A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

This post constitutes my entry in response to this competition hosted by cosmetic-candy.com in association with Total Jobs JobAcademy

I remember my first job interview clearly.  I was 17 and looking for something to earn some extra pennies whilst I was at sixth form college.  I applied to be an “activities organiser” at a local care home for the elderly.  I got the job but only lasted a week once I realised that they didn’t actually want someone to organise days out and activities for the residents but required an underpaid carer with a false job description that meant they could get away without providing any health and safety training.

I haven’t had a job interview since, one of the many benefits of being self-employed… though I do wish I had a Christmas party to go to for once (someone invite me to theirs please)!

Anyway, Rowena from Cosmetic Candy has challenged her readers to document their “interview look”, which includes makeup, hair, scent, and nails.  The complete package.  Thankfully not clothes though… I’m rubbish at putting together outfits, truly awful…

Here’s my “interview appropriate” ideas for ensuring you look your best under pressure!

01: Benefit They’re Real Mascara (£19.50, boots.com) – I’d leave the eyeliner at home, knowing that one slip could turn my look from kitten-eyed into crazy-eyed… not to mention the lunchtime eye-bogies that can often accompany a slick of kohl.  Instead, I’d reach for one of the most va-va-voom mascaras in my arsenal.  Benefit’s They’re Real delivers the longest of lashes with the least amount of clumping for me.

02: Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette (£20.00, debenhams.com) – While its name may not be interview appropriate, the hues housed within this handy little eyeshadow companion are all about making the best of your features with the minimum of fuss.  Perfect for shading and contouring the eye area to bring forth your natural beauty in a sophisticated and most importantly, understated way.

03: Illamasqua Gaze Eyebrow Cake (£15.50, debenhams.com) – Illamasqua’s answer to perfect brows has long-been on my holy grail list.  Gaze is the perfect brow powder for dark brunettes looking for an ashy tone that won’t turn red as the colour fades.

04: MAC Pink Cult Blush (£??, discontinued) – Sadly, this perfect “pop of pink” blush was part of a limited edition collection a couple of years back, however I picked it up a couple of weeks ago at my local CCO for just over a tenner and I’m glad I did!  The neutral flush gives a lift to my naturally ruddy cheeks without overpowering them with colour.  Do keep an eye out for a re-issue from MAC or as an alternative, Illamasqua Naked Rose would work well.

05: Lipstick Queen Chinatown Glossy Pencil Lipstick in Thriller (£22.00, SpaceNK.com) – I umm’ed and ahh’ed over whether to include an easy-to-wear lipgloss, or stay true to my roots and go for a lipstick.  In the end, I decided why choose when you can compromise?  Lipstick Queen’s glossy lip pencils deliver a slightly-sheerer-than-lipstick punch of colour with the shine (but none of the stickiness) that comes with a lipgloss.  Thriller is my chosen colour, the safest of reds that won’t leave you with colour on your teeth or a ring of doom on your lips!

06: No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation (£14.00, boots.com) – It’s been a while but I’m still pretty much fully in love with this high-street foundation from the Boots’ brand.  It provides long-lasting coverage with a natural finish that doesn’t sit too heavily on a (gently!) maturing face.  The bottle dispenses the perfect amount of product in a single pump, ensuring that I never get too heavy-handed with my application, there’s nothing like finding a foolproof foundation and this is one of the closest I’ve discovered.

07: Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19, boots.com) – I remember the first time I discovered this little beauty that highlights and conceals in one.  Who knew that you could get such quality from such an inexpensive brand?  I don’t go in for heavy-duty concealers and this one is perfect for a little bit of light cover-up and an undereye highlight.

01: Mum Cool Blue Extra Dry Deodorant (£1.05, chemistdirect.co.uk) – I can’t do aerosol deodorants… that blast of icy mist first thing in the morning does nothing to improve my just-got-out-of-bed mood.  I’m a roll-on girl and Mum has been my brand of choice for years!  I went through a Mitchum phase but for the extra pennies, I just don’t think it works that much harder than the Extra Dry variety I usually pick up which always keeps me cool under pressure!

