My FashionistA custom blush palette

My custom built blush palette from Fashionista - 
£5 for the palette, £4 for the blusher/bronzer/eye shadow (currently on special offer!)

Whilst on one on my recent Superdrug sprees, the same one in fact where I picked up my latest lipstick love, I also ventured over to the FashionistA stand and decided to customise my own palette and opted for four of their lovely blushers. I already spoke about the FashionistA custom design palettes here and said how much I liked the fun and freedom you get with creating your very own palette full of blushers, eyeshadows or bronzers. I think the quality is pretty good for a 'drugstore' brand and they have so much choice, it took me a good ten minutes of deliberation and swatching to decide on the final four!






Left to right: Juicy Apricot, New York, Milan, Rose Thrill

FashionistA's palette range offer a mixture of matte and merged blushers which are highly pigmented and not too glittery or sparkly on the skin. I think Juicy Apricot is one of favourites from this palettes; a gorgeous coral with subtle golden shimmer, somewhat similar to Benefit' Coralista, and the merged blushers (New York and Milan) make a lovely highlighter for the cheeks with their pretty sheen and luminous colour. These palettes are great if you like to pick and mix your makeup and are so convenient for travelling and popping in your handbag, knowing you have all your favourite shades all in one place. I will be returning to create my own eyeshadow palette next!

What are you thoughts on FashionistA's custom design palettes? Will you be getting creative in the makeup aisle?

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get cape. wear cape. pose.

Cape dress* - Romwe

Boho batwing coat* - Romwe
Collar - H&M
Boots - Primark
Lipstick - MAC Inez

I have been so excited to receive these two items from Romwe ever since I ordered them a few weeks ago, and they certainly didn't disappoint. The cape-like dress is spectacular to superhero proportions and the coat-come-cardigan is so cute. I love the mix of colours, chunky brown buttons and zigzig stitch-work. It is the perfect Autumnal transitional piece for some added warmth and an instant punch of colour to an otherwise quite somber outfit. The collar is my number one accessory at the moment and you cannot fault H&M for their range of affordable yet unique statement jewellery.

You may have also noticed that I have had my hair recoloured and cut. After prolonging the inevitable snip for as long as possible, I knew I had to bite the bullet and say farewell to a good two inches to ratty ends. I can't deny that it does feel a lot healthier and bouncier, but just wish it would grow quicker! I had a whole set of highlights to really lift the colour again and my hairdresser used a different toner this time to add a slightly pearlescent shimmer to my hair and to make it more icy rather than golden. I love the results but just wonder how much longer it will be before I tire of the blonde and start to pine for a new colour...

I hope you are all well and having great weekends.

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LOOK Beauty lipstick in Tangerine Cream

LOOK Beauty Loud Lips lipstick - Tangerine Cream, £7
available from Superdrug and online

Rarely does a lunchtime go by that I don't find myself combing the aisles of Boots or Superdrug, investigating the newest products and generally frittering away time and money on impulse purchases! Ever since I tried a few bits from the vaguely new, LOOK beauty range, I have been loving their products - especially the blushers and lipsticks. Baby Doll is one of my go-to pink lipsticks and their double hit lip in Pink Punch is a fabulous lipstick and lipgloss duo that certainly packs a punch! I knew I wanted to extend my LOOK beauty collection so recently, whilst on one of my Superdrug circuits, I picked up another Loud Lips in Tangerine Cream.




This lipstick is absolutely gorgeous and can't believe it has taken me so long to add it to my brimming collection. The consistency is smooth and creamy with a great pigmentation and a pleasant, sweet scent. It is peachy and pink in perfect measures and definitely looks a lot scarier in the tube than it does on the lips. It reminds me a little of Topshop's Coy lipstick pencil which is also firmly on my peachy-pink lipstick wishlist.

