Beauty by Aerin

It has been over two years now since the granddaughter of Estee Lauder, Aerin Lauder, launched her very own luxury lifestyle line and instantly it became a highly-desired, beautiful brand in its own right. Aerin doesn't simply do beauty but has expanded her collection to include fragrances, home decor, furnishings and fashion accessories. Everything is effortlessly chic and styled to perfection. Her collections are inspired by elegance yet simplicity with a goal to enable women to feel confident and beautiful by creating high quality products, reflecting Aerin's personal ease and sophistication.

Packaged in distinct, powdery-pink boxes and housed in luxe-looking gold packaging, these products score top marks on the aesthetics scale and are almost too beautiful to use. The two palettes - the Weekday Palette* (£48) and the Kaleidolight Palette* (£40) are definitely the highlight of the Aerin beauty range and are really gorgeous addition to your everyday makeup essentials. The Weekday palette is your one-stop product for effortless style and colour any day of the week with shades for your lips, eyes and cheeks all included. The petal-pink blush is lovely to perk up your completion whilst the smokey grey and taupe shadows define and colour your eyes perfectly. For the lips there is a selection of delicate nudes and dusky pinks to give your makeup look a soft, fresh finish. The Kaleidolight Palette is a compilation of skin-loving, light-enhancing shades that can be swirled together to give your complexion a perky radiance and luminousity without any glitter or shimmer in sight. Alternatively you can pick out the individual colours to bronze, contour and colour or even apply the lilac powder to your eyes to keep that Spring-like makeup look continuing well into the Winter time!

The two lip products I have been testing out recently are seriously gorgeous and the perfect combination for a sweet, subtle rosy-nude lip colour. The Rose Balm lipstick* (£25) in 03.Cabana is a peachy-nude delight and is so soft and creamy on the lips leaving you with a medium coverage and the lingering scent of aromatic rose petals. The natural waxes help protect and nourish your lips whilst giving the lipstick a balm like texture. The Weekend Lip Gloss* (£22) is packed full of the floral infusion like the Aerin lipsticks and is a beautiful, beige-gold gloss laced with golden shimmer that highlight and compliments your lips whether worn alone or over another lip product. The consistency is pleasant - not too sticky and not to thick and is such a pretty addition to any nude-lip-lover's makeup collection.

Finally we have the Rose Hand and Body Cream* (£36) which is a silky, lightweight cream that drenches the skin with moisture and that now recognisable rose scent to reinvigorate your spirits. This is a really lovely cream that works well on the hands and body and effortlessly seems to soften and soothe any dry or cracked skin - the perfect antidote to the cold, wintery weather ahead. The cream contains peony and magnolia which helps condition and nourish the skin and the proven mood boasting scent of rose petals makes this feels like such a luxury every time I whip it out my handbag!

Have you tried anything from Aerin, the  newest beauty line from the Lauder empire? Which pieces catch your fancy? 

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My Debenhams Beauty Picks

When it comes to beauty shopping, nothing beats the buzz and assortment of brands and products that a beauty hall can offer. The countless counters and distant aroma of spritzed perfumes that linger in the air create a perfect haven for any self confessed beauty-junkie and Debenhams is always a place you can reply on when it comes to purchasing that new blusher, sampling a new foundation or popping in for a quick, lunchtime makeover. All my favourite brands can be found at Debenhams Beauty from Bobbi Brown, YSL, Benefit Cosmetics and Illamasqua to Chanel, Clarins and so many more. The list is endless and whether you venture in store or stay at home to shop online from the comfort of your sofa, Debenhams has got all your beauty needs covered.

I recently did a spot of beauty perusing online at Debenhams and eventually choose some picks that I have been desperate to try out - firstly the Diorskin Forever foundation which looks amazing and I have read many rave reviews about. For my other selections it probably comes as no surprise to you that I made my way to the lipstick section and went for two (very different!) nude shades from Chanel, Rouge Coco Shine in 85. Secret and YSL, Rouge Volupte in No.1 Nude Beige. Both are very lovely and pleasantly perky on the lips with a rosy pink undertone. The Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick has a sheerer consistency and finish on the lips than the Rouge Volupte which is silkier and more pigmented but both are great lipsticks to reach for for a quick, easy and natural makeup look.

