Clinique 'Bold Eyes To Go' Gift Set...

The gift sets from Clinique coming out for the spring look great, but the one which has really caught my eye is the 'Bold Eyes To Go' set, available from the 4th Feb.

• Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Sparkling Nude, 5ml
• Cream Shaper for Eyes in Chocolate Lustre, 8g
• High Impact Mascara in Black, 4g
• Lash Building Primer, 2.4g

I am seriously looking forward to checking out the cream shadow in 'sparkling nude'. It's conjouring up images of icy champagne, which is always good!

This set will be £20 and will be available from 4th February

Beauty Blogging Blonde is off to the Big Smoke

London Baby!

Hope to see a lot of you at IMATS on Saturday & Sunday. I will be at stand 609, so come & say hi!!

My flight is in a few hours, but I haven't packed yet. I hate packing; it makes me feel anxious - especially because you can never finish it until you've had a shower, brushed your teeth etc on the day you're leaving. So whilst I'm procrastinating, have a giggle at this...

See you in London!! xx

FOTD Featuring MAC Smut

I got a request on YouTube to create a look using Smut by MAC. It's a gorgeous matte, cool dark brown.

I didn't want to do a shimmery evening smokey eye, so I used 'wedge' all over the lid, which is also a matte shade.

being pouty

As a twist, I added a slick of blue mascara, which contrasts with the dark brown beautifully

Cheeks are kept bright with a swish of Sleek's new blush from the Stiletto collection, called Scandalous

What do you think?

Look Fantastic TV Launch

Today, lookfantastic.com launches lookfantastic.com/tv, a new online channel housing everything you need to know about style, beauty, hair & fashion trends.

I will be checking out the tutorials by Jemma Kidd, Karen Alder and Ariane Poole showing us how to achieve perfect pouts and flawless fresh faces. Also worthy of note is Caryn Franklin, How To Look Good Naked style guru, guiding us to dress our shapes in the most flattering way possible.

Go check it out & let me know what you think!

Power Brows

Whenever I have an important day at work, for some reason I always end up with 'power brows'. They aren't as bad as these, but something about needing to feel in control, makes me default to strong, dark brows. Maybe I think it makes me look more serious?

I didn't have time to get any snaps of today's makeup, but maybe I'll recreate it in a vid. I like that when my brows are strong, the rest of my makeup stays light. And my eyes always look bluer, although I don't know why!

Not sure what the point of this post is. Just putting it out there!

What's your thoughts on strong brows?

FOTN - Video!

Here's the video I promised...

FOTN - Birthday Dinner

Dinner, Dancing & Cocktails

This is the makeup I wore last night; embracing my K$sha-ness, I went for a rock chick smokey eye, with a perky pink nude lip. A video will be up later on YT, but in the meantime, here are few piccies!

Products used were...

FACEAtelier Foundation

MUFE HD Cream Blush in #6

Chanel Bronze Universel

NAKED UD Palette: Sin all over the lid & as a highlight in the inner corner, Gunmetal over the lid & Creep in the crease. I also ran the 217 along the lower lash line, so a mix of the 3 went underneath.

AVON Gel Shock Liner in Khaki on the waterline

MUFE Aqua Smokey Lash

Clinique Fine Brow Pencil in Soft Blonde

Estee Lauder Lip Gloss in 'Nude Rose'

And this is my outfit! I'm still not brave enough to do a OOTD type thing - whenever I have taken pics, they are awful - so Polyvore will do instead! This is not my exact outfit - the blazer for example here is £1000 from Net A Porter and I think mine was from Tesco! I kept it black & simple! (ps the top I'm wearing above is just a pyjama top...)

My black skinnies were from New Look

Black mid-length sleeve top from Zara

Black patent pumps from Dorothy Perkins

The feather bag pictured is my actual bag from ASOS which I think is like 2 or 3 years old

My current favourite earrings from V Westwood

Lee Stafford Hot Shots 4 Blondes

As someone always on the look-out for products that will give me that icy blonde tone to my hair, rather than the Bart Simpson yellow tinge, I chucked these in my basket and skipped off home for a bath.

