I’m normally a one balm kind of girl when it comes to my lips. Although in the past I admit to having dalliances with newcomers, I’ve always returned to my trusted friend Carmex, never convinced that another would come along to better it. Until now that is. Step forward my newest obsession: Dior’s Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm SPF10 (£19, out mid-Jan).

I should have guessed that with rose as its key ingredient it would smell delicious but I just wasn’t prepared for quite how soft, hydrated and fleshy my lips would feel, or how long the feeling would last (I’m reapplying far less frequently than before). I’m also addicted to the pot it comes in, a beautiful vintage-looking, ceramic-style number that I’m more than happy to pull out of my bag at any given opportunity.

Crème de Rose, I think we’re going to be firm friends.

I’m growing my hair, still recovering from a brush with the pob a while back. Right now, I’m in that killer in-between phase, and I’d give anything to speed up the Rapunzel process. What I really want is model hair. You know the type, all subtle blonde and naturally flowing - more Lily Donaldson (pictured) than Lily Allen.

I was sharing my hair woes with Elena the wife of Neville Tucker, owner of celebrity hair haunt Neville in Belgravia. She has the most incredible long hair I have ever seen. I guess it’s to be expected given that she has stylists at her diposal 24/7, but she did share a secret with me that we can all try: Biotin capsules. Elena swears by them - apparently they strenghten the hair and make it grow faster. I’m going to give them a try and report back later - is anyone with me?

Biotin Capsules, £6.99 for 100 tablets, by Holland & Barratt

Chic and stylish, not to mention perfect for the fast-approaching party season, the eight pieces cover sparkly dresses, shiny skirts and the ubiquitous wardrobe essential, the sequin blazer. I love…

Check out the collection at www.netaporter.com when it goes online Wednesday 11th November

This is one for the Londoners amongst you. Ministry of Waxing (exactly what is says on the tin) is offering ELLE readers 25 per cent off any waxing treatment in November and December. OK, so it’s opaque tights season, but a month of parties is just around the corner.

If you want to know what you’re letting yourself in for read our review in full here – out top tip is the gorgeous-smelling ‘Wild Chocolate Berry’ wax. Extra points for the animal-shaped stress balls to squeeze at those crucial moments.

To find out about the treatments available and get your discount, call the salon on 020 7409 7343. You’ll need to quote ‘ELLE’ when booking your appointment. The offer is only available to first time customers.

Dashing down to a Kiehl’s launch to check out the brand’s new releases. We’ll let you know which are the future cult buys.

Last week, we got a first look at Michael Kors’ new make-up range for Estee Lauder Very Hollywood. This week, we’ll be trying on all the shades to work out whether we’re Team Bel Air Beige or Team Rodeo Pink. The range is divided into the two categories and, at first glance, we’re thinking Bel Air for Nails and Rodeo for eyes – is that greedy?

Looking for the best blue eyeliner – it’s our tip for a rising trend. Do you have a favourite? Let us know below.

Doing our best DIY blow dry before meeting up with Daniel and Lousie Galvin to talk all things hair. Do you have a question for them? Pose it below and we’ll be back with the answers.

Click here to see the full Spring 2010 collection from PPQ

This week I headed to Harrods, not to do some Christmas shopping (note-to-self: must start that soon), but to chat with Claudia Schiffer.

The supermodel was there as the face of the first Alberta Ferretti fragrance to sign bottles of the scent. Unlike other celebrity personal appearances I’ve been to, where the A-Lister is normally wheeled out and then away in the blink of an eye, Claudia and designer Alberta spent over an hour signing autographs and talking to fans. Impressive dedication.

I hung around to talk perfume with the fragrant pair.

‘My first scent memory is Shalimar by Guerlain, my mother’s perfume,’  said Alberta. ‘Perfume is like a business card, very often you will remember a person by the perfume she wears. It is an important choice that you need to use with extra care.’

But while she’s clearly a one-scent woman, Claudia’s more of a fragrance flirt. ‘Always choose a fragrance that suits your mood; a perfume should enhance and compliment how you are feeling,’ she told me.

This probably explains why Alberta has a signature scent, while Claudia is not just the face of Alberta Ferretti’s debut fragrance, £35 for 30ml (edp), but also 18 La Lune, £35 for 100ml (edt), part of Dolce & Gabbana’s Anthology perfume collection.

On Monday I met with MAC’s Director of Make-up Artistry Terry Barber who gave me a sneak preview of the brand’s SS10 trend round-up (incidentally, Terry is the man behind some of my favourite trend-isms; describing the crop of toffee-washed eyes last season as ‘tea-bag eyes’ was a personal favourite).

Once he had finished giving me the low down (it’s going to be an exciting season FYI) he pulled out a present, a sample of one of MAC’s forthcoming products, the Cremeblend Blush in Joie-De-Vivre. A beautiful but bright coral colour, I was hesitant about whether it would suit my olive complexion (I usually go for a more blue-toned cherry blush) but Terry assured me it would be really flattering and make my skin look as though it was ‘glowing from within’.

Well, he was right. I’ve been wearing it ever since and I have never had so many compliments on my complexion. The colour sort of sinks into the skin leaving just the lightest hint of a soft flushed stain that really perks me up. What’s more, I haven’t had to re-touch it because the colour lasts all day. Put it on your wish list now.

Okay so I caved. I went with the green and I love it. What do you think?

Nicely ticking the so-now animal print trend box, and satisfying my magpie-like need for sequins, I think this could be my new party dress. Which is good, because the Christmas lights are on on Oxford Street which apparently means the festive season is just around the corner. I need to be prepared.

The animal sequins dress is £295 and in store now. Visit www.whistles.co.uk to snap it up.