The 6 Inch Stilettos

The Johnnie Sapong Studio

2012-01-29T20:00:00.000Z

Somewhere along this path of being a beauty blogger, I started to pay a lot more attention to my hair and what I put in it. Long gone are the days of buying shampoos and conditioners purely because they smelt nice and had pretty packaging. Nope, haircare for me has definitely moved up a couple of notches on my barometer and is now equally as important to me as skincare and makeup. How the change happened, I don't know, but I do know that I appreciate all the new knowledge that I have about hair and all things related.

Last month I was invited to the Johnnie Sapong Studio to meet the world renown hair stylist and his team as well as check out the brand new Leonor Greyl Micro Viewer and meet the Leonor Greyl team. With so many people to meet and things to see, the night flew by but I picked up some tricks and tips and even got to see what my scalp looks like up close, it isn't pretty.

Here's Johnnie...

Johnnie Sapong is an internationally known hair stylist who has seen to the hair of Natalie Portman, Brad Pitt, Gemma Arterton and Jude Law, to name a few. Hidden away in the heart of London is the Johnnie Sapong Studio where each hair consultation and experience is unique and individualised. There are no rows of chairs or hair washing basins and there is no dodgy mood lighting or music, this is a place where you come to have a different kind of hair experience.

With one hair basin and one styling chair, there isn't room anyone else except for you and your stylist which is what I think is a fantastic idea. As much as I love the hustle and bustle of the average hair salon with loads of gossip mags and general chit chat, it would be equally as nice to have a sanctuary away from all the noise and be able to actually talk to your stylist. This is exactly what Johnnie has done with his studio and it doesn't go unnoticed. From the minute I walked in to the building, I knew it was going to be an experience like no other and I knew this because I had never seen a studio like this before.

Graffiti, abstract modern designs, one off Banksy pieces and all kinds of random pieces of artwork are straegically placed around the studio so your eyes dart all over the place. I remember walking in and thinking "bloody hell" when I saw a huge box in the corner of the room with a peep hole that had a 3D image of a man and woman immersed in water doing, well, stuff. It wasn't like any hair salon I had been to, or anyone else who was at the event had been to.

Before I got a chance to speak to Johnnie, I managed to score some one-on-one time with Carolyn of Leonor Greyl, a prestige French haircare brand that has been around for quite some time. Carolyn explained the history of Leonor Greyl haircare and also introduced me to the Micro Viewer which is a video camera that shows you what your scalp looks like. Having seen something similar at a L'Oreal Professional event earlier last year, I already knew that I have a very oily scalp which explains why my hair gets greasy quickly. I have an overactive sebacious gland which means I produce more oil than my body needs, it also means that my scalp and skin gets oily very quickly. I hate it now but I know I'll be grateful later on in life when I'm 50 and have the glowing skin of a 21 year old, or so I've been told.

Carolyn explained that the Micro Viewer was a fantastic tool to have in the Johnnie Sapong Studio as it meant treatments can be bespoke, much like the experience itself. No two people have the same type of hair or have the same requirements and the brainy people at Leonor Greyl haircare understood this and thus created a pretty big range of products to help with all the different types of problems and needs people have. By using the Micro Viewer, stylists are able to treat any scalp issues which would then, in turn, have an overall effect on your hair. When I was explained this, it made a lot of sense and I could see why it was important to have my hair checked out with the Micro Viewer before Carolyn could recommend any of the Leonor Greyl products to me.

After having my one-on-one consultation and taking up a lot of Carolyn's time, we were treated to a three course intimate dinner in the Studio where we got the chat and shoot questions around the table as well as drink a lot of wine.

I was lucky enough to be sat near Carolyn and Johnnie with LondonMakeupGirl so we really got a chance to ask as many questions as we could think of as well as sharing jokes and giggles. From haircare to blogging to products to celebrities, we discussed it all and it turned out to be an informative and pretty cool night altogether.

If you're looking for a different type of hair experience then I would definitely recommend checking out the Johnnie Sapong Studio. It may be a little pricey but with the personalised consultation, treatment and overall experience, it works out better in the long run. For more information on Johnnie Sapong and The Studio, check out the website or give them a call on 0844 412 7620 or if you would like more information on Leonor Greyl products then check out their website.

I will be doing a full write up of the Leonor Greyl products soon as I haven't had a chance to trial them for very long to give a thorough review. I did try the products I was given once but I didn't see the results I was promised so I have now been invited back to Johnnie's studio to have another consultation and run through of the products to see where I was going wrong. Keep your eyes peeled for that one!

What do you think of the Johnnie Sapong Studio? Is it somewhere you might want to visit or are you happy in the chair of your local hairdresser?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

My Alpha-H Skincare Routine Photo Heavy

2012-01-29T17:48:00.001Z

This post is long overdue and when I say long, I actually mean long. Skincare posts crop up all the time on blogs with very little follow up or photos to show how far their skin has come since using the products which isn't very helpful. The last year has been a rollercoaster ride for my skin as it has gone through really bad patches and really good patches but, to be honest, the bad definitely outweighed the good. I know I'm not the only person who suffers from bad skin so I don't need to write a whole paragraph on how it can get you down and beat your self-esteem. It's just one of those things that most women, and men, go through at one stage or the other but where some people grow out of it, my bad skin patch grew with me.

After hearing a lot about Alpha-H skincare, mainly from Caroline of BeautyMouth, I knew that I had to give it a go. I managed to meet with the owner of the brand, Michelle Doherty, who talked me through the products and the brand before recommending which products I should use.

I have now been using Alpha-H skincare products for 7 months and my skin has improved so much. Don't get me wrong, there are still times when my skin will breakout for a week or so and it'll get me down in the dumps but the products work to balance it all out so after a while I am back to my normal self.

Before you scroll down, let me break down how the post is going to go because there are quite a few photos and it will probably get a bit boring. Michelle recommended products for me to use in the morning and in the evening so I essentially have two different skincare routines. The photos of my face that you will see below were taken throughout the last 7 months so you can see how my face reacted to the products in the first couple of months and how it has improved as well. I have no makeup on the photos and this is a big deal with me because I very rarely take a photo sans makeup. I have no tinted moisturiser/foundation/concealer or eye makeup on so brace yourselves for a shock. Not everyone is blessed with fabulous skin and it has taken a while for me to be comfortable in mine, scars and all.

Morning products:

My morning skincare routine consisted of the following products and order:
- Wash face with Clear Skin Daily Face Wash
- Apply eye cream of choice
- Mix Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF50+ and Essential Hydration Cream
Every few days when I felt like I needed a bit of a deeper cleanse in the morning, I would use my Alpha-H Micro Cleanse which is a fantastic exfoliator.

Evening products:

My evening skincare routine consisted of:
- Balancing Cleanser to remove all makeup and traces of eye makeup
- Eye cream of choice
- Balancing Moisturiser and Exfoliator
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday were my Liquid Gold nights. I swap my Balancing Moisturiser and Exfoliator for Liquid Gold which is absolutely fantastic as it helps to refine the skin, tackle any spots, keep it hydrated and smooth it out. Seriously, they don't call it Liquid Gold for nothing!

This is what my skin looked like before I started using Alpha-H:

Some people might say that it wasn't actually that bad and, to be honest, I have had worse days. When I breakout, it usualy happens on my cheeks and chin but nowhere else. I guess i should be happy that it doesn't happen all over my face but I don't think there is ever going to be a time where I am grateful for spots and breakouts.

After one week:

One side of my face always looks worse than the other side and I have no idea why. I know faces aren't symmetrical and you never know where you're going to breakout but the left side of my face seems to get the worst of it. Stupid face.

After one month:

Using the products that I listed above, my skin still went through good and bad patches during the first four weeks however this may be due to my skin adapting to the products and learning how to work with them. At the four week mark, I hadn't had a new breakout and my old spots were starting to heal.

After two months:

By this point, I felt that my skin had come a long way since the initial breakouts that it used to suffer and now they weren't as frequent or as angry. I'm sure a lot of you can relate to having an angry breakout that looks like it might just take over your whole mug and you'll need to go into hiding. No? Well, maybe it's just me then.

After two and a half months;

During this period, I'm not sure what happened because I started seeing mini breakouts on my face which lasted around two weeks. I continued using the same products as I had done from the beginning and hadn't made any changes to my lifestyle or diet so I'm not actually sure what happened. The spots always appear in the same place so my cheeks are still quite scarred.

After three and a half months:

The mini breakouts started to fade out, again. You can still see the scars and marks where they were but my skin was less angry after three and a half months which led me to believe that it was now used to all the products and would start repairing myself. In terms of my pores, they had started to shrink in size which is good thing as I tend to have an issue with my enlarged pores. Damn them.

After five months:

In general, my skin was a lot clearer than it had been in over the last few months but one side of my face was still breaking out more often than the other. I tried encorporating different cleansers in to my routine but, to be honest, nothing would work so I figured that it would probably be best if I just carried on using the Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser as it still made my skin feel clean and hydrated. I should add that for the breakouts, I would apply a tiny bit of the Shiseido Pureness Blemish Targeting Gel to help shrink them down and it really does work.

After six months:

There wasn't much change in my skin between the fifth and sixth month of using Alpha-H skincare products. My skin remained relatively clear, minus the odd spot every so often. I upped my water intake too as I figured that all the Diet Coke I was consuming was probably not helping my case and although I didn't see a huge difference in my skin, I did feel a lot better. Who'd have thunk it?
After 7 months (present):

This is what my skin looks like now. There are no major breakouts and miraculously, the scars from breakouts gone by have started to fade out too. Although I still get spots and the occasional breakout at some point during the month, if I leave them alone and don't do anything to iritate them then I'm usually fine to apply my tinted moisturiser or foundation and be on my merry way.

Overall, my Alpha-H skincare regime really did improve my skin for the better and in the long run. There were some days and weeks were I thought that maybe my skin was just done with being a pain in the buttcheeks but I know that the products played a big part in helping balance my skin. I still have breakouts and spots and enlarged pores and the rest of crap stuff we all hate but I'm definitely more prepared to deal with them now. The stand out products from all of those that I tried were the Balancing Cleanser, Liquid Gold and Micro Cleanse. They're different from any other skincare products that I've tried and I'm pretty sure they made the biggest impact to my skin.

If you're interested in trying Alpha-H skincare products then check out QVC and Look Fantastic for the full product range and you might be lucky enough to find skincare sets too so you can try out several products for a fraction of the price.

How many of you have bad skin? Would you dare to go barefaced like me?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLES*

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Range

2012-01-20T17:26:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to the launch of the new L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise range so I skipped on over there (Well, really I got a cab) and had a poke around the new products before having my hair washed and blowdried by a pro. The event was a small intimate affair with a few bloggers coming in to meet the L'Oreal Paris team and their hair expert, Chris Appleton.

The new Hair Expertise range is made up of three mini ranges; EverSleek, EverPure and EverStrong.

EverySleek is perfect for frizzy, unruly hair, EverPure is for coloured hair that needs moisture, smoothing or volume and EverStrong is for fragile and brittle hair. The range in products means that there is something for almost all hair types which is great. As a consumer, we are so used to seeing products for "Normal", "Dry" or "Coloured" hair so it makes a nice and welcomed change to see a range of products that go slightly deeper than that and tackle the problems that we really have. All products in the range are sulphate-free and contain natural botanical oils and extracts to help restore vitality, radiance, shine and strength.

The packaging looks a lot more high end than what you might expect to find on the High Street which is a bonus considering the price tag is more down to earth. At £5.99 for a shampoo or conditioner and £6.99 for the intensive masque, the range is affordable for everyone and with generous sizes, it means you won't need to purchase them so often.

After being greeted by the lovely L'Oreal Paris PR team, I was then introduced to one of their hair experts, Chris Appleton. I always feel a bit intimidated when meeting an "expert" because I feel like I might say something really silly and they'll just look at me like a complete twit but Chris was lovely. We went through my current hair routine and the products I use, I told him everything I knew about my hair and my concerns, he then suggested a range out of the new Hair Expertise products that would be ideal for me.

That would be me ^^^ boring Chris with the stories of how my hair is a greasy mane while he tries not to look too disgusted with the state of my oil slick look.

I was then treated to a hair wash using the EverStrong range, which might I add was so relaxing. If my stylist had massaged my scalp for a minute longer, I would have been out like a light!

I tried to capture the whole thing as we went along so apologies for the boring photos!

I'm absolutely rubbish at blowdrying my hair and have no idea how to handle a round brush without turning it into a weapon and attacking my hair with it so it was nice to have someone do it for me to give me a nice Kate Middleton-esque curly/wave affair. (N.B: I know she isn't Kate Middleton anymore but Kate Windsor just sounds weird)

Does anyone else have trouble blowdrying their own hair? I'm sure I'm not the only one! Professional hairdressers make it look so bloody easy but I can just about straighten my hair let alone going blowdrying it. I never seem to be able to roll the hair, dry it and pull the brush out without dropping the hairdryer or, like I already said, getting the hairbrush caught up in my mane.

Check out the hair...

I picked the brains of my stylist as much as I could while I had the chance and asked her all the way I could achieve nice wavy locks without breaking my arm trying to blowdry my hair. Her tip was to dry my hair like normal and then split it into two, roll my hair into two seperate buns on the side of my hair like Princess Leia, let it dry and then take them out. As I write this, I am sitting here with my hair in those two buns and hoping for the best!

Me and the lovely Chris Appleton...

My hair hardly ever keeps any type of wave or curl because it is too straight for its own good so shortly after leaving the event, gravity took hold and my hair returned to its normal poker straight self. Never mind, it was great while it lasted!

I've now been using the *L'Oreal EverStrong products for just over a week and while I'm not completely convinced that they're doing anything spectactular to my hair, I am enjoying the change in haircare products. The EverStrong range is infused with rosemary, juniper and mint which smells amazing and the ingredients are meant to help revitalise hair so it feels stronger. Here's hoping that my hair stops falling out and my locks are restored to their former healthier glory!

The new Hair Expertise EverStrong, EverPure and EverSleek ranges will be available from February at Boots stores nationwide.

How many of you will be trying out products from the range? Let me know in the box!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLES*

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

2012-01-17T14:08:00.000Z

It has been a while since I held a giveaway on here and I've hit a couple of milestones since my last one. I've gone above and beyond 1000 members which was amazing as I never expected to get there and although I don't post as often as other bloggers, you all keep coming back to read when I do which I am very grateful for. It was also my blog birthday in October and The 6 Inch Stilettos turned 2, which was another epic moment because I didn't think I would still be doing this when I first started it. Also, a couple of weeks ago I found out that I had been 'longlisted' in the Marie Claire Blog & Twitter awards for the 'Beauty Twitter of The Year' award so it's been all systems go over here!

Anyway, back to the giveaway...

I was considering photographing all the products that will be up for grabs but I thought, let's make this more interesting and do a 'blind giveaway'.

What does that mean?

Well, it means that nobody will know what is going to be up for grabs, apart from me. I will, however, let you know what brands you can expect to find in the 'blind giveaway' and I can assure you that I will be adding to the goodie bag (it'll be more of a box) so look out for update tweets or notes on the Facebook page because that will be the only way to stay in the loop.

So, what brands are going to be in the giveaway?

Benefit, Stargazer, Liz Earle, Dirty Works, O.P.I, Melvita, Ponds and a few others but I am not telling because that will spoil the surprise for everyone and takes all the fun out of it. The prizes are a combination of things that I've purchased with my own money and things that my PR friends have all wanted to throw in to the mix because they're so supportive of the blog so thank you to all of you who have been contributing!

How do I enter?

The rules are pretty simple and straightforward:

1. Be a member/follower of the blog via Google Friend Connect (the box in the left hand column)

2. If you can't follow the blog via GFC then I will accept email entries at the normal address

3. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would like to see more of on the blog and/or what you find the most useful

4. Leave a valid email address or Twitter handle for me to contact you on in case you are the winner

5. Spread the word via Twitter or Facebook to all your friends and family - This isn't really an entry requirement and you won't get any extra brownie points but if someone you know wins, then maybe you can divvy up the prize.

That's it!

Like I said, the rules and regulations are straightforward and all entries must fulfill the requirements or else it won't be counted. If you don't leave a comment, name, contact info or be a follower then you are automatically taken out of the loop and lose the chance of winning. It's only one entry per person so if you've left a comment then you don't need to email me your entry because it won't count, and vice versa.

The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and is now live so you can start leaving your comments from here on. I will close the giveaway on FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY at 9pm so there is enough time to get your entries in. Remember, you snooze you lose!

I look forward to reading through all your entries and remember, keep an eye out on Twitter and Facebook for information about more brands being added to the giveaway.

Ready... Set.... GO!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Review: Wash/Cut/Blowdry at the House of RUSH

2012-01-15T18:05:00.000Z

Before I beging my review of the House of RUSH, I need to state that the photos I took were absolutely crap because I left my camera at home and had to use my BlackBerry. Usually, my BlackBerry doesn't do too bad of a job but the battery was dying so the flash wouldn't work... Yadda yadda yadda.

Basically, my photos are rubbish.

Back in November, I was given the chance to go for a treatment at the brand new House of RUSH in Piccadilly, London. I opted to get my hair seen to rather than a facial or massage and managed to get an appointment the day before my birthday so I could seen the ripe age of 24 with fantastic hair. RUSH hair is a salon franchise to be reckoned with and the new House of RUSH is no different.

