Spring treats from the Beauty hall...

It has been some time since I posted a beauty post and I thought I would share some new products that have fallen into my beauty basket over the past couple of months for spring and in preparation for summer.

My beauty hamper basket is overflowing and I really don’t need anything, but sometimes the temptation becomes too much especially since it's so easy to click & collect at my desk. The joy of working in a store that houses the biggest beauty hall in the world means that my beauty haul is quite luxurious.

• Mac Cinderella – Mac launched the Cinderella collection in collaboration with Disney some weeks ago to coincide with the movie release. This collection sold out on-line and in store within an hour of launch and I was lucky enough to secure the gorgeous "stroke of midnight" eye palette and the "glass slipper" lip glaze, Both perfect from desk to dusk versatile products, which have the ability to take you from ugly sister to belle of the ball in moments.
• Victoria Beckham VBB for Nails inc – Vicky launched 2 colours with Nails inc late last year, bamboo white and judo red. With beautifully styled packaging I was tempted, however this month when I had my nails manicured at the Paint shop at work Jess my lovely nail technician talked me into trying the judo red.
  

 I am so glad that she did as I love it. I am not a 'bright' polish person on my hands, I am a little more adventurous on my feet, but usually opt for dark colours as they suit my small nails and skin tone better. What do you think? …. This  is a great gift for fashionistas as it’s a Vb line without the serious £ price tag and comparable to the Louboutin brand polish.

• This month also sees another fabulous fashion collaboration with Christopher Kane and Nars. I am slowly becoming a huge fan of Nars and will now opt for that over Mac when looking at colour. The packaging is super cool and this week I bagged a lip glaze for the summer. I definitely am becoming  a lip glaze/gloss gal in the lighter months and a lipstick lady in the winter. Here's the collection in all its glory.
• Dior – last year work hosted a huge Beauty project and I was fortunate to sample Dior's Maximiser Light boosting primer; Sally Hughes (one of the best beauty journalists) called this out last year as the primer that she couldn't live without and I completely agree with her, I love it, so versatile and whenever I use it I get asked what foundation I am wearing.
• Tom Ford and Chanel complete my spring / summer musts ….. Chanel's waterproof mascara is a must for me in the summer months; I  suffer with an astigmatism in my eyes which creates lots of watering, so a good waterproof mascara is a must for me; Chanel ticks all my boxes and I have tried many before settling on this one. Great coverage and easy to remove.
• Tom Ford's summer collection launched this month and a large part of it has now sold out; every year one of my must products for my bag is a great bronzer…. Along with the very stylish packaging which will look fabulous being pulled out of my handbag for retouches, the product is just heavenly.

I'm now on a beauty embargo  for a few weeks as there are a few launches happening in the coming months that I am excited about and will definitely be buying. I know that I am in a very fortunate position and get access to great exclusives and brands working in the big yellow store. I don’t think my make-up bag would look so luxurious if I didn't have a great discount and product available a few feet from my desk!... what's been falling into your beauty basket this month?

Beauty Treats & Lusts....

Having one of the biggest beauty halls in the world  a short distance from my desk, can often be a too much of a temptation. Over the last few months a few things have fallen into my shopping bag, here's some of my favourites ....

Tom Ford Lip Colour in Casablanca - a great everyday colour with fabulous staying power - my first matt lipstick in a long time.

• Bobbi Brown Lip Colour in Pink Beige - the perfect pink nude matt lipstick, I would never have picked this but loved it following my BB makeover in the summer - a great work/day nude.
• Charlotte Tilbury full fat lashes mascara - a re-purchase for me asthis really is a gorgeous mascara and has replaced my YSL mascara for va va voom!
• Dior Glow maximiser - a gorgeous base illuminator primer - with every big brand launching exclusive highlighters, this is my favourite non-powder - mix with foundation for an all over brightener, or sculpt in special places.
• Clinique - smart custom repair serum - loving this serum, it responds to skins needs and I have already re-bought as it is a great find for me. With Clinique launching a points app with Selfridges, it really is the perfect way to shop & save at the same time.

