Beauty: In love with everything Chanel

Hi guys,
Last week I used the Christening as an excuse to do a little make up shopping. I headed straight to the Chanel make up counter in Debenhams, and felt like a kid in a sweet shop. I had a faceful of Chanel make up on my wedding day, and when I can afford it, it's my preferred premium make up brand. But that doesn't mean this post is biased - I promise!

This time I replaced my foundation, and had a new lipstick and lipliner,and tried a sample of their newest mascara too. Before I go onto the product names and details, here are the pictures:
The Perfection Lumiere foundation is the replacement for the Matt Lumiere foundation I used to wear.  (This is shade 020 - Beige) It has the same light coverage but more sheen, meaning that it gives my skin a really healthy glow. It feels rich and light when you apply it, and it blends quickly and easily.

The lipstick and lipliner were an impulse buy whilst I was at the counter (I only went for a new foundation!) but once I'd tried them I liked them so much I knew I'd be taking them home with me. The lipstick is the Rouge Allure Velvet and it is a perfectly matt creamy lipstick. I don't like a glossy/shiny lipstick so this one was perfect for me: it has no sheen at all. In fact, I've never tried such a matt lipstick and I'm now completely in love with it!

Finally, although I didn't buy it (I'd already spent enough money on make up for one day!) I tried a sample of the newest product in the Chanel make up range: the Le Volume de Chanel mascara in shade 001: Black. I usually swear by the DiorShow mascara as the most volumising on the market, but this one was just as good! My lashes were long, thick, fully covered, and it stayed on all day.

You can buy a full range of Chanel make up at www.debenhams.com here.

Also whilst we're talking about beauty, I'd like to heartily recommend Cerys at Stands on Drayton Road to anyone in Norwich looking to get their hair colour done. She did mine last week, and it's the happiest I've been with my colour for a very long time. Two thumbs up from me!

Have you made any changes to your beauty routine lately? And have you discovered any new products you'd like to share?

Love Tor x

Latest on Fabfrocks and Family: Days out guide - Dinosaur Adventure at Weston Park
Latest on Fabfrocks at Home: Our new house - The master bedroom

Fabfrocks reviews: Dainty Doll Make up

Hi guys,
If you're amongst the ranks of the pale and interesting like me, then you're bound to have heard of Dainty Doll make up. I'd heard of the range, designed specifically for lighter skinned gals by Nicola Roberts (the 'ginger one' from Girls Aloud) but had never tried it. Until this weekend when I found the whole range in a discount make up shop in my parents hometown for just £2.99 an item. So I decided it was definitely worth giving it a go! I tried the blusher in shade Hippy Shake. Two lipsticks: Saucy Sailor and In His Kiss. And the concealer pen: these skin products start so palely that I am actually shade 003 on the scale of 001 to 004! So if you are very pale this is definitely a make up range worth trying.

First things first, I love the lipsticks! They feel rich and velvety and are so long lasting. The nude In His Kiss shade is perfect for wearing everyday, whilst the vibrant red Saucy Sailor has blue overtones which is perfect for fairer skins (and has the added bonus of making your teeth look whiter too!) This is one of the best red lipsticks I've tried for a while.
The concealer pen doesn't provide quite as much coverage as I would usually like. I have very dark circles under my eyes so I use a heavy coverage concealer and this one just isn't covering them up! But if you wear very light make up and prefer a more sheer look this would be perfect for you.

And the blusher? I was dubious about a lilac blush, because I usually try to add colour to my face which a much warmer blusher like a dark pink or even a fuchsia . But I surprised myself by loving this blush! It makes my skin look so healthy and works like a highlighter, accentuating my (let's face it, non existent) cheek bones!

Have you tried the Dainty Doll make up range? Or do you have any make up tips for pale gals that you'd like to share?

