Clinique Chubby in the Nude Foundation Stick

NEW Clinique Chubby in the Nude Foundation Stick* (£23) | available online in 10 shades

 & the Clinique Buff Brush* (£23) 

First came the chubby stick for the lips, followed by the cheek tint chubby stick and the shadow tint chubby stick...so it was only a matter before Clinique turned their thoughts to our completion and created the Chubby (in the Nude) Foundation Stick. The latest edition to the Chubby family, this on-the-go portable foundation stick delivers instant buildable, long wearing and natural looking skin with a quick swipe and blend of the cream formula.

I love the convenience and travel-friendly, mess-free premise of this latest twist-up product from Clinique and is easily applied with a few strokes across your forehead, down the bridge of your nose, across your cheeks and along your chin. The creamy texture gives a very natural, satin finish on the skin with a medium level of coverage and fairly decent staying power. It could be used as an all-over foundation or simply popped in your makeup bag for quick touch-ups on the go when you are out and about. The formulation is oil-free and contains moisturising ingredients such as vitamin E and coconut-fatty-acid to help provide a comfortable wear and seamless application. I really like this product for when I am after a natural-looking base with a fairly matte, satin finish. If you are not a fan of liquid foundations and prefer the finish and texture of cream base products then this is definitely one for you.

The new buff brush works perfectly alongside the new Chubby in the Nude Foundation Sticks and is designed to create a beautiful, buffed finish for a super-smooth canvas. The bristles are compact and soft on the skin and really work well to evenly distribute and blend in your base, with the tapered shape fitting any face angles for a flawless finish. Another winning addition to my makeup brush collection!

Do you like the idea of foundation in a stick?

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New In: YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks

No. 41 Corail a Porter | No. 43 Rose Rive Gauche | No. 45 Rouge Tuxedo | No. 47 Beige Blouse | No. 51 Rose Saharienne

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Oil-in-Stick Lipsticks* (£26) - available on counters and online

When it comes to beautiful makeup packaging, you cannot get more splendid and instagram-worthy than the YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick range. They are just gorgeous in all their golden glory! But as well as looking darn pretty, these lipsticks are actually pretty awesome products too, whether you choose to opt for the more opaque, satin finish of the original Rouge Voluptes, or something lighter and more luminous which the Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks deliver. Or to give them their full name, Rouge Volupte Shine Oil-in-Stick lipsticks! (and breathe...)

Last month YSL launched 12 new hedonistic shades to join the already brimming collection of 18 original shades that make up the Rouge Volupte Shine range. These lipsticks are lovely and literally melt onto your lips. The texture is soft, smoothing and luxurious feeling. The 12 new shades are packed full of six oils, pomegranate, macadamia butter, hyaluronic acid, pigments and pearls to create a quenching, high-shine formula that glides onto the lips and gives a buildable, vibrant shot of colour. The oils also care for the lips so these lipsticks feel incredibly comfortable to wear so won't dry or sit in any fine lines. They are probably best described as a hybrid between a lipstick and a balm but with a good level of colour pay off and a gorgeous, glossy finish. Oh and did I mention the mouthwatering smell these lipsticks have?! A fruity mango scent which matches the juicy wash of colour they deliver onto the lips. Gorgeous!

With 12 new shades and 18 original shades in the Rouge Volupte Shine line up, there is bound to be a lipstick (or two) that appeals to you! Which one takes your fancy?

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Dolce Rosa Excelsa Eau de Parfum

Dolce & Gabbana's Dolce Rosa Excelsa Eau de Parfum* | Available online

A new scent has blossomed into the Dolce & Gabbana Dolce perfume garden and it is truly enchanting. Dolce Rosa Excelsa, as the name and rose-tinged bottle would suggest, is inspired by the pure spirit of the multifaceted rose flower, with the essence of fresh petals in bloom. Not only known for its floral accords, the rose flower is an ancient symbol of love, beauty and romance, possessing a delicate yet powerful presence. It is unique, iconic and timeless and the very inspiration for this latest Dolce release.

This fragrance really challenges any preconceptions you might have about a rose-based scent. I too thought this might be a little powdery and heavy for my liking but in actual fact, the whole fragrance has a bright, fresh and crisp appeal to it. The explosion of Neroli leaves and Papaya flower add a sweetness as they dissipate into the floral bouquet of White Water Lily and White Daffodil. At the heart of the fragrance lies two delicate and noble rose notes - the African Dog Rose which is pure and soft, and the Turkish Rose Absolute which adds a sensual and elegant character. At the vey base of this perfume you will find warm musky notes that are present but not too overpowering. Cashmeran and Sandalwood leave a senseal trail of light woods, earthy tones and piquant spices to the Rose Excelsa perfume, making it a very wearable choice day or night, and perfect to match the lightness of Spring.

