In My Makeup Bag: The Beauty Products I’m Loving Right Now

I don’t usually do “what’s in my makeup bag” style posts, but recently I’ve started using a couple of products on a near-daily basis, so thought it was only fair to share these gems with you. Take a look at my new beauty favourites below…

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll

Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette: I’ve been using Urban Decay eyeshadows since my early teens, but only recently added the famed Naked palette to my collection. There’s not really much to say here, as the Naked Basics collection has already been written about a million, billion times. It’s just a really solid collection of eyeshadow colours that you’ll want to wear again and again. Invest it a good set of brushes and you’ll easily be able to create beautiful looks with this palette. Find Urban Decay Naked Basics at Debenhams, £20.

Clinique City Block Sheer SPF: There hasn’t been much need for sun block in the UK, so far this spring, but for the occasional burst of sunshine Clinique’s City Block Sheer SPF comes in handy. In the past I’ve struggled to find a sun cream that works well with makeup (usually SPF and foundation melt together in the heat, creating a greasy mess), but this formula doesn’t cause any problems. Apparently City Block is also great for sensitive skin, as it’s free of chemical sunscreens, so it’s worth a try if sun protection usually causes irritation. Find Clinique City Block SPF at Boots, £16.

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Mascarra: I’m not usually one to get excited about the latest mascara release, but I can’t stop raving about YSL’s new Baby Doll line. The volume effect mascara is very, very good. It creates bold, thick, long lashes and is easily one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used. As expected it comes with a high price tag, but I’d say it’s worth the investment if just you want one really brilliant mascara in your makeup bag. Find Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Mascara at Selfridges, £24.50.

Rimmel Undercover Shadow Primer: Sometimes you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a product to get great results. And that’s the case with this Rimmel eyeshadow primer. I’ve been using the lightweight formula for months and it definitely makes shadows and liner last longer. Perfect if you hate touching up your makeup throughout the day! Find Rimmel Undercover Shadow Primer at ASOS, £4.99.

Lipstick Queen Butterfly Ball Lipstick in ‘Float’: I’ve just discovered this Lipstick Queen shade and it has instantly become my favourite lip colour for day (and sometimes evening too). The Butterfly Ball moisturizing lipstick collection features five sheer, shimmering colours which are glossy without being sticky. ‘Float’ is a very subtle nude tone and I imagine it would be flattering on most complexions. Find the Butterfly Ball lipsticks at Space NK, £20.

M.A.C Sheertone Shimmer Blush in ‘Sunbasque’: There’s not much of a story here. This is a just a great colour which I’ve been using daily for a few weeks. I only apply a light dusting of this M.A.C blush, as the colour is quite vivid and I have very fair skin. But it gives a nice, healthy glow and is less dramatic than a shimmery bronzer. Find M.A.C Powder Blushes at M.A.C Cosmetics, £17.50.

Four Colourful New Beauty Products for Spring 2013

new beauty products 2013

At the start of each season most of us do a thorough wardrobe clear out, but do you ever take the time to go through your makeup bag? If not now is your moment. A host of exciting new products are starting to arrive on beauty counters, so it’s the perfect time for a spring clean.

Swap dark, smokey eyes and heavy liquid eyeliner for a slick of Clinique’s lightweight sheer colours. The Chubby Stick shadows are easy to apply and come in a great selection of shades (my personal favourite is “Whopping Willow”). Worn with a few coats of mascarra and a dusting of AERIN’s pretty Floral Illuminating Powder, your daytime beauty look will be sorted in under five minutes.

And once the clock strikes six simply apply a coat of Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Volupte lipstick, which will take you from office to bar. With 19 different shades in the Rouge Volupte collection there’s definitely something for everyone, and the lipstick’s fruity mango scent instantly makes it feel like summer!

