Video entry:

So I gave it a fair run, at first I thought it was love and have since tried to keep that new product infatuation alive and kicking. But alas it seems it is not meant to be. I'm talking about my Clinique Blemish Solutions 3 step skincare routine. Perhaps as a girl always on the hunt for magic in a bottle I was destine to end up disappointed. But, who of us really can say with absolute sincerity that we are not always on a mission for the perfect, miracle product?

So, I say with an almost heavy heart that once my Clinique products are used up, I shall not be repurchasing.

I need to remind myself that a higher price tag doesn't automatically mean a better product, sometimes quite the contrary. With that said I have opted to sort of go back to basics and while in Tesco Supermarket I picked up a couple of things from the Nutrogena Visibly Clear range to try out, I'm going to be testing out the 2 in 1 wash and mask, spot stress daily scrub and the spot stress control lotion. These products seem to have a good reputation consistent enough to warrant giving them a chance.

I will update in a couple of weeks or so in order to give them a fair trial with how happy I am about how my skin looks.

I couldn't resist picking up a couple nail polishes while I was in there. Wet n Wild nail color to be precise, I got them in the shades Frosted Fuschia and Denim Chrome. What I love about these already (without even wearing them) is that they are formaldehyde free and contain vitamins A, C & E, not bad for £1.99 each. They also claim, as do many brands, to be chip resistant - I'll see about the staying power when it comes to actually wearing them. I'll be painting my nails with the Frosted Fuschia tomorrow as my nails are currently coming to the end of a few days "breathing space" from the usual painting and removing cycle a girl who quickly gets bored can expect to go through.

Watch this space for an update on the performance of both the skincare and the nail polish.

Until then, love to all my fashion and beauty fanatics x

So today I got my free Barry M goodies, my Mother was kind enough to go to Superdrug and pick it them up for me. The free Barry M cosmetics give away is in association with Fabulous magazine (from News of the World) and includes an eye kohl, nail paint, lipgloss and eyeshadow complete with a hot pink Barry M make-up bag estimated to have a retail value of £20. In order to redeem the set I've been collecting the token that was inside the magazine for the last 4 weeks. Mum tells me that when she went to exchange the tokens for the cosmetics set today that they only had one left in the store, which is now mine.....lucky. Obviously this offer has been a popular one, what girl would turn down free make-up especially from a brand like Barry M.

For anyone who may not have seen what the give away looks like I've included a picture. While on the subject of Barry M and free make-up. There is currently a competition on the Barry M site to win a Lipgloss Wand (competition closes February 18th)

Update again soon x

Hi there lovely ones.

I have taken a couple photos of my MAC collection, consider them organised chaos (for artistic effect you see haha) and written up a list of the MAC products I currently have. Please bear in mind that this blog post is in no way a bragging episode (my collection is in no way large enough to qualify for bragging rights anyway) I'm not feeling very well and quite frankly have been in bed a lot and am getting so bored I just decided to do this to pass a little time this evening.

I've also done this so other MAC users can perhaps recommend something to add to this modest collection or give their personal opinion of experience with the products I've listed below.

If you have any questions about a product in my collection, leave me a comment and I'll do my best to answer. What I love about the beauty community is that we can all share our tips, tricks and opinions so we can all be knowledgeable about what we spend our money on and what we should probably avoid.

(click for larger image)

List of products:

Lipsticks - Black Knight, London Life, Ruby Woo, Violetta, Meltdown, Ravishing, Utter Fun, Sequin

Lustreglass - Angel Wing, Instant Gold

Lipglass - Gitane, Magnetique, Pinkular, Pink Poodle

Dazzleglass & Dazzleglass Creme - Funtabulous, Love Alert, Roman Holiday, Luscious Spark (creme), Amorous (creme)

Lipgelèe in "Lush & Bright"

Clear SPF 15 Lip Conditioner

Pencils - Full of Fuchsia Technakohl Liner, Obviously Orange Technakohl Liner, Smolder Eye Kohl, Raw Refined Cremestick Pearl Liner

Brow Set in "Mink"

Fluidline in "Waveline"

Pigments - Kitschmas, Fuchsia, Grape, Deep Blue Green, Reflects Transparent Teal (Glitter)

Concealer - Seclect Cover-Up NW40 Studio Finish NC45

Cream Colour Base in "Fawntastic" & "Fabulush"

Eyeshadows - Young Punk (mineralize) Newly Minted, Deep Truth, Atlantic Blue, Shadowy Lady, Violet Trance, Vibrant Grape, Cranberry, Coppering, Wookwinked, Passionate, Red Brick, Bright Sunshine, Carbon, Print

Blush in "Burnt Pepper"

Brushes - 209, 252, 266, 204, 224, 219, 194, 168, 275, 187

MISC - Duo Sharpener, Make-up Bag, Pro Palettes, Fix +, Brush Cleanser

Big Love x

So, I had a great time at IMATS London. I enjoyed Eve Pearl's class/talk on make-up for women of colour (she was funny and informative) Meeting Nic from Youtube's Pixiwoo and also Koren Zander (Enkore Make-up) and Alex Box was amazing. I can't get over how nice everyone was! I bumped into a couple Twitter peeps as well.

I bought from Illamasqua, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and MAC Pro. I also picked up a pair of really nice false lashes from Fero. I went to the MAC store inside Westfield as well while out and about with a friend I visited while in London and bought a Coppering pro pan and a Fluidline in the shade Wave Line (stunning deep blue black with a hint of purple)

While I was away my nail polishes I'd ordered on the Friday morning arrived from Models Own.

IMATS buys:

Illamasqua - Virus powder eyeshadow, Furore pure pigment, Frenzy Intense lipgloss, Tantrum sheer lipgloss, Scandal lipstick.

MAC Pro - Violetta lipstick (amplified creme), Pro eyeshadows in the shades: Atlantic Blue, Vibrant Grape, Red Brick, Bright Sunshine, Pro powder blush in Burnt Pepper

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Lip Tar in shades NSFW and Melange

As I said previously I had the pleasure of coming home to a little black box from Models Own which contained the 5 beautiful and colourful nail polishes I'd ordered before leaving for London. Model's Own were doing a generous 50% off deal on orders over £25.00 and so I ended up getting the five polishes for the price of 2 effectively with free shipping on top - brilliant!

The shades I bought from Models Own were - Orangeade, Slate Green, blue Gem, Purple Poppy and Lemon Sherbet. I am really feeling bright colours these days. I think I mentioned before than I think I'm rebelling against the grey winter here in the UK by doing a throw back to the 80s and wearing vibrant colours. Case in point the fact I dared to wear an orange lipstick recently.

To wrap up I just had the most amazing time at IMATS and would really love to go again next year, hopefully by then I'll be a professional and not just a girl who is passionate about beauty and fashion. How nice it must be to get paid to do something you love and to make a career of making things and people look and feel beautiful.

Now for the pictures!!!

(click an image for full size)

So tell me, did you go to IMATS? What presentations did you watch, what did you buy are you going to go again?

Video coming soon! x