02: Prada Infusion D’Iris EdP (from £41.50, theperfumeshop.com) – If you’re looking for a sophisticated scent that never cloys or irritates the nose of others around you, Prada’s Infusion d’Iris delivers a timeless and fresh perfume that lingers long into the day without need for reapplication.  Perfectly interview-appropriate without causing a stink!

03: Mavala Liberty Mini Nail Polish (£4.10, supplymebeauty.com) – If you want your nails to look polished without causing a scene-stealing furore, your safest bet is to stick with a skin-flattering nude.  Choose the perfect shade that will compliment your skin tone to elongate your fingers and show that you know how to take care of yourself!

04: Octopus Hair Claw (£17.00, stone-bridge.co.uk) – Hair is not my forte and for that reason, I recommend investing in only one product: a great quality hair claw.  You’re looking for something that will keep your locks off your face securely without breaking after five-minutes.  The Octopus hair claw is top of my list because of its tentacled hair-gripping combs and lightweight design that won’t pull fine hair down to the nape of the neck as the day progresses.

05: Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File (£15.50, boots.com) – Want to know what doesn’t look good in an interview room?  A pair of tights that look as though you’ve been playing hide-the-sausage with the postman in the stationery cupboard (already).  Catch any tears and snags that develop on your nails quickly before they rip your tights (and any chance of getting that job with it) to shreds.

06: Trebor Extra Strong Mints (£0.46, asda.com) – Because you just never know when last night’s cheeky takeaway is gonna put in a reappearance.  You want to impress with your mind-meltingly good charm and knowledge, not your face-meltingly bad breath.

What’s the one beauty item you couldn’t survive a job interview without?

* Don’t forget to check out the competition at Cosmetic Candy for your chance to enter to win £150 in Selfridges vouchers, I know I should keep it to myself… but I’m just not that mean… mostly.

I can’t remember the last time I haven’t touched the blog in over a week. I also can’t remember the last time I read a book that didn’t begin with the words “Once upon a time…” – those two scenarios may be related.

I’ve been a bit icky this past week, I think I’ve spent more time in bed than out of it and I’m afraid that blogging has most definitely come second-best to milking it for cuddles, cups of tea, and bacon sandwiches in bed (obviously not that ill!)

Anyway, I just wanted to leave a little update as to my MIA status, I haven’t even been around much on Twitter, I know!

I have, however, got a lovely competition coming up this week to win three of my all-time favourite skin-care products, so do look out for that and I’ll hopefully be back in the swing of things within a few days.

Hope you’re all doing really well, do let me know of any new happenings with you or internet funnies you’ve discovered if you can be arsed, anything to distract me from daytime telly would be most appreciated.

Love, me xxx

Question of the Week – What is your all-time favorite shade of blush?

Answer – PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME PICK ONE!  I hate it when people sit on the fence with a direct question like this… Erm, ok… I can do this.  I just need about 20-minutes to think about it…

…

…

Ok.  I’m ready.  Either Bare Minerals Promise or Cargo Tonga.  I got it down to two… but I do love NARS Deep Throat aswell. (step away from the keyboard and stop typing).

Phyrra – says have a drink with the new Literary Lacquers Literary Liquors Collection.

we heart this – has the one case where picking your face is ok; it’s Boscia’s Peel Off Face Masks.

Beauty Junkies Unite – See if Jordana’s new 12HR Made To Last eyeshadow pencils can really go the distance!

Chalkboard Nails – Honey, fly on over and check out this graphic bee nail art!

Clumps of Mascara – is holding onto summer a little bit by rockin’ those beautiful bright shades from China Glaze’s Sunsational collection.

EauMG – reviews a soft, citrus scent by Cartier.

Gouldylox Reviews – Can a makeover happen in a minute? Check out this speedy tutorial using a beautiful palette from Eve Pearl.

Lipglossiping – grabs the hair by the, err, root and gets to grips with all things tweezery!

