Bye Bye, BeautyMecca

Now, I'm not giving up beauty blogging AT ALL but I am sort of giving up this blog.
From now on, all my content will be over at www.LindseyKelk.com - as if I would stop rattling on about mascaras... shame on you for even thinking it!

See you there, 'kay? 'Kay.

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof

Now, I never hear a lot about Chanel's make up range. I don't know if that's because they don't court bloggers so much it because the higher price points put us off their products but I was recently tempted to give some of their products a go and maaaaaaan, I wish I hadn't.

I was at a friend's wedding about a month ago and couldn't help but gush over my old roommate's eyeliners (because that's who I am). I was by that girl's side all day long and even though it was on the inside lower rim (my make up nemesis), it never smudged, never faded, never looked anything less than perfect. When she told me it was Chanel (just like her handbag, the cow) I knew I had a date with the Bloomingdales counter. Sure enough, days later, I trotted in and parted with $60, coming away with the black and the espresso waterproof eyeliners.

Not one to do things by halfs, I immediately got on a plane to Texas and put these bad boys to the test. 90 degree heat? Check. Twelve hours driving around hill country in a tiny Fiat 500 with a boy? Check. Swimming pool and frozen margaritas? Check, check, check. And did these eyeliners smudge once? No. No they did not. They didn't smudge when I went dancing, they didn't smudge when I fell asleep in them. And yet, if you wanted to smudge them out into a beautiful smokey eye, they did exactly as they were told and stayed exactly where I put them.

And that's why I'm sad. Because now I'm going to have to spend $30 every time I want a new eyeliner. Damn you, Chanel.

John Frieda's California Waves

I love getting my hair did. It's probably up there in my top ten things to do along with shopping, sleeping, petting kittens and sitting in the sun by Barton Springs with a good book. But who has the time or financial wherewithal to get their hair did or go to Austin, Texas, whenever they want to feel better about life?

Happily, the lovely people at John Frieda have put a shit ton of videos up on YouTube to show us how to make our hair pretty at home. Bless 'em. I like the California Waves because I'm growing my hair out a bit at the moment and I've been having an arse of a time getting any texture into it - straight, straight, straight. But now, wavy, wavy, wavy.
Awesome.




There are heaps more on YouTube, let me know if you try any of these out!

My 2011 Favourites

I can't believe it's two weeks since I've blogged.
For shame.
Well, at least I'm back and ready to bother you with my favourite beauty finds of 2011...
I want to clarify, these aren't necessarily 2011 launches because quite frankly, I'm not nearly as up on launches as I used to be and I don't read all the press releases I should (more shame) but they are things I found and loved over the last twelve months. I'm posting the list now, before I forget but I'll update each item on the list with a little bit about why I love them when a) I've got more than a minute to do it b) I'm not writing a book and c) I'm not watching Boxing Day Match of the Day.

Benfit Cha Cha Tint - gorgeous coral stain that lasts and lasts and lasts

Benefit They're Real mascara - This year's killer mascara. I like to layer over BadGal because I'm wasteful but still lovely on its own

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill shadows - Amazing foiled eyes. Everyone always asks what I'm wearing

Dr Dennis Grossman Alpha Beta Daily Peel Pads - CHANGED MY LIFE. Seriously.

Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume - Most delicious perfume in forever and has tempted me away from Coco Mademoiselle...

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer - Cheap, cheerful and (whisper) better than Touche Eclat

EOS lip balms - Love the packaging, love the product

Fresh lip balms - Um, love the packaging, love the product - pricey though

Estee Lauder Idealist Illuminator - I've converted so many people to this. Love.

Dr Jart+ BB Cream - I will talk about this later but OH MY GOD. BUY.

Sally Hansen Nail Effects Strips - I like the patterned and glitter effects strips SO MUCH. Thanks Sally.

Shellac Gel Polishes - Long-lasting polishes that have changed my life - no chips = people think I'm a grown up, yeah!