As you enter the main RUSH hair salon on Piccadilly, you know that it can only get better. The chic and classy decor of the downstairs salon sets the scene for what else is to come when you're ushered upstairs to the main House of RUSH.

The product corner:

The House of RUSH is packed with loads of different L'Oreal hair care brands so there is something for every hair type. Redken, L'Oreal Professional, Kerastase and Shu Uemura and Mizani are just a few of the brands that are used in the salon which is great because they are able to cater to all hair types and requirements.

The salon:

How lush is that?

The salon is absolutely gorgeous and is a mix of classic pieces with a modern twist. Each station is spacious so you don't end up sharing a mirror with the person next to you and you get the full attention of your stylist.

The next few photos were the ones that I took so you'll see how the quality is absolute pants.

Hair washing stations:

The hair washing stations were actually amazing as the chairs were super comfy and had a massage feature so you can relax and unwind while getting your hair washed with one of the many product ranges on offer. The young man who washed my hair for me was lovely and knew exactly when to stop talking so I could enjoy my time on the salon which I think is actually really important. The last thing anybody wants is to be stuck in an uncomfortable conversation while getting your hair washed when all you really want to do is just chill out and enjoy the experience.

The hair pre-chop:

My hair wasn't really in bad shape before I went in for my treatment as I had only had it trimmed three months earlier but my stylist, Gabriel, explained that I should actually be getting a trim every six to eight weeks. Gabriel was everything a gal could want in a hair stylist. He listened to my concerns, asked me what I was after, made a few suggestions and met me half way before he embarked on the journey of sorting out my barnet.

Post-wash:

Getting blowdried:

The finished look:

The end product was amazing and exactly what I wanted. Gabriel sorted out my layers, feathered the front and shaped up the back so I still had the length but had a lot more movement. It is so easy with long hair to forget about the shape and for it to fall flat but I had no worried after my treatment because it looked amazing!

The entire treatment took just over an hour which is standard for a wash, cut and blowdry so you could probably be in and out of there on your lunchbreak, if you're able to take add an extra 10 - 15 minutes. The staff were absolutely fantastic at the salon and extremely knowledgeable so if you have any hair concerns or suggestions then they are the ones you want to be speaking to and discussing them with because they really know their stuff.

Prices start at £49 for a cut and blowdry for women and £39 for a cut and finish for men. Make sure you check out the House of RUSH website for more information and book yourself in because you won't regreat it!

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Treatment was complimentary

NOTD: Filthy Gorgeous 'Rock Chick'

2012-01-09T21:58:00.000Z

Throughout the festive season, which now feels so long ago, I was loving glittery nails and made my way through all the glitter nail polishes I own. Although glitter is an absolutely nightmare to remove, it is guaranteed to catch a few eyes or distract you when you're tapping away on your keyboard.

'Rock Chick' from Filthy Gorgeous is unlike any other glitter I have as it has a black base coat and the silver glitter particles are slightly darker and borderline pewter. Unlike other glitter polishes that I own, it only took two coats of the polish to get an opaque finish which is fantastic as there is no need for a coloured base coat so it dries quickly.

This is 'Rock Chick'...

You have to admit, it is a pretty striking polish. It's not too glittery where it would look out of place in the office and it's not too dull where it would go unnoticed either. The polish went on really smooth and lasted four days before I saw a chip because my nail got caught inbetween the keys on my laptop, if that hadn't happened then it would have probably lasted another day or two.

I love 'Rock Chick' and will definitely be wearing it a lot more!

If you're interested in Filthy Gorgeous nail polishes then make sure you take a look at their new website - You can buy the polishes online as well as infamous OCC Lip Tars, BeFine skincare and Airbase makeup... It's a one stop beauty shop for all you addicts out there ;-)

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

FOTN & EOTN: If It Aint Broke, Don't Fix It

2012-01-09T21:10:00.000Z

I haven't posted a FOTN or EOTN on here for a long time and I actually can't remember when the last time was so I made sure to take a few photos before I went out on Saturday night. I've been keeping my makeup quite simple lately and avoiding eyeshadow, instead opting for black flicked liner and red lips. It's such a classic and failsafe look that I can't help but gravitate towards the red lipstick every time I'm going out.

On Saturday I attended a 21st birthday party so went for a classic look that always works...

Products I used

Base & Conceal

- *Benefit POREfessional

- Bourjous Healthy Mix in 55 mixed with a Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 56

- Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach

- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Natural

- Bobbi Brown Sheer Loose Powder in Pale Yellow

Cheeks

- *NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna

- *NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm

- MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush

Lips

- Sleek MakeUP Pout Paint in Minx
- Sleek MakeUP Pout Paint in Pinkini

A closer up of the eye makeup:

Products I used

- Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Candlelight
- *Bare Minerals in Satin Truffle
- *17 Cosmetics Trio Eyeshadow in Vengence (brown-purple shade)
- Bourjois Lineur Pinceau in Noir Beaux-Arts
- *Bare Minerals Flaw Definition Curl & Lengthen Mascara
- *ELF Eyebrow Lifter & Filler
- Natio Brow & Lash Mascara

What do you think? Is this a kind of look that you would go for or do you prefer more colour and glitz? I love all the comments you guys have so drop them in the box :-)

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

Products makred with a * are PR samples

Marie Claire Beauty Twitter of The Year Award - Time To Vote!

2012-01-09T20:11:00.001Z

Well, it seems that my twittering rambles have gotten through to some of you out there as I found out today that I have been "longlisted" in the Marie Claire Blog & Twitter awards in the 'Beauty Twitter of The Year' category!

*insert happy dance here*

I know there have been loads of tweets and blog posts as of late about magazine blog awards and how they boost the magazines' credentials more than the bloggers' but do you know what, I'm still a happy bunny. I've never been shortlisted or "longlisted" in Marie Claire's case so this is a pretty big deal for me and I'm not going to shy away from it or act like it isn't. I've been tweeting for about two years now so for some of my fabulous followers to go and nominate me is really sweet and I am very grateful.

There are some great tweeters in the same category as me and I'm sure they'll all be plugging away too but if anyone who comes across this post, whether a long time reader or a newbie, I would love it if you would go and vote for me.

The winner gets to tweet for Marie Claire - Umm, not sure how that is going to work but I'm sure it'll still be fun!

All you have to do is:

1. Click HERE

2. Enter your details

3. Pick '6inchstilettos' from the Beauty Twitter of The Year menu

4. Enter the verification code

5. Hit Enter!

Voting closes on Friday 20th January so please get your votes in before then!

Of course, if you don't follow me on Twitter yet then make sure you hit that 'Follow' button HERE. You can keep up with my constant rambling, joyous sarcasm and beauty bits there as well as whatever else crosses my mind.

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

Guest Post: Time To Get A Grip!

2012-01-08T18:56:00.000Z

Today's post is brought to you my a very good friend of mine who works in PR and was given the chance to have a hair styling tutorial at Brooks & Brooks in Holborn. Seeing as I have quite a few hair-related posts scheduled for this month, I thought I'd let her kick it all off and set the mood before things get hairier. Get it?

Anyway, carry on reading for her (I'm calling my friend 'her' because she wants to remain anonymous) review of the Get A Grip tutorial!

***

Finally the day has arrived. One I’d been counting down the days for. Not including my last working day before we break up for Christmas, no. Instead it was for my hair appointment at Holborn based salon, Brooks & Brooks, for their new ‘Get A Grip’ hair tutorial. The thought of being tutored about how to tame my mane thrills me…why? Because whilst I love my hair, I just don’t know what else I can do to it but have it styled down, or into a messy ponytail.

To have long hair and not know how to style it is like having a Porsche but no driver’s license. So when I was offered the opportunity to review ‘Get a Grip’, it was my calling. How could I possibly decline?

The service offers you the opportunity to style your own hair with a qualified stylist. “How hard can it be to style your own hair?!” I hear you all say. Coming from a hair PR, believe me, there are some tricks and tips, even I didn’t know about!

I was sat down by my stylist Valerie, who made me feel at ease about my four days’ worth of unwashed hair. Now Valerie, might I add knows her stuff, having worked at fashion week in Milan, London, New York for designers such as Mulberry and Alexander McQueen. Valerie informed me that unwashed hair, gives you added texture and more manageability when styling your hair. She advised me that hair is ‘best gripped with a bit of grit.’ Phew! A lucky escape for me then.

Firstly, Valerie guided me through some hair styles to suit my face shape. Therefore we began our journey together, as Valerie bonded with me and my hair, taking me through me some very easy to follow step-by-steps, in creating the classic ponytail, a side bun and the fabulous fishtail.

It was like having reflexology or a face mapping facial. Only it was a hair reading. Together we studied the texture of my hair to help me figure out the best way to control it, using hair tools such as the Denman Bristle Brush and Bumble & Bumble hair pins. Who’d have thought that there is a wide variety of pins to choose from, as much as there are a variety of coffee shops to choose from?

First off she taught me where to position my ponytail, so that it is aligned with my cheekbones. If you misguide your ponytail too high onto your crown, the proportions of the style will look wrong. Bring it down a little lower, and it’s like a match made in hair heaven! She taught me to study my face shape carefully, and to create an illusionary line as to where I position my ponytail, using my cheekbones as a guide.

The one tip that blew me away and a common mistake we all make, is to create a ponytail in one section. Well of course, this is correct, but if you want to step it up a notch, the key learning is to separate the ponytail into two parts, a bottom and top section. The bottom half of my hair sets the foundation of the ponytail. The top section is backcombed into individual sections. The key is to then smooth the backcombed hair into the ponytail and bound it together as one. This gives your ponytail height and elegance and is incredibly easy to achieve. Genius!

Get a Grip’ is an excellent service idea and I’d recommend it to every girl who simply wants ‘more’ from their hair. So on that note, treat yourself to some fun education. Be it the gift of giving to oneself or someone else, and discover the inner beehive or side bun in you.

Get A Grip is a 1.5 hour service for £100 and is available throughout the year. Contact Brooks & Brooks on 0207 405 8111 or check out their website http://www.brooksandbrooks.co.uk/ for more information.

***

Well, that sounds like a pretty good service to me but not sure it'll be everyone's cup of tea, especially with the £100 price tag. With so many hair tutorial blog posts and YouTube videos, personally I would be more inclined to check those out but if I wanted some professional teaching then I would definitely check out the Brooks & Brooks service.

Would any of you invest in some professional hair styling tutorials or are you happy freestyling with YouTube?

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: O.P.I 'Rainbow Connection'

2012-01-05T21:08:00.000Z

One of the most talked about nail polish collections of 2011 was the O.P.I and Muppets collaboration. With a bunch of gorgeous glitters and lovely metallics, it was bound to be a big hit around Christmas and especially with magpies like me. After seeing the swatches of the collection, I knew that I was going to be buying Rainbow Connection because it was just amazing in the photos. The other glitters, pretty as they were, didn't really jump out at me so I skipped them and went for the one I had my mind set on and it really didn't disappoint.

Rainbow Connection (no idea what the name is about but whatever) is a multi-coloured glitter nail polish with around six different sized glitter particles so when it is applied it just looks so eye catching and mesmerising. I paired it with a black base because the polish doesn't have a base shade to sit on but I am tempted to try it with a navy blue or maybe a gold or maybe a silver.... The possibilities are endless!

This is a close up of Rainbow Connection, you'll have to excuse the tip wear on the nails. I forgot to snap a photo straight after I painted them so this is after two days of wear.

Isn't that just one of the prettiest nail polishes you've ever seen!?!

I actually couldn't stop looking at my nails and I got asked by several people which nail polish I was wearing so it is a crowd pleaser too. It's a shame that full on glitter nails look a little out of place during the week because I would definitely make this a routine thing but maybe I'll just save it for once in a while when I need a bit of a sparkle and pick me up.

I don't think you can pick Rainbow Connection up anywhere anymore because I heard it sold out almost immediately but I'm sure eBay has a few knocking around so check there if you're after one.

What do you lot think? Is 'Rainbow Connection' a little too much for you or are you all about the glitz?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: Sephora by O.P.I 'Metro Chic'

2012-01-03T21:16:00.000Z

Being a beauty blogger, I go through a hell of a lot of makeup and beauty products so it is only natural that I forget about products sometimes. It's so easy to assume that I've written about something that I love because, well, that is what bloggers do, right? We talk about all the things we love and the things we hate but sometimes products slip through the net because the lines become so blurred. It's dangerous really because there's always a chance of reposting something that you may have done a year ago but I can't seem to find anything in my blog archives about this polish so I'm hoping that it is something new-ish for you.

Laura of Lollipop26 raved about this polish a couple of years ago and I knew that I would have to have it so I bought the matte version first and then picked up the normal gloss version when I went to New York in 2010. *dreams back to April 2010 and NYC adventures with Mandy*

This is Metro Chic:

This is a nail polish that I have a love/hate relationship with because it sometimes looks really good and other times looks really bad. I don't know how to explain it properly but I'm sure someone out there will know what I mean. The consistency is perfect as it only takes two coats for a nice opaque finish and it lasts at least four days without chipping so it gets a nice round 10 in my books. I regret not picking up more Sephora by O.P.I nail polishes when I was in New York but I'm sure I can pick a few up on eBay so if there are any shade recommends, let me know.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: Orly 'Red Carpet' & Filthy Gorgeous 'Extravagance'

2012-01-02T21:32:00.001Z

If you read my previous post then you'll know how unimpressed I was with Orly's Red Carpet nail polish. It was thin and needed at least three coats before it was remotely opaque so I panned it and wrote how I would never recommend it to anyone. Well, I haven't changed my mind but I didn't want to remove the polish and reply something else so I thought that I may as well layer something else on top and give it a completely different look so that was exactly what I did. Seeing as it was Christmas time, well the week before Christmas, I knew that it was the best time to pull out the red glitter polish and get away with it so I got to play with Filthy Gorgeous 'Extravagance'.

I love glitter and although I wish I could wear glitter on my nails 365 days a year, I would probably look quite strange and would have to buy nail polish remover by the bucketload. Filthy Gorgeous launched a range of glitter polishes back in November and they are fabulous because they're sparkly enough to catch the eye and they come in different colours so you can always match them with a base shade. I had quite a few people asking me which nail polish I had used to achieve the festive look because it is eye catching as there are six different sized particles in the glitter to give it a bit of dimension. I love it!

You can buy Orly minature nail polishes from Boots and you can buy Filthy Gorgeous polishes online from their website.

What kind of nails were you fashioning at Christmas? If you've got a post on your blog, link me in the comments box!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: Orly 'Red Carpet'

2012-01-02T21:08:00.000Z

I love red nail polish but it is hard to find the perfect red shade. I've been through countless red nail polishes and have tried different brands but I still can't seem to find the one that I absolutely love. Ideally, the perfect red polish will be vibrant yet not too 'in-your-face' and it'll be creamy but not thick, not to mention slightly wine-toned so it can go from day to night. I don't ask for much, do I?

A while ago, I won a bottle of Orly 'Red Carpet' during a Twitter giveaway they were holding but never actually swatched it until a couple of weeks ago. It is a shimmery red nail polish that was perfect for Christmas as it ticked all the boxes, this is what it looked like:

Excuse the poor tidying up job but I was in a bit of a rush and didn't have time to perfect it.

The polish was thin in consistency so it needed 3 coats and even that wasn't enough, in my opinion. I hate it when I can still see the nail bed line so I wasn't too impressed with this Orly nail polish, which is new for me because usually I'm a huge fan as they never disappoint. I loved that this polish had glitter running through it but that didn't really translate once applied so that was another let down.

Out of all the Orly polishes that I own, this is the only one that I wouldn't recommend because of the thin consistency. There are far better red shimmery nail polishes out there that will give a nicer finish and apply like a dream.

If you're a fan of Orly, what are your favourite nail polishes? I'm looking to invest in a few more because they are great value for money with some of the biggest bottles in the beauty world. Let me know but dropping your comments in the box.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Peekaboo, I See You!

2011-12-30T21:22:00.000Z

After almost a month away, I thought I atleast owed all of my followers one post before we saw the end of 2011. Along with the normal spiel of being busy over the last few weeks, I lost my blogging mojo and just couldn't bring myself to sit down in front of my laptop and yap away in a post about a product I had found or something I had bought. I don't know how and I don't know when but I just lost the will to blog and didn't see the point in doing a crap job at it.

Well, after the time away from the site, I can now say that I have missed it. I've missed posting every day (or atleast every few days) and I've missed logging on to read the comments that you would leave sharing your thoughts and comments on products. So this is just a little post to say that I'm coming back in 2012 with fresh ideas, products, posts and gossip so try and stick around for a little while longer because I promise that it will be worth it.

For now, I'll leave you with a barrage of pictures I saw on WeHeartIt.com that caught my eye because I could relate to them but I'm pretty sure that most of you will be able to relate to them too.

Until next year...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: Models Own Beetlejuice Collection - Emerald Black

2011-12-04T18:51:00.000Z

Models Own caused quite a stir back in October with the launch of their Beetlejuice collection which, the all of the photos, looked like a pretty amazing bunch of nail polishes. I remember seeing the sneak peek images on BritishBeautyBlogger and thinking that they looked really good because they were different from your average duochrome shades. When the collection launched, I forgot all about them until I went on to ASOS and saw that they were doing a trio for £10.00 so I bought them and waited for the postie to drop them through my letterbox. They never arrived but after a few angry tweets to ASOS, they arrived the following day and I forgot about them again. It's never a good sign when you forget about makeup or nail polish because it means that they're either not memorable enough and therefore not exciting or you have way too much stuff.

