Meet the new arrivals!

This has been a good week so far - lots of lovely items have managed to come my way. Here is a rundown of the new arrivals :)

1) St Moriz



Yes there is another self tanner named after a chic European destination.

I am a little bit late on this particular bandwagon but basically this is meant to be St Tropez's (and specifically the mousse version's) cheaper and some might say, better rival. Kelanjo19 got this for me in TK Maxx for £2.99! The most I have seen it for is on ebay for £7. If this really does work - and tomorrow when I wake up I will have some idea - then this could be the best self tanner ever!

2) China Glaze For Audrey



Yet another bandwagon I am late on! :) I have been after this for some time but was never able to find it via the polish sellers that I like to use. So I left it. Then a very kind twitter friend decided to do the good deed of the century and send it to me. A big thank you to Mscherrylicious - I cannot wait to try it!


3) Cargo blush in Tonga





I have often looked at Cargo blushes online but always resisted. Then one day I was watching Lisasz09 and she said that Jennifer Anniston used this blush.

Now I know how marketing works and I know that in reality the following happened:

a) A make up artist from Cargo was probably appointed to do her make up for a press appearance;
b) The artist used this blush;
c) Cargo then used this fact as PR material;
d) Said fact was put in a magazine article which thousands of us read; and
e) Truth be told, Jennifer has probably not worn it since....

but, even knowing that doesn't stop me.

I found it in Sainsbury's in Cromwell Road, London last night and I was really excited to try it.

After the first day? I have to say that its not that special to me. It's a pretty pink, very soft, very matte and easy to apply but that alone doesn't differentiate it from the gazillion blushes out there. Time will tell but that's my honest initial impression.

4) Lee Stafford Overnight Treatment



I love the smell of Lee Stafford products - Thierry Angel anyone? - so I was happy to give this one a go. Its basically a keratin-packed intensive conditioner that you leave on your hair overnight and then wash off in the morning. I am testing this Friday evening so I will let you know! The least it will do is make my hair smell gorgeous!

Have you tried any of these products?

Revlon's Cherries In The Snow lipstick

Whilst I might adopt a "clean eye approach" and temporarily move away from the smokey eyes (see earlier post) I have to admit that pale lips are my "thing". However, I have always envied those who can carry off a bright, statement lip.

It's so tricky finding a shade that suits though. One red or bright will look great on one person, but terrible on another so this is very much an individual quest.

Setting the scene

Now I don't know if you know this, but Revlon's Cherries in the Snow lipstick has only recently launched in the UK.

I remember watching a YouTube video featuring their head makeup artist, Gucci Westman, and she used this on a porcelain faced model and I fell in love.

So I trundled off to Superdrug back in December to find it and it was a "no show". Only then did I realise this was one of those annoying "USA only" situations.

Hell Candy, a lovely blogger that you should all know about, had a similar fascination with this lipstick and it was through her blog that I found it that it had now reached the UK shores.

Last week I finally got round to buying it. And...yes, surprisingly, I love it.







It's clearly not nude - hurrah! rejoice! -, it's a warm bright raspberry colour - completely out of my designated "comfort zone" but yet I am extremely fond of this because:

a) It's a cream finish which means it's pigmented, soft and non-drying.
b) It's super easy to apply - it literally glides on.
c) It's one of those reddish colours with enough of a blue undertone to keep my teeth looking white;
c) It has good staying power and even when it fades it leaves a really pretty stained lip effect and...
d) It makes me feel just a little bit "pinup". :)







Have you ever read interviews from models/actresses where they say something along the lines of "I just slick on a red lipstick to feel glamorous and then I am out the door"?

"Yeah right", I would always think but I guess there is some truth in that.

Now I wouldn't say I would ditch the foundation, mascara et al to just apply this Revlon number but it wouldn't hurt for me to wear a clean simple eye, understated face makeup and a bright, statement lip every once in a while.

What do you think? Do you have any favourite bright colours?

Stuck in a rut

Long time no blog post, no YouTube, no nothing.

