you, you'll be all Mac, all the time in 09. GORGEOUS colours and AMAZING textures, it's all about texture next season dahling.

And if you haven't heard already, Mac has confirmed THE most amazing collaboration EVER as far as I'm concerned. Move over Barbie, forget Heatherette - it's all about HELLO KITTY! Oh yes, it is the most exciting make up event ever in the whole history of the world.

As you can probably tell, I'm a bit excited.

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Body Shop Goodness

The lovely people at The Body Shop are combining two of my favourite things - special offers and Facebook. Isn't that sweet of them?

Between this Friday and Christmas eve you can download their 12 Days of Christmas application which will have a different offer or competition each day! Friday's really rather fabulous offer is half price Satsuma Body Butter, just £6.25. I LOVE Body Shop body butters, they are delicious. I usually go for coconut but satsuma seems appropriately festive.

You can redeem your offer in-store or online, just download the app, get the appropriate codes and Bob's your uncle. Or not as the case may be. I have two uncle Davids but no Bob.



Download the application here to get your calendar and twelve days of offers...

Tuesday 9 December 2008

Mac Makes Me Happy...

I challenge you to find someone who doesn't love MAC make up.
It's just not possible.
And the new MAC store in the Westfield centre has just about pushed me over the edge...

With that in mind, I am begging you to go and buy the new Red, She Said collection. It's gorgeous x one trillion. I've always been smokey eyes over slutty lips but I'm trying to branch out (into lips, not sluttiness) and the lovely people at MAC are really helping out. The new Date Night* and Love Alert Dazzle Glass glosses are absolutely beautiful, all pretty punch of colour and no stickiness. Yum.



I'm also trying out the Dubonnet lipstick, a deepened claret cream that looks terrifying in the tube and when you first apply it but gorgeous if you pat it into your lips to create a stain and top with a slick of balm. Very, 'I'm all bruised from too much kissing'. I'm not though, in case you were wondering. I am, however, open to offers.



*That said, I did wear Date Night on a date recently and apparently, it works because I am all kinds of rubbish at dates and this one was all kinds of lovely. I'm going to try Love Alert next time - does anyone do a gloss called 'let's definitely do kissing'??? Could they???

Friday 5 December 2008

Beauty-Full Christmas: Origins

I'm having a terrible time staying away from Westfield shopping centre. Have you SEEN that bad boy? It's incredible... Sadly, for all its wonder, it isn't making my Christmas shopping any easier. It's just making shopping easier. Which is making me poorer.
Boo.


Anyway, I have some good Christmas shopping ideas for you from lovely Origins.
Who doesn't love a good candle? No one, that's who. Everyone loves a candle, FACT, and Origins candles are delicious. I love the Ginger collection which is perfect at Christmas time, as a hostess gift, a stocking filler or as a 'I really don't like you that much but it is essential that you see how incredibly tasteful and generous I am' gift for your mother in law or the girl at work that you hate but want to stick it to.
I know, I know but I'm mean so you don't have to be.


And even better, there is free standard delivery on all purchases over £45 on origins.co.uk at the moment. Merry Christmas everyone!

Thursday 4 December 2008

Stressed...

Man alive I'm having a rough time of it this week and no amount of Origins Peace of Mind is going to make it better.
Ooh, hang on a minute, it has a little bit.
As did that Wispa.

Back tomorrow,
BL x

Tuesday 2 December 2008

High Street Mascaras: Maybelline and Rimmel

One of the main catalysts behind BeautyMecca was my ongoing quest for the perfect mascara. In the last two years, several have turned my head and my credit card, some of the best being Clinique's Lash Power, Prescriptives Lash Envy, Estee Lauder Double Wear but still I'm unsettled. I know, I know, I'm never happy.

Given the masses of cash I've spent on making my eyelashes look purdy this year, I decided to give the high street a go* and I've got to say, I've been really pleasently surprised.
First up is Maybelline's Colossal Voum' Express mascara. Aside from the ugliest packaging of anything ever, it's pretty good. The consistency is more fluid than I usually enjoy but it really does make mt lashes very, very long. And it's 3-4-2 in Superdrug right now so you can get a couple of nail colours and maybe an emergency Dream Matte Mousse (to keep in your desk for pre-party touch ups). I would say it delivers more on length than volume for me and I'm not sure what effect collagen can actually have when painted onto your eyelashes in tiny amounts but it's good. I haven't tested it on a night out yet but I will and will update accordingly.



An even bigger shock has been Rimmel's Sexy Curves mascara. Now, this has really pretty packaging but the most ridiculous name of any mascara ever. You don't mind pulling out the metallic purple tube but who wants people on the tube to see that you're wearing 'Sexy Curves' anything? That said, I sort of love this. The consistency is thicker than the Maybelline mascara and it makes lashes look long, thick and almost fake. There's literally nothing subtle about it but it's great for a night out and it doesn't smudge all day long. I've even been able to top up after work without it flaking or clumping. Seriously, I think it's going to be my party mascara of choice this season. Oh, and the brush looks like a terrifying tiny sex toy but it's amazing for getting right into the inner and outer corners of your eyes.

*I would like to clarify that this has nothing to do with the credit crunch and everything to do with the fact that I have a cold and could only make it as far as Superdrug on the high street this weekend.

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