Today I used Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipstick

Morning all!

Autumn is well and truly here thanks to a chilly and rainy weekend which saw me making traditional fayre including Shepherd’s Pie and roast chicken! Yup, winter’s on its way and frankly, I couldn’t be happier. This is my favourite time of year.

On a separate note, the benefits of having a sister working for one of the best PR firms in New York means I am sometimes the recipient of some great products to try out and this month I enjoyed a windfall of Dolce and Gabbana lip products including their passion duo lipsticks and one of the sheer shine lipglosses.

My first impression is that the lipgloss is the stand out product. The pigmentation and staying power is good without being plastic-ky or overly sticky. I was recently forced to throw out a couple of old Lancome juicy tubes due to their heavy nature so this is a welcome change.

In terms of the lipsticks, I was given one from the Summer collection in ‘Natural’ and two from the regular collection called ‘Sensation’ and ‘Rose’. The first thing to note is the strong scent. If you are turned off by strongly scented cosmetics then a word of warning. These smell like the make up of the 1980s (which I quite like) but be warned, subtle it ain’t. In terms of the colourings, ‘Sensation’ and ‘Natural’ are best everyday lipsticks while ‘Rose’ is perhaps a little overpowering for the day. Having said that, the deeper tone is good as we head into Autumn.

‘Rose’

‘Natural’

‘Sensation’

To have a further look at today’s products and shop Dolce & Gabbana make up visit the Harrod’s website.

Today I used Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Rouge Noir (18)

Hi all!

We’ve reached hump day already! I can’t believe how fast the week is going!

In anticipation of tomorrow’s impending cold snap in the UK I have officially made my transition into ‘fall’ nails aka plum/wine nails! I know that only days ago I was trying to resist but after seeing a few people rocking wine nails I felt so left out I had to join in!

I have owned this nail polish for longer than I care to remember and it is an absolute classic, cult product. So many people I know request this for birthday presents etc as £18 is extremely steep for nail polishes. Some of the online beauty gurus don’t rave about Chanel nail polish as they claim they chip far too easily. I have to say I haven’t experienced this problem at all and find them to have as good a lasting power as any other. Really, you’re just paying for the brand name. As ever.

The colour of this is perfect for the colder months and what’s great is that the finish is so glossy that a top coat is not necessary at all. As I said I’ve had this polish for years and there’s still soooo much left so really it will last you ages. Worth it, in my opinion.

I’m currently lusting after the colour ‘Mysterious’ from Chanel’s Fall 2013 collection but to buy today’s product click here.

Today I used Essie ‘Vested Interest’

Hi all! Yes that’s right, I now blog at weekends too! A bonus!

I just wanted to share my excitement over having finally moved into autumn nail colours with one of Essie’s limited edition fall collection shades – Vested Interest.

Shout out has to go to ELLE UK for doing a substantial feature on the hottest AW13 nail shades in which this one was picked. I immediately made a mental note to check it out the next time I ventured into a Boots or Superdrug and well….low and behold.

I have been looking for a deep teal to take me into Autumn and whilst I feel the weather hasn’t completely turned chilly and frosty to validate such a move, I couldn’t wait any more. I also haven’t yet felt the urge to go for an ‘obvious’ plum shade; I wanted something more original.

Okay, time for a confession. This is my first Essie polish. Shocking I know, given their global popularity but I just never found a shade which was all that original. I was tempted by ‘Mint Candy Apple’ but being a pastel it’s much more suited to Spring and I will hold off until then.

I am so impressed by the quality of the formula for only £7.99. Smooth, easy to apply, a big wide brush and serious lasting power. I’m already approaching day three and am virtually chip free. A seriously glossy finish means no need for a top coat with this one either. A fierce recommendation, people, fierce.

To buy today’s product click here.

 

Today I used Laura Mercier crème de pistache hand crème

Morning everyone!

The autumn chill is definitely here – or it is at least when I leave my house at 7am every morning!! This can only mean one thing – my skin is starting to dry out. All over. While this is usually welcome on my face as I suffer with complicated, combination – not to mention overly-sensitive – skin, my hands are another matter.

That said, I have never been a huge advocate of hand cream. It was the stuff my mum would use and it never occurred to me that I might need it too. Enter Laura Mercier and her pistachio flavoured goodness and suddenly I’m a convert! I have lusted after this line for ages, convincing myself that £43 for body cream was totally reasonable but never quite committing to the purchase! That’s when inspiration hit, and the hand cream entered my life.

It’s still quite pricey but a hell of a lot better than the bigger pots of the stuff and a little goes a long, long way. The scent is just so addictive (I’m now that weird person smelling their hands all the time!) but it could be a bit sickly for some people so I do recommend trying it out on the counter beforehand.

I myself can’t see the day that I’m not toting one of these around with me at all times. Enjoy!

To buy today’s product click here.