Beauty in Pictures #46 Instagram

As you may or may not have gathered, I'm a bit addicted to beauty products. I'm also a huge fan of the filter delights of Instagram, "ohhh, ahhh, filters!" So here's my weekly beauty-instagram-mash-up.

Featured (From top left): 1. Barry M's Magnetic Nail Paint. 2. Messy high bun hair style. 3.Boots' Save The Nail. 4. Barry M's Nail Paint Glitter in Aqua and Magenta. 5. Range of Body Shop Make-Up Brushes. 6. My cosy Saturday night in with home comforts. 7. New CID Cosmetics i-Colour cream. 8. My favourite Aztec chunky knit from Urban Outfitters. 9. Shoe heaven courtesy of Louboutin, ahhhh.

De-Frizz & Shine: Mark Hill's Glam Goddess

Mark Hill's Glam Goddess De-Frizz Shine Serum, £6.49 for 50ml, available from Boots (where there's also a 2-for £7.50 on Mark Hill's range... oh hello there happy beauty blogger!) 

Winter is well and truly underway, which means it's frightfully nippy. It also means it is time to take those extra hair care measures to make sure your mane stays healthy, full and glossy. 

I'm already a fan of Mark Hill's hair products, despite the fact that I'm relatively new to them. Ever the shallow beauty magpie, I was enticed by the trendy packaging and the reasonable price tag (I'm a regular user of the rather pricey MoroccanOil, at £12.95 for 25ml) so as a cheaper alternative, I thought it was definitely worth a try. 

Overall, I was really pleased with this product. I have a number of friends who find the intensive de-frizz oils (such as MorrocanOil) too heavy for their hair, especially on a regular basis. If you're in a similar beauty boat, then give this product a try. It is light, smells lush and does leave hair visibly smoother. Just squirt a pea-sized amount into your palm, spread it across both of your hands, then work through damp hair (avoiding the roots). 

Dry as normal, you glamourous little arctic foxes!

Have Yourself a Very Glitzy Christmas!

I know, I know, we're not even in December yet. But the sudden wave of festive spirit (namely the John Lewis ad, which I must have watched and then re-watched every day since its release) has got me feeling wonderfully festive.

And then there's all the talk of Christmas parties. The black-tie work do, the informal house party, the meal between old friends. Yep, now is the time to do some fabulously festive beauty prep.

Which is why I purchased these Christmassy delights by Barry M, with more magical sparkle than you can shake a stick at. Last year I opted an overtly seasonal Red glitter, this year I've plucked for Aqua and Magenta. Simply paint a layer of the glitter paint over a base colour of nail varnish (I'd recommend Barry M's Nail Paint in turquoise for the Aqua, and pink for the Magenta.)

Sparkle up your talons as you deem fit; whether just one statement nail on each hand, the tips, or the full blown set.

Pssst! There's also a fabulous black and gold shade 'Gold Mine' which is bang on the current Baroque fashion trend. I love it!

All Barry M Nail Paints are available from Barry M for £2.99

Weekly Product Pick: L'Oreal's Rouge Caresse

As you all should know by now, I absolutely love lip-wear. And this has to be my daily handbag staple. It's reasonably priced (£8.19, available from Boots - and often on 3 for 2, huzzah!) and aesthetically matches up to higher end brands such as Dior Addict (£24 *yes, it IS worth it, but sometimes you just have to economise) so this little lippy will still look ultra glam when you whip it out of your handbag. Lush.

What I like most about this lipstick though, is just how perfect it is for any occasion. It adds an instant dewy glow without being too much, banishing deathly pale lips in an instant. As much as I'm a fan of a bold lip, it has a time and a place. This warm coral is a brilliant, kissable, every-day shade.

As Featured in Grazia!

I was SO pleased to be asked by Grazia to share my beauty blogging tips this week, and you can read them all here!

Big thanks to all the Grazia team - and remember, you can catch my weekly product pick for Grazia every Friday.

If you have any questions about blogging which you'd like to ask, make sure you get in touch :) x

Get Glossy: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint

If you want glossy gel-effect nails without the 45 minute salon experience and a price tag of £20 to £30, then try Barry M's brand new offering. Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint by Barry M, £3.99, available from Superdrug, is the savvy girl's cheat to super glossy talons.

It might not last as long as a salon cured gel treatment, but this nail polish is a worthwhile purchase. Easy to remove (no need for acetone soaking) and fast drying,  I applied it while on a bus, ladened with several shopping bags, and remained smudge free despite only having a six-stop time frame. That's impressive. Good work, Baz!

My only grumble would be the limited number of shades, but that's mainly because I was seeking a deep, glossy black. No joy. Instead I plucked for Watermelon (pictured) but was also very tempted by the plum shade, perfect for the rapidly approaching festive season.

Be Spooktacular this Halloween

Last minute Halloween party with no outfit? DISASTER, non? Fear not and think fast, as you have the essential tool kit right in front of your eyes. Behold the potential of the humble make-up bag:

In five minutes you can create this 'drop dead' gorgeous effect, for free, without using harsh face paints which can dry out the skin.

My Frankenstein tool-bag consisted of:

Red lippy (cheaper the better, don't be using your Chanel Rouge Allure on this look!) I used Rimmel's Lasting Finish, in Alarm 170, £4.99, available from Boots.
Red Gloss (for that oozy blood effect) I used Maybelline's Superstay Tint Gloss in Lasting Pink, £6.99, available from Boots.
Black, blue, green and purple eyeshadows (again, the cheaper the better) I used a mixture of brands, ranging from Rimmel's Colour Rush Mono Eyeshadow in blue and green, £3.99, from Boots, to a highly pigmented pink MAC Eyeshadow in Tease to Ease, £16.50, available from MAC Cosmetics. Of course it all depends on what you have handy in your bag - but rusty browns and greens are great for creating an authentic-looking head wound. Joy!

My top tips for getting ghoulish:

1. Apply your usual base make-up. This will help to prevent the additional effect make-up from absorbing/shifting on your skin.

2. Start with the shadows. Blend black shadow into the sockets of your eyes, hollows of your cheeks and temple area. This will instantly give you a skullish appearance. Spoooky!

3. Blend in blues and pinks to the black shadow around your eyes, making the skin appear bruised and zombiefied.

4. Take a bronze shadow and apply to where you will be creating a head wound. Apply red lipstick in a wound shape, then add more bronze shadow to create a dirty, bloody wound. I use eyeliner to create contours in the wound, i.e. make it look deeper, by outlining one edge and smudging slightly. Add a few dabs of gloss over the top for a really sticky, bloody effect.

5. Add comical stitches as your heart desires using black eyeliner. Great fun.

Muwahahaha! Who said Halloween needn't be glamourous?