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?

Liebster Award

One of the things that inspired me to start writing about all the things you see on this blog was simply reading what many others had to share about their favourite beauty products, music, food, health, lifestyle, and thoughts in general. Most blogs I have come across, whether they have garnered a huge following or they are just starting out, have one thing in common: passion. People who take the time to pen a post, take photographs and respond to comments truly care and are passionate about whatever topic they write about.

So I really value the premise of the Liebster Award, which is to allow people to discover as many new blogs as possible (usually with followings of less than 200) by letting bloggers nominate each other. In doing so, you also find out a little more about these bloggers and what makes them tick. There is no big award at the end of it, but I love the idea behind it. I was nominated by Kammi whose blog BeautyBookBlog reflects that passion I mentioned earlier. Her blog is filled with beauty-related posts interspersed with book reviews, and I like that she combines both her interests in one medium.

The rules:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. List 11 facts about yourself (optional).
3. Answer the 11 questions given to you by the person who nominated you.
4. Nominate 11 other blogs, preferably blogs with under 200 followers.
5. Compile 11 new questions for your nominees to answer.
6. Notify the bloggers whom you have nominated.

11 Questions answered:

1. What is your favourite lipstick shade? I think Chanel Rouge Allure in 104 Passion suits everyone and is an all-rounder shade of red.
2. What is the most recent book you read? Aside from all the academic literature I'm swamped with for my dissertation, the most recent book I read was 'The Diary of a Nose' by Jean-Claude Ellena.
3. Do you have any pets? If so, what do you have? I don't have any pets.
4. What colour are your eyes? Brown.
5. What inspired you to start blogging? I kept raving about the same products to my friends, and thought I should write about them. Also, reading other people's blogs made me want to start my own.
6. Favourite fragrance? This question is a bit like asking me what my favourite song is, but I'll go for the one scent that makes me do a double-take and sends me to olfactory heaven every time I smell it. L'Eau d'Hiver by Jean-Claude Ellena for Frédéric Malle.
7. Dream career? When I was a kid, my dream job was to be a perfume maker, or a 'nose'. Unfortunately, my inaptitude for Chemistry (or anything science-related) showed early on and dashed my hopes of becoming a 'nose'. 
8. What do you do to relax/chill out? I like to run myself a bath and watch a TV series while I relax in the warm water. I follow this up with a steaming mug of tea or hot water with lemon juice and honey.
9. Favourite song? Ahh, seriously? (see answer to Q. 6).  Jokes aside, my favourite song at the moment is F for You by Disclosure.
10. Do you have any tattoos? If so, how many? I don't have any tattoos. I have a feeling that, if it came to getting one, I would regret it soon afterwards. 
11. Favourite superhero? I haven't read anywhere near enough comic books to properly answer this question. But after a bit of research, I've come to the conclusion that Spiderman is the superhero I like the most. He seems to have a strong moral compass and sense of responsibility (although he overdoes it sometimes), but also retreats into loner-ism, instead of puffing his chest out and placing himself at the centre of attention (did someone say Superman?) Also, I don't care much for Batman's gadget-loving ways. A spiderweb will do just fine, thanks. 

The blogs I am nominating: (Since the Liebster Award has done the rounds in the blogging world, and I'm very new to blogging and discovering other blogs with smaller followings, the pool of blogs I can nominate is suddenly quite small. So, I have decided to initially limit the nomination list to five blogs, all of which I think are well-designed and written. I would rather not go on a following spree solely for the sake of this post, and I really want to take the time to read blogs as much as I can instead of skimming over a number of new blogs. If I find any new blogs over time, I will definitely add them to this list as I go along.)

Northwestern Beauty
City Whispers
Lauren's Beauty Stuff
Daisy Meadow
Fusels

Questions for the nominees to answer:

1. If you could make an impact on the world in one way, what would this way be and why?
2. What is your favourite film?
3. What gadget are you currently coveting?
4. Describe something you have learned recently.
5. What is your pet peeve?
6. Which decade/era would you like to have lived in?
7. What is your all-time favourite skincare or beauty product?
8. What is your favourite cuisine?
9. Where do you like to shop? (This can be a shop, website, or a department store.)
10. If you were to travel anywhere and money is no object, where would you choose to go and why?
11. What is your favourite drink?

Many thanks to BeautyBookBlog again for this nomination.

Music To Get Ready To

Nothing gets me going and ready to tackle the day or night ahead better than a good playlist. Although this is not strictly beauty-related, I love playing a few songs while I go through my makeup routine in the mornings or before nights out. So I've made two separate playlists to share with you - one for the morning, and one for the evening.

