My Year of Beauty

The year 2010 is almost out. It started with a raaawr (it was after all the year of the Tiger) and ended in a purrrrr. This year has been a stomping 12 months for beauty. It continues to be one of the few industries to actually experience growth during the recession. And that is certainly true for me because my beauty cupboard has outgrown the bathroom. Here are my beauty highlights of the year; some new, some classic and a few surprises too.

When A Hero Comes Along: Liz Earle
Although a firm cult favourite already, as one of my good friends has been telling me for months and months already, I have only really discovered Liz Earle this year. The Cleansing Mask is actually incredible at calming my skin and drawing out impurities. The Hot Cloth and Polish Cleanser is a force to be reckoned with. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, from £7.50

Liz Earle, Deep Cleansing Mask, £12.50

Love at First Sight: Omorovicza
I simply adore everything about Omorovicza. The Thermal Cleansing Balm is my go-to product for a deep clean. The Gentle Buffing Cleanser with white pepper extract promotes a healthy glow. While the watercress leaf extract in the Radiance Renewal Serum leaves the skin gleaming and luminous.

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm, £45.00

Omorovicza Gentle Buffing Cleanser, £42.00

Omorovicza Radiance Renewal Serum, £66.00

Desert Island Essentials: 8 Hour Cream and Aromatherapy Associates Facial Oil
My dry skin and eczema is totally under control with these wonders. I couldn't live without Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream; I use it in every way possible, on my lips, on my hands, feet, even on my eyelashes at night. Aromatherapy Associates Nourishing Face Oil is the fastest-absorbing oil I have tried. On a cold winter's day, instead of primer in the morning, it gives the most flawless complexion imaginable.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream, £23.00

Aromatherapy Associates Nourishing Face Oil, £35

Unashamed Luxury: Le Metier de Beaute
My makeup lesson with Mikey Castillo was my single most eye-opening sessions with a makeup artist. Walking away with a more tips than I could remember and such gorgeous makeup I didn't want to wash my face. I am addicted to the Eye Pencil in Champagne and black liquid liner: an eye look in a flash. Team that with one of the creamiest concealers and a bronzing powder with minuscule flecks of gold and you're good to glow.

Le Métier de Beauté is available at Liberty and Selfridges.

Hair-Raiser of the Year: Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo
Quite simply the best and most luscious-smelling shampoo I have ever tried. Leaves my hair soft, fluffy (in a good way) and full of healthy volume and shine.

Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo, £14.00

Claws and Paws: OPI Nail Polish
Not only have OPI manicured the nails of every X-Factor finalist for the live shows, but continue to bring out a secession of covetable colours and collections. For Christmas and New Year embrace Glitzerland, Not Like the Movies and Bring on the Bling.

OPI Nail Polish, £9.95

Lip My Stocking: Lanolips
My lips are sometimes dangerously dry, but Lanolips kicks them back in to shape. Made with lanolin, which comes from sheep's wool, it works wonders.

Lanolips, £10.99

Cheap Thrill: John Frieda Thickening Blow Dry Lotion
This spray is my steal of the year. It clings to each hair and creates a super-thick halo of hair. Hair doesn't get any thicker than this (can you tell I love Masterchef?).

John Frieda Thickening Blow Dry Spray, £5.59

If I only had these treats in my beauty cupboard, I would be one happy cat.

Intergalactic Beauty

 
Talking of intergalactic beauty, I have found it. Christmas party season is almost officially upon us and I am on the hunt for inspiration.

The i-glow compact from New Cid Cosmetics might as well be from outer space. Its marbled appearance reminded of Jupiter's speckled rocky surface. And the glow it promises is out of this world. You only need a tiny amount and you can use it on any part of your body.

I also love Sue Devitt's Eye Palettes, each of which are inspired by a different location on Earth. However, this Kilimanjaro palette may as well be the uneven stripes of a Lunar moon.

Finally, for a very healthy glow, Le Metier de Beaute's Creme Fresh Tints (Poppy is my favourite) create a super-sheer wash of colour. As if by magic.

i-glow compact from New Cid Cosmetics, £23.50

Sue Devitt Kilimanjaro Eye Palette, £30.00

Le Metier de Beaute's Creme Fresh Tint, Poppy

Le Métier de Beauté

You know your makeup must look good if more than one person comments on it (including your boyfriend).

This week I had the pleasure of meeting Mikey Castillo, Director of Makeup and one half of beauty-brand magnifique, Le Métier de Beauté to launch their new counter at Selfridges. I have never walked away from such a lesson brimming with more tips than I could remember. My beauty brain was working overtime. I have also never been so impressed at the thought and care that had been put in to each product, I mean, who consults one of the engineers of Montblanc when making a new eyeliner. Le Métier de Beauté, that's who.

I found three tips that will be make up the first of my beauty commandments from now on:

ONE: If you want the appearance of full, thick black lashes, there is one vital step that you simply cannot miss: line the top of the inside of your eye. "The bald patch of your eye," as Mikey called it. It works to give the appearance of thicker lashes immediately.

TWO: You should apply your blush to the top of the apples of your cheeks and not sweep across. Children blush much higher on their cheeks than adults, so it will appear much more youthful to apply the blush about an inch away from your eye on the cheek. And whaddya know, it works.

THREE: When applying eyeshadow, always balance cool and warm tones. Applying just brown on its own will make the eye look flat and uninteresting. Applying brown with a blue on top will give it a three-dimensional feel and make your eyes pop. Mikey applied four different shades on my eyes, including a fluorescent orange, but whaddya know, it works. 

Each tip will bring your makeup to life and you will be guaranteed more than one compliment. 

Le Métier de Beauté is available at Liberty and Selfridges.