My Favourite Online Beauty Pit Stops

It's really noticeable that we're in an era where our shopping is taking place more and more online; you only have to walk down my local high street to spot empty stores that used to be brimming with customers. Custom has gone elsewhere and it's no secret that it's gone online. I'm an online shopper myself nowadays too, it's easier, fuss free and you can find a lot more online in one go than you can in any store! A lot of stores offer extra points for online purchases too, always one worth noting.

I shop online for beauty a lot more than I do in store, in fact I've been known to pop in store to swatch products and then head home and order online. If delivery is free and there's extra benefits online then I say why not; so here's my run down of my favourite beauty online pit stops.

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Collection

Awesome bodycare treats that work & smell great.

When it comes to body care I'm very much a high street girl, I'm conscious about what I slather across my body post-shower but tend to find the high street top notch for all the things I need. The Vaseline Cocoa Butter collection caught my eye recently, it nourishes your skin and has a cocoa-chocolate scent; you might have seen it pop up in my Easter gift guide? I think it's just great; the collection is comprised of a lip balm, body butter, body lotion and gel body oil meaning there's something available for everyone's tastes. What's even better is that the range is priced between £1.90-£5.10, not bad eh! I've been giving the body butter and oil a go this week.

Lipstick Queen Saint Sheer Lipstick in 'Sunny Rouge'

For Poppy King, owner of Lipstick Queen, there is nothing more empowering than a lipstick and this lipstick obsessive wants to share that empowerment with you. Poppy set herself on an adventure to create a range of lipsticks tailored to all lipstick lovers needs, personally designing all the colours, textures and products in her range of lipsticks on her way. The story began with two very key lines: Saints and Sinners. Saint: sheer texture and bold colour. Sinner: opaque, adds a hint of colour. Every shade comes in Saint or Sinner formulation so you can choose between full coverage or a hint of colour in your favourite shade, no compromises. 

Many a line of lipstick has been added to the Lipstick Queen selection since it all began but I've been heading back to the lipstick queen roots and putting the original formulas to the test. Prepare to be blown away by my top pick of the collection - Sunny Rouge.

OPI Mariah Carey Mini Collection

New nail trends are coming thick and fast this year and OPI are no exception with their launch of 'Liquid Sand' polishes in their Mariah Carey collection. Liquid sand is a totally new nail concept that has never been done before, the groundbreaking formulas leave a matte, textured finish that sparkles and glistens without the need for top coat.

The complete Mariah Carey collection features eight polishes split into two categories: 'Studio' shades representing OPI's classic formulations and 'Stage' shades representing the new liquid sand formula. The OPI Mariah Carey Mini Collection brings together all four Stage shades to give you a taste of the first liquid sand formulas to launch in four sweet 3.75ml bottles. I've got the set here and have been giving the liquid sand look a go myself, it's an interesting nail look to say the least, you're either going to love it or hate it.

Summer In A Bottle: The Body Shop Coconut & Satsuma Body Cleansers

Summer in a bottle.

We may have only been officially in the throngs of Spring 2013 for a day but already I'm all out Summer dreaming. I can't wait for sunny days, evening daylight and lazy days by the beach. If there's one thing I associate strongly with summer beauty, it's the scents and bright colours, and one particular product that (somewhat strangely?) gets me into the Summer mood is shower gel. I just love scrumptious scented shower gels to wake me up on an early morning and come Spring/Summer there are a few particular scents that get me energised for sunny Summer days ahead. And when it's not so sunny, they remind me that the sunshine is on it's way. 

I'm talking about an old favourite of mine that I've turned to every year for as long as I can remember - The Body Shop Body Cleansers in Satsuma and Coconut.

Eyeshadow Primer Potion - What Does It Do?

Urban Decay Primer Potions, put to the test.

Pre-2012 I didn't own a single eyeshadow because I simply wasn't interested in applying colour to my eyes and my fringe hid it anyway. As I've started getting into eyeshadows (nowadays you can't keep me away from them) I've been familiarising myself with the ins and outs of formulas and the shall we say rather loosely the more 'technical' side to eyeshadow. A product out there on the market from many brands and Urban Decay themselves is Eyeshadow Primer, it works in the similar way to other primers by prepping your eyes for product and other such things. It's not essential but it's an accessory to your eyeshadow routine if you see it fit.

But what does eyeshadow primer potion actually do? Does it work? I've been putting it to the test to show you exactly what primer potions do and why you need to hot foot it to your nearest counter, stat.

Easter Gift Guide: Beauty Edition

Consider this your gift guide without the calories this Easter

Easter is creeping round quicker than ever this year, it's a few days early and is celebrated on March 31st! It's somewhat traditional to gift chocolate easter eggs to loved ones on Easter Day, having a visit from the Easter Bunny used to ripple me with excitement and I'd be heading to bed in a flash the night before. Now I'm grown up and chocolate isn't my thing anymore (any other chocolate haters out there?)  I like to put my own twist on Easter gifting. Easter may not be the biggest celebration gifting wise but I still enjoy giving my nearest and dearest small tokens, any excuse to celebrate.

Today is officially the first day of Spring, my favourite season of the year, so it's time to kick off some Spring-themed posts with my Easter Gift Guide, consider it your gift guide without the calories this Easter.

