Christmas 2014: Gift Ideas for Girls

If you're struggling for some gift inspiration, here are some great beauty and fashion ideas (from cute stocking fillers to seasonal splurges) for Christmas 2014.

Did I ever mention that I love Christmas?

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick (in Infrared)
A red lip is an absolute Christmas must-have, and this is one of my all-time favourites. It has a gorgeous matte finish, stays put all night long, and doesn't dry out the lip.

The Girl: Confident (sexy, sassy, glam, retro... it's a versatile red)

Thierry Mulger Angel Diva Gift Set (Limited Edition)
Perfume is a fail-safe option when it comes to Christmas gifting. Thierry Mulger's Angel is a seasonal favourite, as the scent is both sweet and musky. A festive winner. The perfume bottle is super cute too.

The Girl: Stands out from the crowd

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour (in 18 Vamp)
It wouldn't be Christmas without the timeless elegance of Chanel. This shade is a seasonal dream, a real luxury stocking filler surprise.

The Girl: Likes a touch of luxury

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector (in Nude)
This little number is the perfect accessory for everyday wear. Clarins really know how to make a good nude gloss.With just the right amount of pigment and a really nice scent, I can't recommend this handbag-ready gloss enough,

The Girl: Cosmopolitan and chic

Brooklyn Charm X Urban Renewal High/Low Triangle Necklace
SO cool. Especially paired with a chunky-knit sweater.

The Girl: Hipster-esq. Knows her own style, doesn't follow the hype

Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour Quad (in Summer in St Tropez)
This shadow palette makes it into the hot gift picks because it's both pretty and original. The shade combinations work together beautifully, and are versatile enough to create a subtle smolder or a real statement look. The shadows are smooth and pigment-rich, and the packaging is simple but classic. So Laura Mercier.  

The Girl: Creative

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (Craig & Karl for Kiehl's edition photographed)
Forget diamonds... Face cream is a beauty-savvy girl's best friend. And when it comes to lotions and potions of the face variety, you cannot go wrong with Kiehl's. It absorbs fast and leaves skin soothed and soft. The limited edition packaging by artists Craig & Karl is a extra nice touch for a Christmas gift too.

The Girl: Beauty conscious, cares about her skin. Regularly pops a face mask on

Aldo Faux Fur Headband
...Because no Christmas day stroll is complete without a touch of faux-fur. Fabulous, darlings.

The Girl: Glamorous, already owns a wide-brimmed floppy hat

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick (in Nectar)
Come December, all girls are wistfully reminiscing about their long-gone summer glow. This palette by Bobbi Brown is holiday in a palette, a subtle touch of warmth and radiance. It can also double up as a highlighter - so that's two gifts in one, right?

The Girl: All girls. Works as a subtle all-over glow those who like the natural look, or as an eye-catching highlighter for make-up fiends

Kate Spade Wallet/Purse (style pick: Cedar Street Nisha)
If there is one thing I have learn about girls, it's that no purse can ever have enough compartments to accommodate credit cards, gift cards, business cards, hair appointment cards, the receipt for a sweater purchased in 1998.... This stylish purse by Kate Spade is a timeless classic, with enough compartments to keep three dozen cards in check.

The Girl: Classy and efficient. Her wardrobe is made up of timeless neutral pieces, not jazzy patterns

Looking for a gift splurge? AllSaints Cargo Leather Biker Jacket
Yes, it's a pricey gift. But I've heard girls claim they'd consider selling a kidney for an AllSaints leather. Not even kidding. They're a wardrobe staple that will never date. High quality, always on-trend, unmistakably AllSaints.

The Girl: Fashion orientated, trendy, cool, urban

What would be your perfect Christmas gift? Leave a comment below.

Happy Holidays! xxxx

Destination: New York City

New York. The first thing that pops into my mind is Carrie Bradshaw in her Madison Avenue apartment, Manolo Blahniks cast aside, longing for Mr. Big to walk through the door. The Empire State Building, where James’ giant peach is perched; a giant cake-pop in the sky. And Central Park, just a stone’s throw away from the cafe where Phoebe is performing a musical triumph about an unhygienic cat.

So I know nothing about the real New York; I’ve never even been there for a festive shopping spree. But, in a few days, I’m packing my whole life up into just two cases and boarding a big shiny jet plane. The destination? Fabulous, darling!