That’s your makeup bag sorted then. And if you’re looking for a new, summery fragrance to accompany S/S 2013′s fresh beauty looks you’ll want to try Jo Malone’s limited-edition Sugar & Spice colognes. Launching in March, the collection includes five quirky scents: Redcurrant & Cream, Ginger Biscuit, Lemon Tart, Bitter Orange & Chocolate and Elderflower & Gooseberry. You’ll either want to wear them or eat them…

Miranda Kerr Covers Jalouse Magazine in Saint Laurent Spring 2013

Miranda Kerr Jalouse Magazine cover February 2013

Miranda Kerr covers the February 2013 issue of Jalouse magazine, and is clearly getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit early, clutching a red rose between her teeth. The 29-year-old Australian model wears a Saint Laurent tuxedo dress and oversized wide-brimmed hat on the cover, giving Hedi Slimane’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection yet another boost.

Something tells me Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking suits may just edge ahead of Louis Vuitton’s sixties-inspired designs, when it comes to the battle for the most magazine covers this season. However, Miranda models one of LV’s checkered maxi skirts in the accompanying Jalouse editorial, and it is still January, so the race is just getting started…

Do you like Miranda Kerr’s Jalouse cover? Would you like to see Saint Laurent’s SS13 designs on more covers?

Image thefashionspot.com

Gwen Stefani Covers US Vogue January 2013 in Saint Laurent



Gwen Stefani covers the January 2013 issue of US Vogue. The No Doubt singer was photographed by Annie Leibovitz and models designs from the Saint Laurent Spring 2013 collection. I think it’s a brilliant way to kick off the new year, as it’s fun, festive and has an element of surprise. Vogue should definitely photograph their cover stars in hats more often — it works beautifully here, and Taylor Swift’s February 2012 cover was another hit! See Gwen’s accompanying editorial and read the interview at Vogue.com.

Are you pleased to see Gwen Stefani on the cover of US Vogue? Do you like the YSL cover look?

Image vogue.com

Emily Blunt Covers Harper’s Bazaar Australia

Emily Blunt covers the November 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Australia. The 29-year-old actress shows off her lighter hair colour (I like the honey blonde highlights) and models a low-cut printed gown on the cover. It’s a fun shoot for Emily, who doesn’t usually look this vampy.
Note the addition of fashion’s cult-favourite, the YSL ‘Arty’ ring…
I believe Emily is currently promoting Looper, which would explain why she’s on Bazaar’s latest cover. She’s also been back in the news this week, as her older sister Felicity has just married her Devil Wears Prada co-star, Stanely Tucci. I wonder if Emily played matchmaker… 
Do you like Emily Blunt’s Harper’s Bazaar Australia cover? Do you rate her lighter hair colour?
Image facebook/HarpersBAZAARAustralia

How to Dress Like the Saint Laurent Spring 2013 Girl

OK, so Hedi Slimane’s womenswear debut at Saint Laurent looked more Autumn/Winter than Spring/Summer 2013 (if you follow the traditional “pastels for spring, black for fall” rulebook), but it’s definitely going to be one of the defining collections of the season. Personally I loved it. I had my doubts about the name change, and I also really liked Stefano Pilati, but I was won over as soon as the first Saint Laurent look hit the runway – and then Twitter.

Anyone who’s anyone will be wearing Saint Laurent, next season, so start stocking up on the key S/S pieces now, and you too can dress like a Saint Laurent girl. You’ll need the following:

- Very skinny skinny jeans and very skinny tailored trousers. Both in black.
- A skinny blazer in black. Plus a fitted leather jacket, to wear with a sheer shirt and skinny trousers. It’s Hedi’s modern take on Le Smoking.
- A billowing ’70s inspired printed maxi dress. Wear with a cape, if you dare.
- Fierce black patent pumps. Opt for Mary Jane styles with pointed toes and spike heels.
- A sequined jacket or a cropped cape with heavy fringing. Anything that says “with the band”.
- A wide-brimmed hat. The only acceptable colours? Black, navy and grey. Obviously.

Start incorporating the above pieces into your wardrobes now – because, like I said, they’re AW friendly – and you’ll be well ahead of the game, come spring 2013. The styling on the runway was set out for girls with Kate Moss bodies, but the key Saint Laurent pieces (well-cut trousers and tailored jackets etc) look good one just about everyone, so mix-and-match for your style.

Were you a fan of the Saint Laurent Spring 2013 collection? Which looks are your favourites?

Images style.com