Battle of the Toners: Pixi Glow Tonic Vs Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

For years now, I have been incorporating the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Toner into my skincare regime. At one stage, when my skin wasn't so good, I was reaching for it on a daily basis, but nowadays it's a once or twice a week treat. It's great for when my skin is feeling dry or looking dull and lacklustre, and a quick sweep of it before bed, using a cotton pad to ensure that my entire face and neck get their hit, is all it takes to wake up with softer, smoother and brighter skin.

While I have always been more than happy with the effects of this particular toner, I have been wanting to get my hands on the Pixi Glow Tonic for longer than I care to remember. With higher levels of AHA than its Clarins counterpart, it promises more dramatic effects, and has become a cult product amongst bloggers and skincare experts alike. On a recent trip to London, I couldn't resist popping into Libery and picking up a bottle - but is it impressive enough to dethrone the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner?

Let's begin with the science.

The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is a fresh, fluid exfoliating lotion that brightens, smooths and softens the skin. Tamarind fruit acids eliminate impurities and dead skin cells, boosting cellular renewal, while white nettle extract helps to tighten the pores, ensuring that they appear smaller.  Regular use encourages cellular renewal, strenghtening the skin's resistance to premature ageing and leaving you with a healthy, glowing complexion. Containing glycolic, salicylic and tartaric acids in much smaller quantities than many other popular toners, this is a great option for anyone with sensitive skin. Although it does contain alcohol, this is nicely counteracted with glycerin, and there is no sense of dryness following application.

It's recommended to be used 1-2 times a week, but personally, I have used it on a daily basis with no problems.

The Pixi Glow Tonic, on the other hand, is oil and alcohol-free, which does make it that little bit more suitable for sensitive skin than its Clarins counterpart, but again, I'd recommend using it no more than  a couple of times a week if this is you.

Containing ginseng, fructose and soothing aloe vera, the Pixi Glow Tonic is also laced with witch hazel, making it slightly astringent, and better for those with acne or frequent breakouts. It does

Personally, I'm not at all a fan of the smell of this one - it's potent, and overly floral, which is not what I was expecting at all. I'm not generally keen on particularly fragrant products, but I do like a fruity aroma, and that's what I was expecting from this.

The verdict: For me, it's got to be the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. I'm surprised to hear myself saying so, as I had great expectations for the Pixi Glow Tonic, but in all honesty, I haven't seen a great deal of difference in my skin since beginning to use it. Clarins's offering, on the other hand, is guaranteed to leave me with a soft, smooth and glowy complexion, and I can see myself continuing to repurchase it for a long while.

Do you have a favourite resurfacing toner?

XX

Simple Skincare: Back to Basics for Blemish-Free Skin

Recently, the condition of my skin has been on the up, and while there are several factors I feel have contributed to this, skincare is right up there at the top of the list. As you'll probably know, I'm quite the skincare conoisseur, always adding to my collection, trying out new things and generally trying to do the best for my skin. I like to keep myself educated about what I should and shouldn't be using, and generally try to avoid brands, or at least products, which contain too many chemical nasties. But for months, my skin had been at its absolute worst, and it didn't seem to matter what I used on it - nothing was making a positive difference.

Until I decided to make quite a big change.

For a long time, I have found myself steering clear of gel cleansers, often without even giving them a chance. Usually, they contain sulphates, which create the foam so many people believe is necessary to get their skin clean. Actually, all they really tend to do is dry out the skin, stripping it of its natural oils. The result? Tight, uncomfortable skin, and over-active oil glands. The complete opposite of what you probably want.

The Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser with Saw Palmetto and Mint is one of the few gel cleansers I've come across in which there isn't a sulphate in sight. Containing salicylic acid to stimulate exfoliation and unclog pores, and Aloe leaf juice to calm and soothe, this leaves my skin feeling clean, smooth, and best of all, oil free. I must admit, however, that it does leave my skin feeling ever-so-slightly tight after use, but it's nothing a bit of moisturiser doesn't sort out, and certainly doesn't seem to have had any detrimental effects on my skin - quite the opposite.

