The Scent of Departure

Bond No.9, if you haven't previously been introduced, is such a funky and quirky scent-sational idea!  They are also sensationally expensive and as much as I personally adore the fact that each perfume is tailored to a different area of New York City there is no way that my intern wage can cover the cost currently.

If you've been a reader for some time you know that I'm a fan of the high-end meets eccentric and Bond No.9 fulfills both categories.  If you've got the funds then I wholeheartedly point you in their direction here. 

If, like me, you are currently a little financially challenged, read poor, then perhaps just as fun and at just a fraction of the price you should consider The Scent of Departure.  Pay homage to your favourite city, whether it be Tokyo, Dubai, or my personal preferences London or New York.  

The Scent of Departure is a unique slant to your dressing table, an awesome gift idea for someone on their travels and a dedication of commitment to your city.  

I personally prefer the fragrance of New York but my patriotism is forcing my hand in the London direction.

Available at Urban Outfitters for $45 or Harvey Nichols for £35

*Images from www.bondno9.com and www.urbanoutfitters.com

Blink and Go Mascara

My eyelashes are my most valued feature and the one I receive the most comments and compliments on.  Therefore, it's no wonder that over time I have become somewhat of a mascara maven.

Diorshow has been a staple in my makeup bag for many years now.  On occassions I will opt for a cheaper alternative but as soon as I return to my trusty fave I truly appreciate how horrifically horrid that whole mascara incident was.  Despite my deep rooted love affair with this beauty product it's not actually frequented my dressing table for some time and just before Christmas another obstacle prevented me from re-purchasing.

Blink and Go mascara appeared in my Glossybox and from first impressions I wasn't impressed. The packaging didn't fall under luxury or quirky, it actually screamed "teen makeup brand" in my eyes. However, the product has continued to surprise me.

There are three super important requirements for my must-have mascara...

• Must volumise
• Must lengthen
• Must stay put

I'm sure you're all the same.

There are definite pros and cons to this particular brand but overall it's a quality mascara that does all of the above and should definitely be given a shot at a starring role in your makeup bag.

What I love about Blink and Go...

It seriously thickens those lashes, giving them a stand out quality

The length they give my already extraordinarily long eyelashes is phenomenal so for those of you that aren't too enamoured with the length of yours, this is sure to do the trick

This stuff ain't budging!

The packaging is sturdy and thick, I have no idea (without delving into my suitcase on this Amtrak train) if it contains more product or not but my guess is yes as it's still going strong 4 months down the line

My biggest and perhaps only complaint about this mascara, is that just like the packaging the formula is sturdy.  When removing of an evening it's stripped off as a solid product rather than liquid which does make me flinch now and again that I may be taking some of my prized possessions with it.

Blink and Go is available from www.nouveaubeautygroup.com



*Image taken from www.nouveaubeautygroup.com

Philosophy's Marshmallows for Toasting Lipgloss

Does anybody else go weak at the knees with just one sultry sniff of maple syrup?  Well I'm carrying the next best thing around with me in my handbag.  Philosophy's Marshmallow's for Toasting lipgloss.  Doesn't smell or taste *clears throat* I mean just smell, anything like toasted marshmallows.  Instead it's an enticing poem of pancakes on a sunday morning, drowned in syrup.  Super way to start your day and far less calorific.

On a serious note, well a MORE serious note as I actually am genuinely serious above, it's a lovely subtle neutral shade for when you're wanting to rock the au naturelle look.  Or you could wear it the To Elle and Back way, over Dior Addict 763 Pink Lust, for a candy floss-esque spin on the gloss.

Part of a Marshmallows for Toasting Christmas gift set you will most likely have to act fast to get your hands on one.   Stockists of Philosophy include Boots and Selfridges.


ps-It is so good I will cry when I run out, which FYI, I am well on the way to doing.

*Image taken from polyvore.com

The 12 Days of Gifting: Day 3 Festive Philosophy Sets

These are such a delectably delicious way to say Merry Christmas to a friend.  I bought a Philosophy set for my sister last year for Christmas and she adored it.  The packaging is cosy and the scents leave you dreaming of sugar plums dancing in your head!