Nevermind, we are back in business and I am going to kick it off by putting myself out there and stating that I feel like I am stuck in a rut.

What I mean by this is that I have got into the habit of applying a full blown smokey eye everyday. That's 7 days a week people!

Now I love that look - you all know I do - but I feel tied to it and sometimes I just want to keep things simple and clean.

Today, I went...."natural-ish". I say "natural-ish" because natural would equal no make up and well, that would just be no fun at all.

I have to say that it's so refreshing.

a) It takes 5 minutes to do your face; and
b) It really makes you realise what your key products are - ie, what products can you really rely on to always make you feel good about yourself.

Today I wore:

* Giorgio Armani Sheer number 7 (mixed with foundation)
* MAC SFF in NC30
* NARS Laguna (light dusting)
* Barry M bronzing powder as a light blush
* Max Factor 2000 Calorie (may be better than MUFE Smokey lash purely because it gives similar results but doesn't dry out as quickly)
* NARS Sabrina lip balm (it's been too long since I have worn this. I love it still)





PS. I think the Crest white strips worked :) I have noticeably "blinger" teeth :)



Do you ever have that longing to pair everything down and keep it super-simple?

Hot pink nails

I waver when it comes to nails. One minute I am sporting OPI's Metro Chic, the next GOSH's Golden Brown and then all of a sudden, the talons are bright, hot pink. Either way, anything goes when it comes to polish.

I thought I would just show you this nail paint from Barry M. It's the one in the middle of this line-up. A limited edition colour it's slightly more wearable than Shocking Pink, its counterpart to the right.



From left to right: Baby Pink (great shade), Limited Edition colour and Shocking Pink

Here it is with one coat - looks opaque and shiny but do keep in mind that I have plastic nails :)



And do you want the good news? This is currently free with any orders from the BarryM website...well free if you enter the following promotional code before checkout:

Lollipop26

I have to admit that the use of my YouTube username does not mean it is "my polish" Sadly this paint is not called Lollipop26 or even plain old Lollipop.

How awesome would it be if it was though? Ha!

Finders keepers!

So I am elated this morning.

Let me explain. When I was in Japan I picked up a few things from CocoPress - a little boutique in Asakusa station. They had really nice delicate accessories and I got some for myself and also for family members.

Well, in the packing frenzy on my return visit I misplaced the bag. I thought they were gone for good and had been left behind but this morning, in the quest for tweezers to tame my unruly brows (cheers Li-brow) I found them tucked into a compartment in a travel makeup bag.

The gifts have been happily dispersed and so I am left with the other two items that I had got myself.



* A ring set; and
* A dainty heart necklace

The ring set



The heart necklace

This photo doesn't really give an idea of scale - but I promise you, it's teeny tiny. I love these little necklaces that appear to float - super thin chains and tiny detailed charms.



I also like the fact that this one has a cute bit of detailing at clasp - little heart shapes:



Talking of teeny tiny charms, my ultimate jewellery goal is to get hold of a Jennifer Meyer Leaf necklace but until I have £1000 to spare this will suffice :)

Don't you love unearthing items that you previously thought were long gone?

This has made my day!

OOTD

Actually this is an Outfit of the Day from a couple of days ago but I still think it counts.

This is how I wore my recent Topshop petal top purchase.



One comment in the original post said that it is like something Puck from Midsummer Night's Dream might wear (with green leggings rather than black). I liked that comment and totally agree :)

Me? I wore it with:

Black Topshop leggings
GAP cropped grey blazer (staple!)
Zara gold flats

There are two other things I liked about that ensemble/look:

You know that ring I liked? Yeah, they do it in white and I have one of those on too :)

And...the By Terry cream blush. This might be my favourite ever.

On another note it's hard taking pictures with the iphone. I need to buy a full length mirror so that I can do these pictures at home.

Don't shoot the messenger

Hi everyone

So I got a message on my YouTube today from someone who was kind of enough to warn me of a rumour going round.