Chanel:-

• Powder Blush - Malice - a gorgeous pink/orange, much brighter than what i would normally choose, but now converted.
• Waterproof mascara - perfect staying power which removes easily with remover. A must for me in the winter as my eyes water a lot.
• Rouge Coco Shine - Intime - a gorgeous nude glaze. I a usually a fan of Boy, but liking this as an alternative.
• Le Vernis Nail Colour in Orage - a gorgeous charcoal black / grey - perfect for winter months.
• and the limited edition Les Beiges healthy glow compact - deliciously gorgeous.

Christian Louboutin - 

CL inspiration for his red sole shoes originated from a bottle of nail polish on his design desk whilst drawing his famous Pigalle shoes.... this colour red is now synonymous with the brand. With Louboutin now diversifying into the beauty realms I had to snap up the red and the blck polosh when launched!.... how gorgeous are these bottles and the packaging is fabulous, coming in mini square shoe boxes.

The polish is amazing and coverage is fantastic.

With Christmas fast approaching I am coveting a number of things..... so on my Santa list I have the following: 

• Clinique Sonic Set 
• Stella Fragrance gift set
• Clinique Serum set
• Bobbi Brown - eye sets
• Chanel - limited edition compact
• and if Santa really wanted to be extra nice the much coveted Tom Ford Trousseau - this will stay on my lust list!

What are your Beauty buys recently? and what have you got on your Santa Lust lists!.... would love to hear from you all...

beauty treats

I don't often blog Beauty posts, and Selfies even less, however after 3 great beauty experiences of late I decided to share ...
Working in a department store like the one that I do, I have a host of amazing goodies, treats and indulgences at my finger-tips when the bank manager allows!
Last weekend on Sunday I had an invitation to a friends 65th birthday soiree, as I was working prior I made the decision to get a helping hand from work to get ready, before heading into the Essex countryside to the celebrations.
Nails

First stop was a much needed manicure at the Paint shop where I got some TLC to my nails and a coat of Tom Fords fabulous Viper polish... gorgeous. I love this colour polish, and have learnt that dark colours suit my nails much better than lights & brights.
The nail bar is perfect from the Express through to the Gel manicure, catering all options for lunchtime stops to leisurely visits.

Hair

The next stop for me was a quick blow-dry at Hershesons ...I've used this service a few times now and love it, I have long thick hair and the luxury of someone  styling it in half hour is just perfect for me. Maurice is my stylist of choice and is a master with the brush and dryer!
I recently had a colour refresh and really loving the red & purple slices that I've had added, these were showcased to their best from a 'big 'blow dry adding volume & curl. If I could I would get him do it every week!
Face
Final stop for me was a make-over. Day look for me is quite minimal, however needing a little lift I opted for a party make-over from Bobbi Brown. This was my first make-over from Bobbi and I really enjoyed it.

Favourite products used were the CC cream, and Long-wear even finish Foundation which were both gorgeous and now on my pay day buy list. Suffering with combination skin which is prone to shining, these 2 products combated this lots for me, and as I am always looking for the perfect foundation, this is definitely worth a try for me. Bobbi's concealer also worked miracles and has been added to wish list.
 I stuck with my Chanel waterproof mascara which completely works for me. This completely accentuated the glimmer sticks (Golden & Violet Plum used on my eyes, which worked miracles on making my eyes appear very blue! .. all framed with fabulous brows. My make-over stylist was Cesar who was fun, very knowledgeable and put me at ease which is much help for a novice. I left with a Pink Beige lipstick in my pocket which is the perfect nude from day to night, perfect for touch-ups during the night.
My make-over was complete with the perfect handbag accessory for the evening which was a Victoria Beckham clutch, complete with Lanvin pouch and a little beauty help from Chanel, Bobbi, & Tom Ford... delicious.

 

All services are available from Selfridges and can be booked at the following;

Nails - Paint shop experiences



Hair - Hershesons blow dry bar
Make-up - bookings currently available via the Bobbi Brown app (coming to Selfridges website soon)

Feeling Fabulous Friday...

The eyebrow is my feature for my first Feeling Fabulous Friday. This year I am determined to pamper myself more, and February I will be aiming to create the perfect brow!... My eyebrows are relatively fair and I tend to hide behind my glasses frames... this year I am going to love my lenses, lashes & brows!