While Zero Oil makes the perfect morning cleanser for anyone with slightly oily skin, in the evenings I am usually in need of something a bit more heavy duty to get all of my makeup off as well as getting in there for a deep-down clean, and lately I've been turning to the Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, which I picked up in duty-free on my way back to the UK last month. A gel in the tube, this becomes an oil when applied to the face, and emulsifies into a milk when water is added. The changing texture makes this the best of both worlds in all senses of the expression, leaving skin clean, soft and radiant. A definite winner in my book.

've really simplified down my skincare routine of late, and where before I was reaching for all manner of toners, serums, oils and masks, I'm now literally going straight from cleanser to moisturiser. Yes, I know, Caroline Hirons would give me a slap, but something I've really come to realise about my own skin is that less really is more. I wish I could keep on chopping and changing, trying out new products and using several in one go, but quite honestly, it has never done me any good, and my skin was always near-on

flawless until I started bombarding it with all those different ingredients. Funnily enough,  now that I am going straight for the moisturiser - namely Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief - my blemishes have become few and far between, and my whole complexion is generally looking miles better. I do think a lot of that is down to the moisturiser itself - a gel-cream that sinks into the skin immediately, without leaving any greasy residue. Normal creams are just too rich for my skin, and tend to do more harm than good, but this little beauty is giving my it all the nourishment and hydration it needs, no negative effects included.

Do you believe in simple skincare, or does layering up lots of goodies work better for you?

xx

Holy Grail Beauty

It's not often that I will go so far as to declare a beauty product a 'Holy Grail' item, and in oder for me to do so it really does have to be something special. There are so many fantastic products out there, but often I am left with the feeling that there must be something better out there, even when it comes to the products that I love. Let's face it, there's not really such a thing as a miracle product. But upon thinking about my own beauty collection and which products I really, truly couldn't live without, I came up with these six little gems. If I love them that much, then it's only right that I should share them with you, so here goes.

Topping the list, it has to be the Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir Reparative Serum. Of all the products I own, this one has made the single most dramatic difference to both my appearance and to the way I feel about myself, and a good eye cream is most certainly not easy to find. Generally, they tend to be over-priced and promise the world, but when it comes to delivery there is usually a lot to be desired. This little beaut, however, does exactly what it claims to on the tin, reducing the appearance of dark circles and taking down puffiness like no other. The only area in which I haven't noticed as vast a difference is in the reduction of fine lines, but in my eyes (excuse the pun) there really isn't much that can be physically done about those once you've got them. I'd highly recommend this eye cream to anyone who struggles with any under-eye issues, and will continue to buy this again and again. Unfortunately it is rather pricey, but it lasts for months on end, and I'd rather pay out for one cream that actually works than five cheaper ones that don't change a jot. Full review here.

Next up is the MUA Pro Brow Kit, which at just £3.50 is an absolute bargain. Now, I know you're going to be annoyed with me for not showing you the inside, but trust me, you really wouldn't want to with the current state it's in. Let's just call it well-loved, and I'll refer you back to my full review here if you want to see it in all it's brand-new glory. The kit contains two brow shades (one lighter, one darker) and a contour which can be used beneath the browbone. There is also a rather handy pair of mini tweezers, as well as a flimsy slanted brush which I must admit, I never use. What I love about this product is that the darker brow shade is an exact match for my own, and once applied it stays put all day. I love how sculpted and groomed it leaves my brows looking, and how natural the finish is. I suppose the fact that I literally just use the one colour and the pair of tweezers is a bit of a shame, and perhaps doesn't say a lot for the product as a whole. But at a bargainous price, it gives me exactly what I want as does the job to perfection. It's rare that I will pick up the same product, day in, day out, but that's exactly what I do with this little kit, so for me it deserves HG status.

Two blushes I can always rely on to perk up my complexion no matter what are Nars Deep Throat (review here) and Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen. Deep Throat is a soft peachy pink which would flatter any skin tone, and Peachykeen (review here) is more of a dusky burnt peach. Both add a subtle, glowing sheen to the cheeks without making you look like a glitterball, and when I am feeling really tired and run down, or just generally having a bad face day, one of these two can always manage to sort things out and get me looking alive and awake again.

Last up, two skincare products. I reach for the Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser every single morning, and it works wonders at keeping any excess oil at bay. Even better, it leaves kin feeling soft, smooth and comfortable - not dry or tight as you might expect. If you've got an oily t-zone or blemish-prone skin then this one is a must-have (full review here).  The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is another daily necessity for me, as containing AHAs, it gently exfoliates the skin, removing any pore-blocking debris which as a result, keeps blemishes and breakouts to a minimum. It's not a miracle worker, but then I don't think there is a product in this world that can curb hormonal breakouts completely (if there is then please do let me know!). It has, however, made a noticeable difference since I first began using it, and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft to boot.

