CURRENT TOP 5; BLUSH

Blushers are one of my items I feel the need to do a big shift around with first when Autumn draws in. Out go the bright corals and peaches, and in come a few more subtle colours, although a few brights stick around for those dull skin days guaranteed around the colder months.

L'OREAL NUDE MAGIQUE EAU DE TEINT

I've always been cursed with a few skin troubles, which means usually if you say 'light coverage' to me, I'd hide in terror. L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation (mouthful!) has been marketed as having a 'weightless feel', which gives the impression you'll look like you're wearing nothing, with all the world left to see the bags under your eyes from a long weekend or the blemishes that have conveniently popped up on my chin. Boy, has it proved me wrong..

THE ACCENT NAIL: ESSIE A CUT ABOVE

There is nothing that says Christmas beauty to me more than the accent glitter nail. The glitter obsession began some time ago, and even though I have more than I can count on fingers, I couldn't resist adding one of the newest offerings from Essie to my collection, A Cut Above.

BOURJOIS JAVA RICE LOOSE POWDER

Having oily skin, powder is an absolute must for me; as much as I'm not a huge fan of using it, unless I want my foundation half way down my face by mid-day, it's an essential. I've been a loyal user of the Rimmel Stay Matte powder for close to a decade now, but the problem is in the title, it really does make you matte! I'm not a huge fan of it particularly, and I've been looking for a way to make my skin looks less dull without having to apply liberal amounts of highlighter.

YOU BEAUTY NOVEMBER DISCOVERY BOX

The beauty box hype died down quite some month ago now, with the majority of us left feeling underwhelmed most months and disappointed in spending over £10 on a box of things we may never use. In steps the You Beauty Discovery Box, a much nicer version not only on the pursestrings, costing just £6.95 (including p&p!) a month, and with the option to select two of the products you'd like to receive inside.

THE LADY IS A VAMP

Around the Spring and Summer time, peach is my thing; nails, lips, cheeks, or all three together, I cannot resist those coral-pink shades. I always surprise myself then to see that completely switch in the autumn months, reaching for darker, vampier shades of red, plum and navy. 

BATTLE OF THE PRIMERS: HIGH STREET VS HIGH END

Despite having oily skin, I've never really been one for primers. I've tried various drugstore ones that only cost a few pounds, and have never really been blown away by any. It was only after a make-up artist at MAC told me I really had to use one that I decided to buy the Clarins Instant Smooth that had been on my wishlist for almost a year, and dig out my old Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer to compare the two.

NOVEMBER WISHLIST

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

BOTANICS 100% ORGANIC FACIAL OIL

BOTANICS 100% ORGANIC FACIAL OIL: £9.99

I'm not really one for doing reviews anymore, so hopefully this should give you an idea on just how impressed I am with this product! I bought the Botanics facial oil quite sometime ago now, but it's never really impressed me that much to have it firmly on my bedside table. Looking back, I don't think I gave it much of a chance, or perhaps I didn't have too many ailments that needed sorting out.

THE HAPPY LIST: NOVEMBER EDITION

It's been ages since my last post of 'the happy list', probably because I need less of a reminder of the things putting a smile on my face these days, I am a happy chap! That said, I loved the feature so I'll be doing a remake of it, looking forward to the months ahead and reasons to love it.

AMSTERDAM & BIRTHDAY BUYS

I think we're all guilty of beckoning to the call of duty free when we go away, and I definitely indulged myself coming home from my holiday to Amsterdam. But it was my birthday, so that makes it okay, right? I also picked up a couple little bits in Amsterdam as well as my beauty buys, plus some gorgeous presents from friends means I was well and truly spoiled rotten this year!

THE HOLIDAY COMEDOWN HEROES

avon advance techniques argan oil leave in treatment | botanics organic facial oil | dove nourishing oil care leave-in spray | body shop shea body butter | korres pomegranate lip butter

If you've recently been on a European holiday with only hand luggage allowed, you'll understand the dilemma I was in before going to Amsterdam. With the liquids allowance I was really only able to take my basics; a foundation, two concealers, mascara.. you get the jist. As nice as it was to not have to worry about sticking to my usual beauty regime, my body is definitely seeing the difference now I'm home!

AMSTERDAM