Benefit under my spell noelle fragrance

Under My Spell Noelle Eau de Toilette* £29.50
from Benefit Cosmetics

Please don't hate me but Christmas is less than ninety days away and it is that time again where beauty brands turn their attention to all things festive and inundate us with wintery fragrances and gift sets galore. I attended a Christmas launch party with Benefit Cosmetics last week at their new Carnaby Street store (which is a two floor mecca of makeup, manicures and spray tans!) and was introduced to the many Christmas treats they have planned for us this season. One of the stand out product for me was their latest addition to the Crescent Row fragrance line - under my spell noelle.

Described as exotic and glamorous, woody and floral this eau de toilette is a beautiful concoction of spicy cardamon and black pepper laced with wild orchid, jasmine and vanilla, giving you a really unique and addictive scent. It has just the right balance of musky notes and sweet florals tones to make it the perfect perfume day or night, and is so nice I won't just be saving it for the Christmas parties! I definitely recommend a spritz and a sniff next time you are passing a Benefit counter. :)

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e.l.f All Over Colour Stick

e.l.f All Over Colour Stick* in Pink Lemonade £1.50 - available online
an illuminating healthy glow for your lips and cheeks

I must confess, the makeup snob within me (which raises its head every now and again) was not entirely sure about these multi-functional twist-up cream colours from e.l.f. In fact I almost convinced myself I wouldn't like them, even before trying the shade Pink Lemonade out. The premise of the All Over Colour Sticks is simply that; a quick and easy way to add colour to your face wherever you need it. Now obviously I don't plan to smother my eyelids with this particularly shade but for the cheeks and lips, it works a treat. There are some other lovely champagne and bronzed toned sticks that equally would be perfect for the eyes as a shadow or primer and the face as a subtle highlighter.

Pink Lemonade is a muted rose-pink with fine shimmer running through it which means it gives your cheeks a slightly iridescent glow and your lips a frosty finish (which might not be everyone's cup of tea). The consistency is surprisingly non-tacky or greasy and applies quite nicely on top of your skin, best dabbed and blended in with your fingers rather than a brush or swiped on directly from the stick. The pigmentation is nice and lasted well on my cheeks throughout the day, rarely requiring a touch up. As a lip colour, Pink Lemonade is a little too frosty for my liking but as a cream cheek colour with added radiance, it is pretty good! I think the makeup snob has been hushed...for now!

Have you tried these all over sticks from elf?

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DKNY Be Delicious Skin Hydrating Fragrance

DKNY Be Delicious Skin* - a fragrance with Benefits £38/£54
available from Boots and Debenhams

The DKNY Be Delicious fragrance range always transports me back to New York City when I was eighteen years old and perusing the beauty halls of Bloomingdale's, spritzing myself with the zesty perfumes and picking up at least two of the apple-shaped bottles to take home with me. They have become quite a classic fragrance over the years with their easy-to-wear pretty, light scent and recognisable packaging, making them a must for any dressing table.

The latest release from the DKNY Be Delicious range has taken on quite a new identity however - the same lovely crisp, fruity scent but in a new slimmer, sleeker bottle and with some skin-boosting benefits that hydrates the skin with every spritz. The new, fancily-named "Apple Fusion Complex" has been clinically proven to moisturise, smooth and brighten the body so you have my full permission to spritz and spray, head to toe, until your heart's content! This is great news for me as I do tend to douse myself heavily with my perfume in the morning as if it were body spray! I haven't experienced any skin-loving benefits yet but it is nice to know that it is doing some good to my skin as well as smelling rather lovely too!

What are your thoughts on this first-of-its-kind fragrance?

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REN No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm

REN No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm* £23
available online

At the end of a long working day I sometimes wish there was a magic wand I could wave and my full face of makeup would be gone, in a flash! However much I love applying makeup and I love my skincare rituals, there are times when the prospect of cleansing, toning and moisturising is an onerous one. Cleansing balms, oils and milks have always featured heavily in my daily skin maintenance and I am always keen to find a better one than before, one that can remove my stubborn mascara in double quick time and leave my skin impeccably clean.

REN is a dear friend when it comes to skincare, always free of nasties and abundant with products for every skin type. The Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask is a personal favourite of mine but I think I have a new beauty crush. Their No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm is the latest addition to my makeup removing ranks and is a luxuriously silky balm infused with rose oil and other good things to give your skin a heavenly cleansing treat. I like to apply this straight onto dry skin and slowly rub it in, delicately sweeping over my eyes and down my neck for a good two minutes. I then add warm water to the mix to create a light milk-emulsion that helps sweep away the final flakes of mascara and leaves my skin plump, smooth and grease-free. I was genuinely impressed with how efficiently this cleanser removed every last scrap of makeup, melting away my sooty mascara and bright lipstick without the need to rub or scrub! It is so soft and gentle on the skin yet scarily effective without the need for flannels or cloths. The fact it smells of roses makes this great cleanser even better and I can definitely see this being a constant force in my ever-changing skincare lineup!