But what if this huge metropolis of fabulousness swallows me whole? I mean, I've done my best to prepare - shout out to my colleagues who presented me with the most glamorous wide-brimmed charcoal hat I've ever laid eyes on - but what if I never manage to order a cosmopolitan with the sultry sass of Samantha?

Years of living the British life, with Ps and Qs, tea and cake, airs and graces, have left me frightfully unequipped for the ‘go-out-and-grab-it’ ethos of NYC. I fear that I’ll be politely waiting in line for a mustard taxi for the foreseeable future. The bolder and the braver will step off the sidewalk in their tailored macs, arms flailing, unafraid of neither man nor high-speed motor vehicle.

But I am determined to grab this experience like the first time I clutched a pair of Christian Louboutins - there's no way I'm letting go. I'll be sipping a skinny macchiato in downtown Manhattan come April, armed with a leather bound notebook and a faux fur collar for a touch of everyday glamour. I'm ready for you New York City, show me what you've got.

Motivational talk aside, I best start working out how to squeeze 23 years worth of prized possessions into one luggage allowance. I have at least ten different shades of blush, ranging all the way from light peach to bright fuchsia to soft pink. It may be a long night. Someone pass me a coffe-sorry-skinny macchiato…

Follow all my weird and wonderful NYC experiences on my other blog 'Hello New Yorker'.

Christmas Day Make-Up Tutorial

What make-up look will you be working this Christmas Day? I like to go for something that's extra special without being too full on, beautiful and glowy with a natural finish.

Follow my step-by-step tutorial of how to achieve this beautiful Christmas Day look with Yahoo! Lifestyle here!

My Holiday Hero Products

'My suitcase shrunk?'

Oh how I love a sun-drenched holiday. The sand, the sea, the sangria... it's just all rather glorious isn't it?
So next week I'm jumping on a big plane and swapping the sodden cobbles of Manchester for the twinkling shores of Cyprus! Needless to say, I cannot wait.

After a long weekend in culture-swathed Barcelona and a fleeting romance with wild Ibiza earlier this summer, I have learnt to select my precious luggage allowance with the meticulousness of a neurosurgeon. And then there's the soaring heat to contend with... As I'm sure you know, my amigos, make-up meltdown is a very real danger. Preventative measures are nothing but a necessity.

Moisturiser:  Clarins HydraQuench SPF15, £34
My gorgeous aunty Jeanie, who lives in Spain, swears by this moisturiser for the warmer climes. It soaks in fast and is a melt-free zone all day.

Primer: Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer SPF30, £29.95
I'm not a huge primer advocate, but this slim number was AMAZING in Ibiza. It helped keep my foundation in place well into the early hours.

Foundation: MAC Cosmetics Studio Sculpt Foundation (SPF 15) £24 with a bit of Laura Mercier Illuminated Tinted Moisturiser (SPF20) £33 to thin the consistency
I've tried so many different foundations, but for me MAC Studio Sculpt is just the one. When my skin is slightly dry I have to use a bit of tinted moisturiser to thin it out, but I love how it sets so flawlessly. The coverage is medium and buildable to full, so nice and versatile for holiday evenings, but I tend not to use it during the day - I just use the tinted moisturiser on its own for a really light coverage (with added SPF, bonus!)

Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, £17
This genius product is amazing for keeping shadow exactly where it should be. I wore really heavy eye make up to go to Zoo Project in Ibiza (complete with leopard body paint... yes really!) and this tube of magic worked an absolute treat, despite the hot temps.

Lippy: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang £14, with Glide-on Lip Pencil also in Bang £12
Outline the lip and shade with the pencil before applying the lipstick, blot and re-apply. I guarantee this fierce shade (my favourite accessory for a goddess-bronze tan) will stay put for HOURS.

Bronzer: ArtDeco Bronzing Compact Powder, £25
There's no long-lasting hocus-pocus going on with this bronzer, I just think it's really good. The beautiful palette is huge, so ideal for adding a bit of body shimmer.

Eye-Liner: Dior Waterproof Eyeliner Long-Wear Pencil, £18
It does not budge. Hallelujah!

Blush: Benefit Sugarbomb, £23.50
This peachy coral blush palette goes so well with a tan, and there's just the right amount of shimmer to add a sexy glow too.

Posh After-Sun: Lancôme Nutrix Royal £39
For slightly scorched skin this intense repair lipid-enriched lotion is the ultimate soother. If, however, you're a bit on the strapped side Soltan Aftersun with insect repellent £4.49 is pretty good. It really does keep the pesky mosquitos at bay too.

