December favourites!

Collection lasting perfection concealer

This concealer is renowned in the blogging world  for its super lasting coverage. For its £4 price tag it really has cemented itself as a December favourite. I find it provides just the right amount of coverage without looking caked on. I think my next purchase has to be the lighter shade which can be used for contouring the face a la Kim Kardashian. There really isn't anything else to say about this, it is that good, for those of you used to high end concealer I urge you to try this because you won't look back!

Benefit They're Real mascara

This appeared on Christmas morning and I couldn't wait to try it out. As someone who loves the look of falsies but for some reason doesn't get on with them too well, this mascara really is good. It is apparently one of the UK's best selling mascaras and I can see why. For its £18 it isn't one of the cheapest mascaras out there, if you compare it with some of the really good drug store mascaras. Would I repurchase this? Definitely as it really does create drama on the lashes and creates a false lash effect.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir

This bottle of perfume is in one word - heavenly. That can be said about any of the Jo Malone fragrances, I really think the brand fills a niche in the fragrance industry. You just know if someone receives that iconic yellow and black packaging that they are in for a treat. Now aside from the packaging, this fragrance has been a favourite of mine for a while, mainly due to its long lasting effect. I get so disappointed when I spray a fragrance and hours later can no longer smell it. I would say that this fragrance isn't one I would wear everyday to work, mainly because I want to save it for special occasions, it's always such a treat to use. My next purchase is definitely going to be the pomegranate noir candle, the scent is just so different to anything else on the market.

Estée Lauder Double wear foundation

In my pursuit of finding a long wearing foundation, I inevitably had to try this. It is one of the only foundations that survives the daily tube commute, air conditioned office and delightful British weather. This is not for those who dislike heavier foundations but for me I do like something with a bit more coverage. Having said that, there is a double wear light, which is basically as the name suggests a lighter version of this, which is worth a try if you like a lighter coverage.

Rachel x

A new hair saviour

Aussie miracle shine leave in conditioner is my hair's new best friend. It is simply amazing, I am addicted I can't stop spraying it! It really does what it says on the tin, it leaves your hair feeling beautifully nourished while boosting its shine. I am a big fan of leave in conditioners, but this for me is definitely one of the best I have tried. As my hair is colour treated when I come out of the shower I think to say it is a little wild and unruly is a fair comment. This product combined with my tangle teezer really helps to sort out those knots.

If anyone has tried the deep conditioners that Aussie have in their range you will be familiar with the gorgeous smell. This for me is such a bonus with this product as I think any girl is a sucker for something that will leave their locks smelling beautiful. At the moment I am on the quest for longer hair and really think this product is going to be a staple in my routine to ensure it's kept nourished and healthy.

If you are looking for a lightweight conditioner that leaves your hair super shiny then look no further!

 Rachel x 

An obsession with Kate Spade

As the name of my blog suggests my eye is drawn to anything remotely shiny or sparkly. A recent discovery of mine is Kate Spade which is a beautiful American brand that truly is any girls best friend.
 

I was lucky enough to go to NYC before Christmas and knew I had to go to the Kate Spade shop whilst I was there. In the US Kate Spade is much cheaper than the UK (sad times) which is why I intended to stock up whilst I was there. Upon walking into the most gorgeous shop ever, the display is so pretty complemented by the friendliest ever sales assistants, I saw this little beauty staring back at me. In the UK this retails for around £48 (in the US it cost me $48), which I would still pay if I hadn't been visiting the states, as I had to have it! I am a big fan of rose gold, I think it's such a beautiful colour and always looks chic and classy.

The bangle is also available in silver and gold, and comes in the most beautiful packaging - but you would expect nothing less from Kate Spade. If you are a girly girl like me, I would definitely check out the Kate Spade offering, there is a shop in Covent Garden and a concession in Selfridges.

Rachel x

Bumble and Bumble colour minded shampoo and conditioner

Hair is one of those things that if it is not done properly then it can really put a downer on your day. As my hair is colour treated one of the fundamental ways to keep my hair in good condition is by using a good shampoo and conditioner. I have tried all types and have decided what I look for most in a good product is one that will keep my colour at bay for as long as possible.
As we all know a trip to the salon can set you back a few pennies so using a colour saving shampoo and conditioner is so vital to save all that precious colour being washed down the plug hole. Bumble and Bumble has always been one of those brands that I have admired from afar on my endless trips to Selfridges, but one that I have never plucked up the courage of trying. The main reason being was the price these 2 little beauties set you back.

