A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Diaries out?

Circled Sunday 14th March with a red felt tip? No me neither (who DOES that anyway?)

This is the first Mother’s Day I can join in with over on THAT side of the fence (the baggy fanny brigade* welcomed me last May incase you don’t read my baby bores).

And in honour, I’m doing two gift guides.  One for my Mum and one for me, ‘cos yano…. I totally catch Leila up here at the computer reading my blog when I’m not looking.

But first, here’s a no-nonsense guide to some lovely things that MY mother would be more than happy to receive this Sunday:

1. Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser (£3.99) – A true classic, uniting generations and still finding a place in bathroom cabinets across the world (including my Mums).

2. Tesco Skin Wisdom Microdermabrasion Kit (£10.00) – Ever since microdermabrasion became a bit fashionable a couple of years ago, I’ve caught her looking wistfully at the features on telly.  Good old Tesco offer a slightly more affordable DIY kit.

3. Bourjois Soir de Paris (£16.95) – “Evening in Paris” as it used to be known back in the…um… the… I dunno, dark ages… Anyway, Mum used to wear this and thought it had long been discontinued.  Kudos to the ladies at Bourjois for letting me know it still existed!

4. Schwarzkopf Bonacure Time Restore Night Spray (£10.95) – Formulated for more mature locks.  Mum’s a bit low maintenance with her hair, and this looks like a fuss-free hair treat before bed… spray it on and sleep!

5. Estee Lauder Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme (£32) – We’re both fans of Estee Lauder and their latest release promises to be a big hit.  I might buy this for her, but I can’t promise she’ll keep her hands on it for long…

6. Schwarzkopf Bonacure Color Save Silver Shampoo (£8.65) – Mum still retains a good amount of blonde hair, but with strands of silver running through this, would make a great choice to tone down brassiness and keep the silver looking silver instead of grey.

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…and here’s what I wouldn’t mind finding upon waking after my 2pm lie-in and breakfast in bed come Sunday (hint, hint).

1. Clarisonic Plus (£175) – Developed by the same people that do those Sonicare toothbrushes, this litle gadget promises to remove six times more makeup than manual cleansing and reduce the appearance of open pores, fine lines and wrinkles, all whilst improving skin tone too.  We’ll all have one shall we? Who cares if you’re a Mum anyway?

2. Elemis Pro Radiance Cream Cleanser (£27) – I flippin’ love me a bit of Elemis!  A great British luxury brand that knows how to hype a product.  Unfortunately, Elemis doesn’t love my purse too much… but I’m celebrating a guilt-free day right?  Their new Pro Radiance Cream Cleanser is on my wishlist… and if I don’t get it, I’m witholding cuddles for at least 10 minutes.

3. Alter Ego Hairdryer from EGO Professional (£109.99) – ZOMG!  Listen up ladies.  This is what is known as a ‘Sunny’ hairdryer.  Normal hairdryers blast out air and blow your hair all over the shop right?  I mean that’s how they dry… they effectively blow the water molecules off your barnet.  Well… this baby dries your hair using infrared technology to evaporate the water droplets.  Which means no more tangling as you’re drying… and surely less noise too!  In a house with a light sleeping baby, I’m considering this a joint gift!

4. Idole D’Armani (£35) – A beautifully balanced fragrance that’s light without being fluffy.  It’s spicy, floral and sweet all at once and lasts forever on my skin.  This will still be on my wishlist when my birthday comes around if I’m not hugely lucky on Sunday.

5. Buxom Sailor Girls Set by Bare Escentuals (£25) – Not out ’till April, I’m happy to take a raincheck on this adorable set of ‘lip polishes’.  I had a couple of them applied on me a couple of weeks ago at a press day and fell in love, not only with the shades but also the lip-plumping sensation that seemed to last for HOURS!

6. Retro Jackie Necklace from Dollipops (£7.99) – How cute? Strung on a silver-plated chain, I’m sure to get some knowing “we’re almost over the hill” looks of consolidation from passing strangers with this round my neck.  It’s too adorable!

