Benefit Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer

Defend eyelids from unfriendly skies with Benefit's Air Patrol* (£21.50) | available online and on Benefit Cosmetics counters nationwide

With its novelty packaging and catchy name, the new Air Patrol eyelid primer from Benefit Cosmetics certainly catches your eye and begs the question, "What exactly does it do?". Well, what doesn't it do more to the point! This twist up BB cream is specifically designed for the eye area and has a multitude of benefits
- it protects the delicate eye area from pollutants, sun and smoke with its SPF20 formula and shea extract
- it calms and soothes irritated eyes
- it relieves dryness and hydrates
- it preps and primes the eyelid and locks on eyeshadow
- it colour corrects to create a flawless, even base

The cushion calm applicator tip was inspired by gel foam mattresses and pillows and is softer than your pinkie when applying the cream. The smart twist up bottom just requires one click per eye and delivers the perfect amount whether you wish to prep, prime, relieve dryness or cancel out any redness for a bare but beautiful eye look.

The consistency is quite loose but creamy and is very cooling on contact with the skin. You can either use your finger to dab and apply the BB cream or gently massage it in straight from the cushion calm applicator itself. With so many purposes from just one little product, it is a little confusing to know exactly how to view the new Air Patrol BB cream and whether you really need it? Well I think it is best to see it as a regular eye primer with added skincare benefits. I love that it primes your eyelids for when you are planning on wearing eyeshadow but is also tinted in colour so evens out redness for a fresh, clean eyelid look for those non-eyeshadow days. When I used this as a primer it really worked well at prepping the eye, locking on the powder or pigment and definitely enhanced the colour and made it last longer without any creasing or drying. If you are after a new eye primer and like products similar to MAC's Soft Ochre Paint Pot that primes and colour-corrects then this could be a great new product or you, but if you are after something purely to soothe irritated or dry eyes then I don't think this is the best option on the market.

Have you tried Air Patrol yet? I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Bourjois Air Mat Foundation

You can't see it, but it changes everything! Bourjois Air Mat Foundation* (£9.99) | available from Boots

When it comes to 'drugstore' foundations, I think Bourjois are one of the best brands at offering affordable yet fantastic bases and concealers for the skin and this latest release it another great addition to their brimming collection of base products. As the name would suggest, the new Air Mat foundation is all about achieving a smooth, matte finish that feels light as air on the skin - no heaviness, thickness or mask-like coverage. It promises to deliver a delicate, soft second skin effect with an even complexion.

I love a matte yet light foundation but it is true that you are often faced with a formula that feels heavy and cakey on the skin which looks anything but natural. What I like about this new foundation is the fact that it feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin yet still offers you an ideal coverage (light-medium that could easily be built up if necessary). Air Mat's extra-fine mattifying powder beads effectively absorb sebum so you can rest assure that you won't face a shiny t-zone halfway through the day, and also means you can get away without any additional heavy powders on top.

Available in eight shades, there should be an option to suit most skin tones with 2 light skin shades, 5 medium shades from beige to golden tan and 1 Mediterranean shade for darker skin tones. As well as offering a good coverage and a lovely matte, natural finish, this foundation also manages to really brighten up lacklustre skin so instantly gives any sallow complexion a boost. Even if the coverage wasn't enough for you, you could use a little bit of this product as a base to prep and perk up the skin before following on with your normal foundation.

Have you tried this latest launch from Bourjois?

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Clarins Nude Lipliner Pencils

A nude to suit everyone! Clarins lip definer pencils* (£17 each) | available online and on counters

I think we can all agree that one of the biggest makeup trends this year so far has been the perfectly lined lips paired with a brown-nude lipstick. Thanks Kylie Jenner! But finding that perfect nude lip liner to match your skin tone and lipstick choice can be a tricky business which is why the latest collection from Clarins could put a halt on your lip liner search.

Clarins have revolutionised the art of outlining your lips by offering four new, nude pencils with a shade to suit everyone. They have been designed to complement any lipstick shade and treat us to a new formula to give the most flawless, smooth application possible. The formula is enriched with jojoba oil which means the pencil won't drag or pull your delicate skin as you outline your lips and also gives your lipstick a strong barrier to prevent any running. The tip is firm yet smooth to sculpt and define your lips perfectly and can easily be used purely as a liner or all over your lips as a matte base or lip colour.

The four new nudes on the block are:
01. Nude Fair (for fair skin)
02. Nude Beige (for medium skin with golden undertone)
03. Nude Rose (for medium skin with pink undertone)
04. Nude Mocha (for dark skin)

Nude Fair and Nude Beige are two of my favourites from this collection and would match and complement a number of my go-to nude lipsticks but Nude Rose and Nude Mocha have got a lovely, darker base which would work well worn alone for an Autumnal makeup look. These lipliners are incredible and so easy and creamy to apply. After years of vowing I would never really go back to using lipliners after the 90s trend died down I am well and truly back on the bandwagon and I love it!