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Fragrance

An intoxicating floral musk

Friday 15th March was this year renamed 'Pink Friday' at Selfridges in honour of the UK launch of Nicki Minaj's debut fragrance - Pink Friday. International superstar Nicki has teamed up with Elizabeth Arden to bring fans a fresh fragrance in time for Spring that captures her vivacious personality and effervescence with fruity, floral notes and totally unique packaging. Whether you're one of many dedicated 'Barbz' or if you fancy a fling with a new perfume, Pink Friday is a fragrance to note this Spring/Summer.

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Skincare Kit

Blemished skin be gone with Burts Bees Anti-Blemish Skincare

Burts Bees are my 'go-to' brand when I think of natural care products, whether you want something for your skin, your hair or your body Burts Bees has it all with a promise of all natural, environmentally conscious ingredients. The clever team at BB's have created a complete anti-blemish skincare routine comprised of five products that's been scientifically proven to reduce blemishes and prevent them whilst clearing your complexion. If like me you like to try before you buy the whole range, Burts Bees and Gorgeous Shop have teamed up to bring us an exclusive kit containing three full sized core products from the Anti-Blemish Skincare range. Let's take a closer look at what's inside!

Ciaté Very Colourfoil Manicure

March has seen the launch of the latest nail art craze to hit our shelves - Ciaté Very Colourfoil Manicures - inspired by this seasons catwalks that were awash with metallics and luxe foil shades. Make your manicure with a difference this Spring with three kits specially designed to add a splash of glimmering shimmering colour to your nails with unique foils. Up for grabs are 'Carnival Couture', 'Kaleidoscope Clash' and the kit I've been trying my hand at, 'Wonderland'. I love anything nail art-y but this is something that's a cut above the rest and totally fresh, prepare yourselves to get Colourfoiled.

KIKO Cosmetics Colours of the World Spring Collection

KIKO Cosmetics well and truly landed on my beauty radar last month with a flash and a pop of colour. Fresh from Italy meet the cosmetics brand taking the beauty community by storm, loved by many worldwide KIKO Cosmetics is making a statement here in the UK with bold colours, high quality formulas and affordable prices. Think premium quality mixed with high street deliverance and you've got KIKO Cosmetics.

To get you in the mood for a bit of spring whenever it may appear I've got a selection of KIKO's Limited Edition Spring Collection, awash with bright hues and smooth textures that will suit any skin tone, any ethnicity and work under pressure of any weather! If you like experimenting with colour then this is the collection for you. Prepare yourselves for a swatchathon, we have a lot to get through...

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips

Originally formulated for dry and cracked nipples, Dr.Lipp Original Nipple Balm has become quite a sensation in the beauty industry for softening, smoothing and nourishing lips, elbows and cuticles too! I was quite intrigued at the thought of using not only a nipple balm but a product made of 100% Medical Grade Lanolin on my lips, so I've been putting it to the test for the past few weeks.

Orly Spring 2013 Hope & Freedom Collection

'Hope and Freedom Fest'

Spring is my favourite season for cosmetics and beauty, I can't get enough of pastels and brights and my first port of call for splashing a bit of colour into my beauty routine is my nails. What better a collection to satisfy my talon tastes come Springtime than Orly's Spring 2013 Collection - Hope & Freedom Fest. The Hope & Freedom collection is formed of six polishes, which are a good selection of textured polishes, pastels and brights. I love how this collection and the shade names give a gentle nod to the up and coming festival season, with a shade range playing on 'boho chic' hues. Here I've got 'High On Hope' and 'Coachella Dweller', which I've swatched and reviewed to give you just a flavour of the collection.

Mothers Day Gift Guide: The Beauty Edition

We've reached the one week mark until Mother's Day so nows the time to really be thinking about what treats to bestow on your doting mother come March 10th if you haven't already! There's plenty of Mothers Day gift ideas floating about but for me you can't beat giving the gift of beauty, whether it be a little indulgence or an old favourite you simply can't go wrong. The gift of beauty is a gift that keeps on giving.
So where exactly is my go to place to scout out the perfect beauty products for Mother's Day...and perhaps any other occasion? Selfridges, of course, thanks to its wonderfully revamped beauty hall and Beauty Workshop. I couldn't resist heading down last week to take a look at what Selfridges have on offer whilst keeping mums in mind, feeling immediately excited by the counters brimming with beauty products and the staff equipped and ready to discuss the products with you and help you test them out. As I perused my way through the counters and stands I noticed some old favourites and some fantastic new, undiscovered brands. With a pen and paper in hand I made use of the staff, testers and brimming shelves to seek out ideal beauty gifts suitable for every mum, whether you're on a budget or digging deep I think I have something perfect up my sleeve...

Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash

'Micro-massage exfoliating treatment'

Winter dries out my skin like no tomorrow, I tell you, and I don't even have a particularly dry skin type! It's a desperate bid to buff away my scaly winter skin and reach peachy skin perfection in time for Spring/Summer where heavier makeup just doesn't work with the weather I put all sorts of scrubs and treatments to the test. My latest trial has been Philosophy's Microdelivery, an exfoliating face wash and 'micro-massage' treatment in one.