7. Bourjois Sweet Kiss Shine Lipstick in Rose Pomponne (£7.99) – I tried the latest addition to the Bourjois Sweet Kiss Shine lineup a couple of weeks ago (Sweet Tangerine) and whilst I adored the old-skool rose-scented formula and moisturising finish, the colour just wasn’t me.  So here’s one that is, take note Leila.

BRING IT ON! *hastily does lots of perfect mummy-type things*

Oh and you may have noticed that my wishlist is about 15 times more expensive than my mother’s… I do assure you, it’s like TOTALLY an accident…

oh wait… I knew I forgot something!

* Hooray for emergency C-Sections!  Every cloud and all that…

Obviously, this has been out aaaaaages… but ever since I saw the swatches on Jojoba’s blog last month, I’ve been lemming it like a woman possessed.

Since Sephora doesn’t ship to the UK, I have no US friends and I’m not keen on paying £40 on eBay, I’ll just have to suck it up and continue to cry myself to sleep thinking about it until like the beautiful LE item it is, it disappears from my sights forever…

A January essential? Most definitely *sigh*

If you have it, tell me how much you love it!

So fellow beauty addicts, it’s THAT time of the year again.

Our loved ones begin to quake at the thought of choosing us suitable pressies and our partners become more forgetful about where they keep their wallets… don’t tell me that’s just mine?

Christmas… it’s a time for families and reflection.  Thankfully it’s also a time for stuffing one’s face, getting presents and leaving the washing up to pile sky high.

With the more commercial materialistic angle in mind… I present to you (and Mr. L) my Christmas Wishlist 2009.

1. Alex Monroe Sterling Silver Reed Warbler in Heart Necklace – £89.95

soooo pretty, I love so many Alex Monroe pieces, but this one really stood out to me being so delicate and feminine.

2. Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow – Smoky Crystal – £36.00

The most beautifully cool-toned, shimmery, highly pigmented, smooth like buttah palette in the existence of all palettes that were ever made ever, in the whole wide world.  ’till I find another one.

But right now, I love this one so much that it’s gonna be my Christmas present to myself for being such an amazingly cool person.  I’m so nice.

3. Daniele de Winter – Choc Beauté – €17.94

From the site:

“Choc Beauté are delicious chocolates designed to make your skin more beautiful”

I don’t really need to elaborate on that do I? 4 boxes please… oh go on then, 5.

4. Mason Pearson Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush – £49.90

I’ve had my Mason Pearson Hair Brush in “Handy” size since I was 3 years old… so that’s um *counts* 25 years… 25 years of daily use.  It needs replacing desperately, but considering how old and battered it is – it still does the job every morning.

5. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue – £37.50

A worldwide sellout.  A protective treamtent oil from the masters of hair containing Camellia essence.  Can’t find it anywhere… but since when has that stopped me wanting something?

6. LUSH 12 Days of Christmas Gift Box – £34.95

Winter is all about LUSH for me, I don’t know why… but I get a bit LUSH crazed come December.  I blame Ruby Red Slippers which can be found in The 12 Days of Christmas Box Set (along with a whole lot more!).

7. USLU Airlines Nail Polish in BIV & GRZ – €21 each

I first heard about USLU over at the delightful BeautyWooMe

How can you not love a company who names it’s products after airports?  Here’s 2 for the plane spotter in all of us.

Oh, and incase you’re curious… GRZ stands for Thalerhof Airport in Graz, Austria and BIV is Bria Airport in the Central African Republic.  Don’t say you don’t get no educashion on this here blog!

8. Silk Sleep Silk Blanket – £135

Yes, it’s decadent. No, I don’t care.  It’s 100% Silk and me and Leila need it for cooching in now.  But only if she promises not to pee on it.

9. Nana DeBary – Green – $98

Top notes: bergamot, citron
Heart notes: basil, cardamom
Base notes: thyme, musk, vetiver

Yum! Gotta love a fresh, easy going, green scent.  Reminds me of summer when it um isn’t.