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The First Miu Miu Fragrance

Miu Miu Eau de Parfum from £48 | available online

For such a prominent fashion brand that has had us revelling in glittery pumps, cute blouses, retro sunglasses and fun-patterned prints for over 15 years now, it is a little surprising that this is the first ever fragrance from the fashion house Miu Miu. A long time in the making, the Miu Miu Eau de Parfum has finally hit the shelves and has left many people nodding in agreement that it was definitely worth the wait.

Just like with their iconic fashion designs, Miu Miu wanted to create a fragrance with a quirky twist and that began from the bottle - a gorgeous, milky turquoise blue topped with a retro cherry-candy red lid that was inspired by the vintage caps women use to use to apply their fragrances with to their neck. The quilted design etched onto the blue bottle is reminiscent of Miu Miu's classic matelassé design, often seen on their classic handbags. As for the scent, Miu Miu was keen to create a fragrance that was different, unexpected and enjoyable and a far cry from those "safe", cliched designer perfumes. Lily of the Valley is the principle note you are faced with when you first spritz this eau de parfum, charming and appealing - drawing a parallel to the use of floral prints in a lot of Miu Miu's fashion work. Infused with this heady floral accord is a mix of jasmine, rose and Akigalawood, an extract of patchouli. Akigalawood was chosen as it adds an unexpected strangeness to the scent - you expect it to be earthy but in fact the result is spicy, peppery and vibrant. I think this is my favourite aspect of this perfume...that and the cute black-and-white cat called Truman that was used in the advertising campaign. In you dig through the archives you will find that Miu Miu loves a good cat motif in their designs and is often featured on shoes and coats.

I love this fragrance, from the bottle to the scent, and adore how it perfectly encapsulates everything that the Miu Miu brand stands for - playful, quirky, feminine and stylish yet strong and serious at the same time, and even contradictory. It certainly stands out visually on the perfume counters and is definitely worth a spritz next time you are passing by!

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YSL Black Opium Eau De Toilette

Yves Saint Lauren Black Opium Eau de Toilette* (from £39) | available from Boots

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the beautiful packaging of this new fragrance from YSL?! Its opulence and rose-gold glitter exterior would be fit to adorn any Christmas Tree this winter. This is the new Black Opium Eau de Toilette from Yves Saint Laurent, markedly different to their Eau de Parfum which was released this time last year. It is described as mysterious, but sensual. Vibrant, yet with a new femininity at its heart.

Now this is truly the perfect Winter scent and it had me addicted at the very first spritz. The beautiful yet edgy combination of notes and accords give this fragrance a truly unique scent. The first notes that break through are fruity - a mix of zingy blackcurrant, juicy pear and bitter-sweet mandarin peel. These are closely followed by a fragrant, floral blend of jasmine tea and passionate orange blossom which gives the fragrance an invigorating heart and depth.

So far you would be right to believe that this sounds like your average, pretty floral/fruity fragrance...but then YSL surprise us with the breakthrough addition of coffee bean notes which shock and exhilarate your senses at first inhalation. Strong, flavoursome and rich coffee notes are teamed with creamy white musk, all underpinned with a white wood accord. It may sound odd but it really does work and gives the whole fragrance a deep, mysterious, daring scent combined with the lightness of florals and fruits. So if you need a wake-up call in the morning then put down your double espresso and just reach for this new scent!

Are you intrigued to take a sniff?

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A MAC Haul

So this is what happens when I am left unsupervised on the MAC website when my sole intention is to purchase just one new foundation. My love for MAC waivers - some days I can't get enough of their new collections and other times I just find the it all a bit overwhelming and overhyped and I swiftly move on. However MAC will always be my saviour when it comes to great base products and gorgeous lipsticks in every shade imaginable so I decided to treat myself to a few new things for my eyes, lips and face.

Firstly, let's talk lipsticks! From left to right, top to bottom we have Blankety (a soft beige pink) and Pure Zen (a frosted warm nude). I honestly don't know why it has taken me so long to purchase either of these lipsticks as they are both so beautiful and totally my kind of shades. Blankety is one of those lipsticks that sits neatly alongside the likes of Velvet Teddy and Honeylove - a warm, brown-ish nude that warms up the complexion and helps emulate those Kylie Jenner lips! Pure Zen is such a pretty nude with a peachy base and slightly frosted finish. It is a flattering nude option if you are a bit wary of the starker options, such as Myth and Fleshpot, and works perfectly paired with a heavier eye look and coral-powdered cheeks.

