Komenuka Bijin Conditioner at Studio BeautyMix

I've been growing my locks for about a year now and as someone with lots of very fine hair that's coloured dark brown on a monthly basis, it hasn't always been easy. There have been plenty of times that I've considered taking the scissors to the lank lengths, usually when I've had to get up twenty minutes earlier than usual to wash and blow dry my mop.



But all that is in the past. For the last week, I've been using Komenuka Bijin conditioner from the really rather wonderful Studio BeautyMix in New York and I am all turned around. It's like I have new hair, seriously. Every single strand is long, strong and glossy without a hint of floppy lankess at the roots. It's packed full of wonderful things like ginseng, vitamin E, aloe and seaweed and it smells delicious. I'm in love.

In fact, I've got a bit of a crush on everything in Studio BeautyMix... the recently opened Soho off-shoot of Beauty Maven, Robin Coe-Hutshing, housed in a cosy corner of the Korres store (remember to grab some lipbalm while you're in there getting your Komenuka Bijin) is stocked with all of Robin's beauty secrets. Seriously, if this lady is recommending it, I'm buying it. Hopefully, we'll be taking a peek inside Robin's beauty bag very soon - I cannot wait to see what such a guru totes around with her...*


*and then copy her mercilessly in an attempt to be as cool as her.

Stocking Stuffer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

So you know I featured the Urban Decay friends and family discount a couple of weeks ago? Well, I absolutely indulged in a few bits and pieces myself, including the 'I Can't Believe I Never Owned This Before' eyeshadow primer potion.


I don't know why I've never picked this up before. I love Urban Decay eye products and it always gets such amazing reviews but I don't know if it's lame products I've used before, the slightly sad packaging or what but I have to say, my life was not complete until I started using this product.

I just literally right now as in two seconds ago was washing my hands in the bathroom (sticky hands from handling too much Twilight candy in the office, mmm, Edward) and I noticed that my eyeliner was EXACTLY where I'd put it this morning. I mean, exactly there. Not a teeny tiny but had rubbed off or smudged or shifted and we're talking nine hours ago. And it's bright green. Bright green pencil. This primer is amazing and would be a welcome addition to any stocking this Christmas. Well, maybe not if your giftee doesn't wear eyeshadow... but, you know.
GET IT.

Oh, and Twilight: New Moon capsule review? If you are in anyway awkward about lusting after young boys, don't go. Unless you're prepared to lie to everyone and say you just want to see what a wonderful actor like Michael Sheen can do with such lame source material.
(It's awesome.)

New Moon: Luna Twilight Cosmetics

Now, I know every Twi-hard worth their fake fangs knows about these already but I couldn't resist. Against the will of every adult bone in my body, I'm going to a screening of New Moon this evening and will be shrieking like a girl throughout.

I don't care if it's for teenagers. I don't care if it's rubbish. I don't care if Robert Pattinson is high throughout the entire thing*, I am so freaking excited to see this movie.

Which is why I am so freaking excited to get myself to a Nordstrom to try out some of these Twilight-inspired cosmetics...

First up I give you Mortal Glow Blushing Cream! Fool the humans into thinking your fresh faced rosy glow comes from a healthy balanced diet and lots of exercise, not sucking that rosy glow right out of their jugular.

Second out of the blocks it's the First Light Body Glow. This hydrating illuminator gives you that 'vampire lying in a meadow sparkling his ass off' highlighted effect. But you know, use it on your collarbones, down your shins and along your shoulders if they're on show as opposed to bathing in it.

Trying to distract from the fact that your eyes are blood red? Well, try the Moonshadows eyeshadow. Perfect for getting that smoky eye look without burning a fellow vampire and rubbing their ashes all over your chops.

And last but by no means least, our old friend Lip Venom is here with a Twilight variant. Yes, you've guessed it - the lip venom is laced with a crimson stain. Less painful than the venomous bite of a Twilight vampire and twice as pretty as a big, manky scar on your hand, BELLA.
But not as pretty Robert Pattinson because, um, you know. YOU KNOW.
Sigh, swoon, thud.


*Disclaimer: by high, I of course mean ecstatically happy and not under the influence of a controlled substance just because he sometimes/constantly looks like he is. And I mean, like, alllllllll the time.

Nars Sheer Glow foundation

Since I heard about the demise of my beloved Prescriptives (sob), I've been hunting high and low for a new foundation and praise be, I think I've found The One.

Nars is becoming an increasing problem for me... in the UK it was safely hidden away in Space NK but here in the US, it's bloody everywhere. Sephora be damned* and I just can't seem to stay away from it. Anyway, cutting to the chase, I decided to give the Nars Sheer Glow foundation a test drive. Being the world's palest lady (exaggeration? Possibly but only a little) I grabbed a bottle of Siberia, the palest shade and O. M. G. It's perfect.