Recently Debenhams have introduced their Beauty Card which is a great addition to any makeup-lover's purse. With lots of rewards and benefits on offer such as 3 points per £1 spent, free online delivery, free samples and makeovers and its own community on Facebook with lots of special deals and competitions, I definitely suggest you pick one up next time you are in store just in time to start clocking up the points during your Christmas shopping spree!

What beauty bits have you got on your wish list at the moment?

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Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser with Natural Neroli

"We can't turn the clock back, but the Superskin range definitely helps 'slow the ticking'." - Liz Earle. Meet Liz Earle's new super cream, supercharged with nature's potent botanicals and enhanced with natural neroli to visibly plump and smooth mature or very dry skin. Liz Earle's new Superskin Moisturiser* (£39) is a rich and luxurious cream which is delicately scented with neroli to give you and your skin a blissful experience and a radiant, replenished complexion when used day and night. If you aren't a fan of overly-fraganced skincare then I would maybe give this one a miss but if you love a moisturiser with a slightly herbal, decadent scent then this new cream will definitely float your boat. Personally I love the smell of this moisturiser which has a similar, earthy aroma as many of Liz Earle's other lotions and potions and is a lovely addition to my current skincare routine.

This moisturiser boasts the hero formula from Liz Earle's ever popular, original Superksin moisturiser but brings a new layer of affordable luxury to your daily regime with the addition of collagen-protecting pomegranate flower extract plus a gorgeous blend of essential oils from neroli, lavandin and chamomile. It is quite thick and rich so feels like a real treat on your skin yet sinks in fairly quickly without leaving your face feeling greasy or sticky. It is light yet potent enough to be used in the morning and the evening time and contains a high level of omega-3 from the cranberry seed, borage and rosehip oils which help prevent moisture loss and improves skin elasticity.

I have really enjoyed using this moisturiser over the past couple of weeks and have found that my skin has felt smooth and nourished, especially when using it overnight and waking up with a radiant, healthy-looking complexion. I find the scent very calming and soothing so love to incorporate this during one of my weekly pamper nights, smoothing it onto my face and décolletage whilst I paint my nails, light some candles and indulge in some late night blog reading! Do you like the sound of this new super cream? Which Liz Earle skincare products feature in your skincare regime?

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Bobbi Brown Smokey Nudes Collection

When I first heard that one of my favourite beauty brands, Bobbi Brown, was launching a new collection for the Autumn called the Smokey Nudes I just knew this would be pure perfection for me - the girl that can't get enough of uber-natural lips, soft eyeshadow shades and shimmery cheeks. This new launch from Bobbi Brown introduces a fresh take on the sultry, dark smokey eye with wearable, transitional eye shades to take you from daytime to party time, balanced with a subtle nude lip to suit every complexion and a sweep of colour and shimmer for the cheeks to finish off the look. This is one collection where every single product is absolutely beautiful and would complete warrant a purchase - (move quick, it is limited edition!). The chunky, black packaging of the eyeshadow palette and shimmer brick has this unique, smoked-out tortoiseshell effect on them and amongst the four new creamy, matte lipsticks you will most certainly find your perfect, neutral shade.

First up is the star of the show - the Smokey Nudes Eye Palette* (£48) which is a double-decker stack of eight beautiful eyeshadows that contains everything you need to create a nude smokey eye - as subtle, sparkly or striking as you wish. This palette is a mixed bag of formulas, containing creamy mattes and rich metallics to get a variety of different looks and finishes, and all hues from your barely there nudes, shimmery pinks, luxe browns and a smokey grey-black. This palette is great because it is wonderfully versatile for a quick, soft look for the day, then simply pop it in your handbag and whip it out after work to add some glam and glitter for the evening time. Previously some of the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow palettes have been a little disappointing when it comes to pigmentation but this Smokey Nudes eye palette has come up trumps with all eight shades giving you a convincing colour payoff - albeit with the shimmery shadows needing a little bit more work than the matte colours. All in all it is the perfect palette for Autumn, especially if you are someone who loves the idea of a smokey eye but prefer something a little lighter and more wearable for the day or night.