Which cleansers do you use and love?

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Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Collection

Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Collection*
available online and on counters now

There is something so sumptuous and deliciously-wearable about Bobbi Brown's new Autumn Winter makeup collection - Rich Chocolate. As the name would suggest, it is a beautiful collection of warm browns and shimmering taupes for the eyes along with some darkened plum shades for the cheeks and lips and a volume building mascara for some instantly luscious lashes!

The new Bobbi Brown collection is quite extensive so I would definitely recommend a leisurely perusal on their site with a nice cup of tea to get a true flavour of all the new, some limited edition, items available but I thought I would just touch on a few of my personal favourites, all of which I'm wearing above. The show-stopper piece for me is undoubtedly the Rich Chocolate Eye Palette which is sweeter than a box of truffles and is the ultimate palette for any neutrals lover. The shades range from a milky coffee to a dark mocha and give you a variety of finishes - matte, soft shimmer and glamorous sparkle for a lovely party-time look.

The new blusher in Pink Coral is a gorgeous baby pink that gives you a soft flush of colour to your cheeks. It has a silky texture with a buildable consistency and a matte finish so is a nice soft option if you are choosing to have a smokier eye or a statement lip. Speaking of lips, the two new Lip Colors from the Rich Chocolate Collection are absolutely lovely. The semi-matte, full coverage finish feels soft and moisturising on the lips and gives you a rich shot of colour, whether you choose the sumptuous plum shade or the light baby pink which I am wearing above.

No look, day or night, is complete without lashings of mascara and the new Extreme Party Mascara in chocolate brown is a fabulous mascara and the brown hue is a pleasant change from my usual sooty black option. This mascara is best for volume and certainly packs a punch by coating and separating every lash for the ultimate party-ready lashes to finish off a brown, smoky eye look.

What do you think of the new Rich Chocolate Collection from Bobbi Brown? Which pieces have caught your eye?

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TOPSHOP bronzer in Sandcastle

TOPSHOP bronzer in Sandcastle* £9
available online and in stores

Despite Summer slowly leaving us and the beauty trends telling us all to embrace the pale skin and plum-toned lips, I just can't let go of beautifully bronzed skin. Whether I am contouring some chiselled cheekbones or just lightly bronzing my skin where the sun would naturally tan it, I do like to incorporate a bronzer in my everyday makeup routine. The latest addition to my tower of bronzing palettes is perhaps one of the most affordable too, Topshop's bronzer in the shade Sandcastle from their SS13 Bronzing Collection.

Taking inspiration from LA's luxe beach skin, this bronzer perfectly shapes, contours and warms the skin with a lovely matte finish. The finely milled powder and silky texture makes it really easy to apply and buff into the skin making it perfect for strict contours or an all over glow. I love the warm, natural colour of this bronzer and it's lightweight feel on the skin meaning you can leave it fresh and sun-kissed or build the powder up for a more sculpted look. The matte finish also means you can layer a highlighter over the top to give your cheeks a pretty shimmer - I opted for MAC's Soft and Gentle above. A lovely combination.

Have you tried anything from the Topshop makeup range recently? What is your favourite bronzer?
ps: the lovely Arash has interviewed me in his Street Style Icons feature on his blog. Have a read here if you fancy discovering my fashion inspirations and wardrobe must-haves.

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Teeth Whitening at the Smile Studio London

Teeth Whitening* with Dr Wyman Chan at the Smile Studio London

When I confessed to Dr Wyman Chan that I had never had my teeth whitened before he seemed surprised. Not because he was blinded by my gleaming pearly-whites but just because most girls have dabbled in some sort of teeth whitening before, whether it be professional or from the comfort of their sofa at home. The thought of using at-home treatments such as Crest Whitestrips makes me wince and I never fancied suffering the inevitable sensitivity for whiter teeth. I like ice cream too much! But the great thing about Dr Wyman Chan's technique is that it uses gel and a heat diffuser to erase stains without any of the dreaded pain or sensitivity afterwards.

