What's In My Bag

Ah, the handbag. Yes, I do need to carry my whole life around with me on a near-daily basis, and yes, I do need a relatively large bag to do so. My weapon of choice? The Zara Office City Bag. With three zipped compartments, including a padded one to carry your laptop in, as well as two roomy in-between compartments with smaller zipped compartments added into the lining, this bag is ideal for the organisation freak that I am. And that's in terms of functionality alone. This bag has a sleek black faux leather exterior, with no unnecessary bells and whistles, and lovely gold-coloured zips along the top. Perfect for those slightly more formal occasions, but also for smartening up any casual outfit, this is just my kinda bag.

What's pictured above forms the "can't live without" part of my handbag. Even if I'm switching to something smaller, these items will always be with me. First and foremost, my Oyster card is tucked away in the cute floral-patterned card holder, which I purchased from Habitat a year ago. You can find similarly cute ones here and here. My precious phone is housed in a black and blue case from Paperchase, and my money and cards live in my black Oliver Bonas purse/wallet (this was bought two years ago, but you can still buy the same one in several bright colours). Another essential that engenders slight heart palpitations those times when I realise that I don't have it with me is my black Moleskine diary. The iCal on my phone can only do so much (actually, it's useless), and I'm a pen-to-paper kinda girl. Plus, with my Moleskine, I can colour-code to my heart's content. Did I mention I'm an organisation freak?

Onto the beauty bits. I'm not one for touch-ups throughout the day, so makeup does not really feature amongst my handbag essentials. In fact, the only makeup item here is my MAC lipstick in Plumful. It's a Lustre finish, and imparts a subtle plum sheen (go figure) that just about fits the bill for an everyday daytime lip colour. Aside from the lipstick, I seem to keep two (or more) of everything else.

I feel irrationally vulnerable if I don't have my antibacterial hand gel with me, as though all the nasty London tube and bus germs are out to get me. The two hand gels I carry around don't have that awful smell of alcohol: the Soap & Glory Hand Maid Hand Cleansing Gel actually smells like a fruity-citrus perfume, and no one would ever guess you were using hand sanitiser (unless they actually saw you use it, of course); and my other non-smelly sanitiser is the Cuticura Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel, which smells refreshingly of cucumber and garden mint. Whilst these gels don't stink of alcohol, they certainly contain it, and therefore it makes my hands very dry. To remedy this, I have my dynamic duo of beautifully fragrant hand creams, including the Soap & Glory Hand Food, and the Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate, Argan and Grapeseed Hand Therapy.

Keeping with the fragrance theme, I have three sample-sized perfumes, and two small bottles of perfume. I'll reiterate here that, with perfumes, I need to use a specific perfume to suit my mood or the weather that day, hence the multitude of smelly things I like to carry around with me. My samples include:

• Diptyque's Vetyverio (vetiver as I've never known it before, with citrus, spices and wood all mixed into one) and 
• Do Son (a gorgeous tuberose and iris concoction), and 
• Jean-Claude Ellena for Frédéric Malle's Angéliques Sous La Pluie (Ellena's genius once again transpires in this herbal and woody composition, that elicits the scent of a herb garden just after rainfall). 

The larger-sized perfumes include:

• Jo Malone's Blackberry & Bay Cologne (citrus and herbs with a hint of fruit, just bordering on sweet, but fresh enough to remind me of the tartness of blackberries) and 
• The timeless Calvin Klein CK One (citrus hit mellowed out by underlying musk and green tea).

With lip balms, my preferred choice is the Elizabeth Arden Eight-hour Cream. As we're moving into the autumn/winter months, a heavy duty balm like the Eight-hour Cream is just what I need. If I want something that doesn't require the use of my fingers, the Burt's Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry fits the bill and also smells incredible.

Last but not least, staying hydrated is an non-negotiable necessity. Therefore, I always have a bottle of water with me, filled up with tap water from home. And if my mother taught me one thing, it's that you never leave the house without tissues. They're not just for blowing your nose - you never know when they might come in handy.

Skincare: The New Recruits

I'd like to start off by apologising for my ridiculously long absence from this blog. Life has been hectic to say the least over the past few weeks, with my dissertation deadline and preparations for law school taking up pretty much all of my time. The silver lining to this cloud, however, is that I have been able to test out a few new skincare additions and see how they get on with my (long-suffering with stress) skin.