The foundation itself is like liquid silk. So far I've been applying it with a sponge which gives great, sheer coverage that evens out any redness or dodgy complexion problems but I'm itching to get a foundation brush and try it that way too. Like I said, the coverage is sheer but I find I can build it without any problems and all I'm left with is a dewy, airbrushed looking complexion. Loves it. I've even had compliments on my skin over the last couple of days - who doesn't have time for that? Now I just need to get my mitts on the pressed power... Love that black rubberised packaging.


*I take it back, I take it back. I love you, Sephora!

Stocking Stuffers: Fred Flare

I'm fully embracing Christmas now so every Friday between now and the main event will be dedicated to Stocking Stuffers, just in case you're out at the weekend and decide to pick something up for me.
Which would be lovely.

Today, I'm slightly (cough, completely) obsessed with this AMAZING FLASHING Rudolph lip gloss from Fred Flare

Do you love it? I love it. It's perfect for festive pout perfecting before and after Christmas dinner and talk about a conversation piece at parties. I'm not sure what sort of conversations it would lead to but if you don't love this, there's something wrong with you.
Yes, I think I mean that.
That is all.

Urban Decay 30% Friends and Family Discount!

OK, I'm officially over waiting for Christmas and so here is your introduction to my Christmas list.

I know I've been totally obsesso-girl over Urban Decay the last few weeks but really, I can't get enough of that brand. Happily, if you're in the US of A, there is currently a 30% discount code for friends and family (and you are friends of the brand, right?) - just enter FNFW1 at the checkout at UrbanDecay.com to get a massive 30% off your total across all products on the site.

I'm desperate to take a look at the new Smoke Out Kits as you know I love a smokey eye and even though I just bought it, I'm tempted to get a back up 24/7 Super Stash (I'm making short work of the Binge navy pencil and my beloved gold/green Stash) or maybe one of the other 24/7 sets that has slightly lager pencils but fewer of them, along with a Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner. I don't know!

And over on the UK site, I'm sort of obsessed with the Preen giftset and the Hall of Fame set. I know there will be some more purchases when I pop back to London in December. Mew.

Urban Decay. All. Too. Beautiful. Don't. Know. How. To. Stop...

The taste of Her Cherry Nivea Lip Balm

OK, granted that my title isn't as catchy as Katy Perry's lyrics but I have a new obsession.

Winter is closing in fast on Noo Yoik, it is might chilly of a morning and in the evening and the first thing to suffer, as always, are my lips. Sadly, this is not due to the massive amounts of kissing I've been doing (if only) but more to do with my changing handbags all the time and leaving my beloved Creme de la Mer balm in the wrong one. Now seriously, I LOVE the La Mer balm and would not be without it in my life but sadly, at a bazillion pounds a pot (or two bazillion dollars), I can't afford to keep one in each bag, on my desk, in the bathroom, by my bed, etc. but what I can afford, is Nivea's Cherry balm.


Here in the US, it's called 'A Kiss of Flavour' (ooh-err) but in the UK, it's Starfruits Cherry. I don't know what makes it starry but I do know what makes it awesome. It smells nice, it delivers a perfect punch of wintery colour and it actually moisturises my lips. I know that sounds silly because that is its job but really, there are so many lip balms that are just heavy, greasy concoctions that sit on top of your lips while the skin underneath dries and cracks.

Plus, bonus given that I have recently spent all of my money on flights back to the UK in December, it's dirt cheap. And since it's lip balm, you don't have to feel weird* about having it on your desk for unexpected top-ups if that hot boy** happens to wander by your desk.

* Just me?

** I work in children's publishing. There are no boys, hot or otherwise.

Smashbox comes to Debenhams

Ooh, it's exciting times my little London-based peeps. Not only is Smashbox, one of my favourte all time ever make up brands coming to Debenhams up and down the country, the international creative team will be at Debenhams on Oxford Street from the 9th - 14th November to help launch the wonderous prods.

If you can get there, I recommend popping in a reserving a spot to meet the team and try out the range. I always found myself picking up bits and pieces from Sephora whenever I was in the US and I had to stock up on the Photofinish Primer from QVC a couple of times but really, it's such a great brand, I'm really pleased they're coming to the UK properly at last.
With Stila abandoning you, it's really only fair, right?

Check out the Photofinish Primer and also the cake eyeliners, they're great. Usually, there are some really fantastic eye palettes too... ooh, it's too exciting!
I shall have to put my head in a bucket of cold water to calm myself.