The must repurchase empties

I haven't done an empties post for so long due to all the guest posts whilst I was recovering but my empties box was overflowing from all the empties I had collected over the past 3 months.

To do a post on them all would be epic and nonsense so I decided to do a round up post on the 'best of the best' empties, focusing on the ones I loved and will definitely be repurchasing.

Elemental Herbology Facial Detox (£28 // purchased from Space NK)

Everything I have tried so far from Elemental Herbology I have loved so much and the Facial Detox mask was no exception.  This is an old school white clay mask with extracts of malachite, laolin and manuka honey.  I found this amazing for stopping spots in their tracks and making them recede back to nothing.

You apply the mask to dry skin and it dries down to a pale grey clay and some of the mask is absorbed by the skin.  It does harden but it's relatively easy to remove with water and a damp flannel.

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator (£25 // purchased from Debenhams)

Possibly my favourite exfoliating toner of all time, I just love how the runny gel like texture feels on the skin.  This is a very gentle exfoliating toner and perfect for those new to the concept.  It contains tamarind fruit acids (AHA's) to remove impurities and brighten the skin.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (£23 // bought from Look Fantastic)

This is my 'go to' moisturiser if everything else is going wrong!  It has no outlandish claims, it just soothes and hydrates even the most sensitive skin.  There's a full run down here from my recent morning skincare routine post.

Rodial Dragons Blood Hyaluronic toner (£33 // bought from Space NK)

This is a really lovely hydrating toner that can be used in your skincare routine or for a quick freshen up during the daytime.  It comes in a handy spritz bottle and has a really fine but powerful mist.  Dragons blood is sourced from the red sap of the 'sangre de drego' tree and works to form a second skin like protective film on the skin-this helps to protect the skin against environmental damage whilst soothing stressed skin.  There is also rose water and vitamin B3.  I really love this range from Rodial.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel (£28 // bought from Space NK)

A brilliant gel to oil cleanser for cleansing in the evening.  I have a review here in my recent evening skincare routine post but this is a firm favourite for my nighttime ritual.

Josie Maran coconut watercolour cheek gelee 'Poppy Paradise' ($22 // bought from Sephora)

I absolutely love the formula, it feels like jelly in the pot without being messy and squishy.  The colour is to die for-a pink toned, almost neon coral but without being at all in your face.  I prefer to dip a stippling brush in the pot, tap the excess on the back of my hand and lightly buff into the skin.  It's easily buildable and the lasting power is incredible.

Smashbox photofinish primer ($36 // bought from Sephora)

I love the feel of this on the skin even though I know its full of silicon and that's why my skin feels so silky!  But it does a fab job at mattifying and blurring the skin before applying foundation.  I really enjoyed using it-your skin really does feel like velvet.  This is also an oil free primer but Smashbox do a whole range of primers to suit everyone.  It's definitely one of their best products and this is my 3rd or 4th tube.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics toning mist (£28 // bought from Look Fantastic as part of this skincare set)

This is a deluxe sample size of the toner included in a starter set-it retails for £17 for 150ml usually.  I really loved this toner, I love the smell of Aveda products, they're so soothing and spa like.  This toner was in the normal/oily skincare set and is designed to hydrate and balance the skin whilst minimising surface oil build up.  It contains white oak, witch hazel and peppermint so is mildly astringent.  It was the perfect spritz after my exfoliating toner and got me wanting to try more Aveda skincare.

Charles Worthington Salon at Home texturising spray (£6.99 // purchased from Boots)

I love texturising sprays, I have long, fine, flat hair that gets greasy easily so a texturising spray or dry shampoo does help to give it a bit more ooomph!  I've used Batiste for years but the white powder residue is off putting.  I find this spray does a bit of everything for me-it has the hold of a hairspray but the oomph and grease absorbing powers of a dry shampoo-and it's clear.  And smells amazing.  I much prefer this to the Oribe spray and it's a fraction of the price.