Love Tor x

Fabfrocks reviews: Cosmetics A La Carte Stay-put Intense eyeliner

Hi guys,
It's been a while since I've done a make-up review. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that motherhood means I don't have much time for a make up routine, and frankly, close ups of my face just aren't a good idea! But when I tried the Cosmetics A La Carte stay-put eyeliner, I liked it so much I knew I would have to share it with you by writing a little review.
Firstly the most important thing to say is that it does exactly what it says: it stays put! Unlike a kohl liner which tends to smudge or a liquid liner which tends to flake, this one looks as good in the evening as it does when you put it on in the morning. And it doesn't move!

Secondly, it's really easy to apply. Anyone could do it: steady hand or not!! The no-fuss, mistake-proof application lies with the easy-to-control tip applicator which paints on evenly in one steady stroke. It's kind of like using a felt tip pen, but on your eyes.
The eyeliner is a little pricey at £25. But because it stays on all day (meaning you wont have to reapply at 5pm) I think a little bit will go a long way, making the price well worth it. You can buy the eyeliner here.

Whilst I'm on the subject, here are some other make-up observations and recommendations from the past months:
- Essie's black nail varnish (shade name: liquorice) is a God send, and my new favourite. It's opaque and glossy with just one coat, it dries really quickly, and it doesn't have a really overpowering smell, all meaning I can use it around the baby and get my nails painted and dry in minutes!
- I've had my last three brow waxes at the Benefit brow bar, and I couldn't recommend it enough: a fast efficient service I can have mid-shopping trip. My eyebrow shape is better than it's been for a long time, and I think it's made my face look younger (fingers crossed!)
- I know everyone probably already knows this, but Bert's Bees lip balm is just delicious. Soft and melty and perfect for sore lips. I wear the tinted version when I don't have time to put my make up on, and it makes me look and feel a little more put-together.

Do you have any make-up tips or new products you'd like to share? And have you tried the Cosmetics A La Carte eyeliner? If so, I'd really love to hear what you thought of it, and if you liked it as much as me.

Love Tor x

* I received an eyeliner from Cosmetics A La Carte for the purpose of this review

A sneak peek: Inside my make up bag

Hi guys,
I'm no real make up expert, but I do know what I like. And I try alot of products! So I thought I would show you what's inside my make up bag and what products I use every single day:

Concealer - I use the Mac pro longwear concealer. I have horrible dark circles under my eyes, but this miracle concealer always manages to cover them up!
Foundation and Powder - No matter how broke I am (and we all know how tempting it is to downgrade our make up when cash is tight) the one thing I couldn't live without is my Chanel perfection luminiere foundation. It's light but gives great coverage. And I always wear it with the matching Chanel sheer powder.
Blusher -The first time I tried this Body Shop blusher it was a PR freebie - now I buy it everytime. It looks bright, but actually applies in a sheer and light way and highlights my cheekbones (OK I confess - it gives the illusion that I actually have cheekbones!)
Brow kit - Brows are a new part of my routine: I never used to bother when I had the fringe! So this MUA brow kit is a first-time brow purchase for me. I use the darker powder to add depth to my brows and the smoothing gel to tame any flyaway hairs. I can't recommend it as the best, because I haven't tried any others, but it's working for me!

Eyeshadow - I swear by Urban Decay eyeshadows for their depth of colour and how long they tend to last. This set was a gift last Christmas and it's still going strong. If you want the perfect smokey eye then I couldn't recommend the Urban Decay shade 'oil slick' highly enough.
Mascara - I always used to use the YSL false lash effect mascara. And loved it. Then on one particularly broke day I instead tried the No 7 fanomenal lashes mascara. And i've been using it ever since: I think it's just as good! I am blessed with naturally long and thick lashes, so really my mascara just needs to be able to separate and emphasise my lashes and this does the perfect job.
Lipstick - Another Chanel purchase! When I'm making a statement, or for eveningwear I always plump for a bright red lip. For daywear though I either wear no lipstick at all, or this Chanel shade, which is almost the exact same colour as my own lips: It makes me look put together without drawing too much attention to my mouth.

