EYE EYE

MeMeMe has to be one of the prettiest cosmetics brands out there and the products are always as good as the packaging.  For spring I'm mixing up my look a little by wearing much less of a base and finishing with a red lip for day.  When wearing very little make-up it's the essentials that count and these two magic wands are just the ticket for achieving great blows and lashes.  The Arch Angel Brow gel is a great tool with a tiny wand at one end for thickening and filling. The other end has a creamy highlighter to dot under the brows to lift and accentuate.  It is definitely an essential for any make-up bag.  The black wand is the Fallen Angel eyeliner and mascara duo which is perfect for your handbag.  One end has a lash lengthening mascara and the other a black felt liner. It's the perfect product for creating feline eyes.  Check out the website today at www.mememecosmetics.com

Arch Angel Brow Gel £8

Fallen Angel Mascara and liner £8.50

WHITE

This cold weather does not seem to be shifting and summer feels a long way off right now.  I'm enjoying my new ripped knee white skinny jeans as an alternative to the black pair I have been wearing far too frequently. This boohoo style are a great January update at under £30 and will take me into spring nicely.

boohoo.com Lara high rise ripped knee jeans £25

A'KIN & SKIN

I always forget quite what a killer January is for skin.  After a few months of cold weather and indoor heating my skin feels dry and appears dull. A'kin are an Australian beauty brand who focus on pure natural products.  They were kind enough to send me a few skin saving solutions to try and after just a few days I am sold!  The Rose and Geranium pure facial creamy cleanser and toner is a complete delight to use.  Perfect for dry, sensitive skin this cleanser removes all makeup and eye makeup and tones skin with the addition of Witch Hazel.  It's filled with Pro vitamin B5, sheer butter and avocado oil.  I shall continue to use this morning and night to keep my skin soft and healthy.  

If thats not enough the pure radiance Rosehip oil brightens skin, reduces wrinkles, improves uneven skin tone, increases elasticity and hydrates.  It's high in Vitamins A and E and Omegas 9, 3 and 6.  After cleansing, massage a few drops into the face before moisturising.  You will be amazed at how much healthier your skin looks and stays.  The brand also provides solutions for hair and body which I cannot wait to try.  Thanks A'kin.

A'kin Rose and Geranium pure facial cleanser and toner £19

A'kin pure radiance Rosehip oil £18

GOT THE BLUES

A recent trip to Vancouver made me fall in love all over again... with dungarees.  The girls would hang out downtown with their bulldogs, drinking coffee, wearing denim.  This weekend the sunshine was almost out long enough to justify wearing my latest pick-up from Topshop.  This super soft mid-blue pair are the perfect boy fit with a slightly cropped leg and very low-rise.  I shall be wearing these all spring with a fitted 90s ribbed tee and sneakers.  Thats weekends sorted.

Dungarees - Topshop - Similar here

Ribbed funnel neck top - Topshop - £14

L'ERBOLARIO

I always love the launch of a new beauty brand and the Christmas launch of Italian heritage brand L'Erbolario was no exception.  From the second you step into their first British store on Upper St in Islington you feel like you have stepped into an Italian village.  The high pharmaceutical style shelves are stocked with rows of new goodies to discover.  There must have been over thirty collections and each scent came in a fully stocked range including products for face, body, bath, candles and fragrances.  One of my favourite things about the brand was that as well as so many delicious fragrances, there were also handbag sized gel roll ons.  As a commuter I struggle daily with the balance of wanting to fill my large handbag with products and not wanting a bad back from lugging to much around all week.  Well here is the answer!  A lovely brand to make sure you check out when you are next in London.

L'Erbolario

GREEN & SPRING

So whilst we are on a British beauty brand roll lets talk about Green & Spring.  Inspired by the British countryside, products are created using native herbs and flowers.  The main attraction to the brand for me was the incredible scents created using essential oils.  The products are all 100% natural, from the UK and ethically sourced.  There are no colours and no synthetic fragrances meaning they are perfect for delicate January skin.

You haveprobably spotted the brands beautifully illustrated bird packaging on cleanwhite bottles. This alone is enough to brighten my spirits and my bathroom.  Choose from collections including ‘Relaxing’ with kitchen herbs and lavender and ‘Revitalising’ with peppermint and fennel.  For spring I’m enjoying the Revitalising Body lotion which smooth’s on beautifully and soaks into skin leaving it soft and revived.  Apply straight after your shower for best results.  For those days when only a bath will do I love the Revitalising light bath oil.  Sundaymornings haven’t been the same since I received this product.  You only need a few drops and it leaves skin soft and smelling delicious.  The oil is rich in vitamins and the aniseed and cinnamon improve circulation.  Treat yourself to this oil if (like most of us) you can’t afford a spa trip this January.  I can’t wait to try more from this delicious brand.

Revitalising boy lotion £22

Revitalising light bath oil £24

DELILAH

Happy New Year to you all!  I hope you had a fabulous holiday and are now feeling fresh as a daisy.  I love nothing more at the start of a new year than shaking up my rather stagnant beauty regime and experimenting with everything new.  What better time is there to try out a few exciting products from some boutique beauty brands?

Delilah is a British boutique beauty brand that I have been wanting to try for some time now.  Spring for me is about a clean, natural look with a simple red lip or bronze liner.  The best way to get that fresh no-makeup face is to hop on the primer band wagon.  I have tried several primers in the past.  Some have been fabulous, others did almost nothing.  This delilah Under Wear primer is a definite winner.  A simple slick of the lightweight formula under your bb cream or foundation creates a smooth base, hides redness and ensures makeup lasts all day.  The primer is also enriched with peptides which plumps and smooths lines and wrinkles instantly.  This will be in my beauty kit all year!

Another product I picked up and loved is delilah's Farewell cream concealer.  I don't think I have ever used a concealer that glides on quite this smoothly.  The gentle stick takes no pressure to apply. The formula includes what it calls Hyaluronic Filling Spheres which fill any lines or wrinkles to create a smooth cover.  This concealer is so moisturising that there is no worry of drying of flaking and its great used under the eyes as well as on any blemishes.  

I adore this brand and can't wait to try their other products including the glorious looking cream lipstick in 'Vintage' red.  Give these products a try for Spring and let me know your thoughts. xx

delilah Under Wear primer £34

delilah Farewell cream concealer £24 (I used shade linen)

COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS

The Christmas sale is a great time to stock up on classics that you know will be worn throughout the following cold months.  This camel cape is the perfect combination of elegant yet quirky and will look great with a skinny black knit and your current denim.  For a spring 70s update pair with some dark flared jeans and large sunglasses.  If that wasn't good enough this cape is now half price!  Check out Comptoir des Cotonniers Sale for even more great buys.

Trench Cape by Comptoir des Cotonniers was £260 NOW £130