Lokum Rumi's rose rose candle (£32 // purchased from Lokum Istanbul Boutique, 95 Walton St, London)

I loved everything about this candle.  The packaging was divine with it's intricate artwork on the outside.  When I was recovering from surgery I burnt this every single day in my bedroom.  It's beautiful, fresh, clean, light, almost 'sparkly' or sherbert-y and wasn't cloying or heavy at all.  It has a 30 hour burn time but I am sure mine was longer than that as I literally used it every day.  I would love to try more from Lokum which is a small boutique in Knightsbridge.  Their Turkish delight was amazing as well!

So that's it, the best of the best, the creme de la creme, the cream of the crop.  Are any of these your 'must repurchase' favourites?

Guest Post | Sephora Give Me Some Lip Set

When I think of Stacey, I think of lipstick. Probably because the first post I read of hers was a Lip Six. It's safe to say I became hooked, besotted, heck I'd even say enthralled with Miss Stacey and her blog from that moment on. I have posted for Stacey before, and for some bizarre reason she has allowed me back to post again - it must be all that medication she's on. Either that or the bribe I slipped Gemma ;)

So basically, what I'm trying to say is, I felt this post was most fitting for the Expat Makeup Blog, because it's lip related. I though it would be something Stacey would like, that's if she doesn't already own every single product in the set already (tenner says she's got at least 3...)

So enjoy, and please, if you do one thing today, make it be booking that much dreaded but actually vitally important appointment to have your lady garden checked. Because, all jokes aside, that is the reason I'm doing this post today. And although I love posting for Stacey, as we've all gathered, I'd much rather have her blogging for us today.

Sephora are back with another favourites set of the lip variety and it's every bit as good as the last (review here). This was kindly gifted to me by the lovely guys over at Roses Beauty Store, the place I get all my America beauty products from.

The kit features 6 coveted lip products, 5 miniatures and one full size. There is only one repeat in the set for me, and it just so happens to be a favourite product of mine, so I'm more than happy about it. The line-up brands wise is pretty spectacular; Urban Decay, Smashbox, Bite and my favourite: Marc Jacobs! I only own one lip product from his beauty range, so I am excited to see one of his products in this set.

The packaging is on point, as per. These favourites sets are always really well produced and always catch my eye whenever I venture into a Sephora. I think this one is my favourite so far, the products are well encased so it's ideal for carrying around.

I've swatched all 6 products below. Prior to application I exfoliated my lips with the Sara Happ lip scrub and applied a balm.

I'm happy with every single product in this set, the glosses are all gorgeous, and I am particularly impressed with the pigment of the Marc Jacobs 'Kissability' gloss. My favourite Buxom gloss in White Russian never fails to disappoint, and I love that there is a dinky Urban Decay Naked lipstick in there, perfect for popping in my handbag. Surprises for me were the Bite lip pencil in Meritage. I own a tonne of these, so it wasn't the product itself I was surprised with, I just wasn't expecting to like the shade so much. I also was pleasantly surprised by the Nars lipgloss in Orgasm. I think I might actually prefer it over the blush! And the full size Smashbox lipgloss in Pout is a welcome addition to my nude lipgloss collection. It looks great on its own, or layered over a nude lip.

I love the idea of having all my favourite lip products in one place, and I think it would make a lovely gift to somebody.

What are your favourite lip products?

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Guest Post | Empties

Hey! so I'm Catherine, and I write over at beauty is in the eye of the beholder a cruelty free beauty and lifestyle blog! I'm so happy to be gust posting on Stacey's blog, though I of course wish it wasn't because she's poorly, but I do wish Stacey all the best wishes in the world and I'm so proud that she's been so open in her experience to help and encourage everyone to get checked.

Anyway, today I'm bringing you a empties post, I don't know about you but there's something rather interesting seeing what people have used up. I've only just started doing empties posts, but I'm enjoying them! I am cruelty free, so I don't use anything that is sold in china or tested on animals in any way. however I only turned cruelty free in march and I've been collecting these items for a while so not everything you see is cruelty free, but don't worry I will point it out.

Boots botanics rosewater spray - boots is sadly no longer cruelty free, witch is really sad because I loved this! a really light easy hydrating spray, it doesn't feel too much which is my biggest bug bare with a lot of hydrating toners they feel too much when this was perfect. it was also great for taking a powdery look down when I've over powdered.

