Golden Globes 2013

Just catching up on the Red Carpet arrivals and here are my faves.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior.  Classy. Stunning. Polished.

A glowing Halle Berry rocking Versace, looking amazing as per usual!

Taylor Swift in a stunning aubergine mermaid Donna Karen fluted number

Jennifer Lopez looking pretty spectacular in a nude lace figure hugging Zuhair Murad number

Lea Michelle in Elie Saab elegance personified

Salma looking fabulous in black sparkly Gucci.

Amy Adams rocking the old Hollywood glamour in Marchesa

Heidi Klum looking amazing in this one shoulder white sparkly number

Jessica Alba's dark olive skin complimented by this Summery orange hue by Oscar de la Renta

Kate Hudson looking super sleek and stylish in McQueen

Love this simple yet figure enhancing & sophisticated sparkly blue frock worn by Nancy O'Dell

There are more, but the above are my faves.  What are yours? x

Lashtastic!

Long luscious lashes that look sexy when we bat them are what most of us ladies aspire to have. 

I have to admit, mascara would be a "Desert Island" product choice, should I have the option of cosmetics on said "Desert Island!"

I always used to use Lancome mascaras.  I thought they pretty much monopolised the high-end mascara market.  They were like Ronseal and always innovating with new formulas.  I was always a fan of their Definicils mascara.

Lancome Definicils £21 (Debenhams)

When my sis took the Dior post, I was obviously obliged to use Dior.  I was instantly sold on the Diorshow Blackout.  I was amazed at how prominent the eyes were after one coat.  My lashes were thick and luscious and catwalk ready!  The brush is thick allowing for such dramatic sweepage!  The only downside I found was the casing did not close properly when you closed the lid, so meant drying out was an issue.

Diorshow Blackout £22 (Debenhams)

I then moved onto the Extase when that was launched  I was sold on the gold packaging!  The blurb: (http://www.dior.com/) The first mascara to plump lashes inside and out-wear it alone or pair it with your favorite Dior mascaras.What it does:DiorShow Extase provides built-in treatment benefits and high-impact lashes in a single stroke.  I did like this mascara, but didn't honestly feel it bettered the Diorshow Blackout so I reverted back to that.

Dior Extase £22 (Debenhams)

Anyone that knows me knows I am a bit of a make-up snob, so they were all as shocked as me when I opted for the L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara.  I was in the airport browsing Duty Free on my way to Ibiza (by which time my sister had left Dior, so no more freebies!) and I thought why not?!

I am so glad I did! 

The brush allows for long and lean application, and it did indeed curl them too.  I was amazed at what a <£20 mascara could achieve.  I always got lots of comments asking what mascara I was using.  The packaging is nice and more higher-end too!

I was converted!

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes £10.99 (Boots)

Well that was until Dior launched their Diorshow New look serum infused mascara a few months ago.  I was extremely excited to try this after I had read so much about it on Jane's blog (@BritBeautyBlog) as well as Ree's (@ReallyRee).  So when it was launched, I sent my sis (with cash!) to buy 3 for us all (me and my 2 sisters).

Diorshow New Look  £23 (Debenhams)

The blurb: (from http://www.dior.com/) The new prodigious mascara with volume enhancer action, lash by lash. An exclusive nano-brush captures and coats every single lash, even the tiniest ones.  A Lash Multiplier TM serum treatment formula thickens, separates and extends the lashes for an infinitely multiple lash effect. 

My middle sister and I were instantly sold.  A small brush allows precision application with a super smooth formula.  My older sis did not take to it at all as she said it made her lashes stick out!  One more mascara for me then!  My sister and I have also noticed that our lashes have in fact grown!  Bonus!

The only downside I have found is that after a full day under extreme lights at an exhibition, the mascara had transferred to my eyelids just under my brows.  This was due to the serum-based formula melting under the heat I guess.  But unless you're at an exhibition every day, this is fine.  My sis (who has mega long lashes) finds though this happens more often for her though.

So, it's Dior all the way for me, and L'Oreal when I am feeling the pinch!

What are your favourite mascaras?   
Would love to hear your comments!
Kate x

My Go To Product

I get asked a lot about what products I use both skincare and make up wise. Anyone that knows me knows I am a product junkie. I always used to be fascinated with my Mum's make up drawer and always used to watch her doing her make up from a young age.

I started using Clarins cleanser and toner from the age of 14, and have always looked after my skin. I cleanse and moisturise twice a day. I only ever sleep in my make up if I'm absolutely pollaxed comatosed drunk! No...that's not often!

I have been very lucky insofar as my sister worked in cosmetics for 8 years so I never had to buy any products as I benefitted from her generous allocations. She worked at Clarins and latterly Dior. That said, I've pretty much tried all the houses including the traditionals like YSL, Estée Lauder, Helena Rubenstein and Chanel. I've also used the newer funkier brands including Urban Decay, Mac and Origins & Liz Earle. I've pretty much used them all.

I have to say I loved Clarins. I love their tonique shower range as well as their MultiActive staple moisturisers. Latterly I did like how they branched out into funky make up colours too. But with Clarins, it's always skincare and fragrance spritz.

I have to say, prior to my sis working for Dior, I always thought it was quite a stuffy brand. They've really worked on their image in the last 10 years and have successfully marketed themselves as high-end with wide-range appeal with dynamism & utmost innovation.

I've been lucky enough to have my make up done by their international make up artist Jamie Coombes. This guy's motto is "flawless and gorgeous." My words not Jamie's!

The Capture Totale skincare ranges are nothing short of silk. Totally amazing. So soft to apply. After using all these products for less than a week, I got loads of comments on my skin - it's luminosity and general healthiness.

I've also been fortunate enough to use their premium L'Or de Vie range. Super sexy gold packaging which oozes luxe. At around £150 a product, there's no wonder!

My absolute favourite Dior product as well as my ultimate go-to product is the Capture Totale Soin Finition Lumière.

This gold infused cream primer is applied after moisturiser before make up. Upon application, your skin is smoother with a luminous and even texture and tone. Pigmentation spots and red areas are also reduced.

Foundation thereafter just glides on and your skin oozes Hollywood flawless glamour. You can use this product without applying foundation afterwards.

So you can imagine my dismay when they discontinued this product and I was like a woman possessed at Christmas trying to track it down! My sister found me one and she bought it for me for Xmas. It is not cheap at £115, but put it this way, I'll be crying myself to sleep when this sacred product runs out!