For a manufactured roaring fire and toasty warm feeling then try (from left to right) Marshmallows for Toasting shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath and body lotion, £18, Holly Jolly shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath and Crisp Berry lip shine, £16, Gingerbread Girl shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath and body lotion, £18, Tinsel Town shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath and lip shine, £16 and White Pear, White Peach and White Cranberry shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath, £22.  All available at Selfridges.

*Images taken from www.selfridges.com

The 12 Days of Gifting: Day 2 Coffee Lover's Lip Balm Set

For someone who's even been given a name change, by an old uni friend, to Starbucks, this next gift would be a perfect feature in my stocking *clears throat* "Mother did you read that?!"

Around 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily, so I can't be alone, making this a great stocking filler for any of the caffeine, Starbucks-going addictives out there.  At just £6 from Accessorize (only available in store now) this Coffee Lover's Lip Balm set could also be your antidote to that office Secret Santa  conundrum!

*Image taken from www.priceinspectors.co.uk

Golden Girl

I wore this to the recent launch party of the Louise Gray for Brora Collection.  I love the warm tones that the golden jumper and ring bring out in my skin and hair, especially at such a dull time of year.  I've also been addicted to the make-up I'm wearing in this.  It really has helped boost some vibrancy into some otherwise rather pale and lifeless skin.  Both current obsessions have a metallic plum effect, which is also bang on trend for this season.  They are Vivo Cosmetics (available in Tesco's) eyeshadow, shade 1 from the Baked Shimmer Palette in Chocolate Box and a Limited Edition Mac lipstick, from quite some time ago, in a frosty shade called Ruling Class.

Winter Soother: Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

Guest Post by Holly McNally

As beautiful as the winter season can be - sparkling frost glimmering in the sun and the magical moment of waking up to find your garden hidden under the snow- the effects it can have on your skin may not be as wonderful or magical. So, to thoroughly enjoy the winter season and those joyful snow days, allow Aveeno to take the impact out of the snowball that winter throws at us that is dry skin. 

 “This unique formula is clinically proven to go beyond 24 hour moisturisation and to replenish the skin’s natural barrier function, to significantly improve the condition of your skin in just 2 weeks” 

For me, this definitely has been the case.  A few weeks ago I noticed that I had a couple of very small patches of dry skin on my arms and hands caused by the side effects of some medication I am currently taking. I had heard before that oatmeal was good for dry skin and had previously rescued my dry hands with Aveeno’s hand lotion. So I purchased the very reasonably priced Aveeno ‘Daily Moisturising Lotion’ with colloidal oatmeal from Boots at £7.65. Once blended in to the skin, unlike some moisturisers which can feel heavy, thick and take a while to absorb in to the skin, Aveeno’s body moisturiser feels light, non-sticky and your skin continues to feel moisturised throughout the day.  This product is fragrance free, but, they do also sell a body lotion which is lightly scented with lavender if you prefer fragranced products, though I have not tried this yet.  After having used the ‘Daily Mosturising Lotion’ one to two times a day, the dry patches were soothed away within two weeks.  What’s more, no more dry patches have made an appearance either.  According to the Aveeno website, this is all down to the very clever colloidal oatmeal which moisturises, cleanses and soothes. 

These are the only two Aveeno products I have tried but they do sell a range of products suited to different levels of dryness, including products for eczema prone skin, so check out their website, www.aveeno.co.uk, to see the full product range and to learn about the science of their products.

I look forward to seeing how well this product recovers my skin from the drying weather as we progress in to winter; I have a feeling that these two products are going to be a staple for me during the winter months. 

Aveeno products are available in Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy and Ocado.

Hand cream £5.10 from Boots

Body Cream £7.65 from Boots 

*Image taken from www.evecare.com

House of Rush

Loud music, a room crammed full of people, struggling to see the live act and desperately seeking out a drink I began to wish I'd arrived a little earlier than 8pm to the House of Rush launch party.  The event was well attended, so much so that for a while I was unable to take in the marvellous interior's that I'd seen on the press release.  Ducking and diving through guests, my curiosity eventually lead me to a more peaceful location.  Twinkling ceiling lights, as if stars and several beauty therapists highlighted to me that this was the place I really wanted to be.  Not dancing amongst the gold trimmed mirrors but wading in on what this Piccadilly based beauty destination will be offering, as of this morning.