Superdrug vitamin E hot cloth cleanser -  sadly something else that is no longer cruelty free! but the superdrug hot cloth cleanser is so well known as a budget hot cloth cleanser. this massive tube lasted me 10+ months, I was working away at it for ages! its a really easy creamy cleanser that doesn't sting your eyes and removes all the makeup without stripping.

Trilogy active enzyme cleansing cream - trilogy is cruelty free! and a good thing too, because I loved this cleansing cream, it has fruit enzymes in to very gently exfoliate as you cleanse. its a great morning cleanser and it lasted ages, I had it for over a year! 

Soap & glory drama clean - soap & glory is sadly no longer cruelty free, witch is a shame as I liked this! finding cruelty free micellar water is a nightmare, but this was really nice. it smelt like cucumbers and removed makeup really easily. real shame!

Smashbox photo finish primer sample - smashbox isn't cruelty free, I got this in a try me set last year and I loved this a lot! a real shame I cant buy a full size, it helped my foundation stay for hours more than normal and it blended so much easier onto my skin when I used this.

B. nourished night serum - sadly no longer cruelty free, and I loved this! this serum made my skin feel so soft and smooth, I actually often used this in the morning as it made my skin feel so good. it really made my skin feel good, great budget serum.

Various neals yard remedies samples -  they are cruelty free! my parents went away to London and Edinburgh for a week for there 25th wedding anniversary and when they were in London they went to a neals yard shop and got me a body scrub as a surprise. they also got a lot of samples! these are all sorts, from oils too cleansers and I loved it all, I wish I could afford to try more neals yard.

Aromatherapy associates rose hydrating mask sample - cruelty free! I got this sample in a set with a magazine a few months ago, but this is by far my favourite product, there wasn't a lot in the sample and I really want the full sized but cant really afford a £30 mask! its a lovely hydrating gel mask, so cooling and soothing.

Boots tea tree and witch hazel exfoliating pads - sadly no longer cruelty free, but I liked these! these were little textured pads to help remove dead skin cells and keep spots at bay. they really helped keep spots away and get rid of any that popped up.

L'oreal Elvive ExtraOrdinary Oil for coloured hair - loreal is not cruelty free, I really struggled to use this up as I really didn't like it. I had used it before and I had thought I had liked it but I didn't this time! its oddly like it as alcohol in it. if anything it made my hair feel drier witch is not what you want a hair oil to do! I used it up, but no way would I use it again.

Bourjois instant drying drops - sadly no longer cruelty free, o I loved these! this was my second bottle and I wish I could buy it again, it really helped try my nails much faster than normal without the annoying side effects of a fast trying top coat. and they lasted much longer than some I've tried! 

Naked little miracle leave in conditioner - cruelty free, I loved this! really smoothed and hydrated my hair and something I will be picking up again.  

Una brennan hydrating rose moisture mask - unknown if they are cruelty free or not, I was sad when this ran out! as because I don't know if they cruelty free or not I cant buy it again and I want too! so nice, hydrated my skin without overloading my skin. in the summer I was reaching for it a lot as my skin got put through the mill in England!

Mememe flawless concealer in porcelain - cruelty free! I was surprised at how much I liked this, its creamy and easy to blend and its a great match for my skintone. perfect!

Thankyou again to Gemma for helping Stacey doing all these guest posts! 

have you finished anything lately?

Catherine x

Currently loving

This was actually supposed to be last months 'currently loving' post but there's been lots going on between studying, sitting my first exam and then being a little unwell and all of a sudden we're in June!

But there are some fantastic products in here so I'm sharing them with you now!  And then there are my actual May faves coming soon!

First up is this fab little cleanser from Pai.  This is the first Pai skincare product I have tried and am guessing now it won't be my last!  I can't actually remember where I bought this from or when but I took it out of my skincare stash after reading some good reviews on it and fell in love immediately.