That being said I do feel that these products are worth the splurge as it does leave my hair glossy and shiny, and goes someway to protecting my colour. The bottle states that the products are sulfate free, which is great news as sulphates are the enemy of colour treated hair. If preserving your colour isn't your main concern I would recommend checking out the other shampoo and conditioners they have in their range, as they do have a wide selection to suit all.

I am so glad I finally gave in to these products as it introduced me to the range, which I am sure my hair will thank me for, perhaps not so much the bank balance. The main downside is the price, but as stated all ready if your hair is truly your crowning glory I do think these are worth the splurge. (The shampoo is around £23, £25 for the conditioner).  For those of you thinking that is pretty expensive for a shampoo and conditioner I would recommend trying out the smaller try me sizes, these are a great way of testing out the product before parting with all that hard earned cash!

Rachel x

Nails, nails, nails

"You can tell a lot by a person's nails; when a life starts to unravel, they're among the first to go"
 (Ian McEwan)

I am a firm believer in nail polish being able to add a little sparkle to an outfit. No matter what you are wearing nail polish can make an outfit pop. One of my favourite brands when it comes to colour selection has to be Nails Inc. Their colour selection is extensive, with colours to suit every imaginable occasion.

So with this love for Nails Inc there was no doubt that their polishes would make an appearance on my Christmas list. Now the colours I picked were perhaps admittedly a little summery, it doesn't hurt to dream of times when you can show off a fancy new colour on your toes without dying of frostbite.

I think these colours will work beautifully in the spring, my favourite has to be Devonshire Row. Being a girl naturally my eye is drawn to pinks so when I spotted this perfect shade of pinkness I had to get it. What I love about this colour is that it's not just a pink, it's got a tinge of purple ness to it which really makes it unique.


Royal botanical gardens is the perfect pastel and Nails Inc have labelled this as a new trend shade. The shade is a beautiful duck egg blue with a hint of green. As with any polishes the best results come from applying two coats plus a top coat. If I don't do this I do tend to find they can chip quite easily.

Now for something different - what attracted me to this Baker Street polish is how vibrant it is, it really is a shade that you could wear on your nails and people would stop and ask you what are you wearing. Personally this is a shade that I would wear more on my toes just because I find it's the hardest to match outfits with. That being said it is still a gorgeous colour which I am proud to add to my collection!

From left to right: Devonshire Row, Royal Botanical gardens and Baker Street 

It's all about the eyes

Elemis absolute eye serum 

Well it is said that the eyes are the window to the soul, so at the grand old age of 24 I have decided its time to get serious about eye care. In the past I had been somewhat sporadic with my eye care routine  which is naughty of me I know. Eyes are the first place where the signs of aging will appear given the skin is so thin. 

Being a fan of elemis products I knew this would be a safe bet to put on the Christmas list. This little bottle promises to reduce dark circles and leave the eye area more rejuvenated. I think this serum has the potential to really work with continued use over a prolonged period, whilst I have been using it so far I have noticed that my eyes do feel hydrated and the skin feels super soft after using it. 

                                          

   

It is super lightweight and does not irritate the eye area in the slightest. Whilst the bottle is small (15ml) a little goes a long way and I think this serum is a good price (£28) if like me you want to start getting tough on those dark circles!

Rachel x 

Holy grail skincare

My cleanse and polish is my go to cleanser. I have been using this product on and off since my mid teens and absolutely love it. It is a product that does not irritate my skin and is jam packed full of botanical ingredients.

The great thing about this is that it comes with a muslin cloth, this helps the polish part of the process as the cloth exfoliates the skin. There are many cleansers out there which you have to choose between different variations to suit your skin i.e is dry, oily or normal. However what is unique about this product and Liz Earle's range is that it is incredibly simple. So for those of you who want a fuss free cleanser which also doubles as an eye make up remover, this is an excellent option.

I tend to go through one of these pumps per month based on morning and night time use. I think the cleanser is great value for money - approx £13 depending where you get it from. For me this product will always be in my skin care cupboard and it has introduced to me to a love affair with the rest of the range.

Rachel x