Many of you will be familiar with hair salon chain, Rush, this is another salon from them but with a far grander air to it. Pitched as "a post-modern haven fused with renaissance glamour and futuristic creativity" offering customers "sensational treatments with L'Oreal, Elemis, Rodial, Bliss, Shu Uemura and Mizani"  the location definitely didn't disappoint.  When enough people filtered out I eventually got to take in my surroundings.  With a striking contrast between the industrial, warehouse like ceiling and the glamorous crystal chandeliers in the main hair salon, it's quite clear that no expense has been spared.

Numerous treatments were taking place across the event, manicures, facials, some bizarre quilted bed treatment that I never did get the low down on and my activity of choice, skin analysis.  I've been dying to discover how detrimental the sun has been to my skin, just how many wrinkles I really have and whether the latest moisturiser I've been using really is failing as I so believe.

After disclosing my age and having one side of my face photographed, an Elemis representative talked me through all the different dots, lines and marks that were being highlighted on her screen.  First up was sun damage.  I'm always a little bit horrified when they show this on reality makeover shows but I wasn't too concerned with mine and apparently rightly so.  The sun damage wasn't bad at all for my age, which makes me feel considerably better about a rather burnt nose and forehead in Marbella earlier this year.   The rep then focuses on a particular area of the face, which is the nose, all the way across the cheek and up under the eye.  Several dots appeared on the screen highlighted in green.  These can either be freckles, some kind of difference in skin pigmentation or a blemish.  I didn't find this particularly informative as there is no way of deciphering which is which and I didn't seem to have too many.  Next up, how moisturised is your face really?  I was a little bit shocked and disappointed with this as am so hot on moisturising for fear of ageing but I have been concerned that my current moisturiser of choice is too light for my skin.  The problem area really seemed to be around the nose but either way it was a wake up call to ensure I'm drinking more fluids, not of the caffeinated nature, as advised by my skin analyser and invest in a new cream!

Then comes the wrinkles of which I had seven.  I heard her inform the girl prior that four is good.  She didn't say that to me so I assume I'm average.  I also had a rather bizarre wrinkle that resides right over on one side of my cheek.

Bacteria was a healthy 27, anything over 100 is bad and such a low number for London is incredibly good.  I decided not to tell her I'd only come in from Kent just half an hour before and hadn't really braved the elements of London pollution as of yet.  However, it does prove how good living in the country is for your skin.  Take that city folk.

Finally blocked pores, the most disgraceful of all for me, was a whopping 149.  Mostly across the nose and some making their way across my cheekbone, most likely attributed to my blusher.  I jumped to my defense of course and highlighted perhaps it's because I was wearing make-up, to which I discovered the computer had already taken that into account.  So much for my at-home dermabrasion I did on monday.  Suffice to say my face suffered a rather violent exfoliation upon my return home.

Based on the analysis I was advised that products that may be good for my skin are the Gentle Rose Exfoliator and Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask.  The analysis turned out to be quite informative for me as I never would have imagined having such a blocked pore problem and therefore would never have been inspired to rectify it immediately.  I'm already climbing the walls though, in anticipation to see how many blocked pores are left, if any, after my battle with them last night.

I believe the skin analysis is part of Elemis' consultation process and House of Rush opened it's doors for business as of today.  If you love indulgence then this is the place for you and is perfect for de-stressing after work if you're London based.

*Second image taken from www.facebook.com/houseofrush

Haunting Handsoaps and other Devilish Delights from Bath and Body Works

This post was originally a "Woo hoo! Bath and Body Works now ship to the UK" post but instead it is now a "Boo hoo!  No they don't, I got it wrong, please consider shipping to the UK" post.

Yesterday whilst casually consulting the Bath and Body Works website, via Blackberry, to decipher which treats I would instruct my Las Vegas holidaying sister to bring home with her today, the website conducted itself in British pounds.  You cannot even begin to appreciate my excitement. I texted the Bestie immediately to inform her of this life altering situation but today when consulting their website on my computer I was devastated to see that they're shipping conditions are still very much the same.  I have no clue why their website when loaded onto my phone would be showing the price in pounds, even today but suffice to say I am now inconsolable.  Holly couldn't get to a store so came back from Vegas empty handed and I now have a long list of some devilish delights for the, now present, Autumnal season.

