Le Labo London

I have always walked past the Le Labo counter in Liberty because I thought it looked so clinical.  And also because I didn't really know about the concept.

Topshop Zephyr & Equinox Eye Crayons

I'll be honest.  I am a make-up snob.  Hence I never really had a good look at Topshop makeup.  Until now.

We've all had those moments where you've waiting around for a friend in a shop, so you're having a browse around, picking up things you'd never normally pick up or look at.  Then BAM!  There's something that you must buy right there and then.

These eye crayons from the Sandstorm collection did it for me.  They've been out for a few months, but I've never looked at them until now. I think it was the more sophiscated packaging that drew my attention to them.

Chanel Byzance Topkapi Quad

I went to Selfridges on Saturday to check out the Byzance Collection at the Chanel counter, even though there wasn't really anything I liked from the photos I had seen so far.  But as soon as I started swatching the Regard Signé de Chanel in Topkapi, I knew I had to have it.

Lipstick of the day #5 - Tom Ford in True Coral

 

Formulated with rare and exotic ingredients, the luxurious formula has an ultra-creamy texture for an incredibly smooth application. Specially treated color pigments are blended to deliver pure color with just the right balance of luminosity.

Nails of the day #2 - Chanel Nouvelle Vague & Morning Rose

Finally.  It's supposed to be quite warm and sunny this weekend (it's been so drab in London!), so I'm celebrating with Chanel pastel summer nails.  I was going to do one hand of each originally, but decided maybe an accent nail would be a better idea.

GlossyBox June

I missed out on the first GlossyBox*, and so was very much looking forward to the second one.  Now I'm not naive - I wasn't expecting them have a repeat of a full sized Nars product like the first box, but I was expecting good things.  I couldn't check if I had received the box this morning, so I relied on twitter reports to let me know what the contents of this month's box are.

REN Radiance Perfecting Serum

I have been on a skincare spree lately.  I am more concerned about my skin now as I approach the big 3-0.  Good skin is important as even the most fabulous makeup is not going to look good if you don't have a nice base.

My skin was looking decidedly DULL and a bit grey.  So I tried the REN Radiance Glycolactic mask.  That stuff is magic but I needed something that I can use everyday as well.  So I bought the Radiance Perfecting Serum.

Chanel Bronze Rosé

I have to say that the Chanel Summer 2011 collection, Collection Les Fleurs d'Eté de Chanel, did not wow me at first glance.  I'm not sure why as the promotion images are beautiful.

Makeup Packaging - The Bad

Personally the packaging of a makeup product sways my opinion of the product and whether I will buy it. I know it really shouldn't, but it does. I like things to look good.

These are all culprits of bad packaging. NARS I am looking at you in particular.

Stila Smudge Pot - Black Cat

Continuing with the Stila haul, I bought a Smudge Pot in Black Cat. Black Cat is a slightly toned down black with silver glitter.

I had heard of smudge pots but didn't really know what they were - the name implies it's a creamy eyeshadow for a smudgey smoky eye look. In fact, smudge pots are designed to be used both as gel liner and as eyeshadow.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Créme in Rose Gold

This is one of those products where the name is so long, it is impossible to remember - Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme in Rose Gold.

I really wanted this after seeing it in both Lisa Eldridge's and Pixiwoo's youtube videos. Not that I needed another illuminator/highlighter. I already have Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl, Nars Copacabana Mulitple and No.7 Skin Illuminator in Peach.

Lipstick of the day #4 - Rouge G de Guerlain in Georgia

A Guerlain lipstick is definitely a treat. It's in the top tier of luxury lipsticks with Tom Ford and Serge Lutens. Actually, Serge Lutens is in a whole other class due to its price but that's for another day.

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub

I'm not sure why I need another blush but I bought it anyway.  There was a special on - if I bought the watercolour blush, I would get the brush for free so why not?

But I can sort of justify that liquid blushes are great for summer as it's very light and stays on for longer than cream or powder formulas.  So yes, that's my reason.

These Watercolour Blushes are extremely watery in texture (as one would guess from the name).  I bought the colour Cherub, which is their most popular shade I believe.  It is a very natural pink flush but can be built up in intensity.

Stila Kitten Eyeshadow

Remember the days when Stila was really popular?  Everyone wanted one of their clear plastic pen glosses.  The convertible colours.  The illustrated palettes with the noseless Stila girls.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil

I adore this.  The fact that I've been using this to remove my makeup for 8 years says a lot.

Makeup Haul

Ordered a few things on Thursday and Friday and received everything on Saturday morning.  Been testing them since, look out for reviews on them soon!

Skincare products to review

A few things I've trying out at the moment.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Lesson

 

Emerald Street recently sent out an email promoting free makeup lessons at Bobbi Brown, with a bonus of one sample (at least I thought it was one anyway).  And so I booked myself in for a 15 minute mini lesson to learn how to use the Bobbi Brown Corrector.

Benefit Posietint

I don't usually buy Glamour magazine but with this month's issue you can either get a mini bottle of Benetint, Posietint or High Beam.  I decided to go for Posietint as I already have the Natural Cheek Stain by Tarte in Natural Beauty, which is a similar colour to Benetint.  Didn't consider High Beam because I have too many illuminators/highlighters already.

Lipstick of the day #3 - NARS Carthage Pure Matte Lipstick

This is definitely my favourite lipstick right now.  I think this colour looks particularly good for those with tanned skin, like this (although she's wearing MAC in that photo).

Favourite nail polishes right now

   

   

Dior Electric Tropics Catwalk Duo in Aloha (#638) and Chanel Le Vernis in Morning Rose (#557)

Aloha is a VERY bright orange and it's probably my favourite nail polish at the moment.  It retails as a duo with the glossy top coat.

I haven't given in to the Mimosa trend yet...I don't think yellow would look good on my hands.

Nails of the day #1 - Chanel Miami Peach

Chanel Le Vernis in #203 Miami Peach

My skin and Liz Earle

Ahhh.  Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.  So much hype on youtube and blogs...I had to try it out.

Favourite eyeshadows right now

Chanelphile!

Cheeks

 

Nars Orgasm/Laguna Duo, Nars Deep Throat, Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base

Lipstick of the day #2 - Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Monte Carlo

For a blog called A Lipstick A Day, it's been lacking in lipstick action.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #62 Monte-Carlo

(in background #50 Rivage & #46 Liberté)

REN Radiance Glycolactic Renewal Mask

I usually don't like to buy skincare without trying a sample first - I don't believe in spending on money on something that doesn't work.

Which is why I get annoyed when counters are reluctant to hand out samples. I can understand why, but nine times out of ten, a customer will buy something after using a sample and finding it effective (when prices are within reason of course).

Don't even get me started on beauty counter pressure tactics.  Or sales assistants who give me the look when I dare ask for a sample.

Nip+Fab Dry Leg Fix

 

I took advantage of the Boots 3 for 2 offer and bought the Nip+Fab Dry Leg Fix (x2) and Bust Fix to try out.  Sadly Frown Fix was sold out.