My Clinique mascara routine

High Impact Extreme Volume mascara*, 01 Extreme Black - £17
Bottom Lash mascara* - £11

I am always chopping and changing my mascara, and for my (makeup) sins I usually have about five on the go at once. Depending on the time and occasion, I always find myself reaching for a different one to suit my needs, whether I want to lengthen, add volume or keep it natural. My changeable lash routine however has hit a bit of a plateau recently as I have been picking up and pairing the same two mascaras for the past week or so. Quite a feat for me. And they both come from the same brand. Clinique's new High Impact Extreme Volume mascara has moulded bristles which comb through the lashes, separating, stretching and lifting the lashes whilst giving them a little bit of volume and an intense colour. This mascara works best when layered a couple of times to give an almost fake-lash effect and perfectly fanned out lashes. I usually favour the soft bristles which really grab and define your lashes but I am surprisingly impressed with this mascara and it does exactly what it says on the tin tube.

For my bottom lashes I must confess that they usually get the same treatment as my top lashes, just with a slightly more delicate touch. However this Bottom Lash mascara from Clinique is such a nifty little product, I have been addicted to using it ever since I first tested it out. It boasts one of the smallest micro-mini brushes on the market, ideal for enhancing those little, hard to reach lashes, with a formula that resists smears and smudges. Part of me loves it purely because it is just so mini and cute, but the fact that it actually does a great job makes me love it even more. Yes it isn't a completely necessary product,  but if you like to enhance your bottom lashes and find normal mascara a little too clumsy, then this little beauty is wonderful for a clinical, clean application.

What's your current lash loves?

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Sparkling with Lashes of London

Dress* - Lashes of London

Boots - River Island
Clutch* - Romwe
Lipstick - MAC Inez

The moment I first laid eyes on this gorgeous embellished dress from Lashes of London, I think my heart skipped a beat. Never one to shy away from sparkles, especially this time of year, I thought it would make the perfect party dress and took it out for dinner and drinks last night with my friend. And just as I had hoped, it is true perfection! The hand-stitchd embellishment is so striking and continues around the neckline and across the back of the dress too (better picture here). The body con style is really flattering as it isn't that thin, stretchy, tight material which I never really like but it has some structure to it, so it skims the silhouette beautifully. I love that it also has a slight vintage twist to it with the addition of some fierce shoulder pads which are absolutely fabulous and did make me feel a little Gaga as I stepped out into town. I decided to keep my makeup and hair fairly simple and let the dress do the talking! I was actually really pleased with how my hair turned out which was just loosely waved with my Cloud 9 straighteners (review/tutorial coming soon) and I then just finished the look with a slick of my favourite only frosted-plum lipstick and lashings of mascara!

Have you got your Christmas party dress sorted?

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Models Own Show Stopper!

Models Own Show Stopper! nail polish* - £5

Exclusive to the Clothes Show Live

Just a little heads up that if you're planning on venturing to the Clothes Show Live this year (7-11th Dec, NEC Birmingham), I would definitely recommend making a bee-line for the Models Own stand (PK116) and picking up this glitter-extravaganza nail polish, exclusive to the Clothes Show. Show Stopper! is inspired by this year's ambassador Daisy Lowe and is a mesmerising fusion of grey, purple, pink, silver and blue flecks, tightly suspended in a clear base. It is pretty gorgeous and an absolute must if you are at the show this year and a fan of your glitter polishes! And if you're not there then fear not, as Models Own Mirrorball collection should satiate your glitter-nail cravings otherwise!

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Highlighting with Illamasqua's Gleam in Aurora

Illamasqua Gleam in Aurora
£18, available online and in store

I have a lot time for highlighters. I love the instant healthy glow they give you, and whether it is a liquid, cream or powder formulation, I rarely complete my look without a sweep or a dab of this light-reflecting beauty. Illamasqua's Gleam in Aurora is a champagne-tinted, lightweight cream highlighter that gives the skin a wonderful, warm golden iridescence. The pearlescent pigments within means that the highlighter catches the light at all different angles and kisses the skin with an almost unreal lustre and shimmer. Aurora doesn't contain any chunky glitter or sparkle which I like, it is uncomplicated and the perfect warm colour to suit most skin tones. It can be applied to all areas of the face and body, and even worn under your foundation. The consistency is soft and strongly-pigmented and I find it best to apply with my fingers along my cheekbones, down my nose and through my brow bones. It is one of my favourite highlighters at the moment and one that I am reaching for more and more for my fix of instant radiance.