This cream cleanser fits nicely into my evening skincare routine as my first 'make up removing' cleanse.  A couple of pumps massaged into dry skin (safe to use round the eyes too) and then removed with a moist flannel is super effective at removing all the crap off your face at the end of the day.  It has a mild rosy scent and feels really gentle-no tingling, irritation, dryness or breakouts.  I really wish I had gone for the larger size! It's not cheap at £25 for 100ml or £35 for 200ml but I think this is a definitely repurchase for me.  It just feels lovely on the skin and like you're really nourishing it.

I own 6 of the newly released Dior Fluid Sticks but Tiny Pink is the colour I keep reaching for and the one that has found a place in my handbag.  This is a hybrid between a gloss and a lipstick but the pros for me are that Tiny Pink is a really glossy, wearable pink that lasts a decent amount of time on the lips without drying or bleeding at all.  It can feel a little tacky initially but it does dry down.  Am loving a glossy lip at the moment and this one ticks all the boxes.  You can see it in action here

Smashbox Photofinish Primer is the primer of all primers in my book!  This is a constant repurchase that I always find myself going back to.   Yes it's heavily silicone based but it glides over the skin literally blurring pores as it goes.  It feels lightweight on the skin and gives any foundation extra lasting powder.  I love it.

The By Terry Baume De Rose was part of my birthday gift from my best friend Dani and I have been loving it, it's constantly within reach!  It's heavily rose scented (which I love) but thankfully doesn't taste of roses.  It's eye-wateringly expensive at £38 but I have been using it daily since April and barely made a dent in it.  It gives the slightest pinky sheen to the lips which looks gorgeously pretty and of course the packaging is divine.  It isn't sticky in the slightest and lips feel nourished and slightly plumped.  For those with severely chapped lips it probably won't be a miracle worker but it's certainly a luxe treat I am loving!

I've read so much about the Charles Worthington Salon at Home Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray but I can't get it in Dubai so imagine how chuffed I was that Vanessa from The Other VW bought me some in my birthday parcel!  And I am so pleased she did.   I love texturising sprays, I have long, fine, flat hair that gets greasy easily so a texturising spray or dry shampoo does help to give it a bit more ooomph!  I've used Batiste for years but the white powder residue is off putting.  I find this spray does a bit of everything for me-it has the hold of a hairspray but the oomph and grease absorbing powers of a dry shampoo-and it's clear.  And smells amazing.  When I go home at the end of the month I am definitely stocking up.  I much prefer this to the Oribe spray and it's a fraction of the price.

Last up is a perfume that has been seeing me all the way through Spring.  Launched at the end of last year the Chloe, See by Chloe is a light, floral, spring like scent with apple blossom, bergamot, jasmine and ylang ylang.  It's not headache inducing or sickly and a gorgeous every day fragrance.  I love the almost birdcage shaped bottle it comes in and I can still smell it on me by the time I arrive home.  A definite hit in my books!

Let me know what you've been loving this month.

Birthday Beauty Gifts!

So it was my birthday on Tuesday and I had the best day!  No one needs to know the elderly age I now am (although I am probably the oldest beauty blogger on the block!) but hey, age is just a number right?

I thought I would share some of the snippets from my day and some of the gorgeous beauty gifts I received.

As you may know my mum and dad have been visiting us in Dubai this week and I absolutely love having them here.  Some of my friends sent gifts up to my mum for her to bring over so I had lots of presents to open in the morning.

My parents bought me this beautiful sapphire and diamond ring from the jeweller we always use in Dubai.  We have been using them for 9 years and they always do an amazing job.  I am currently designing a ruby ring with my jeweller so if anyone is interested in buying jewellery in Dubai I might blog about the process.  I wear so much blue so this ring is perfect and I love it.

When I got to the office, my assistant James presented me with this painting he had done for me!  It's possibly one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received and as much as I tease and taunt James 24 hours a day he is literally my right hand man and makes my life so much easier!!  I know I won't keep him forever as he is literally a child genius but I have really enjoyed working with him for the past 15 months!  I love this painting and we're doing some redecorating so I need to find the perfect space for it.  Once James is the King of the World (circa the next 5 years) I will sell it for millions.