My Beauty Bunny – Tired of razor bumps and irritation from shaving? Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil can change all that and we’re hosting an Instant Win Giveaway so you can have smooth, soft skin too!

Nouveau Cheap – It’s been a while since my last makeup brush review, but this one is so wonderful (and inexpensive) that it deserves some praise.

Prime Beauty – dishes about her favorite beauty oils for face, skin and hair in the latest Makeup Wars: Battle of the Best Beauty Oils!

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Phyrra – Phyrra loves Mandy’s blog, Pretty Making. She always has lovely looks, beautiful swatches and great reviews. Mandy found a great affordable cruelty-free dupe for Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer, the Palladio Beauty Herbal Foundation Primer.

C’mon… I did it… you can too.  What is your all-time favorite shade of blush?

If you’ve been following me for a little while, you may already know my thoughts on the use of gold in skincare.  Ultimately, I believe it’s an addition that’s far more beneficial to the marketers than the end user… it’s not a mineral enriched with healing properties, it’s a metal, prized for its stability and inertia.  But boy, does it pack some prestige and “luxury” into a product, no?

I was sent a beautifully packaged 24K Deep Peeling gel from Orogold Cosmetics for review… it really is a rather splendid thing.  Priced at £100… I guess it should be.

The heavyweight packaging, embossed font, and satin-lined box all scream luxury… living up to its placement and price tag.  But what about the product inside?  What are its claims and does it live up to them?

Orogold Cosmetics 24K Deep Peeling is an exfoliating product that promises to remove a thin layer of dead skin cells to “reveal ultra-smooth and youthful skin”.  It is recommended to be used once a week with a “sweeping circular motion over skin until you feel the dirt forming”.  Oddly, there is no mention on the website of the 24k gold that this product contains.  Considering that this is such a selling-point and no doubt a price justification… I’m surprised to see that the brand have omitted this information online.

So, what about this gold?  Is it there, do you need a microscope to detect it?  Well, no actually…

Each pot of Orogold 24K Deep Peeling comes with its own certificate of authenticity (I told you the packaging was good).  The certificate proclaims that the product contains pure 24K gold from Italy.  And you know, it really does… it contains food-grade gold leaf.  Very pretty to look at but at that size, unlikely to have any impact on your skin.  You’d need pores the size of moon-craters to benefit from any of its so-called properties.

To put it another way, the thickness of gold leaf is rated at around 125nm and anything rated above 40nm has been shown not to be able to penetrate deeper than the upper 1/5 layer of the epidermis.  This gold ain’t going nowhere except down the plug-hole.

But you know, pretty….

So, I’m obviously not convinced by the gold.  But what about the peeling?  How about the exfoliation?

See the picture above?  That’s the “dirt formation” you will feel after rubbing the product into your skin for a few moments.   It’s not dirt… it’s not your dead skin cells being sloughed off… it’s the product’s chemistry reacting with the massage motion you use to apply it.  This isn’t a new thing… many products, particularly those in the Asian market exfoliate skin using this method.  It’s pretty cute… let me explain how it works…

To create this kind of “balling up” upon application, you need to create a chemical reaction on the skin.  Two such ingredients that will create this effect are: cetrimonium chloride and carbomer… both of which are present and correct in Orogold’s 24K Deep Peeling.  Clever huh?

Now just because I’ve (semi) explained the science behind the “magic” doesn’t mean that it’s all smoke and mirrors.  Those little flakey bits will actually help to gently exfoliate your skin as you massage them over your face and let’s not forget the other ingredients contained within the exfoliator, namely: tocopheryl acetate (vit e), ascorbic acid (vit c), and glycerin… all of which will indeed help to smoothe and soften the top layer of the skin.  That being said, it’s a very gentle exfoliation and I’m not sure how effective it would be in the long term if used only once a week as per their direction on the website.

All in all, Orogold 24k Deep Peeling is an exfoliator that works to errr, exfoliate.  I won’t deny that it feels nice on the skin, looks the business in the pot, and leaves my skin feeling soft but… is it worth £100 of your hard-earned cash?  I wouldn’t pay more than £10 for it – gold or no gold.