Of course I have loads of other products that I use occasionally - I'm ashamed to admit that when it comes to a night out i'm not adverse to a little shimmer and glitter! But these are the products that make up my everyday face, and that I find myself buying again and again.

What's your make up routine? Do you have a product you swear by and would really recommend I try?

Love Tor xx

John Lewis unveils their new Oxford Street store beauty department

Hi guys,
What can you buy with £7.8 Million? Well, you could buy a new house, a yacht, half a dozen cars, a couple of football players and 78,000 lipsticks.  Or, if you're John Lewis, you could spend that amount on completely revamping your beauty hall! And if you're asking me, I would say it was money well spent!

I just got back from a guided tour of the new beauty hall at John Lewis, and I have to say I was impressed. The hall is built around a town square concept, with the bigger brands around the outside of the hall and the more tactile 'help-yourself' products in the middle. It is also (rather uniquely) zoned: so yes, if you want something from Chanel, you can head straight to their counter and find all their products there, like in an ordinary department store. But you can also go to the skin, hair, nail, or make up zone if you want a specific product, but don't know what brand you're looking for.

Other features of the new beauty hall include:

- The only Topshop make-up counter outside of a Topshop store

- Products and launches exclusive to John Lewis such as the new Clinque matt foundation, the Diptyque 34 collection, or the Floris Royal Arms Diamon Edition perfume. Only 6 bottles of this £15,000 perfume have been produced. One went to the queen, one went to charity, the rest are for sale in the Floris boutique apart from the one which is for sale in John Lewis. Exciting, but out of my budget. However they also have a £99 version available.

- Two on-floor treatment rooms, including one from Lancome. Apparently, this is the only on-floor Lancome treatment room outside of Paris.

- An interactive Chanel fragrance zone to geek out about. You place a fragrance on top of the touch-screen table, and the table will tell you all about the fragrance, including what notes are included in it.

It's not like me to get excited about a department in a department store (they usually all look pretty much the same) but I was very impressed by what John Lewis have done to their Oxford Street beauty department, and especially impressed by the thought and unusual structure that have gone into it. If you're in the area and looking to buy make-up, skin care, or fragrance, then this is the place I would recommend you go!

Love Tor xx

Christmas Competition: Win a new party dress and a make up masterclass!!

Hi guys,

I love to get dressed up at Christmas. Whether its a sparkly frock for a girls night out, something slick for the office Christmas 'do, or even my reindeer jumper for cosy Christmas eve walks, Christmas is the perfect time to invest in a new festive outfit or two, and try to look your best.

So as you can imagine, I was delighted when Clothing at Tesco got in touch and offered me the chance to choose a party dress from the massive selection on their site, AND a make up masterclass (in the comfort of my own home) for me and a gaggle of my girlfriends!

There were so many dresses to choose from (as you can see!) but in the end I opted for the Rise Boutique floral applique prom dress in the picture above. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can show it off to you all!

And because those lovely folks at Clothing at Tesco are feeling festively generous, and didn't want you to miss out, they'e offering you the chance to WIN any party dress from their site, and a make up masterclass for you and up to 9 friends from Jemma Kidd Make up masterclass @Home.

All you have to do to enter is 1) be a follower of the blog (follow using the box to your right) and 2) Leave a comment on this post detailing the dress you would like to win from the Clothing at Tesco site. Easy peasy!!

The winner will be picked at random on Friday 9th December at 12pm. Good luck!!

Love Tor xx

Fabfrocks reviews: Nails that cut the mustard

Hi guys,
For the past 4 weeks I have been hunting for the perfect mustard nail varnish. I love the warmth and vintage feel of the colour mustard and have been wearing it for years but it's current fashion popularity means it's so much easier to find now, so as well as buying a couple of new mustard dresses, I resolved to get myself some mustard fingers!

I don't normally spend alot of money on nail varnish, so first I tried Barry M. The nearest they had to mustard was an egg yolk yellow, and it was very very runny. Even after two coats it looked thin and streaky: often a problem with light coloured varnishes. I wiped it off and started again.