Next is the Shimmer Brick* (£32.50) in the shade Sandstone which instantly gives you a soft, shimmery look that balances out a heavier eye or a bolder lip perfectly. The beauty of this product is that it can be worn alone for a subtle sweep of colour and a pretty highlight for the cheeks or simply layered over a complimenting blush shade for a brighter flush of colour. I share a similar love for Bobbi Brown's shimmer bricks as I do for MAC's mineralise skinfinishes and think they are a gorgeous product to have if you enjoy a nicely highlighted, shimmery cheek. I even wore Bobbi Brown's Pink Quartz shimmer brick on my wedding day. Handmade in Italy, this compact features superfine pigments that reflect radiance and light and gives your cheeks a warm wash of sandy, pink colour with a lit-from-within glow.

Finally, and for me the most exciting part of this new collection, are the four new Creamy Matte Lip Colors* (£19.50) in a variety of pretty nudes to suit any complexion, which will balance out a sultry, smokey eye perfectly. The formula is rich and matte but feel moisturising and comfortable on the lips and leaves them with a subtle sheen and softness. They glide on nicely and are extremely pigmented with the colour lasting a good few hours during the day before any touch ups are required. From left to right the lipstick shades are 20. Pink Nude, 21. Warm Nude, 22. Soft Nude and 23. Nude. I think they are all really lovely but my personal favourites are 20. Pink Nude (which is similar to one of my favourite MAC lipsticks, Creme Cup) and also 23. Nude which reminds me of Illamasqua's Starkers Glamore Nude lipstick with a similar formula and finish. I think these lipsticks make such a nice pairing when used alongside this eyeshadow palette and shimmer brick and altogether this collection is the answer to any Autumnal makeup look.

Have you picked up any pieces from this new release from Bobbi Brown? Which product have you got your eye on?

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Bourjois Delice de Poudre Duo & Gold Bronzing Powders

I am sure most of you, at some time or another, have own the Bourjois Delice de Poudre bronzer. Or more fondly known as the chocolate bronzer - smelling and resembling the look of your favourite block of Cadburys! I certainly always find that I have a Bourjois bronzer lurking in my collection and love the warmth and subtle shimmer it instantly gives your skin for a radiant but non-shiny glow. Well back in August, Bourjois extended their bronzer range with two new versions of the popular Delice de Poudre to help satisfy all your contouring, bronzing and highlighting needs, presented in the same handy, book-like palettes with the addictive chocolate scent to match.

First up is the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Duo (£7.99)* which sees a deep chocolate matte shade accompanied by a white chocolate illuminating shade to be used alone or combined to create a natural, radiant tan. The bronzing powder can either be used with a tapered brush to contour the face by shading in the hollows of your cheeks, sweeping along the hairline and down the sides of your nose or they can be swirled together and just gently swept all over with a large blusher brush to give you a subtle, sun kissed look. The bronzer is warm toned with a slight earthy, red hint which can easily be built up depending on your skin tone and is natural and pretty on the skin, never too orange or muddy looking. The highlighter powder is a very delicate champagne shade which can be used to highlight the skin and add an inner glow to your complexion without feeling too much like a disco ball. The pearly shade contains very fine shimmer with no chunky glitter in sight so subtly highlights the skin in a natural way. The pigmentation of the highlighter shade is not as great as its neighbouring bronzer so you do have to work a bit harder to get the colour payoff but when swept along the high points of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose and onto your cupid's bow, you are left with a lovely, soft iridescent glow.

The second new addition to the Bourjois bronzing line up is Delice de Poudre Gold bronzing powder (£7.99)* which gives you a luxurious glow with the midas touch. Bourjois have devised this special sunshine powder to be used on the cheekbones and décolleté for a glowy, radiant result. This powder is a great, multi-purpose product which can be used to brighten the complexion by softly sweeping it over areas of the face, placed along your décolletage for an alluring shimmer or even dusted on your eyelids as a tempting alternative to eyeshadow. The pigmentation of this powder is quite strong so you do need a soft hand and a delicate approach to keep the finish looking natural but blended in well, it has a simple feel and look to MAC's Mineralise Skinfinish in Gold Deposit for about a third of the price! These are definitely great little additions to the Bourjois bronzing collection and are wonderful treats to reach for when in need of a bit of Winter sunshine!

Have you tried these new versions of the classic chocolate bronzer from Bourjois?

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Burberry's My Burberry Eau de Parfum

I am sure you have all seen the campaign shots by now featuring the ever-so-gorgeous Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne, sporting the classic Burberry trench coat and oodles of good looks, fronting the launch of the newest fragrance from this fashion power house. Burberry's new perfume, My Burberry,  pays homage to the brand's signature button-up trench coat that has become such a iconic fashion piece over the years with the fragrance drawing inspiration from the classic design and features of the coat, visually and in its scent - timeless, elegant and sophisticated.