It's no secret that I love Halloween, don't believe me, see what lengths I went to last year in Some Hocus Pocus.  It is also no secret that next to luxurious, hard working beauty products, I am all about the quirk.  Eccentric packaging, cute ideas, novel products, themed treats.  You get the picture.

Here's what's featuring on my shopping list and I bid you lucky US and Canadian readers to go forth, shop, prosper and I shall live precariously through you all.  Or, if like me you're stuck in blighty then start lusting...

The Bath and Body Works pocket antibacterial gels have been a handbag staple of mine for quite some time, great for warding off those tube/subway germs and they're likely to produce a smile as well.

You can get Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Pumpkin Caramel Latte, Poison Apple, Candy Corn and more for $1.50 each or 8 for $5.

Or you could wash away your fears with this kooky and this scrummy beauty...

The Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin soap in pumpkin dispenser retails at $5 and the Caramel Apple at $5.50.

Or maybe you're more of a scented candle lover, well if that's the case, cosy up on the sofa, Gilmore Girls at the ready and start burning these...

Pumpkin Patch, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Pumpkin Caramel Latte, Leaves, Autumn and Cinnamon Sugared Donut all retail at $19.50 or 2 for $20 as well as an array of other autumnal fragrances.  I'm desperate to get my hands on Pumpkin Caramel Latte as the Spiced Pumpkin Latte's from Starbucks in the States are a favourite of mine but alas that is something else that we just aren't catered for in the UK!  I may begin campaigning for that too!

Or you could pucker up your pout with these ghoulish glosses...

Crazy for Candycorn, Wicked Witch's Kiss and Cookies and Scream all sell for $8.


The site has many more tricks and treats so make sure you take a gander over there for a spirited take on Halloween.


PS:  Bath and Body Works did use to have several stores in the UK but I think they migrated before we were ready for them (although I've always been ready).  So this is now my plea to BBW "start shipping to your UK admirers!"

PPS: Hmm, as this post went to print (digitally of course) the BBW website is now showing UK prices on the computer as well but still no confirmation that they will ship here yet.  Bank cards at the ready my loves, I think it could be in the stars!

Vivo Cosmetics

The last time I bought make-up from a supermarket I was less than impressed.  It was circa 2007, I was in my third and final year at University and had just blown my entire student loan, read accommodation money, on a five day trip to Boston with my best friend Leanne.  Desperate times called for desperate measures and I was already living off of reeses peanut butter cups instead of food.  So, the Diorshow mascara I had become accustomed to had to be shelved for a £3.99 substitute.  It was so horrific that I actually ended up using my good old trick of converting five cent coins, in the vending machine on campus, into 20p coins in order to at least afford myself a rimmel mascara.  After all of that I might as well have just paid for my trusty fave.

So when I was invited to the Vivo Cosmetics launch last week, available in Tesco's from September, I was really interested to see how affordable supermarket ranges had evolved since my last experience.  

 The line includes foundations, concealer and highlighter kit, brow kit, highlighter, primer, blushers, bronzers, eyeshadows, kohl and liquid eyeliners, mascara's and false eyelashes.  Everything a woman needs to brighten up her look and all for the cost of £6 or under.  In an age where it's pretty cool to be thrifty due to the current economic climate, a lot of us are looking for the most bang for our buck and Vivo interestingly enough delivers.  It's a perfect impulse purchase line.  Cool eyeshadow?!  Well for £1.50 you'd almost feel guilty not to buy.  With the tag line "Alive with colour", it's not surprising that the eyeshadows and blushes were my hero products of the brand.

There are certain qualities in eyeshadow that need to pass the test in order for them to take prize possession on my dressing table.  Longevity, little to no creasing, little to no fall out and a great depth of colour.  That last one is especially important.  Nothing saddens me more than a whole wad of product leaving just a hint of pink!  