Which products would you be willing to give the coveted Holy Grail Status?

xx

The Weekend Beauty Wishlist

Well, there's a surprise - as per usual, my beauty wish list is packed full of skincare and not a lot else. It's not that I don't like makeup - I really do. But the quest for normal skin has got the better of me, and I just can't rest until I get it back! It's so ironic that back before I got into blogging, and (brace yourselves) would often go to sleep with a face full of makeup after a night out, relying on face wipes far too heavily the rest of the time, I had absolutely perfect skin with rarely a spot in sight. And yet now that I take care of it meticulously and have a healthier lifestyle in general, it basically hates me, and I hate it.

Anyway, enough of my moaning - we've been there, done that enough times already. But today I thought I'd put together a little list of the products that have been playing on my mind of late, one or two (!?) of which I'm hoping to pick up on my way through duty free. You may remember me doing a specifically duty free wish list a couple of weeks back, but times are a-changing and so is my shopping list. Saying that, I'd still love to get my hands on the majority of products featured, so I'm not really that fickle. Just greedy, perhaps.

A lot of the products on my list this time are for Clarins, a brand which is really, really appealing to me at the moment. I have always liked them, and grew up sneaking bits of my mother's products here and there, but it's only since trying their Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner that I've really been bitten by the Clarins bug. 

I'm in need of a new cleanser, so first on my list is the Pure Melt Cleansing Gel with Marula oil., which turns into an oil and then a milk upon application, melting away every last hint of makeup while leaving skin nourished and hydrated. I've also got my eye on the Lotus Face Treatment Oil for oily/combination skin. I do have a bit of an uncooperative t-zone, so a soothing oil which also aims to balance the skin and tone the pores would definitely come in handy. I've heard a lot about the HydraQuench Cream-Gel for normal to combination skin, and I find it notoriously difficult to get my hands on a good moisturiser for any skin type other than normal to dry, so I'm really intrigued by this one. Last of all, I quite fancy trying the Instant Smooth Self Tanning to add a bit of colour to my face, and the One-Step Facial Cleanser with Orange Extract, which sounds handy for travel as well as delicious-smelling.

It isn't just Clarins that's been calling my name lately. I'm already a big fan of the Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, which does a fabulous job of keeping oil at bay in the mornings, but I feel that I need to add something more to my routine in the fight against blemishes. The Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask will fit nicely into my current routine, and hopefully will produce the desired results. I really trust in Ren skincare, as I have loved everything I've tried from them so far. If you haven't given them a go yet then I highly recommend starting with one of their masks. I'm also planning on testing out the Origins Make a Difference + Rejuvenating Treatment, which is supposed to be great for problem skin. I got a gift set from the Make a Difference range for Christmas, and was really impressed with the quality of the products and all that they did for my skin. Sadly though, this one wasn't included in the kit, and the ultra-rich moisturiser that was proved to be a bit oo heavy for my skin.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II is new on the block, and in a nutshell claims to make you look younger overnight. Well, who wouldn't want that? Sadly, I fear this might be a slight exaggeration, but with fine lines and crinkles already beginning to appear around my eyes I'm not really in a position to argue. Frankly I'll try anything.

What's on your beauty shopping list this week?

xx

Review: Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

As most of you know by now, I suffer from adult hormonal breakouts, and having tried just about everything to curb them without success, I eventually decided to give an exfoliating toner a go. I, as I'm sure many of you are too, an avid reader of Caroline Hiron's Beauty Mouth, and find her skincare advice really useful, so having trawled her site for something I might be missing and tweeting her once or twice, she recommended I give the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner a go.

Containing Tamarind extract to eliminate impurities and dead cells, and white nettle for its soothing and astringent benefits, the toner works to boost the skin's natural exfoliation process as well as tightening pores and smoothing the overall texture of the skin. You may well have heard quite a bit about AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) floating around the blogosphere over the past year or so, what with the huge hype surrounding products such as the infamous Alph H Liquid Gold. It has been largely touted as the answer to many skincare prayers, from blemishes and scarring to dryness and dehydration, and used twice weekly it is said to make quite a dramatic difference to the overall appearance and condition of the skin.