Burberry's My Burberry Eau de Parfum* available from Feel Unique (starting from £45) is a beautiful looking bottle designed with the Burberry trench coat at the forefront of its creation. The angular glass bottle is topped with a button-like horn lid and finished with a hand-tied, gabardine bow made from the same woven fabric as the trench coat itself. The perfume is a pretty, honey tone mirroring the classic colour of the coat and is etched with a golden, italic font on the front. The scent of this eau de parfum is truly lovely and embodies a London garden after a rain shower, a lush earthy dewiness. The main notes that run through this scent are sweet pea and bergamot tinged with the herbal twist of geranium leaves. There is a hint of fruit from golden quince finished with a spicy spritz of freesia, patchouli and linen. I love that the scent begins feminine and floral yet develops into a subtle masculine finish again mirroring the function and design of the classic trench coat. It manages to balance a refreshing air with a warm, comforting aroma and would work perfectly day or night during the golden, Autumnal months. I just love the inspiration and story that exists behind this perfume and am really enjoying wearing it at the moment, giving me a classic scent that is timeless and sophisticated with every spritz.

Have you sniffed this new fragrance from Burberry?

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Knee-highs and skinny jeans

Today Rob and I popped to Westfield Stratford to have a little mooch and for me to start my Winter wardrobe shopping. As the mornings have started to feel an awful lot chillier recently it has come to my attention that I am seriously lacking in warm layers, chunky jumpers and puddle-proof footwear. After a little wander around H&M and Topshop came up trumps with their AW collections and I bought a few new pieces which I am excited to wear as we welcome in the Winter season, including a wonderfully fluffy gilet and some snug woolly jumpers. Whilst taking a minute to admire the beautiful space that is the Mulberry store at Westfield I thought I would get Rob to take a snap of my outfit today as I was feeling very happy (and a little pirate-like) in my new H&M over-the-knee boots and jazzy jacket, also from H&M. My jeans are the fabulous Jamie jeans from Topshop (I think I have these in every colour!) and my bag is my gorgeous wedding present from Rob, the Mulberry Willow tote, which I simply adore.

I hope you have all had lovely weekends. Have you bought anything recently for your Winter wardrobe?

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Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm

There is no denying that Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm has become quite the cult beauty product over the past few years and is a staple addition to many people's skincare regime. Therefore I find it hard to believe that I have only just gotten around to trying this tub of buttery loveliness and judging by the rave reviews I had previously read, I knew I was going to love it!

The Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm* available from Feel Unique (£36) contains a beautiful blend of Moringa seed extract, Wild Sea Fennel and vitamin E which purify and help minimise the appearance of open pores. The orange, Neroli and Mandarin extracts rejuvenate and revitalise the skin whilst the Jasmine, cedarwood and rose help to recondition dull, dehydrated or dry skin. All in all it sounds like the perfect combination to achieve soft, smooth and moisturised skin when used everyday as part of your cleansing regime and this has swiftly become one of my favourite cleansers to reach for when my skin needs some love and attention. This fragrant smelling balm is rich, thick and buttery in consistency and literally melts your makeup off when combined with a few drops of warm water to create a emulsified milk. Simply apply the milk to your face, neck and eye area in circular motions to massage the skin and melt even the most stubborn of mascara and makeup away, along with any other grime or impurities that may have settled on your skin throughout the day. Then take the cleansing cloth, soak in warm water and squeeze out well before wiping all over your face to finish the cleanse and leave your skin feeling ridiculously clean, smooth and supple. The cleaning cloth has two sides; one gently abrasive side to exfoliate the dry skin and a smoother, micro fibre side to polish and perfect the skin.

This cleansing balm really does work wonders and is such a joy to use; effortlessly melting away your makeup whilst giving you a mini facial at the same time with the addition of the exfoliating cleansing cloth. I love the fact it is gentle enough to use morning and night if you wished and never leaves my face feeling tight or raw. The texture is soft and buttery and a little goes a long way so I can imagine this tub lasting me for a good few months if I switch it up with a few of my other favourite cleansers every now and again. What I also love about this product is the fact it has many other uses asides from just being your average cleanser. Due to its moisturising, skin-loving properties it could be used on your elbows, cuticles, lips or any other troubled areas to help alleviate dry skin or if you fancy treating yourself to a pampering session then simply leave this balm on the skin for ten minutes for a soothing face mask. I am yet to try this out as a face mask but come Sunday night when the bubble bath is filled and the candles are lit, I think I know what I am going to be reaching for!

