I want #001

*asos panel leggings- I had a pair of these last year and I wore them to death so currently in the market for a new pair

*Topshop star print jumper- I'm not really into prints but this is quite sweet and understated

*New Look raspberry slippers-the perfect autumn shoe?

*asos mittens- I buy gloves and mittens every winter and always manage to lose one or both shortly after. Maybe I should tie them to some string through my coat sleeves like when you were six?! 
*asos spike gem earrings-because who doesn't love a bit of rose gold eh?
*Warehouse bee print scarf-I just think this is totes adorbs
*asos swing dress-I like clothes that swish when you spin :)
*H&M Christmas cushion-don't judge me! Christmas is coming and I am gleeful!

Anything you're coveting at the moment?

vxo

No7 Instant Radiance foundation

After using up the last dregs of my beloved MUFE HD foundation recently I was dreading going on the hunt for a new foundation. Now, don't get me wrong I LOVE shopping for makeup whether I am in need or not but foundation shopping is a full on nightmare for me. I have difficult skin and high expectations from any product I purchase. This often leaves me disappointed and resentful of whichever brand has relieved me of £30.

Luckily though, Lisa Eldridge creative director of No7 had recently announced their Foundation Match Made Service: an in store service which promises to perfectly match your skin tone with their range of 17 shades.

I warily but excitedly went to my local store completely bare faced (!!) expecting a makeover and the hard sell. Not so. The SA used the little gadget to match me up as Cool Vanilla and then asked what I wanted from my foundation. 'Well, I've got dry skin which gets worse in the winter, I need a medium coverage but something that will stop me looking dead and something that will last all day.' Demanding, moi? The SA was totally unfazed and offered me samples of both Essentially Natural and Instant Radiance to try at home. Wait, what? It has never been my experience to 1. be under no pressure to buy at all and 2. for an assistant to be so forthcoming with a sample.

I hotfooted it home and tried both over the next few days and made my way back to the store the following weekend to make my purchase.

No7 Instant Radiance foundation

The foundation itself is absolutely ideal: medium coverage and buildable, dewy, hydrating and pretty long wearing. I couldn't have asked for anything more. And the colour match? Perfect. I am beyond thrilled. All of this for the bargain price of £12.50. I've paid two and three times as much for foundations on the past and been bitterly disappointed.

I'm not going to share swatches of this foundation as I really do urge you to get down to your local Boots and have a go for yourself. You can tell there has been a lot of thought and development in this new line of products and it is worth every penny.

Have you tried the No7 Foundation Match Made Service yet?

vxo

Happy Halloween!

Here's some alternative Hallowe'en fashions if polyester witch costumes aren't really your thing.

*Topshop J W Anderson top

* Asos skull print tights

*Office Starlight stud courts

*Just Cavalli jersey gown

*Topshop neon skull earrings

*Tarina Tarantino Beautiful Wickedness bracelet 

*Roberto Cavalli scarab beetle clip on earrings

*Topshop skeleton print leggings

*Motel Zena bodycon cross stud dress

*Asos Vera Meat claw ring

*Miss Selfridge cross lace tunic

I love this kind of fashion. Not sure I'd wear all of these piece (just don't think I could make skeleton leggings work) but the rest is right up my street. I especially adore the Roberto Cavalli bug earrings those colours are just stunning! 

What are your favourite alternative Halloween pieces? 

vxo

V05 Plump It Up Amplifying Blow Dry Lotion

I have dedicated my life to achieving naturally big hair.

No

Yes

I have tried countless products over the years with mixed results. I scour the aisles of Boots on a regular basis in search of a miracle product and will buy anything that promises coveted big hair. 

The V05 Plump It Up spray (NOT lotion) is something I've never heard of or read a review of before, but I thought I'd give it a go for the bargain price of about £4. Next time I washed my hair I liberally sprayed this into all of my hair as per the instructions-lengths, ends, roots, everything. Add a bit of Mythic Oil, then I tipped my bonce upside down and went nuts with my hairdryer for about 20 minutes. You can't but call me brave :)

You can just about see how much I've used in three goes :S oops!

The results were actually very good. Once I'd brushed my new lions mane through I was left with very thick looking hair which was enormous at the roots. Colour me impressed! Cue a bit of straightening and curling and I was quite pleased with the results. 

A few things to note about this product:

*not a lotion, most definitely a spray

*has heat protection which I don't always bother with (naughty me)

*when I'd curled my hair it definitely helped keep the curls in longer. Don't know exactly how but they held well til the end of the day

*I think that it did make my hair dirtier quicker, not in a major way but I washed it sooner than I normally would

*this products does not leave your hair sticky at all. Not one bit.

All in all, I am happy with my random volume-giving purchase. You win some you lose some hey? I can't find this on the Boots website but I bought mine in store about two weeks ago and I would definitely recommend giving it a bash yourself.

What are your favourite voluminising products? 

vxo

Essie: Skirting The Issue

This is the latest addition to my miniature Essie collection.

It is a very thin formula and requires three coats (rage!) for a half decent finish. I especially loathe these watery textures as I think it negatively affects the longevity of your manicure. It also makes application a bit tricky.
Despite this the colour is a rich burgundy without the purple which looks almost raspberry in some lights. It is perfect for this time of year.

So in conclusion-lovely colour, crap product.
Incidentally, the green nails file you can see peeping through my fingers in the background is from The Body Shop and is honestly the best file I've ever used.

Oh I do LOVE autumnal nails.

What are your favourite seasonal shades?

vxo