Orogold 24k Deep Peeling is available to buy instore from one of Orogold Cosmetic’s London boutiques or online from oro-gold.co.uk

* press sample

Please excuse this lazy excuse for a post, I’ve had an exhausting weekend and I’m so completely done in and ill-prepared for the week ahead.

Anyway, I had my camera out and about with me on Saturday when I attended our local village’s carnival so I thought I’d take a moment to document what I got up to over the last couple of days. My niece was stoked to be part of the procession and dressed up in all her Pirate finery.

Leila was just delighted to be watching her big cousin strut her stuff!

The sumo suits were amazing, I wanted a go! It was too much fun watching respectable-looking people turn into competitive monsters as soon as they stepped inside their fat suits. It got quite vicious at times!

Saturday night, Leila enjoyed a sleepover so Paul and I settled down to finally getting round to watching The Dark Knight… I know, we’re only five-years late.  Sunday morning brought with it an early start at the car boot sale where we finally started shifting some of our stuff that’s been clogging up my parent’s spare room… we’ve been in our flat a year on the 9th July, so I think it’s about time we fully vacated our old home!

My highlight of Sunday had to be cwtching up on the sofa with my family and getting ready to watch my brother play bass at Glastonbury, “proud” doesn’t quite cover it! What a rock star!

Leila couldn’t quite believe that she was watching “Unkie Steve” on the telly. Infact, I think she got a hairball from all the excitement…

We topped off a fabulous weekend with a few episodes of vintage 24, a Weight Watchers friendly Black Bean Chilli with Sweet Potato, and a very, very cheeky bowl of ice-cream.  Back to the gym tomorrow (I managed to destroy my HRM belt on Saturday by putting it in the tumble dryer FFS) and a full week of far-less exciting things to contend with.  I’m also going to my first Dance-Fit class on Wednesday, I don’t do classes… I couldn’t be more frightened!

What did you get up to this weekend?  Hope you had a great one!

Whilst I don’t have anything against Valentine’s day, I wanted to dedicate today’s post to something a little more meaningful than my usual rose-scented beauty products theme.  You see, today isn’t all about cupid, overpriced roses, and abject loneliness.  February 14th also marks a very special birthday.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children first opened its doors on Valentine’s Day, 1852 and has been striving for excellence from that day forward.  The hospital, which treats over 200,000 children a year, is globally renowned for its paediatric care and training.

The Kiss It Better Appeal is the brainchild of Carmel Allen whose daughter Josephine was treated at the hospital for Neuroblastoma – a type of cancer. The appeal efforts focus on raising money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

Carmel says: “The premise was really simple, KISS IT BETTER is something every parent says and does when their child is sick or injured. I wanted to turn Josephine’s experience into something positive and to help make a difference to the lives of children with cancer everywhere”.

And so, today… in honour of a very important birthday, I’m making a simple request.

Spread your Valentine’s good feelings a little bit further today and text KISS12 followed by donation amount (e.g KISS12 £3) to 70070.  There is no cost to send the message and the donation goes straight to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Many thanks to clinique.co.uk for providing the visuals for this post.

01: Instyler Rotating Iron in Purple 32mm (£99.99)

A revolving barrel and brush combo that promises to both smooth the hair and add shine as you pull the brush from root to tip. Potentially, the perfect solution for those who want both volume and smoothness.

02: Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash (£13.99)

The latest addition to the Tangle Teezer family which has been specifically designed for use in the shower. A hollow structure, “drying” feet, and the patented detangling design make this a great tool for combing through conditioning treatments.

03: Philip Kingsley Take Comfort Jet Set (£17.00)

Not a great choice for the secret Santas out there but if you know someone with a problem scalp, this is a great kit for providing a targeted solution. The kit contains three hard-working treatment-based formulas to soothe the itch and rebalance the scalp.