Anyway, I finally managed to swatch one of the polishes from the collection and although it is pretty, it isn't the most exciting nail polish I've seen.

This is Emerald Black - a deep green with a whole lot of black.

On first glance, this polish first reminded me Racing Green by Barry M but this one is significantly darker so The still haven't found a way to get rid of the nasties. However, with that being said, the polish still applies exceptionally well and dried quite quickly too so you don't have to wave your arms around for too long waiting for it to set. The only downside was that it didn't last very long and I started to notice a lot of tip wear after only two days so if you're after a polish that you can wear throughout the week, this definitely isn't it.

You can buy the Models Own Beetlejuice Collection now from ASOS and the Models Own website.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: Orly Birds of a Feather Collection - 'Nite Owl'

2011-12-04T18:16:00.000Z

I don't like birds. I think they're kind of gross and although the might be pretty to look at, they actually scare the life out of me. However, 'Nite Owl' from the new Birds Of A Feather collection is a pretty taupe shade with silver shimmer running through it so it makes a little more glam than your usual greige/taupe shade. I went through a huge greige/taupe phase last year but after a couple of months, I got quite sick of the colour and felt that it was just a little too dark for me so I ditched it and went back to my normal brighter shades of polish. Now that I'm embracing the glitter and shimmer in nail polishes, I have a feeling that 'Nite Owl' might become a firm favourite this season.

Isn't she just a beauty?

The polish went on in two easy coats with no streaky and it dried surprisingly quickly to a smooth finish, although I had to put my obligatory coat of Seche Vite on top to seal the deal. I understand that it won't be everyones cup of tea because the shade has a tendency to look a bit like 'smoker nails' but the shimmer definitely helps to give it some character!

Orly nail polishes are extremely good value for money considering they are the biggest in the beauty world at 18ml and start at around £6.95, compared to O.P.I which are £10.50 for 15ml. They have a pretty big selection of colours and finishes so if you want to try something new then I highly recommend Orly.

Have any of you picked anything up from the Orly lately that you can't get enough of? I want to know so email/tweet/Facebook or comment and give me your recommendations.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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NOTD: Orly Mineral FX 'Stone Cold'

2011-12-03T15:44:00.000Z

Seeing as we are now in December and there are only three weeks left until Christmas is upon us, I have decided to embrace all things glittery and sparkly. I love glitter nail polish but can never bring myself to do a full glitter mani because I know how much of a pain it is going to be when it comes time to remove it. I know that I will end up going through a packet of cotton wool and half a bottle of nail polish remover before I have removed all traces of glitter from my nails, fingers and hands. If anyone knows of a quick and easy way to remove glitter nail polish than please let me know because it really is the bane of my life.

That being said, when I received this glittery number from Orly, I knew I would have to bite the bullet and go full steam ahead with a glitter mani...

This is Stone Cold from the Orly Mineral FX range:

My photo actually doesn't do this polish any justice because up close it really is amazing. It's definitely more of a glitter than a shimmer but the colour itself is gorgeous. I definitely don't own anything like this in my collection which makes it all the more special for me and I've had quite a few compliments on it too. There are five other glitter/shimmer shades in the Mineral FX collection by Orly and I think I might just have to buy those ones too.

Orly Mineral FX polishes are £7.50 each and are available from BeautyBay.

What are your favourite glitter nail polishes? Drop your answers in the box at the bottom!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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Glossybox: Three Month Round Up

2011-11-28T20:59:00.001Z

Beauty boxes have been the talk of the town for the last few months and with there being about 8 (that I can recall) on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is for you. To be honest, I don't think the beauty box idea is something I could subscribe to purely because I own enough beauty products as it is so knowing that I'd be getting another five each month would not help my storage issues. However, with that being said, when I was offered the chance to receive a Glossybox (the original beauty box), I was definitely interested to see what the fuss was about.

From what I gather about Glossybox, each month you pay £12.99, including postage and packaging, for five large sample size products for you to test with. The concept is meant to be a 'try before you buy' type thing where you can use the sample and if it something you like then you can go out and buy it. Simple. Well, so you think it would be. It turns out that there are still some kinks that are being ironed out with Glossybox and other beauty box concepts when it comes down to personal choice and what each person would like to see in their box. I've seen more than enough tweets of people being disappointed with the products they receive in their boxes because someone else received something better. I guess I would be pretty cheesed off too if I knew the girl next door got something way better in her box than I had in mine, it's only natural and, so it seems, something that we never grow out of.

Anyway, I digress. I've received the September, October and November Glossyboxes so I thought I would do a quick round up as to what came in each box and you can all see how the products vary to give you a better idea if you're unsure as to whether you want to join with one of the beauty box schemes.

One thing I have to say about Glossybox is that their boxes do look pretty damn good and you can tell that they pay a lot of attention to detail with contents of each box being wrapped in black tissue and a hand-tied ribbon.

The boxes are solid cardboard so you can probably find different uses for them, including filling them with goodies for children and sending them to Give and Make-Up.

The contents for Septmber, October and November (L-R):

So you can see that each box comes with 5 deluxe sized samples and a little card to give you information on each product as well as how much the full size is and where you can buy the products from. There are also discount codes for some products so if you do like what you have, you can buy them cheaper with your Glossy-code from the relevant website.

September box:

1. Green People - Day Solution
2. HD Brows - Eye & Brow Palette
3. Moa - The Green Balm
4. Plum by Mary Greenwell - Eau de Parfum
5. Rahua - Shampoo & Conditioner
October box:

1. Dermalogica Age Smart - MultiVitamin Thermafoliant
2. Dermalogica Age Smart - MultiVitamin Power Recover Masque
3. Leighton Denny Expert Nails - Nailpolish in Sex Kitten
4. Stila - Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Moray
5. Robert Piguet - Eau de Parfums
6. Dermalogica Age Smart - Renewal Lip Complex & Beauty Bag

November box:

1. Arbonne FC5 - Ultra Hydrating Hand Creme

2. Dead Sea Spa Magik - Dead Sea Bath Salts

3. Etro - Set of 5 fragrance vials

4. Nail Rock - Designer Nail Wraps

5. Philip Kingsley - Elasticizer

Do you see how the boxes differ every month? There really is no way of telling what kind of product you'll get each month and whether or not it'll be the same as the girl next door. After reading blog posts galore on Glossybox boxes, there really is a wide range of products that are sent out and sometimes it is a bit hit and miss. I know that in September, some people were lucky enough to receive a full size L'Oreal Mythic Oil whereas others received the HD Brows palette. The October Glossybox was a special one as it was their six month anniversary so everyone got the same thing but the Leighton Denny nailpolish shade differed. In the November Glossybox some people were treated to a sample of the new Illamasqua fragrance called 'Freak' while others received the Etro five vial set. There just is no telling what you might or might not get with these boxes and I'm sure there is a similar problem with the other beauty boxes out there, not just Glossybox.

In all honesty, if was paying £12.99 for the boxes that I've just gone through then I probably would be quite happy because there are some full size products in there that would be double the value of the box. For example, the Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner in the October box is £13.00 on its' own whereas you've got that and a load of other samples for less. Yes, if I knew that someone else had gotten something better in their box then I might be disappointed but when you weigh it all up, it really doesn't count because the contents of my box might be better overall. The whole beauty box concept is a great idea and I'm glad that I've been lucky enough to try the Glossybox ones out but I think that if you are considering signing up for one, shop around and read reviews on all the other ones out there first as you might prefer the quality of products that are going.

You can join the Glossybox scheme by heading over to their website where you'll get a better picture of their service and what to expect each month.

How many of you have joined up with a beauty box service? Are you getting your pennies worth?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLES*

NOTD: Topshop 'Cut The Mustard'

2011-11-26T17:13:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago, while I was mooching around Oxford Street, I popped in to Topshop to see if there was anything in there that tickled my fancy. There was not. I just don't get the hype around Topshop and why people love it so much because I can never find anything I like in there apart from jeans. It's overpriced for what it is and you're almost always going to be able to find a cheaper version in H&M, New Look, Forever21 or good ol' Primark.

The one Topshop department that always catches my eye is their beauty section. After the successful launch of their makeup collection last year, it has become my first stop whenever I'm in the Oxford Street store. They have a huge range of nail polishes, blushers and all sorts that it always distracts me from the rest of the overpriced tat in the store. On my last visit, I spent a lot more time looking at the nail polishes and this shade caught my eye almost immediately because it dawned on me that I didn't have anything like it.

This is Cut The Mustard...

Could it be any more perfectly named? It is a lovely mustard yellow nail polish, a colour that I didn't know that I didn't own until I saw it. I love when that happens!

It does slightly run the risk of looking like an old smokers' nails but I don't care because I think the colour is so different to the pastel yellow or canary yellow shades that we usually see on this high street. It's really strange because I've never actually seen a colour like this in Boots or Superdrug which are the places where I pick up most of my nail polishes. It applied amazingly well and only took two even coats to get an opaque finish with one swipe of a quick dry topcoat to give it a glossy finish.

Is this a shade that you like or does it look a bit too "I smoke 40 fags a day" for you?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: O.P.I 'Designer...De Better'

2011-11-26T13:43:00.000Z

O.P.I always seem to have their finger on the buzzer when it comes to collaborations. I don't even know where to begin when reeling them off but recent ones have included Alice in Wonderland, Burlesque, Serena Williams, Katy Perry and now The Muppets. The O.P.I Christmas collection this year is a collaboration with The Muppets and what a great collection it is! There are glitters galore and magnificent metallics so if you're feeling the Christmas spirit and aren't afraid of the sparkle then these are a must for you.

As soon as I saw that the collection had gone live on BeautyBay a month ago, I was right in there to bag myself a Rainbow Connection. I had seen swatches of it online and knew that it would be a right pain to apply and remove but I didn't let that stop me because it was just too pretty to pass up. The other shades were pretty on the website but I didn't think I needed any of them, that was until I saw Helen of Just-Nice-Things write a post on this beauty...

Designer...De Better by O.P.I is a beautiful metallic silvery gold with teeny tiny flecks of orange running through it which makes it look gorgeous. It applied smoothly and there were no visible brush strokes which can sometimes happen with metallic nail polishes such as this one. I was extremely impressed with the length of wear and managed to get 5 days with no chips or significant tip wear so I would definitely recommend this to those who are after something to get them through the working week. It's not too loud but still eye catching because I had a few shop assistants ask me which nail polish I was wearing so if you're looking for something that does that, then this is it!

The O.P.I & Muppets collection is available now from BeautyBay, Lena White and Sally's but if you're in the Westfield White City area then you should definitely head in to the new Colourcopia store. The new store has all 240 shades of O.P.I nail polish and the whole Nicole by O.P.I collection so you're bound to find what you're looking for in there.

What are your favourite metallic nail polishes? Drop your answers in the box!

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

The 6 Inch Stilettos Meets...

2011-11-26T11:12:00.001Z

I've never been quiet about my love for shoes, especially Christian Louboutin shoes. The red sole is eye catching and as soon as I slip my pair on, I know that it is going to be a good (okay, a little painful) night. When I heard that the Christian Louboutin was going to be in London for the launch of his new book and would be signing copies at Harvey Nichols, I knew that I had to be there.

Nothing could have prepared me for the Louboutin-mania that had taken over the fourth floor of Harvey Nichols with the queue winding around the floor at least twice!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, this is Mr. Christian Louboutin...

He was so nice and was greeting all of his fans with a big smile, posed for photos, autographing books... I actually let out a little squeal when I saw him!

And this is the moment where I, The 6 Inch Stilettos, met my idol, Christian Louboutin... The man who created the six inch stilettos!!!

Our conversation was short, not like I could have sat there for hours on end with him, but he did ask me where my family was originally from after he saw my name and when I said "India", he followed with "Ahh, does your name come from the holy city of Amritsar?" - Needless to say, I fell in love with him a little bit more. I gave him a little hug, the photographer snapped the shot and off I went... A heavy book in tow and floating on cloud 9!

I may not have worn my Louboutin stilettos to meet their maker but I did manage to snap a shot of Monsieur Louboutin's shoes which were pretty damn impressive...

I'm still floating on cloud 9 and can't believe that I actually met Christian Louboutin.... It might just outweigh the time I met Jimmy Choo (Sorry, Choo!) - Now, if someone can introduce me to Manolo Blahnik next time he is in town, that would be great!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Competition: Win A Makeover With 17

2011-11-22T22:24:00.001Z

I love cheap and cheerful makeup brands, especially ones that I know are easily available. Boots' own brand, 17 Cosmetics, is one of those brands as I can almost always find something I like in their collections. It is also a brand that appeals to young girls and older women as they have a huge range of products with shades to suit most skintones, except for the new B.B Cream.

If you're on Twitter and follow a lot of beauty bloggers then you'll know about the Twitter party that 17 held last weekend where everyone tweeted what their favourite product from the range was as well as any other makeup related gossip. There was quite a lot of spamming on timelines going on but I guess it was in the name of makeup so I can't really hate too much!

Anyway, 17 is currently hosting a competition on their Facebook page where one lucky winner can bag themselves an exclusive makeover with 17's official makeup artist, Vanesa Guallar.

They will also get tickets to a Summer Camp gig, £500 of high street shopping vouchers and an overnight stay in a top London hotel. I'm not going to lie... I'm half tempted to join in myself!

To be in with a chance of winning the grand prize detailed above or one of many other prizes that are up for grabs, head over to the 17 Facebook page and click on the Get Involved tab where you'll need to enter your details. After that, all you have to do is cross your fingers and hope that you win.

The closing date for the competition is Sunday 27th November so if you're interested then make sure you get your entry in before then... You know the saying... YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Review & Swatcheroonies: FashionistA Custom Design Palette System

2011-11-21T22:40:00.000Z

I love a custom palette because of the freedom to create something that I'll get a lot of use out of and I love MAC and Inglot purely for those reasons. However, they can get a little pricey so not always great for the bank balance whereas the FashionistA version is cheaper and will be a winner for a lot of girls out there. Considering it is a new brand that has only been around for two months, they have a huge colour cosmetics range which includes 49 eyeshadows and 12 blushers. The Custom Design Palette System is the perfect way to put together an eyeshadow/blush quad that you can travel with or even a trio of eyeshadows and a blush so you're ready to go at any given minute.

When I attended the launch event a couple of months ago, I was given an empty palette and was allowed to choose four eyeshadows or blushers to place in it. The thing I love about this palette is that you can pop the shades in easily so there is no need to burn your fingers depotting any eyeshadows or stabbing yourself by wriggling the pan out.

I chose two neutral shades, a pink and a green - They don't really go together but the lighting was really crap in the room and there were some crazy girls in there trying to get their magnetized nails on the products so I had to make do with whatever I could grab.

I love that there is a big mirror on the inside because it makes it easier to get ready on the go and the eyeshadows are a lot bigger than those from MAC which means you are getting a lot more for your money.

All eyeshadows have the label on the bottom so you don't have to do any peeling and re-sticking business like you would have to with any MAC depotted eyeshadow.

Swatcheroonies:

Like I said earlier, I had to grab any shades while I could because there were loads of girls trying to get their hands on the shadows so the shades don't really complement each other as well as I would have liked them to. All four shades I picked are metallic and shimmery but I prefer the finish to matte shades so I'm sure that I'll get a lot of use out of them, well except the pink one - I don't actually know why I grabbed that but it doesn't matter now... I'm sure I'll find a way to use it.

Overall, I'm really impressed with the quality of the eyeshadows and the palette so have no doubt that it will be a bestseller for FashionistA once the magnet nailpolish fad has died down. The eyeshadows are extremely pigmented, as you can see in the photo above, and I can only imagine that the blushers are of similar quality. If you're after a palette that you can design, then make sure you take a look at the FashionistA stand in your nearest Superdrug now!

The FashionistA Custom Design Palettes are on an ongoing promotion whereby you buy any 4 eyeshadows and/or blushers and get your fourth and empty palette (which is usually £5) absolutely free. That would mean you get a complete customised palette for £12 which is a bloody bargain compared to what you might expect to pay in other higher end stores. Eyeshadows and blushers are otherwise priced at £4.00 each and are available now from Superdrug stores or online HERE.

What do you think? Is this something that tickles your fancy or will you be sticking with the more expensive freedom palettes? Drop your comments in the box!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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New Brand Alert: Kiko Cosmetics

2011-11-13T18:09:00.000Z

I, like most beauty bloggers, love finding new makeup brands to talk about. There's just something exciting about writing about a brand or product that others might not have heard about or seen anything from. Kiko Cosmetics is a brand that I had never heard or or seen before until a couple of weeks ago when I came across it in Westfield London. There I was, minding my own business, when my eyes caught a glimpse of the freestanding Kiko Cosmetics store and before I knew it, I was walking over and leaving my mum behind.

The store isn't actually that big but they have A LOT to offer. From a huge range of nail polishes to brushes to bases to skincare to lipstick to eyeshadow... It was beauty blogger heaven. What's better is that all the products are so cheap considering the quality that I can almost guarantee that I'll be going back in there soon.