From the moment I stepped into the Smile Studio London it was a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square down below. Everything was calm. Everything was tranquil. I was even massaged by my chair as I waited for my appointment surrounded by photos of Dr Chan beaming with his celeb clients. Once ushered into the treatment room I was talked through the process with Dr Chan and a realistic shade of whiteness was agreed for my teeth - nothing too white or glowing. No Ross Gellar here please - just something natural and bright. To begin with Dr Chan took some impressions of my teeth (more on that later) and then set to work protecting the sensitive areas of my teeth and gums before applying the gel and heat. The whole process took about an hour and a quarter so I was treated to some high-tech glasses and a film to help while away the time. It is amazing how fast time flies when you are engrossed in a good Bond film! The results were clear to see the moment Dr Chan flashed the mirror in front of me and the whole process was thankfully pain-free. My teeth were beautifully white and bright and had clearly been lifted by a few shades. The moulds that were taken earlier had also been transformed into some personal trays for me to take home and continue the whitening process every day for the next month. Dr Chan explained that this will continue to erase any stains and make your teeth super white, with your new shade lasting up to two years!

I have been using the at-home trays for the past few weeks (although not religiously everyday I have to say) but have noticed that my teeth are so much whiter and brighter than they were and I haven't experienced any pain or sensitivity as a result. I am just so pleased there is an answer to pain-free teeth whitening at last and I can imagine this is something I would definitely treat myself to in the run up to my wedding next year for all those many many photos on the day!

What method do you use when it comes to teeth whitening?

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My Clarins face

wearing Topshop tea dress and Clinique Chubby Stick in Grandest Grape

There has recently been a few new additions to my foundation routine and eye makeup picks that have really excited me and they all come from one of my favourite brands of the moment - Clarins. Not only is their skincare a true delight to use and is currently keeping me fresh-faced and blemish-free (reviews coming soon) but their new season makeup releases are really lovely and definitely worth a look next time you are scooting past a Clarins counter.

The Extra-Comfort foundation*(£35) is a beautiful base product and I have enjoyed wearing shade 108 Sand for the last few weeks. Despite marketing itself as an anti-ageing foundation I wouldn't let that put you off trying this new foundation as my skin seems to be loving the cocktail of anti-ageing plant extracts which plump and hydrate the skin. The consistency is creamy and silky to apply and gives me a flawless, medium-full coverage finish when used alongside my Real Techniques stippling brush. This foundation does feel incredibly comfortable and light on the skin with a satin-like finish and even texture, keeping my skin shine-free but radiant and luminous at the same time. I also really like the luxurious-looking, frosted glass packaging but I have a feeling that it may become a little impractical as we slowly reach the bottom of the jar!

The Instant Concealer* (£20) in shade 01 is the perfect second step to my Clarins face routine. It is the instant fix for tired eyes and troublesome dark circles and is easy to apply with your fingertips or a small, fluffy brush. Clarins' 'Light-Optimising+ Complex' works at illuminating and lifting the eye area and the tinted hue veils the dark circles - neutralising the area and giving your skin a natural-looking finish. The consistency is quite loose so doesn't drag on the skin but is smooth and velvety soft to apply. This new Clarins concealer also contains caffeine extract which stimulates the skin's micro-circulation and diminishes signs of fatigue and puffiness, so you will look wide awake in no time even if you don't feel it!

Be Long Mascara* (£21) is a really exciting new product from Clarins and has been the secret to my lovely, long lashes recently. With its revolutionary new brush design, every lash is separated and elongated and gives you full, luscious lashes in a flash. This new mascara also contains a strengthening formula that promises to lengthen your eyelashes over time making it a must-have if you suffer from less-than-long lashes. I haven't noticed any lengthening effects yet but it is a fabulous mascara to use and accentuates my lashes whilst giving them a sooty black tint and fluttery long length.

Have you got your eye on any of the new makeup from Clarins this season?

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My #niveasoft outfit

Jumpsuit - ROMWE

Lips clutch - Lulu Guinness

Heels - Primark

Last week I shared with you the Niveasoft and Giles Deacon competition which is running until 25th September. Simply upload an outfit on instagram or twitter with the hashtags #ootd and #niveasoft to be in with a chance of winning a plethora of prizes including a Nivea Soft pot, a designer handbag or even your very own styling session with the main man himself - Giles Deacon.

I've just entered, have you?

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back to blonde

Two months ago I set myself a challenge. After constantly subjecting my hair to a barrage of heat and bleach, I decided to stop. Stop completely and embrace my natural curls. At first I thought this was a daunting task and I would fall at the first hurdle but eight weeks on and my hair hasn't even come close to a hair dryer or a singeing GHD. My focus was always yesterday's hair appointment where I would treat myself to fresh highlights and a blow dry for the first time in an agonising two months. After a full head of icy blonde highlights, a creamy toner and a sleek, glossy bow dry, I felt like a new woman! Every curly-haired, heat-free day was completely worth it just to hear my hairdresser comment on how good a condition my hair was in and how much it had grown. I love my natural curls and will definitely be laying off the heat again in the next few weeks but for now I am quite enjoying my smooth locks and swishy new do...