Onto the eyes and there were a few things on my mind as I scrolled through MAC's extension selection - some loose pigments and a new paint pot for a quick, easy base. You may be surprised to discover that I didn't own a single MAC pigment before this order hit my post box so I was excited to venture into a world of sparkles and duo-chrome shimmer. Vanilla was an obvious choice and top of my list due to its wonderful versatility to highlight your eyes and complexion with a simple sweep of powder. It is a gorgeous soft ivory white with a warm golden-yellow sheen which looks so pretty applied to the tops of your cheekbones or in the corner of your eyes. Next to be dropped in my shopping basket was Melon pigment which looked beautiful from the numerous swatches I googled beforehand. Melon is a sunny, shimmering peachy-gold shade. It is stunning and the beauty of these loose pigments is that they can be used dry or wet for extra vibrancy. Finally I purchased a new paint pot in Let's Skate - a pale pink with pearl shimmer. It is a beautiful ballet-pink cream base with a soft golden sheen running through it and has a great pigmentation, giving you opaque coverage on your eyelids. It is creamy and blendable and can be easily worn alone for a pretty, toned down look or used as a base for a powder eyeshadow on top.

Last but by no means least we move onto the base products and one of the main reasons I was surfing the MAC website to begin with! MAC's Studio Fix Fluid foundation has been one of those foundations I have fallen in and out of love with ever since I started using it many many years ago. It is a medium to full coverage base product with a satin/matte finish. The coverage is great and I have always found the colour match (NC25 if you're interested) works really well for my skin tone. It isn't an everyday foundation choice for me but when I want a really flawless base that I know will last then this is what I find myself reaching for.

Finally I decided to purchase the much raved about Prep & Prime Highlighter Pens in Bright Forecast (left) and Light Boost (right). I first saw these featured by Tanya Burr in several of her tutorial videos and was blown away by their effectiveness to lighten, brighten and conceal in a few simple twists and swipes. They are creamy and blend into the skin beautifully. Bright Forecast is a mid-toned, peachy coral shade and works well to conceal and even out skin tone under my eyes and on other blemishes. For some people with lighter skin tones this might also work quite well as a contour colour. Light Boost is my favourite out of the two and does wonders at faking a ten hour sleep when really you've been up until 1am watching Netflix! The soft yellow tone of this highlighter perfectly cancel out any darkness or sallowness under your eyes and brightens your eye area quite dramatically. It is amazing and will definitely be one of my must-have products when my baby arrives and sleep is a distant memory!

Have you splurged on anything from MAC recently?

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My Week 22 Bump Update

"Your baby is the size of an aubergine and now nearly weighs a whole pound. Eyelashes and eyebrows are forming and the baby can now hear your voice, heartbeat, your circulating blood and even a gurgling hungry stomach!"

How far along: 22 weeks exactly

Days until due date: 126 days

My bump: My bump is still growing and I feel it is starting to really protrude now and form that nice round, pregnant-belly shape. I feel I have reached the stage where people look at me and realise I am pregnant rather than just a bit bloated! I hope anyway...

Weight changes: Pre-pregnancy = 8stone 3lbs. Today = 8stone 12lbs (+9lbs).

Stretch marks? No, thank goodness.

Cravings: Nothing really - still can't manage to eat big meals so am enjoying lots of little snacks. Yoghurt with figs, walnuts and drizzled honey is a personal favourite at the moment.

Sleep: Still sleeping really well with my DreamGenii pillow and am waking up less during the nights.

Symptoms: Nothing new but I can sense my belly button is on its way out. It has gone very flat and weird-looking...it freaks me out a little if I'm honest! The sooner it pops the better. Oh and I am also having really vivid, sometimes quite distressing, dreams at the moment which is apparently closely linked with pregnancy.

Best moment this week: Catching up with my friend who is 32 weeks pregnant and spending the whole afternoon talking about babies and birthing plans! It is lovely when you have someone who is going through exactly the same journey you are and you can share all your excitements and concerns with them without fear of boring them with baby talk.

Worst moment this week: Getting bumped in my car by a distracted driver whilst I was driving at the weekend. Baby and I are fine but it really shook me up and upset me for the rest of the day.

Miss anything? Not really.

Maternity clothes: Yes I have well and truly embraced the maternity clothes now and have put a lot of my old 'pre-baby' items into storage to make room for those gorgeous stretchy leggings and jeans. I only really needed to get some trousers as all my tops are still fine to wear so I headed to H&M and lucked out on some super comfy (and quite flattering) black leggings and dark demin jeans.

Movement: Every now and again I might feel a little flutter or an odd pop of air in my stomach but they are still few and far between. It will be nice when the movements are more obvious and more consistent so I can get really excited but I am just being patient for the time being.

Gender: Unknown and we aren't going to find out either. I think there are so few genuine surprises left in life I couldn't think of anything better than letting this baby be one of them. I plan for Rob to be the one who reveals to me what we've had (if he can see through the tears!) - a little girl or a little boy.

Belly button in/out: In (but weird)

Wedding Rings on/off: On

Mood: Happy and relaxed and enjoying this stage in my pregnancy where I am starting to show but still very able to do all my excercising without a cumbersome bump in the way.

Looking forward to: Being a bridesmaid on Thursday at my lovely friend's wedding. It will be such a gorgeous day and I cannot wait to see her get married. :)

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