Ok I don't do it very often...

.... but I'm going to do a beauty post.  Ok so maybe I should rephrase that as it's more of a necessity post.  Those wonderful little things that make me look human every day.  I'm not a big purchaser of anything beauty related - for me it's up there with underwear.  Functional and duty purchases to keep the haggard old witch inside me from breaking free and taking over.  

I know this is pure sacrilege to some people who adore all things beauty and make up related and huge apologies.  I'm in the camp of "I'd rather buy shoes". 

However after many years of kissing a lot of frogs, I've finally found a little collection of Beauty Heroes that I can't live without.  A number of people have emailed and asked about my hair, eyelashes and skin so I thought I'd take a day off fashion and just share some of my must have beauty favourites. 

Starting with the eyelashes.  No, I don't have false eyelashes and I don't use a super special mascara (normal Max Factor one at the mo but I've had GOSH ones from Superdrug in the past which have also been ace).  My newly found super long and super thick eyelashes are thanks to a product called RevitaLash.

It's now currently on offer from QVC and on the easy payment system - normally it's £61.20 each so two for £87 is amazing. 

To prove how absolutely pants at beauty I am, I should clearly have before and after pics of my lashes and errr, I don't.  There is a pretty good pic on the Bauble blog from the other day (of after) The only make up I have on is a smidge of blusher and my cheapo mascara.  All thanks to RevitaLash which has completely changed the make up that I wear.  Plus, having had problems with dry eczema around my eyes, this has completely disappeared after wearing such little make up. 

It does take 5 to 6 weeks to work.  Everyone who had used this and recommended it, said that.  It seems like nothing is happening and then boom, overnight they grow.  Yeah right I thought.  But nope, it's true.  Go figure.  Yes it is expensive but, to someone who loathes spending money on anything beauty, even I think it's worth it.  So much so I've just invested in my 2nd (and 3rd as I did buy the set) tube.  I started using this in July so that I wouldn't have to wear make up at Eurocamp.  It started working the week after we got back.  Obviously. 




Another product that has meant I can wear practically no make up and not scare small children is the most fabulous moisturiser I have ever used.

La Roche Posay Redermic Anti Wrinkle Treatment now on offer at Boots for £18.66



It is the most unexciting tube and very clinical looking but as someone who has no interest in anything pretty about the packaging of my skincare, it doesn't bother me.  It works.  My skin feels like glass - no word of a lie.  It's the lightest cream I've used for years, completely disappears in seconds with not an iota of grease about it.  Are my wrinkles less?  Hmm well they aren't any worse that's for sure and people have actually commented on how much better my skin is looking.  You can't say fairer than that in my book.  I've just ordered another tube and am very tempted to stock up on a third.  

Whilst we're on the subject of life changing and I would say the above two products definitely have been for me, three being the magic number, I have to include again, the Babyliss Big Hair. 

It's now on a special price at QVC, the best thing about this being that if you don't like it you can try it and send it back no questions asked.

Babyliss Big Hair, now £36.36




Now I don't find that this actually gives me particularly Big Hair.  Why do I love it then I hear you cry. (god this beauty stuff is hard - apologies).  It's the smoothing that I love it for.  Take some Irish mist straw which apparently passes for hair on my head and after 10 mins with one of these (I do have it down to a fine art - it did used to take me 20 minutes at least and give me the most chronic arm ache, I'll embarrassingly admit), my hair is smooth and looks as if an (average) hairdresser could have given it a go. 

To get my hair looking utterly amazing though I put myself in the trusty hands of Daniel Jordan and his team for hair with Louise doing my colour.  If you are vaguely within the vicinity of Sevenoaks I honestly can't recommend them highly enough.