The Clarins B.E.B.T is not so dissimilar, though containing much lower levels of AHAs it is generally safe to use on a daily basis. It does say on the packaging that once or twice is enough, but personally I don't find that it makes any difference to my skin when used that sparingly. It's incredibly gentle and doesn't cause any irritation at all, but essentially it's your call - if you feel that you have particularly reactive skin then it might be an idea to start at the bottom and see how you feel about upping your weekly uses bit by bit. Just in case anyone thinks I'm going a bit crazy, Mrs Hirons herself has talked about daily use of this toner on her blog here, so do pop over and have a read of that if you are in any doubt.

I tend to use this toner in the evenings only, as I do think that twice a day might be overkill. After cleansing, I pop some of this onto a cotton pad and sweep it over my face and neck, including any congested or blemish-prone areas, wait for at least a minute until it has dried, and then continue on with the remainder of my nightly skincare routine. In the morning I wake up to soft, smooth skin that feels plump and well-hydrated.

While this hasn't completely cured me of hormonal breakouts (I don't think anything can), I have noticed a marked improvement in the general texture of my skin since I began using this, and a sure reduction in the number of blemishes I do get as well as the severity of them. I find that it generally keeps my skin feeling calm and comfortable, and I have grown quite attached to it as I like knowing that I really am removing all traces of debris and dead skin before I go to bed at night. I have completely stopped using mechanical exfoliants now, apart from on my nose, which could do with a little extra help thanks to the pesky blocked pores I tend to get there. I avoid this on the rest of my face, however, as the Clarins toner does the job nicely without irritating or exacerbating any existing breakouts.

This is a skincare must-have for me now, and I'm so glad to have discovered exfoliating toners as they really do make a world of difference to the skin, leaving it looking bright and radiant.

Have you tried any exfoliating toners? Are you a fan of AHAs? If so then do let me know your favourite products in the comments below, as I am always eager to try out new skincare gems.

xx

Summer Beauty Essentials

When it comes to summer, we all have different ideas about which products are absolute essentials, but there are some things which we can all agree on. Today I thought I'd share with you my most reached-for products over the summer months, and it wasn't easy narrowing them down!

I definitely have to have a tinted moisturiser on hand in the summer, as when the weather heats up there is nothing I like less than the feeling of a heavy foundation on my skin. My current weapon of choice is the Caudalie Teint Divin Tinted Moisturiser in Light-Medium, as it blends easily, gives a healthy, dewy finish and adds a bit of colour without looking artificial. On my cheeks, I love a bright cream blush, and my favourite of all is the Topshop Cream Blush in Flush (yep, that old chestnut). I got this a couple of months ago and have been pretty much in love with the vibrant coral pink shade ever since. You may have noticed, since I have mentioned it a fair few times before! 

Bright lips and nails are an absolute must for me in the summer time, as I'm all for using cosmetics to reflect the current season. Vibrant shades tend to perk me up and leave me feeling energised, so I've been going for Revlon Posh and Make Mine Mango on my nails, and Mac Impassioned on my lips. Saying that, I do seem to have a plethora of orange, coral and pink lip colours on hand to see me through this time of year - other favourites include Topshop Infrared, and Mac Coral Bliss, Vegas Volt and Lady Danger.

Skincare-wise, I like to keep things light, and the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is just the ticket when it comes to weekly treatments. The manuka honey intensely moisturises the skin, and helps combat blemishes with it's antibacterial properties all in one go. The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner will also help to keep things running smoothly, aiding the skin's natural exfoliating process by sloughing away any debris and dead skin cells. The result? Soft, smooth skin. Do make sure you use a really high SPF on your face if you are going out in the sun after using this though - the AHAs it contains can make you more susceptible to sunburn, and nobody wants that.

In terms of moisture, I often struggle to find a cream that will keep everything balanced and hydrated without being too rich or heavy, but the Ren T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid does a great job.

I like to go for fruity-scented body products and fragrances when the sun is shining, so the Nip & Fab Mango Smoothie Body Butter and Nina Ricci Eau de Toilette make the perfect finishing touches. The former smells exactly as you'd expect, while the latter has a gorgeous aroma of deliciously sweet apples, and has been a favourite of mine for some years now.