Vivo's eyeshadow range consists, of trio palettes for a smoky eye which are retailing at £2.50, matte single eyeshadows retailing at £1.50 and pearl eyeshadow singles also retailing at £1.50.  The pearls are gorgeous and totally honours the Vivo brand ethos, with that ever stylish pop of colour that is hot, hot, hot, right now.  These singles are a great way to experiment with colour without breaking the bank, take heed those that nervously linger at a £20 eyeshadow but can't justify in case you're too scared to wear the colour when push comes to shove.

They also do a baked shimmer palette for £6 which combines blusher and eyeshadows, making it of course my number one product recommendation from this line.  They'll be perfect for the upcoming season and dare I say it...Christmas *gasp*.  

My sister also thinks that the primer deserves an honourable mention.  I am not well versed in primers, don't use them and don't like to use them but both my mother and sister do and both of whom said they loved the velvet like quality it gave to the skin, it kept their make-up in place and my mother said she almost felt like she could have used the primer on it's own. 

If only they'd been around when I was at University.  Would have made mascara-gate much less painful!

How to Recycle your Touche Eclat

You made it.  After sprinting for the last five minutes you've managed to just wedge your foot in the train door in time.  With one swift push, you're in!  Phew!  You wipe your brow and search around to check that everybody didn't just see you launch your glamorous self into their cabin.  You straighten yourself up, flash an embarrassed smile and slink into the nearest seat.  The only thing you didn't have time to do this morning was apply your lipstick.  Rifling through your bag, out comes your chosen colour.  Now where is that lip brush?  A sensible woman would put all these kinds of beautifying ingredients into a make-up bag.  You remind yourself that you are not sensible.  You shirk off your own criticism and continue to rummage.  First hands, then arms disappear.  Soon your entire head is in your Marc Jacobs and your beginning to emulate a scene from Mary Poppins.  Pens, mints, antibacterial hand gel and other random but very useful belongings are strewn out of the bag.  You huff, you puff, you fall back into your seat, exhausted.  You could just apply the lipstick like a normal person but what would be the point of purchasing a lip brush in the first place?  Plus you can administer far better control of that hot pink colour with the brush, so as not to scare your colleagues.  No.  You will not be beaten.  You dive back in.

Is this anybody else?  I bought a lip brush, and it is so teeny tiny, I'm looking for it far more than I am ever using it!  Then I had, what I consider a pretty cool idea.  An idea that not only saves you this arduous start to your day but is also credit busting, which seems to be a regular phrase on To Elle and Back.  I tend to keep a lot of empty products, mostly to use as travel sizes for when I'm on holiday, you can see how I do that in The Smart Girl's Guide to Travelling Light.  I had, however, accumulated three finished YSL Touche  Eclat's, for a reason far beyond my knowledge but that's beside the point.  On yet another occasion when my trusty lip brush was playing hide and seek, I realised that when cleaned properly the brush from the Touche Eclat could essentially do the same thing.  So I did just that.  I used my antibacterial brush cleaner on the Touche Eclat brush and have been using it as my lip brush ever since.  It's bigger than my original and even when buried in the deep depths of your, read my, Mary Poppin's bag you're guaranteed to see the shiny gold packaging peering out beneath your random but very useful belongings!

Have you got any DIY treatments, products etc that work just as well as those you purchase?

Chamonix in Pictures

I visited Tuscany a few weeks back and it was B-Utiful!  The food, the weather, the scenery, the men.  Instead of flying we drove which was an adventure in itself and took just two days from my village in Kent, England.  Isn't that amazing?  We stayed in Chamonix, in France, as our nights stop over and it was simply fantastic.  Chamonix is primarily known for it's ski season but even in July it was pretty and had a lovely atmosphere.  As promised, as soon as I got my camera back I wanted to share my holiday photo's with you and some of the lovely things I tried, different beauty products, activities and a review of Tuscan Tennis Holidays.  These will all be spanned over a couple of posts and to start them off here is Chamonix in Pictures...

