Good morning,

I'm always looking out for the next beauty find that will settle my cravings for makeup, skincare, haircare and health care.  So any new products are always very much on my radar!

Here is the latest collection of beauty finds I'd like to share with you:

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors

The three latest shades – Rosewood, Candy and Petal – are great everyday hues. If, like me, you find lip glosses too ‘done’ and gloopy, the gel based formula of these Lip Perfectors gives you pigment-rich colour that are kind of textureless, in a good way - lips are smooth but feel completely natural and product-free.

Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Triple Action Cleanser/Toner/Make-up Remover

Perfecting a skincare regime is very grown up and ladylike, but, let’s face it, sometimes you just can’t be bothered. This 3-in-1 product is a dream – just lather on and wash off make-up while cleansing and toning in the process. I love the peachy soft feel of skin after use and, since using, sporadic outbreaks of spots have happily disappeared.

Lancôme Blush Subtil Palette

Who doesn’t wish for Kate Moss-esque cheekbones? Living up to its billing as an all-in-one contour, blush and highlighter, this compact (in Rose Blush) is an easy way to chisel your face. Used with a light touch, this is the best contouring palette I’ve tried.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Balm

This is being marketed as a ‘hybrid moisturiser’ and I would agree. A cross between Clarins Flash Balm and Elemis Pro-Collagen Cream, the balm sinks straight into skin and works as a great glow-giving primer. The neroli and lemon scent is lush – I’m totally addicted.  I love the great products that Elemis offer and these deals on QVC is also worth looking at to safe money in bundles.  Check Ebay to buy Elemis samples for smaller prices to try  before you buy (the full size product). ;-)

Colour Wow One-Minute Transformation Miracle Styling Cream

For those that wake up to find their hair flattened to their crown, smooth a dollop of this from root to tip and blast the unruly section with a hairdryer for just-washed looking locks. The groundbreaking silicone formula also transforms frizzy ends into silky lengths - seriously.

Seche Fast Dry One Coat Nail Polish

The Seche Fast Dry Top Coat is a cult product beloved by backstage manicurists. The new Fast Dry One Coat Nail Polish is equally good, my favourite shade being Portobello, a taupe neutral in line with this seasons trend for nude nails (seen at nearly every LFW s/s 13 show). Rich in pigment, you only need one coat (though I prefer two) and it dries rock hard. It’s giving my favourite, Rimmel Pro Beige Babe, a run for its money.

Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Turbo-Boost Hydragel 

Eye creams are my nemesis. I cannot recall the number I’ve sampled in the quest to banish my panda eyes and squidgy undereye bags, all to very little avail. I do feel like this has improved them, at a very good price point. Containing botanical peptides, usually only found in premium eyecare ranges, the quick-melt gel has an instant cooling, de-puffing effect, which I’ve amped up by sticking it in the fridge before use each morning. And I can safe up my Boots points to get this free. Bargain!!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

OK, this one has been out for a few months but it needs a mention because it’s great. I’ve tried innumerable foundations but my stalwart is Chanel Vitalumiere, found in the kit of every make up artist worth their salt. I still love it, but this is the closest contender I’ve found. The range of shades are great, particularly for pale skin (why are so many ‘ivory’ foundation shades, in fact, tan?) and it gives a light, dewy finish. Clearly, everyone’s complexion differs, but for £6.99 it’s absolutely worth a try.


So those are my current every day picks for new beauty.  I'm very excited about all of these and would love to find out which products you've recently discovered!

Stay sweet,

Autumn make up trend: Jewel tones

Yes, diamonds are still a girl's best friend (take note, gentlemen) but we're getting better acquainted with the deep, jewel tones that are so hot this season. Rich, luxurious make up shades such as amethyst, emerald and ruby are seriously catching my eye in my local Boots Store and are perfect for creating stunning smoky eyes and statement lips, this autumn and winter. I've selected a few of my favourites to share with you...



Eyes:
Use deep purple shades for a modern twist on the classic smoky eye - Bourjois Smoky Eyes Eye Shadow (£7.99) in Violet Romantic is perfect. Start by applying the medium shade across your whole eyelid before dabbing the lightest shade into the corners. Finish off the look by sweeping the darkest shade outwards, towards the temples and into crease of your eyelid.


Lips:
A strong red lip never goes out of style and I just can't get enough of the gorgeous claret shades that are currently sweeping the fashion nation. This season brings a vampish edge to the look, reminiscent of rubies and garnets - think vintage Hollywood meets gothic glam! Lancome Rouge Absolue 154 (£19.50) is bang on trend as well as being super-moisturising and long-lasting, for a decadent finish.


Nails:
I'm still loving magnetic nail polishes - a sleek, sophisticated nail art look that's easy to achieve? Yes please! Barry M have just added a new emerald shade to their magnetic polish range, it's flecked with sparkles for nails that are just like precious gems - perfect! (Available in store at £4.99).


So with all that said, maybe it is time to get gemmed up?

xoxo,
Angelique ;-)

How to save money on beauty products

When it comes to my beauty routine, I've been in a saving sort of mood lately. It's not that I won't splurge on big-ticket items, but, more that I'm pretty beauty savvy and know a trick or two. So I figured the least I could do is share a couple hints to help you smarten up too. At the very least, you'll have an extra buck or 500 for a new pair of shoes.