The rumour is that MAC have rescinded their policy of giving away MAC Pro cards at IMAT events and the fingers are pointing at the video that I made back in January. Apparently a few disgruntled people saw that video – complained to MAC – and so the policy has now changed.

This is really upsetting and I have been worrying about it. I never intended or could have foreseen that anyone would complain. I especially felt this way as I wasn’t revealing any “secrets”.

The only reason I knew at all about the Pro card situation was because at IMATS LA 2008 they were giving them away. As a result there were countless videos and blogs from people – with pictures of eager makeup lovers patiently queuing up to get their hands on the card – and that is how I and other people who attended the London event found out about it in the first place.

I wasn’t the first one to discuss it – the reality is that I was just one person in a long chain of people.

I am really sorry to anyone who was pinning their hopes on getting a MAC pro card that way. I just want you to know that I never ever intended this kind of outcome.

A wee update!

So I have been quiet on the blogging front this week. I have been so busy at work but the report has been handed it, the presentation given, so here are a couple of things I picked up that I need to share.

So we have one Topshop top to present to you.





I got this because I loved:

a) The light chiffon detailing - like petals on the chest :) and
b) The length - it covers bum and is therefore officially approved by me for pairing with leggings. This is very important.

PS. If you ever want to know where any of my tops are from in my videos...95% of the time I get them in Topshop :)

The second item - and the last - is from Benefit.

I do like the Benefit creaseless cream shadow liners, my favourite being Pre-nup - a lovely warm pink colour that manages to look pretty rather than "pink-eye".

So many of you have recommneded this one though - and I have had it in the back of my mind for some time and it is Skinny Jeans.





This is a metallic grey - with a ton of smokey eye murkiness in there too. I am going to play around with this and try and come up with a combination for you. If you have any recommendations please do share them - any tips would be very much appreciated!

Nearly Thursday, which means it's nearly Friday, which means it;s nearly the weekend! :) Yay!

Cocktail time!

No, not the margarita time, although if you are making...

I am talking about cocktail rings.

I picked up this one in Topshop this evening and it is pretty much love at first sight





I actually like the fact that it covers up half my finger :)

I love statement rings but have only 1 to date - a black and gold ring from Kenneth Jay Lane that I love but it doesn't fit as snugly as this one.

Now I am off to paint my nails. For the last couple of days I have been sporting GOSH's Frou Frou.



I got this because:

a) Its a pretty yet super metallic-pink/silver colour - unlike anything I have seen; and
b) The name reminded me of singer Imogen Heap - and it you don't know who she is then you are missing out. She is my favourite female singer - EVER.

The next colour to be applied is going to be GOSH's Golden Bronze.

I am seriously impressed with their metallic polishes - good coverage in one application and opaque finish in two. Dries quickly, looks great and no chipping. Golden Brown is still my favourite though.

What's your favourite polish of late?

By Terry event at SpaceNK and the start of a new series

The Makeover Series

I have wanted to get this going for ages and this event was the kick-start I need.

The premise is this - every month I will arrange an appointment with a different makeup brand and report back to you all.

I want to branch out, try new things and learn new techniques and I think this is a great way of doing it.

Anyway, the first in the makeover series was the By Terry event.


All about it

Thanks to my good friend Trudie - who told me about it in the first place - I managed to get a place!

The event took place at the Knightsbridge Space NK on Thursday evening and was an opportunity to meet Terry de Gunzburg - the creator of the By Terry range and also YSL's Touche Eclat - and also get a makeover by one of her talented team members.

And so you can put a face to a name - here is a picture of Terry and I :) I am such a cosmetics groupie :)



Thank god Project 10 Pan had just finished because if ever there was a temptation to shop, this event would be it.

By Terry is a beautiful range of products - definitely on the pricier side - designed to give you glowing skin and carefully defined features. Colour is present in her range but always delivered in a really tasteful way.

The event itself involved the following:

* Champagne on arrival (yes please!);
* Makeover with a MUA (mine was Kim), with Terry milling around to talk and meet everyone;
* Shop shop shop; and
* Leaving the event with a goody bag, great makeup and a large receipt for products purchased!