We stayed in Hotel Faucigny, which was very central.  Quite a basic hotel but still homely and had my favourite wood burning stove smell that reminds me of Christmas.  I loved the wooden carved Christmas Tree artwork outside the hotel too, although was quite odd to be looking at it in July.  The old fashioned ski poster was one of the off beat pieces in the breakfast room.  The service in the hotel was fantastic too.  As you all know I left my camera there.  That's right Ladies and Gentleman, I lost my camera on the second day.  We only realised as we were going through the Mont Blanc tunnel.  I wasn't heading back there as I was only staying a week in Tuscany but my parents would be staying there again on the way back and after notifying them that we had left a camera there, they not only made sure it was kept safe but they also had it waiting in my parents room on their return.

Looking at this picture now, I still can't get over the view.  I love the idea of being able to see snow on the mountains in the middle of summer.

These were some shop signs.  I was blown away by the attention to detail, the fact that they were hand painted and all round delicate beauty of these.  I can't imagine seeing anything like this anywhere else other than France, Switzerland or Austria.

Presentation is so important here and it really showed in every store.  My local bakers wouldn't look anything like this, although some London ones would make this kind of effort I suppose.

Local produce was abundant at the market.  I lingered at this stall for quite some time.  The honey and lavender soap caught my eye and I found the thought of buying French soap from your local market quite romantic.

This was a store dedicated to fragrance.  The presentation of the candles on the right was outstanding.  I would have loved some of these for our house but unfortunately the shop was closed.  I think the yellow sun one was my favourite.  The picture on the right I think is an odd and far more attractive type of pot pourri but don't quote me on that!

Every time you looked up you would spot these paragliders.

Sundays food post will be focusing on all the food we sampled whilst in Chamonix, including a few bits we've tried to make ourselves since.  Considering we were only there one night we got through a awful lot of cheese, I can tell you that much!

Bright Future

Today I got up, brushed my hair and got on with life.

Sephora's Instant Moisture Mask

Skincare products tend to fall into one of two categories with me.  Either super good stuff that I've taken a great deal of care with selecting and promises to keep my skin youthful (some of you may know I have an obsession with ageing).  Or totally and utterly quirky and bizarrely fantastic.  The product I'm about to tell you about actually falls into both categories.  When perusing Sephora in France, back in April, I decided that I would only purchase something that I couldn't get in the UK, as otherwise I was paying a similar price, if not more, for standard goods that I could get from Selfridges.  I came across the Instant Moisture Mask and I'm not going to lie, the initial purchase was based on it looking like this...

Skincare in a smoothie flask!  How cool is that?! 

Once I got over the initial excitement I actually came to learn that it looked like a pretty reputable product too.

This fun flask contains four sachets of powder which should be used once a week across a four week period.  After doing this for the first application I discovered that actually it created way too much product.  In fact I did my face, neck and hands, along with my sisters and my mothers and there was still some left over.  You should also note that we did apply quite substantially too, so honestly one sachet is way too much for one application.  It says not to store the product and the same goes for the powder either but I have been using less powder each application and folding the end over on the sachet and keeping it shut in the flask until Sunday appears again.  I haven't died yet and seems to be business as usual after using the product so I think you're safe to assume that actually you can get two months worth of use out of this, a total of eight applications.

There is a black line quite low down on the side of the flask, which you should fill water to.  Only fill it to that line if you intend to use the whole sachet though, otherwise fill it halfway to the mark.  Add half or all of the sachet, depending on your requirements.  Place the lid back on the flask and begin to shake vigorously.  FYI this is like an insane workout for your arm.  Basically you have to shake until the product no longer makes a sound.  The powder reacts with the water to create, guess what, a smoothie like consistency.  This takes about 4 minutes I'd say.  You are recommended to apply the mixture to your face, neck and back of your hands and leave for 5-10 minutes.

The mask looks like a clear gel and has a really nice aftershave-esque scent to it which I love but I guess may not be for everybody.  It's cooling on the skin and feels incredibly refreshing.  The aim is to intensively hydrate the skin, offering it a boost when it's looking and feeling a little dull.  It considers itself to be suitable for sensitive skin due to it not using parabens or preservatives and the act of you creating the product yourself means that, and I quote "active ingredients are preserved and the formula is more effective".

I really rate this mask a, because it does exactly what it says on the tin.  I found that my skin did look smoother, more rested and glowing and b, because what cool packaging!

I trialled this every week as recommended and ditched my mid week mask that I would usually do as well to see if the results carried me through the week, which they pretty much did.  I also decided not to use this as part of my DIY Facial routine I do on some Sundays and instead used it alone across the month so I could really gauge the results.  