The curvaceous frosted glass bottle is the star attraction and houses the prettiest pink elixir inside, topped with a sculpted flower cap in a crimson hue. The feminine Dolce signature finishes this perfume perfectly and expresses the delicate elegance of this complex new fragrance,

Do you like the sound of this rose-inspired scent from Dolce & Gabbana?

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Bobbi Brown Face Masks & Extra Lip Tint

We all know that to achieve the best, most flawless makeup, it needs the best base possible. Keeping your skin rejuvenated and restored will ultimately give you a great canvas to apply your makeup onto and keep it looking fresh throughout the day. A good face mask is a brilliant option to give your skin some much needed TLC and Bobbi Brown have recently released a trio of new face masks which could be the answer to all your skin worries - whether you need to detox, nourish or give your radiance a boost.

The Instant Detox Mask* (£33) is a clarifying, clay-based formula which helps detoxify the skin by removing impurities and pollutants. A unique blend of Hawaiian Sea Water and mineral-rich Amazonian White Clay work in harmony to extract toxins whilst maintaining moisture and reducing the appearance of pores. This mask is tough yet gentle at the same time and doesn't leave your skin feeling dry or stripped. Applied to slightly damp skin, let the mask dry for five minutes or so before rinsing off. It can be used once a week to help reveal nourished, fresh and healthy looking skin.

The Skin Nourish Mask* (£33) is enriched with moisture magnets and is super-creamy and lightweight to quench dry skin and sustained moisture. The cocktail of hydrating emollients, natural oils and water give skin a smoother, plumper look and will help nourish your complexion over time. The Coral Grass, a hydrating aquatic herb, distributes moisture whilst Chlorella Extract helps increase natural collagen production to give your skin a more luminous, revitalised appearance. Apply liberally on skin and allow absorption before tissuing off excess product. Then gently massage the remaining mask into the skin for intense moisturisation. This gentle formula can be used up to three times a week to help repair skin's natural moisture barrier and reduce the look of fine, dry lines.

Finally the Radiance Boost Mask* (£33) is an instant boost for glowing skin. The formula helps to gently smooth, re-texturise and soften skin's appearance to reveal a more even, fresh-faced complexion. This mask contains superfine walnut grain beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and improve microcirculation to reveal a smoother, healthier and more radiant complexion. Kaolin Clay reduces excess oil build up and Algae Extract helps nourish skin to prevent stripping. A hint of Orange Oil further energises skin and revitalises the senses as the mask works. Perfect for once a week use, or as much needed, this mask is best applied onto damp skin, left on for a few minutes before rinsing off whilst gentling massaging in to increase the exfoliation action.

So that's your skin sorted but what about your lips? Keeping your pout soft and nourished is key to keeping your lipstick looking flake-free and fabulous so Bobbi Brown has introduced the new, limited edition Extra Lip Tint (£25) which smoothes and softens lips while imparting a sheer pink stain to enhance the natural colour of lips. It is infused with Olive Oil Complex, Vitamin E and C and Babassu Palm Seed Oil to help treat and relieve distressed lips instantly whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

What do you think of these latest skin-loving and lip-conditioning products from Bobbi Brown?

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Jo Malone Rare Teas Collection

Jo Malone Rare Teas Collection (£240 each) | Available in Spring. Join the waiting list here

Now I love a good cuppa tea. Earl Grey, Lady Grey or just good, old fashioned English Breakfast. There is something incredibly comforting and British about a hot mug of chai but I never thought I would be speaking about a type of tea that was too precious to drink, and warranted a place on your beauty table rather than in your kitchen cupboard.

Jo Malone have really played upon quintessential British nostalgia recently with new launches celebrating the herb garden, English seaside sea salt and now a tea collection. Their latest venture introduces six new colognes devised and inspired by a range of globally rare teas from Japanese foothills, China and the Himalayas. Each bud meticulously hand-picked and prepared. The ancient art of tea mastery and the ingenuity of perfumery meet in perfect harmony for the first time ever in this refined collection.

Serge Majoullier, Master Perfumer for this collection says: "This collection is contemporary in its clarity. I didn't want to create traditional tea accords or replicate teas exactly. I wanted to create an interpretation, focussing on each tea's most surprising and exceptional facets."