I have mentioned this in my recent YT video but I will say it again - I have never had a makeover that I have been satisfied with. I normally rush to the ladies straight after and rigorously wipe a tissue over my face to remove all the product.

This time it was different.

The MUA deemed me suitable for smokey eyes and netural lips - hallelujah! The best bit is that she did some things a little differently - so I actually walked away with some knowledge. Things gained from this makeover include knowing that:

1) Mixing both cool and warm shadows gives a super dramatic and flattering look - she used a shadow very similar to tempting with a dark blue and I loved it! It adds dimension to the eye
2) Change the placement of shadow on my lids - she blended shadow alot higher than I normally would have (way above the crease) but although I feared it, I have to admit that the results were great - smouldering-but-still-open eyes and this is a technique that I shall be repeating.

Needless to say the champagne and euphoria in discovering something new led to me making quite a few purchases. That coupled with the goody bag meant that I walked away with quite alot :)



Here is a rundown of the items:

By Terry Bronze Expert - 3 Sun Tropic
By Terry Baume de Rose By Terry Plumping Fluid Foundation - 6 Cinnamon Melon
By Terry Sheer Cream Blush - 1 Copper Sand
By Terry High Definition Eye Shadow - 2 Lame Emerald
By Terry Powder Eye shadow - 6 Midnight Blackberry

The eyeshadows were a total indulgence but I was in my "spoiled brat" mode at the event and I deemed them "must haves" :)

Here's a closer look at the Lame Emerald trio and the Midnight Blackberry - the latter of which I use on my waterline.









Unfortunately, the pictures I took afterwards didn't give justice to the makeover (ie, poor lighting and no flash? Too much champagne perhaps?!) so I did my best to recreate today so that you can get the idea. I didn't apply as much shadow but I am getting there :)







Note the Baume de Rose on the lips and the Midnight Blackberry on the waterline - love the way it photographs metallic :)

Final verdict?

The whole range is beautiful but indulgent - expect high prices but a high quality product.

It's the kind of thing you might ask for as a special treat and based on first impressions I would definitely recommend the Baume de Rose, foundation and Bronze expert.


Moving forward

I really enjoyed this event and especially enjoyed learning something new. I have since applied the eyeshadow techniques to my Cover Girl trio and the results worked well :)

So onto the big question - what brand is next in the series?

Next time its the turn of Laura Mercier!

Looking forward to it!

The No Heat Challenge

So its officially week three of my No Heat Challenge.

Thats right! Three weeks without a hairdryer, a straightener, curling iron - without anything!

And to be honest I don't know why I didn't commit to this ages ago!

The experience so far has taught me that:

a) My hair has a lot of natural shine that was previously blasted out of it; and
b) I actually have volume in the crown if I just let it dry and set naturally - so no need to get happy with the backcombing.

I have however, got a bit wise to the challenge - through previous attempts I have realised that the mantra "less is more" rings true.

Whereas before I was drenching my hair in products to try and create a semblence of a style, now I just use two carefully selected ones and that's all I need.



These products are:

* Kerastase Oleo-Relax - a serum I apply when my hair is 80% dry; and
* Aussie Volume + Gloss hairspray - the only hairspray I have ever stayed loyal too because it does exactly what it says on the tin and it also smells good.

I wash it with any random shampoo and conditioner - at the moment it's these giant Aveda bottles that the boyfriend got me - yes, he understands high end hair products and swears by Aveda! :)



I just let it dry and do its thing. I think this works for me because of these products but also because I don't mind the natural texture of my hair. It's quite straight and providing I don't sleep on it wet (which only results in massive bed head) it works itself out. I also think my success has something to do with the time of year - technically there is less drizzle and that means less menacing frizz.

The next part of the experiment

The next part of the experiment is taking two of these supplements from Kerastase, every day.



Click on the picture below to get an idea of the ingredients (which to be honest look pretty standard but anyhow - thanks mum!)