Hair Serum: Liss Unlimited SOS Smoothing Double Serum by L'Oreal Professionnel, £13.25
Holidays may be generally delicious, but they're also rather harsh on the tresses. I use this serum by L'Oreal to banish frizz even in humid climates. It smells rather nice too.

Burn Balance: If you're prone to pink after lounging in the sun try using a colour corrector with a green base, like Smashbox Photo Finish Color Corrector Foundation Primer in Green, £12.50 (travel size) before you put on your foundation. This will counterbalance the redness for a perfect finish.

Let me know your holiday hero products by commenting below, or by writing on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page, or tweeting @PoutOutProud.

xx

Top Beauty Products for Yummy Mums-To-Be

Pregnancy may be a time of joy and excitement, but let’s face it, it’s not all youthful glow and ample bosom. Nine months of having a little life-form somersaulting at 3am, adding anything between 10 to a million pounds to your body, it’s exhausting. The days of negotiating an aisle with dexterity and grace are a distant memory.  But fear not, there are beauty products out there to help…

Illustration by Rose Sturdy

Combat stretch marks with… Clarins Stretch Mark Control, £37

Every mum-to-be needs a helping hand when it comes to stretch marks, no matter how supple their skin. Clarins Stretch Mark Control is a perfume-free lotion which contains a number of plant extracts to help fight the cause. Upon application you can feel a slight soothing tingle as the product stimulates the skin. It helps to protect the skin’s elastin, reduces redness of existing stretch marks and stimulates the repair of new ones – perfect! A top tip is to start applying before marks appear. 

Kick the cankles with…  Cowshed Udderly Gorgeous Leg and Foot treatment, £18.50

‘My feet look like pig’s trotters…’ Oh the joys of pregnancy. Hot weather and a big bump is a one-way ticket to the chunkiest ankles in town. Soothe swollen legs with Cowshed’s Udderly Gorgeous Leg and Foot Treatment, which is wonderfully cooling after a long day of being significantly rounder than before. 

Banish dark spots with… Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Corrector, £29

A common by-product of pregnancy is Melasma, the discolouration of skin, thanks to all those lovely hormones. Discolouration usually lessens several months after giving birth, but for the interim this serum by Clinique helps to even skin tone and prevents the appearance of new dark spots. In true Clinique style, this ‘damage eraser’ has a gentle formula, so it’s suitable for use on the face too.

Pamper and restore dry skin with… Lancôme Nutrix Royal £39 for 400ml 

This super nourishing body lotion by Lancôme is the ultimate pamper product if your skin is dull and tired. It smells like a holiday to Mauritius, and leaves skin seriously soft thanks to its intense lipid repair formula.

Cleanse and re-energise with… Champneys Blissful Bump Shower Cream, £6

The Champneys Blissful Bump range has a powerful punch of ginger, and their moisturising shower cream is a great way for tired yummy mummies to re-energise. It might not quite make up for a whole sleepless night, but every little helps!

What are your hero pregnancy products? Comment below, tweet @PoutOutProud on Twitter or write a message on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page xx

Weekly Product Pick: Lancôme launch NEW Hypnôse Star Eyes Palettes (as featured in Grazia)

Each week for Grazia Daily I choose a product which I'm absolutely loving...

Lancôme Hypnôse Star Eyes Palette in Gris Fumé, £37

Lancôme have released a brand new range of Hypnôse eye palettes, and I really love this one in Gris Fumé. The compact is classic Lancôme, so stylish. The smouldering pinks and greys are gorgeous, they really compliment blue eyes. So beautiful! 

Related Posts

• NARS Summer Color Collection 2013
• Find out my Favourite False Lashes
• Gorgeous Eyeshadow Trends: Get the Look

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My Carex 'Live Life Hands On Awards' Entry!

Carex has launched a cute little competition to celebrate its 20th birthday, calling for people to send in pics of a day in the life of their hands. It's all part of The Carex Live Life Hands On Awards.

Here's my entry, which I'm calling: A day in the life of the hands of a make-up addict...

Carex will pick 20 of the most compelling entries to each win £500 worth of Red Letter Day vouchers, plus a year’s supply of Carex hand wash.

To enter the Carex 'Live Life Hands On Awards' click here.