Then on Monday whilst in Topshop to check out their sale, I found this:


I've never tried Topshop make up before, and was dubious: I always am when fashion brands branch out and try other things. The colour is called 'cut the mustard' and as it was only £5 I decided to give it a go. The colour is really rich and although I did need the second coat to get a flawless finish, with two coats it has given a thick and glossy finish. I think it looks fantastic!

I've now had it on for two days and haven't suffered a single chip (admittedly I am wearing a base coat and top coat, which is probably helping). But for £5, I'm really impressed! Having been unsure about Topshop make up, on the nail varnish front at least, I'm a new convert.

Love Tor xx

Belated Christmas post: Behold the make-up!

Hi guys,
I meant to write this in the lull between Christmas and New Year, but instead I found myself spending that time very constructively: and by constructively, I mean eating Quality Street straight from the tin and watching at least four films a day!

This Christmas I was gifted with many wonderous things (much like the baby Jesus himself, although there was no Myrrh) but my main gift from my parents, and the gift i'm uber excited to share with you guys, was a gorgeous Cath Kidston make up bag filled with all of the wonderful make-up I wanted for the wedding. Behold:


The make up bag is bridal white, but the floral pattern makes it versatile and usable after the event. It came with a matching manicure set. I love the Dior Show mascara; it makes my eyelashes look at least 12 feet long (OK, that's a slight exageration, but it makes them look pretty long!) The lipstick i'm wearing is the YSL one which is a really vibrant matte red (called rouge temptation) Because of the bold lips, i'm keeping the rest of my face understated: just nude and flawless.

The part of the present I liked the most though were the Calvin Klein make up brushes (which didn't photograph well enough to show) they're thick but soft, and they don't malt at all. I love the presentation case they come in too, which is handy for keeping them organised, and (more importantly) it looks really sleek.

I never like having my make up done by someone else (maybe I just haven't met the right make up artist yet, but I feel too made up and it doesn't suit me) and so I knew I was going to want to do it myself on my wedding day. I just didn't expect I would be doing it in such luxury; I have been completely spoilt!

Love, Tor x

LFW SS11 Day One: The Maybelline/Marie Claire pop up shop

I mentioned on Wednesday that Maybelline and Marie Claire had opened a pop up shop for ten days to coincide with London Fashion Week: so naturally I had to pop down and have a nose around!

The event featured the free manicures and eyebrow threading as promised, and there was also a rather delicious selection of doughnuts and chocolate brownies. You could also receive a free make over, and of course buy a massive range of products and the limited edition copy of Marie Claire. It was really quite when I arrived mid-afternoon, but the staff were getting prepared for what they anticipated to be a really busy evening!

If you're a make up addict like me though, the key incentive to go down is that Maybelline are selling their new gel eyeliner in the store: this is the only place you'll be able to get it in the world before next Spring, as it isn't being released to regular stores until SS11. I definitely recommend checking it out if you're in the area (and make an appointment for the treatments in advance, otherwise you could stand around waiting for hours!)

Love, Tor xx

Slap on some lippie, and away we go!

Hi guys,
As I start to get excited about Fashion Week (and mildly panic about what to wear!) i'm thinking about family and rituals: about things you would see your mum do every day that you're indvertantly started doing yourself, traditions that were hers that you've taken as your own.

My mum's ritual is her lipstick: putting it on is the last think she does before she leaves the house. It's such a routine that even our dogs recognise it: they hide under the table when mum reaches for her lippie, because they know it means she's going to leave them for a few hours! Mum seems more confident with her brave pop of colour on her lips: it's how she prepares to face the world.

I think this sends a powerful message when you're a little girl, and as a grown-up big girl, I firmly believe in the power of the lipstick! I put mine on before job interviews, special occasions... fashion week shows. It makes me stand taller, just like it made my mum a bit taller (well a bit, she's only 4ft11!)