The Morning one is filled with soul and mid- to uptempo songs that ease me out of that sleepy haze and put a spring into my step as I go about getting ready for the day. It's mainly made up of feel-good pieces that are sure to put a smile on my face. This playlist is as important to me as breakfast is in the morning.

The Evening playlist is slightly more upbeat than its morning sister. I usually experience a dip in energy in the late afternoon, and I need something to get myself back on track and excited for a night out or whatever drinks/dinner plans are on. You'll also find here a mix of old and new(-ish) tracks, simply because I just can't resist a little 'let loose' dance to these songs, be they by Disclosure or Chaka Khan. Good thing said dancing happens in the privacy of my room, I don't think any witnesses would be able to handle the off-the-charts cringe fest that it really is.

Ode to Clarins

I know the title of this post kind of gives it away, but if I had to pick one skincare brand to stick to for the rest of my life, it would have to be Clarins. Overall, their products just work for me better than others, and my fussy sensitive skin is always satisfied with a good dose of Clarins incorporated into my skincare routine. In fact, I am so in love with Clarins that I've probably accumulated enough of their products to open my own little shrine stall at a department store. I like the whole premise of the brand, whereby a focus on plant extracts (as opposed to chemical-based products) lies at the heart of all their products. The packaging is also simple and appealing, with brief product descriptions in French and English on the front of their products. It works and it looks good. What's not to love?

Here is a breakdown of my favourite Clarins products and why they are so dear to me.

Extra-Comfort Cleansing Cream: This little pot of wonder is on its last legs, and if my curiosity hadn't got the better of me (I bought the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm to replace my beloved Extra-Comfort), I would definitely have repurchased this stuff. I slather this on and massage my face with it for a solid two minutes, and wipe it all off with a hot facecloth. There is no tingling, no redness, and certainly no dryness after a good cleanse with this Cleansing Cream, which makes it the perfect cleanser for my sensitive skin.

Instant Eye Make-Up Remover: Although Bioderma will always hold a special place in my heart, nothing beats this Clarins dual-phase eye makeup remover. Nothing. This seriously removes all traces of even the most waterproof eye makeup in an instant. It is formulated with rose and cornflower extracts, which make the remover kind to the über sensitive skin around the eyes. Super-fine oils are added to break down the most stubborn makeup. And, oh, the cheap thrill you get from mixing the initially-separated blue and clear liquids together...

Gentle Exfoliator: Since I banned micro-bead type exfoliators from my face skincare routine, liquid exfoliants have taken centre stage on my toner line-up. You'd never guess that this stuff is an exfoliant, because it even smells so gentle, as though it is almost good enough to use on baby skin (I'm sure it's not, really. It just smells that way). The plant extracts at the core of this miracle product come from tamarind and white nettle, both of which are sanitising and refreshing. There is just enough acid in this exfoliator to get rid of impurities and dull, dead cells. And, yet again, no stinging or tingling sensation.

Toning Lotion with Camomile: This toner is more on the hydrating side, and is the perfect last step before moisturising. It balances the skin and soothes any redness or irritation. This is also formulated for dry/sensitive skin, making it incredibly gentle.

HydraQuench Cream-Mask: When my skin is need of a boost in the moisture department, I always seek help in the form of masks. Although my favourite is the Origins Drink Up Intensive mask, sometimes I just need a quick fix rather than something I have to leave on overnight. This Clarins offering does exactly what it says on the tube, and restores moisture and bounce to dehydrated skin. Dry, dull skin, be gone!

Exfoliating Body Scrub: Although beady exfoliators aren't allowed near my face, I'll gladly use them on the body. As I suffer from eczema, I tend to have patches of dry skin after using cortisone-heavy treatment creams. This exfoliator gets rid of all that without irritating my skin, and doesn't add any heady perfumed moisturiser either. Simplicity in a bottle? You bet.

Moisture-Rich Body Lotion: On certain days, I just want a body moisturiser that doesn't have too much of a scent, and that absorbs easily into the skin. As with the exfoliating body scrub, this product bears no pretence, and simply does what it promises. There's no need to spend an eternity working this into the skin, and it doesn't leave an uncomfortable oily film on top of the skin.

Sun Care Cream SPF 30: I dislike those clear spray sunscreens that make your face sting like crazy when you apply it. As a result, I resort to cream sunscreens that don't have that awful astringency. I love the Clarins one for its light fragrance and for how easily it absorbs into my skin. It also protects against both UVA and UVB rays, making sure that I don't burn and don't get premature wrinkles from sun damage. As if there weren't enough reasons to love this product, it is oil-free, and so doesn't clog up the pores.

