Pink Birthday Manicure

Another trip to Preen Beauty in Aberdeen for my fortnightly manicure and I went for something way out of my comfort zone, but I am loving it!! My NY wardrobe has a bit of a colour blocking theme going on, so figured rather than plump for my standard black gel manicure, I'd rock out some neon digits! For those who also have bio-sculpture gels done, this is shade 89.

My nails are marginally shorter than normal as I very sadly ripped one of my nails yesterday, but they grow quick.

I would say the tone in this pic is truest to how they look in person

Gel manicures typically last 2-3 weeks and can really help nails that are in poor condition, provided you care for them properly. They are light years beyond the old acrylic style manicures, which were like cement. The bio-sculpture gel is soft (so your nail isn't brittle/rock hard) but very tough. If removed properly (by soaking & gently pushing the softened gel off the nail), then there will be no damage to your nail underneath. My nails are always in much better condition following a few weeks under gels; less splitting, peeling and generally no breaking (this sad wee one this week was due to a pair of too-tight jeans!).

A xx

NYC Wish List

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm

My lips have been chronically dry this winter (even my trusted Blistex isn't hitting the mark) so I am super excited to try this out in Sephora. I've heard brilliant things about it from Vex in The City and The Gloss Goss. You can order them from Mankind, Feel Unique etc but I'd like to have a look 'in person'. Plus, online in the UK they are about £7 each, whereas in Sephora, they are $7.50, which will save me about £2 per tube. Not a massive saving, but every penny counts!

Urban Decay Naked 2

I can't make up my mind about this. I bought the original NAKED palette last time I was there & it was a bit cheaper than buying it in the UK. It sits in my kit and is fab for brides. I'm not sure this is going to be worth another spend and in Sephora it's $50, which is about the same price as the UK. Hmmm *thinks*

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Super Size

This is a no brainer. Laura Mercier tinted moisturisers have become a staple in my bridal kit & my own makeup bag. In the UK, 40mls costs £33, which stings a bit, but it's so fab I don't grudge paying it. However, browsing through Sephora online, I've found a 'Super Size' version, which is 3.4oz (100.5mls) costing $58 (roughly £38). This is more than double the UK size, which to buy here a 100mls would be £82.50! Saving about £46. Brilliant!

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer

I meant to buy this the last time I was in the US, but never got round to committing. I regularly do tattoo & birthmark cover-ups and whilst I'm not sure it's the absolute best concealer out there, but I've regretted not giving it a go, so will be picking it up. Probably.

RayBans

I love me a pair of RayBans and since buying my gold aviators a couple of years ago, they've barely been off my face. I've written before about sunshine in Scotland (particularly in the winter), it's always low & in your eyes. I wear sunglasses ALL THE TIME so when I'm 50 i wont have prune like eyes. Invest people! The gold frames I have just now look great with my colouring, but I do ache for a pair of proper dark black shades, so will be picking up a pair. Buying them in the US instead of here will save me about £20-£30.

Michele Deco Day Watch

As many of you will know, the trip to NYC is for my birthday (30 grrrrrr) and my lovely family & friends have been very generous by giving me some money to spend on something special. I'm not 100% sure what I'll get (and my research will probably include a whizz round Tiffany's) but I love the look of this watch! I already have a couple of large watches from MK and Fossil, but they are both round & thought this was a little different. I particularly love the fun of the black & colours. From what I can see on the Bloomingdales website, you pick the 'head' and the strap seperately. Does anyone know if this is how it works instore too?

Michael Kors

I adore MK's uhhmmmmm 'aesthetic'? 'ethos'? I'm not sure what it's called - you know; the white t-shirt, jeans & leather sandals basic style of his designs, so where better to invest in a good, basic tan leather bag. Love!

Kate Spade

I don't even know what to say about this bag. Ever since I saw it online a couple of weeks ago, I've thought about it hourly. It's like Ms Spade looked inside my head & made my perfect bag. Incredible.

This is just a selection of the things I *really* want to check out whilst I'm there. There are 100 other places I have on my list to go (MAC Pro store is 1st!). I will do some 'haul' (hate that word!) posts once I'm home. In the meantime, if you know of anywhere I should definitely go, hook me up!!

Birthday FOTN

This week Beauty Blogging Blonde turns 2 (!!) and I turn 29+1! I haven't had much time to think about my blog birthday so will sort that out once I'm back from New York, maybe with a bit of a NYC giveaway... keep your peepers in tip top peeping condition!

Anyhoo, last night I saw some family for pre-birthday dinner & birthday cupcakes as I wont be here on my actual birthday-day. Thought I would do a quick dinner makeup post...

I'm a little shinier in the pic than I actually was (I hope!), but you get the gist. I wanted some nice bronzey dark smokey eyes, flushed cheeks & no lippy as my lips are currently so dry. So here is what I used...

FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation in #1

No7 Eye Mousse in 'Fudge'

MAC Patina E/S

MAC Smut E/S

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Black

YSL Aqua Resistant Mascara in Black

Clinique brow fine liner in #2

MUFE HD Cream Blush in #6

Chanel loose powder in Clair

A xx

Stila Makeup Amnesty

*I don't normally publish press releases but thought this one was too good not to shout about!*

To celebrate the launch of the BRAND NEW Stila makeup counter at Harvey Nichols London**, Stila have created their Stila Makeup Amnesty: Stila Steal, in which Stila are giving away one FREE Lip Glaze in Kitten worth £15 to every visitor…when you trade in an old lip gloss (even one that isn’t Stila). Head to Harvey Nichols London on the 19^th January to snap up this offer!

**there will be a follow-up in Manchester in Feb, so keep your eyes peeled if you can't make it to ol' London Town

GHD Video Review

A 3d tour of these gorgeous Scarlet by Katy Perry GHD Hair Straighteners...

Buy online here

These were sent for review purposes, but all opinions are my own