I could have easily splurged and come out with half of the store but I had to control myself because my mum was with me and would have given me "The Look" for buying more makeup so I just picked up a few bits.

How good am I?? 2 nail polishes and 1 lipstick is a bloody good achievement for me, let me tell you.

I had a brief chat with one of the MUAs in store who told me that the brand is huge in Italy and launched here about 2 months ago. At the moment, they only have 2 stores which are in Westfield London and Westfield Stratford. They are also planning on opening another 8 stores all over the U.K over the next year which means that the products will be available nationwide-ish. The MUA also told me that the products are so cheap, compared to MAC and The Makeup Store, because they do not advertise to they are able to keep their prices low. Now, when I say 'cheap' I mean, cheap compared to other beauty brands that have freestanding stores like the brands already mentioned. The nail polishes are about £4.99 each and the lipstick was £6.99 (I think) which is quite similar to the price of L'Oreal or Max Factor products.

I am loving matte lipsticks right now so picked up this Mat Lipstick in 208 from Kiko:

It is very similar to NARS 'Mayflower' from their SS11 collection but a matte version which is one of those 'my lips but better' kind of shades. Having always been a pink lippie kind of girl, stepping away from the shades I'm more familiar with to use colours that complement my skintone better is a big step for me and one that I am definitely glad that I took. I did try and take a photo of the lipstick on my actual lips but none of them looked nice so I just went with a good ol' back-of-the-hand swatch.

Nailpolish in 345:

When I saw this shade in store, I knew it was going to mine. It is a murky pastel green nail polish that immediately caught my eye because I knew I had nothing like it. Although I do have many mint-green nail polishes, there was something about this product that drew me in and after seeing it on my nails, I knew that it was love. I actually tweeted this photo after I had painted my nails and received a flurry of tweets asking which brand it was and where it could be purchased - Well now you know, ladies!

Nailpolish in 336:

I had been after an electric blue nail polish for a while but was struggling to find the right kind of shade so was excited to find the shade in the Kiko store. A gorgeous blue with just enough eye-catching qualities, the polish applied smoothly and only took 2 thick coats to get an even finish. Both nail polishes lasted my 5 days with no chips and very minor tip wear which is amazing considering I spend most of my day tapping at a laptop or computer. I know I could have gotten away with 7 days but I get bored with one colour on my nails for more than 3-4 days so I had to switch them up.

I definitely recommend Kiko Cosmetics and can't wait to explore the brand in more detail when I am in Westfield next. I spied some pretty blushers in store so I plan on looking at those carefully and maybe even having a look at the skincare products too.

Have any of you heard of Kiko Cosmetics before? A few of you said that you had seen the brand on holiday but hadn't really tried any of the products before but now that you've read my two cents worth, are you tempted to check the brand out?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Review & Swatcheroonies: 17 B.B Cream in Medium

2011-11-13T15:05:00.000Z

The buzz word in beauty these days seems to B.B Cream. A fairly new product to the British beauty market, the B.B Cream craze has taken over and there are quite a few being churned out as I write this post. Now, I'm not a big know-it-all when it comes to beauty products and I learn a lot from the blogs that I read and from what I've gathered, a B.B Cream is meant to be a tinted moisturiser or foundation with SPF which helps to hide imperfections and give skin an overall better finish. Now, how this is meant to be different from your average tinted moisturiser or foundation, I don't know but I will let you know if I find out.

Over in the Far East, B.B Creams are old news and something that they've been using a long time but it seems that the big beauty brands have now cottoned on to the idea and the supposed gap in the U.K markets for it so they're doing their own versions. When I say "own versions" I actually man, they're going to try and mimic the original Far East versions but take out the skin lightening properties that they have in the original ones, oh and take out all the ashy grey tones by replacing them with pink tones so it suits our pasty skin.

Anyway, I've had a play with the Garnier B.B Cream and absolutely hated it because it did nothing for my skin and was way too pink for my yellow tone. I don't think these big beauty brands understand that not all of the British population is white with pink undertones so I've yet to find a B.B Cream that suits me but for the sake of this review and to give you lot an idea of what they swatch like, I decided to do a post on one.

This is the 17 B.B Cream which comes in two shades, Fair and Medium. I was given Medium to try out but this is still too light for me so if 17 could kindly come out with a yellow toned darker shade, I would much appreciate it!

The front and back of the box.... Umm, doesn't B.B mean blemish balm anyway? Don't know why the 17 packaging says 17 B.B Blemish Balm but hey, it's not a big deal. With the description on the back, I would have actually just called the product a tinted moisturiser and I guess it is but the brand is clearly trying to jump on board with the trend so can't really blame them.

The directions are pretty straight forward and identical to ones that you would find on a tinted moisturiser or foundation. It really isn't rocket science but I guess some people get baffled by beauty products.

Swatcheroonies:

The consistency of the product is quite thick compared to a foundation but it is similar to that of a tinted moisturiser. The photo shows one small squirt of the tube so you do get quite a bit which means it should last you a few months before you would need to repurchase it. Also, there was no noticeable smell from the product which was a plus because that can really throw someone (i.e. Me) off a product.

Clearly this is not the shade for me.

A little really does go a long way with this B.B Cream and I'm sure that one squirt of the tube will be enough to cover your whole face. I used my fingers to rub this in to my hand because I feel that you get a way better finish with it and it also warms the product up and makes it easier to work with. I'm not a fan of using makeup sponges but if you would rather use one then go right ahead... Each to their own.

Blended in:

I really like the dewy finish the 17 B.B Cream left and when compared to the Garnier B.B Cream, this one wins for me. I can't really comment on the coverage of it as I haven't tried it on my face because it isn't my shade but it looked pretty good on the back of my hand.

Overall, I would recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a new tinted moisturiser but doesn't want to spend a lot of money because the 17 B.B Cream has an added bonus of SPF25 which eliminates the need to wear an SPF moisturiser underneath. The only downside to the product is the fact that it only comes in two shades and neither of them will be suitable for Indian skin like mine because of reasons that I've already touched on in this post.

The 17 B.B Cream is available now from Boots stores nationwide and online for £5.99.

Have any of you tried a B.B Cream yet? If so, what do you think of them? Are they something special or just glorified tinted moisturisers? Let me know your thoughts by dropping a comment in the box.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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Review & Swatcheroonies: Avon AW11 Collection

2011-11-12T19:05:00.000Z

Makeup brands work 6 months in advance so all of the A/W and Christmas collections that you're seeing in stores and magazines at the moment were actually showcased to press back in June and July. Working in the beauty industry, I'm now used to seeing Xmas products during the summer and this was one collection that caught my eye because the colours were so pretty.

The collection is made up of a nail polish, eyeshadow quad, lip gloss and mascara, the latter being the Avon SuperEnchant which I featured on here a couple of weeks ago.

First up, the True Colour Eyeshadow Quad in Glitz & Glamour

The quad is made up of 4 shimmery eyeshadows and a dual ended foam applicator. On first glance, the eyeshadows look like they would have some nice colour pay off but I know a lot better than to expect the best from some eyeshadows. I'm sure you've all looked at an eyeshadow and thought it would look amazing when swatched only to find that it falls completely flat and there is no colour payoff whatsoever... Well, I'm sad to admit that this is one of those products...

Swatcheroonies:

Do you see what I mean?! There is just NO colour payoff whatsoever and I had to rub the shadow pretty hard to get any sort of colour to swatch on my hand - Major fail. I didn't use a primer underneath the swatches because I wanted to see how pigmented they are without it and needless to say, I am not too excited by this at all.

Glazewear Sparkle

A pink lipgloss with silver shimmer - Nothing new or surprising here but quite a pretty gloss to be worn on its own. It did go sticky after half an hour but I guess that is kind of normal for all lipglosses these days. If someone can please launch a lipgloss minus the superglue, that would be fab!

Nailwear Pro

I didn't actually realise that I didn't own a silver nail polish until I received this one in the post and now I can't bring myself to use it. Some of you may be wondering why but I'm scared that my hands will look like the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz if I actually used it so I keep putting it off... I will try it out, one day.

Overall, I wasn't too moved by the Avon collection and was especially disappointed in the eyeshadow quad because of the lack of pigment and just general quality. The lipgloss and nail polish are okay but again, nothing here that I would actually recommend which is a real shame because I would have loved to pinpoint some products to you all. I guess Avon can't please us all!

All of the products are available now from the Avon website.

What do you think? Is there anything in this collection that actually catches your eye?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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Want To Be The Next Cheryl Cole?

2011-10-31T21:11:00.002Z

If you've been following my ramblings on here for a while then you'll know that I very rarely report on celeb trends or anything of the sort. However, I'm making an exception today because I think the following competition might tickle some of you and one of you could be the next Cheryl Cole.

Firstly, by saying "the next Cheryl Cole", don't expect the following:

- Become a millionaire overnight

- Marry a half-bit footballer who will then go on to send nuddy pics to girls and cheat on you

- Simon Cowell to come knocking on your door asking you to be a judge on The X Factor

- Feel bad ass and punch toilet attendants

Okay, the last one was a bit of a low blow but I couldn't help it!

What you can expect is to be chosen from loads of girls to star in a television advertisement alongside Cheryl Cole in 2010 for Casting Creme Gloss. Exciting stuff, right?

Some of you may not remember those Casting Creme Gloss advertisements that were slotted in between The X Factor last year but it was when Cherill (a la Louis Walsh) dyed her hair red - See below.

Video sourced from L'Oreal Paris official Youtube page: HERE

Do you remember now? I thought so!

L'Oreal Paris is offering 3 lucky girls to star in the next Casting Creme Gloss TV advertisement campaign alongside ol' Chezza. Starting from today until 27th November, fans can enter a photo of themselves in either 'tempting blonde', 'rich brunette' or 'fiery redhead' on the official L'Oreal Paris UK Facebook page. All you need to do is click on the application button on the left hand side of the page, follow the steps to enter and upload a photo of yourself then ~~harass~~ ask your family and friends to vote for you from 27th November to 4th December 2011. The most popular blondes, brunettes and red heads will then be shortlisted for a L'Oreal Paris Casting Day where you'll receive makeovers in preparation for a live audition in front of a panel of judges. The live audition is basically your chance to tell the judges why you love the Casting Creme Gloss so much and it also gives you the chance to do those hair flicks that we see the adverts - We've all done it so don't be shy. The winner of the competition will then appear in the Casting Creme Gloss television advertisements for 2012 alongside Cheryl.

NOTE: The competition is open to all UK and ROI residents aged 16 and over. Entrants must register with L’Oréal Insider. No purchase necessary. Entrants must colour their hair using Casting Crème Gloss. Closing date 27/11/2011. For full Terms & Conditions and to enter visit Facebook.com/LOrealParisUK.

Whew, that was a bloody mouthful!
Let me know if any of you decide to enter because I'll definitely be casting (get it?) votes for you.

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

Review & Swatcheroonies: 17 A/W '11 Collection - Trio Eyeshadows

2011-10-30T19:18:00.000Z

I love when cheap High Street brands churn out amazing collections and 17 is one of those brands that continues to impress me time and time again. From their fantastic quality products to their ability to release products that are always on trend, there is nothing about the brand that I can fault. Their new A/W '11 collection is amazing and I really can't praise it enough because it is perfect for the seasons and everyone will find something that they love. The collection is based on three eyeshadow trios and matching nail polishes so I've split the review and into two so the post isn't too photo heavy.

First up, the eyeshadow trios.

I receive loads of press releases via email and through the post but this was definitely one of the first ones that caught my attention from the get go so kudos to you, 17.

The trios and co-ordinating nail polishes are split in to three themes (L-R)

- Enraged (Trio) & Fury (Nail Polish)

- Broken Hearted (Trio) & Sulk (Nail Polish)

- Vengeance (Trio) & Revenge (Nail Polish)

Trio Eyeshadow in Enraged

I can't stress how much of a sucker I am for neutral eyeshadows so these are right up my street. This shimmery pot of goodness is so beautiful and the colours aren't too 'in your face' so I know I'll be able to wear these at work or on a night out. The shadows are all extremely soft and blendable which is perfect because it means you can work with your fingers and don't need to have your brushes at hand. All of the above swatches were with one swipe of a finger and I didn't use any primer underneath so imagine how beautiful these will look once they're layered on top of a primer and are blended together!

Trio Eyeshadow in Broken Hearted

Again, beautiful colours and fantastic quality. I honestly can't say how much I love these little trios because I will run the risk of repeating myself over and over again. The Broken Hearted trio is made up of a dark jade, teal and silver which complement each other so effortlessly that even a broken hearted girl would perk up a little after seeing these. I found the dark jade shadow a little harder to work with than the teal and silver but I can only imagine that this is a good thing because a little always goes a long way when it comes to dark eyeshadows.

Trio Eyeshadow in Vengeance

Last but not least, Vengeance. My dislike for all things purple has been well documented on my blog and I think it is one of those colours that you either love or you hate, there is no in between. I have, however, learnt to show some sort of appreciation for the shade because I can't deny that the shade looks pretty in makeup products. Thankfully, Vengeance isn't as purple as it could have been and instead is based more on aubergine and plum shades which are a lot more wearable compared to some other shades in the family. Again, all shades are extremely soft and easy to work with so this would be perfect to throw in to your makeup bag and use to get ready after work for that office Xmas party.

Overall

These all get a HUGE thumbs up from me and I would definitely recommend them to friends, family and all of the readers of my blog because they are superb. The shades would suit pretty much all skintones and all occasions so you're not just limited to using them for nights out or Xmas parties. Everyone knows that I'm always going to Indian shindigs and weddings so these will definitely come in handy for more of those events as they'll add just the right amount of glitz and glamour without making me a disco ball.

You can buy the 17 A/W '11 collection now from all Boots stores and online from Boots.com. The trio eyeshadows are priced at £5.49 each, which is slightly expensive because you can buy a 12 shade palette from Sleek for a few extra pennies, but it is totally worth it!

How many of you have already picked these up and how many of you are going to skip them? Let me know!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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NOTD: Filthy Gorgeous Heavy Metal Nail Polish 'Got The Blues'

2011-10-30T15:13:00.000Z

Another day, another magnetic nail polish and today is a Filthy Gorgeous version. So far, I know of about 5 brands that have magnetic polishes out but the Filthy Gorgeous version was the first one I saw and had a play with about 4-5 months ago. I've had a good few months to play around with the polishes and I can safely say that I absolutely love them! Filthy Gorgeous is a brand that I hold very close to my heart because it was a brand that I have been working on for the last 10 months. From their launch back in October 2010 to a year and countless magazine features later, I still love the brand as much as I did when I first laid eyes on it and know that it is only going to get better.

Anyway, back to the polish!

This is 'Got The Blues' by Filthy Gorgeous:

The polish looks a lot darker in the photo than it does in real life so I took another photo using my BlackBerry camera to show you how it looks under a white flash...

Now, this looks a lot more true to life than the previous photo because you can see the shimmer that runs throughout the polish clearly. There is a purple-ish tinge to the polish too which you can't really see in the previous photo but my trusty BlackBerry kind of captures it - Gotta love technology.

The length of wear with these magnetic polishes tends to be around 3-5 days, if you're lucky. I don't know if it's just me and my constant tapping on my phone and laptop but I can never manage to make a nail polish last more than 4 days without any chips. Is there a secret out there that I don't know about?

So far, there aren't any major differences between the FashionistA, 17 and Filthy Gorgeous formulas and they all look the same too so I guess it'll be a matter of picking up the ones that you see first and just running with it because these beauties won't be around for long.

The Filthy Gorgeous Heavy Metal Collection is priced at £12.00 each and will be available to purchase from November at Debenhams stores nationwide as well as Jarrolds Norwich and Fenwick Newcastle.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Review & Swatcheroonies: Soap & Glory Cosmetics

2011-10-30T13:37:00.000Z

I love new makeup brand launches because it means there are new products to play with and new things to look out for so when I heard that Soap & Glory were going to be launching a full colour cosmetics range, I was a little bit excited. From their tongue-in-cheek product names (Sexy Mother Pucker, anyone?) to their huge selection of bath and body products, it was only a matter of time before they came out with a cosmetics range. I was recently sent a few pieces to have a play around with and I have to say, I am impressed.

The goodies:

I was sent the Lid Stuff in What's Nude, Love At First Blush in Pink, Pop & Pearl and the Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara.

The first thing that I noticed about the products were the colours and how they remained true to their roots and stuck with the pink, yellow and black theme of the bath and body range. For those of you who aren't familiar with the brand, Soap & Glory have a HUGE range of bath and body products and are known for their very popular Xmas gift sets which usually fly off the shelves in Boots. Much like the rest of the products, the Soap & Glory makeup range uses vintage-esque images of beauties from years gone by which helps it to stand out from the crowded makeup aisle in your local Boots. Anyway, on to the products!

Thick & Fast Mascara RRP £10.00

I'm a big mascara enthusiast and am always on the look out to try something new so I'm looking forward to trying this out on my poker straight lashes. If you know me, then you'll know that I go through mascaras like anything and I usually know if I'm going to get along with one after the first use so I'm hoping that this performs well. The brush is a jumbo sized one which is similar to Benefit Bad Gal and Revlon Grow Luscious but the formula appears to be slightly more "wet" than the formers so fingers crossed this one works better for me. FYI, I haven't tried this yet because I'm still working through a few others but I will do a full review on it when I get the chance.