What are your Summer essentials?

xx

The Weekly Selection

I always enjoy doing my monthly favourites, but as time has gone on I've found myself leaning more and more towards making videos about them, and once I have done that I always think twice about posting about them as well, as I feel it might be a bit much. However, I do know that some of you would much rather see a post on the topic, as a lot of people do tend to do their catching up via mobile phone on the go, and nobody wants to be blasting out a video on the tube or the train for all to hear.

So, The Weekly Selection is born. In this series of posts, I'll be sharing with you whatever has made it onto my most-loved list this week, so expect to sometimes see a few old favourites making their way in amongst my newest finds, as often I will have a bit of a root around in my collection and come across a little gem I had forgotten all about (I will always mention if this is the case).

This week, it's been all about the Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse*,  a creamy cleanser containing apple AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) to boost cell turn over and gently exfoliate the skin. I've been wanting to add some regular acid exfoliants to my routine for some while now, as I wanted to see whether doing so would help me out in the war against hormonal breakouts, and being able to work this in daily in the form of a cleanser is handy when it comes to both time and money. I've been using this as my evening cleanser, as it's great at removing every last trace of makeup, as well as giving my skin a good, deep-down clean, leaving it feeling soft, nourished and comfortable.

Continuing with the theme of acid exfoliants, I've been trialling this mini size of the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner,  a light  lotion which again this uses AHAs to break down any debris and dead skin that might block the pores. I swipe this liberally across the skin every evening, after double cleansing, and by morning my skin is baby soft and smooth. I have to say, this really seems to be doing the job when it comes to keeping blemishes to a minimum, and as an added bonus, will help to strengthen the skin's resistance to wrinkles when used regularly. I have already ordered the full-size bottle of this, as it has definitely made it to 'can't live without' status in a short space of time.

Makeup wise, my biggest obsession of the week has undoubtedly been my new Sleek Face Form Contour Kit. I went for the 'light' version, which contains a flattering matte contour powder, highlighting powder and the infamous Rose Gold blush. The bronzey contour shade is great for sculpting the face and adding a subtle wash of colour, and definitely isn't too over-powering or obvious on pale skin. The Rose Gold blush is just beautiful - a shimmery, peachy pink that is not dissimilar to Nar's cult Orgasm blush. This won't leave you looking like a glitter ball, but it will leave you with glowing cheeks - in fact, I don't really find that I need a highlighter when using this, as it does the job just fine on its own. My only gripe is that it doesn't blend as well as some of my other powder blushes, but the shade is such that I can let that slide. The highlighting powder is a pretty, subtle, champagne shade, and looks lovely dotted on top of the cheekbones on top of a more pared-down blush. Again, the effect is really natural, without a hint of overkill in sight.

Last but not least, I have fallen in love with Revlon 'Fearless' Nail Enamel, a zingy, vibrant orange-toned red that just screams summer. This goes perfectly with the Mac Lady Danger lipstick, for any of you who like to match your nail polish to your lips, and is sure to make a repeat appearance on my nails over the coming months, again and again.

What have your most loved products been this week?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Structured Blazer  -  Baroque Body  -  L'oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Excess Mascara  -  Suedette Bag  -  Playsuit  -  Sleeveless Parka  -  Khaki Jeans  -  Bee Prepared Daily Defence Immune Support  -  Camo Make-up Bag  -  Glitter Peplum  -  Clarins Vital Light Skin Illuminators Collection  -  Lace Maxi  -  GlamGlow Mud Mask - Special Edition  -  Pinstud Boots

It's all about the khaki this winter, whether we are talking clothing, make-up or accessories, so a pair of warm skinnies to mix and match is going to be a staple piece in my wardrobe. I also can't get enough of layering so this cosy sleeveless parka is an essential and would look great thrown on over all manner of knitwear (I've already got my eye on several hundred woolly jumpers!). When I want to dress things up a bit, the structured blazer will be perfect and can easily take a look from day tonight, as it's suitable for work as well as wine.

Add to these key pieces yet another pair of studded boots and just one more peplum and my winter wardrobe will be looking close to perfect, in my eyes. It's just a shame this is only a wishlist and not my actual shopping bag!

I am keen to pick up the UnBEElievable BEE Prepared Daily Defence Immune Support in order to ward of winter colds, as it's all natural and contains all sorts of goodies such as bee propolis, black elderberry, olive leaf and beta glucans. I usually pick up every bug going in the winter, so I need all the help I can get!