Beauty Flash Balm: I use this product as a primer underneath my foundation when my skin is in need of a little smoothing over. This hydrates and makes the surface of the skin look more regular, making that flawless-base look just that little bit more achievable.

Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector: This is a lip balm and tinted gloss rolled into one product. It doesn't leave a cakey white outline on the lips, and it moisturises the lips in the same way that a decent lip balm does. And for a product that is so wide-ranging in its colour offerings, each shade truly complements your natural lip colour and does not come on too strong. And how could I resist the sweet vanilla scent?

Makeup: The Red Lip

If I had a penny for every time I heard someone say they were too scared to try a red lip because they wouldn't be able to pull it off... I firmly believe that there is a perfect shade of red lipstick out there for everyone. It's just a matter of trying them out, seeing how they work against your skin tone, and overcoming the newness of it all. At first try, it's going to seem very odd simply because you're not used to it. But give the right shade several chances, and the classic and elegant nature of the red lip will start creeping up on you. Here are a few tips on picking the right shade, what makeup to pair with a red lip, and applying lipstick so that it lasts as long as possible.

Ask to try it on. There are some items of clothing that you simply cannot buy without trying them on first. The same goes for red lipstick. If you are a red lipstick newbie, this rule is particularly important. Although many people advise you to stick to either blue- or orange-toned lipstick for pink- and yellow-toned skin respectively, I think there are exceptions to this, and you can only tell if a red lipstick works for you if you've tried it on. Reds either pop out just the right amount or are too intense or too weak against various skin tones, so it's up to you to explore. Who knows, you might even want to ease yourself into the red lip zone with a sheer tint at first. It's all very individual and personal.

Consider the rest of your makeup. Skin tone can affect how you pull off a certain lip colour. However, if you have some redness in your skin that's neutralised up by a more yellow-toned foundation, there's no use in shopping for a lipstick that's supposedly better suited to skin with pinkish undertones. So if you're out scouting for a red lipstick, put some base on or ask the shop assistant to apply some base along with the lipstick, and look at the big picture. Does the lipstick sit right with your foundation/BB cream/tinted moisturiser of choice?

Eye-lip balance is key. It is vital to not overwhelm your face with a complex colour palette when you're wearing a red lip. In most cases, red lips are intense, and demand a certain amount of attention on the face. I keep eyeshadow application to a bare minimum, usually using a shade close to my skin tone on the eyelids, and lining the lash line with a soft brown colour. My philosophy is to stick to soft neutrals on the eyes if you're going to give the red lip a go. The Urban Decay Naked and Naked Basics eyeshadow palettes are great starting points if you're wondering what colours to team with your bold lip.

Create as flawless a base as you can. Most reds tend to bring out any reddish flaws in the skin, simply because they're the same colour. Choose whichever base will provide you with the right amount of coverage, and conceal any red areas or spots with your favourite concealer. Don't forget to add some colour to the cheeks, as a strong red lip can drain colour from the rest of the face. I find that a peach or taupe blush, or even a bronzer (used sparingly) usually work best with a red lip. Bobbi Brown's Antigua, MAC's Harmony or Nars's Laguna are all worth a try.

Prep the lip. For some reason, my lips are very at risk of being chapped or just feel dry. I particularly can't stand it when red lipstick starts clinging onto flaky bits, so hydration and exfoliation are essential to a smooth red lip. I religiously slather on either Elizabeth Arden's Unfragranced 8-Hour Cream or the Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm every night before I sleep, and, in the morning, slough away at the dead skin with a cotton bud. You can also do this right before the lipstick application. It's not a very attractive image, I know, but this step is essential for the success of a red lip.

Pencil it in. Behind every long-lasting red lip look is a good layer of lip pencil. It is used not only to give the illusion of fuller and more even lips, but also to give an initial wash of colour that allows the lipstick to last. I like to draw the outline of my lips first, and then fill the entire lip in with the pencil. My favourite lip pencils for red lipstick are the MAC ones. They have the best selection of shades to match with most lipsticks, with Brick being the best all-rounder shade (I'm wearing Cherry in the photo above, underneath two layers of Chanel Rouge Allure in 104 Passion).

Layer, layer, layer. After you've filled your lips in, they are finally ready for some lipstick. The best application method for a long-lasting lip colour is with a lip brush. This really works the colour into the lip. The trick here is to add a layer of colour, and then to blot it with a tissue paper. You then repeat the process until you get the intensity of colour that you want. If you're in a rush or simply can't be bothered with the lip brush fuss, then by all means, apply the lipstick straight from the bullet. After all, it is shaped that way for a reason.