I didn't even start thinking about this whole concept, until at 6pm this evening when, on my way home from work, and worrying about what to wear tomorrow, I popped into boots and bought a new lipstick: fromBourjois in Parisian Rouge. I must have inadvertantly known that a flash of colour on my lips would make me feel confident in whatever I decided to throw on!

My own ritual is my nails: I don't feel good unless they're immaculately painted, so you can guess what my next job will be! Can't wait for the mayhem to start tomorrow!

Love, Tor xx

Fashion week fun: Maybelline/Marie Claire pop up shop

You all know my favourite price is free: so I was ecstatic when I received an email from Marie Claire telling me about the worlds first Maybelline New York pop up shop they were launching on Friday. The event runs from Friday to the 26th September, and there will be nail maintenance from the in-store manicurist (daily), complimentary threading (daily) and the opportunity to buy a Limited Edition copy of Marie Claire.

If you're looking for more cool free stuff, Friday in the store is New York treat day! Enjoy a day of complimentary treats, Big Apple style. There are donuts and brownies by day, then evening shopping accompanied by Cosmo and Manhattan cocktails and the laid-back vibes and New York sounds from an in-store DJ.

If you're a Marie Claire reader, there's also a chance to win loads of prizes: Take a trip to Covent Garden with a copy of Marie Claire’s October issue in-hand, follow the location clues on the Marie Claire UK Twitter page and if you find a ‘Marie Claire fashionista’ or a ‘Maybelline Make-up Maven’ you stand a chance of bagging yourself a Marie Claire and Maybelline dollar. If you're lucky enough to receive one of these dollars, you will be able to use them to redeem and bag yourself one of the New York inspired prizes. The prizes include: fashion goodies from Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Banana Republic, BCBG Maxazria, Gap, Ray Ban and a fabulous Guess watch. Or one of the many Maybelline Get the Look kits.

You'll also have the chance to win a fabulous overnight stay for two at the loft style Shoreditch hotel The Boundary and enjoy an evening of fun New York inspired cocktails. And last but not least there is also a chance to win a weekend for two at the Plaza Athénée in New York famous for being the sets of Sex and the City.

And of course, if you intend to be part of the action you'll need an address! It's: 18 Shorts Gardens Seven Dials, Covent Garden. I'll be there for the cocktails and the manicures: hope to bump into some of you guys too!

Love, Tor xxx

The power of false lashes....

You will never know what a difference false lashes make to your eyes until you see yourself with one eye done and one eye undone: the contrast is so dramatic! Half way through putting my slap on I couldn't believe what a difference the new lashes made, and I just had to share.

These are the get gorgeous feather lashes from get lashed, and they cost £11, which I don't think is too bad. Get lashed have lash bars in House of Fraser stores all over the country and the professionals will put your lashes on for you, included in the price of the lashes. I bought mine and had them put on a couple of months ago, and loved them, but haven't worn them since, as they're really heavy. If you keep them in the get lashed box, which they come with, then you can take them back instore and have them applied by the experts as many times as you like, making the cost even more reasonable. But I didn't have time to go to HOF so I bungled my way through it at home: and i'm glad I did, as seeing them as a work in progress really made me appreciate how good they look!

Sorry that this is just a short, a slightly vapid post: I'm having a really busy weekend, but really wanted to share my exciting lash find!

Love, Tor xx

Illamasqua lipgloss: lickably good!

I think I mentioned yesterday that in the goodie bag from the ASOS access all areas event was an Illamasqua lipgloss. I was really pleased because i'd never heard of the brand before but I loved how my make up looked on the night and impressed by how long it lasted too.
The lipgloss is a pillar box red, so perfect for a night out. It's thick and looks great with just one quick coat but isn't sticky at all. It also smells like candy: i'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing because on the one hand it's yummy but on the other it doesn't taste that way when you try to lick it! I've had it on all afternoon and only had to reapply it once (not to add colour, just to add gloss) so i'm really impressed. The blurb about the brand on the side of the box gives the brand a real sense of drama: Conceived amid the dark drama of 1920s Berlin, developed by professional make-up artists, embraced by alternative cultures, made by a unique British brand. Worn by those who refuse to be everybody.