Skin could always do with that bit of extra pampering in the colder months, and with GlamGlow bringing out a special edition of their fantastic mud mask for Breast Cancer Awareness, it would be rude not to. Granted, I don't really need any more face masks, but it would be rude not to when it's all in the name of a good cause. I'm also hoping to grab the Clarins Vital Light Skin Illuminators Collection and provide my skin with that extra bit of glow for the festive season. My skin tends to be a bit dull in the winter so it can do with all the help it can get.

Lastly, I am beyond keen to get my hands on the new L'oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Excess Mascara (phew, long name). The normal version is my all-time favourite mascara and I use it on a daily basis, so I'm really excited to try this ramped-up version and see how it performs.

I'm so glad to be finally feeling up to blogging again after a rough week. I've been spending some time with the in-laws, who have been feeding me cake (they know me so well) and the hubby has been looking after me too, so I am feeling lots better and ready to face the world again! This weekend I am planning on chilling out, with a pamper session on the cards tonight. It's been a while since I could actually be bothered as I haven't been interested in anything for a couple of weeks, so it's long overdue and I'm going to enjoy tring out some of my newest products.

What's on your wishlist this week?

Do you have anything exciting planned for the weekend?

xx

Weekend Favourites

So, being the weekend, it's time for another Weekend Favourites post, and this week I have chosen my favourite clothes and accessories from across the online stores' 'New in' sections, as well as some of my current makeup must-haves.

S

Floral Drop Arm Top, Topshop. £26

I love this gorgeous drop arm top, and seeing as I already own a similar one from Topshop (the same, but black with white palm tree print) I know how lovely it looks on. These cropped tops can be worn loose with a pair of high-waisted shorts, which is my favourite look, but for those of you who prefer a tighter fit, it does have a tie at the back which enables you to change it up a bit.

Studded Bralet, Topshop. £38

I never get bored of black studded things! The rock chick look is still going strong in one way or another.

I haven't tried a bralet yet, and there are loads of pretty options out there for Spring/Summer. I'd love to get my hands on this one, along with a more colourful tropical print version. 

What do you wear your bralet with?

Frog Drop Earrings, £14

Cute! Enough said.

Moto Tapestry Contrast Hot Pants, Topshop. £38

Gorgeous. High waisted. Printed. Comfy.

What's not to love?

Tie Front Cropped Shirt by Oh My Love at Topshop, £25

Another of my current obsessions is cropped, sleeveless, tie front shirts, and this one would be more than welcome to join my collection, with it's mint green and coral combo - incidentally, two of my favourite colours of the moment.

Paisley Print Shirt, Miss Selfridge. £38

                                          I must have this. That is all.

Aztec Triangle Earrings, Topshop.£10

                                     Lilac Maxi Skirt, Miss Selfridge, £38

Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Runway Coral (Limited ed.), £16

This one will come as no surprise to the majority of you, who will be well aware of my love for all things coral, particularly where makeup is concerned. I just cannot get enough of coral lips and cheeks, and I am getting excited just looking at this one. I really need to get out more.

Benefit 'The Porefessional' Pro Balm, £23.50

I have been hearing SO many good things about this of late, that I just have to empty my piggy bank and give this a try. I think me could probably all do with a bit of pore reduction, and I know I could on my nose. I am usually a bit skeptical of these 'wonder products', as they often don'tlive up to the hype, but we shall see.

Topshop Nails in Eclipse, £6

Clarins Instant Light Liquid Blush in 02 Coral Tonic, £19

I think after my explanation for the Clinique lipstick, you're pretty clued in on the whys and the wherefores of this one!

As you can see, if I was to buy all of this little lot then I might be left with quite a substantial dent in my bank balance, so for now, they shall remain on my 'Wishlist', especially after my recent splurging on Ebay! Seriously, I am actually dreading not being here when the packages arrive and the Mr having to sign for them, he is going to want to have a word with me! Haha. Before anyone gets the wrong end of the stick about that one though, no, I am not a kept woman, and yes, I do work hard for my money. But you know what men are like, they never see the need for half the things we buy!

What is on your wishlist at the moment? I'd love to know what your selections would be!

Did anyone get to see the Olympic torch today?

xx