Have you tried this Cleansing Balm? Do you love it as much as I do?

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YSL Black Opium Perfume

As the nights darken and the Wintery chill starts to sting your skin it is time to cast aside those light, floral, Summertime scents and embrace the deep and the sensual aromas. I love mixing up my perfumes but for the Winter time you can't go wrong with something rich, decadent and slightly spicy to warm your cockles on a cold December day and I think Yves Saint Laurent's newest launch ticks all those right boxes.

2014's hotly anticipated fragrance launch, YSL's Black Opium (£44)* is a gorgeous new feminine scent laced with energy, mystery and an intoxicating shot of black coffee, white florals and vanilla. Housed in a glam rock, black sparkly bottle with a teasing glass centre revealing the warm amber nectar within. I am not a massive lover of overpowering, heavy perfumes but oh my gosh, this enticing scent is just beautiful. It is strong, edgy and exotic but the white florals and sweet vanilla keep it from being too rich and gives the whole fragrance a light, pretty finish. This really is the perfect Winter time scent and adds an element of warmth and sexiness with every spritz. As the scent lingers and develops on the skin I can really pick up on the addictive shot of black coffee as the top note which is so unusual but surprisingly, really works. This new fragrance from YSL is stunning - completely sultry and a real statement! Definitely worth a sniff if you are on the look out for a new Winter time scent.

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Clarins True Radiance Foundation

Clarins' vast array of skincare and base products are always on point. There are so many of their elegantly packaged products that have recently become staples in my skincare routine and my daily makeup picks so I am always excited to try their new launches out, feeling confident that there will undoubtedly be another product I am swiftly adding to my beauty must-haves.

Earlier this Summer Clarins launched their True Radiance foundation (£27)* described as a "light-infusing foundation, brightens and corrects the complexion." Some may recognise this foundation as many moons ago it was gracing Clarins counters everywhere before being discontinued and possibly mourned by many. Well now it is back and better than ever! The glass bottle crowned with a golden lid is as elegant and pretty as you would expect from Clarins and the plastic pump dispenser ensures you just get the right amount of product each time without any wastage. The formula of this foundation is very fluid and lightweight and literally glides onto the skin effortlessly, best buffed in with a stippling brush or lightly layered on with a flat foundation brush. This product works hard to boosts the skin's natural radiance and luminosity with the anti-pollution action of Moringa seed plant extract and light-reflecting pigments. I personally don't love dewy foundations, much preferring a matte or satin finish, so I was a little nervous that this might be too radiant and glowing for me but I was pleasantly surprised. You can feel the formula is deeply hydrating the moment you start applying it and leaves your skin feeling and looking healthy and fresh. The finish is ever so slightly dewy but more radiant than super shimmery or shiny so I felt comfortable with just a light dusting of powder on top. The coverage is medium but can be easily built up without feeling too heavy or cakey and it works really well at cancelling out any redness, stubborn blemishes or dark circles. In fact I didn't feel I needed much concealer at all after applying this foundation as my base product. With ten shades available I am pretty sure most people will be able to find their ideal colour match - I have been dabbling with both 108. Sand and 110. Honey which both work quite well on my skin depending on how tanned or pale the rest of me is - but 108. Sand is probably the best match for my NC25 skin tone.

If you are after a new foundation and feel your skin would benefit from a burst of extra hydration and love during the Winter months then I would definitely recommend checking this new Clarins release out next time you are passing by their counters.

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From Blonde to Brown

For someone who has experimented a lot with their hair colour since being a teenager, I have been various shades of blonde for a long time, rarely venturing away from the bleach for a good couple of years. Before then I have been every colour under the sun - pink, Rihanna red, jet black, chocolate brown, caramel, auburn...the list goes on. I have faithfully hung onto my highlighted locks for a few years now and knew when I got engaged last year that I wanted to be a blonde bride for our wedding earlier this Summer. I was blonde when I first met Rob and with it being an outside, Summer time wedding with light florals and vintage lace, I knew my blonde barnet would suit the theme perfectly and go with my peachy-gold toned makeup that I had already meticulously planned.