On the cleanser front, I have added some variety after my Clarins Extra-Comfort Cleansing Cream finished. To take my makeup off, there is nothing like the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. It's not your typical cleanser, though. It looks like a tub of lard and smells like nothing, so it doesn't have that "wow this best thing since ready-sliced bread" factor. But once you put this on your skin and massage it in, you can see how quickly it breaks down the makeup. I tried this one evening after I'd worn a bold berry lipstick, and within seconds, the cleanser had melted off all the lipstick from my lips. I then use my trusty flannel/facecloth soaked in hot water and wrung to wipe off the product and the gunk it's managed to break down, and all is right in this world. There is no stinging, no dryness, and my skin feels supple and not uncomfortably taut. It may not have a pleasant fragrance, if at all, but I guess that's why it's so suited to my skin. I've been reluctant to try the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, not only because of the crazy price, but also because of the essential oils that might cause me to break out. With no unnecessary extra stuff, Clinique gets it right this time on the cleansing front. (Let's all forget the horrific 3-step anti-blemish solutions.) Top marks for this cleanser.

Given that I've been holed up either in the library or in my room doing work, I've gone a fair few days without any makeup or minimal makeup. On those days, the Clinique Cleansing Balm isn't a necessity, so I purchased a cleanser that would be perfect for lighter cleansing and for a morning cleanse. The REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk fit the bill. Formulated for sensitive skin, this does not strip your skin and leaves it hydrated yet refreshed. I'm not a huge fan of the scent, but I'll happily tolerate it for a product that contains no parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours, glycols, silicones (etc. - you get the idea). I also love REN's packaging, with the product pump attached to a clear bag that's enclosed in a clear plastic casing. As it's vacuum-packed, it means that bacteria from the fingers and in the air don't contaminate the product. What's not to love?

I've already spoken about the Bioderma Hydrabio Légère moisturiser, and as the colder weather settles in London, I decided I needed something richer to keep my skin nourished. In comes the Légère's sister, the Bioderma Hydrabio Riche. This product's consistency is only slightly thicker than the Légère, but it's enough to swaddle my skin in moisturising goodness for the evenings when the heating comes back on. I still use the Légère underneath my makeup during the day, but Riche is just what I need as a good night cream.

In keeping with the moisturising theme, the Hydraluron serum by Indeed Labs has been a staple ever since I switched the heating back on (I say switched, I mean battled with the new boiler for 15 minutes over setting the timer, reading all the little symbols and instructions, and finally getting my heaters to turn on). I layer this serum underneath my moisturiser but over my La Roche-Posay Efflaclar Duo, and it makes the most of your moisturiser and of the water you've had throughout the day by locking the moisture in your skin. The result: none of those dry patches I used to wake up with. The bonus is that it encourages me to drink enough water during the day, something which I used to neglect quite a lot. The iDrated app (£0.69 for iPhone) is also great for making sure you're drinking enough water.

If you've been wowed by anything new in your skincare routine, please let me know. At the rate I'm using these products, they're not going to last me too long.

Absolutely Balmy

If I ever find myself out and about sans lip balm within my immediate reach, I get worried. Very worried. For as long as I can remember, the one beauty essential I could not live without has been lip balm. This runs even deeper than my relationship with perfume. One of the things I irrationally dislike is having chapped lips. And it is not simply because they are quite unsightly, they're also distracting in their rough, uncomfortable texture and pain. 

Over the years, I have accumulated a great number of lip salves to keep my lips hydrated and smooth. Matte, tinted, glossy, SPF, you name it, I (probably) have it. Having so many of them ensures that I'm never without them, as there will always be one lurking in the depths of any one of my bags. Here is my collection that is currently in rotation.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Fragrance Free - The cult classic. Although this is marketed as a multi-purpose product that can be used to treat dry patches and minor grazes, I mainly use this on my lips. Winter is a particularly tough time for chapped-lip sufferers, and this is by my side at all times during that season. It gives a slightly glossy finish, and I guess you could compare it to Vaseline but with more substance and body. Even though this is fragrance free, there is still a light scent, which I can only assume is a natural one. The fragrance is not the most pleasant one: if you imagine a blend of citronella and strong herbal tea, the result would probably be similar to the Eight Hour Cream scent. And it is pricey, but I've had the same tube for two years now, and it shows no sign of running on empty. I have suggested this to friends to treat cracked or dry sores in the corners of the mouth, and it has made them better or disappear. Result.