It was my mum who introduced me to these - she picked them up at her hairdressers and then ordered some from hqhair.com when she realised they were cheaper online.

They are supposed to provide you with added density but you need to take them for at least three months. Mum is on month two and I haven't even started!

The only reason I am even taking these is because Kerastase products have never let me down before. We will see but every little helps, right?

Have you ever done this no heat challenge?

By Terry: Baume de Rose

This is a little sneak preview of one of the products I picked up at the By Terry event that was held at Knightbridge's Space NK last Thursday.

It's called Baume de Rose, it was one of the products applied on me by the makeup artist and it really was love at first application.



Space NK's marketing blurb states that this product is: "Rejuvenating, reparative, strengthening, nourishing and anti-ageing, this delicously scented wonder product is ideal for both lips and cuticles - fast becoming a cult classic".

It is kind of marketed as a treatment and although I have been using it before I go to bed, I have also been wearing it as a gloss.

I think this is what I like most - its a versatile product that intensively moisturises and plumps but also one that gives a gorgeous nude milky finish.

To give you an idea of what I mean here is a shot of my lips bare, and one of them with the product on:

Bare lips



Baume de Rose lips



I think this might be the prettiest, most wearable and most nourishing nude lip ever.

The only downside I see to this product is the price tag - Space NK sell it for a hefty £30.34.

However, because of the effect it gives and the way it makes my lips feel - I may just be mad enough to repurchase :)

Have you ever tried this?

Nail of the Day 1

Remember the GOSH polishes I got the other day? Well I applied Golden Brown and have been wearing it for about 3 days.

So far, so good. No chipping, even consistency and the colour is exactly as it appears in the bottle.

I would say though that plastic/fake nails make any old polish last quite well so I wouldn't really say I am a credible reviewer in that respect.

Still it's a gorgeous shade that I am glad I picked up.



I think the next colour I apply will be one from Rimmel - Rose Libertine. I know a few of you already have this - you have good taste!



Its such a pretty pink cream shade - not too garish, not too dull - it sits in a flattering middle ground. Now all I have to do is file down the talons and get it on!

Hope you all have a great Saturday!

Project 10 Pan - Round 1: C+

Apologies for the lack of posts this week - work has been busy and so I haven't had as much time as I would like to dedicate to you all.

On a positive note, Project 10 Pan is over - for this round anyway.

I think this has been good for me. I have rediscovered things in my collection, learned to resist the calling of new lipgloss at every retail opportunity and for the first time ever, not gone crazy when a new MAC collection hits the stand.

My only regrets are:

1) I shopped on holiday so that was a cheat; and
2) The day I finished this round was also the day I was invited to a special makeup event at Space NK, which, as you can imagine = more makeup

I don't regret doing this in anyway but if I had to give myself a grade I think I would award myself with a C+ overall - and a "could do better".

Lessons learned for the next round include the following:

1) Don't attempt to do the project with a holiday in sight;
2) Don't sulk when a MAC collection comes out during the project - I soon found that I didn't give two hoots about Style Warriors a week after release;
3) Live vicariously through others haul videos and blogposts;
4) Use the time to research products that might be worth looking into at a later date - ie, products that fill a gap in your current collection. This way you are still immersing yourself in the world of beauty but without purchasing;
5) Enjoy the art of delving deep into your collection - you really do find things that you forget about; and
6) Force oneself to go on a permanent lipgloss ban!

For reference, the final series of products that were completed are in the picture below. (Missing from the photo is my Victoria Secret plumping gloss that plumped no more last week).



You will see that there are 7 items pictured (and 8 items finished if we include the Victoria Secret lipgloss) so technically I went over the 10 pan. However, I didn't officially count the primer or the mini Majolica Majorca mascara - for some reason I felt that was a bit sneaky :)

* MUFE HD
* Giorgio Armani Master Primer (had this for agessssss so I am glad it is finished)
* Majolica Majorca lipgloss (wouldn't recommend: absolutely nothing special about this at all)
* Maybelline Lash Stilletto - now far too dry to do anything but flake (good, precise mascara though);
* MAC Florabundance lipglass - at some point in time I will repurchase but not right now: I have too many others to work through;
* Lancome juicy tube in Marshmellow Electro - jeez, after 2 years of ownership it's finally gone!
* MAC Dazzleglass in Rags to Riches

I hope all of you who participated did better than me. I am definitely going to be stricter with myself next time :)

GOSH nail polish and a top tip

Whilst killing time at Clapham Junction station I checked out Superdrug - well, it would have been rude not to!

