It's a cracker

Apologies for yet another Christmas post but LOOK AT THESE CRACKERS! If you're happy to fork out £50 for your Christmas Crackers then the treats inside of these are definitely better than mini screwdrivers or a crappy magic trick.

Lancôme's Christmas Crackers gift set are full of their best selling products in mini sizes: Hypnôse Mascara 2ml; Bi-Facil 30ml; Mini Juicy Tube - Fraise 17and Visionnaire 7ml; Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate 7ml and Mini L'Absolu Rouge ßx Lipstick 06.

So start saving and impress your guests at your Christmas dinner this year!

Creative collaboration

There’s only one thing I love more than beautiful make-up, and that’s beautiful make-up in beautiful packaging – especially if it’s limited edition!

Two of the loveliest make-up brands have collaborated with some of the most creative names in history to come up with fab new collections.

 

The NARS Andy Warhol collection has been inspired by pop art and Andy Warhol's muses. The limited edition line-up includes five capsule offerings with a different Warhol theme: Photo Booth (£26) has four mini Nail Polishes (Silver Factory, Chelsea Girls, Back Room and Soup Can); there is a set of Warhol Self Portrait Eyeshadow Palettes (£39.50) featuring Warhol's pop art face in three colourways; and Edie (£54), a set which includes Film Star Pure Matt Lipstick, Edie Eyeshadow, Carpates Eyeliner Stylo and Amour Mini Blush Duo.

  

Karl Lagerfeld’s Mon Shu Uemura range has been designed and photographed by Lagerfeld himself, and features sketches of his Mon Shu Girl muse wearing his signature white shirt and black tie. The comprehensive range features everything from cleansers and eye shadow palettes to Lagerfeld's own version of those signature Shu Uemura lash curlers and a gorgeous make-up brush set (Shu brushes are my fave.)

Love them both, but think the Nars collection just pips it for me!

Better than chocolate?

I know it seems too early but I couldn’t resist sharing this gorgeous Ciaté Mini Mani Month advent calendar! It’s exclusive to Selfridges and contains a December daily dose of mini paint pots. The calendar features 17 of Ciaté's bestselling mini Paint Pots, four mini Caviar blends, and three exclusive Paint Pot glitter shades you won’t find anywhere else.

I don’t normally say this, but it may just be better than chocolate…

Tousled tresses

One of my favourite looks is tousled, carefree hair – mainly because it’s low maintenance, but I also think it looks lovely on any hair length. Although I’ve been talking about the autumn/winter trends at the mo, the look from House of Holland’s SS13 collection is my ideal, and seeing as I was at the show for LFW, I thought it needed a mention!

For me, the must have product for this is Wella Professionals Create Character Texturising Spray which leaves beautiful waves without the need for any other product – amazing! I wash my hair in the morning, spritz this through and twist it into a bun at the nape of my neck, held in place with my trusty Spin Pin. By pulling it into a tight bun at the nape but with a parting (I go centre but whatever you prefer!), it means the roots to just above the ear dry smooth and shiny, and the mid-lengths and ends have a lovely beachy wave. If I’m going out after work then I wash my hair in the morning and release the bun after a couple of hours to let it dry completely without brushing but just giving it a little scrunch. Once it’s pretty much dry I put it back in the bun and then release it when I’m ready to go out. It doesn’t need it but I tend to run a bit of Clynol Shape Bounce Curl Fluid through the ends once it’s completely dry to give it a bit of extra shape. This look then lasts for a couple of days.

Adam Reed created a more polished version of this for the show which, if you've got the time or if your hair just doesn't dry like this, is definitely worth playing with. Here are his tips:

•  Use a hairdryer to rough dry the hair and create a centre parting. 
• Spritz Texturising Spray through the hair to add volume and give a dry, matte texture.  
•  Use a large curling wand, such as the 38mm Babyliss PRO Conical Wand, to give the hair a ‘kick’. Taking wide sections, wind hair around the thickest part of the barrel. Hold the end of the hair and move the wand up and down the section for about 10 seconds; the heat seals the cuticle and the technique gives great, soft movement. 
• Smooth the the roots and crown of the hair with polish to add a sheen and give the hair a slightly dirty look, as if the hair is in its third day of wear.
• Pin the hair at either side of the head and subtly at the back to give lift at the crown.

 

Luscious lips

I’ve never used a Sisley lipstick before but recently tried the Hydrating Long-lasting lipstick in 31 Rose Fuchsia as I love a statement lip, and with the colour pop make-up on the catwalks this season, combining the two made perfect sense!

Firstly, the colour is amazing, so punchy but flattering at the same time, and is a great way to brighten up an outfit if you wear dark clothes as often as I do. I’ve worn this for a night out but also love slicking on a flash of pink with minimum make-up for the day and this shade works perfectly - it really perks up your mood on a blue Monday! The picture doesn't do the colour justice but next time you pass a Sisley counter, make sure you stop by to test this. Even if the colour isn't for you then the formulation definitely will be.

It also does exactly what it says; it’s super hydrating and feels lovely to apply, but really does last. I had it on for a good 12 hours and reapplied a couple of times just to keep it fresh, but didn’t really need to and this was while eating and drinking too. It is pricey at £31 but well worth it, it’ll last forever and is the nicest bright pink I’ve found (believe me, I’ve tried a few!)

Secret Beauty Verdict: Expensive but worth it, a product with definite feel good factor!