Here is a list of my favourite shades of red:

• Chanel Rouge Allure in 104 Passion
• Rouge Dior in 999 Ara Red
• Sleek True Colour Lipstick in 790 Cherry
• Nars Semi Matte in Heat Wave
• Nars Pure Matte in Mascate
• Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour SPF 15 in Apples

I hope this gives you a bit of inspiration for dabbling in the world of a red lip. The red lip is a chic and timeless thing, and I think it works just as well in the day as it does for the evening. And of course, this look is for absolutely everybody to pull off.

Going-Out Makeup... In a Hurry

First things first: apologies for the long absence. I've just returned from a few days' holiday in Bournemouth, during which I indulged in my minimal makeup routine, and sometimes even in zero makeup! Must be the sea air that I missed so much working wonders for me. I slept better, I was careful with what I ate (but not in a calorie-counting way, think more along the lines of fresh, balanced meals and avoiding overeating), and I spent lots of time walking outdoors and swimming. Growing up by the sea in Hong Kong makes me realise that, although I love living in London, there will always be that seaside element that's missing in my life, but a few days in Bournemouth did me a world of good, and I'm back in London feeling refreshed and relaxed.

The pace of life picked up almost as soon as I was back in my London flat. I was getting ready to go out for dinner and drinks for a friend's birthday, but only had a few minutes to get dressed and pull together an evening makeup look. After a week of makeup (near) abstinence, applying a base and eyeshadow almost seemed like an alien concept. But I quickly got back into the swing of things, and started by applying my trusty Diorskin Nude BB Creme in 002 as a base. I used this sparingly, as I only wanted minimal coverage, and solely in the places where I could use a bit of evening-out of the skin tone, for example around the centre of the face and around the mouth. I then quickly pencilled through my eyebrows with the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown 02, and concealed any imperfections with my Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard. The concealing step took less time than usual, as the benefits that my skin reaped from a stress-free holiday by the sea meant that concealer was used in the tiniest quantity. What follows is the easiest eyeshadow step in the world. The secret here is the Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in 35 - On and on Bronze. I applied this handy cream eyeshadow on the lids with one finger, and blended the colour out at the edges (which should be located around the crease/eye socket area) with another clean finger. No brushes, no fuss, and you have a long-lasting and universally flattering bronze touch of colour on the lids. A curl of the lashes and a slick of Boots No7 Fanomenal Lashes mascara finished the eye look. I completed the look by dabbing some of the MaxFactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in 14 Soft Pink with my Real Techniques Stippling Brush on the cheeks for a slightly rosy tint.

This whole look took no time at all, and it was exactly what I needed for a relaxed evening out. I'm not big on the extreme smokey eye thing, but find that a hint of colour on the eyelids adds that little bit extra that updates a daytime look to an evening one. And, aside from the stippling brush, I used my fingers to apply most of the products. You could easily use your fingers for the cream blush, though.

So there you have it, a subtle evening look that can easily be achieved... in the nick of time.

The Bare Necessities

By not going back to Hong Kong this summer, I thought I would be escaping the sweltering heat that usually envelops the city. What I didn't foresee was that London would come to rival my hometown in the soaring temperatures department, with the only difference being that air conditioning is virtually non-existent in London. In these conditions, it's never a good idea to pile on the makeup. It simply does not feel nice, and it's likely to have melted off your face within an hour of being out and about. This has led me to strip my makeup routine down to the very basics that will not overwhelm my skin in 30-degree heat. 

Skipping base altogether, I start off by applying some Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard under the eyes and on any red areas under the nose. This formula is long-lasting without being too heavy, and provides excellent coverage in the places where you need it. I love that this can be used to cover up both dark circles and red areas or spots, making it the ultimate multi-purpose concealer with the perfect shade and consistency. Next up is my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. I find that eyelash curlers do a good job of making lashes seem longer and fanned out, and that makes it possible to go without mascara. And although waterproof mascaras are a necessity in the summer, they are such a pain to remove that only one product will do the job, and that's the Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover. Now, it seems that many women cite mascara as the makeup product they would wear if they were to use just one. I'm gravitating more towards the idea that well-groomed brows are all-important. The hero product that's swaying me is the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Brow Pencil in Seal Brown 02. This imparts texture and fullness to the brows with incredible subtlety, and the colour is spot on for me, as I naturally have chestnut-brown hair and black eyebrows that are sometimes difficult to reconcile. Well, this pencil somehow manages to fix that slight incongruence.

There you have it, the only makeup things you really need for a day out in the sun. And one bonus is that less makeup equals less time spent getting ready. Win-win situation.

PS: Don't forget the sunscreen!

