Models Own Colour Chrome

When it comes to nails, I don't really do colour. Call me a bore, but I tend to like to keep my nails as Nude as possible, however, these Models Own Colour Chrome polishes* are quite something, and so I thought I'd share them with you.

There's something really satisfying about this collection and for a collection that is made up of all things that on paper, wouldn't be for me, something about these really stood out.

I'm not sure whether it's because of the super shiny bottles which photograph quite fabulously, or the fact that these are so different from anything else in my collection but I honestly think they're really pretty.

I doubt I'll get too much wear out of them, because let's be honest, they're far from my day to day Nude/Black style, but I do think that particularly the Gold and Silver could come in super handy when it comes to nail art, which although I tend to only do around the festive period, it's sometimes nice just to practice- eh?

Pretty colours aside, these apply like a dream and there's something SO satisfying with every single stroke of the brush. It must be how the full coverage formula meets the metallic finish, but I loved applying these. Chrome Silver was the only shade that I feel needs more than one coat, but other than that, one actually gave a good finish.

Available in Chrome Silver, Chrome Gold, Chrome Blue, Chrome Pink and Chrome Green, you can get your hands on these at UK Models Own Bottle Shops as of January 31st 2015 and in Superdrug on February 11th, costing £4.99 each.

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Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

If you've been a long time reader of Belles Boutique, then you may be aware that I've never really found a mascara that floats my boat enough to give it holy grail status- yes I've tried some really good ones, but never one that's wowed me to the point where it's the only one I will repurchase.

Over the last few months, something has happened. I'm not sure whether it's because my lashes have changed or whether I'm doing something different, but I've come across three mascaras, that I find to be pretty excellent, and this is one of them.

Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes* has sat in my collection for almost a year(!) and I'm now absolutely kicking myself for not trying it sooner.

It's a 4-in-1 mascara that works to lengthen, curl, volumize and condition lashes and whilst I'm not too sure whether it provides the best volume, nor do I know whether it conditions them to any great lengths as I don't use it every day, it certainly lengthens and curls them beautifully and that's why I love it.

I'm not keen on the packaging if I'm honest, it's a little over the top and I'm not really a fan of the Crocodile skin look, but what does that even matter when the product itself is so lovely to use?

The formula is quite wet, which again surprises me as I normally like my mascaras a little bit drier, but maybe that's why I have been enjoying it- my preference may have changed without me even realising. 

Overall, it's really lovely to use. It doesn't go dry during the day, nor does is end up all around my eyes, it keeps my lashes curled and opens up my eyes a lot, which on a tired morning is just perfect.

Costing £17.76 from QVC in the UK and $20.00 for those of you lucky enough to have direct access to a Sephora, if you're on the hunt for what I believe to be a really nice mascara, then this could be well worth a purchase.

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Babyliss Curl Secret

The Babyliss Curl Secret* is a hair tool that's been on my agenda for a year or so, since it's huge launch back in 2013. 

I've always been intrigued by it, but wasn't too sure whether it would be for me or if it was a little gimmicky. After trying it a few times since getting my hands on it, I must admit, it is pretty good. 

On my first go, which I actually included a snippet in a weekly vlog, I wasn't too sure whether I loved it or hated it- purely because in all honestly, I found the concept a little terrifying. But wanting to give it a fair review, like everything, I used it more than once and I came to realise, that fortunately the pros of the Curl Secret certainly outweigh the cons.

The Curl Secret works by using its Auto Curl technology, which basically draws up your hair into a curl chamber, where it's heated from all directions. Initially, the thought of having my hair sucked up into an electrical appliance terrified me greatly. However, after using it for a little while, I did get used to it and by my second or third attempt, I was really impressed. 

Curling my hair with a wand can on occasion be hard work and time consuming, and when it comes to doing the back of my hair, it can be a nightmare, but the Curl Secret seems to take all of the work out of it and the automatic curl direction helps makes it such an easy process. 

Taking my hair section by section, I put the Curl Secret to around the mid-lengths of my hair and clamp down and within seconds (a few beeps) the curl is ready to be released, which it does so very easily. I leave it untouched and tight for a while, and then when my hair is completely cool, I give it a little brush through and it's a bouncy curly dream.

As well as the results from the tool itself, I'm also really impressed with the longevity of my curls. Normally, they would drop completely by the end of the day, but I think because the hair is heated from all directions, it helps hugely in setting the curl and my bouncy curls have been lasting for a couple of days at least- which is pretty unheard of for my hair.