04: Charles Worthington Salon at Home Secrets Collection: Moisture Seal Overnight Hair Healer (£14.99)*

We all like to see results and Charles Worthington’s Salon at Home Secrets Collection promises tangible results after one application. The Overnight Hair Healer is a deeply moisturising treatment to help replenish, restore and nourish dry hair. Particularly good for coloured locks.

05: Percy & Reed Quintessential Quick Fix Travel Pack (£17.96)

Following on with the quick-fix theme, the Percy & Reed Quintessential Quick Fix Travel Pack offers a selection of travel-sized goodies to perk up your tresses without the palaver of changing your entire hair routine. Available online at Beauty Bay.

06: CHI Touch Screen Dryer (£150.00)

Know a gadget girl? if you thought that touch-screens were purely for smart phones, think again. Head to Urban Retreat’s Beautique for a gander at CHI’s Touch Screen dryer which offers a wealth of settings and configurations to ensure that you get the exact drying power and temperature that you need for your style.

07: Orgnx Brazilian Keratin Range (from £9.95)*

For barnets that are shamefully wilder than their owner’s, take comfort from the Orgnx Brazilian Keratin Line which promises to tame frizzy hair and leave it looking silky-smooth thanks to a blend of complex oils and proteins. The range includes shampoo, conditioner, serum and a 14-day treatment.

08: Stone Bridge Octopus Large Hair Claw (£16.50)

Every girl needs a great hair claw in her life, it’s the most reliable of hair tools that requires no fussing or coaxing to achieve a perfect updo in seconds. The Octopus Large Hair Claw promises to grip every strand with a uniquely clever design that’s both elegant and effective.

Tomorrow’s penultimate gift guide indulges in some of the most tantalising cosmetic cravings around…

* press sample

There’s nothing like an impulse purchase to get your blood pumping. And this was nothing like an impulse purchase.

I umm’ed and ahh’ed over the Guerlain Rouge G L’Extrait(s) for a good few weeks before taking the plunge. As much as I adore a wonderful red lipstick, I wanted something a bit different to the usual red.

Once I saw a swatch of Orgueil worn by the beautiful Christine from Temptalia, I knew that I’d found my next prey!

The packaging is as beautiful as you’d expect from something in the Guerlain Rouge G range. Sleekly-housed in a heavyweight silver case that works in a similar way to the Rouge G lipstick range, the mirror serves a genuinely useful purpose when it comes to applying product on the go.

The formula is light and the pigment rich. It’s a fairly traditional liquid lipstick with a velvety texture and a softly matte finish once dry.

Longevity is good and transfer fairly minimal, especially if blotted softly a few minutes after applying. I was able to wear this through multiple drinks, and only needed to reapply a little in the centre if the lips after a meal.

As the day wore on, it began to feel slightly less comfortable so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this for those with extremely dry lips – but you probably know to steer clear of liquid lipstick formulas anyway…

The colour is beautiful. It’s rich, sumptuous, and velveteen with a luxurious depth. Vampy without crossing the line into gothic. A winter must-have.

Guerlains Rouge G L’Extrait in Orgueil is available to buy on counter (or cheaper online) at Escentual.com, priced at £26.55

They say that a little of what you fancy does you good, and there’s something rather lovely about a beautifully presented selection of mini treats.

Choosing a set of miniatures is a great way of exploring a new brand, getting a feel for the different formulas and scents before splashing big bucks on full-size versions. There’s definitely something to be said for a decent miniature set.

Here are the minis that have caught my eye this festive period…

1: Thierry Mugler Miniatures Gift Set (£31.00)*

Change up your signature scent with this wonderful coffret of four iconic Thierry Mugler masterpieces. The set includes: Angel Eau de Parfum (5ml), Womanity Eau de Parfum (5ml), Angel Eau de Toilette (3ml), and Alien Eau de Parfum (6ml). Each fragrance is individually boxed inside, making it perfect for stocking fillers too!

