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.