Love At First Blush Cheek Powder RRP £11.00

Somewhere along this makeup purchasing journey, I became a blush hoarder. I'm not quite sure when it happened but I think it was somewhere between MAC and, well, every other brand. Blushers are now my first stop when looking at makeup so when I saw that I had been sent this beauty, I was a very happy bunny indeed. The Soap & Glory Love At First Blush cheek powder is a gorgeous multi-tone blusher which is super soft and is made up of 3 pretty shades of pink and 1 highlighting shade of white. Although the guidelines (I never understand why blushers need directions but whatever) on the back suggest tapping a brush in to one colour or all of them, the segments aren't really large enough to pick up only one shade on a brush. There are quite a few of these multi-tone blushers on the High Street now and this is another one that I'm sure will be a big hit!
Swatcheroonies:

I've tried to take half decent swatches of all shades but they aren't amazing so I'm hoping that you'll get the idea anyway. The texture of the blush does remind me of a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick but this is definitely more affordable and as it is available on the High Street, it's easier to pick up than having to visit your nearest department store. I know that the shades look somewhat shimmery in the swatches above, I can guarantee you that it doesn't translate as a disco ball on your face. There is just enough shimmer to highlight the cheek and add a dash of colour but not too much where all you can see is the light and no colour. This gets a big thumbs up from me!

Lid Stuff in What's Nude RRP £10.00

The Soap & Glory 'What's Nude' eyeshadow quad is made up of 3 matte shades and 1 metallic shade so you can play up the shimmer or tone it down as much as you like. Personally, I am a big fan of metallic/pearl eyeshadows as I find them a lot easier to work with so I can't see myself reaching for this quad time and time again. The matte shadows are pretty and some people may like them but they're definitely not for me, whereas the metallic shade will definitely be seeing a lot of love from me because it is just so damn pretty.
Swatcheroonies:

The trouble with matte shadows is that they tend to be quite chalky and give rubbish colour payoff but the Soap & Glory ones aren't actually that bad. I probably won't use them but that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate the quality of the shadows and the fact that some of you out there will actually purchase the palette because of them. The metallic shade in Aubersheen is the winner for me and although I have about 20 other eyeshadows that are similar to it, there is just something about it that makes it look better. I have a feeling that I'll end up using Aubersheen all over the lid and maybe Mudhoney in the crease... What do you think?

Overall:

Like I said earlier, I am impressed. The quality of the products are great and considering they aren't super duper expensive, I can see these becoming popular among shoppers who are after something different and want to try out a new brand. As Soap & Glory is already a well known brand here in the U.K, the cosmetics range can only be a winner as people are familiar with the packaging and cheeky product names. I actually saw the stand today in Boots (It has taken the space of Prestige Cosmetics, in case you were wondering where that went) and it all looks great. My only problem is that because the packaging is the same for all of the products, I didn't know what I was looking at. I might be the only one who feels that it is all to lookey-likey but when I'm in front of a makeup stand, my eyes dart from product to product but with the Soap & Glory stand, my eyes had to focus on everything because I didn't know what the hell I was looking at. Maybe the brand should mix it up a little to help shoppers locate specific products or maybe it's just me!?

The Soap & Glory cosmetics range is available now from larger Boots stores and online from Boots.com. There is a full range of base products as well as cheeks, lips and eyes so let me know if you pick anything up or recommend I try something else!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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Review: Avon SuperEnchant Mascara

2011-10-28T16:15:00.000+01:00

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect mascara. The last 2 years of blogging have flown past and so has my well documented search for a mascara that does everything you would want from it. From the super expensive, to the super cheap, I've tried more mascaras than I would like to admit but still have not found the one that has kept me going back for more. Benefit and Paula's Choice have been my strongest contenders for all around amazingness in a tube but I still feel like there might be better ones out there so when I received the new Avon A/W collection, which also includes a new mascara, I couldn't wait to try it out.

The new Avon SuperEnchant mascara claims to be a "Lightweight mascara for full looking lashes that feel soft-to-the-touch" but as a big mascara fusspot, I was interested to see if it matched up to the claim.

The first thing different about the product is the brush. Now, I've been through loads of mascaras but this is the first time I've used a brush like this. I'm sure there are other brands out there that offer something similar but this was a first for me so I couldn't wait to use it and see how it performed.

Applied:

My first impression was definitely not the best and you can probably see why from the photo above. Although the mascara lifted my lashes, it made them clumpy and crusty which is not what I was hoping for or expected with this mascara. In the past, I have heard people rate the Spectralash mascara and Supershock liners so when I received the SuperEnchant, I did have high hopes but those were quickly panned as soon as I saw my lashes. Another problem that I had was the fact that the mascara flaked throughout the day and left me with odd bits of product down my face or ending up under my bottom lashes. I suffer from dark circles under my eyes and although that is probably due to the lack of sleep that I put myself through, have dark mascara marks really doesn't help either so I can assure you that this product will not be seeing my lashes again.

Have any of you tried this product? I'm not going to be entirely put off the Avon mascara range and I do plan on trying the Spectralash one out some day but the SuperEnchantt was a super mistake.

You can buy this mascara from the Avon website where it is priced at £8.50.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

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Review: Benefit 'they're Real' Mascara

2011-10-13T17:36:00.000+01:00

Benefit is a brand that always catches my eye and even though I know I don't need anything, the colourful packaging and catchy product names never fail to attract me. From their blushers to their skincare, the brand has always been quite prominent in my collection and I still remember that one of the first Benefit products I bought was the 'Realness of Concealness' box palette. That being said, I never really got on well with their mascaras and never knew why. I did have a brief love affair with their Get Bent mascara (I think that was what it was called) but I never went back to repurchase it after it dried up. Fast forward a few years and I am back having a love affair with another Benefit mascara and this one has impressed pretty much everyone who has tried it. The new 'they're Real' mascara does everything that I want a mascara to do and the brush is perfect for my poker straight lashes which have zero natural volume.

Anyway, on to the mascara...

The mascara itself has some pretty big statistics to live up to as Benefit did a lot of consumer testing with this beforehand. I guess it was necessary for them to do this because the market is brimming with loads of mascaras boasting various claims but very few actually perfom. The fact that they've included all their stats and figures on their packaging does make me think that Benefit means business with their new product. I mean, apart from those cheesy T.V advertisements for mascaras, you very rarely see the numbers on your product (Yes, I am looking at you Maybelline and Co.)

Directions:

The big thing about the new mascara is the brush and the fact that it is rubber, has loads of bristles and a few right on the tip so you can turn the wand vertical and give your lashes a good coating.

Packaging:

I quite like the packaging for the mascara because it has a vintage-esque feel to it.

Wand:

As I said earlier about the brush, it is made out of rubber and has loads of bristles so you know that you're going to be able to coat each and every lash without getting horrible clumps. Also, there are bristles right at the end which create a ball-like effect so you can turn the wand verticle and make sure you catch those teeny tiny lashes right at the corners. Unlike the Givenchy and Maybelline mascaras that were all about the ball-shaped brush, the Benefit version took two different designs and fused them together to create something better.

they're Real - Applied:

I am so majorly impressed with this mascara that I've been singing its praises to anyone that will listen, or not listen. It actually is such a fab product because it lifts my lashes as well as giving them a healthy coating of mascara while keep the dodgy lumps at bay too. The above photos all have 2 coats of mascara which is all I ever do unless the mascara formula is really thin but this one is just right. I'm not a fan of 'dry' mascaras but I found the 'they're Real' mascara to be a good balance where I can build on it or just do 2 coats and shoot out the door. In terms of staying power, this badboy is not budging at all! It isn't designed to be waterproof but unless you have really watery eyes or are planning on bawling your eyes out in the cinema, this isn't going anywhere until you remove it. The removal of the mascara is a little bit tough and I have found that I do need to go over it a couple of times to remove all the product but besides from that, I can't fault it.

My one minor issue with the product, besides from the removal, is the price. At £18.50, it is not a cheap product and although it does fall in line with other products from Benefit, I wish it was a little bit cheaper so I wouldn't feel as though I'm parting with a whole lot of moolah for one product.

The new Benefit 'they're Real' mascara is on sale now from Benefit boutiques, concessions and online - Priced at £18.50.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLE*

NOTD: 17 Magnetized Nail Polish in Purple

2011-10-12T20:31:00.000+01:00

So, I am still in love with the whole magnetic nail trend and just when I think that the novelty is wearing off, I look down at my nails and remember that they still look pretty damn amazing. As I mentioned in my previous post about magnetic nail polish, there are a few brands that will be joining the trend and 17 is another one. The brand, exclusive to Boots, is the first one this year to get their magnetic polishes out to the general public so will probably nab all those excited customers first with their line up of polishes. There are 4 shades that 17 are offering in the genius names of - Blue, Green, Grey and Purple. Simple, to the point and definitely no sugar coating. These are already on sale in 100 Boots stores - see the official 17 Cosmetics Facebook page for more details - but don't bother hunting them down on the 17 stand. Nope, these babies will be on the brand spanking new "Latest In Beauty" stands in the stores mentioned where you'll be able to see what exciting products will be coming out soon as well the chance to buy them before they are on sale everywhere.

Okay, back to the nail polish...

This is the purple one from the 17 Magnetized Nail Polish collection.

I really wish that the purple shade would show up more on my camera but I don't have one of those flashy ones so I'll just have to make do with what I've got! The polish consistency was pretty much the same as that from the FashionistA range which I blogged about a few days ago and you will all probably notice that there is the same squiggly design on the lid too meaning that they came from the same manufacturer. I'm not going to try and fool any of you readers but I'm sure after you've played with one and then picked up another from a different brand, you'll agree with me when I say that all the brands were ripped off from the same guy. Also, I'm sure that this 'guy' is laughing all the way to the bank to cash in his purchase orders from all the big companies who have paid a whole lotta money to have something that will be available on the next shelf over.

I digress.
This is what the polish looked like under the glare of the flash of my Blackberry camera:

It is a lot more true to colour than the previous swatch but it really isn't as vibrant as it looks either - There's no medium here, is there?

The wear on the 17 Magnetized Nail Polish is about 3 days which isn't too bad as that is on par with a normal nail polish so I'm a happy bunny. The consistency is creamy but not too thick so even though you could probably get away with 1 coat, I would definitely go for 2. I know the magnet trick can be a bit fiddly but I've found that if you do it at eye level so you can see that your nail isn't touching the magnet, you really can't go wrong.

You can buy the new 17 Magnetized Nail Polish in 100 Boots stores now and I've been told that it is on offer from the original retail price of £5.99 down to £4.99 for a limited period only.

What do you think of this colour? I've got another NOTD post coming up with the Filthy Gorgeous magnet polish so stay tuned!!!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLE*

Review: Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara

2011-10-12T18:57:00.000+01:00

The last few years have seen Revlon dust off the old image it had of being slightly dated and instead, is now seen as the go-to brand for many women who want great quality makeup products without the hefty price tags. This year saw Revlon launch their new Grow Luscious Plumping mascara as well as three Grow Luscious pencil liners, both which featured in the Jessica Biel and Pharrell Williams advertisement on T.V. I think I speak for, well, everyone, when I ask why the hell Pharrell Williams was in the ad or why he did that weird shimmy-shake thing towards the end but I guess we'll never know.

As I already owned the first Grow Luscious mascara, I didn't really see the point in buying the new version as I assumed that the formula would probably be the same. However, after browsing the aisles in Boots and being sucked into the sales pitch from the Revlon rep that was manning the stand, I thought I would give it a chance - I'd also like to add here that I was sucked in to buying 2 out of the 3 Grow Luscious liners but in my defence, they were on a 3 for 2 deal and there was a £2 off the mascara coupon thingy.

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping mascara:

The brush:

The brush is completely different to the original Grow Luscious* mascara as this is narrow and tapered whereas the original is wider. Another major difference that I noticed was the consistency of the formula between the two products. The Grow Luscious Plumping is definitely more 'wet' compared to its' counterpart which I found to be quite dry.

Grow Luscious family:

(top-bottom) Grow Luscious Plumping and Grow Lucious

Grow Lucious Plumping - Applied:

Ignore the dodgy greeny-blue mess on my bottom lash line... Those are the remnants of my eyeliner from earlier on in the day.

Grow Luscious - Applied:

There is definitely a difference in how both mascaras look, with the original Grow Luscious mascara making my eye lashes look a lot fuller compared to the new sister version which lifts them but doesn't really make the lashes look thicker. With that being said, the original Grow Luscious mascara does tend to flake throughout the day which is the only thing that I don't like about it. I haven't found that problem with Grow Luscious Plumping but it is an absolutely nightmare to remove and that is with an oil based eye makeup remover and my general cleansing afterwards. Grrrrrr! I guess there is just no pleasing me!

If I had to choose between the two Grow Luscious mascaras then I would probably have to go for the new one as I prefer the 'wet' formula and I definitely see a lot of room for building the product up on my lashes. Although the removal of the mascara is a pain in the buttcheeks, it isn't as bad of a mascara as some of the others that I've tried lately so look out for some more mascara posts coming up on here very soon.

How many of you have tried the new Grow Luscious Plumping mascara? Was it a hit or miss? I want to know so drop a comment in the box.

You can buy the new Revlon mascara and the pencil eye liners from Boots and Superdrug or online from Boots.com and Superdrug.com - Priced at £7.99.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Product marked with * is PR sample

NOTD: FashionistA Magnetism Nail Lacquer 'Notorious Silver'

2011-10-09T18:39:00.000+01:00

Magnetic nail polish is taking over the High Street at the moment and the blogosphere and with a few big name brands coming out with their own versions, it is pretty hard to differentiate between them all. FashionistA is a new brand that will be launching in Superdrug later this month and with a full colour cosmetics collection, I'm sure we're going to see their name cropping up a lot more. Another reason that we are probably going to hear the name of the brand is because of their magnetic nail polish collection, endorsed by The Saturdays.

Somehow, the clever clogs at FashionistA realised that a way to get the attention of teenage girls (and some boys) was to get the all dancing-all singing girl group on board and slap their names, faces and song titles all over their polish range. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the group and although they may have a select few songs which you might catch me singing, you probably wouldn't see me lining up to get in to one of their concerts. Anyway, I digress.

FashionistA are launching 5 different shades of magnet nail polish and each shade is represented by a different member of the band, as well as being named after a different song from the band. So original!

I attended the press launch for the brand and also got to meet The Saturdays - Lucky me!!! They're gorgeous girls but with so many people waiting to get their photo taken with them, there wasn't much of a conversation except for "Smile!!!"

We were all given two samples of the nail polishes at the events and this is Notorious Silver, represented by Frankie of The Saturdays...

Unlike the other brands that are doing magnet nailpolishes, FashionistA will be selling the magnet lid seperate from the actual bottle. Apparently, the reason for the polish being sold in 2 parts was because people don't really need multiples of the same magnet pattern and because the brand can sell different magnet patterns as and how they see fit. I guess it does make sense in a way but what if you lose the lid? Then you're going to have to spend extra money on buying another one instead of just pinching it off one of the other nailpolishes. It's just one of those ones where you can't please everyone, I guess.

The packaging of the product also has these handy instructions printed on the side...

It's pretty straight forward... Shake bottle, apply 2 coats of polish, hold magnet over polish and apply top coat. Not really rocket science but don't let it fool you because one little tap of the magnet on wet polish and you'll have to start all over again. Oh and any topcoat will work fine, I used good old Seche Vite.

And this is what it looks like on...

I quite like it.

I was never one for the whole crackle effect nail polish and although I own a couple of shades in it, they remain unloved. These magnet polishes, however, will be making frequent appearances on my nails now that I have the hang of doing it. The thing that I love about these magnetic nailpolishes is the fact that they are quite eye catching and don't look like the average crackle/shatter/glitter/insert nail art type of your choice. This is going to be one nail polish trend that will be a big hit with everyone, regardless of age or tastes because it is not too "in your face" but still manages to grab the attention of the person next to you.

The FashionistA Magnetism Nail Lacquer is priced at £6 each with the lid priced at £3 and these will be available from selected Superdrug stores from 26th October 2011.

What do you think? Are you attracted to the magnet or do you repel? (Yes, that is my attempt to be funny.)

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLE*

NOTD: No.7 'Violetta'

2011-10-08T15:53:00.000+01:00

With the colder weather finally here, after the short summer stint last week, I've gone back to the dark side of my nail polish collections. Although I love wearing bright shades in the winter to add some colour to my wardrobe, it doesn't beat wearing a co-ordinating outfit and nail polish combo. Today's NOTD post is with a shade that I've had sitting in my collection for a while now but just wasn't sure about the colour...

This is Violetta by No.7.

When I first purchased this it was purely on a whim because I had one of those No.7 vouchers that I didn't want to waste but as soon as I got it home, it went straight in to the drawer and was never seen until a few days ago. This shade has me baffled as in the bottle, it is definitely a purple-blue but in the photo it looks like a navy blue - I hate when that happens!

I don't have very many No.7 nail polishes, actually I only own 1 other polish from the brand, so I was quite impressed with the consistency of the polish and the fact that it went on super smooth. However, after a couple of hours of wear, there was already significant tip wear which really grinds my nerves. It is the biggest pain in backside when you apply a nail polish, admire the beauty of it and notice that it starts to wear a little at the tips after a few hours. Can you say "fail"?

