Chanel Peridot

I haven't really splurged for ages... in fact, I think it was probably June the last time I bought something more exciting than basics & today I got rather carried away in Chanel. I popped in for a re-purchase of Rouge Noir (Jane from BB recently said if she was cut open, her dna would be little double 'c's - my blood runs Rouge Noir through & through..) and left with more than I'd intended. *ahem*. Please don't tell my husband.

I will be covering the eyeshadows and 'Quartz' over the next couple of weeks; today is all about Peridot. This picture below just screams 'christmas' at me!!

Like you (probably!) I have seen 100's of blog swatches of Peridot over the last few weeks and had been left completely cold by what I'd seen and so, until today, I hadn't even bothered checking out for myself. I had it marked down as a yucky green (the same way I felt about Paradoxal), metallicy bogey colour that had no place in my strict nail wardrobe of creme black, red & nude. Look how wrong I was!!! Just look at the amazing, gorgeous complexity of this shade! It's stunning!

It's very green/gold on me. I know on some the pay-off can be very yellow (Louise from Get Lippie did not want!). These swatches are all over a clean nail, no base coat, 2 coats of polish with the Chanel top coat as a final layer.

Brush marks are evident very slightly in some lights but generally the application & finish was very smooth & even.

I'm in love. Are you? Have you snapped it up or giving it a miss? Incidently, I also swatched Graphite today and I did not like it. Disappointing, but all the more for you die-hard metallic fans!

Clinique 'The New Black' Fall Collection

I am a leetle late to the party with Clinique's autumn offering as it's been available since August 1st but nonetheless, this collection is GLORIOUS!

The 'New Black' collection has been inspired by the iconic lipstick shade 'Black Honey', with the gorgeous deep berry colours being translated into products for the eyes & cheeks, as well as featuring the original 'almost lipstick'.

This dual-ended lip product features the 'almost lipstick' in Black Honey on one end, with a gorgeous high-shine gloss (also in Black Honey) on the other. The lipstick is not quite a full-on lipstick, its consistency is more balmy with a tint of colour. It appears jet black in the bullet, but its payoff is a gorgeous glossy sheer berry, giving that 'just kissed' effect.

In a similar way, the gloss appears deep dark blood red in the bottle, but is very sheer and worn over the top of the lipstick, provides the perfect effortless red lip. This double ended lip is limited edition (the regular Black Honey lipstick is permanent), so if you want to get your hands on the gloss, get down to your local counter tout de suite.

Thankfully, the product developers at Clinique didn't just chuck a load of dark browns together for this eye quad; it actually features some very beautiful, flattering & easy to wear shades. And with all Clinique products, you can be assured of their quality - the eyeshadows are always guaranteed to be soft & easily blendable, whilst retaining an excellent pay-off. (ps, this is also LE!)

My 2 favourite shades are this gorgeous satin mushroomy peach, 2nd from the left and...

... the stunning rustic, golden brown on the end. I've had a bit of a play with the colours already & these 2 together will look incredible on blue & brown eyes.

My last top pick from this collection is the Brush-On Cream Liner in 'Black Honey'. I have owned & loved the liner in Black for a couple of years & think this shade is going to slot right into my makeup bag. It is much more day-time wearable than black, for those who prefer a much softer line on their eyes. It also has gorgeous gold flecks the whole way through, adding a touch of light. This shade is a permanent addition to the line.

This collection launched on the 1st August and can be found online. Have you already purchased? What's your favourite?

Bring MAC to Aberdeen!!

Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that I often make trips to London & Glasgow especially for makeup shopping & I've decided enough is enough! To put into context it's actually quicker (and usually not much more expensive!) to fly to London from Aberdeen than it is to take the train to Glasgow!

In Aberdeen we can't buy MAC, Laura Mercier, NARS, Urban Decay, Shu Uemura, Illamasqua etc etc. I've decided it's time to use people power for good & lets start with getting MAC to Aberdeen!!

If you want to help the campaign, you can go to this Facebook page & 'like' it. It doesn't take much for brands to sit up & listen so even if you don't live in Aberdeen go show some sisterly solidarity & help us north-east makeup lovers out!

WOOTD!

2 of our lovely friends got married yesterday & I know how much you bunch enjoy an occasional OOTD post, so here is a bit of a haphazard 'WOOTD'!

My dress first of all was from Phase Eight, currently available in the sale! The draping around the shoulders & tummy areas gave it a really flattering shape (one for the curvier ladies!). I had intended on wearing a watch & had picked out either my gold Michael Kors or white ceramic Fossil. In the end, I completely forgot to pop one on & spent most of the day in a timeless bubble!

My necklace was from Butler & Wilson last year which I actually wore to my own wedding. I love how I can wear it again & again. The shoes were Dorothy Perkins from about 3 years ago - I bought them for my engagement party in 2008!

I wanted to do something a bit different with my hair; I normally wear it down, big & curly for a 'do'. I watched a few tutorials by Lilith Moon, grabbed a few kirbies & got going!

I started by curling all of my hair using straighteners. I sectioned off the crown & 2 sections at the front & pinned them out the way. I popped the rest of it into a low ponytail and started just randomly pinning curled sections up working around in a circle, basically forming a bun shape. I placed the hairband on in-front of the crown section, but behind the 2 sections at the front. I then backcombed the crown and pinned those curls into the rest of the bun. Next, I twisted small sections on each side of the 2 front sections and pinned the twisted sections around the back, using them to hide the hairband. Et Voila! Took about 20 -30 minutes.

And because I'm so good to you, here's a sneaky snap of the happy couple!

Cosmo Blog Awards!

Most of you will probably have already read at least one other post telling you the annual Cosmo Blog Awards are open for nominations - I hope you don't mind another!

Last January, I started Beauty Blogging Blonde when I was off sick from work long-term for 2 reasons; to keep me busy & to keep my typing skills up for when I eventually had to go back to work. Very quickly, the blog became far more than a hobby for me & since I started, I have met some amazing people, done some fabulous things & even started my own freelance business! This blog is not just a blog, it literally changed my life. I love it and it would be brilliant if you could take a few minutes to head on over to Cosmo & nominate me for an award!

To nominate me you need to do the following...

1) enter your email address

2) enter the URL of this blog which is... http://beautybloggingblonde.blogspot.com

3) select the category 'established beauty blog (more than 18 months)

4) select 'no' where it asks if it is your blog

Thanks to everyone who has supported me in the last 18 months & thanks to anyone who takes the time to nominate me!

Love A xx