Smith's Rosebud Salve - I have hit the bottom of the tin on this, and find myself scraping product out of the corners at this point. This smells of (you've guessed it) roses, but not in an overwhelming way. It gives a nice glossy sheen to the lips, and does its hydrating thing well. One issue I have with it is that it goes on a bit thin, whereas I prefer that thick, gloopy feeling, perhaps because it feels like my lips are fully coated and ready to face the elements with a thick layer of balm. With the thinness of this product, I have to reapply it quite often. But if you like a next-to-nothing feeling on your lips, this is the one for you. Nevertheless, the thin consistency of this product means that I apply it to my knuckles when they are dry and sore, and I don't have to worry about it showing or going all over my clothes/anything else I touch. I love the whole multi-purpose thing. Can we also talk about the beautiful packaging?

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm - This one is the odd one out, as it gives a completely matte finish. It reminds me of the Dermophil Indien lip balm that I applied religiously as a child. The smell is, well, honey-like. It's not swoon-worthy fragrance, but it's not unpleasant either. After you've applied the Rêve de Miel, it feels as though nothing can possibly make your lips feel chapped again, as the matte balm forms a barrier on top of your lips. But wait, it doesn't stop there. The product also moisturises your lips. Protective AND hydrating? Yes please! And because this is matte, it does not wear off as quickly as the more oily ones do. Even water has a hard time getting rid of this stuff. 

Maybelline Baby Lips Balm Intense Care and Cherry Me - These American favourites have only just landed on our British shores, and I have already fallen head over heels for them. This range comprises a mixture of tinted balms and clear lip care balms that all contain SPF 20, and as far as I can tell, both are great at hydrating and nourishing the lips. Intense Care is your run-of-the-mill clear lip balm, with the same consistency as the Smith's Rosebud Salve. Cherry Me offers a very subtle reddish-pink tint, and it smells lovely. Retailing at £2.99 each, they're definitely not going to make your wallet weep.

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter - For a bit of colour to go with your care, you cannot go wrong with the Korres Lip Butters. This one gives a beautiful coral-tinged pink tone with a hint of gloss, and its shea butter and rice wax formula help to moisturise the lips at the same time. Traditional lip glosses tend to irritate my skin, so I always look for a combination of colour and balm, which Korres manage to do and they get it so right with their natural formula. I do have one gripe, and that's with the packaging. Although it looks good, the pot is actually quite small, and product gets under my nails every time I have to dip my finger in the apply the product. This wasn't a problem when the surface was flat, but after extensive use, the surface is now concave, which is just optimal for getting pink goop under my nails. Aside from that, I cannot fault this lip butter.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector - As far as lip glosses go, this has to be my holy-grail product. For me, it really is a winning balm disguised as an ever-so-slightly tinted gloss. The colour wholly complements my natural lip colour, and I love the spongy applicator. There's not much to say about this, really, because the product and its packaging speak for themselves. Let me just end by saying that this smells like cake. Oh and I love Clarins. Enough said.

Review: Bioderma Hydrabio Légère Moisturiser

As this summer and its tropical temperatures draw to a close, I want to write about the products that I have tried over the past few months and how I got on with them. I think it's important to give products, especially skincare ones, a few weeks to see what kind of effect they have on your skin.

During the summer, the last thing I want on my face is a thick and heavy moisturiser that sits uncomfortably on top of my skin. I couldn't quite find the right water-based product, though, as some of my searches only led to smelly and expensive products. When I unexpectedly came across the Zest Pharmacy in Soho back in July, the lovely shop assistant recommended the Bioderma Hydrabio Légère Moisturiser (stockist information below). I scrutinised the claims on the packaging: For dehydrated sensitive skin? Tick. Deep care generating hydration? Well, that's all I need from a moisturiser.

This is a lightweight product, which makes it perfect for hot summer days. Water is the first ingredient listed on the packaging, which is probably why my skin absorbed the moisturiser as opposed to having an oily film form on top of it. My skin almost instantly feels rehydrated but not oily when I put this on. This is particularly useful if you moisturise before you do your makeup, as it won't cause the makeup to slip and slide during the day. And what about the actual job it's supposed to do - moisturise? Well, I get dry, irritated patches of skin every now and then if I'm overzealous with the flannel or if I don't drink enough water. The Hydrabio Légère completely did away with those, which was surprising considering how thin the product is.