Only Skin Deep? #3: Beauty Sleep

Fact: nothing makes me feel better than a good night's sleep. The benefits can also extend to the condition and look of your skin. After all, there's a reason why it's called "beauty sleep". There are also several things you can do for shut-eye time to ensure that you wake up looking your best.

Catching your zzzs is important for the regeneration of cells. Although this happens constantly during the day, your skin is less subjected to the stresses of light and pollution when you sleep. The muscles in your face are also more relaxed when you sleep. This is why my evening skincare routine is more souped up than my AM routine, as my skin is more capable of making the most of the products that I apply. As with exercise, sufficient sleep helps with reducing levels of stress hormones that potentially cause skin problems, including acne and eczema. It also contributes to a healthier immune system, thus allowing your body to naturally fight off any infections and to heal faster.

Of course, there are several aids to maximising the benefits of sleep for your skin. Firstly, the position you sleep in can influence the state of your skin. Sleeping on your back reduces the amount of creases you get on your face. Some recommend sleeping with silk covers to avoid this problem, but that's going a little far for me. It's also worth taking a half-hour before you go to bed to unwind and relax. This can make your sleep more restful, and truly make you feel replenished when you wake up.

But for those times when I have trouble falling asleep, I have my own little snooze-prep routine. I start by moisturising my body with some of my trusty Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème. This stuff smells so warm and comforting, just like a nice fluffy duvet feels. I then spray some of This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray on my pillow and at the top of my duvet, and proceed to breathe in, and out. This blend of lavender, camomile and vetiver oils is seriously somniferous, and focusing on your breathing also helps you to relax. If I have a particularly hard time dozing off, I rub a bit of the This Works Sleep Balm onto my pulse points. This is essentially the balm version of the Pillow Spray, so you get a double whammy of those soothing essential oils. Finally, I grab my earphones and listen to a slightly hypnotic track called 'Sleep Deeply' from the DigiPill app (free from iTunes App Store and Google Play, £3.99 for 'Sleep Deeply' in-app purchase). This app offers a series of 'digital pills', different tracks that include psychoacoustics and neuro-linguistic programming in order to help you achieve a certain goal. The goal, in this instance, is to fall asleep. The track lasts just under 30 minutes, and I can safely say that it has never failed me.

Sleep well, everyone!

The Spot-Zapping Trio

We all know how this one goes: you wake up, wash your face, and suddenly a dull pain surfaces as you pass over a barely visible pinkish lump. It threatens to grow into an angry pimple, and you have to resign yourself to disappointment or frustration (or both) about the situation. In my case, this is followed by an irrational desire to pop the darned thing(s). However, when faced with my latest stress-induced breakout, I decided to kill the spots with kindness, and found a winning combination of three products that do the job just fine.

After cleansing, I dab a cotton pad soaked in Aveda's Exfoliant all over my face to rid my skin of any dull or dead cells. This mildly acidic solution helps to prep the skin for any treatments that are to follow, and to truly get the most out of them. When spots flare up, I trade in my Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile for La Roche-Posay's Serozinc. This zinc sulfate toning spray helps to kill any remaining bacteria as well as to hydrate your skin a bit, so that it is ready for moisturiser. This product is not available in the UK, but I'm in Belgium at the moment, and one of the first things I did when I arrived was to leg it to the nearest pharmacy and get a can of this magic stuff. Now, many may equate this product to Evian's Brumisateur, but this is on a whole other level. I've only used Serozinc several times, but it seems to have given the pimples that extra kick up the backside to get them to really GO AWAY. I apply this quite liberally, mostly because I can't get enough of that refreshing feeling you get from a spray can... Someone rein me in before I buy up the whole pharmacy stock! On top of the (copious) Serozinc, I layer some of LRP's Effaclar Duo only on the areas where spots are appearing. This treatment is formulated for acne-prone and oilier skin types, and my skin is quite dry, hence my sparing application of this product. 

After using this routine for just two days, I have noticed a clear difference with the spots. In a sense, it feels as though I nipped it in the bud before the breakout became quite serious. On my skin, this combination of products does not bring pimples to a head more quickly. Rather, it makes them less painful and prominent, whilst drying them out ever-so-slightly so that they become nothing more than a layer of dead skin (lovely, I know, but such is the reality of pimple treatment). Let me reiterate that my skin is dry and sensitive, and then tell you that these products have neither irritated nor dried out my skin. It is gentle yet effective, and you really couldn't ask for more from this dream team of spot-zappers.