Halfway though the morning I received this delivery of a huge basket of cookies from my mum and dad!  It was beautifully wrapped in a wicker basket with red netting all around it and a mini balloon!  The cookies were gorgeous too-everyone in my office loved them!

For lunch I went with my team to my most favourite restaurant in the world-Gaucho!  My best friend Dani and I go to Gaucho in Swallow St, London every time I am there-it's 'our place' and a ritual.  When they opened one in Dubai, right by my office I was overjoyed.

I love Gaucho-not only is the food delicious but you're made to feel like a Princess by the very lovely staff and managers.  I love the decor and ambiance and just being there.

I had a very delicious salmon starter and then steak and sweet potato chips.  I 'liked' one of their photos on instagram of their apple and cinnamon doughnuts and they surprised me with a plate of them after the meal.  Best thing I have ever eaten.  They definitely know how to make a girl feel special.

Gaucho, DIFC Gate Village

Yes I did taste the sauce before taking the picture lol!

So after practically a three course meal, James had been out and arranged this red velvet cake from Hummingbird Bakery for the office to have in the afternoon.  I love red velvet and cream cheese-it's just incredible! (James is on full brownie points at the moment!)

In the evening, my parents, Mike and I went to Atlantis Hotel and to Seafire-their steak and seafood restaurant.  I have always really enjoyed it in the past but it doesn't measure up to Gaucho in the service or the food.

I had scallops to start and (another) steak with potato gratin and creamed spinach.  There was some nice little touches on the plate like a roasted garlic bulb and a pesto filled mushroom but the quality of the steak at Gaucho was nicer.  Seafire is mass market and geared towards the tourists, Gaucho is intimate, special and almost as though you have stumbled on a secret haven.

I had chocolate fondant for dessert but Mike chose the dessert of the evening-a Blackberry Alaska that looked like a hedgehog!  It was light and fruity and delicious.

At the meal my parents gave me a pair of diamond stud earrings, also from our jeweller in Dubai.  They are so beautiful, I absolutely love them and was utterly utterly spoiled.  Mike bought me a Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 handbag in classic monogram.

Atlantis

Here's my wonderful mum and dad in the Atlantis.

I know I am the worst person in the world to buy for.  Generally if I want something I buy it but I tend to always have a wishlist on my phone.  I feel sorry for my poor friends trying to buy for me but the presents I got were all amazing and I didn't have any of them already which is some kind of Christmas miracle!!  My mum did cheat a little by asking for my wishlist but sssshhhh!

My best friend Danielle bought me Burberry Touch as it's her very favourite.  I can't believe I have never smelt it before!!  My cats (yes my cats) bought me a bottle of Jo Malone 'Pomegranate Noir'-I obviously need to cut their pocket money!

My colleague Ehab bought me this lovely perfume set from Escada-the bottle is beautiful.

My colleagues at work also bought me a gift voucher for Sisters salon in Dubai.  This is one of my favourite salons in Dubai and I can't wait to spend it!  Am thinking a lovely massage after my trip to Cairo next week.

Dani also bought me this limited edition 10th anniversary By Terry Baume De Rose gift set containing their legendary Baume De Rose lip balm (so luxe!) and a Darling Baume gloss.  The lip gloss looks amazing-I will definitely try and review these very soon!

Vanessa from The Other VW sent some lovely gifts for me to my mum.  Along with the below goodies were some lovely chocolate treats (Daim mini eggs-orgasmic).  There's definitely a theme with my gifts-beauty, chocolate and cats!

Vanessa managed to get me three things I have lusted after but never tried!  First up a Lime Crime Velvetine liquid lipstick-I have wanted to try this brand for ages!  I have been stalking Boots in Dubai unsuccessfully to try and get my hands on the much raved about Charles Worthington Texturising Spray so was overjoyed to see she had sent me one!  I really do neglect my hands so I can't wait to try this Lanolips hand cream.  It smells uh-mazing.  I love applying rose scented products in the evening because I find the scent so relaxing.

My parents bought me this Smashbox palette I have been lusting over for a while.  I have seen good reviews and I wholeheartedly believe you can never have too many neutral eye palettes.

