Best in Beauty: Early April

I can't believe that my Easter holidays have been and gone and I am back to London today until Summer holidays. Yup. SUMMER.

Without risking sounding like a grandmother, WHERE has this year gone?

Oh to be young again.

Anyway, without further ado, here are my first best in beauty picks for this month- i'll do another batch towards the end of the month because i'm that much of a beauty junkie.

Hope you likey! 

My first picks this month have to be two of the finest mascaras of the moment. Stila is a cult label that last year saw a long overdue relaunch. While their nourishing, super-shiny lip glazes are particularly iconic, I must admit that I have heard nothing but great things about their Stay All Day mascara (£15 from Space NK here). It really is in the name on this one, girls, for this mascara supposedly does not budge all day long. I am thinking that this shall be one for my Summer beauty bag (back off panda eyes- just back off) and will keep you posted when i've tried it. If anyone has already just pop a little comment below.

My second mascara pick is one that I have been using for a little while and must say that I do swear by it for giving me super fluttery eyelashes in just a couple of coats. Don't be perturbed by that snazzy looking old tube, for this MAC False Lashes mascara is certainly a keeper (£18 here). While it is certainly not smudge (ahem - tear) proof, this glossy mascara is thick but not clumpy and is perfect for lengthening and volumising without too much hassle. I always curl with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers beforehand, of course. 

I shudder to think how much money I have spent in this lifetime on lipgloss. I go through it at the speed of noughts, and buy way more than I really should. I just love a good lipgloss, I do. I also am pretty pernickety about the glosses I go for, as nothing is more off-putting than an overly viscous or oily "gloss", it's got to be suitably sticky and preferably sweet. 

My favourite, month by month, is always the NARS lipgloss. It is thick but not gloopy and has just the right amount of pigment to remove any need for a base lipstick or colour. It is a little bit more expensive than your average Superdrug shot (£17.50 here), but it is also a big bit better. This Turkish Delight colour is a pale, powdery pink and is soon to be the latest addition to my ever expanding beauty bag. See ya in Selfridges... Or Space NK... Or Harvey Nicks. I'm not fussy. 

Another product I am really keen to try is the Benefit Dandelion lipgloss (£14.50 here). If anyone has any feedback on it just let me know- I love the blusher personally for it's delicate touch of petal pink, so I can only imagine that the lipgloss is just as lovely. 

I featured these Urban Apothecary candles in my Mothers Day post a while back (after spotting on the amazing Discover and Escape) and I just had to feature them again because they sound SO delicious! I still haven't found an excuse to treat myself just yet, but don't they sound so lovely? Inspired by french macaroons (mmmmm...) these delightfully sweet candles come in an array of sugary scents that sound so very decadent. I felt as we edged into Summer, I should stay true to good old Great Britain and bring out the strawbs and cream! This luxury candle comes in a beautiful little glass jar which is perfect for storing trinkets once the candle is all gone. You can treat yourself here for £30. 

You know i'm off to New York this June, right? Don't know if i've mentioned...

Eep! I am so very excited to visit the Big Apple and on reading a book called The Stylist's Guide to NYC, I got even more excited about checking out some of the cities' big name perfumery stores such as Le Labo.

Le Labo scents are a tad expensive, but they are delightfully unique and can even have the labels personalised. What could possibly be a better souvenir? 

I think I shall be inclined to go for Jasmine. A light but floral Spring scent, this charming and distinctive scent is ladylike but still powerful. You can buy for £95 here or at Liberty (as per the one in the image)

Yesterday over lunch, my mother, sister and I spent a good half hour talking about our favourite nail polish brands, which made for a riotous old time for dad, as I'm sure you can imagine. 

While initially I flew the flag for Essie (I love Splash of Grenadine and Ballet Slippers- call me cliché!) and OPI, my mother plumped for Leighton Denny and my sister full on championed Butter London polishes. 

I must admit that my sister and I rarely agree, but on this one I could not argue. Butter London polishes really are quite fabulous and for Spring they have some delicious shades around. I just featured a couple of my favourites here- Fruit Machine, a poppy candy pink and Kerfuffle, a sugary soft coral. 

The polishes offer great coverage and don't go as streaky as other luxury polish brands tend to. Both these soft new interpretations of pastel shades would be great for the warmer months whether on your fingertips or tootsies. (both £13 at Butter London)

While skincare is not among the most girly or glamourous of beauty products, it is undoubtedly the most important, particularly if you suffer from skin problems like myself.