I already use a purple shampoo from Lush, which is divine and smells of parma violets, so was dubious about what else these little bottles could do for me.

First of all, I thought I'd been duped when there was only 3 bottles! I somehow got it in my head that as it had the number 4 on the outside, there would be 4 inside. Was mildly irritating.

I have extremely long hair and I expected there to be just enough product to cover, but actually, I could probably get 2 washes out of each bottle, so easing my disappointment at only getting 3 bottles!

Did it work? Hmmm, yes I suppose - it wasn't the magical transformation I was hoping for, but I guess it did lift the brassiness a bit. I think it's probably down to the fact that I already use a brass-removing shampoo. Perhaps if have blonde hair and you use something like Herbal Essences etc, this might have more of a dramatic effect. I paid something like £6 and glad I didn't pay more. I will still use the remaining 2 bottles though as it smelled real good!

On my radar: Neal's Yard

Neal's Yard is not a brand that has ever really pinged on my radar; I think this is because I've always thought it was more of a boutique-y brand only available in London and when I've passed it's shop in Covent Garden, I've always been dashing elsewhere. But when I read this post by MizzWorthy about a NY hand cream, I was surprised I could buy the brand in Boots!

Putting my Boots irritation aside for one moment, I did take a look on my lunch break the other day and picked up some Lavender Water and some Power Berry Facial Wash. I think they were about £10 each.

Having had some kind of bug hanging around for a couple of months now (which, by the way I wish would simply piss off!), my skin is all over the place. Dry, spotty, oily - everything all in one go. So I'm trying to simplify and strip back my skin care to give my skin a break and just treat it gently.

I've used both of these a few times now and my skin seems to have welcomed them nicely, certainly no breakouts or reactions, which at the moment, is the best I can hope for! The lavender water smells divine and I find it just really soothing. The facial wash amazingly destroyed my waterproof mascara, but was completely kind to my skin.

Definitely products I'm going to keep my eye on in case I need to re-purchase!

Cinderella, Cinderella...

I got the opportunity this week to attend the Scottish Ballet's opening performance of Cinderella in Aberdeen and boy, it was fantastic! A special thanks to Girl In The City Glasgow for having me!

If you are looking to lose yourself in a couple of hours of sheer fantasy, stunning costume and pure romance, a ballet is for you. This particular production, choreographed by Ashley Page, brings a new intensity, humour and decadence to a well-loved story.

waiting on curtain up!

The thing that struck me right from the start was the set & costumes, both of which just screamed Vivienne Westwood. I loved the Dance Master's Black & White leopard print coat, with the hot pink silk lining.

The Fairy Godmother was absolutely stunning. You can't see much of her costume here, but the front was intricately beaded and sparkled from every angle. Gorgeous.

I can't help but be captured by this; for the makeup of each production, a makeup artist designs a 'look' for each character, does it once for the ballet dancer and then each night, it's up to the dancer to do their own makeup, recreating the original look.

Brilliantly refreshing to see a performance of Cinderella where the ugly step sisters weren't men! The girls (and the step mother) were all beautiful, with their ugly characters portrayed through their garish costumes.

And finally, Cinderella and her Prince. The scenes between the 2 were just breathtaking; sheer & utter movie love.

Next up from this company is Alice; a few tidbits I have about the design of this next production tells me it promises to be 100% worth a visit. Even if you aren't bothered about the dance, you can't help be caught up in the styling, costumes and the production. Guaranteed a brilliant night out!

Giveaway Winners Announcement!

Congratulations to Jiggliepuff! You are the winner of the Chanel Bronzer! You will receive an email from me shortly - please respond in 48hrs or I will need to choose another winner!