Get crafty: For mascara, buy a department store brand with an amazing wand (it's all about the wand.) I like Lancome Defincils Pro Mascara, £21. Then, when it's used up, save the wand and use it with a cheaper, drugstore mascara. The truth is, most mascaras are made with the same ingredients, so they don't really vary all that much. But having an amazing wand can make a major difference to your lashes.

Try travel size tools: If you've been dying to buy a pricey tool like a rotating facial brush or high-end tweezers, buy the travel size versions instead. Yes, they are a smidgen smaller, but they do the same job for much less money.

Double up on products: Even though it's tempting to get them all, you really don't need every product out there. You can get away with using your face cream as an eye cream and your body lotion as a foot cream -- things like that. Not only is this a good tip if you're trying to save some dough, but it's also helpful when you're a girl on the go and need to pack lightly (always a challenge).

Be thrifty: Cut cotton balls in half. They are usually made larger than actually needed. So tear 'em in half and double the life of yours. That also means fewer trips to the store.

Score free products: Follow brands on Twitter and visit sites that give away beauty loot. I'm also fascinated by "Extreme Couponing" (a reality show that demonstrates how much you can save if you just use your brain -- and some scissors) and it prompted me to sign up for the rewards programs at Rite Aid, CVS and Duane Reade. Clubs like that are a great way to get free coupons and other money-saving certificates.

Those are my money saving tips. Now, when I feel compelled to splurge, these are the items I'll be buying:

Nars Sun Kissed Gift Set (Includes Medium Pore Refining Primer, Laguna Illuminator and Mini Hungry Heart/Desire Blush/Highlighting Blush Duo) - £35 



Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector 12ml -  £16



Nars Eye Liner Stylo (4 shades) - £19

Thank you so much for all your wonderful support over this past week.  Let me know what products you are looking forward to purchasing in the next few months.

Have a wonderful weekend filled with fun!

xoxo,

Angelique





Bargain Beauty

Recently I've gone out and bought a few purse-friendly items that will help with my skin and make life easier.  I found some of these items through the grape-vine and others are products that I've been using for years!

The Lanes Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Cream is a really cheap and easy way of reducing redness in the face and also stopping any spots in their tracks!  I actually really like this product because it gives you a tingly feeling without major burning and after applying this product your face feels smoother and the skin isn't red.  I really suffer from redness on my cheeks (they are very sensitive to any changes in soaps and moisturizers that I use).

All you have to do is follow your normal skin cleansing, toning and clearing regime and then apply this product in moderation.  After applying the product the pores are minimised and look smaller.  You are then able to apply your normal every day moisterizer over the top of the product.  It is a snip at £2.49 as well!

The second product is No 7's Total Renewal Body Scrub.  It is quite pricy at £10.50 but worth it!  Based on a tried-and-tested dermatological technique the No7 Total Renewal Microdermabrasion uses aluminium-oxide micro-crystals to sweep away dull surface cells as you shower.  I actually use this on my face too, because it is exactly the same as the facial version and leaves the skin on your face silky smooth.  It is really one of those products that I've used for ages and will continue using!

I recently purchased this cleanser from No 7 and it foams up beautifully but does tend to dry my skin out slightly.  This product retails at about £8 but does have a very subtle smell and is very delicate even around the eye-area.  When I've finished this product I will go back to the slightly more expensive face wash I've used for ages and that is by Dior.

The No 7 Protect & Perfect Range is renowned for working well and I have to agree!  This day cream cost me £22 and works beautifully along with my skin.  It is essential to use only a very small amount of cream on your face because it is very rich and tends to cause oiliness if used in excess.  But it is one of the better products I have used!  Again it is not my all-time favourite (another Dior product) but it is value for money and very good for the skin!

I've also recently discovered Bourjois' Healthy Mix Foundation.  It retails at about £10.50 and glides onto skin effortlessly.  It has a beautiful plumping effect on the skin whilst still covering imperfections!  Your skin will also look like it has a beautiful natural glow without any illuminating agents.  I love natural healthy skin :) and this product certainly delivers on the promises made on the packaging.

 I've also recently bought this wonderful smelling foam bath from Imperial Leather!  It retails between £1-2 and is so fabulous.  The smell is created by the mixture of night blooming jasmine and cotton milk and the colour is a ruby red-purple that taints your bath water to a delightful dark jewel colour.  It is one of the most wonderous heedy scents that I have smelt in a long time.  As certain Imperial Leather products have a tendancy to dry out my skin, I was hesitant in trying out this product, but it delivers and doesn't dry out the skin whatsoever!  Gorgeous!

And lastly for today, an all time favourite product of mine!  Juicy tubes by Lancome is one of the nicest lip glosses I have ever tried!  The lip gloss isn't sticky and horrible like certain brands, rather it gives the lips a wonderful sheen with a subtle hint of glitter.  The smell of the lip glosses are also absolutely lip-lickingly tasty!  My favourite smell is marshmallow!  This particular lip gloss is fairly pricy but very long lasting during the day and generally lasts for up to 2 hours.  I'm one of those people that lick the gloss off (I know YUCK right?) so it really needs to last!  The product is also in a large tube so will last long if you use it moderately.

That finally concludes my bargain beauty section for today.  I hope that you will enjoy the review on the products and that you will have found some new items that are worth a try!

Peace out x