Summer Nails

Here's the thing: when it comes to nails, I'm such a colour wuss. This is to the point where some of my friends will outright lament my aversion to anything other than nudes and pillarbox red. After my exams ended and the intense writing marathons drew to a close, I decided it would be time to treat my nails to a dose of colour - and, boy, did they get colour.

It all started with a trip to Space NK, where I spotted the Rococo nail polish range. The lady was just showing off their new Summer 2013 collection, which comprises a series of bold brights. Piqued by the colours and feeling a little daring, I asked if she could paint each nail on my right hand a different colour, to see which colours would match my skin tone best. Talk about throwing me in the deep end! On went the orange, yellow, fuschia, pastel green and baby blue, and it felt as though I was seven years old again, getting my nails painted in all sorts of funky colours and patterns at the school fair. I marvelled at a) the fact that I'd done it! I'd gotten over my phobia of colour on the nails! and b) it didn't look too bad! So I went home, toying with the idea of spending my Boots points on a variety of adventurous shades of nail polish. It took another few days before I stepped into the drugstore and carefully selected a few colours that I felt brave enough to try.

Among them was the Maybelline Forever Strong in Hot Salsa. This shade is a loud blend of orange, pink and red, and works particularly well in this summer season. The same varnish in the shade Mint For Life was next on the list, and this blue-toned mint green colour made me feel very on-trend, with everyone raving about its high-end sister, Essie's Mint Candy Apple. Either way, this range of Maybelline nail polishes is rather impressive. It does not last seven days, but that's probably just me as I wash and write and type and rummage around my bag all day long. Nevertheless, this formula lasts much longer than any other one I've tried before, and the brush makes application a breeze, given my serious lack of aptitude in painting my right hand nails with my left hand.

Let's move on to the beauty event of June, Charlotte Tilbury's Make-up House of Rock N' Kohl, which took place at Selfridges in London. My first ever proper manicure took place right here, where the most stunning nail design was bestowed upon my hands by the lovely Gemma from Lorraine Griffin. She applied two coats of a gorgeous deep maroon-red MAC polish (I don't know the exact shade, but I think it might have been Vintage Vamp), topped that with a matte coat, and then used a normal shiny top coat to draw dots on the matte background. The result was an interesting yet subtle design, and I could not stop staring at my nails for the four days that the artwork lasted. After it wore off, I decided that I loved the dark red shade from the manicure, and purchased the Max Factor Glossfinity in Ruby Fruit (which I deemed to be similar to the MAC polish).

But of course, my love affair with neutrals will never die. So imagine my joy when I found out that the freebie with the July issue of Marie Claire magazine came with a duo of mini Ciaté nail... things! I say "things" because one was a polish, and the other was a pot of teensy gold-coloured beads to pour on top of a tacky coat of the polish. I'm still dabbling in colours rather than in intricate nail art, so I gave the beads to my sister and kept the polish for myself. The shade in question is Cookies & Cream, a grey-ish pastel taupe, and it was just what I needed for some downtime from colour. Joining the neutrals brigade is the Bourjois So Laque Glossy in Coton Sur Ton, which I find to be the perfect my-nails-but-better shade. It gives a clean, sophisticated look that will never go amiss should you want to have something on the nails in a more conservative setting.

After this whirlwind fiesta of lacquer, my nails became brittle and were splitting, even though I had applied a base coat each time I changed nail colour. I needed a nail strengthener ASAP, and settled for the Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails Nylon + Retinol Strengthener. I haven't been using this for long, but I can report that the splitting has ceased, and that I am optimistic for future prospects of healthy nail growth.

What are your summer nail polish heroes? I would love to add your recommendations to my growing (in colour) polish collection.

Makeup: The Daily Face

Although I look after my skin, I cannot say that I'm confident enough in its natural state to leave my flat without makeup regularly. If I'm in a rush, sure, I'll forgo the stuff, but give me five hot minutes and I'll scramble together all the tools necessary to ensure that I look as un-zombie-like as possible. That's not to say that I'll put on a face full of slap à la night-out. I'm a true advocate of the no-makeup makeup philosophy, and always aim to simply look presentable.