My best friend Hannah nailed it with her gifts!  I utterly love this make up bag-I have seen them around the bloggersphere and think they look so chic.  It's the perfect size as well.  Cat print scarf-total winner!  I am obsessed with my initials-I love having things personalised and monogrammed so this rose gold necklace is just perfect for me!

I got 5 new lip products-two off my mum, the Tom Ford lipstick in Cherry Lush (seen on Antonia from Mac and Cheese and lusted after ever since) and the Charlotte Tilbury lip gloss in Portobello Girl.  I really bought the Charlotte Tilbury 'Bardot Beige' and loved it so I have a growing wish list.  I am really loving very glossy sheer lips at the moment and this is perfect for that look.

My friend Sylv bought me one of the new Estee Lauder sculpting lipsticks.  I have read glowing reports of this new formula and the colour of this is beautiful-I'll definitely review soon!

Finally, Dani managed to get me two Nars lip products I don't own!  A satin lip pencil in Timanfaya-a bright orange toned red and a larger than life lip gloss in Bimini which is just the most stunning sheer coral pink.

Lastly and off my wishlist my mum got me these two Antipodes products-the Organic Avocado Oil and Rosehip Divine Face Oil and the Manuka Honey Mask.  I have read such great things about these two products!

Massively massively spoiled and I had a wonderful day!  Getting older isn't so bad at all!!

I had so many tweets and instagram comments on the day-I felt incredibly blessed and loved so a massive massive thank you to anyone who wished me happy birthday!  It really made my day very very special.

Much love

The top 13 of 13

Finally I've had a spare 5 minutes to share with you my top 13 of 13-the products that rocked my world in 2013!

Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer

Even though I haven't dedicated much space to this little drugstore gem on my blog I am loving this creamy concealer from Rimmel which banishes under eye shadows and conceals pesky spots.  The formula is just thick enough to provide great coverage without ever clogging.  

Smashbox Photofinish foundation primer

It may be silicone heavy but this is the best primer I have used for smoothing and blurring the skin, providing a near flawless canvas to apply your foundation on top off-and keep it there all day.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (Diffused Light)

Much hyped and adored, I own 5 of the 6 Hourglass Ambient Lighting powders launched this year.  So far I have used Diffused and Dim light-both being exceptional at setting your make up and managing to make you look just that tiny bit more glow-y, radiant and healthy.

Clinique Take The Day Off Balm

Recently raved about in my December Empties post here, I think this was my favourite cleanser discovery of 2013.  Massive effective at removing make up, gentle on the skin and no nasty ingredients.  And not too pricey either.

Sara Happ Lip Scrub

The saviour for dry, chapped, flaky lips-this exfoliating gel leaves you with smooth as silk, flake free, kissable lips in moments.  It lasts forever, smells incredible and isn't harsh or drying on the lips (Lush lip scrub I am looking at you).  I have Green Apple, Red Velvet and Lemonade.  I am obsessed.  This product absolutely saved my lips whilst I was in the UK-my lips were so dry and flaky but this sorted the problem in mere seconds.

Alpha H Liquid Gold

This product literally changed my skin in 2013.  You can read my full review here and see some (gruesome) before and after pictures.  If you suffer from spots, especially cystic hormonal spots I highly highly recommend you give this a try.

Seche Vite

Another product I haven't given airtime to on my blog but is truly brilliant.  The best top coat I have ever used by far, as soon as I used it I wondered why it had taken me so long to try it!!  It provides a glossy gel like finish and my nail polish just does not chip when Seche Vite is on top of it.

Clinique Bottom Lash mascara

Another recent discovery I raved about in this blog post and another product I wonder how I ever lived without.  Ridiculously simple to use, this bottom lash mascara really opens and frames my eyes and does not budge or smudge all day.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

The only eye cream I have used where I have seen visible results in terms of fading dark circles, depuffing eyes and decreasing fine lines.  It has a light, cooling gel cream texture which absorbs easily.  It's very hydrating and contains many anti-oxidant ingredients.  I have already repurchased.