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MAC Frankly Scarlet blush

MAC Frankly Scarlet Matte powder blush £18
available online

After watching numerous tutorial videos from Tanya Burr where she repeatedly whipped out this little beauty, it was only a matter of time until the taunts led to a purchase and I added it to my own blush collection. Frankly Scarlet is one of those shades that I would never have voluntarily picked up when perusing the shelves of MAC - unless it is pink, coral or peachy-toned, it will rarely get a cursory glance. However, having seen Tanya use this blusher and convince me that it is much scarier in the pan than it is on the skin, I decided to give it a whirl.

Frankly Scarlet is a bright rose-red matte blusher. It has a slight raspberry undertone to it and when applied very lightly on the cheeks, gives you a natural rosy flush with a subtle satin finish. Softly softly does it though with this blush as there is a fine line between rosy cheeks and clown cheeks - and the first time I used this blush, I fell victim to the latter! But with a light swirl, tap and sweep of this powder, it is a lovely bright colour for your cheeks and a refreshing change from all my corals and pinks!

Have you tried Frankly Scarlet blusher?

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The Cute Fit Knit

Embellished jumper* | Dorothy Perkins

Skirt | H&M 

Boots | H&M

It is always around this time of year when I turn my attention to updating my wardrobe, casting aside the linens and maxi dresses and adding in some Winter essentials to see me through the chillier months. Everyone needs those key pieces that can pull an outfit together and swiftly update your season's wardrobe without breaking the bank - and this is where Dorothy Perkins' Style Essentials come in. The brand has launched a new range of on-trend pieces starting at just £14 that will seamlessly fill those gaps in your wardrobe and give your Autumn Winter look a head start - think biker jackets, pencil skirts and cute fitted knits. Snuggly jumpers are a must for me when winter kicks in so this embellished knit couldn't have arrived at a better time as the weather got decidedly colder this week. Tucked into flared skirts, layered over a collared blouse or simply slung on with skinny jeans and boots, their range of knits are so versatile and easy to wear, day or night.

Oh, and if your winter wardrobe is in dire need of a makeover like mine then you can enter Dorothy Perkins Style Essentials competition to win £500 to spend on this season's key pieces along with a fancy hotel stay and a posh dinner out. Definitely worth an enter!

What are your favourite pieces?

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MAC Candy Yum Yum lipstick

M.A.C Candy Yum Yum lipstick £15
available online and in stores

This is one of those crazy, dare-to-wear lipsticks that has been topping my wishlist for a while now so when I was at the MAC Pro Store opening party in Covent Garden last month, I finally took the plunge and bagged this little beauty. In a nutshell, this lipstick is bright pink with a matte finish. Despite the matte finish, the consistency is smooth to apply and doesn't feel at all drying on the lips. It is definitely a show-stopper shade and one that warrants a steady hand and preferably a lip brush to apply but with a simple cat eye flick and lightly bronzed skin, it is definitely one of the most fun colours in my collection.

Have you tried Candy Yum Yum? What is your favourite bright lipstick?

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Bourjois Blush Exclusif cream blusher

Bourjois Blush Exclusif self-adjusting cream blusher* £7.99
available from Boots and Superdrug

I must confess, I was a little bit sceptical when I first saw this new self-adjusting, made-to-measure cream blusher from Bourjois, creating a personalised pink shade on your skin as you apply. Was it just a gimmick? Well naturally I got my fingers stuck straight in to see whether it was a hit or a miss, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The cream-to-powder formula contains pH-reactive pigments that create a bespoke pink flush on your cheeks in reaction to your own skin's pH. The lovely thing about this product is that everyone's shade will be slightly different and it is quite exciting to see what customised colour the blush will create on you.

I don't think I could have created a more 'me' shade if I tried. It gave my cheeks a sweet, baby pink flush with a slightly dewy, radiant finish. Whereas I usually favour my fingers when applying cream blushers, I discovered that this product was much easier to use with a stippling brush such as the MAC duo fibre 188 brush. The texture is initially quite firm but after a few swirls of your brush or finger it softens up and applies smoothly onto your skin. A great little product for a quick and unique flush of pink!

Are you excited to try this bespoke blush?

