Colgate ProClinical A1500 electric toothbrush

Colgate ProClinical A1500 electric toothbrush* - £169.99
...but currently half price (£84.99) in Boots

Teeth. A subject that doesn’t get a lot of coverage here on Pearls & Poodles but one that I have a real invested interest in. Healthy, shiny teeth are a beauty asset that I would not sacrifice for anything – I would happily forego clear skin and shiny locks for my set of healthy pearly-whites, and I take pride in the fact that at the ripe age of 26 I am filling-free! My regime is not particularly fancy or extensive – just a thorough brush for at least two minutes every morning and night (although I do often throw in an extra session after I’ve eaten my evening meal), flossing every other day and lots of healthy eating. I don’t eat sweets, drink coffee or crave fizzy drinks…in fact my only real vice is chocolate. Oh and drink milk by the cow-load. Call my old-fashioned but I have always favoured a manual toothbrush, even after my boyfriend upgraded to a swanky electric one and tried to convince me they were the best thing since sliced bread. There is something very satisfying giving your teeth a good scrub and I never felt the need to deviate from my faithful, basic £10 jobby. However recently I have brought out the big guns and have been trialling the new Colgate ProClinical A1500 - an electric toothbrush which offer the latest in teeth-brushing technology. 

This all-singing-all-dancing has three speed settings which automatically adjust depending on the area you are brushing. The smart sensors engage different speeds and cleaning actions based on the position the toothbrush is held – resulting it a far more superior clean for teeth and gums. The slowest speed is specific for side to side strokes on the teeth surface, mid speed offers massaging strokes for the gumline and the fastest setting (my favourite) is up-down strokes for the molars. With up to 32,5000 strokes per minutes, it effectively reduces five times more plague along the gumline than my bogstandard toothbrush which is pretty impressive. Since welcoming the Colgate A1500 into my bathroom, teeth brushing has certainly become a lot more fun…and noisy. It has a two minute timer so you know you are brushing your teeth for the recommended length of time and has a 30 second pacer as well so you know when to move on to another quadrant in your mouth. So it seems the Colgate ProClinical really does do everything. Everything bar squirting the toothpaste onto the brush for you! 

The Colgate ProClinical A1500 electric toothbrush retails at £169.99 but is currently half price in Boots for £85 which definitely makes it a lot more reasonable. I don't necessary believe you need a fancy electric toothbrush to have healthy teeth (I think I am proof) but I can't deny that my teeth feel incredibly clean after using it and I love the reassurance that your teeth are getting the best brush possible. Needless to say that my manual toothbrush has been well and truly replaced! 

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Topshop Nails in Brazil

Topshop Nails in Brazil £6

If you like you chunky glitter polishes then I urge you to pick up this little beauty from Topshop. Brazil is a carnival of green, blue, orange, pink and golden chunks suspended in a clear varnish. It reminds me a little of American Apparel's Galaxy Glitter, but conveniently a few pounds cheaper. It is one of those glitter polishes that looks amazing applied over a brighter base but I simply used it on my Nailene falsies to show you its true beauty when worn alone. It does require quite a few coats to pack the nails full of colourful glitter but sometimes less is more, and it looks equally pretty when lightly scattered over your favourite polish! My love for Topshop nail varnishes continues...

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Take me to the Emerald City

Dress* - Traffic People

Boots - eBay

Bag* - Brand Village

Lipstick - MAC Cherry lip pencil

Two outfit posts in as many days - oh you lucky people! I had hoped to be wearing this gorgeous green dress with my freshly dyed copper-red hair but due to a few unforeseen circumstances last week, my hair is still very much blonde. We all know that reds and emeralds go together like bread and butter so I compensated with a pop of MAC's Cherry lip pencil. This dots and flowers silk dress from Traffic People is absolutely stunning. I love the ruched waist and contrasting dandelion and spot patterns, not forgetting the billowing sleeves and beautiful colour. It comes with a cotton slip to wear underneath to save your modesty and is also available in a pretty cream colour if this one doesn't make you green with envy.

I decided to swap bags for the day and take my new animal print satchel out for a spin. If you are after a fun satchel to use this AW, then definitely pay a visit to Brand Village who are literally brimming full of bags in all shapes and sizes. I am never one to shy away from a spot of animal print and its punchy purple colour makes it a must-have for this season. The satchel also comes with a detachable strap for those studious types who want to sling it on their shoulder and pedal off! Ideal.