What do you think of this lipstick?

ps, Last night I had my hair coloured and cut and parted with a good two inches of ratty ends. It feels so much lighter and healthier, if not a little short at the moment. I am holding onto the the mantra that a good trim every six weeks will make it grow faster! I sincerely hope so...

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Jameela Jamil for Very

It is sometimes very easy to forget how fabulous Very really is! Every so often I find myself logging on to merely browse the latest fashion additions and half an hour later I am adding a lampshade and some OPI to my basket. The brand has never been short of celebrities fans either with Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby both fashioning their own collections, and now Very welcomes Jameela Jamil as their latest designing recruit as she launches her second collection with them. If you watch the video you will get a full flavour of her inspirations and the key pieces from the range; the black sequin dress and cropped fur jacket really caught my eye! Expect rich embellishment and luxe fabrics, with glittery details, perfect for the imminent party season! And of course, Jameela's signature prom dress has made its way into the collection, nestling in between some really cute playsuits and cropped fur coats. Undoubtedly it will be a very popular collection as the festive parties start appearing in our diaries and we are all on the search for that little sparkly number!

What are your thoughts on Very and their recent celebrity collaborations?

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sponsored post

REN radiance perfection serum

Get radiant with REN!
REN clean skincare - Radiance Perfection Serum* - £35 (30ml)
available online 

REN is a brand that has been hard to ignore over the past few months due to their wide range of targeted skincare, their use of bio active technology and its legendary Resurfacing AHA Concentrate. REN pride themselves on rebuking any skin-unfriendly ingredients and keeping their products clean with no added parabens, mineral oils or synthetic fragrances. This automatically makes REN a very appealing brand for me and I was really keen to try out this skin boosting serum from their Hero line, a range consisting of four unique products promising to target deprived skin to reveal a renewed, revived and radiant complexion, everyday!

The radiance perfection serum is a gorgeous product to use, firstly because of its punchy citrus scent and secondly because of its silky consistency that smoothes and sinks into the skin so easily. It is a multi active serum formulated to reboot the skin's energy cycle, visibly perfect skin tone and leave skin looking energised, radiant and luminous. Over time it can also help reduce the appearance of sun damaged skin and hyper-pigmentation. This serum is gentle enough to be used everyday, twice a day in fact before applying moisturiser in the morning and evening. I have been using it in conjunction with REN's Micro Polish Cleanser, which deeply cleans and exfoliates the skin, and they make the perfect double act. My skin loves the radiance perfection serum and I sometimes don't even need to apply a moisturiser afterwards. It leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth, plump and with a definite glow and when I use it in the morning, it also makes quite a good primer too!

Have you tried anything from REN clean skincare?

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Benefit How to Look the Best at Everything makeup kit

Flawless Complexion Makeup Kit from Benefit Cosmetics* - £24.50 
How to look the best at everything...available in light, medium and deep

Earlier this week I shared with you Benefit's latest lip and cheek kit in Sugarlicious, the perfect compact for a natural flush and shimmer to your make up. Benefit's 'instant beauty' story continues with this book of base must-haves which treats you to a selection of their classic products to achieve a flawless look.

Firstly there is mini tube of POREfessional which I have raved about before and think is a brilliant dual-product for priming and touching up the skin throughout the day. Inside this new complexion perfecting kit, you will also find Benefit's new foundation Hello Flawless in the shade 'Cheers to me", which again I have mused about here and think is a super long-wearing, dewy foundation. To combat dark circles and small blemishes, Benefit have included their industrial-strength concealer, Boi-ing, in shades 01 and 02 and then you can finish off your base with a quick sweep of Hello Flawless powder which veils the skin with a soft, matte finish.

I particularly love this new kit from Benefit because it gives you the chance to sample four of their classic base products without splashing the cash too much. Once again it contains a handy hints and tips booklet for you to tear out and read, ensuring you get the best from your products. I love the fact it is so compact and absolutely perfect for travelling without having to lug around full-sized foundations, concealers and powders with you. The kits come in light, medium and deep so hopefully most people will be able to find their ideal kit for a flawless complexion.