On their website they have a massive selection of dramatic eye make up and a gorgeous new range of pastel nail varnished that would be perfect for Spring. I definitely want to explore Illamasqua more: i'm turning into quite the make up addict!

Love, Tor xx

Make up: What's your workspace state of mind?

I was thinking today about blogging, and more specifically about the situation in which I write my blog. I am lucky enough to have a home studio complete with sewing machines and space, desk and shelves and shelves full of fashion books. Yet I always write the blog with my laptop on my knees on the sofa (yes, that is where I am now!)

Creativity-wise, where I blog isn't that important to me. And yet, when it comes to putting my make up on there is only one place I can be: my dressing table. Chaos it might be, but it's an organised chaos and everything has its own special place. It's an oasis of products and quiet, where one stroke with the right brush could turn me into Cinderella (it hasn't yet, but i'm still confident it could!)
I'm sure this sounds superficial, but I feel like my dressing table is a tiny reflection of me; complete with its shabby chaos and its birds and bird cages everywhere! I love perfume and layering scents on top of each other, so i'm lucky to have a boyfriend who indulges my whims and gifts me with lots of lovely smells. The latest two (both to be recommended) are the Marc Jacobs Lola (a Christmas gift from my parents) and the Anna Sui from the bf
On days when i'm running late I put my make up on on the tube, and even though I don't actually wear an awful lot of make up, it leaves me feeling all out of sorts! I think its the calming affect of having ten minutes at my dressing table that makes me feel good about myself, rather than the actual make up itself!

What about you: do you have any routine you couldn't live without, however trivial?

Love, Tor xxx

Nail colour: Bourjois have nailed it!

Barry M will always be my "go-to" brand for injecting exciting colours into my nail varnish collection (and I love their black nail varnish so much I buy it over and over again) but for it's high gloss and ease of application, Bourjois "So laque" polish is one I will certainly turn to again.

.

I was looking for a nude nail colour that would almost blend in (certainly tone nicely) with my skin, and not draw too much attention to itself, whilst still making me look polished and well put together. This kind of subtlety isn't something Barry M does well, so I had to look elsewhere in the Boots make up department to fulfill my needs; the So laque in "Beige glamour" fit the bill perfectly!

At £5.49, I wouldn't call this cheap. And I wouldn't have bought it at all if I didn't have an important event coming up that required a definite lack of black fingers. But now i'm really glad I did; the brush is fan shaped so that just one application covers the whole nail (two sweeps on the thumb) It had a great consistency which made it really easy to apply too, and it looked nice after one coat, and could definitely be worn that way, but I applied two coats because I wanted a really high gloss finish.

The bonus of buying it in Boots was that they are giving away a £5 voucher for Ruby and Millie/No 7 with every purchase over £5. And given that the No 7 nail varnishes are just over £6, next week I will be buying myself their new teal polish for £1. (because making 2 purchases in one week would just be decadent, no matter the price!) That makes the overall collective cost of the 2 varnishes very reasonable indeed!

What's your favourite nail varnish? Are there any other brands you would recommend I try?

Love, Tor xx

Fabfrocks reviews: Benefit smokin' eyes

I love products that come in pretty packaging; I think that's why I was so excited when Primark launched its make up line. Even though the contents were cheap, the packaging was pretty, colourful and fun! I don't think many make-up companies, especially the big companies, play with their packaging enough. And although it may well be the best foundation you've ever bought (i'm thinking of my beloved Dior here!) there's nothing especially exciting about that black box with the discreet gold lettering, is there?
.

Enter benefit.

