It's Clothes Show Live time again!

I'm really looking forward to going to the Clothes Show Live again on Saturday for the seventh year running! If you haven’t been before, then you must go it’s amazing and has everything you can need under one roof, especially getting bargains for Christmas presents. Plus this year they are introducing an all new craft area, Sknitch, and The Dance Show! It is very busy and always hectic so if you can, go on a weekday but if you work Monday-Friday like me then Sunday is definitely a better day (sadly I can’t get there on a Sunday).

I’ve put together a few tips from my years of visiting the Clothes Show if this is your first time!

1) Wear comfy clothes and shoes as you will be walking A LOT! Particularly if you park in the car park and have to walk to the entrance! The show is also massive so you will be walking around all day!

2) Bring a suitable bag to carry your purchases in. The best thing I ever did was buy a granny trolley and pull it around! It saves my neck from crippling with all the bags, especially when it’s busy and you are trying to buy things!! Saves a lot of stress and pain!

3) Bring lots of cash with you. There are always huge queues for cashpoints and they charge you for withdrawing cash. Unlike the Excel Arena where the London Show is hosted, which has lots of cashpoints and don’t charge, NEC isn’t as modern and convenient sadly! 

4) Allow enough time for queuing. Stands like Juicy Couture always have a massive queue and you can waste an hour just stood in the queue – how frustrating! There are also sometimes large queues for the toilets as well.

5) When you start shopping in the morning, head for the opposite end of the show which will be less busy! If you can get there as early as possible, then again there will be less people.

6) Take food and water with you, as the food is expensive in the show and outside the show only offers places like Subway. Plus you waste precious shopping time walking around for food! 

Tickets purchased between the 3-5 December for Clothes Show Live and The Dance Show include entrance to both shows and include a dedicated seat in the Fashion Theatre. Tickets are on sale now. Call 0844 581 1256 or visit www.clothesshowlive.com for more information on Clothes Show Live. 

Let me know if you are going and if you have any more tips I have missed out! I might be running a competition tomorrow so keep your eyes peeled! 

No7 Limited Edition MirrorBall Highlighter Compact

 I am big fan of No7’s limited edition highlighters and religiously use my Natural Radiance Highlighter which is the best. Fact. However No7 have bought out a new highlighter for Christmas – the Mirror Ball Highlighter Compact (£13.50) which is a lot more sparkly for the festive season and gives cheeks and shoulders a gorgeous shimmer! 

The packaging is also a lot nice than the Natural Radiance Highlighter & the size is perfect for slipping into your bag when you go out. It's also not too expensive at £13 and as No7 do loads of great deals at Christmas I am sure you can get it cheaper! Enjoy!

♥ Clinique’s new Limited Edition Strawberry Fudge range! ♥

I was very lucky to receive some of the goodies from Clinique’s new Limited Edition Strawberry Fudge range and thought I’d show off my favourite from the range the Strawberry Fudge Holiday Compact (£25). I love the design of the compact and have fallen in love with the gorgeous pinky/brown eyeshadows and pink blush in New Clover. As expected with Clinique eyeshadows, they are shimmery, silky smooth and last all day. Definitely a must-have from me from the new collection. Thanks Clinique!

You can check out the whole Holiday collection here. What will you be purchasing from the range?

♥

bare Escentuals bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil review

My sister is an avid bareMinerals fan and loves the Illuminating Mineral Veil so much I thought I would share her review.

Here is a little more background info about the product:

  "Designed to wear over bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil is your final step to achieving bare skin beauty. The light-refracting pearls float over the skin giving a radiant, airbrushed look.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil works on all skin types and can be used on its own or over your bareMinerals foundation to prolong wear. Completely translucent, it feels light on your skin and doesn't give a caked look. Absorbing oil and minimising your pores and fine lines, it gives a flawless finish."

According to my sister, this product is brilliant! It does exactly what it says on the label; it gives your skin an illuminating glow perfect for nights out or just to give yourself that extra boost if you’re feeling a bit grey. The actual powder is very glittery in the pot but it is the light refracting pigments which catch the light and give you a radiant glow. You only have to use a small amount (you can always build it up)and use it over the top of your bareMinerals foundation. Make sure you really work it into the brush and buff well onto the face otherwise you will end up looking quite glittery!! Please don’t be scared to use this product because I promise you the results are worth it, the ultimate finish.

So what do you think - is this product worth the hype? It retails at £19 from QVC. 

My favourite liquid eyeliners

I’ve been looking for a new liquid eyeliner recently (it's a make-up must have for me) and after several recommendations from fellow beauty bloggers I have found my top two. Illamasqua Art Of Darkness Precision Ink (£16.50) and a cheaper option Liquid Eyeliner in Rook from Topshop (£6.50). Illamasqua’s Precision Ink lets you create an amazingly accurate application, with relative ease as well unlike other liquid liners which can be tricky! It’s also extremely long-lasting and waterproof it's perfect for use anywhere on the face and body to bring out your bold side! Not sure if I would use it all over my body, but it does a good job for my eyes! I did find that it does smudge if you don’t let it completely dry but apart from that it’s fantastic.

I haven’t really tried out Topshop’s new make-up range but love the liquid liner which isn’t as fancy as the Illamasqua one, but for £6.50 it’s a bargain. It also lasts all day without smudging and has proven to be long-lasting so thumbs up from me!

What are your favourite liquid eyeliners? 

Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter

Although the weather hasn't got that cold yet, I am already taking precautions with Vaseline's Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter (£1.89). I don't like normal Vaseline as I find it too greasy and don't like the strange taste, but have fallen in love with the cocoa butter balm! It is packed full of antioxidant-rich cocoa butter, and has a light, chocolate scent that will have you licking your lips all day long. Definitely worth checking out if you are a cocoa butter fan - and it is a bargain too under £2!


x

♥ LANVIN FOR H&M ♥

I love this description from Vogue today on the new Lanvin for H&M Collection which launches here in the UK on 23rd November.

"From oversized floral prints on minidresses to one-shouldered purple or hot pink puffed sleeve numbers, grosgrain beribboned waists and defined shoulders on sexy black styles, the much-anticipated Lanvin for H&M collection is a feast for Alber Elbaz aficionados."

I am loving the gorgeous dresses and beige skirt, which is actually well priced at £34.99. I also love this t-shirt below at £29.99. 

Who else is excited for the collection and what will you be buying?

♥