NB. This blog post was sponsored by Carex

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Mint Snow and Seashell for Pretty Peepers

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks in Mint Snow and Seashell, £20.50 each

I love the Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks. I seem to live my life dashing here, there and everywhere, and I know I can pop these compact little sticks in my bag without even the slightest fear of shadow crumble. Mint Snow and Seashell are new editions for Spring/Summer 2013 collection, and they are just SO pretty. 

The subtle, glistening blue hue of Mint Snow blends gorgeously with the pearly white Seashell. I focused Seashell in the tear duct area and the mid-section of the lid, gradually blending into The Mint Snow - with maximum intensity at the outer edge of the eyelid. 

Using an angled brush, take the Mint Snow round the outer edge of the eye and half way underneath the waterline.

Add a touch of highlighter to the tear duct area to really open up the eye. I used MAC Cosmetics Shadow in Nylon. 

Complete the look with a fine line of turquoise liquid liner on the lashline and waterline (I used Eye Perfect semi-permanent eyeliner), with a few coats of thick black mascara (They're Real by Benefit). To compliment the shimmering pearly-blue look, I used soft pink and coral tones on the cheeks (Dandelion and Sugarbomb by Benefit) and wore a dewy light pink on the lips (112 Fantasque by Chanel)  

Related Posts

• Laura Mercier Crème Eyeliner in Cobalt and Expresso: Review and Swatch
• Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Sugar Frost: Review and Swatch
• Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer: Hot Pick for Tired Eyes
• Laura Mercier Illuminating Moisturiser SPF20: Perfect Coverage for SS13

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DIY Gel Nails with SensatioNail

DIY Gel Nails with SensatioNail, £60 for the starter kit with LED nail lamp, £10 for each colour

I've always loved a bit of 'salon at home', so the opportunity to do my own gels was way too much of a temptation to pass. If you've got a steady hand and a bit of patience, then you'll be able to create beautiful gel nails whilst watching New Girl on the sofa/in your PJs/tending to a butternut squash risotto.
I'm no nail expert, but thankfully this kit is as easy as they come. The instructions are really straightforward, it's pretty much: Step 1. Apply base coat and cure for 30 seconds. Step 2. Apply colour coat and cure for 60 seconds. Step 3. Repeat step 2. Step 4. Repeat step 1. Rocket scientists, don't sweat it.

You're not tied to a salon appointment and it works out much cheaper in the long run. The DIY option isn't for everyone (I often relish those hours in the salon - and no doubt the finished effect is more professional) but if you're fed up of chipping and want to step up the hardiness of your varnish, then this is a quick and fuss-free fix. It's rather fun too.
I was also really impressed by the huge range of colours available. I love a dark, glossy gel nail so I opted for SensatioNail's 'Dusk til Dawn' shade for my fingers, and the more summery red 'Spoiled Diva' for my toes. Both looked beautifully bold, gorgeous colours for statement nails.

To remove I used Magis Foil Nail Wraps, £9.95 for 50. Never scrape off the gel - no matter how tempted - as this is bad for the nail bed.

Related Posts

• Nude Nails: Shop the Trend
• Speckled Nails hard-wearing polish by Illamasqua
• Cute like Candy: Ciate Nail Caviar

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Eyewear: Hot Trends for Fabulous Eyes

My latest beauty love is a creative sweep of shadow. You can make a real difference to your make-up look, without going OTT/drag-tastic/scary panda. 

My top tips are to blend, blend, blend. Invest in a decent shadow brush, as the applicators you get with palettes are usually really naff. And gradually build up colour intensity from light to dark, so you don't end up looking like Patchy McPatcherson. 

Pre dance floor last weekend, I put my new found love into action on a few of my nearest and dearest. Here's the results:

Look 1: Sensual Dusky Pink

Revlon 16 hour Colorstay Eyeshadow Palette in Decadent, £7.99

Look 2: Molten Gold Feline Flick

New CID cosmetics i-colour long-wear cream eyeshadow in Zinc and Crystal Quartz, £14 each

Look 3: Soft Smouldering Bronze

Revlon 16 hour Colorstay Eyeshadow Palette in Brazen, £7.99

What eye make-up look will you be wearing this weekend? Tweet @poutoutproud with your favourite eye make-up looks. xx

Related Posts

• ArtDeco High Precision Eyeliner for super defined eyes
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• Get Perfect Brows with HD Brows Palette in Bombshell
• Creme Eye Liners - Get Creative and Beautiful

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Millie Mackintosh Lashes... Fabulous, darling.