According to the website it's Limited Edition, I hope they get a good response from it and decide to implement it as a regular product as I've already re-purchased and hope to purchase again next time I'm abroad.

Instant Moisture Mask is available from Sephora for $15 or 8 Euro's 90(where the hell is the euro sign on my keyboard?!)

*Image taken from www.sephora.com 

The Smart Girl's Guide to Travelling Light...

The Metro did an awesome double page spread a few weeks back on travel sets by many a different beauty brand.  The majority were pretty reasonable too.  The fact that most were affordable but didn't compromise on style and cool factor was also a huge plus in my eyes.  All being around the £15 mark it was tempting not to blow £60 on about four different sets for my holidays BUT no matter how fun they were, none catered specifically to all my needs.  In true Carrie Bradshaw form "Suddenly I realised..." a simple solution was staring me in the face.  DIY and no I don't mean you should head on out to B&Q, this is me we're talking about.  I'm the first to go out and buy numerous products on a whim but I also love being able to save some money and discover an alternative route to the same outcome.  Some of you may be familiar with my DIY Facial, if not scoot on over here.  I applied that same mentality to transporting my beauty products and here's how you can to.

Glance across your dressing table.  Every product is in a different type of packaging.  Light, heavy, plastic, glass, big, small, square, round...Now focus on the smaller products.  That eye cream, those little bottles of shower gel you stole *cough* were given to you at the hotel, from your last weekend away.  A lot of the packaging we use can be re-used in some manner.  Some of my lotion and potion bottles I keep and use for decoration in my room, or vases but that's a whole other post entirely.  Basically I discovered that whilst I was chucking away  these pots, I could be saving them for the very time I don't feel like transporting that heavy glass Neals Yard bottle across the World.  

Here's what it should look like...

• Use your eye cream pots for your daily moisturiser.  You'll be surprised how it carries just the right amount for a week or two away.
• Any mini sample pots, from places like Kiehls, to carry your eye cream, conditioner or even foundation!
• Was there ever a better time to sign up to a sample service like Glossybox.  I re-used the Abahna shower gel bottle.
• If visiting a hotel there honestly is no shame in leaving again with their mini Molton Brown products they've supplied to you and again, once used, RE-USE!

The best news, is they're all 100mls or under so not only are they light on your hand luggage, they're also adhering to air travel rules.

If this is all a little too sensible for you though, then you can still decanter in style with this Mister Mascara set from ASOS for £7.15.  It even comes with stickers, which was the wow factor for me.  Smitten.

*Mister Mascara images taken from www.asos.com

Bastille Day Beauty

Bonjour!  In celebration of Bastille Day I thought I would regale you with some French beauty products that are adorning my dressing table currently.

Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream-Available Here

This eye cream was featured in a video by Ruth of amodelrecommends just when I was about to search high and low for a new eye cream.  I've tried a few and none have really "done it" for me.  After going on what can only be described as a Caudalie goose chase (which included breaking something on the Sisley counter, very loudly...*blush*), only to end up where I began, I finally grasped my hands on this small but perfectly formed product.  From the first moments it graced my under eye area I noticed a difference.  Softer, brighter and visibly reducing my laughter line indentations can only mean one thing....REPURCHASE.  It retails at £49, which for 15ml's does mean I almost choked on my croissant too.  However, I can confidently tell you that since purchasing towards the end of April, using both day and night, it's still pumping today on the 14th of  July.  You may drop a healthy sum of money on it but you are paying for longevity as well as quality, you'll be pleased to note. 