My only issue with this is how small the packaging is. For £14.00, you only get 40ml, which puts this moisturiser on the slightly pricier side. I guess a little does go a long way: I only use two pumps each time to cover my whole face, and even that is almost more than enough. But drugstore cheap-as-chips moisturiser this is not. I'm just glad I've found something that does not clog my pores, that gets rid of random dry patches of skin, and that simply feels good when I apply it.

You can find this product at (and purchase online from):
John Bell & Croyden: 50-54 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2AU
Zest Pharmacy: 18 Broadwick Street, London W1F 8HS
The Garden Pharmacy: 119, Long Acre, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9PB

Beauty Wishlist

Just when I think I've sated my beauty hunger, it comes back in full force. Sadly, my budget doesn't allow for unlimited spending on beauty products, so I simply keep on dreaming of what I'm coveting, in the hopes that, one sweet day, they will come into my possession. The list of such products is growing longer and longer by the day, such that I find it hard to keep up with all the different subjects of my daydreams. So what better way to commit them to memory than to compile some of them into a blog post?

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil: Autumn is hurtling towards us (it's only a month away!) and central heating will be back to its havoc-wreaking ways on my skin. Combine that with my love for skinny jeans, and my skin does not stand a chance in the moisture, softness and suppleness departments. This shower oil, however, promises to hydrate and replenish the skin, all whilst making you smell like almonds and vanilla. Considering that one of my all-time favourite scents is that of almonds, I am aching to get this product into my shower routine. Excuse me while I use up all my current shower gels as fast as I possibly can.

AlphaH Liquid Gold: Everyone who has tried this swears by its acne-curing, fine-lines-erasing, sun-damage-reversing, large-pores-tightening properties. That would usually be enough to sway me, but the price tag reads a hefty £31.50. To be honest, my skin does not need such a radical treatment at the moment, given that I've sussed out the right spot-zapping routine for me, and I've got an overall great skincare routine that works. But there's just something about the endless list of rave reviews about this product that continues to hold my attention.

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon: This liquid lipstick is legendary, not least because Jessica Alba wore it in the shade 'Riviera' to the 2013 Golden Globes. Its texture is unique in that it feels like a gloss, but goes on the lips like a matte lipstick that packs some serious colour punch. What's more, it lasts for an eternity on the lips. You can eat, kiss, drink, and it will not budge. Given my clear affinity for red lipsticks, I am keen on trying this beautiful deep blueish hue of red, 'Icon'. Just to continue with the name-dropping, Kat Dennings and Christina Hendricks both wore this lip colour, and it looks fantastic on both of them. I will be sure to sample it the next time I pass by an Hourglass counter.

REN Keep Young and Beautiful Anti-Ageing Eye Cream: The night eye cream forms a gap in my PM skincare routine that is waiting to be filled. After a quick browse at the REN counter in Liberty last week, the shop assistant gave me a little sample of this eye cream. As with all things 'anti-ageing', I doubted I would ever even use this product. Then I thought why-the-heck-not, and applied this before bed time. And, I don't know if I just had a particularly good night's sleep that evening, but I woke up and the usual darkness under my eyes had faded away, and the puffiness that comes with the dark circles had gone down. Only 21 and putting an 'anti-ageing' product on my wishlist? Who cares?

By Terry Baume de Rose: I recently waltzed into a Space NK fully expecting to pay around £10.00 for a pot of the stuff and be merrily on my way. Oh how naive I was. When I double-checked the price and the shop assistant replied with £35.00, I balked. £35.00 for a 10g pot of lip balm?! Well, if the reviews of the Baume de Rose are anything to go by, this balm might as well have its own religion. Baume de Rose-ism. It promises to smooth, plump and protect lips 'in an instant', whilst giving the lips a subtle nude sheen. Don't get me started on everyone raving about the heavenly smell of this product. However, this is staying firmly on my wishlist: I simply cannot bring myself to spend £35.00 on 10g of lip balm when there are many cheaper options out there that are just as effective. But there's no harm in just lusting after a bit of luxury, right?