So moving onto the dodgy ground for me - make up.  I am so far out of my comfort zone here, it's unreal but one product which I absolutely love and always have in my handbag is my trusty Dior Addict Lip Glow   



A Lip Balm with magic qualities.  It's a tint that is different on everyone depending on your colouring and is guaranteed to work on you.  I know it sounds like beauty mumbojumbo but as the most cynical cretin out there, it does actually work.  It is always a shade of pink (which sounds grim but trust me) which works.  The perfect not done but done lip colour for every day.  I am addicted. (and on my second one).  Here's the blurb (they say it so much better than me)

I also managed to find a lip gloss version - these apparently were limited edition and like rocking horse poo - I think there is one left at Escentuals (it doesn't come out that scary pink by the way - tis more subtle)







And finishing with a couple of my favourite every day fragrances.  Both are actually unisex and both are just gorgeous. 

Firstly the bargainous Lyn Harris range from M&S.  My fave is definitely Le Cologne  £25



As they say, a fresh, vibrant citrus classic.  Stunning and perfect all year round and for every occasion.  

Staying with the male vibe and moving from a new fragrance to a French Classic. 

Roget & Gallet Jean Marie Farina Eau de Cologne 100ml £32.  Again, lots of citrus notes to it but with a spicier undertone.  I have worn this for years and always have one in a handbag (they also do a handbag size which is super useful)  This is the fragrance that Rugrat One always recognises as "mine" (that and my Jo Malone French Lime Blossom which isn't particularly budget and I have mentioned before) 





So there we have my offensively amateur beauty post.  Huge apologies but like I've said, it's really not my bag, but people have asked and I have promised I would mention what helps my face look 40 and not 50! 

Back into the comfort zone with my outfits from yesterday and today.  Definitely feel like I'm getting into my winter groove.  


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Black Sixties Jumper - Boden
Leopard print coated jeans - Great Plains
Wild Kat black leopard ballet flats - The British Flat Shoe Company
Camel coat - Zara
Tan cuff - Mulberry 
Leather cuff - Hultquist
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang

Yes.  It's a skirt.  There are legs. 

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Black button detail polo neck - Zara
Tan leather skirt - Zara
Black 120 Denier tights - Topshop
Black Ohio Suede studded ankle boots - Pied a Terre
Tweed boyfriend coat - Zara
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang. 

And breathe.  This has taken me forever to do so I really hope you all appreciate it!  Honestly these are things that I personally love and use every day.  As you can see they're not particularly exciting but they do work.  Huge hats off to all the Beauty girls who do this day in day out.  Much respect! 

Tomorrow, normal service will be resumed with something pretty and frivolous. 

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CONVERSATION

28 comentarios:

  1. That R and G is my favourite, our annual holiday destination has it as their soap, shampoo etc and as soon as I smell it I am in the South of France and it is 30 degrees! I didn't know you could even get it in the UK!

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    1. Yes you can get it loads of places! I always buy mine from John Lewis but you can get it at our local Chemist as well and from M&S Beauty Halls. It's so stunning and you're so right - it does just smell of the South of France x

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  2. Love this post Kat! Dior bits added to my xmas list (defo the lip balm one) and am now pondering on that hair thingy. I am naturally very frizzy so whenever I wear it curly I have to straighten it for 2 days first. Just not sure I am patient enough but I want a little more volume and love your hair x

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    1. I think it would work well on your hair actually love. x

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  3. Thanks for your tips, for a fifty year old you do look pretty ok to me anyway.

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    1. I'm actually 75 but can we please not tell anyone.

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  4. Umm, I enjoyed the beauty post, Kat, but I do love my beauty fixes as well as my fashion ;-). I often purchase beauty from QVC as they stock great beauty brands and it's easy to try and return if you don't like the stuff. I never do QVC fashion though!! I am with you on the 'underwear' thing, which is probably why my bras have seen better days! The lip balm sounds interesting, I may have to 'investigate' (which usually means 'buy'!).

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    1. QVC fashion, yes DEAR GOD! But they do have the most amazing beauty brands you're right and sometimes you can get them for such such great deals. I am totally in love with the Dior Lip Glow - on my second already. So pleased to find another underwear hater. Dullarama!