Now happily married, it was time to make the change and kiss goodbye to my blonde locks, for now! I love love blonde hair and there is no doubt I will be blonde again but over time it does really take its toll on your tresses. My hair was feeling parched and lacked shine and body. The ends were ratty and the upkeep of freshly bleached roots was getting a bit tiresome. As I sat in the hairdressers chair yesterday I took the plunge and asked for a new look. When I was darker one of my favourite looks was this golden-brown styles I sported with caramel and honey-toned highlights, so I asked for a warm, slightly coppery auburn base with warm honey and caramel highlights running through it. Because my hair is extremely porous and was so white blonde before it sucked up the colour so initially it is a little darker than I wanted but after a few washes it will fade to a more golden tone and the next time I go I think I will have a few more caramel and honey shades put in to make it multi-tonal and interesting. I don't want to venture too dark so this happy medium is perfect for me as I still have the option of going light again next year if I so desire, but for now I am enjoying being a brunette and embracing the darker look this Autumn Winter. :)

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Skin Saviours from The Body Shop

There are many things to look forward to as the Winter months start to draw in - crisp, Autumn walks, an excuse for hot soup every day, chunky knitwear, fireworks night and of course, Christmas time! However there are a few things that are less than favourable when it comes to the colder seasons - chapped lips and dry skin being just two of them! I always find that I really have to notch up my skincare when the seasons start to change and ensure I have that extra lip balm or tube of hand cream close by at all times to keep my skin feeling as soft and moisturised as possible and banish the Winter skin blues.

You can always rely on The Body Shop to offer up some staple skincare products that really deliver consistent results and I am currently loving a selection of their skin saviours for the hands, lips and feet. It is my hands, nails and cuticles that always seem to suffer the most during the Winter time and I am forever applying and reapplying hand cream in a bid to give them soft and protected. For years, ever since I was a teenager wandering in awe around my local Body Shop store, I repurchased their infamous Hemp Hand Protector which is industrial, takes a while to sink in but does the job brilliantly. However my handbag essentials at the moment are these sweet little tubes of hand cream (£3.50)* in various scents - I have the Shea and Moringa which are both lovely. I really like the consistency of these hand creams which is almost gel-like, very light and sinks into the skin really quickly so are perfect for when you are out and about or typing at your desk. They aren't at all greasy but really hydrate your hands, nourish your nails and soften your cuticles whilst smelling particularly lovely.

For my lips I always have a whole host of lip balms and salves on the go but recently I have added to my collection The Body Shop Hemp Lip Protector (£4)* which is an intensive lip balm that restores very dry lips and is designed to protect the delicate skin from extreme weather conditions. This conditioning lip balm glides on easily and really soothes and softens the lips with a boost of hydration and a clear, non-sticky finish. It is a great little product to reach for during the Winter, especially when taking a stroll in those chilly winds, and is a perfect primer to use to prep your lips before applying your lipstick.

Finally it is onto the feet and another product from The Body Shop's popular Hemp range. Hemp Foot Protector (£10)* is a heavy-duty foot cream which works wonder on dry skin and intensively nourishes your nails. The scent is definitely a love it or hate it thing but I quite like the earthy, herbal fragrance and this foot cream is literally a hug in a tub for your feet! I like to apply it liberally all over my feet after my evening shower before popping on some snug slipper socks, kicking back and letting it work its magic. Any callouses or rough patches will be softened and soothed after a few uses and it will feel like you are walking on new feet before you know it!

Have you tried any of these products from The Body Shop? What are you Winter skin saviours?

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Estée Lauder Modern Muse Eau de Parfum

This time last year Estée Lauder launched a fresh new scent, Modern Muse, which was inspired by the empowerment and duality of women. The fragrance embodies both sides of the female personality - the soft, feminine traits matched with their strength, their confidence and their independence. There are two key notes to this eau de parfum that represent this duality - sparkling florals contrasted with sleek, sensual woody accords which seem to balance in perfect harmony.