The six unique fragrances that sit within this new release are:

Darjeeling Tea - radiant, richly floral with an exotic sweetness. Enticing with an apricot note.
Silver Needle Tea - soft, delicately floral, tender with sage and enveloped with musk.
Golden Needle Tea - notes of leather, spice and warm wood. Smooth with sandalwood.
Midnight Black Tea - deeply seductive, oriental with vanilla absolute and smoky with guaiac wood.
Jade Leaf Tea - vivid and bright. Textured with sesame and bracing with notes of pomelo.
Oolong Tea (pictured above) - delectable and rounded with buttery softness. Rich with bitter cocoa and almond-y tonka bean.

This new collection sees a slightly reinvented look for the classic Jo Malone bottle with each Rare Tea cologne housed in a majestically elegant 175ml glass bottle with a black, matte lid. The new look is very striking and fit the influences of this new collection perfectly. The price per perfume is a little more than your average box of teabags but each new cologne is incredibly special and unexpected - definitely worth a sniff next time you're passing especially if you are into your rare teas and one-of-a-kind perfumes.

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Clarins Energy, Repair & Detox Boosters

Clarins Boosters for the Skin* £30 | available very soon online

I am really really excited about this new launch from Clarins as they set to reinvent the art of skincare by giving us three turbo charged formulations to boost the skin. You may recognise the design of these small but mighty bottles as they are very similar in look and function as the amazing Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster that transforms your moisturiser to a self-tan with just a few drops. These new skin boosters work on the same premise. With 3-5 drops added to your moisturiser, face mask or foundation they offer you the perfect, made-to-measure beauty solution to combat fatigued, weakened or congested skin.

Booster Energy is an energised, caring solution for fatigued skin. This highly concentrated formula contains ginseng extract, a legendary Chinese medicinal plant known for its stimulating properties, which tones and re-energises skin. It helps combat signs of fatigue and revives radiance so is perfect to remedy those late nights and long haul travels where skin looks and feels a tad lacklustre.

Booster Repair is a caring solution for weakened skin. The ultra-concentrated formula contains mimosa tenuiflora extract, known for its repairing properties, so reduces feelings of discomfort and redness. This would therefore be a must-have for your travel bag as it can help ease the effects of sunburn, extreme climates and hard, salt or chlorinated water.

Booster Detox is your answer for congested skin. The highly enriched formula contains green coffee extract, a plant from tropical Africa high in caffeine and known for its detoxifying properties. This booster helps detoxify and purify the skin to revive radiance and plump the skin so it an essential following some heavy partying, overindulgence or extreme pollution.

I simply love the idea of bespoke skincare to fit with your own skin's needs which might change on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. With these fab boosters you can chop and change your type of skincare to fit in with whatever life throws at you - the late night party, the nine hour flight, the sleepless night or the salty sea water from your holidays. Which booster is your skin crying out for at the moment?

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NEW IN: Benefit Hoola Bronzing Products

The clocks have gone forward, the nights are getting lighter and we even got our first glimpse of the sunshine this week which means that Spring and Summer are slowly on their way. This means it is time to turn our thoughts to peeling back the layers and baring our limbs. I, for one, will definitely need to turn up the tan a little before I start flashing my pins which is why Benefit's latest launch - a selection of Hoola bronzing products, could not have come at a better time.

The award-winning Hoola bronzing powder, Benefit's tan-in-a-box, has been a cult favourite for over 15 years and has now inspired three new, TANtalising products for face and body.

To complement the ever-popular Hoola bronzer, Benefit have released a new Bronzing and Contouring Brush* (£17.50) which is possibly one of the snazziest makeup brushes I have ever seen. This brush is super soft and is perfect for seamless bronzing or creating contours and cheekbones.

Hoola Zero Tanlines* (£19.50) is an all-over body bronzer which gives you a believable bronzed effect instantly. The gel formula is transfer and streak-free and is buildable with a gorgeous beachy, holiday scent. The best thing about this product is the hands-free custom sponge that comes with it - meaning you can bronze effortlessly without having to worry about dodgy orange hands! It helps gives your skin a matte, gorgeous glow in double quick time!

Finally the wonderfully named Dew the Hoola* (£22.50) is a new, soft matte liquid bronzer for the face giving you an all year round glow without the gleam. If you like your highlighter and bronzer looking fairly natural, without any glitter or shimmer, then this lightweight formula will be perfect for you. It blends in seamlessly over your makeup or worn alone to instantly perk up your skin and give you that just-back-from-the-beach healthy glow.

Will you be boosting your bronze with these new products this Summer?

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