Never have eyebrows been talked about as much since Brook Shields 70's caterpillers graced the big screen than when Cara Delevignes brows hit the cat walk. Now it is acceptable to have eyebrows as opposed to penciled lines.

Secret Santa left me a fabulous kit from the legendary Charlotte Tilbury, which I am aiming to master. I am already a convert to her full fat lashes mascara which curls, separates,and adds volume length and drama... perfect from desk to drinks and has replaced my much loved YSL.

The brow lift tool allows you to shape, lift and shade your eyebrow ... following the nostril /eye principle and this cool you tube video, I am going to master the art of perfect brows!.

 The kit also contains a beautiful 50's looking lash curlers and a feline flick eye pencil perfect to finish off the eye along with a full fat mascara.

Pop back next month and find out how I got on and what my fabulous friday feature is for February.

(all products my own- I have not received payment for this feature)

Forthcoming Fabulous Friday dates for 2014 are:

A stress free day filled with treats.... Pt 1

Wednesday is National Stress awareness day and I am determined to have a stress free day!
I have 2 special older ladies Marion & Mary (affectionatly known as the M&M's) in my life who have known me all my life, every Saturday evening we go for an early supper at our local Indian and they make me laugh lots. The have been friends over 50 years and are both now in their 8th decade. They are so much more to me than friends, they are very much part of my chosen family. Mary is celebrating her 70th birthday this week, Marion and myself have booked to take her to the Savoy for afternoon tea followed by a trip to the theatre to see The Bodyguard all as a lovely surprise.
Prior to my afternoon tea a much needed trip to the hair salon was required. I needed a good cut, and colour! Fortunately I don't need to go often as when I do I loose a morning!.. By the time I've caught up with the news, foils, colour, deep condition, cut, blow dry and a spot under the heat lamp I can loose 4 hours!!!.... However I am always pleased with the results ... and as us ladies know you need to go through a little pain for a lot of glamour!!!.

If only I could wake up with it looking like this every day!... alas a 5am start doesn't lend to big & bouncy styling, which when I do do it makes it a little special.... Having been pampered & styled it was time for a spot of tea.

The Couture of Facials..

What do you do when you find out Chanel are launching a pop-up spa sanctuary in your workplace for a week... I rushed up from my desk and headed down to the Chanel to book my appointment. I'm a huge fan  of Chanel, it is my cosmetic brand of choice, my make-up bag is not complete with the Boy lip shine, multiple nail polishes, and eyebrow pallette.
However I have never used their skin care products.
After an extremely demanding month, this was a perfect 90minute escape from the hussle & bustle of daily life.
Katerina was my therapist, she was fabulous, and immediately put me at ease. I'm not great in these environments always a little too self conscious, I think it helped that she was a little older and not a young tanned glamour puss!
The room was beautifully styled in Chanel... I was treated to a full deep cleanse facial, head & hand massage. K was not one of these people that felt the need to talk throughout or fill the empty silences with incessant chatter.. This aided my relaxation completely and could of easily have gone to sleep when she finished.

My skin at the end looked amazing, it felt so clean, with a radiance I haven't seen in a long time.
What I loved was the lack of pressure on me to purchase everything that had been used, especially as the whole cost of the facial was redeemable against Chanel products at the end.. Perfect! I am going to invest in the oil cleanser when my current cleanser is finished. I would never have used an oil cleanser as I have combination skin, however it seems that the two principals work together , which makes sense when you think that oil & water don't mix, so an oil cleanser is better for my skin!
I loved my Chanel pamper experience and would book again in a heartbeat if they were to do it again.

I was not paid by either Chanel or Selfridges to review this treatment  all views are my own, based on my personal experience. 

Lanvin lashes

Working in the best department store in the world it's easy to get a little complacent with everything new and the exclusives that launch, however one beauty launch is getting me a little excited....
I am referring to the Alber Elbez collaboration with Lancôme which launches exclusively at Selfridges on Saturday.
Here  is a preview video of the collection..... So much fun!

Alber is the designer currently behind the Lanvin brand and is a genius... He is renowned for the kooky. In recent years he has collaborated with Claridges  to style their Christmas tree within their foyer and this Christmas was behind the fabulous Disney collaboration with Barney's for their Electric Holiday Christmas windows.
Details Here .. On sale from Saturday.... So cute x