Have you tried this product? What do you call upon to highlight your makeup look?

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Bourjois Queen Attitude Khol Kajal

Bourjois Queen Attitude Khol Kajal*
£6.99, available from Boots and Superdrug

Inspired by the traditional oriental kohl of the Egyptian age and the Queen of ornate eye makeup herself, Cleopatra, Bourjois have reinvented the khol kajal and given it a modern twist. Bourjois's Khol Kajal, which is paraben-free and enriched with natural waxes, has a soft and intense formula which glides on smoothly, without pulling or tugging the skin. The cone-shaped khol can be used to paint the eyelid completely for a sultry look, or can act as a base for another eyeshadow on top, to give an even more intense finish. The consistency is soft and easy to smudge, making it a great tool to achieve a classic smokey eye. I simply roughly lined my eyelids with the kohl kajal and then smudged the kohl out with a fluffy shadow brush. I also stroked the kajal through my bottom lash line and on my waterline to intensify the look.

The pigmentation is strong and long-lasting and the kajal sets to a powdery-soft finish, but I don't think the colour is as black and striking as I had hoped. If you like you liner precise and perfect then this won't be the product for you, but if you like it rough and ready then I would highly recommend you giving this kajal a go. You will find it near impossible to execute a perfect feline flick due to the rounded, chunky edge but for the ultimate grungy eye makeup, this is a winner. You don't even need a brush to blend the kohl out, simple line your eyelids and smudge out with your finger and you are good to go. Ideal for updating your makeup from daytime to party-time!

What are your thoughts of this kohl kajal from Bourjois?

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Estee Lauder Pure Color lipstick in Melon

Estee Lauder Pure Color lipstick* in Melon - £19.50
available online

I recently attended the Estee Lauder Christmas event which was the perfect excuse to start feeling festive whilst getting a sneak peek into the brand's new Christmas releases. Along with the new ranges of Metal Mania and Red Hautes nail lacquers comes a plethora of gorgeous gift sets from skincare to makeup, which I have already earmarked for possible Christmas presents this year! I received this beautiful Pure Color lipstick from the event, and even though the colour doesn't exactly scream AW makeup, I couldn't wait to try it out. I can't decide whether 'Melon' is more of a darkened coral or a muted orange, but either way it is fabulous. The colour and finish reminds me a little of MAC Costa Chic with its subtle golden shimmer and beautiful, warming quality which instantly makes you feel very summery indeed. The consistency is very similar to the other Estee Lauder lipsticks i've tried - rich and creamy and lovely to apply. Melon Pure Color lipstick leaves you with a slightly glossy sheen to the lips and the golden flecks works wonderfully with bronzed cheeks and a simple eye look. I will definitely be embracing my coral lips this Christmas!

Have you purchased anything from Estee Lauder's Christmas range?

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Spiked with gold

Jumper* - Romwe

Skirt - Primark

Coat* - Warehouse

Boots - eBay 

I can't get enough of studs and spikes at the moment and this gorgeous mint green jumper pleases me on so many levels! Slightly oversized, bright pastel colour, super soft material with a touch of fierce detailing on the shoulders, it is another winner from Romwe. I knew before I even ordered it that I would be pairing it with my Primark pleated skirt and yes, my beloved buckle boots from eBay. My winter coat this season comes courtesy of Warehouse. It is one of the smartest coats I have ever opted for, often preferring my fur jackets and parkas, but I love the classic, sophisticated feel of this coat and it really does goes with any outfit. I really like the faux-leather piping detailing, oversized lapels and the fact you can wrap yourself up as snug as you like with the tie-belt fastening. And on days like today, I am so thankful for this!

I hope you are all well and having great weekends. :)

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