A beauty junkie in London

Currently Loving: Dior

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

This is basically a little shopping (cough *haul* cough - still don't like that word) post on a few Dior bits and bobs I've been picking up here and there recently... some of which are still to be tested others have already made their way into my firm favourites list. But as I know there's a lot of buzz around the BB cream I wanted to share my initial thoughts now and will of course do a full review asap.

Read more »

In Flight Beauty Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

I'm hardly a glamorous jet setter, but I've been on enough flights over the years to have a pretty solid idea of what I need to have with me for flights - long or short haul it's pretty much the same deal for me. I'm even starting to get the hang of packing light(er) when it comes to my main luggage too - more on that at another time, this post is dedicated to the essentials for in the air beautification!

Read more »

Hand & Nail Care Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

I swear nail and hand care is harder to get a grasp of than facial skin care - if I have a skin thing for my face I find it so much easier to sort. But my hands, nails and cuticles? A constant challenge - I find a cream I like for my hands but it does nothing for my cuticles or I find something for my cuticles but it ruins my nails....essentially my hands are always a problem area for me. So I wanted to cover off a few little gems that have been working well for me for the last month or so.

Read more »

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Collection is one of very few specific collections that I look forward to year after year. It's consistently amazing at summing up all my favourite things about Summer in one pretty make-up related package. Always with the bronzes and golds that I love for Summer, plus my all time favourite turquoise shade. All the essentials for a gorgeous bronzed glow, that will deliver without fail - even if the weather doesn't quite live up to our Summer dreams!

Read more »

YSL Summer Look 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

YSL Collections are always pretty darn special - and the offering this Summer is no exception. Influenced by Marrakesh it's one filled with rich golds and browns, with a pop of jewel toned colours and the packaging - gorgeous! Would you expect anything less?!

This post is actually a composite of a selection of products from YSL - the new Summer collection, the Babydoll Collection (with the focus being the Baby Doll Mascara that I reviewed here) plus the staples of the YSL brand - touche eclat, the foundation plus the cult classic under eye brightener - seen below in the pretty limited edition packaging for 2013.

Read more »

Detox Body Scrub: Fig+Yarrow

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

How do you like your coffee? Me - I like it to smells like a fresh Starbucks (or better) but instead of taking the mandatory instagram snap and sipping from a white cup is safely esconsed in a chunky glass jar until being scooped out and rubbed all over!

Read more »

Life recently...

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:27:00 +0000

It's been a fair while since I did one of these 'week in the life of' type posts, but felt like popping one up today as a little update on what I've been doing recently, and why posting may have been a little less regular than usual! But I am back, post-hols, feeling refreshed and bursting with blog post ideas! Now just need to make it out of my PJs and bring the ideas to life...!

TOP: Nail stash sorting time/ #SpringSmiles / Woo!
MIDDLE: Meeting Molly / Colourful bowls / Duty Free treats
BOTTOM: Sunset / Packing Light / Pre-midday cocktails

BAFTA Style Suite Pampering

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:21:00 +0000

Eek, this is a little late as was meant to go live on the day of the BAFTA awards when I was away on holiday...best laid plans eh!? Well before I went away I was lucky enough to be invited to spend an evening at the Corinthia Hotel where I was preened and pampered and red carpet prepped by MAC, Mark Hill and St Tropez - and I wanted to share a few pics of the experience!

Read more »

The perfect bag for bloggers on the go??

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:01:00 +0000

I have a bit of a weakness for handbags, and not just any handbags but I have a major weakness for Mulberry handbags. There's just something about them that I love - and always will. But my latest handbag love isn't Mulberry at all - but an Italian brand called L.Credi which I discovered after spotting the grey bag on the T.K.Maxx website. It looked like a good 'sensible' bag, smart, structured a nice neutral colour...ticking all the right 'sensible' boxes...but it took sensible to a new level...

Read more »

Dainty Doll Blushers: My Girl and You Are My Sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:12:00 +0000

I don't think I'd ever tried anything from Dainty Doll so it's a bit of a shame that I found these for such a bargain price on fragrance direct - not exactly a good sign for a brand! Although in all fairness if could just be a change in packaging or formula has meant the older versions need selling off. Regardless of all that though, what I did discover are two rather fab blushers!
Read more »

Glossy Box Turns Two!

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:09:00 +0000

I actually can't believe Glossy Box has been going for two years already! And in typical glossy style they didn't want to do things by halves and have a small celebration- they had a giant glossy box in the middle of Covent Garden! Where they spend the day giving away free boxes and chatting to their celeb guest- Kimberly Wyatt from the Pussy Cat Dolls/Got To Dance.

So happy birthday to Glossy Box - lets have a little peek into what's in my box!
Read more »

Jo Malone London: Osmanthus Blossom Cologne

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:49:00 +0000

Jo Malone have done it again, they've launched another fragrance for Spring that manages to be lovely and unique at the same time as gorgeously wearable.

Read more »

Bourjois So Laque Glossy Spring Shades

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:16:00 +0000

With the weather we have been having has hinted that Spring/Summer might actually be here, those few glorious days over the long weekend have me digging out my Summer dresses and psyching myself up to the idea of exposing more than an ankle to fresh air.

Along with this I've been reaching for some more spring like shades - including this selection from the newest additions to the Boirjois So Laque Glossy range.