With two heat settings to suit your hair type, as well as three different time settings for different effects, I really do enjoy using the Curl Secret, and I'm glad that I didn't give up on it after my first unsure experience.

A little bit costly, at £120.00, the Babyliss Curl Secret is well worth getting if you want curls but can't get to grips with a tong but because it does take a little getting used to, I would recommend you trying it out somehow before purchasing, if the price tag is a little bit of a stretch for you.

The Babyliss Curl Secret is available to buy now in the likes of John Lewis, Very and Selfridges. 

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Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors

I would go as far as to say that the Clarins new Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors* are probably one of my favourite products at the moment, and in terms of new launches, are the things I am most excited about.

As a huge fan of the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors already, before these launched I was really interested to see how they would perform, and honestly, I couldn't be happier.

As a new mum, I need products that are quick and easy to use as well as providing amazing results and that's exactly what these are.

Effortlessly easy to apply, they are packed full of Wild Mango and Shea Butter, leaving your lips feeling so moisturised and glossy smooth. They create a subtle lip gloss look, with the tiniest amount of pigmentation, which is perfect for every day. They're basically a stick form of the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, with nourishing lip care and I adore them.

Available in six shades- Rose, Coral, My Pink, Orange, Red and Rosewood, 02 Coral is my personal favourite, which swatched above, probably comes as no real surprise.

Costing £18.00, these are available to buy now in the likes of John Lewis, House of Fraser, and Selfridges.


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MAC Pure Zen

MAC Pure Zen is amongst one of my latest MAC/lipstick purchases to join my collection, after the lovely Corrie recommended it to me quite a while back now.

Well and truly in my "safe" lipstick zone, Pure Zen is described as a Rosy Beige Nude in what I would describe as being in the same family as Hue- just a Peachier tone, which is why I just can't get enough.

Completely wearable, I find these kind of tones so "me" and I call them safe, because I can pretty much always rely on them. Whatever the occasion, whatever the make up- they work and for that, I will always have one to hand. 

Pure Zen is a Cremesheen finish, which in the past was never my favourite, but I've found I have grown to love it, maybe even more so than Satin. Creamy on application with a moisturising sheen, Pure Zen sits on the lips beautifully and has the ability to act as a sheer wash of colour, as well as a more built up semi-opaque colour on the lips, which is how I prefer to wear it.

Just like most MAC lipsticks, Pure Zen has decent longevity and stays on the lips a fair few hours before fading. 

Available from MAC stand alone stores and counters in the likes of House of Fraser and Selfridges, MAC lipsticks cost £15.50.

What do you think of Pure Zen? Is it the kind of shade that would suit you and your collection?

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Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra Rich

I've been using the original formula of Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream* for quite a while now and actually wrote about it back in July, however, a couple of months ago I sadly came to the end of the tub and wasn't too sure whether to give the new Ultra Rich formula a go or not. 

The Ultra Rich title put me off a little bit, in fear that it would be too thick or heavy, like the majority of products described as ultra rich often are, however, after researching it, I came across Caroline Hirons post which totally swayed me into breaking the seal.

Perfect for dry or dehydrated skin, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich ups the normal Marine Cream game and has worked a little wonder for my current dehydrated and lifeless skin. My skin is pretty dehydrated at the moment, in fact it's struggling a fair bit, and so it's loving drinking up the goodness that this richer formula has to offer.

 Combined with amino acids, anti-oxidants, vitamins and seaweeds- it works to nourish, comfort, tone and firm skin and I personally can't get enough. As I mentioned, I had worried that it would be too thick and heavy for my skin, even though I am suffering with dehydration, but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's still in my opinion quite a light formula and glides onto the skin as beautifully as the original cream-gel, hydrating it incredibly.

Along with fearing that it would be too heavy to sink into my skin (which it isn't, it sinks in perfectly), I was concerned that it may be too oily to use underneath my make up, but just like the original Marine Cream, it's so lovely. I really do love how make up applies after using this moisturiser in the mornings and I honestly can't fault it- except for the price that is, which I must admit is a little eye watering(!)

Very similar to the original formula in my opinion, with a few more beneficial ingredients and lot more noticeable hydration, this is a must if your skin is like mine, suffering from dehydration or dryness from this cold weather. 