Laura Mercier Baked Shadows - SO pretty, use them dry for a nice subtle effect, wet for drama

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack - Late to this party but totally converted

The millions of Nars lipsticks I have bought during the year - special mentions to Manhunt and Mayflower

Obviously these aren't the only things I've tried and loved this year but they are the things that I've rebought or have found their way into my every day kit. Impressive. I'd love to hear what as found a home in your make-up bag in 2011 - email me at lindsey@lindseykelk.com or tweet @lindseykelk

Skin Art Temporary Tattoos

Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm a glitter fiend. At least sixty percent of my wardrobe is glittered or sequinned and all my favourite eyeshadows are at the very least, shimmertastic. I actually had to be physically removed from the glitter spray counter in Sephora on Wednesday...


So you can imagine how excited I was to receive the press release from Skin Art about their Glitter Tattoo Kit. How perfect for Christmas? The kit comes with stencils, glue and glitters so you can use the kit as is or come up with your own design and the tattoos last for up to five days! I would hope you shower enough not to make it to five days... If you're not glitter-inclined, you could go for the regular Tattoo Kit that has 99 easy to apply tats.


Since I've already got my own ink, I'm definitely erring towards the glitter but that will surprise no one...

The Temproary Tattoo Kit retails at £8.00 and Glitter Tattoo Kit £14.00, both from Boots and Boots.com

A Few of My Favourite Things...

OK, I promise to pull up my blogging socks from now on. I've been terrible. But the good news is, I'm procrastinating on the new book like a mofo so prepare thyselves for a lot of new posts...
Starting right now with the things I can't get enough of right now.

First things first, I've got a couple of new obsessions that you can get in on and I think they've made a huge difference to my make up. At least, they've had a lot of compliments and I think that's always a telling thing, right?

I've been pretty ill of late and quite frankly, suffering a lot of self-inflicted rough mornings so my eyes have been a big focus for me. Happily, I've also been on a bunch of photoshoots for my Marie Claire column (have you read it? Have you?) and learned lots of new tricks from my make up artist, Steph. Having been a dedicated Touche Eclat fan for so long, I was amazed to find I could get more or less the exact same result from Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer. I like the 'Brightener' shade for under my eyes and really, I'm totally smitten. Can't get enough of this one.

Then, on my lower inner rims, I've been using a bright, slight silver pencil. This was a tip straight from Steph and it makes a huge difference. It has to be a light silver though, too dark and you're closing the area up. After going through my epic silver pencil collection (I'm a metallic freak) the best option for me was a 17 chunk pencil. I have no idea if it's still available, I hope so. The consistency is so soft and the shade is perfect. Lots of shimmer but no glitter. after lining the lower inner rim, I take a black pencil (I've been using my Estee Lauder Double Wear in Black) and line the inner upper rims, just flicking out at the very edges to create some shape and definition but mostly leaving the upper lid clear. Then I've been using Benefit's RSVP on the upper lid and tons of Estee Lauder Double Wear mascara in black. Super, super cute look. Very low maintenance and very effective as a day to night look - just add black liner to the top lash line before you head out and you're done!

OK, I have to go and write another book. Back tomorrow (hopefully!).
Oh, and did I mention I Heart Vegas is out now? You could totally buy that. I'm just saying.

Maaaan I'm lazy

Sorry to have vanished, it's been a busy old month.
1. I had a birthday (not relevant really but it could be)
2. I've moved into my own apartment
3. I've been building a lot of flatpack furniture
4. I've been unpacking a lot of boxes
5. I've been dressing up as a Pan Am stewardess and a Care Bear.

It was Halloween. It happened. Get over it.
I have to say, my Pan Am costume was made by my L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour in Beyonce's Red. No, really, me and Bey. We're practically one being.

Now I'm settled(ish) into the new place, I expect life to return to something vaguely normal so there will be lots of lovely posting and lots of nonsense. You can expect to hear a lot about the Temptu foundation system and Juliette has a Gun perfume because I'm in love with them both right now. And Shellac manicures because they're awesome. And probably Twilight because it's on FX ALL THE TIME and I can't seem to turn it off.