Millie Mackintosh Lashes in Soho, £8.99

Made in Chelsea is back in our lives, and yes, I'm rather happy about it. Thanks to the MIC brigade, I do not think twice about popping on a faux fur head piece to nip to the corner shop and pick up a two-pinter of red-top milk. Thank you, Chelsea, thank you. 

I digress. This week, I invested in a pair of Millie Mackintosh lashes. Millie: Star of Made in Chelsea, fiancée to Professor Green (what a strange world we live in), and creator of fabulous lashes. I'd heard good things about the range, and I'm very pleased to say that the results exceeded my expectations. In a market of celebrity endorsements which can be, quite frankly, totally naff, these lashes are total pearlers.

The base of the lashes is really fine, so there's no annoying lifting-at-the-edges. They look gorgeously natural, and the glue is very worthy. I've used this range a number of times, and never had the 'why won't they stick?!' experience. Full marks Miss Mack.

Here's my finished eye make-up look, with the false lashes to finish:

Brows: HD Brows palette in Bombshell, Eyeliner: ArtDeco High Precision Liquid Liner, Eyeshadow: Revlon New ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Palette in Brazen

Related Posts

• How to get perfect brows with the HD Brows palette
• The eyeshadow how-to guide

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Clarins Complete Age Control Double Serum: Review

Clarins Extra-Firming New Double Serum, £55 

Okay, so I'm not exactly propping up my wrinkles with a broom stick just yet, but yes, I've decided to start using age control products. The early bird catches the hot, hunky worm, as they (may or may not) say.

Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate has a fairly hefty price tag at £55 for 30ml, but I've been using it for one full week so far (massaging a pea sized amount onto my face and neck area morning and night) and I feel as though my skin is looking better all round. It looks healthier, no blemishes as yet, and the dreaded blackheads which pepper my nose seem to be smaller than before... I'd pay £55 a month to get rid of them alone!

However, the real beauty of a serum is the long-term effect. A serum penetrates where mere moisturisers cannot, hence why you apply the serum first. You are targeting the deeper layers of skin, which will one day rise to the surface, and hopefully look ruddy marvellous when they do. So with this little nugget of beauty knowledge in mind, I am going to keep using the Clarins Double Serum (which, FYI, smells lovely, absorbs fast and is great for slightly dry skin) and will update this post after a few months... If you see someone who looks suspiciously like me, but a few years younger, then please do say hello!

Read more on well-being and TLC

Hair Care: Find out how to repair your hair

Skin Care: How to nourish your skin properly

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New Hair Colour! From Blonde to Brunette

If you've followed this blog for a while then you may know that I'm a blonde (sometimes not solely in appearance..."Grandma has gone to JAPAN? Oh... she's in Torquay")

Before

Well not any more! I decided it was time for an image overhaul, so after four hours at my favourite hairdressers, I am now officially a brunette with gradual fade to slightly ombré ends. What do you think?

After

I love a good change, as you can totally change up your make-up palette too. I opted for a darker brow, stronger blush (NARS Orgasm) and a popping pink lip lacquer (Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar) to revamp my usual style.
What are your top make-up tips for a brunette hair style? Let me know on Twitter, Facebook or by commenting below! xx

Pout Out Proud recruited for the InStyle Blog Elite!

I've had some amazing news... InStyle magazine have asked Pout Out Proud to get involved in their exciting new blogger project! As part of the InStyle 'Blog Elite' (alongside 5 to 10 other bloggers) I'll be taking part in challenges, such as recreating InStyle beauty looks with a special Pout Out Proud twist, to go head-to-head with the other submissions in a public vote!

The first 'Your Way' challenge is to recreate the hot hair trend of the season, up-do braids, as featured in this video:

What up-do braid styles do you love? Let me know by commenting on this post!

Benefit Face Powder in Sugarbomb: My No.1 Daytime Blush

Benefit Face Powder in Sugarbomb, £23.50, available from Benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Gorgeously soft and warming, this blush adds a beautifully subtle glow to the cheeks. It's really complimenting to both pale and medium complexions, and would make a great shimmering highlighter for darker skin tones.

The palette balance of golden bronzes and pinks (rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, sumptuous peach) means that you don't end up with a harsh block of blush, so no Coco the Clown in sight (phew!) 