Available from the likes of John Lewis and Look Fantastic, 50ml will set you back £80- but even though I'd rarely recommend spending £80 on 50ml of moisturiser, I do like it a lot.

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Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil* is a product that had me extremely intrigued when I heard of it launching last year, but the thought of using an oil on my lips, left me a little unsure as to whether it would be for me or not.

I'm so into lip products and over time, have used all kinds of different balms and sticks to keep my lips as moisturised and supple as possible, but I don't think that in all of my years of buying beauty products, I've ever been presented with an oil formula, until now of course.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil is the perfect in-between of a lip balm and a lip gloss- similar to that of maybe an Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, though with a lot less pigment. 

It's incredibly light and feels so far from the oily formula that I imagined it would carry. It's lightweight, comfortable on the lips and adds a beautiful subtle gloss finish to my lips, which continues for hours after application.

I've tried this out both on its own and with a variety of lipsticks, and I really do love how well it seems to work for both. It adds a lovely amount of moisture which works beautifully well, even when paired with the most drying of lipsticks.

Not at all sticky or heavy like some oils can feel, Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil has become a winter staple for me and infused with plant based active ingredients, if you're after a lip treatment with a slight twist, I really recommend trying this.

Available in Honey and Raspberry, the Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil costs £18.00 and is available to buy at Clarins counters in the likes of John Lewis and Selfridges.

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Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin Bath Oil

Jo Malone is up there with, in my opinion, the best of luxury brands, but for some reason, I only ever seem to link them with colognes and candles, as opposed to their extensive range of bath and body products. 

I've been a fan of Jo Malone for quite a while now, and fortunately, I've started to build up quite a collection of fragrances, which although I do try to save "for best", the temptation on a daily basis is sometimes just too much.

Lime Basil & Mandarin* is one of my personal favourites and I tend to have a 30ml bottle on me on most occasions at the moment. I can't get enough of Citrus anything, but Lime Basil and Mandarin is the perfect combination of notes and so it's no surprise that it's one of Jo Malone's signature and most popular fragrances.

Since becoming a mum, bath time has become even more of an luxury for me and so I'm so grateful that I've recently been introduced to Jo Malone's Bath Oils. 

 Lime Basil and Mandarin combined with Sweet Almond, Joboba Seed and Avocado Oils makes this product a dream and I genuinely desperately look forward to my bath times, where a dash of this under a running tap creates the most stunning of aromas throughout the air whilst also hydrating and softening my skin beautifully.

Available in three sizes; 30ml £17, 200ml £54 and 250ml £40, this is the ultimate treat and whether you've tried Jo Malone before or if you're new to the brand, if you are after a special treat, I can't recommend picking up this bath oil enough. 

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MAC Twig

Go back a couple of years, and I'd have been your girl for all things MAC lipsticks, but after recently visiting a counter, it seems that I may have been out of the loop for longer than I thought, as there were a fair few shades that I'm ashamed to say, I'd never heard of.

My latest MAC addition, Twig, is a lovely tone for this time of year and perfect if you're looking for something with a 90's vibe, which seems to be very much the trend right now.

Perfectly easy to wear for both day and night, I imagine Twig would fall between the natural, slightly more mature "your lips but better" shades and those vampy tones that are always huge during Autumn. It's described by MAC as a soft muted Brownish Pink, and that's pretty much spot on.

It's probably not the best match for my skin tone, and if I'm completely honest, it doesn't do much in terms of complimenting the Whiteness of my teeth, but for days when I want to wear something a little out of my comfort zone of the usual Peachy hues, but don't want to rock anything too bold, this is a really great option.

If like myself, you're really into lipsticks, you'll know that Kylie Jenner lips are a huge thing at the moment and completely to my surprise, Mike actually commented "are you wearing a Kylie Jenner lip?" this afternoon, and do you know what? I guess I kind of am- unintentionally, I swear! It's very similar to the kinds of shades she's been wearing with her over lined look and if you're on the hunt for something similar but haven't quite found the right one for you, this could be worth trying.

Satin in formula, Twig is creamy on the lips and has great longevity. It's super pigmented and so doesn't need any building up and over the day, it fades to a nice natural tone on the lips, so it doesn't need too much attention.

Available from MAC and at counters in the likes of House of Fraser and Selfridges, Twig costs £15.50.

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