2: Espa Little Box of Calm (£12.50)

The ultimate in mini relaxation from Espa’s hard-working bath and body oil duo. Featuring a blend of myrrh, frankincense, ylang ylang, and sandalwood to revive and unwind. A perfect gift to treat overworked Mums!

3: Dr Hauschka Mini Rose Trio Gift Set (£8.95)

Come up smelling of roses with this stocking-filler from natural skincare brand Dr. Hauschka. This mini trio of antioxidant-packed goodies promises to be suitable for all skin types, leaving your skin feeling pampered. Perfect for a post-Xmas skin pick me up!

4: Bodhi Assemblage Bath & Shower Gift Set (£40.00)

Perfect for the gym bunnies in your life, the Assemblage Bath & Shower Gift Set is the ultimate shower treat for post-workout relaxation. The set includes seven 50ml shower gels from Bodhi’s indulgent range of botanical body care.

5: REN Moroccan Rose Otto Mini Gift Set (£16.20)

A great opportunity to gift the cult classic Moroccan Rose Otto to a special someone. The heavenly-scented set contains: Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash, Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil, and Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream – all in generous 50ml sizes.

6: Benefit Sexy Little Stowaways Gift Set (£25.00)*

If you’re buying for the girl who has everything, why not buy her a little bit of everything! Benefit’s Sexy Little Stowaways is a comprehensive selection of the brand’s best selling products. From lips to cheeks, eyes to skin – this set will make sure it’s got you covered.

7: Cowshed Limited Edition Mini Candle Collection (£16.50)

Know a wild cow? How about a knackered one… be honest, we all know a couple of moody moos don’t we? This lovely limited edition trio of candles from Cowshed contains a scent to suit all variety of bovine moods… just don’t let on that your recipient inspired you quite so literally!

8: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint Minis (£15.00)

Introduce a friend to this luxury cosmetics line via their extremely good value-for-money set of Luminizing Moisture Tint Minis. An all-in-one skin solution that promises to moisturise, even, brighten, and protect all skintones. All for just £15 at Cult Beauty? It’s a mini miracle!

Hair today, gone tomorrow… but at least tomorrow’s gift guide will ensure Christmas disappears with a shiny swish!

* press sample

The wonderfully inventive Face Lace have created two special sparkly and incredibly festive Christmas editions that are just perfect for your New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Would you like to win a full set?

Of course you would… be the belle of the ball all year round!

Not sure how to wear them? Check out this post for some inspiration.



To win a set of these beautiful, limited edition Face Laces, simply leave a comment and tell me your plans for New Years Eve!

I plan on getting a takeaway, a nice bottle of wine, and challenging my husband to some old-skool Grand Theft Auto!

T&C

This competition is open worldwide, one winner will be chosen at random and will receive the Face Laces pictured above / One entry per email address / Competition closes 26th December 2012 / Lipglossiping.com is the sole promoter and no personal details will be stored / If the winner fails to claim their prize within 5 days, I reserve the right to choose another winner.

It’s only in the past year or so that I’ve developed a real passion for fragrance. I suppose that there’s always been an underlying appreciation but it wasn’t until I met like-minded bloggers and fragheads that I realised it was possible to create dialogue and debate over scents without sounding like a mental.

I’ve since become convinced that it’s perfectly normal to lie awake at night thinking of the scent that you sniffed on the counter at Selfridges in passing… Right? Right?!

Without further ado… here are my picks of some great scenting gifts for loved ones…

1: Creed Spring Flower Eau de Parfum (£92.95)

A fruity floral that smells clean and bright as opposed to syrupy or cloying. An “after-rain” scent without the rain. Youthful but sophisticated, fresh yet warming with a musky dry down. A perfect gift for a special young lady who wants a signature scent all to herself.

2: Rituals Mini Under A Fig Tree Fragrance Sticks (£11.00)

Perfect for smaller spaces, the mini version of Ritual’s best selling home fragrance will transport you to out of the everyday realm and into warm, Mediterranean climes. A great home-scenting gift for people who aren’t comfortable with candles burning in their home.