Are you excited about this beauty kit from Benefit? Do you use any of their base products?

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Maggie Li for Glossybox

September's Glossybox introduces an exclusively designed box by illustrator Maggie Li
Glossybox* - £10 (plus p&p)

You can't deny that Glossybox like to keep you guessing with their special edition boxes every now and again, keeping their service fresh and decidedly colourful. This month, Glossybox have sidestepped their traditional pale pink box and handed complete artistic ownership over to Maggie Li, a london based freelance illustrator who likes to layer textures to create a handcrafted appeal to digital work. Her work is thoughtful and humorous in equal measures and Maggie's design for September's glossybox sees a pastel green background with a bold peachy print, interspersed with flashes of white and cute beauty products dotted around.

The products this month are all about being a rising star in the beauty market, whether it is a new product on the shelves or an old cult-classic facing a resurgence. ie, bestselling Vitamin E cream from The Body Shop. In my box this month there were a mixture of sachets and mini samples along with one full-sized product to keep the customer happy!

1. Lady Gaga, Fame fragrance - this is the first beauty product from Lady Gaga and something tells me it won't be the last! The black liquid is opulent yet the scent is surprisingly girlie and floral - not what I expected from the fame monster herself.

2. Rodial, Glamoxy Snake Serum & 5 Minute Facial - with two sachets of each, these products from Rodial promise to reduce frown lines and wrinkles whilst giving your skin a resurfacing, clay treatment.

3. Balance Me, Wonder Eye Cream - this 99% natural cream is designed to soothe tired eyes and awaken dark circles whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Olay, Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Complex - another little facial sample, from Olay this time. This relaxing complex helps smooth the look of fine lines, and over time helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

5. L'Oreal Professionnel, Mythic Oil - a full-sized bottle and sample sachets were nestled in this box, giving you the chance to try this new extension to the original range from L'Oreal with the a milk, rich oil and colour glow oil to sample.

I don't think this month's contents quite have the same wow factor as the box's custom design does. I do love the collaboration they did with Maggie Li this month and this box will definitely be one that I keep out on display because one thing that beauty boxes are great for is their storage solutions! If you were lucky enough to reveal the full-sized L'Oreal Mythic Oil in your box (worth £15.95) then I think you will be very happy with this month's box, but if not then rumour has it there was a Maghrabian hair oil featured in the other boxes so that is pretty fab too.

Are you a Glossybox subscriber? What are your thoughts on this special edition box?

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Benefit Sugarlicious lip & cheek kit

Sugarlicious, the lip & cheek kit from Benefit Cosmetics* - £24.50
Deliciously Nude...

One thing that Benefit Cosmetics do particularly well are their boxed beauty kits, always so charmingly packaged you just can't help but be drawn in by the selection of mini products and cute designs. Earlier this month, Benefit released three new colour kits all themed around one of their cult boxed powders - Sugarbomb, Dandelion and Coralista. The kits, Sugarlicious, Feelin' Dandy and Go Tropicoral respectively, all comprise of a powder and the matching Ultra-Plush lipgloss along with a mini High Beam and a lip & cheek tint.

I have mentioned before that I am a big fan of Benefit's boxed blushers and their high/moon/sun beam products are little bottles of joy giving you an instant radiance and a sunshine complexion. The lip & cheek tints you will find in these kits, BeneTint, Cha Cha Tint or PosieTint, are great for a dewy flush and the Ultra-Plush lip glosses are set to compliment the corresponding boxed powder with a slick of shimmering colour on the lips. I just wish they hadn't put a High Beam in each kit, but mixed it up and included a Sun Beam and Moon Beam too. Each kit also comes with a detachable tips and tricks booklet which gives you a step by step guide to each product and handy hints to get the best from your chosen palette.