I sweep the blush over the apples of my cheeks everyday for a 'natural' radiance, perfect for creating glowing, healthy skin. A look of natural perfection. I also like to use it as a base to soften a stronger blush for nights out, applying a sweep of NARS blush in Orgasm across my cheek bones for an extra oomph. 

 Pictured: Benefit Face Powder in Sugarbomb on cheeks, MAC Ruby Woo on lips with MAC Cherry lip pencil, Pro Lashes by Gary Cockerill, HD Brow palette in Bombshell on brows 

Top marks from me! Sugarbomb Face Powder is a make-up bag must for everyday gorgeousness.

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Cute like Candy! Ciate Nail Caviar

So much LOVE this super cute manicure! How gorgeous?! 

Ciate Caviar Pearls in Rainbow, £18, available from Selfridges is my favourite nail accessory of the moment, the tiny little pearls of cuteness are so fun and playful!

The look is really easy to achieve too, simply paint on a healthy layer of varnish then tip over the teensy beads. Press the beads down gently and allow to set for fifteen minutes. Voila, cute like candy nails. Do not apply any top coat though, as the colour from all the little beady treats will run into a murky blue (not desirable!)

It may not be the most long-lasting nail effect, but I totally love it. A really unique and girly finish, that's easy to do. Perfect! 

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Benefit Ultra Shine Lip Shine in Foxy Lady

If you're on the lookout for a super-glossy, non-sticky, beautifully scented gloss, then Benefit Ultra Shines Lip Shine in Foxy Lady, now £7.00 in the sales, available from Benefitcosmetics.co.uk,

is absolutely perfect. It's packed full of glorious pinky-golden shimmer. I love to glide a layer over a feminine pink lipstick (currently I'm using Chanel Rouge Allure 112 Fantasque, available this spring 2013) for a temptingly kissable, glossy pout. 

I think I'll be getting a lot of wear out of this beautiful little gloss as we head towards summer, it's so pretty and eye-catching. This really is a pink to make the boys wink.

Pictured above on nude lips (i.e. without base lipstick)

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From Daytime to Playtime: Gary Cockerill Pro Lashes

Gary Cockerill 'Damsel in a Dress' Twin Pack (Daytime to Playtime) Pro Lashes, £14.95, available from GaryCockerill.com. Model also wears Benefit They're Real mascara, Barry M Blink Precision eyeliner and New CID Cosmetics i-colour long-wear cream eyeshadow in Zinc.

These lashes are totally amazing, one of the best ranges I have ever worn. And believe you me, I have worn so many pairs of lashes that my bottom draw looks like a dropped scene from Arachnophobia. 

The base strip of the lashes (where you apply the glue) is really fine and flexible, which means they stick down brilliantly in the very corners of your eye. These lashes looked really natural yet 100% glamour puss at the same time... perfect!

The cute thing about these lashes is that you get a pair for day wear (pictured above) and a more dramatic pair for wilder evenings (pictured below) Both pairs stayed firmly in place until I removed them, no lifting or unsightly drooping. 10 out of 10.

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Planet NARS: Blush in Orgasm

For a gorgeous golden-pink shimmer, I love NARS blush in Orgasm, £21.00, available from NARScosmetics.co.uk. Thanks to the super strong pigment, you only need the tiniest of sweeps for a gorgeous, healthy glow...which means that it lasts for AGES, wahoo!

I'm a big fan of the teensy light-reflecting gold particles in this blush, so eye-catching and beautiful!

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Gold and Turquoise Shimmering Eyeshadow Effect

For a gorgeous Arabic inspired shadow effect, try a shimmering gold across your eyelids, fading into a rich turquoise. So Princess Jasmine. Here's how I got a look fit for Aladdin's finest cave...

How-to
1. Sweep a warm gold shade across your eyelids.
2. Add a few dabs of Benefit Sun Beam Illuminator below your brows and blend down into the golden shadow
3. Now apply the turquoise. Start in the far corner and gradually blend into the gold. The turquoise should be darkest at the very corner of your eyelid. A good eyeshadow brush makes this look a gazillion times easier.
4. Complete the blend with a few sweeps of gold into the blue shades. Voila, prettier than a butterfly!

Top tip: Notch up the drama of this trend by extending the turquoise out into a delicious feline point.

Eyes by Topshop in Gold, Maybelline Cream Gel Shadow in Tenacious Teal, Benefit Sun Beam Illuminating Lotion, Eyeshadow brush from The Body Shop

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