3: Neom Harmonise Home Candle (£39.50)*

With the uplifting scent of eucalyptus, pine, and cedarwood, the Neom Harmonise Candle takes the brand’s unique take on holistic fragrancing to the max. Clear your mind and soothe your spirits with this scented winter-wonder.

4: Bella Freud Incense Wood & Oud Candle (£38.00)*

New to SpaceNK, elite fashion designer Bella Freud’s range of luxury candles include: Fig Leaf & Tomato, Tiger Lily, and the delightful Incense Wood & Oud featuring a smoky, resinous accord. With notes of cedar wood, amber, and myrrh, it doesn’t get much more Christmassy than this.

5: Miller Harris La Fumee Eau de Parfum (£62.00)*

Bonfire night may be over for another year but put the whizz-bang into someone’s Christmas with this heady concoction from Lyn Harris. La Fumee is burning embers on an Autumn night, the calming interior of a incense-filled church after midnight on Christmas Eve. Dry, warming, and hypnotic.  Available from Escentual.com.

6: Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil (£24.50)*

If you know someone who has a tendency to let trivial things get the better of them, treat them to the sensuous pleasure of Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil. A few drops on a tissue or diffused in a fragrance burner will help bring calm to any situation.

7: Penhaligon’s 2 piece Orange Blossom & Fragrance Compact (£55.92)

A beautifully-presented fragrant set from British brand Penhaligon’s. This set available at QVC contains a 50ml flacon of Orange Blossom EDT and a complimenting solid fragrance compact which will leave a slight shimmer on the skin wherever you apply. Perfect for layering and intensifying a truly classic scent.

8: Oscar de la Renta Espirit d’Oscar Eau de Parfum (£38.35)

Bring back the glamour of the early 80s with this reincarnation of Oscar’s original. This scent has everything with a fresh, effervescent opening, a big, bold heart of warm florals and a powdery dry down that leaves behind a creamy, nose-nuzzling softness. A grown-up choice for grown-up ladies.

Think the best things come in small packages? Come back tomorrow to hear my musings on the best minis!

* press sample

Congratulations to Clumps of Mascara, Vampy Varnish and Nouveau Cheap for being featured on the new Wet n Wild Cosmetics “Beauty Ambassador Favorites” display, coming soon to a Walgreens near you! (Click the links above for pics of the display.)

Question of the Week: – Can you remember your first lipstick love?

Answer:- Yes! It was a long since discontinued Boots No7 lipstick called Morello Cherry (or something like that), really a bit too vampy for someone so young to wear BUT in my defence, I used to blot it on with my finger rather than go for the full-on vixen effect!

Beauty Junkies Unite – I’m pretty sure you’ll like this set of mini Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes in tarte’s new ‘Fantastic Foursome’ Blush Enthusiast Set for the holidays as much as I do!

Clumps of Mascara – is battling stretch marks with her growing baby bump. Is it a waste of time or will these products actually help combat them?

Lipglossiping – is definitely feeling the pull when it comes to Illamasqua’s lipstick in Magnetism!

Gouldylox Reviews – Have you started planning your gift lists already? Check out these lust-worthy gift ideas and stock up before they are gone!

Nouveau Cheap – Do you remember the brand Styli-Style, famous for their long-wear eyeliners? Well they’re back and under new ownership with lots of fun new products, as well as some old favorites.

Pink Sith – Confesses her love for a blush from Rouge Bunny Rouge.

Prime Beauty – takes a look at two highly giftable must-haves from  Tarte’s Holiday Baby It’s Bold Outside.

Phyrra – shows you how to get that perfect glow with Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo.

Vampy Varnish – thinks you are going to love at least half of the new OPI Skyfall Collection for Holiday 2012.

we heart this – We’ve deemed this the best long-wearing lip product we have EVER used. Find out what it is!

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Beauty Junkies Unite – Gel manicures are a little pricey—-but my fave fashionista, Sydne Summer of Sydne Style shows you two cute ways you can extend the life of your costly mani, DIY-style!

Can you remember your first lipstick love?