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  5. Great post, Kat. I think I will be tracking down the Dior lip balm as I've been looking for a subtle-pink moisturising balm. I've tried so many lip glosses and most are nasty and sticky - the slightest hint of a breeze and you end up with half your hair stuck to your face.

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    1. Nope this is great. The gloss is obviously much stickier, but the balm just adds a moisturising slick of colour and you're off. I do sometimes use just a clear gloss over it for a dressier look.

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  6. Love this post - beauty is actually my first love but that's because I'm not naturally gorgeous. I always find that naturally beautiful girls like you have the least interest in beauty stuff whereas I get my head turned by any glimmer of hope like the LRP - off to boots website now! Actually need a new retinol product as have given avene eluage 5 months and not seeing results so will switch to your rec. I too swear by remington big hair - also have crazy frizzy Irish hair and is the only thing that gets it smooth. I think they should remarket it as a defrizzer rather than a volumiser as it takes volume out of my hair - thank god! Love your leopard jeans - look gorge with the camel. Have a good wend x

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    1. Thank you so so much love - I absolutely love reading your comments. Do try the new La Roche Posay as it's fab. I didn't use it yesterday (had something else to try) and by the end of the day, I could really feel a difference in not having used it. It's honestly skin changing. And yes, I don't find that the Big Hair adds much volume but it smooths like a professional hair dresser!

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  7. Like you I've only got a passing interest in things beauty related but always am interested in personal recommends. Like the sound of the Dior Lipglow and the Boots moisturiser, Also loving the camel coat and the leather skirt!

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    1. Thank you! I tend to buy 99% of my beauty things on recommendations as well - always the best way. And thank you - I do love the coat and skirt (they might work together actually with a cream blouse underneath. Hmmmm.

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  8. great post - like you - i don't spend ages on beauty product buying or wearing but like good basic products - i.e. dior, clarins etc. Always on the look out for different perfume sprays and will check out the ones you recommended. You should do more blogs on beauty, things for home that aren't too expensive but can change a room, recipes tried and tested etc.

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    1. Thank you! I've toyed with the idea of doing more on the blog for a while - am currently undertaking the mammoth task of redoing out entire house so actually 50% of the time, my head is full of home stuff anyway. The R&G perfume ranges are really lovely - subtle and perfect for every day. Hope you find one you like xx

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  9. Great Post, you should do more I think you did a great job.
    I want the Babyliss big hair SO much it looks amazing xx

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    1. Thank you *blush*. The Babyliss Big Hair is honestly life changing, I promise you x

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  10. Great first beauty post Kat ;-) I am on a coat hunt at the moment, please tell me the Zara camel one is from this year???

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    1. YES the Zara coat is from this year, I bought it last week. It's actually online as a long blazer coat - it's not as thick as some overcoats but for this country (unless you're going to be standing outdoors for hours - and even then you could layer underneath) I don't think you need a ridiculously heavy coat. I have my parka for more practical chilly events. It's £129. x

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  11. Love it! I'll check out that moisturiser!

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    1. It's such a fabulously light moisturiser I think it would actually work on any age (you young un you!! xx)

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  12. Here in Australia the Babyliss Big Hair is branded as VS Sassoon Big Hair Styler 1000, which I rushed out and bought yesterday ($85 on special in Myer) after reading your post. Have just used it and I have BIG hair! I watched a few tutorials online and gave it a go. I look hilarious sat here in my workout gear with bouncy glam hair. I'm sure practice will make perfect. Thanks for a great post.

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    1. oh Excellent! It does take a bit of practise to get used to it but after you've mastered it, you won't be able to dry your hair without it, I promise. x

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  13. Thanks for sharing this post. nice Hair styler having all new features in it and within budget.i think it's best product according to me.

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  14. I love seeing what beauty products other women use & even better you get a great review from someone who actually uses them! Some fabulous products here & I'm going to check out M&S for perfume from now on! I want a 'Big Hair' too & its on my Xmas list! Ax

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