Bioderma Creoline H20 Cleansing Solution-Available Here

If you're a beauty maven you'll have heard of or used this product before.  I've read a lot about it and seen it in action on youtube video's and so am at a complete loss as to why it is not more readily available in the UK.  On my recent trip to Marbella I stumbled across a bottle of it in a pharmacy there and didn't even blink at spending 17 Euro's on it.  I now realise I was ridiculously stupid as actually the 500ml bottle usually retails at about 9 Euro's and actually I'd only bought 250ml's worth.  Doh!  Besides my being robbed I cannot fault this product at all.  It's texture is like nothing more than a water, yet it doesn't dry out your skin, can tackle the toughest make-up and leaves you feeling refreshed and clean along with it being perfect for sensitive skin.  I'm down to the last dregs and have done a little rooting around to discover that it is available from the link above for £8.91.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk-Available Here

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with dry shampoo.  I love the effect it has on my hair and I hate the effect it has on my hair.  Common complaints with the dry shampoo is that it can be a killer for sensitive scalps and can often leave a powdery trail straight from your head to your clothes if you're a hair flicker like myself.  My least favourite dry shampoo to date is Batiste and my favourite has been the Lee Stafford one, which I've been sporting for some many months now.  My latest discovery is Klorane's with oat milk, which I purchased from an independent pharmacy in Holland Park, you know the kind that oozes sophistication, so it must be good right?  Firstly it does what it says on the bottle, it's gentle on the scalp, no complaints there.  It cleans the hair giving just enough volume but not too much to suggest you could give Cheryl Cole or an ex Dallas star a run for their money.  Finally the fragrance is truly delicate and pretty, meaning it actually smells like you washed your hair rather than that bottled, contrived smell so many of these products have.  If wearing black and you like to run through your hair constantly in a model like fashion then be warned there is a little dusty residue but I could also be using a little too much product.  It retails at either £2.98 for 50ml's or £7.20 for 150ml's.  Yes the smaller version is more handbag friendly but I actually love the larger bottle for the dressing table.  I suggest you buy both.

Are there any French beauty products you've been coveting of late? 

*Images taken from http://www.spacenk.co.uk/, http://www.leguidesante.co.uk/, http://www.escentual.com/

Space NK SALE

Most of us appreciate the finer things in life.  However, with their hefty price tag, the finer things, are usually more aspirational than affordable.  So, any news of a sale of luxe products is very well received in my books and of course I travelled immediately to said sale to check out what damage I could cause and by extension, could persuade you to cause.  The good news for both my and your bank manager is I want you to obtain the most bang for your buck.  Therefore here's my beauty investment list from the Space NK sale. 

It's the Summer Holiday Season so instead of decantering all your lotions and potions into obnoxiously small pots from Boots, why don't you do away with all the kerfuffle and simply splash out, or as I like to think of it, merely spray lightly from dipping your big toe in the water, with this Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Bath and Body Trio...

Travelling in style has never been easier or cheaper, down to £15 from £29.  The set includes soothing honey bath for that indulgent soak after a long day in the blistering sun, an exfoliating scrub to buffer up your skin to ensure you're beach body beautiful, followed by the souffle body creme to levae you looking radiantly refreshed.

They also have their Sugar Cookie Candle.  I'm not sure if I want to light this or eat it.  Scented candles are big in my household especially if it involves a baked goods scent.  Light it, whilst cosying up in bed with coffee and a movie or accessorise your bathroom with them, down from £44 to £20 I think you should buy 2, after all, it would be like buy one get one free!

Next up is both the Zelens day and night cream at just £35 each!  This is by far the most bargain busting product in the Space NK Sale, with the day cream originally retailing at £135 and the night cream at £169.  The range promises to provide "24-hour treatment to fight premature ageing and environmental hazards. The formulations contain a complex of 20 natural active ingredients (including 14 powerful antioxidants) and an exclusive blend of moisturizers that help to improve the smoothness and texture of the skin."

The day cream...

Is more formally entitled Cellular DNA Protection day cream which in itself sounds super fancy and makes me think it's even reducing my age by the minute before I've even clicked "add to basket".

The Night Cream...

Has an equally impressive name, Cellular Reconstruction.  Blink and potentially you could be 13 again.  At such a small price to pay, trying out a new product isn't particularly worry inducing.

Finally Feijoa Lime Butter by Mor has been reduced from £24.50 to just £10.  A perfect summer fragrance if ever there was one, an indulgent zest scent, packaged beautifully.  Gift anyone?  Well you could but at this price you'd be silly not to sneak one into your basket for yourself as well.

The best news yet, is that if you bought one of each of the items listed above then all you're spending is £115.  That price for 5 products from Space NK is a feat in itself.  Bank managers rejoice everywhere!