Mother's Day: The Gift Guide

Long gone are the days of a slap-dash sweep of Thorntons when it comes to Mother's Day shopping. It's time to spoil those extra special ladies in your life. If you're lacking inspiration for the perfect Mother's Day gift, here's my tried and tested selection of gorgeous goods...

Clarins Palette Eclat Face & Blush Powder, £30... For the feminine Ma

Why? Because it is so elegant, any mum would be rather thrilled to pull this out of their make-up bag. It looks every inch an item of luxury, a splendid little golden compact with a crimson velvet pouch. The palette is ideal for those who like a flawless look with a very natural finish. Understated and oh so classy.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, £34... For the on-the-go Mum

Why? Because it soaks in instantly, leaving skin hydrated but not greasy. Mums who are always on the go will love this beauty staple, I'm not sure if I could live without it. Skin is perfectly primed and it lasts for AGES. A clever little gift for sure. 

Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder, £46... For the happy-glow-lucky Mom

Why? This compact illuminator is so luxury that it's practically off the scale... so beautiful and ornate that it almost seems a sin to wear it! It makes a fabulous gift for those with a penchant for radiance, as it brings eye-catching luminosity without being gaudy. The velvet pouch holder is positively swoon-inducing. Ooohh, ahhhh...    

Nails Inc Spring Summer Collection, £25... For the yummy Mummy

Why? Fashionista yummy mummies will know that Nails Inc (so fabulously British, darling!) are the top when it comes to on-trend talons. This super cute Spring/Summer 2013 collection is the perfect gift for those with an eye for style.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer, £26... For the new Mamma

Why? I am a huge fan of the Laura Mercier range, and her secret camouflage concealer does not disappoint. The separate peachy and creamy beige tones mean that you can combat and signs of fatigue with the help of a concealer brush. For mums that are weary, worn-out, and prone to saying: "oh-my-god-will-you-pleeease-stop-crying-now", this one is a total winner. 

Les Exclusifs de Chanel 1932, £110... For the iconic Mother

Why? Because it's more iconic than Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration (nothing tops Audrey) but this latest fragrance launch by Chanel is definitely up there. One whiff and you know you're in classic Chanel territory. The fact that Jacques Polge, Creator of Chanel perfumes, has created 1932, is no doubt to thank. Jasmine-based, this fragrance is initially sweet and crisp with a musk warmth. Sophistication in a classy little bottle.
Available exclusively in the Covent Garden Pop-Up Store, Chanel Boutiques, House of Fraser Glasgow, Fenwicks Newcastle, Selfridges Manchester Exchange and Selfridges W1 from 1 March 2013.

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Hot Beauty Trend Alert! Cross the Line...

One of the hottest trends this season is an eye-popping stroke of liner, the more creative the better! Laura Mercier have brought out a brand new range of Creme liners in cute little pots, I love the bright cosmic blue shade (so on trend for SS13!) and the rich, dark chocolate brown.

Laura Mercier Creme Eye Liner in Cobalt and Expresso, £18.50, available from House of Fraser

The richly pigmented shades are simply gorgeous, they glide on perfect and last all day. I use the Laura Mercier Angled Eyeliner Brush, £15.00, available from House of Fraser, for all my gel-based liners, it's really good, one of the best I've used for getting a perfect line on the lid. The expresso shade is so dark that it's almost black, a really deep brown. See the swatches below:

Laura Mercier Creme Eye Liner in Expresso and Cobalt swatch

Model wears Laura Mercier Creme Liner in Cobalt - how stunning is this cobalt blue?!

Model wears Laura Mercier Creme Liner in Expresso 

Clinique's cream liners are a firm fave for a trusty stroke of eye wonderment. They're my number one choice for  day wear office, so luxe and moisturising. I love the Smoke Grey, so soft and smouldering! The Black Honey shade is really unique, a glistening nutty brown which adds a gentle warmth to the eyelids, while the True Black is a make-up bag must. It's beautifully matte, perfect for a dramatic charcoal finish. 

Clinique Brush On Cream Liner in True Black, Smoke Grey and Black Honey, £15.00, available from Clinique.co.uk

Clinique Cream Liner in True Black, Smoke Grey and Black Honey swatch 

Model wears Clinique Cream Liner in Black Honey 

The Clinique liner do come with a brush included in the packaging, but I'm not overly impressed with the quality of it. Instead I use the Laura Mercier angled brush, for a more precise finish. 

On a budget? Shop the liner trend by purchasing the cheaper Maybelline New York Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner 24hr in intense black, £7.99, available from feelunique.com

Related Posts

• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Review
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New Year, New Clinique Skin Care Regime

Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care Regime: Step 1 Liquid Facial Soap, £15.00 for 200ml, Step 2 Clarifying Lotion, £16.00 for 200ml, Step 3 Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, £17.00 for 50ml, available from Clinique.co.uk

The winter months really took their toll on my skin, leaving it tired and dry. An annoying little army of pimples set-up shop on my once smooth forehead too, they just popped right up overnight without so much as a warning, the little blighters.

It was my step-mum who recommended I try the Clinique 3-Step Skin Care range. They do say that mums know best, and she does have remarkably great skin. I nabbed some of her clarifying lotion for a little trial, swept it over my cheeks and brow, and my goodness I couldn't believe the muck which had been clinging on through the facial washes and cleansing lotions. 

Two weeks on and my skin has literally transformed. Naughty little pimples have packed-up and gone back to their hellish HQ, my face looks rejuvenated and glowing.

The best thing about the Clinique range is how tailored it is for your skin type. I use the range for dry/combintion, and it suits me perfectly. The facial wash is wonderfully mild, the clarifying lotion really strips away the dirt which clogs pores (even my pesky blackheads are looking better!), and the moisturising lotion absorbs in an instant leaving skin perfectly primed and ready for make-up application. I couldn't recommend this product range enough. 

Related Post: A Guide to Skin Care

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