Thanks to everyone for taking part! Better luck next time!

Birthday Manicure

It's my birthday! Today I turned 29. All around me, people have been turning 30 for the last couple of years. Now I'm the last to go and I'm at the point where I actually wish today had been 30 so it was over and done with! Anyhoos, I had been hoping that a sight such as this would have greeted me this morning, but it seems my hubby is determined to keep my life puppy free...

As a consolation prize, I took myself off to Preen Beauty, my favourite salon in the city for a BioScultpure gel manicure. I'd plumped for a french, still shunning the brights & darks of winter, but remembered last time I was there talking to one of the girls about a greige called 'fudge'. So I went for that instead. Remind anyone of Chanel Particuliere ?! It's lovely, isn't it?

So this will last 2 weeks, no chipping, flaking or peeling. Such a treat!

Tuesday FOTD

Here's another 5am start for you. At least I tried smiling today.

I just bought a new fancy camera & lighting, so I'm still trying to work out angles, focus etc. That's my excuse anyway...

I was running late this morning, (well as late as 5am can be!) so opted for super quick sleek black liner (Clinique), hot pink blush (DollyMix by MAC) and a Sleek Pout Polish (Flamingo?). Eyebrows sponsored by new Clinique Fine Liner brow pencil (note to self: do blog post on these).

In other news, it's my birthday tomorrow, so expect much nicer photos as I have a day off!

Stupid Monday FOTD

When I get up each morning at 4.50am, I'm quite chipper about the fact that I will have enough time to get some FOTD pics. I mean, I have to do my makeup anyway, so I might as well take advantage, right?

Unfortunately, usually by the time I'm out the shower, got dressed & done my hair, I'm so pissed off that I'm up so early to spend all day at a 9-5 (or in my case a 6.30-6.30), that my makeup ends up being rashly applied and I look murderous in any photo taken.

So, I took the pics. I know I look like an escaped, very annoyed serial killer, but I took the time to take the pics, so I'll be damned if I wasn't posting them. Please excuse the hair, it was still wet.

On the face...

FACE Atelier Foundation

Dior Capture Totale powder

MUFE HD Blush

Clinique Fine Liner Brow Pencil in 'Soft Blonde'

MAC Patina & Satin Taupe E/S

MUFE Aqua Smokey Lash

Vaseline 'Rose' Lip Balm

Lensmail Fail from Specsavers means I then had to wear my glasses as I've now exhausted my 3 month lens supply. No sign of my delivery, but amazingly they haven't forgotten to take my direct debit. (can you sense my mood?)

Random close-up of the Fossil necklace I received from my mum at Christmas. Love it.

Bah. Must do better

FACE Atelier at IMATS (Video)

If you're a regular reader (or viewer!) you'll know how much I love FACE Atelier's products & how delighted I am that both the fact that they will be at IMATS this month & that I'm working with them!

This video takes you through some of the core products of the brand, including the 'heart & soul' - the Ultra Foundation.

You can check out FACE Atelier at Coco Beau or at the FACE Atelier website. There, you can read more about Debbie Bondar, the woman behind the brand, browse the rest of their products (take notes & stock up at IMATS!) and pick up professional 'trade secrets'.

A brand that not only cares about making humans feel good, they look after the bunnies too...

FACE atelier is against animal testing. Period.

FACE atelier has received official approval of its animal testing policies from PETA and is listed on its Caring Consumer website. In adherence to PETA principles, FACE atelier products have not been tested on animals. We do not buy ingredients from vendors who test on animals, nor do our vendors buy from manufacturers who test on animals.

But with or without PETA, we wouldn't test on animals. At FACE atelier, we want to sleep at night.

Zero Minus

Zero Plus

Ultra Sheer

If you have any questions, you can tweet FACE Atelier @faceateliercosm or drop me a line. Feel free to drop by the counter at IMATS, say Hi and we'll soon have you matched up with the perfect foundation!