My routine starts with the Dior Diorskin Nude BB Creme in 002 Fair. With Vivianna ever the enabler, I had to grab a sample of this as soon as I heard of its near-miraculous effects. No sooner had I tried it on for a day, I was already back at the Dior counter and purchasing the key to flawless-looking skin with just the right amount of glow. Next in the lineup is a combination of Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer in Sand with the Clinique Airbrush Concealer in 04 Neutral Fair layered on top. The Bobbi Brown concealer is thick enough to conceal blemishes and eradicate dark circles, while the Clinique concealer is strategically placed in areas where persistent dark shadows lurk in order to reflect light and reduce the appearance of puffiness. The brows are defined and tamed with a few strokes of the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Pencil in Seal Brown 02 and a slick of Bobbi Brown's Natural Brow Shaper in Mahogany to keep them in place. My Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler never leaves my makeup kit, and I team it up with my current mascara favourite, the Boots No7 Fanomenal Lashes Mascara. Goodbye, thin, short and stumpy lashes! Moving on to the cheeks, I apply the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Blushed Rose with my Real Techniques Stippling Brush. The pigment in this blush is rather potent, so I gently tap my brush into it two or three times, barely grazing the surface of the blush, and then apply to my cheeks in a circular blending motion. The finishing touch comes in the form of the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 05 Candy Shimmer. It adds just enough gloss and colour without making you look like a pouty mess, and hydrates the lips like a high quality balm would. 

I find this team of products perfect for every occasion, giving you a polished yet natural look that works in pretty much any scenario. What's more, this makeup is quite long-lasting, bar the cream blush and the lip perfector, so touch-ups are kept at a minimum. What's in your everyday makeup arsenal?

Only Skin Deep? #2: Exercise

Regular exercise helps to strengthen mental and physical health, and few would argue against this. Some people exercise to stay fit, others do it to lose weight or to accomplish some sort of personal goal. Physical activity is personal and unique to each person who engages in it, but one universal feature is that exercise can greatly help with the state of your skin.

Purely from a logical viewpoint, the increased blood flow that occurs when you exercise brings more oxygen to the skin cells, and rids them of waste. It is, in part, thanks to exercise that some can lay claim to that healthy, rosy glow. In a less direct but nonetheless important way, exercise tones muscles, making your skin appear more taut and healthy. Physical activity also reduces stress and the levels of stress hormones that tend to trigger certain skin conditions, such as eczema and acne. As an eczema sufferer, I find that when I stop exercising for a week or two, my rashes get worse. Stick in a jog, a zumba session and 30 minutes of lunges, planks, and squats, and the pesky red itchy stuff fades away. It's not just my skin that benefits; my sleeping pattern and mood noticeably improve with exercise. And, oh, the good things that sleep does for your skin... (More on that in a future post.)

As with diet, if your body is functioning properly and is healthy on the inside, this will all reflect on the outside. Smoother, more radiant skin does depend on this. It is, however, vital to take several steps to prevent your skin from reacting adversely to exercising. This includes cleansing properly after a workout to prevent the bad stuff that came out with the sweat from being reabsorbed back into the skin. In the same vein, avoid wearing make-up when you exercise. If your exercise involves being outdoors, remember to use sunscreen: long-term sun damage to the skin manifests itself particularly through wrinkles. (Sidenote: there are concerns that using sunscreen when you're exercising is futile, as you would just sweat it all off. Fear not, because there are great sweat-resistant sunscreens on the market, such as the Clinique Sun Protection Face Cream SPF 40 and the Banana Boat Sports Lotion SPF 50.)

So, whatever floats your boat, be it yoga, dancing, football, or even a 30-minute daily walk, getting active brings such a wealth of benefits to your body and your skin that I'll bet those trainers are just aching to be dusted off and taken out for a spin...

The French Aesthetic

Last week, the announcement of French designer Isabel Marant's upcoming collaboration with H&M set the fashion world a-buzzin'. Marant's simple combination of urban cuts and ethnic detailing creates pieces that are oh-so-wearable and coveted the world over. Mavens of cool, put-together understated chic such as Miranda Kerr and Jessica Alba are regularly seen sporting Marant's creations.

For me, Isabel Marant's designs embody that French aesthetic, the one that says, "I just threw on whatever I saw first in my closet," yet still is the envy of many women. Made up of a minimum of good basic pieces, the typical French woman's wardrobe allows her to be practical yet timelessly stylish.

This philosophy often extends to the beauty department, where few but trusty staples feature. Perhaps this minimalist approach to make-up is attributed to the fact that the French take their skincare très seriously, which then leads to good skin that requires less make-up. I also find that French women tend to embrace their bare skin rather than hide it under layers of foundation. This whole attitude to beauty translates into a confidence that transcends even the best make-up's effects, achieving that something extra that you can never quite put your finger on.

Alors, skincare. French pharmacy brands are revered in the beauty world, and with good reason. Names like La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, and Avène pop up regularly on must-have skincare lists, and they are reputed for their effectiveness and quality. Even as a child and teenager, whenever I visited a dermatologist in Brussels for either acne or eczema problems, I would leave the doctor's office with a prescription for La Roche-Posay products (all of which did wonders for my skin). The fact that doctors trust such readily available products speaks volumes about why these French pharmacy brands continue to be so popular.

