My Aveda blow dry

Wash & blow dry at the Aveda Institute

I have always said that if I could indulge in one luxury in life, it would be a weekly blowdry. The whole process of having my hair washed and styled at a salon is just pure bliss for me, especially when it is combined with a scalp and neck massage whilst lounging in a cloud of Bergamot aroma. This was my experience last night as I popped along to the Aveda Institute in London for a preview of their new makeup collection, followed by a wash and blow dry by one of their stylists. More on the makeup later!

My (unlucky) stylist, faced with my mop of unruly curls, first took me on a sensory journey as she applied my chosen oil, Bergmot, to her hands and gently began massaging my scalp, leading the pressure down to my neck and shoulders. Needless to say that two minutes of silence and closed eyes ensued before being trotted off to the basin to have my hair washed and conditioned. My hair was treated to the restructuring system of Aveda's Damage Remedy range which left my hair feel soft and calmed and smelling amazing. Back at my chair, with a replenished glass of bubbles in hand, my stylist set to work coercing my hair into a smooth, straight style. Considering I rarely wear my hair straight anymore, opting for the natural curls and heat-free option, it was quite nice to have my hair pulled into a sleek finished style for a change. She prepped my hair with Smooth Infusion glossing straightener and finished the blowdry by tidying away any flyaways with a drop of Light Elements smoothing fluid. Ever single Aveda product my stylist used smelt gorgeous and really worked at giving me a smooth, high-shine finish with not a curl in sight.

The Aveda Institute is a haven in the middle of Holborn that offers you complete relaxation and indulgence. I have been there a few times now and each time I have left feeling truly pampered and wishing my stay would last that little bit longer. Luckily my own hairdresser using Aveda products when colouring and styling my hair, so I still get my fix every six weeks. I will also be featuring their new makeup collection very soon on my blog, which has a couple of really exciting pieces to mention, so keep your eyes peeled for that. In the meantime, let me know if you have visited the Aveda Institute before or have used any of their products?

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Jergens cherry almond body moisturiser

Jergens Cherry-Almond original beauty lotion* - £3.49
available from Boots

I have always been a fan of lightly scented beauty products, with coconut, roses and vanilla being amongst some of my favourites scents. Therefore, it is little wonder that when I first took a sniff of this new cherry almond inspired moisturiser from Jergens, I was instantly in love. This product has had its moment of fame across the pond and it has now landed on English soil to delight us with its delicious scent and promise of beautifully soft skin. Without being too overpowering or sickly sweet, the fragrance hits the mark perfectly with its aroma of freshly baked bakewell tarts. But the positives of this beauty lotion don't just stop at its unmistakable scent; the Jergens body moisturiser is absolutely lovely to use and soothes dehydrated skin with its new formulation. The moisturiser isn't too heavy or greasy so easily sinks into the skin leaving it smooth and soft. If you are after an affordable moisturiser and have a perchant for all things sweetly-scented, then I would definitely recommend this one. 
Also, Jergens are having a little facebook competition where you can bag yourself a host of designer goodies as well as the complete range of Jergens moisturisers. So if cherry-almond doesn't really float your boat, then maybe cocoa butter or aloe vera might be more your thing!

Which body moisturisers do you love at the moment? Will you be indulging in this classic from Jergens?

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dancing like carousel horses

Shirt* - Oh My Love

Skirt - Primark

Collar necklace - H&M

Boots - Topshop

Lipstick - MAC Petals & Peacocks

Ever since Primark opened one minute from my work, it has been my one stop shop for impulse purchasing. My latest acquisition - the leather-look skirt. Nipped in at the waist with a flattering flair and a very modest length, this skirt is perfect for chunky knits, thick tights and tucked-in tees. Today however I decided to pair it with my new bat-wing sheer shirt from Oh My Love which is absolutely beautiful. Adorned with carousel horses, the shirt takes on a boxy shape giving it flowing movement and wonderful versatility for many an outfit. I think the print is so sweet and I was excited to see that they also do it in a playsuit which is awfully cute and definitely on my wishlist!

I hope you are all well and had brilliant weekends, whatever you got up to. Oh and keep your eyes peeled for a little giveaway coming up on my blog later this week :)

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Estee Lauder Pure Color Vivid Shine lipstick - Electric Mauve

Estee Lauder Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipstick*, Electric Mauve - £19.50
available from Harrods

When it comes to luxe packaging and superb colour payoff, you can't go far wrong with Estee Lauder. Their counter-spanning lipstick collection is comprehensive and attractive and has now substantially grown with the release of their relatively new Pure Color Vivid Shine lipsticks. These dazzling lipsticks are set to give you a luminous, impactful shine with a chromatic colour and conditioning formula. The light-emitting prism pearls enhance these shades with an unprecedented sparkle and shine which coat your lips with a gorgeous lustre and glistening finish. The fine glitter isn't chunky or drying at all, it is in fact just perfect and makes what could have been just a nice lipstick, a very nice lipstick.