Read more »

Lancome Hypnose Star Eyes Palette 'Gris Fume'

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:29:00 +0000

Lancome Hypnose Star is my current favourite mascara - it's the one I compare the others that I test to and see how to stack up. Lancome really do amazing mascara - if you haven't tried, you should! But this post isn't about the Hypnose Star mascara, but one of the new palettes that have recently launched to compliment the Lancome mascara 'wardrobe' - with a rainbow of colour variants there are three palette families to choose from, each with a matching mascara, there's Hypnose Star, Hypnose Doll Eyes and Hypnose Drama. This palette 'Gris Fume' is from the Hypnose Star selection and is rather pretty!

Read more »

Barry's Bootcamp: The Academy Final Update

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:51:00 +0000

I made it! I actually made it - I finished the four-week Academy, not missing one class so every morning, Monday to Friday I ~~sprang~~ rolled out of bed and made my way to the 7.10am class to be shouted at to run faster, push further and lift more for an hour... for four weeks solid.

But, the fitness kick didn't stop there....

Read more »

Origins Plantscription SPF25 Anti-aging cream

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Sat, 04 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Origins really can do no wrong when it comes to skincare - the other day a friend of mine asked what my favourite skincare brand was and Origins was the first thing that came into my head. It's rare to find a brand where the whole range (well, everything I have tried so far) has impressed me. The latest in this line of impressive products is Plantscription SPF25 Anti Ageing Cream.

Read more »

Nail Art Masterclass with Maybelline NY

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Nail art really isn't my thing - I somewhat struggle to paint both hands without making a total mess of it, so the idea of painting a teeny tiny intricate design on a canvas the size of a fingernail....really not going to happen! But when Maybelline invited me along to learn some simple, but seriously impressive looking nail art designs I was pretty excited - and happy to report, that I actually learnt a few easy to do tricks!

I've included lots of step-by-step photos of the process and video tutorials for two of the looks. I also had a bit of a peak at some of the new launches coming soon from the brand.

Read more »

Currently Loving: Kate Moss for Vogue June 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:02:00 +0000

I spotted the Vogue cover for June 13 the other day on Pinterest and absolutely love this look on Kate Moss... Now for Summer I'm not really a heavy liner kinda girl, but this might have me swayed! The combination of slight tan/freckles, messy beach hair, 60's style heavy liner and lashes, nude lips all topped off with white oval shaped nails... I love it!

Read more »

Spring Clean Time

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

This might make me sound really boring, but I do love a good cleaning session. I don't mean I love washing up, or cleaning the bathroom as such... but that good all over home detox, where everything is sorted, has it's place, cleared away and then a good dusting and hoovering and ahh... it's good for the soul.

Yep, as I said - might make me sound boring. But there is something very therapeutic about your life being all in order and sorted. So this post is something a little different - my little tips for having a good clear out/life sort. All in the spirit of a good Spring clean.

Read more »

Bargain alert! Tigi Bed Head GWP

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

A little heads up on a rather fab gift with purchase from Tigi Bed Head this month! This bright 'pixelated/aztec' style design tote bag will make the perfect beach bag and is free with just two Bed Head purchases...

Read more »

ghd Candy Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Am I the only one who is a total sucker for a gadget I already love, in my favourite colour? I guess it's people like me that the marketing bods across the world were banking on when there was that phase of 'girly' gadgets launched - with everything you already knew, launched in pink...because that is what girls like!

Well, actually turquoise is my colour weakness... and I am a sucker for all things turquoise you only have to see my nail varnish collection or the images I pin on my wedding inspiration pinterest board for bridesmaid dresses (pretty determined I want to wear turquoise shoes too) but that's a whole separate post... right now, back to take a closer look at the latest addition to the ghd family!

Read more »

Making pizza with Pizza Express

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Last week I got to go along to one of the most epic blog events I've been lucky enough to be invited to - making pizza with Pizza Express. Anyone who knows me will testify to my love of all things carb-related (hence the current gym mission) and no matter how much I love you, there is no way you will persuade me to share a portion of garlic mozzarella bread (again, hence the gym mission). So being invited down to make our own pizza - and even better, the Leggera 'light' pizza... perfect!

I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Read more »

Hair Detox

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

With my new fitness kick has come a new hair routine...which might not make total sense but basically a daily sweaty gym session = daily need to wash hair. Totally ruining the every other day rule I had just about gotten used to pre-gym! But one thing that hasn't changed is my once a week detox session - one I mentioned once recently in my French Pharmacy Haul post - where I stocked up on my favourite hair and scalp detox product... Phyto Clarifying Detox Shampoo.

Read more »

No-fail tan application essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Not quite back into the regular tanning routine, I try to do a weekly application but sometimes life gets in the way which means it often ends up being longer between applications - meaning I might as well start from scratch each time. So I'm happy to have a few essential bits of kit and product to help make this pretty reliable on the no-fail front.

Read more »

New from Nails Inc... Concrete and Feather nails

noreply@blogger.com (Jen Riley) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Those clever folks over at Nails Inc have been releasing all sorts of exciting new launches recently - with new Concrete polishes and their new take on the glitter sort of polish with 'Feathers', where instead of glitter there are little 'shards' of pigments that layer over each other in a selection of colours for a unique effect. The concreate polish is very unusual too - with a sort of gritty texture to it so it has a slightly unusual overall finish that's in dramatic contrast to the traditional glossy manicure finish. Colour wise... one of these has me head over heels! But which one...

Read more »