I haven't been in Superdrug for ages (read: 2 weeks, maybe less) and I saw that GOSH had a new collection on promotion.

It's a bronze, sunkissed collection - just the sort of thing I love the concept of. Unfortunately I thought the eyeshadows were a bit blah but the nail polishes really caught my eye.

So I picked up the two that are promoted in this range and also another one for luck.

In the picture below, taken without flash, we have:

Golden Bronze, Golden Brown and Gasoline



Golden Brown has more than a passing similarity to MAC's Mercenary polish - released with the Style Warriors.

Now all I have to do is decide what one I should wear tomorrow. Any ideas?

Top tip for the collection

It wasn't just the nail polish that caught my eye. There is a new Soft n Shine lip balm that looks absolutely GORGEOUS.

Called Antique Gold, it imparts an wet-look golden shimmer to the lips. Result? They look fuller and more moisturised.

I have to get this at some point. I can see myself wearing it on its own and also as a top layer, over lipsticks that would otherwise appear flat.

It's like MAC's Voile Slimshine - only 100 times more interesting and summery.

If anyone has tried it - share!

In and Out number 8

Here is the latest round up of my Ins and Outs.

I am feeling quite positive today - despite the early start that I mention later in this post, I managed to get a compliment on my eyeshadow (Bare Minerals I heart you), get home at a reasonable time and I am about to settle down to an episode of Law and Order :)

IN

1) Lush Flying fox shower gel - So I got that Flying Fox shower gel in a recent Lush haul.

I took a whiff of it and decided that there was no way I was ever going to like it.

But when I was staying away one day last week I tried it and....*hangs head*....I really do actually like it.

It's this weird essential oil scent that is equal parts man and equal parts hippie. I know - it sounds so wrong but yet...its so right.

It's not the most incredibly gorgeous scent in the world but it would be wrong for me to dismiss it as "yuck" as I did before.

And you know what? I have almost run out :)



2) Estee Lauder lipgloss in Honey Glaze - I got this lipgloss as a Christmas present last year. I asked for it it solely because Liz Hurley claimed she wore it - of course you do Liz, you are a Lauder ambassador.



As much as I dislike the scent I like the smoothness of the gloss and the neutral gold hue of this. I can't promise I would ever repurchase but I can promise that I like using this right now.

3) Law and Order: Criminal Intent - I am completely addicted. I caught two shows in Japan and that was that. I am still on season 1, but I am very excited that I have about 5 other seasons to work my way through - that will give me something to do! :)

4) No heat hair - I mentioned in my recent video that I was on a "no heat" challenge. This is just a challenge I set myself so its out with the straighteners and the curlers and in with the natural air-drying.

I have found that provided I use a squirt of my mum's Kerastase serum when hair is 90% dry, the odd bit of dry shampoo and Aussie volume and gloss hairspray (my all time favourite spray) I can get away with it. I am going to do this till the point where I am sick of it. So far its 2 weeks!

5) Cheap charms - yes the bow-love lives on in the guise of a pair of ribbon earrings from Miss Selfridge:



...and a ring set from a shop in Asakusa station in Tokyo called Rose Mignon :)




OUT

1) MUFE HD - as much as I am delighted that I have used this up (two applications this weekend and its out which means I am up to 8 in Project 10 Pan!) I am not delighted that the erratic pump squirted foundation all over my sheets and even a sizeable spec on the beige carpet. Boo!

2) Getting up at 5.30am on a Monday. I don't know how people do that everyday! I would much rather start later and work until 8 or 9pm at night than be up at the crack of dawn.