Estée Lauder's Modern Muse Eau de Parfum*, available from Boots and Estée Lauder online, won the accolade of Grazia's Scent of the Year 2013 and offers us a chic new vision of femininity. It really is a wonderful fragrance and I haven't been able to stop sniffing it every since I got it a few weeks ago. The two dynamic yet contrasting notes give this scent an intriguing, memorable aroma and the mix of sparkling Jasmine and dewy citrus fruits along with the creamy vanilla, soft musk and rich Amber Wood really compliment one another and eases this perfume into an everyday or evening time scent. Even the packaging and sweet bottle mirror the theme of feminine duality - the soft, pinky-hued perfume housed in the delicate bottle is crowned with a chunky, black and gold bow top. It is a key visual contradiction and sums up this fragrance perfectly before you've even given it a spritz. The scent lingers nicely on the skin throughout the day and is suitably rich and deep without being too overpowering as the Exotic Mandarin and Honeysuckle Nectar keep this perfume feminine, pretty and irresistible!

Have you tried Estée Lauder's Modern Muse?

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Tanya Burr Lip Gloss - Aurora & Champagne Toast

Earlier this year the beauty world was sent into a whirlwind of excitement with the release of Tanya Burr's new makeup collection - the first beauty launch from this YouTube starlet. Tanya Burr's lip glosses and nail polishes were undoubtedly a big hit offering us a rainbow of fun shades, eye-pleasing packaging with an affordable price tag to boot. The hard work and love she has put into developing this beauty range is evident and every product is named after her favourite things in her life - such as Picnic in the Park or Afternoon Tea. Whereas I decided to bypass the nail polishes (I have far too many as it is!), it was really the lip glosses that caught my eye - a collection of twelve glosses in five shimmery and seven cream finishes that leave a gorgeous colour on your lips.

The Tanya Burr lip glosses are available from Feel Unique and are £6.99 each. I have recently been trying out two of the shimmery lip shades, Aurora and Champagne Toast, and am excited to share them with you in all their glittering greatness! Despite having a lovely, sparkling finish to them, the shimmer is ultra-fine so the application and wear on the lips feels smoothe, not chunky or uncomfortable at all. And the formula is not too sticky - yay! As you would probably imagine these lip glosses have a gorgeous, sweet-fruity scent and the applicator helps the gloss glide evenly onto your lips, allowing you to wear them sheer or build up the intensity. The shimmery shades and definitely less pigmented that the cream colours but I love the light wash of colour you get with the subtle shimmer that would be lovely applied over a more matte lipstick for example. Aurora is a true candy-pink shade with a touch of coral whereas Champagne Toast is quite a unique, golden-peach hue with plenty of light-reflecting sparkles which gives the lips a lovely, plump finish without being too intense or bright.

I think I will definitely venture out and try a few more of the Tanya Burr lip glosses, especially in the cream formula, and I have my beady eye on Afternoon Tea and Just Peachy. Have you tried any of the products from Tanya's beauty range?

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Benefit Posie Balm & Lolli Balm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balms

I am a self-confessed lip balm hoarder. They seem to be everywhere whether they are lurking in the bottom of my handbag or makeup bags, tossed aside in my bedside drawer or filling up my desk space at work. High end or impulse drugstore purchases, it doesn't really matter, I just love lip balm and feel oddly secure when I know I have a few close at hand! Tinted lip balms are great for those who want all the skin-softening qualities of your average lip balm with the added prettiness of a sheer wash of colour and this is why Benefit's Posie and Lolli Balms have recently become two new additions to my ever-growing lip balm army!

Posie Balm and Lolli Balm (£14.50 each) from Benefit Cosmetics are the loveliest looking lip products I have seen for a long time. Presented in Benefit's typical sherbet-sweet, girlie packaging they make an adorable addition to your makeup collection and work well at giving your lips an injection of hydrating and soothing properties whilst delivering a very subtle gloss of colour. Both these lip balms have a very light formula which glides on easily and keeps your lips supple and nourished throughout the day. The balms are packed full of mango butter and sodium hyaluronate which moisturises the skin and gives your lips a slight plumping effect. Posie Balm is a pretty, poppy-pink tinted balm which enhances your lips natural colour and kisses them with a soft, delicate sheen. Lolli Balm is described as a candy-orchid hue and delivers a sheer wash of a sweet, flirty lilac shade. If you fancied using these but wanted a brighter pop of colour then they work wonderfully applied over the top of Lolli-tint or Posie-tint cheek & lip stains too.

Do you share my love for lip balms? Which one is your favourite?

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