My skin is scarred from acne, dry in parts and oily in others, and also extremely blemish prone, so I spend my life in pursuit of a regime that will balance all of the above or, perhaps, make it all go away?

While this Eucerin DermoPurifyer hasn't quite cleared everything up, it really is helping. I have been using the cleanser (£9.18 here), toner (£9.18 here), concentrate (£9.50 here) and moisturiser/night here (both £9.18 here) every day and night for the past few weeks and I have noticed a great improvement in my skin.

My skin is nourished and no longer as oily, and spots are far rarer than they have been in the past. I have also been eating a far more nutritious diet since being at home, with more fats than I care to think about, which probably is a contributing factor, but I really would recommend this regime if you're a little conscious of your skin. 

Last but not least, a little touch of luxury from Anya Hindmarch. I really do wish I could call this make-up bag my own, but I think it's something I would need to ask for as a gift!

How adorable is it? This "Face Repair Kit" in soft metallic leather is £135 (here) but is perfect for carrying around all your favourite beauty essentials! 

How could you resist?!

Pursuit of Prettiness: The Gothic Lip

MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger £14

I love this rich tomato red, a subtle take on the gothic look. Apply with a make-up brush for precision and pair with minimal make-up. It is a slightly drier formula so try a balm on top for extra nourishment. It is particularly pretty on warmer skintones- fairer types should stick to Russian Red with it's cool blue tones.  

NARS Liquid Lip Colour in Nana £17.50

This one looks scarier than it is! I expected it to be nearly black and was sceptical to try it, but I have to say I rather liked the final effect. It goes on like a patent, blackberry stain and has some incredible staying power. I was too much of a wuss to wear more than one coat, but I really loved it layered over Topshop Lips in Hazard. A slick and stylish way to wear the trend. 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Va Va Violet  £7.49

I think this one has to be my favourite- it is also the most gothic. It is a deep purple, almost black, and has a nourishing, creamy texture that feels rather luxurious. I loved the colour and felt it flattered my cool skintone perfectly. It is perfect shade of wine meets rich, regal purple tones. It certainly belies it's Boots pricetag.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge in RS612 £17

I used this one for more of a tint approach- one that would be better suited to an older lady or one less adventurous when it comes to vampy lip colours. This is a gorgeous, glossy lipstick which, after one application, is sheer and nourishing and, I found, rather plumping on the lips. The colour is not the most intense, unfortunately, but for wearability this one has to be a winner. I found that the plum complemented my blonde hair rather well also. 

Topshop lips in Beguiled £8

Of the three Topshop darker lipsticks I tried, this one had to be my favourite. The others were gorgeous also, but I loved this rich blackberry shade- it is so luxurious and a little goes a long way! I found this one a great texture and coverage and it would be great for a really dramatic look- a close second. 

HI. Here's my face.

Sorry about that- hope you weren't eating.

Anyway, I know that instagrammed pictures of me are not what you read this blog for, but they are here for a reason- I promise! 

I have been obsessing about the Gothic trend for ages now, and am a Gucci fiend, dying to be Anja Rubik in that lace and chiffon maxidress with her killer plum pout and wavy platinum hair.

So just as we approach mid-October, I thought I could start getting all spooky on ya (please refrain from telling me to "take of my mask" etc.) 

I felt I had to step out of my comfort zone and try a beauty trend- something I am often reluctant to do. Gimme a tricky fashion trend, and i'll give it a whirl, but i'm much less adventurous when it comes to my make-up... A smoky eye is daring in my books. 

However, I must man up and try something a bit different... Gothic lips. Eek. 

It's not as scary as it first seems, though, and I must admit I am a bit of a convert. I have spent years piling on nude lipsticks and glosses and now is the perfect time to break free from those understated (*ahem* BORING) neutrals. 

MAC Meets Marilyn

MAC Lipstick in "Charmed, I'm Sure" £15.50 from October

50 Shades of Louise Gray!

Lipsticks in Legend and Mexican Wave, £10 each

Oh gosh, excuse this dire pun!

I could not resist... I've been tempted to do a post on tea so as to incorporate "50 Shades of Earl Grey" into my blog, but count your lucky stars that my writing skills are not quite up to writing a tea-based short-story romp.

Thank you Topshop for collaborating with the eccentric Brit designer Louise Gray and allowing me to indulge in this pun. I'm also rather excited about this beauty range- I love, love, love the fun colours and  quirky packaging.

These lipsticks are the perfect way to inject a little bit of fun into your make-up bag and keep you feeling bright all through to Christmas time. They are instant mood-lifters!