Butter London Yummy Mummy

My favourite nail polish of 2013 in terms of colour and formula!  Read my rave review about it here.  If you are looking for a nude nail polish, this could quickly become holy grail.

Christian Dior Rouge Dior lipsticks

Newly launched in 2013, I am now up to a count of 7 of these lipsticks with 3 more on the way to me from Selfridges.  I blame Sunny from Mostly Sunny for introducing me to these little beauties.  They're highly pigmented, massively hydrating and just the most beautiful colours.  Read my review of Darling (my current favourite) and Sterling Red here

Glamglow

My favourite mask of 2013, I love this thick, tingling green mud for achieving clear and glowing skin.  The mask is full of Volcanic rock minerals, french clay and green tea leaf and you can read my full review here.  Reading my own review back makes me want to go put some on now!!

You may have noticed there are only 12 products above.  My 13th and final favourite of 2013 was having permanent make-up in the form of having my eyebrows tattooed at Tracie Giles in London.

You can read my full review of the whole process and experience here but needless to say I am so glad I did it as it as I just feel so much more groomed.

Of the limited edition collections in 2013 my favourites were the MAC Temperature Rising Collection-I bought and love both eyeshadow quads, both blushers, one of the lipsticks and one gloss.  I also utterly love the Jo Malone 'Ginger Biscuit' perfume from the Sugar and Spice collection.  I have been wearing it to death during December.

My favourite 'I started doing in 2013' thing was double cleansing, double toning and using flannels when cleansing to ensure squeaky clean skin.

And I am still searching for my holy grail foundation.....that must be why I bought six of them in the UK.

Bring on 2014.......

A totally unplanned and completely unnecessary splurge in Sephora!

Sometimes I am a total nightmare when it comes to shopping.

I had some time to kill before going for a work event last week and thought rather than going all the way home and all the way back again I would nip to Dubai Mall which is 1.5km from my office and 'pop' into Sephora with this shopping list.

Stacey's Sephora Shopping List

Make Up Sponges
Clear base coat

There we go!  That should have been the end of the story!  But no.....

This is what I ended up walking out with:

Urban Decay eyeshadows x 4

I really like the formula of Urban Decay eyeshadows and have wanted to pick up 'Stray Dog' for ages (and I know my best friend will be laughing at the name of the eyeshadow because a dog once took an amourous liking to me during a client meeting and it's owners did nothing to stop it and she constantly reminds me of this fact....I can hear you Dani....)

I also picked up the more glittery versions in Moonspoon, Diamond Dog and Zodiac.  So heavily pigmented yet creamy to apply.

I have a thing for neutral eye palettes and have far too many yet still picked up the Smashbox Soft Box.  I have heard really good things about the Heat Wave palette but was more drawn to the more neutral 'Soft Box' palette.

The Givenchy Le Prism Yeux Mono in Elegant Taupe purchase was totally enabled by Jen at Daisy Rose Beauty after reading her great review here.
Jen is one of those bloggers I have met, albeit virtually, that I know if we met in real life we would get on like a house on fire.  We have very similar tastes so this Givenchy eyeshadow was a must buy!

If you read my blog I recently reviewed the new Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Mystere eyeshadow palette and was a little disappointed with the colours-so much so I have decided to blogsale it.  When I was reading reviews of the palette I saw it compared to 'Mystery' from Giorgio Armani.  I have in the past liked their 'Eyes to Kill' shadows and this one sucked me in.  Totally unnecessary but I neeeeeeded it.  And the gloss?  Just beautiful.

A recent discovery is the Sephora Pro brushes-I absolutely love them and some are better than my Mac ones for half the price.  I picked up 3 for the eye-a flat shadow shader, a pointed crease brush and a domed crease brush.  All amazing.  I so wish you could get these in the UK because they have blown me away.

Finally (my purse breathes a sigh of relief) is the Dolce and Gabbana Perfect Matte Liquid foundation.  I saw some photos where this had been used on a shoot and the finish was amazing!  I definitely prefer the more high coverage foundation finishes and can't wait to try this.

Totally had to have a word with myself after this little splurge but can't feel guilty as am loving everything so much!!!