I think whether you love a soft pink flush, a punch of coral or a shimmery nude finish to your makeup, there is a kit for you. These lip & cheek kits from Benefit are such a great way to try out four of their cult products, all for a pretty reasonable price. They are great for on-the-go makeup and I can imagine they will be the ideal stocking filler come Christmas time! Coralista is one of my all time favourite blushers so I am definitely tempted by the Go Tropicoral kit.

Which one takes your fancy?

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Ted Baker and Ugg Australia at the #HPMLFW suite

Couture, cosmetics and cake pops at the Handpicked Media Suite this LFW

Once again, as London Fashion Week descended upon the capital, Handpicked Media open their doors at One Aldwych and welcome us to revel in a world of fashion, beauty, nail treatments and cake pops! Coconut water in hand, we were treated to a showcase of Ted Baker's AW12 collection which left me yearning for a rural retreat in the country whilst dressed in tweed! The male collection in particular really focussed on country-chic; minimal prints yet maximum comfort with woollen-patterned jumpers and cardigans along with functional bags and buttoned waistcoats. And elbow pads! The women's collection teased us with beautiful prints, structured shapes and some must-have accessories such as the glitter-bow makeup bags and oversized clutches.

A few days prior to this, I also popped along to the Handpicked Media Suite (minus a camera) to meet the UGG Australia team and get a flavour of what this brand had in store for the coming season. Of course they had their iconic sheepskin-lined boots on display, but they also had a wide selection of male and female footwear which you can easily forget make up a large proportion of their collection. There was heavy-duty, all weather performance boots for the men (perfect to pair with Ted Baker's Fairisle cardigan for that walking weekend away!) as well as some fashionable, heeled boots for the ladies. Whilst I was there, I was fortunate enough to be gifted a pair of their new UGG boots in this stunning electric blue shade, very different from their classic sand or chestnut coloured ones. The lining is irresistibly soft and warm and I know my feet are going to be very happy this winter! :)

 Is their anything from the Ted Baker or UGG collection that catches your eye?

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Aerin Beauty

Aerin Beauty, granddaughter of the legendary Estee Lauder, launches her own lifestyle range

Pretty Bronze Illuminating Powder, level 01* - £34
Rose Lip Conditioner* - £20

Estee Lauder is a name that is synonymous with luxury and high-end beauty, but what about Aerin Lauder? The granddaughter of Estee Lauder, and a beauty editor in her own right, has now honed her lifelong experience in the beauty industry and launched her very own lifestyle range. Her new Color and Essentials Collections are a mere fraction of the products you can expect from her new brand which will also celebrate her love for home furnishing and personal style. Aerin Beauty doesn't just stop at your makeup must-haves but also includes brushes, a makeup bag and hand cream.

The products from Aerin have a similar decadent feel to those from Estee Lauder, yet Aerin believes her range is pretty rather than beautiful and focuses on effortless, stylish and easy makeup for women of all ages. Aerin has translated her love of florals into her beauty products and has infused every powder, bronzer and lipstick with a signature rose scent which I personally think is gorgeous. If you are a fan of all things rose-like, then you will fall in love with this collection on first sniff! The rose lip conditioner is a perfect handbag essential with its squeezy, fingerless applicator and soft, nude tinge to the balm. It is sumptuous on the lips leaving them with a subtle sheen whilst deeply nourishes any dry skin. The fact it smells like freshly picked roses also makes me completely addicted to using this product. The Pretty Bronze Illuminating Powder is described as "a rested, post-vacation glow in a few easy strokes" and is very pretty to say the least. The pigmentation is soft, but buildable and is a lovely, bronzed-peachy powder infused with golden flecks which illuminate the skin without being overly glittery. This powder could be regarded as a highlighter or bronzer, or both, depending on your skin tone. Once again, the pleasant rose scent that exudes the moment you open the compact makes the Aerin experience that little bit special, as does the pretty yet completely indulgent pink pouch the illuminating powder comes in!

What are your thoughts on this new range? Do you enjoy rose scented beauty products?

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