Oh and look...those boots are making an appearance, yet again! :)

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Operation: camouflage

Top - Primark

Leggings - Topshop

Camouflage detailed studded jacket* - Glamorous

Collar - H&M

Lipstick* - Revlon ColorBurst lip butter in Raspberry Pie
Boots - eBay

Fashion is a fickle thing isn't it. I thought I had ditched the army print back in the '90s but fast forward a decade or so and we are clad in camouflage yet again. And I have to say this studded military jacket from Glamorous is the perfect item to give a kick of khaki to any look. I love it. And yes, you may have noticed that I am still surgically attached to my new buckle strap boots from eBay. They continue to be my saving grace for any outfit and I am seriously contemplating stocking up on the red version as well!

I hope you are all well and have had lovely weekends. Let me know if you have converted to the camouflage this season!

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MAC Cherry Lip Pencil

MAC lip liner in Cherry £11.50
available online

This was probably one of this first lip pencils I bought and regard it now as one of my absolute favourite products to reach for when I want to achieve the perfect red lip. The MAC lip pencils are soft and creamy so are ideal for lining the lips in preparation for another lipstick or simply filling them in completely, which is what I like to do. The texture is smooth and easy to apply and dries to a semi-matte finish without being too drying. Cherry lip pencil is a splendid bluish-red toned liner with an unfaltering intensity that stays put for hours. It is just perfect in every way and makes me want to indulge in some more MAC lip pencils before too long!

Have you tried Cherry lip pencil from MAC?

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Aveda AW12 Passion Flower Collection - smoothing lip colors

Aveda Passion Flower Makeup Collection, nourish-mint smoothing lip colors* - £12.50
available in Aveda salons, spas and online

a limited edition collection of petal inspired tones for eyes and lips

Aveda has always been a brand I have adored ever since my hairdresser introduced me to their haircare range about six years ago. Sometimes I get so absorbed with their beautiful treatments and styling products that I completely neglect the fact that they also specialise in skincare and makeup, not forgetting fragrances and something for the man in your life. The Passion Flower makeup collection is Aveda's AW12 launch and is inspired by ultra-feminine beauty with a modern twist. The lip colors, liners, glazes and eyeshadows boast a rich, juicy palette grounded by distinctly neutral shades, making it a very versatile collection for a number of looks.

The lip colors come in three show-stopping, limited edition shades; wild fuchsia, snap dragon and rare orchid. Fickle I know but I love the names of these lipsticks and the typically planet-friendly packaging you would expect from Aveda. The lipsticks may look dinky but they actually offer a smidgeon more product than your average MAC lipstick say, so you shouldn't be put off by their inferior size.



The lip colors are infused with plant and fruit waxes which means they smooth out fine lines whilst hydrating and plumping your lips. The are highly-pigmented, creamy and sport a love-it-or-hate-it minty fresh scent. Once applied, the organic mint and vanilla flavour tingles and tantalises your lips causing a slight plumping effect. For my first dabble with Aveda's beauty range, I am seriously impressed. These lip colors are great products with a long-lasting coverage and a beautifully rich colour and smooth application. I would be hard pushed to choose my favourite but I think Rare Orchid may just outshine the others - but only just! What about you? Which is your favourite shade?

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Illamasqua powder blusher duo//Lover and Hussy

Illamasqua Powder Blusher Duo // Lover and Hussy* - £26
available online

This festive time, Illamasqua aren't wishing for a white Christmas. Oh no, they are wishing for much more beautiful, and possibly more achievable things. Their Christmas gifts are brimming full of glitter-studded polishes and luxe palettes, and this particular powder blush duo is certainly the thing that (Christmas) dreams are made up. Comprising of two beautiful matte shades, Lover and Hussy (ooh er), this palette is the perfect antidote to soothe those peach and pink blusher cravings. Lover is described as a 'soft apricot' and is a peachy dream. Both blushers are highly pigmented so approach with the softly-softly approach first and then layer from there. Hussy is a lot less risque than it sounds and is a gorgeous 'candy pink' that really gives your cheeks a rosy, wind-bitten flush.The blusher palette is not only limited edition but also Illamasqua's first blush duo ever, so maybe one for the keen collector/makeup hoarder!

I really love this blush duo and it refreshing to see a holiday collection palette that isn't packed full of glitter and shimmer. I mean, I love my glitter but I like the fact that Illamasqua have kept these shades matte, allowing you the freedom to dazzle your eyes with sparkles or slick on a bright lip without overpowering your look.

Will you be adding this to your Christmas list?

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