Mmmm....can't think of anything else right now so I guess that is okay :)

Hope you all have a good week!

Making green eyes "pop"

I have to admit I hate that expression. The whole "popping" thing somehow makes me feel queasy - I must be made of a very delicate disposition. :)

However, I also admit that sometimes you just have to bring yourself to say it.

There definitely are certain colours that work for us and really bring out our natural eye colour.

For me - an owner of predominantly greeny-grey eyes - its those neutrals, golds and browns so today I looked into my pigment drawer and grabbed two Bare Minerals glimmers. First came Heart (left) and then came Sex Kitten (right).



I purchased Sex Kitten at the Sephora in Scottsdale last year. I was on holiday at the time and had visions of transforming into some sort of Bridget Bardot-a like.

Well anyway, that particular scenario didn't quite work out and for some reason I haven't touched it a whole lot since.

I feel ashamed about this because it really is the most gorgeous bronzed toned smokey brown, infused with gold. It's both neutral and wearable but can still give a really intense look - even when used dry. Best of all I really think it brings out the green tones in my eyes.

I added a little bit of Heart - a beautiful silvery pink toned glimmer - to the inner corner.



Its a lazy look with no eyeliner and just mascara but:

1) It's Sunday; and
2) Whatever!

:)

And maybe I haven't said this enough but I really appreciate any recommendations that you have so if you too are a fan of Bare Minerals Glimmer's fill me in with regards to your favourites :)

Hope you all have a great day!

Hot lips

The new Barry M lip paints have already received quite a bit of blog coverage. You can get them on the Barry M website already and from mid-June you will be able to buy, in store (UK only), these 4 new lipsticks.

147 - or Peachy Pink as it is known - is the one that has received the most comment and if I am honest, the one that I favoured. It is a pretty, delicate colour that is very easy to wear and I would definitely recommend it.

However, I would also say don't forget the other shades in this new release - 144, 145 and 146. (from left to right)



They are perhaps not the shades to wear whilst schlepping around the supermarket but the intensity of the pigmentation is worth a mention.

I slapped these on today and took some pictures.

Interesting observations include:

1) 144 and 145 photograph very similarly - although the deep berry tones of 144 are much more obvious in real life

2) 146 is in the same family as MAC's Saint Germain and YSL Rouge Volupte number 7; and

3) None of them feel as dry or as chalky as 101 can sometimes feel - that is one lip paint that calls for pristine condition lips!

144



145



146



All in all these are pretty amazing - especially for the price tag.

What do I think Barry M should do next with the lip paints?

A nude range - I want to see Flesh Nude, Pink Nude, Lilac Nude, Peach Nude etc...I think that would be a bestseller - at least for me :)

Gaga Inspired

You know what I thought when I saw this necklace in Accessorize? Well to be precise I thought two things:

1) Lady Gaga and her ever-present saucer and cup that she likes to use in interviews - honestly, she has enough personality without needing a prop to cultivate a sense of one; and
2) I really shouldn't get this but I know that I will

So yes, another pointless, silly, yet somehow fun charm necklace that brings a smile to my face :)

And may I just say that it is.....cue overreaction....KILLING me not buying anything from the latest MAC Collection, Style Warriors. :) I am going to live vicariously through the rest of you :)

Top 10 Nail Polishes

I recorded my Top 10 Nail Polishes video last night and it is currently stuck in some processing parallel universe on YouTube so who knows when it will be live.

In the meantime, here is a sneak peak of my nail polish collection. Is it organised? Is it heck!

I use a shoe box, sling them in there and then rummage around when I need to find a colour. Somehow it works:



The following two nail polishes have become my all time favourites: Sephora OPI's Metro Chic and OPI's Mod About You.

I think Metro Chic is the more unusual colour - a hybrid of brown grey and purple that always garners positive comment whenever I wear it.



So now I pass the baton over to you - if you had to select two nail polishes to be your top 2 what would they be? I always looking for recommendations so feel free to comment away :)