Needless to say, I changed my nail polish almost immediately and don't think I'll be applying this shade any time soon... I'm sticking with my trusty Filthy Gorgeous 'Midnight' and Barry M 'Navy Blue' if I want this kind of shade again.

Has anyone else had this problem with No.7 or any other brand of polishes? Let me know who the offenders are so I can avoid them!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

I'm Still Here... Somewhere

2011-10-08T00:28:00.000+01:00

Hi all!

Gosh, it feels like I have been gone for months and have missed out on so much - I'm sure I probably have. Some of you may have noticed that I haven't been posting as much as I used to and in fact, I haven't actually posted on here in over two weeks. As much as I love blogging and appreciate all of those that hop on over to the site to check in with my daily ramblings and antics, I had to take a step back from the site to really appreciate what I was putting my time in to.

Sound silly? I'm sure it does.

I'm pretty sure there are other bloggers out there that understand what I mean that sometimes, it is nice to have a break from tapping on our laptops and swatching products. It kind of gives us a fresh look on everything so we can make our sites bigger and better for you lovely people that read the content. I've not only been neglecting my blog but I haven't been keeping up with the posts of my blogging buddies so apologies to you all.

I just wanted to drop a quick post on here to say that I am still around... somewhere. The blog is still active and the content is still there, now all I need to do is find my mojo and we'll back open for business!

I have a lot of products and bits to blog about and not to mention a pretty mahoosive giveaway for all of my readers - past, present and future - so please do stick around and be patient. I promise that I'll be back soon!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Haul: Primark Ring Porn - Part 2

2011-09-22T17:05:00.000+01:00

I had an urge to splurge the other day so went to the one place where I know I will always find something and snag a few bargains, good old Primark. I'm convinced that if anyone says they haven't shopped in Primark, they probably are lying. It is a one stop shop for everything you could and although they may have upped their prices but a smidge over the last few months, you can still go in there and come out with a plethora of goodies within a budget.

One of my favourite parts of Primark shopping is the jewellery section because they always have some great pieces which are identical to those you might find in Topshop but for a fraction of the price. Now, I'm not big on statement necklaces and but I love big chunky rings and have accumulated quite a few so I have something to match nearly every Indian outfit I own. These are the newest five that I picked up last weekend and all of them are priced between £2.00 - £2.50 so they really won't put a major dent in your pocket.

Yellow stone:

White and Black Zig Zag:

Red and Black Zig Zag:

Tuquoise Cluster:

Silver Wing:

So there you have it!

I've got a big wedding this weekend so I'm planning on wearing the yellow one on Saturday and the turquoise on Sunday - I love when things like that just fall in to place and I find things that match. I know, I know... Cheap thrills.

As much as I love Primark rings, there is one amazing ring that I have seen in Topshop for £12.00 that I need to get my hands on... It'll probably be classified as a weapon of some sort but I need it in my life!!!

Do any of these rings tickle your fancy?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

P.S: If any of you are wondering, the nail colour I have on is Brandy by Natio.

NOTD: Kelly Rowland Inspired... Filthy Gorgeous Minx & Posh Frock

2011-09-21T15:40:00.001+01:00

The X Factor has taken over my weekends and while I love the show because of the entertainment and ocassional sob stories, I find myself being distracted by Kelly Rowland. The woman is just beautiful and seems to be a pretty genuine character in the show. One of things that I love about Kelly Rowland is the fact that she isn't afraid of colour, both in her outfit choices and her makeup. She embraces it with a big bear hug and has definitely given a lot of girls out there ideas with how to play with their makeup a lot more.

I'm pretty sure that we've all noticed her pink and blue glitter mani and while I think she pulls it off effortlessly, who cares if she doesn't - she is Kelly Rowland, I don't think I could so I went for a slightly muted version...

Using a lavender blue and pretty pink shade, I did my own version - sans glitter.

If you haven't noticed Kelly's nails, this is what they look like:

Image sourced from BestCityNails.com

It seems that the ring finger mani is so last year and the index finger mani is going to be the one to look out for or you could do like Kelly and mix it up, it's all up to personal preference.

Now, while I admire her for trying something different on TV, I think I'll just stick with an accent nail on my ring finger...

The colours I used are both by Filthy Gorgeous - Minx (blue) and Posh Frock (pink). These are both available from Debenhams stores, Jarrolds, Fenwick Newcastle and online from Debenhams.com, priced at £9.00 each.

I've never really done an accent nail without glitter but after trying it out with these shades, I am definitely going to be doing this more often. What do you think?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

OOTD: A Double Whammy

2011-09-17T23:58:00.000+01:00

I have no idea why this OOTD is called 'A Double Whammy' but it was the first thing that popped in to my head so I'm just going to go with it and make it work. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I attended two blogger events on Wednesday and had to dress and have a made up face that would work at both of them. The first was the FashionistA Magnet Nail Polish event at Sanctum Soho Hotel with The Saturdays and then I had an event at the Aveda Institute to celebrate their 10th birthday so I wanted an outfit that could swing both ways.

After trying on countless tops, jeans and blazers, I finally decided on this number which I had forgotten all about but had purchased last year from Primark. I think the reason I had neglected the dress for so long was because I remembered it being super clingy and with my hips, stomach and backside. Well, I decided to try it on and it wasn't actually that bad as I thought it was - Hooray! I did try it on with a pair of Spanx (some of you might recall my "over the tights or under the tights" dilemma from Twitter) but after realising that I couldn't breathe, I went without and just did the perfected 'suck it in and walk' type thing.

Anyway, this is what it looked like:

The brown-khaki full sleeve dress has black and gold shoulder embellishments so I went for the safe option of black tights and black studded ankle boots.

Dress: Primark (last year so you probably won't find it) - LINK! for where I first featured it.

Tights: Tesco - Nothing special there!

Boots: Bertie (last season and on sale so you probably won't find these either!) - LINK! for where I first featured them.

Necklace: Majique

Watch: Toy Watch

I know it's not very helpful that my clothes aren't this season so you can't buy them if you like them but there are so many similar things out there at the moment, I'm sure it won't be too hard to find something similar.

Also, I did a bit of a Primark haul today so will post up all the bits and bobs that I picked up and also a new ring porn post because I did quite a bit of that today too - Clearly, I have money to burn (I don't really but I just felt the urge to splurge!)

What have you lot been up to lately and where have you been shopping? Let me know!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

FOTD: Old Faithful

2011-09-15T21:44:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was a fun filled day and I finally managed to attend a couple of events in the evening which I was really excited about. I don't actually remember the last event I went to so I'm glad I went out and about yesterday and saw some of my blogger buddies who I've missed seeing over the last couple of months.

My evening started off at the Sanctum Soho Hotel for the launch of the new FashionistA Magnet Nail Polishes as designed and endorsed by The Saturdays and then led on to an event at the Aveda Institute to celebrate their 10th birthday. With two big events on the cards, I wanted a look that would work while schmoozing with the celebs (I say 'celebs' like there were loads but it was just The Saturdays, oh and some bloke from Celebrity Big Brother but don't ask me who because I haven't a clue) and at a more casual affair.

After umm-ing and ahh-ing over different eye shadow colours and which would match my outfit best, I went for this....

My standard brown-gold combo with a hot pink lip and rosy highlighted cheeks. No matter what the occasion or the outfit, these colours just always work and never fail me because they match with pretty much everything in my wardrobe and a hot pink lip never goes out of fashion.

Products I used:

- *Benefit Porefessional PRObalm

- Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 55

- Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque

- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Natural

- NARS Bronzer in Laguna

- MAC MSF in Stereo Rose

- *NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage

- Estee Lauder Lip Gloss in Pink Kiss

A close look at the eye makeup:

I don't know why it looks like there is no darker shade in the crease on the left eye but I can assure you that my eye shadow did match and wasn't how it looks in the photo - Weird!

Products I used:

- *ELF Brow Lifter & Filler

- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

- VIVO Cosmetics Pearlised Eye Shadow in Mink

- MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked - EVERYONE SHOULD OWN THIS!

- MAC Eyeshadow in Sable - EVERYONE SHOULD OWN THIS!

- MAC Eyeshadow in Grain

- Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss

- *Benefit They're Real Mascara

- MAC Chromographic Pencil in Black Black

I actually can't stress how much everyone should own MAC Woodwinked and Sable eyeshadows, they really are the best investment I ever made!

My next post will be my outfit that I wore to the events yesterday so keep your eyes peeled for it.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are PR samples

Review & Swatcheroonies: Vivo Cosmetics 'Peaches & Cream' Baked Blush

2011-09-11T19:25:00.000+01:00

Vivo Cosmetics has landed, people! Well, it has landed in my local Tesco and I was so spoilt for choice that I left the store with swatches all over my hands and arms but only three items in my bag. If you read my previous post on the Vivo Cosmetics Trio Eyeshadow Palette then you'll know that the brand is relatively new to the market and was created by the brains behind the Superdrug MUA range which is all priced at £1. The Tesco version isn't as cheap as that and all the products are different prices but they are still pretty good quality so I can see myself spending more time browsing the section next time.

Like a kid in a sweet shop, or those Pic n Mix thingys that we have in the U.K, I wasn't too sure what to go for because there is just so much to choose from. There are baked eyeshadow and blush palettes, trio eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, lip glosses, single eyeshadows, bronzers, blushers, highlighters and so on but I settled on one of the baked blushers, a blush and highlighting duo as well as one single eyeshadow - How good am I!? I'm trying a new thing of "Do I really need it?" before I put things in to my basket and although I probably don't need 2 new blushers, the blogging part of my brain jumped in and said that I did because I had to report back to you lot. What can I say, I'm a slave to beauty.

Instead of doing one bulk review on what I bought, I decided to split them up so I can break each product down and show you what it looks like without overdosing on photos.

This is the Baked Blush in Peaches & Cream:

The packaging is pretty standard and definitely better quality than the MUA range from Superdrug so I guess that is wear our extra pounds and pennies have gone. The back of the packaging lists all the ingredients and a quick overview of the product, ya'know just in case someone doesn't quite know what to do with a blush.

Swatcheroonies:

Peaches & Cream reminds me of Stereo Rose by MAC which was a limited edition MSF last year and has been much loved in my collection but this is definitely a lighter version and doesn't swatch as pink as the MAC version. It also appears to be very similar in colour to the Natio Powder Blush in Peach Glow which I featured on here a few months ago. There is a very subtle pearlised finish to the blush which gives a nice glow when applied and looks way better when worn than it does in the swatch above.

Applied:

Let me apologise now for the rubbish mug shots but I'm suffering from a bad skin week at the moment so I was trying to photograph the blush in the best way without highlighting my skin. It is definitely a blush that you can build on when applied as it isn't too heavy and looks nice in the day time but it probably wouldn't be a product that I would reach for in the evening as I tend to opt for slightly darker pink/peach shades.

Other products on my face:

- *Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser SPF15 in Shade 3

- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Natural

- Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss

- *Benefit They're Real Mascara

- Collection 2000 Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream in Cotton Candy

- *Sleek MakeUP Pout Polish SPF15 in Monte Carlo

You can buy the Vivo Cosmetics Baked Blush in Peaches & Cream from Tesco stores now and it is priced at £4.00, which is a bargain!

What do you lot think of the blusher? Is it something you would invest in or are there similar products out there that are way better?

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are PR samples

NOTD: Revlon 'Smoky Canvas'

2011-09-10T22:29:00.000+01:00

Everyone seems to be blogging about the new Revlon nail shades in 'Facets of Fuschia' and 'Gold Coin' but according to the sticker on this nailpolish, this is new too - Smoky Canvas. It's such a pretty light greige shade but has hints of lilac in the undertone too so it looks quite different to other similar shades that I own. I know some people may think I am a bit off the mark with my lilac undertone assumption but I'm sure that I see it in the right kind of light.

Anyway, this is Smoky Canvas...

It is a shade that is almost identical to 'Concrete Mixer' by Models Own but this is definitely more grey whereas the Models Own version has more green - That's just my opinion though and I'm sure there are people out there who would disagree.

I've now been wearing this shade for 2 days now and it still looks really good with no chips and only the teeniest bit of tip wear, which I can forgive because I did spend 6 hours gutting out my room today so it was only natural that my polish took a bit of a beating.

Short nails are here to stay, by the way!

What do you girls think of Smoky Canvas? Is this a shade you would consider? I don't think it would suit all skin tones because it is a bit ashy but that's just my opinion - Gosh, I'm full of opinions today. Lol.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Review & Swatcheroonies: Stargazer Powder Shimmer

2011-09-08T18:28:00.001+01:00

I've never been one for shimmery body products because I feel that they look just a touch too much but when I was sent this little bottle to have a play around with, I got a bit carried away. The new Stargazer Powder Shimmer is a handy product to have when you want a little glitz, glam and sparkle before a night out and if used in the right places, it can literally make you glow - Not in the dark, obviously.

This what it looks like:

Similar to the shape of Stargazer nail polishes, the Powder Shimmer has an uber cute vintage-esque feel to it with it's diffuser pump thingymajiggy - You gotta love my technical terms.

Inside the bottle is a very fine silver-white shimmer which can be applied everywhere from your face to your body. When I first saw the product I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I do because anything shimmery and glittery always makes me wary. Seriously, some people get glitter all wrong and think chunky sparkles work - They don't. The only place where chunky glitters are allowed are in nail polish and anywhere else is just all kinds of wrong.

Swatcheroonies:

Okay, so the close up photo doesn't really sell the product but it was the best photo I could get of the shimmer without blurring them out because I was too close or not close enough. I was actually quite impressed with the fact that they didn't really fly off in all directions when I pumped the thingymajiggy nor did they flutter off after waving my arm around for 30 seconds to see if they would budge. In fact, they stayed on my arm for a good few hours without transferring on to my clothes too so major kudos to Stargazer.

I can imaging this shimmer powder looking really good on gorgeous tanned skin before a night out so now all I need is a tan and I'll be set!

The Stargazer Shimmer Powder is priced at £5 and is available now from the website or have a look in your local New Look stores.

What do you think? Are you feeling shimmery or is it just a touch too much?

Until next time..

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLE*

Review & Swatcheroonies: VIVO Cosmetics 'Graphite Glamour' Trio Eyeshadow Palette

2011-09-07T23:13:00.000+01:00

Now, I love an expensive lipstick just as much as the next gal but sometimes the quality just doesn't match the hefty price tag and I've found that budget can sometimes be better. Ever since MUA hit Superdrug stores last year and with everything in their range costing £1, I think people have been paying more attention than ever to other brands that are readily available on the High Street as opposed to what you would buy in a department store. To be honest, a lot of my makeup bits and bobs are from Boots or Superdrug because it is just a little too hard to say no to special offers and with High Street brands churning out some fantastic products, there isn't a lot of need to splash out as much as I used to.

VIVO Cosmetics has been on the lips of bloggers for about a month now after the lovely Zoe of The London Lipgloss unveiled all to us in her lengthy and informative blog post (click HERE and HERE) in which she gave us a run down of the products to expect from the brand. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say how impressed I was with the eyeshadow photos on Zoe's blog because the pigmentation is pretty damn amazing. The brand is going to be available exclusively in Tesco so I imagine that a lot of people might start shunning Sainsburys and the likes to find an excuse to pop in to Tesco to browse the goodies.

I was sent a couple of bits from the collection to play with and while I think they are nice, this definitely stood out for me and I can't wait to get my brushes in there to create some sultry evening looks.

This is the VIVO Cosmetics Graphite Glamour Eyeshadow Trio Palette...

The packaging is sleek and simple with a matte black front and transparent windows to see the eyeshadows whereas the back has a very handy 'How To...' guide on where to place the colours and how to get the best use from them. I'm not sure if I would use the shades in that particular order but I will try it and see how well it turns out compared to how I would have freestyled.

The Eyeshadows:

Aren't they just super pretty?!? They appear to be very similar to MAC Veluxe Pearl eyeshadows which are quite soft to touch and have a nice metallic-like finish to them which I absolutely love. The palette also comes with a dual ended sponge applicator but that will just end up in the bin... I've never quite grasped the technique on how to use them because they're pretty rubbish.

Swatcheroonies:

The shades aren't given names except for (L-R) Shade 1, Shade 2 and Shade 3 but if I had the chance to name them I would go with Marble, Steel and Graphite.

These swatched so easily and didn't take a lot of blending to give such a strong colour payoff, these are actually only swipe of the finger so I'm impressed with how well they applied on my arm considering there is no primer underneath either. I can imagine these being so easy to work with and a lot more intense in colour when layered on top of an eye shadow primer. When swiping my finger across the shadows there was no fall out of product and even blending the product out on my arm was easy peasy because the shadows soft so I think you could get a nice smoky look with these by using your fingers as opposed to brushes!

I can't wait to put an EOTD-esque post together using this palette because the shadows have seriously impressed me (I know, I've said 'impressed' at least 3 times already but I don't know how else to put it!)

The colours are easy to blend, super soft and for the cheap as chips price of £2.50, you just can't go wrong.

The VIVO Cosmetics products will include single eyeshadows for £1.50 each, foundations, primers, highlighters, powders, eye lashes and all sorts from this month at Tesco stores nationwide.