When it comes to make-up, less is definitely more. Surely nothing looks more chic than a barely-there base and a slick of red lipstick. All you really need for complexion is a tinted moisturiser or sheer base, such as the Becca Luminous Skin Colour and Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant Glow. If need be, conceal blemishes and dark circles, but be sure to use concealer minimally. Frame your eyes and face by defining your eyebrows with the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Hard 9 Eyebrow Pencil (costs a bomb, but gives the most natural definition to the brows by only adding pigment where it interacts with the oils on your eyebrows. 2 words: Holy. Grail.) Finish off with one coat of your favourite mascara; I'm currently alternating between the L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara and the No. 7 Fanomenal Lashes Mascara. The bold red lip is entirely optional, but I find it essential for adding a bit of Parisian allure. For those who are wary of too much colour on the lips, tap the lipstick onto your lips and blend with your finger for a more lived-in, subtle effect. Chanel Rouge Allure in Passion is the perfect blue-toned shade of red that is likely to suit most skin tones.

I believe there is a lot to take away from the French beauty philosophy, and narrowing the make-up regimen down to just a few items would make us appreciate and work more with what we naturally have. The French approach to style is equally commendable, as it would encourage us to value a smaller wardrobe of versatile yet high-quality pieces. And so I continue in hopes of attaining that je ne sais quoi. In the meantime, I will be waiting patiently until the Isabel Marant pour H&M collection launches. 

Only Skin Deep? #1: Diet

This post is the first in a series about how skincare and beauty are influenced not only by the products you apply directly on your skin, but also by how you take care of your body as a whole. It is important to recognise that you can only spend so much money on make up and skincare products, but at the end of the day, lifestyle choices play an equally vital role. You need to give your skin all the help you can from within so that it can help itself from without.

Let's start off with diet. I truly believe that what you put in your gut is likely to affect your skin. Every time I walk away from McDonald's with a tummy full of fries and McNuggets, I can guarantee that a few spots will be due to appear within the following two or three days. The same goes for drinking milk: I recently went through a phase of obsession with Starbucks's Caramel Cream Frappuccino (no coffee, just milk and cream). Out of nowhere came these large, painful spots around my lip and chin area. I eliminated the drink from my diet, albeit reluctantly, and the spots stopped appearing.

There are so many foods that 'experts' claim to contribute towards better skin, it becomes difficult to select exactly which ones you know will be good for you. One useful way to go about solving this dilemma is to incorporate foods with specific ingredients that you know are beneficial for your skin. For example, antioxidants help in preventing and repairing damage to body tissue. Anti-ageing properties, hello! They also block the effects of oxidation, which is caused by free radicals (think of an apple that has been cut and then turned brown after a while - that's oxidation). Foods and drinks high in antioxidants include pomegranate, blueberries, dark chocolate, green tea, and red beans. Don't forget the importance of protein, fats, and zinc. By fats, I mean unsaturated fats, found in nuts and some vegetable oils, as well as in the form of Omega 3 in fish. The possibilities are endless when it comes to eating properly for your skin. As a general rule of thumb, however, try to avoid deep fried stuff, as well as processed food. The smaller and more basic the list of ingredients on the label is, the better.

We've also all heard the timeless advice given to us from doctors, parents, friends: drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. While I'm not sure I can drink that much in a day, the continuity of that advice demonstrates the wide-ranging benefits of drinking water regularly. Water keeps your body functioning properly. It doesn't take a genius to know that our bodies are made up of a majority of water (around 60%, if you want an actual figure). The fluid regulates a number of processes, namely digestion, saliva production, and body temperature regulation. Let's also not forget that it helps eliminate the nasty stuff that your body does not need. The skin is an organ in itself, and it needs water to fill up the skin cells and prevent dryness. As a result, it's no secret that the first step to healthy-looking skin is hydration, so think of water as a cleanser, toner and moisturiser from within. The best aid in locking that moisture in your skin is a moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid.

It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that alcohol is going to take you a hundred steps backward in terms of keeping your skin healthy. Alcohol dehydrates you like it's nobody's business. However, I have to admit that I enjoy the occasional beer/wine/cider/cocktail. I try to remedy this by drinking a lot of water along the way, just to top up the H2O as best I can.

By no means should you deprive yourself when it comes to food. On Friday night, I had the most wonderful dinner at Hakkasan in London, and tried all the amazing dishes that came to the table. My advice, however, is to have all these treats in moderation. Too much of a good thing can end up being bad for you, so give in to temptation, but not to gluttony.