.
I've always been a big fan of their make up, and their fun, flirty packaging- foundations shaped like records and blushers in chunky brightly coloured boxes; yum! But i'd never used any of their eye products before. As you may or may not know, I am fairly loyal to urban decay to take care of my eye make up. But when the lovely ladies at benefit sent me their new smokin' eyes set to try, I decided it would be rude not to give it a go!

First of all I have to say that the box is gorgeous, and that it's amazing something so compact can contain so many products! I loved the double ended brush, and the brow wax has held my brows in place all day. The highlight of the kit? Well, the tweezers are nothing short of a miracle! I will definitely be going in-store today to see if they stock a full size pair!
The intense black shadow didn't go on quite dark enough for my liking, but that could just be the way I was using it; my sister gave it a go and got a much better effect (apparently i'm just a useless make up applicator). Overall the kit went on well, lasted all day, and was very easy to use; made even easier by the cute instruction booklet included inside. I followed them to the letter and it looked great! The only con of the set? Well although it is pitched as a complete sexy brow and eye make up kit, the set doesn't contain a mascara. And I don't know about you, but my eyes aren't finished until they've been smothered in lashings of thick lengthening mascara! Still, having to carry a mascara alongside this box is no big deal, considering it saves you having to fit your whole make up bag in your handbag! Overall, a big thumbs up!

.
I haven't included a picture of me modelling the look, mostly because my fringe needs trimming and you can barely see my eyes, let alone my make up! But as I can see this becoming a handbag essential, I do promise to show more pictures next week (I'm having my hair cut on Saturday morning!)
.

Oh, and you can buy benefit in almost any department store, but if you live/visit central London then I find the ladies in the House of Fraser on Victoria Street especially helpful!

.

Love, Tor xx

Walking with giants

There are some brands that immediately make you think of your nan or grandma, and not only the things they buy themselves, but the things they buy for you. Marks and Spencers means pajamas and cotton t shirts for her and knickers and school uniform-thick tights for me. Woolworths (RIP) meant birthday cards and extra mugs for her (because you can't have enough mugs!) and pick and mix for me. And Avon means bubble bath for her and the obligatory shower gel and flannel (much appreciated thanks nan!) in my Christmas stocking every year.
.

Isn't it funny how these stalwarts of the British retail industry have turned those stereotypes on their heads and started targeting a younger generation again?

.

Marks and Spencers have been at it for years: First with Per Una, then the limited collection, and collaborations with Patricia Fields and now Zandra Rhodes. Woolworths is now woolworths.co.uk: far too cool for an actual shop, they've moved online and lowered the prices (and i'm sure you'll be as relieved as I was to learn they still do pick and mix!) And Avon? Well although they still sell bubble bath and my favourite festive shower gel in unprecedented amounts, as you can see from the goodie bag that the Avon Press office sent me last week, they also do so much more:

My immediate suprise was some of the colour ranges. Look at the eye catching jewel-bright tone of this coral nail varnish! It goes on like a dream and in only one coat too; could there be a rival to my Barry M love? Maybe. It's certainly a far cry from the mauves and lavenders I was expecting. For the rest of the products I relied on my trusty testing panel to give you a thorough opinion.
.

The panel is otherwise called "my family" and made up of my mum (Lorraine) and sisters Amie and Lucy. It is worth noting that regardless of what they say, the eye shadow was by far the best product we all tried; it was easy to apply, looked great and lasted all day, despite feeling so lightweight you barely noticed it on your skin. Want to know why I know it is the best product? Because when I said they could each choose an item to keep, a small yet dignified cat fight broke out over the aforementioned eyeshadows! It's a sure-fire test!

Amie kindly models the eye quad!
.

My favourite product was the face primer; so impressed was I by how soft and velvety it made my skin that I put some on my hands at work and had everyone touch them!

.

Amie (queen of cow-length pitch black eye lashes) was disapointed by the super shock mascara; the formula apparently is excellent, with the perfect consistency but the brush is too thick and bulky, so accuracy is lost (I can attest to this, having seen her in the mirror with mascara all over her nose!) Although at £4 the price point of that mascara is fairly unbeatable!