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NARS Orgasm blush

NARS Orgasm Blush £21.50
available online

NARS Orgasm blush is one of those iconic beauty product I've been coveting for years (literally) and even more so after falling in love with the The Multiple cream stick version and its beautiful peachy-pink shade. Needless to say, this blusher is absolutely gorgeous and was definitely worth the wait. The powder is finely milled and so smooth to apply, giving your cheeks a subtle flush of pink laced with golden shimmer. The warm sheen makes this blusher the perfect two-in-one product to add colour and a beautiful glow in a quick sweep of your brush. I like the fact that the powder isn't too intensely pigmented so you have the option to keep it quite sheer and pretty, or layer it for a more dramatic look. I know there are various dupes out on the market for this desirable blush but sometimes you just can't beat the original and I can definitely see myself reaching for this shade time and time again!

Have you tried this blusher from NARS?

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La Roche-Posay skincare

The La Roche-Posay is a French brand that has been getting beauty bloggers and skincare enthusiasts buzzing for a while now so it was only a matter of time before I stepped up, slathered on and put my two cents in. La Roche-Posay is a dermatologically advanced skincare brand that cater for all skin types but particularly target its products for those who suffer from sensitive skin. Available online and in Boots, they boast a scarily extensive range of products for the face and body, and every ailment possible, so there is bound to be an eye cream or moisturiser for you!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo* (£13) is one of those products that has been getting praise left, right and centre recently so I was very keen to trial it myself and see if I concur with the blanket adoration. And I do! The main role of this serum-like cream is to correct skin imperfections and unclog blocked pores to prevent or control spot breakouts. It really is an amazing little product and the few breakouts that I did use to suffer from have been dramatically reduced and any current spots have literally been banished away. I am currently using this most days and my skin feels purified, smooth and wonderfully clear.

La Roche-Posay Hyraphase Intense Masque* (£15.50) is a soothing rehydration masque, ideally used once a week, to keep skin's water levels topped up and give your complexion a boost of moisture. The hyaluronic acid fragments within this lightweight gel-like cream infuse and retain water in the skin for optimal hydration and the La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring water works at soothing and calming the skin. Even after just ten minutes I really feel the positive effects of this masque and my skin feels plump, hydrated and soft. It is a great masque to use when you just need to give your skin a touch of TLC.

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Eyes* (£15) has all the similar hydrating loveliness as the masque but this little beauty is designed specifically for the delicate and sensitive eye area. It has a gorgeously silky, soothing formula that gives puffy eyelids a dose of energising caffeine and the clever Thermal Spring water helps combat dark circles and dehydration lines. Used after my Effaclar Duo, this completes my perfect skin-loving combination and has left my eyes feeling revived and cared for.

Are you a fan of La Roche-Posay skincare? Which products do you recommend?

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Illamasqua The Sacred Hour collection

wearing the Reflection Palette, Skin Base Lift and Sleek blusher with Aurora cream highlighter

The Sacred Hour collection from Illamasqua
available online, in stores and Selfridges

As we sink further into The Fall season and everything begins to dim, a new Autumn Winter collection dawns on us and this time it is from the ever-expressive brand - Illamasqua. The Sacred Hour is an exciting new collection inspired by the punctuations of the day - the new beginnings of daybreak and the fiery ends of sunset. We are invited to release our inner warrior and find our courage within as we enhance our features with a moody-toned lipstick and mystical quad of eyeshadow shades.

The New Reflection Palette is a truly beautiful palette inspired by nature's pure tones to really complement and enhance your makeup. The texture of these shadows is silky smooth and easy to blend, making them perfect to wear alone or all together for a completely enchanting look. The New Velvet Blusher in Sleek offers an unexpected consistency as the cream formula blends into a powder finish upon contact with the skin giving you a long-wearing, matte finish with a natural radiance. Sleek is a gorgeous dusky coral blusher that is a little darker and more 'earthy' than your generic coral blusher which makes it a perfect option for Autumn-inspired makeup looks.

One of my favourite products, (quelle surprise!) is the new lipstick in Shard, a stunning darkened red-violet stain that is smooth to apply and packs a real punch of colour. Plum lips are big news again for AW so am looking forward to wearing this shade with a simple cat eye flick and bronzer-free, natural skin. Along with this new Fall collection sees the launch of Illamasqua's Skin Base Lift (my shade: Light 1) - an illuminating and brightening concealer infused with peach tones to flatter all skin tones and cancel out dark circles and uneven pigmentation. It is lightweight, blends in easily and really lifts the under-eye area to give you wide awake eyes in a flash - well in three dots and a light dab with your fingertip! But if you aren't sold on the makeup from this new collection then the dramatic lashes and the iridescent nail polish in Hemlock are definitely worth checking out too.

What pieces have caught your eye from The Sacred Hour collection?

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