Let me know if any of you grab anything else from the range because I'm planning on doing a pretty major haul as soon as the products are in my local Tesco... I mean, it would be wrong not to ;-)

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLE*

Handbag Essentials: Pacifica Solid Perfumes

2011-09-05T19:00:00.002+01:00

If, like me, you like to top up your perfume during the day but hate carrying around glass bottles because you throw your handbag around then these new Pacifica Solid Perfumes are perfect. Lugging around full size perfumes all day can be a pain in the backside because they're heavy and there's always that risk that they might break and splatter all over the contents of your bag but there's never that worry with solid perfumes.

The first solid perfume I bought was the LUSH Snow Fairy one because, well, it smelt like Snow Fairy which is still my all time favourite body product and because LUSH only stock the product during Xmas, I rely on the Snow Fairy Solid Perfume to keep me floating on the scent all day long. It seems all brands are jumping on the solid perfume train and have realised that it is probably the best way to keep consumers on your scent, in both senses of the word. Juicy Couture created their solid perfume ring last year, Chloe fragrances have a solid perfume necklace or something of the sort and I'm pretty sure there are loads more types out there.

Pacifica have launched 10 solid perfumes which are made cruelty free and are suitable for vegans because they are made from coconut and organic soy wax so if you're concerned about the ingredients, don't be!

I was sent French Lilac, Bali Lime Papaya and Brazilian Mango Grapefruit...

I absolutely love the packaging of these tins because they are small enough to fit in clutch bags for a night out or to throw in to your handbag if you're going travelling because at 10 grams each, they're hardly going to give you a shoulder ache!

My favourite is the Bali Lime Papaya solid perfume because is a lot more 'me' than the other two, plus I've found that the scent lingers for quite long which means you don't have to top it up as much during the day. The next one on my list to purchase is going to be the Tuscan Blood Orange which has notes of orange, raspberry and strawberry - Sounds delicious just thinking about it.

You can buy the Pacifica Solid Perfumes from HERE - They are priced at £10 each which is a lot cheaper than some of the other solid perfumes that are on the market so let me know if any you decide to pick them up!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLES*

Smells Like.... A New DKNY Fragrance

2011-09-04T18:27:00.000+01:00

The Delicious fragrance collection by DKNY has a new addition to add to the bunch and a yummy one it is... The new Golden Delicious fragrance is nothing less than gorgeous and the perfect addition to all the apple shaped perfumes from the brand. One of my favourite perfumes is the DKNY Red Delicious and I've gone through at least 2, possibly 3, bottles of it over the years. It is light and fruity and is one of the nicest fragrances to wear during the day because the scent lingers and doesn't evaporate in to thin air the minute you step out of the house.

The new Golden Delicious has base notes of musk, sandalwood and teakwood which blend together with the floral touches of white rose and muguet flower which create a sensory party from first sniff. Like all Delicious fragrances, there is a noticeable hint of an apple in the fragrance which gives it a fresh twist from all the floral elements. For me, this is the perfect summer evening perfume because it is heavy enough to wear for a dinner date and light enough for the scent to linger and develop.

SPECIAL OFFER ALERT:

For a limited time only you can pick up a gold DKNY Delicious clutch bag for free with the purchase of any 50ml or 100ml DKNY Delicious fragrance - Sounds bloody good to me!

Although I'm not a big fan of the bag - the apple design just doesn't do it for me - I might just end up using this as a makeup bag to throw into my handbag as the Anna Sui one that I'm carrying is starting to look a bit worn.

The DKNY Golden Delicious EDP is available now and priced at £32 for 30ml, £46 for 50ml and £64 for 100ml - You can buy it from all perfume stockists or contact 08700 342 566 for stockist info.

What is your favourite perfume? I have loads so I may do a 'Top 10 Fragrances' post soon!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLE*

NOTD: Ciate Paint Pots in My Fair Lady

2011-09-04T18:00:00.000+01:00

The last couple of issues of monthly magazines has turned out some pretty decent freebies, from tshirts to nail polishes to creams and all sorts. The 'gift' that you get with mags is a good way to try out something from a brand that you might not usually look at it during your shopping sprees because it doesn't tickle your fancy or is out of your budget. I've collected my fair share of tat from magazines, most of which gets used once before getting binned or gathers dust somewhere in my room but this nail polish will have a much brighter future.

As a fan of Ciate Paint Pots and nude nail polishes, this 'freebie' was right up my street and was on my nails before I even flicked through the September issue of Marie Claire...

This is My Fair Lady...

The shade is a creamy nude shade with a very subtle hint of pink that helps it to look natural and not washed out like some nude polishes have the tendency to do. With nude polishes the consistency can sometimes be a bit too thin but I loved this because all it took was two quick drying coats to give a nice opaque finish with a layer of Seche Vite on top to give it a glossy finish.

A closer look:

My Fair Lady is a limited edition shade by Ciate which came free in the September issue of Marie Claire magazine so if you're lucky, you might still be able to pick it up from WH Smiths or local newsagents. Also, I'm pretty sure there is another colour to choose from and I think it might be a red, or maybe a grey - I have no idea but keep your eyes peeled for them anyway!

There are some gorgeous Ciate Paint Pots out there so make sure you skidaddle over to their website and have a look at what they have to offer.

What do you lot think? Is this a shade that tickles your fancy?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD/Sneak Peek: Filthy Gorgeous 'Beebe' and 'Opulence'

2011-09-02T19:07:00.000+01:00

Glitters are always a big thing for the festive season and start making their way back in to our collections even though we vow each year, as we remove the stubborn polish from our nails, that we will never venture into the territory again. Well, sod that because this year is going to be sparkly, spangly and just blinged out to the max because the glitter polishes are back and better than ever.

O.P.I have some amazing glitters as part of their Xmas 'Muppets' collection, Revlon have a gorgeous purple glitter out already from their A/W collection and there are a couple of more brands with spangled out offerings too. Filthy Gorgeous London will be on trend with their new Smoke and Sparkle collection which will be in store from October and I can't wait - I've already seen the goodies and they are beautiful!

This is just one of the offerings from the S&S collection...

A gorgeous rose copper shade called Opulence!

I paired this with Beebe from FG and it looked fab... Perfect for bringing a bit of glam to you every day, especially when paired with a cool toned grey - Who said you had to be boring in the office?!

A close up:

How amazing does that look!?!

The big and little chunks of glitter create a discoball effect which catches the eye and would probably look really good with a sexy LBD at a party.

As mentioned, the Filthy Gorgeous Smoke and Sparkle collection will be available from October but I'll be sure to update you all closer to the time and give you a complete run down of all the other shades in the collection!

How many of you will be glamming it up with sparkle nails? Answers in the box.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

My Top 10 Make-Up Brushes

2011-08-31T20:41:00.000+01:00

For those of you who didn't whizz on over to Lipglossiping to see my guest post, why the hell not!? Thanks to my feature on Charlotte's site and Charlotte for giving me the spot, I have a load of new members on here so hello to all you and welcome to the madness!

If you didn't get a chance to catch my post on here - You still can see it by the way - I thought I would post it up here as well so it sits alongside the rest of my Top 10 posts which I have been doing. So far, I've covered "My Top 10..." nail polishes, blushers, lip products and today's is make-up brushes...

Seeing as my Top 10 series has been so popular, I figured that I should do a Top 10 feature on my makeup brushes too. Now, I own a hell of a lot of makeup brushes and although some of them are unloved, I try to rotate them and use them at least once or twice.

A lot of conversations on Twitter amongst beauty bloggers and general girly chit chat revolves around makeup brushes and which ones are the best to buy but it always comes down to personal preference. Some like firm brushes while others prefer super soft ones, others think that expensive brushes are best while others feel that high street versions are way better – It’s all personal.

Anyway, I’m waffling on way too much so let’s get cracking! These are my most used and most loved makeup brushes...

Unknowingly, it turns out that I have 5 main face brushes and 5 main eye brushes which I definitely didn’t plan but I guess it all works out in the end.

So, the face brushes...

From left to right:

1. Bobbi Brown Blush Brush
2. Bobbi Brown Powder Brush
3. Crown Brush Stippling Brush
4. Crown Brush Flat Top Kabuki Brush
5. *Inika Cosmetics Kabuki Brush

Now, the eye brushes...

From left to right:

1. Bobbi Brown Eye Blender Brush – Very similar to MAC 224 but with longer bristles

2. Inglot 6SS Blending Brush – Another one that is very similar to MAC 224 but slightly wider

3. Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush

4. Boots Eyeshadow Brush – Probably my favourite eye makeup brush EVER

5. Crown Brush Eyeshadow Brush

I have loads of Bobbi Brown makeup brushes in my collection purely because I used to work for them but even if I hadn’t, I definitely would have invested the money. They don’t shed and they’re made so well that you can’t go wrong with them – Plus, each brush is already labelled so even someone with no existing knowledge of makeup brushes can use them with ease.

Other brands of makeup brushes that I use include: MAC, Royal & Langnickel, The Body Shop and Essence of Beauty. The next brushes on my list are Sigma makeup brushes so I might have to wait until pay day to splash out on a full set of those!

What are your favourite makeup brushes or the ones that never let you down?

Make sure you drop a comment in the box or whizz over to my blog and let me know over there!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are PR samples

Bunking Off...

2011-08-29T15:16:00.000+01:00

Hey all!

Just a quick message to let you know that todays post is over at Lipglossiping.com in a special guest feature that I did for Charlotte while she is away galavanting somewhere!

The post is a continuation of my Top 10 series that I have been doing on here lately so make sure you whizz on over there and read what I'm rambling about this time. You can see the post by clicking HERE.

I'm a big big fan of Lipglossiping.com and think it is easily one of the best beauty blogs out there because it is funny, has great photos and Charlotte is just a gem anyway - I should stop here before she gets a big head!

Don't forget to explore the site and leave comments on the posts... You won't regret it.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTD: Filthy Gorgeous 'Beebe'

2011-08-27T19:41:00.000+01:00

For the last couple of weeks my nails have been in a really bad state and have kind of got me worried. I've never had super strength nails but they've become weaker lately and I'm thinking that it is because of my constant use of nail polish. Sounds silly, I know, but I am sure that by applying nail polish religiously and very rarely letting my nails breathe is doing more damage that I had guessed.

Anyway, I've had this number sitting in my drawer since December and only just realised that I hadn't even swatched it so here she is...

This is Beebe:

A cool toned grey shade that is not only fitting for this random rain/shine weather that we're having here in London but it's pretty "on-trend" for the crossover in to the autumn season too. I'm actually quite looking forward to the colder months because it means I can pull out all my knits and thick tights again and warm up my makeup with gold and brown shades - Wooo hooo!

Remember, you can buy Filthy Gorgeous nail polishes exclusively at Debenhams and online from the Debenhams website which is HERE.

Also, skip on over to the Filthy Gorgeous website too where you can find out more about the brand and even book an appointment to visit the salon inside Debenhams Oxford Street and Debenhams Glasgow!

What do you lot think of Beebe? Yay or nay?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

My Top 10 Lip Products

2011-08-26T19:34:00.001+01:00

Continuing on my show and tell of my 'Top 10' series, these are my top 10 lip products that I find myself constantly reaching for and using on a daily or weekly basis. You'll notice one thing about all of them and that is that they are all different shades of pink, with the exception of one or two. I guess it's true that old habits die hard!

I usually go through phases with my lip products but these 10 have been the top players in my collection for the last month or longer, with the exception of the Sleek MakeUP Pout Paints as these are fairly new additions.

The first five:

From left to right:

1. *Art Deco Nude Look Lip Stylo

2. MAC Amplified Lipstick in Gulabi - Limited Edition

3. MAC Lustre Lipstick in Nude Rose - Limited Edition

4. *Sleek MakeUP Matte Lipstick in Stiletto

5. *NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage - I'm not sure if this was LE but it was part of the SS'11 collection

The bottom five...

From left to right:

1. Lancome L'Absolue Rouge in 153 Rouge Mars

2. Sleek MakeUP Sheen Lipstick in Candy Cane

3. Sleek MakeUP Pout Paint in Minx

4. Sleek MakeUP Pout Paint in Pinkini

5. Sleek MakeUP Pout Polish in Peach Perfection

I have suddenly developed a bit of a thing for Sleek MakeUP and think that it really is a great brand. Their lip products keep pulling me in and just when I think I have all the shades that I could want, I end up finding another to add to my collection. The new Pout Paints caught a lot of lingering eyes at the Destination S event and a buzz when they finally launched a couple of weeks ago in Superdrug stores and online from the Sleek MakeUP website. These little tubes of squeezy colour are pretty amazing and if you've been tempted to try the OCC Lip Tars but are put off by the price, then these are the next best thing because they only cost £4.99 each and there are some great colours to play with.

What are your favourite lip colours?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are PR samples

Random Giveaway! - WINNER

2011-08-16T21:48:00.000+01:00

Hey all.

This is just a very quick post announcing the winner of my Random Giveaway... I had to extend the entry deadline because I kept forgetting to close it but it is now closed (duh!) and the winner of all of these goodies is....

LEANNE OCD

Major congrats to you Leanne and thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!

I will be having another giveaway soon - well, as soon as I figure out what I want to give away next - so keep your peepers peeled on here, my Twitter account and the Facebook page because it may be specific to one of those networks.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

FOTD: Pinkalicious Lips

2011-08-14T21:21:00.000+01:00

I seem to be on a roll with this blogging business so before my mojo disappears, I thought I would post a quick FOTD post for you with some of newly acquired products that I am absolutely loving!

Having been a firm fan of the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation and Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser, there is a new contender in my collection - Boujois Healthy Mix Foundation. I am completely in love with it and the coverage it gives, not to mention the dewy finish.

Side view mug shot:

How gorgeous is the coverage? I'm glad I made the purchase because this is such a fab product!

Front view mug shot:

Products I used:

Base:

- *Benefit Porefessional PRO Balm

- Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 55 (no idea what the shade name is)

- Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque

- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Natural

Cheeks:

- MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Stereo Rose (as a blush)

- Bobbi Brown Sheer Colour Cheek Tint in Sheer Raspberry

Eyes:

- Illamasqua Precision Ink Liner in Abyss

- *Benefit They're Real Mascara

Lips:

- Sleek MakeUp Pout Paint in Minx

- Sleek MakeUP Pout Paint in Pinkini

- Sleek MakeUP Pout Polish in Peach Perfection

There you have it! A quick spritz or two of MAC Fix+ and I was ready to go!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are PR samples

Products I Won't Be Repurchasing

2011-08-13T17:59:00.001+01:00

Have you ever had such high hopes for a product only for it to let you down after the first use? I'm sure we've all been there and have the faded receipts to prove it. I know I sure have but as I donate a lot of my unwanted and unused products to Give And Make Up (I have a huge bag in the corner of my room which is overflowing with products), I don't actually have all too many to blog about. However, I did manage to pull together a few bits that I still have but definitely won't be purchasing.

From left to right:

- MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel

- Garnier Fresh Essentials Grape Water Eye Make-Up Remover

- Sally Hansen Miracle Cure Nail Strengthener

- Maybelline One By One Volum' Express Mascara

- No.7 Exquisite Curl Mascara

Let's take a closer look...

MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel

I bought these about 2 years ago as part of the MAC Style Warrior collection and actually haven't used them more then twice. Ok, maybe three times but definitely not more than that. Although they are quite handy to have because you can mix them with your foundation or use them on top of your blush, I've not really used them. To be honest, I think I bought them because of the leopard print outer packaging than for the actual product itself - Not good, I know.

Garnier Fresh Essentials Grape Water Eye Make-Up Remover

I love Lancome Bi-Facial Eye Makeup Remover but thought I would try out some of the cheaper alternatives on the high street instead because forking out £20.00 for an eye makeup remover can get a bit much. After turning to Twitter and finding out which was the best one out there, I decided on the Garnier Grape Water Eye Makeup Remover as it was highly recommended but it is not for me. It took a whole of scrubbing to get my mascara off and don't even get me started on trying to use the product to remove a night of heavy eyeshadow - It was absolutely pants.

Sally Hansen Miracle Cure Nail Strengthener

My nails are so weak that they can literally bend back and forth which is not a good sign. I've tried all sorts of nail strengtheners and every trick that I've heard of but nothing has helped them. This Sally Hansen product was recommended to me by a someone on Twitter who read about the trouble I was having so I thought I'd pick it up. First of all, let me just say how much of a task it was to find the right bloody nail strengthener - there are LOADS by Sally Hansen and all of promise to do the same thing. Why can't there just be one product?! Secondly, after about 3 or 4 weeks of use, this went so thick and gloopy that I've not used it since. Major fail!

Maybelline One By One Volum' Express Mascara

I'm a sucker for a good mascara and especially one that promises to enhance lashes, add volume, boost length and coat each one - Don't they all promise that??? Well, as I was such a big fan of the original Colossal mascara by Maybelline and the Falsies, I had high hopes for One By One but it was such a let down. There was nothing special about this product and I felt that it was a complete sham because not only did it make my lashes look clumpy and crusty, it had no lifting effect whatsoever. Another super fail that I will not be making again.

No.7 Exquisite Curl Mascara

This mascara has a lot of people singing it's praises and most were referring to it as "amazing" because it did everything that they wanted plus more so when I picked it up, I was quite excited to see this magical effect. Well, what a let down that was and waste of my £7.99. Although I liked the curved brush, I hated the 'dry' formula of the mascara which left my lashes feeling crispy and there was no 'curl' at all so I can assure you that I won't be picking this one up again.