.

And Lucy? Well Lucy has such sensitive skin that she has to patch test anything that goes on her face on her hand for 24 hours. And i'm pleased to say that all the make up was great for her very sensitive ezema prone skin; Lucy loved the novelty of the Spectra Coloured lipstick, and I must admit, I thought it was a clever idea too: with seven shades in the one tube, you just click the setting to decide how intense you want your colour!

Worth noting is that if you do have very sensitive skin (like my poor guinea pig mum!) then the perfume probably isn't for you; one spritz on each wrist left them red and inflamed for the whole day and the next. It did smell good though!
.

Overall I was very impressed: from gentle day make up to smokey intense night out eyes, Avon is certainly much much more than the bubble bath and pink lipstick outfit I was expecting. And for all of us living in the twenty-first century, you no longer have to order from a little book posted through your front door either: they have a website. But I do love the little touch of bringing the catalogue online as well; all of the products you can order convieniently on the website, but brought to you in a teeny well layed out magazine; genius!

.

Love, Tor x

Primark does make up!

Although there were plenty of angular desses and heavily embellished blouses that got my attention in Primark last night, the most noticable thing that grabbed my attention was the addition of a whole new section sandwiched between the underwear and the pajamas; Primark have started making make up and cosmetics!

Although it doesn't say so on the boxes, a quick blog fact search has confirmed that the goodies aren't tested on animals. I've always believed that with make up you get what you pay for; that's why even when i'm broke I always find the money for my Dior foundation and my YSL mascara. But maybe i'm wrong;

.

Having tried the blusher and a dab of the "stretch eye shadow" (which really does just keep going!) I think Primark could quickly become a go-to shop for fast and fun make up; those varying colour trends that the fashion magazines tell us are our weekly "must haves". I know where i'll be going to next time I need a neon eye shadow or pinker than pink lip gloss!!

I'm also really impressed with the packaging; to say that the stuff is selling for between £1-2.50, you don't feel like this is basics" make up where the packaging has been neglected. The glitter eyeliners look just like the ones you get from Urban Decay and I love the Roy Lichtenstein, pop art-style packaging on the face and eye powders. Although the price is rock bottom, the packaging doesn't make you feel like you are settling for econd best.

.

Love, Tor x

.

PS- my Primark pick of the week and overview of the Selfridges sale are coming your way soon!

All I want is Kitty!!

Morning all,

In honour of my cousin who had a new baby called Hannah Kitty this weekend, and because I love Hello Kitty more than anything in the world (despite the fact that i'm 25 next month and I should know better!) here is the new hello Kitty range in collaboration with Mac cosmetics. The collection is 60s inspired (the focus of my MA dissertation and a passion for years!) and I actually really like Mac cosmetics, so it's the perfect triple whammy!

This is the item i want most. In fact I want it so much it hurts! Soft black pleather 14" Hello Kitty doll in a 60’s style black & white dress with pink trim and iconic pink bow. Limited edition. Black and pink? Hello Kitty? 60s dress? It's like it was made for me!

I love the sickly fluoro pink colour of this lipstick almost as much as I love the retro Hello Kitty casing. Is anyone else sensing a massacre in my make up bag followed by a serious Kitty-fest!?

The thing I love about the blusher is the attention to detail: Not only does it have the same patterned casing as the lipstick (all 60s and lovely!) it also has her face embossed on the powder! Love it!

There's loads more; lip glosses and nail varnish, eye shadow and eye dust. But the final thing to grab my attention (and as soon as I get near a MAc, my wallet) are these:

Exclusively created for the Hello Kitty collection, a half-lash with criss-cross overlapping effect on the outer corner. Provides the look of big, wide “kitten eyes.” Limited edition. I want kitten eyes and I want them now: Oh to be half as cute as Hello Kitty!

Love Tor

PS-At the risk of sounding like a spoilt child I feel the need to reiterate again: I really really want that doll!!!