10. Blitz Gold Leaf Shadow by Belmacz – £26

They say:

Belmacz Blitz is a creamy gold eyeshadow that doubles as a brow and cheekbone highlighter. Each pot contains two leaves of pure 24-carat gold and the cream glides on to give a smooth, sheer finish. Layer it on to create a dramatic solid gold effect. As with all Belmacz products, the beauty of Blitz is how well it blends, giving you a flattering, golden shimmer without looking artificially glittery.

Lipglossiping says:

It’s Christmas, why the hell not?

So that’s my top ten Chrimbo Crushes. *wistful sigh*

Just so that you know… in reality, I’ll get…

Lipglossiping, keepin’ it real this (and every) Christmas 😉 x

Well alright, just budge up a bit – I’m sure I can make room for both of you in my heart…

Helena Rubinstein Wanted Stellars Lipstick is available in 12 shades, whilst the gloss is available in 6.  The website sucks, so I can’t view the others..  RRP on these is €28 for the lippies and €26 for the gloss.

But now I’ve seen, I’m smitten… the red would be fabulous for Christmas, even if I only looked at it and sighed wistfully.  I’d love a true pink with sparkle too *le grand sigh*

So anyway, not only are these Wanted Stellars flippin’ gorgeous but get this info from Premium Beauty News…

The Solev company presents an innovative finishing technology called “sparkling effect” which consists in spreading on the material to decorate, in a dense and perfectly homogeneous way, colored and metallic particles to render a smooth and shiny effect.

This effect is enhanced by applying a transparent covering film, with a high gloss effect to amplify depth and light.

In order to achieve this result, Solev formulates its own special effect varnishes and to apply the particles in a dense and homogeneous way, the company has invented and developed a process (about to be patented).

A new technology implemented on Helena Rubinstein’s latest lipstick, Wanted Stellars.

Yeah, yeah… whatever you had me at “sparkling effect”.

It looks as though my nearest HR counter is in Cherbourg… ok, so as the crow flies that’s not bad… a couple of hours.  Shame about that pesky ENGLISH CHANNEL blocking the way!  Harrumph.

Anything you’re craving at the moment?

Halloween’s a-coming… and I’ve got my beady eye on the Too Faced Smoky Eye Kit.

I am such a sucker for ‘tutorial’ kits like these, but aside from the ‘novelty’ I think I would get a lot of wear from this throughout the year.

If you ignore the whole ‘smoky’ angle… this is a palette of wearable colours suitable for both day and evening.  However, I wonder if the inclusion of that drawer makes the whole thing a little chunkier than it needs to be – especially with travel and portability in mind.

Are you a fan of Too Faced? I have a couple of the old Quickie Chronicles that I enjoy using, they’re fab for taking on weekends away, talk about space-saving!  I know a lot of people dislike the cardboard packaging so often used by the ‘funkier’ brands.. but I don’t have any concerns as I’ve always found it to stand up well to daily use and carting about.

Too Faced Smoky Eye Kit is available from Boots or online at HQHair and is priced at £22

What’s on your wishlist for Halloween?

So, here’s £150 (around $245)…

…it’s burning a hole in your pocket, what would you be rushing out to spend it on?

I love a bit of virtual shopping me!

Cargo – Catalina Blush (lovely ballerina matte pink) – £16

Dior – Capture Totale Foundation (I have half a bottle left, the best liquid foundation I’ve used) – £59

Nars – Angelika Blush (I’m over Orgasm since I’ve discovered that peaches and warm pinks are never gonna look as good as cool toned blushes on me) – £18.50

Ruby & Millie – I-Writer in Purple. (read my HG Liquid Liner) – £10.50 (ea)

MAC – Creme d’Nude Cremesheen Lipstick (gorgeous creamy nude I’ve been wanting for a while) – £12.00

MAC – Mineralize Blush in Gentle (love this cool toned raspberry shade) – £16.50

Korres – Cherry Gloss in Beige Pink – £11.00

Jurlique – Lemon Body Oil (I adore anything lemon scented in body products, so I’ve been lusting after this for a little while!) – £21.00

Total: £153.50

*scrabbles around the back of the sofa for the extra £3.50!*

Anything you’re craving at the moment?  Please feel free to carry this idea onto your blog, would love to hear what you’re getting excited about!