What products do you have in your stash that you won't be in a rush to repurchase?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

My Top 10 Blushers

2011-08-12T19:54:00.000+01:00

Somewhere along my journey of makeup purchasing, I've started to accumulate plenty of blush products and have nice little collection now which I add to regularly and seeing as my Top 10 Nail Polishes post was quite popular, I thought I would do another but on my top 10 blushers.

Everyone has different tastes with blushers and not all shades suit all skintones so I think it is important to have a play around and find the shade that suits you. For example, as much as I love orange blush and cheek products, I find the shade quite hard to pull off so I tend to stick to pink and peach tones as they compliment my skintone best. The following blushers are the ones that I always reach for and although I have plenty to choose from, these are the ones that never let me down as they always work for me, regardless of whether I'm slighly tanned or pale as a ghost. Okay, so the latter but is a bit of an exaggeration but I'm sure you get my drift!

The Top 10:

These are in no particular order but they're all just so damn pretty!
The first five...

From left to right:

1. *NARS Orgasm (as part of the limited edition Blush Bronzer Trio)

2. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Stereo Rose - Limited Edition

3. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Petticoat - Limited Edition

4. MAC Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach - Limited Edition

5. Illmasqua Powder Blush in Tweak

The bottom five...

From left to right:

1. MAC Powder Blush in Sur - Limited Edition

2. MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Power

3. *Benefit Bella Bamba

4. MAC Gel Blush in Just A Pinch - Limited Edition

5. Sleek MakeUP Blush in Rose Gold - Bloody hard to get hold of but not limited edition!

Clearly, I have a bit of a thing for MAC cheek products and have quite a few more in my collection. I don't know what it is about MAC blushers but they are always the first place I go when I want new cheek products. I do want to rummage through some of shelves at Superdrug or Boots and see if I can turn over any hidden high street gems but whenever I'm in those aisles, my eyes always dart to mascaras or nail polishes. If any of you can recommend some good high street blushers then please let me know!

If you would like to see swatches of any of the blushers in this post, just let me know and I'll get right on it.

Are you loving any particular cheek products at the moment? If you are then make sure you leave a comment in the box to let me know which ones they are.. They might enable me to pick a couple up.

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are PR samples

My Top 10 Nail Polishes

2011-08-10T22:48:00.000+01:00

I was suffering a touch of of bloggers block this evening so asked the world of Twitter what post they would like to see on here and they voted for a nail polish related post - Ya know, because there aren't enough of those on here already.

Instead of the same ol' NOTD post that I get up here every couple of days, I thought I'd do a run down of my top 10 nail polishes. Now, my favourite nail polishes are forever changing but I never tire of these 10 nail polishes and have worn them far too many times and still got complimented on each shade whenever I do.

So, meet the line up...

These are my top 10 nail shades, the first five are my favourite colourful nail polishes and the bottom five are my favourite neutral shades.

Colourful Nail Polishes:

From left to right:

1. Barry M - Navy Blue

2. O.P.I - Gargantuan Green Grape

3. Lancome - Orange Fluorama

4. Models Own - Lemon Meringue

5. Maybelline Forever Strong in Hot Salsa

The Neutral Nail Polishes:

From left to right:

1. Bourjois So Laque in Rose Lounge

2. O.P.I - Moon Over Mumbai

3. Essie - Body Language

4. Natio - Brandy

5. MAC - Light Affair

You'll probably notice that O.P.I, Essie and MAC all look strikingly similar and they kind of are but there is a method to my madness, I assure you. MAC 'Light Affair' was a limited edition nail polish from their Love Lace (or something like that) collection a year or so ago but I wasn't that amazed by the shade until Mandy wore it and picked up two back ups of it but by the time I cottoned on, it was sold out. After some tweeting with fellow beauty bloggers, Yinka of VexintheCity informed me that the nearest shades to the MAC one were the O.P.I and Essie versions. Well, that set me off on a wild goose chase and while I managed to get hold of Essie 'Body Language' fairly easily, the same couldn't be said for O.P.I 'Moon Over Mumbai. This was when of Helen of Just-Nice-Things came to my rescue and said she wouldn't mind doing a swap with me for it which is exactly how it came to be in my collection. The things we do for beauty, right?

I digress. Everyone should own a good grey toned neutral shade because they tend to be quite flattering and don't look out of place in the office or a night out so they always come in handy. The same goes for a nice coral nail polish as well as a blue but the latter may not be everyones cup of tea!

What are your Top 10 Nail Polishes? Let me know in the box!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Nosey Post: What's In My Makeup Bag...

2011-08-09T22:20:00.000+01:00

Seeing as my previous Nosey Post was quite popular, I thought I would do another one for my makeup bag. I love seeing what people carry in their makeup bags because it makes me either want products they have or be glad that the contents of my makeup bag aren't in a disgusting state like theirs. I can't stand seeing filthy makeup and even filthier brushes so when I examine the contents of a makeup bag, it either turns me one way or the other.

The products in my makeup bag get changed around every now and again when I feel like a change so these are the following products that I've been using when I'm out and about.

The makeup bag was given to me at the Sleek MakeUP Destination S event and although I'm not uber keen on the colour or the design, it is pretty big so I can load it up with my bits and bobs.
The contents:

These are my current "essential" items that I carry around with me and all products can be applied quickly for a freshen up or an impromptu event.

1. Bourjois Powder Blush in Rose D'or

Labelled as a cheaper version of NARS Orgasm and more easy to find version of Rose Gold by Sleek MakeUP but this definitely not a dupe for either of them. It is, however, a very pretty shade which gives a nice pink and gold sheen and can be layered to give a better colour pay off.

2. Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in 112 Ambre Rose

A nice pale pink lipstick. At one point, I did think that this was a good dupe of the MAC Nude Rose lipstick from the DSquared2 collection but I can safely say that it isn't. I love MAC Nude Rose so if someone has one that they're not using, let me know!

3. MAC Viva Glam Cyndi

If you want a red lipstick that you can wear during the daytime and then layer on for a vampy look in the evening, this is the one you need. As it is a Lustre formula, the product doesn't go on too heavy with one swipe so it's very easy to wear during the day. To vamp it up, line and fill your lips with MAC Lip Liner in Cherry and then a swipe Viva Glam Cyndi over the top - It's a dream!

4. Hair grips

You never know when you're going to need to throw your hair up and get those annoying baby hairs out of your face so I keep hair grips on me at all times.

5. Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in 01 Apricot

Probably one of my favourite lip glosses because there is no shimmer, no sticky gunk and definitely no dodgy sticky after-gunk. The colour is very subtle and doesn't really add any colour to lips but just makes them look fuller and sexy - Everyone should own a lipgloss that does this.

6. Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine SPF15 in 03 Papaya

These launched last year and the last ages because this has been one of my go-to lip products for almost a year and it is still in good condition. No dodgy melting and the colour pay off is still as fabulous as it was from when I first got it - Big thumbs up.

7. Bobbi Brown 'Everything' Mascara in Black

Apparently this mascara is supposed to do everything (hence the name) that you would want from a mascara which would be lift, seperation, volume, thickness and the rest of it. Sadly, it doesn't do 'everything' but it is an okay mascara to have in a makeup bag because it doesn't clump and if you layer it on top of a mascara you've been wearing all day, it still won't go all thick and clump-y.

8. MAC 129SE Brush

I love when MAC do these small travel sized brushes because they are great for makeup bags and of course, travelling. I've had my 129SE brush for a few years now and it is still in great condition and hasn't started shedding or anything so it's a handy little brush to have.

9. Benefit Eye Bright

Everyone should own a soft eyeliner in light pink because you can use it to highlight the brow bone, the inner corner of the eye and even line the waterline to make eyes look more awake. It's a failsafe product that comes in useful all the time.

10. Dental Floss

There is nothing worse than being out or even at work and getting a piece of food stuck in between your teeth and there are only so many times you can try and lodge it out using your tongue before you look like you're making some sort of suggestive action.

11. Strawberry Carmex

It's a lip balm. Enough said.

12. *Sleek MakeUP Pout Police in Monte Carlo

One of my favourite Sleek MakeUP Pout Polish products that I have because the colour payoff is pretty amazing and it smells yummy.

13. Bobbi Brown Concealer and Setting Powder

Although the packaging for this has changed, this was brand new and sitting in my makeup unit so I decided I really ought to crack it open and start getting some use out of it. I traded my Bobbi Brown Cover-Up Stick for this because of the loose powder at the bottom which I can use to blot out any oil during the day.

What do you lot keep in your makeup bag? Show me the goodies!!!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are PR samples

NOTD: Nails Inc. 'Little Miss Splendid'

2011-08-06T19:53:00.000+01:00

Some of you may remember the post I wrote a few months back on the Nails Inc and Little Miss collection that had been released to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Mr Men and Little Miss books. There are four shades in the collection which represent a different character from the book - You can see the original post and all the stock photos HERE.

I was kindly sent a sample of the Little Miss Splendid nail polish which was the only one that I actually caught my eye when I first saw the imagery of the collection and it didn't disappoint.

Besides from my God awful cuticles, the nail polish itself is a very pretty sea green with a blue shimmer running through it. Naturally, the blue shimmer is near on impossible to photograph properly so I used the camera on my Blackberry instead which actually picked up the colour really well.

The shimmer that runs through it isn't really visible once you've layered on two coats of the nailpolish, which is all it takes, but it does looke very pretty in the bottle. I was actually quite surprised with the polish because Nails Inc products have never really amazed me and I'm not a big fan of them because I find them to be incredibly streaky and not very long lasting. However, that being said, this polish went on super smooth and was completely opaque after two coats which is pretty good. The only thing I don't like is the fact that it took ages to dry and even with a layer of Seche Vite on top, I had to wait for another 20 minutes before I was ready to do anything which is far too long for my liking.

The Nails Inc Little Miss nail polishes are priced at £12.50 each and available instore and online.

What do you think of Little Miss Splendid? Is she really 'splendid' or totally dupeable?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLE

Nosey Post: What's In My Bag...

2011-08-04T22:15:00.000+01:00

I've seen loads of these "What's In My Bag Posts" but have never joined the club, until now. I'm trying to mix things up on here a little instead of the usual review/NOTD/OOTD post so I figured why not try something different and show you nosey parkers what I lug around in my bag with me.

This is my suitcase:

I love tan bags and although I recently picked up a gorgeous leather one from Oasis, I had been yearning for a satchel but couldn't find the right size, shape or style. Well, that was until I clapped my eyes on this bargain beauty from Primark in June, thanks to my cousin for the tip off! It's a slouchy satchel with a shoulder strap and handle so you can carry it both ways and although it might not look it, it is really spacious inside.

It has a top zip fastening (another reason why I love it) as well as an inside zip pocket and two phone/iPod pockets too so there is more than enough room to stuff things in. Oh, and I love the leopard print lining too!

So, what do I lug around in there?
This lot...

That's a whole lot of random tat to carry around, right? Let me walk you through it...

1. Filofax - Personal Finsbury in Aqua

After the talk of owning a Filofax took over Twitter, I decided to splurge out and treat myself to one - Ya'know... 'cos all the cool kids were doing it. As I had never stepped in to Filofax world before, it was slightly unnerving because of all the different sizes, inserts, colours and styles you can get but after some serious Twitter conversation with other enthusiasts - I decided on the Finsbury in Personal (that's the size) and in Aqua. FYI, if you're after the same Filofax they you'll be better off looking on eBay because this colour is no longer stocked on the Filofax website.

2. *Anna Sui Makeup Bag

I'm not going to tell you what's in there because I'm saving that for another blog post but I've recently cleared out all the junk - I was carrying 15 or so lip products in there - so it isn't as bad as it was a few weeks ago. The makeup bag itself was a gift from a blogger event so I can't link you to a website where you can buy one from but there are loads of pretty makeup bags out there so find one that suits you.

3. Bobbi Brown Blotting Sheets

I absolutely love blotting sheets and always have them on hand but I especially love these Bobbi Brown ones because they come in a smart leather case and it also has a decent sized mirror on the inside. You can buy seperate refills so you don't have to keep splurging on the whole case.

4. Guess Wallet

This wallet is a few years old now but it has served me well and is still in pretty good shape considering I've had it for a while. I am, however, on the hunt for a new wallet but it has to be brightly coloured and have room for random store/point cards as well as my own bits of plastic and all sorts so if you know of somewhere that sells a wallet like that, link me to it.

5. Crocodile Clip

That's pretty self-explanatory. I have long hair and sometimes I tie it back in a wonky half up-half down type thing. You can buy these from Sally's Hair Supplies, Boots, Superdrug and everywhere else that sells hair tools.

6. Carmex Moisture Plus in Sheer PeachOne of my favourite lip balms that I own and I own quite a few. The goodness of Carmex with a gorgeous tint to boot - What's not to love?

It's not actually available in the U.K and I'm not sure if there are plans to launch it but you can pick this up from eBay like I did.

7. *Benefit USB Stick

Since I was at uni I have always carried a USB stick in my handbag just in case I need to download something like important government documents. Lol. You would actually be surprised how many times this little pink USB has come in handy... It's tech chic at its finest.

8. Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF15

Another lip balm that I love and not just because the packaging is chic and pretty. Albeit it is slightly more expensive than your average tin of Vaseline but it's thicker in consistency so you only need a teeny bit and it'll last you ages.

9. Evian Face Mist

This is a big must during the humid weather that we're having but I carry this around all year round because you never know when you're going to need to freshen up your face or your makeup. No dodgy scent and no sticky feeling afterwards so it's a must-have product in my bag.

10. *Orly Rich Renewal Hand and Nail Cream

Such a gorgeous handcream because it is smells like passionfruit and leaves my hands silky soft. I'm not sure if this is available to buy or is an old product because it was sent to me last year sometime but I am in desperate need of a back up.

11. Hayfever Tablets

Good ol' prescription drugs but not the dodgy kind, just some much needed hayfever tablets. Over the counter drugs don't work on my hardcore hayfever so have been taking prescription pills since I was 11.

12. Pen

Everyone needs a pen.

13. Carex Lime & Grapefruit Hand Sanitizer

I don't leave my house without hand sanitizer and make sure that I always have some on hand - There are a lot of sticky people and surfaces out there with lots of lurgies so need to make sure I'm not housing them on my hands!

14. Victoria's Secret Refreshing Body Mist in Love Spell

If you ever have a chance to pick up Victoria's Secret Refreshing Body Mist from the airport or the U.S then you should definitely do it. I absolutely love these products because they're so light and the scent lingers for ages so they're perfect to keep in my bag for top ups during the day.

15. Pocket Tissues

This kind of goes hand in hand with the hayfever tablets. Summer = Pollen = Sneezing my brains out

16. Pocket Mints

Another must-have handbag product. I always have mints or chewing gum in my bag and so should everyone else, especially people with nasty breath. For them, it should be mandatory.

17. Comb

Nothing to really say about this one. It's a comb. Lol.

There you have it. The items missing from my bag are:

- iPod

- Sunglasses

- Car keys

- Loads of receipts

- Wet wipes

What do you carry in your handbag? I love nosey posts like this so if you've done one of these handbag posts before then drop the link in the box so I can poke around.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

NOTE: Products marked with * are from PR events

NOTD: 17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish in Sweet Kisses

2011-08-04T19:34:00.003+01:00

So lately I've been trying to find nail polishes in my collection that I've either loved and then forgotten about or just plain forgotten about and this one falls in to the latter category. I remember buying this along with a few other 17 Lasting Fix nail polishes from Boots a few months ago when the two vintage looking palettes came out. Having never been a big pale pink enthusiast, I threw it in my basket with the hope that one day I would grow to love it and would find some sort of use for it. Well, that day has come and although I may not love it, I do really like it.

I'm more used to seeing these pale pink shades on the hands of Zara of Mouldy Fruit because I know how much she loves them. Sweet Kisses is a milky rose pink shade that definitely doesn't cross over in to the world of bubblegum pink which is why I think it appeals to me. It makes it so much more wearable because it more likely to match with everything rather than stand out and clash with what I'm wearing - and not in a good way.

Having never really played around with 17 Lasting Fix nail polishes I have, I was quite impressed that it only too two coats of lacquer to get an opaque finish and each coat dried really quickly too. Obviously, I still had to apply a coat of Seche Vite for good measure but the polish was borderline dry before that anyway. After one day of wear and a whole lot of box lifting at work, there are no chips and no tip wear yet which is great but we'll see how it holds up after 3 days of wear. I'll keep you posted!

You can buy 17 products and nail polishes from Boots stores and online HERE.

What other 17 products should I try? Since I had such a good experience with this nailpolish, I am tempted to try out other products from the brand so let me know what you recommend by dropping a comming in the box.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Remember to vote for The 6 Inch Stilettos in the Cosmopolitian UK Blog Awards? (Established Beauty Blog category). Click HERE to whizz over there and cast your vote! xoxo

The 6 Inch Stilettos

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Random Giveaway! - WINNER

FOTD: Pinkalicious Lips

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My Top 10 Nail Polishes

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NOTD: Nails Inc. 'Little Miss Splendid'

Nosey Post: What's In My Bag...

NOTD: 17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish in Sweet Kisses

My Alpha-H Skincare Routine Photo Heavy