Skin Saviour - Huile Santal

Brrrr.... it's really getting nippy isn't it? My skin always acts accordingly and changes type from fairly normal/combination in the Summer to mainly dry in the Winter. I'm not crazy on this process but it's just what my skin does. It also changes how my foundation looks so I need to nurture my skin as I don't want to change to a totally different product. I'm currently wearing Teint Miracle by Lancome and loving it for it's medium and soft coverage, but my increasing dryness is making it look a little dull.
So! It's time for oils. Last week I wrote about the lovely Rosehip Oil from Trilogy but have since used up every last drop so I switched to this Huile Santal from Clarins and I'm finding it fantastic so far. I massage in a pearl sized drop at night after exfoliating gently with Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant and my skin is glowing and hydrated and bouncy looking (not quite a 'skincare' term I know!). It could be in part down to the facial massage which never fails to enliven sluggish celll turnover but I really think this oil has a lot to do with it.
Containing lavender, cardamom and soothing sandalwood oils, it has a definite aromatherapy aroma, which I happen to like but it soaks in quickly if you don't use too much so it's a winner for all you dry skinned ladies.
A little pricey at around €40 but one for the wish list perhaps??

Nail Treat

I've been using this Billionails treatment from Essie for the past few weeks as they had become a bit brittle (due to anxious biting!). I am happy to report that they look SO much better now and have truly had quite the growth spurt. Full of vitamins and fortifying ingredients, it is designed to be used on clean nails for a 90 day treatment period, which is a pretty long time but it acts really well as a base coat so you don't have to sacrifice your Christmassy colours at all. I'm not sure I'll go the entire 90 days, but I'll certainly file it under 'old reliable' on my bathroom shelf - I can see this little bottle getting lots of use.

{Wedding Wednesday} Low Key & Lovely

This bride has great style...I love her non-wedding dress!

The necklace, the sash, the flowers....beautiful.

Isn't she lovely!

Love her bridesmaids...

And her hair... such a lovely colour, such soft styling. I think this couple have it sussed!

(seen on once wed)

Victorious Victoria

Last night at The British Fashion Awards, Victoria Beckham won the Best Designer Brand of the year. I for one am thrilled for her. I happen to love her designs and the fact that she has become appreciated by the notoriously cynical fashion industry is a very nice thing. There's been talk about who actually designs her pieces or the extent of her involvement, but I think that she has always been upfront in saying that she is not a trained designer, merely a fashion lover who has the opportunity to channel her ideas into these collections. So far, so fair in my view... Well done VB!

Here's a little reminder of her A/W11 show that she was honoured for...

Simple, elegant and classic...

I love this one in particular... I'd wear it in a heartbeat.

Healthy Pretty

This is one 'official' graphic from a cosmetics company that I actually like. In fact, I like it a lot. Oftentimes, they are too OTT, too airbrushed, too unattainable. But Bourjois have done themselves proud with this pretty image that is more Spring-like than Wintery, but a lovely healthy look nonetheless. It's a real 'me' look actually, and very similar to one I will be creating on a shoot this coming Sunday (my absolute last day of work before baby comes in three weeks!) I love the warm red lips and nude eyes - so wearable and gorgeous...
Now, is the product any good I hear you cry! In fact, it is. Very good indeed. It's another of these hybrid foundations that contain serum as well as makeup. They say it contains 'vitamin rich fruit therapy' which helps to even out the skin. I'm not too sure about that claim as I'm always dubious as to how much a foundation, that is designed to merely sit on the surface of the skin, can actually do for the state of your skin. But if you judge this merely as the makeup it is, you will be happy.

It has a nice smooth consistancy, medium coverage and a semi-matte finish that retains a slight glow. As with all of the Bourjois line, they offer good quality products at great price points so it's definitely one to check out. Keep in mind though, that if you can't find your shade, move on! Just because it's nice and cheap, you shouldn't sacrifice finding your exact shade.

Recipe Wall

Isn't this a sweet idea? Old recipes hung in frames for a kitchen wall. Doesn't everyone have old recipes that they have kept from Mums, grandmothers etc? What a good way to keep them current.
My Mum makes brown bread every day and she copies her own Mum's recipe and technique...such a nice way to keep something alive.

A Shot To Swoon Over...

Yes, I'm not exactly running on schedule with my 'Wedding Wednesday' post (blame my hormones and nesting urges!) but like everything in life, I'll get there eventually!
I spotted this shot taken by photographer Christina Brosnan, who I had the pleasure of working with last week and boy did I swoon... That dress. That veil. Isn't it just lovely?
The dress is Jenny Packham paired with a vintage veil. You can see more of it on Christina's blog here...