Electric Mauve is described as a plum lipstick but I think mauve would be a more apt description. It is seriously beautiful with a mixture of warm pink and purple hues spiked with tiny flecks of silver and gold sparkle. The creamy lightweight consistency makes it an easier lipstick to apply on-the-go and it is super moisturising and smells pretty nice too!

Have you tried anything from the new Vivid Shine range?

ps, My jumper is from Lavish Alice :)

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LUSH Handy Gurugu hand cream

Lush Handy Gurugu Hand Cream - £7.25

"Helpful, heavenly, herbal hand cream with natural shea butter from our friends in Gurugu Village, Ghana"

I go through hand cream like it is going out of fashion! My hands aren't particularly dry but I live in fear that if I stopped using it, they would dry up like an Autmn leaf. Therefore I am in a vicious cycle of religiously applying hand cream throughout the day and in the evening time as an overnight treatment. My work desk, dressing table and handbags are all strewned with varying tubes and pots of hand cream, underlying my obsession and love for the stuff.

Lush's Handy Gurugu has been a highly repurchased product of mine and just about scrapes into my top five hand cream products to try. This green-tinged cream has a beatifully buttery consistency enriched with a (some may say overwhelming) herbal scent. It reminds me a little of The Body Shop's Hemp hand cream which actually is another one of my favourite hand creams to use. Clearly I have a thing for the earthy and herbal aromas when it comes to picking hand creams. You only need the tiniest amount to fully moisturise your hands, and any prejudgements that this product will be greasy are instantly quashed as the Handy Gurugu melts into skin quickly and easily. It is heavy duty and completely nourishing so instantly relieves sore or cracked skin which is a godsend during these chilly months. It might be a bit pricier than most as prepared to pay for a hand cream but this little tub of loveliness really does go on, and on...and on!

Are you a fan of this product? What are your favourite hand creams?

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never tear us apart

Dress* - Lavish Alice

Stole - H&M

Boots - Primark

Necklace - Lola Rose

Watch* - Daniel Wellington

Lipstick - MAC Violetta

Today was one of those perfect Sundays indulging in all things close to my heart -family and food! I spent the day visiting my little brother in London and treating ourselves to an epic feast at Bill's restaurant, just round the corner from his flat. After a generous halloumi burger followed by a mountain of cinnamon sugared doughnuts and chocolate sauce, we took a exploratory tour around Chappel Market and the surrounding streets. The bright yet biting weather today was calling out for an Autumnal ensemble and this gorgeous wine jersey dress from Lavish Alice met the brief perfectly. The fit and feel of this tee shirt dress is so lovely, and once topped with my fur stole and a slick of berry lipstick, I felt ready to brace the chill outside!

nb, It wasn't actually as cold as I had anticipation. Certainly nothing that three cups of tea and a brisk march around london couldn't sort out!

I hope you have all had equally lovely (and indulgent) weekends.

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Bobbi Brown uber basics collection

Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Uber Basics Collection

Limited Edition Sparkle Eye Shadow in Cement* (£20) and Rich Lip Colour in Uber Suede* (£18) 

available online

"Our most flattering colours. Ever. It's makeup, simplified"

Inspired by Bobbi's seventh literacy delight, Pretty Powerful, Bobbi Brown introduces the Uber Basics Collection which will give any woman - irrespective of their skin tone - the essentials she needs to go from pretty to pretty powerful, day to night. This AW12 release is packed full of nice natural shades and finishes, including a earthy selection of matte and sparkly eye shadows, blushers, rich lip colours and high shimmer lip glosses. You can expect plenty of mid tone golds, greys, beiges, rosy browns and soft pinks. It is the perfect ensemble if you like to keep you makeup simple and neutral, but still with an element of playfulness with the adventurous shimmer and sparkle of the eye and lip colours.

This lipstick has an exquisite texture and finish, gliding on like a dream and lasting for hours. Bobbi Brown are launching four new lipsticks with this collection, all adopting a similar safe tone and consistency. Brown lipsticks have never really been my cup of tea with their slightly dated stigma, but with this shade in Uber Suede, I feel there is just enough red and plum tones to make it contemporary and a really appealing shade to wear. The glossy finish also makes this lipstick ideal for taking your makeup from day to night.

The Uber Basics Collection sees the introduction of eight new eye shadows to the Bobbi Brown range, with the sparkly additions only here for a limited time only. Cement is described as a grey beige sparkle and is a colour that will instantly illuminate your eyes. It has a featherlight consistency and is smooth and easy to apply. Due to the heavily-packed shimmer and translucent base, it is definitely advisable to prime the eye first to make sure half the product isn't lost down your face! The combination of shimmering pearls and glitter give these sparkly eye shadows a unique sheer formula and finish and it is a great product for those after a soft illuminating sparkle without wanting to commit to a powerful, overbearing colour on the eyes, ie: someone like me!

What are your thoughts on this new Bobbi Brown collection?

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