I’ve now started a new blog DINKY London, which is more personal and more suited to who I am now and how my writing has developed since I first started BG.

I hope that you’ll follow me over there; I’ll still be writing lots of beauty reviews… there’ll just be a lot more going on too.

So, find me at DinkyLondon.blogspot.com – I hope you’ll enjoy it.

I think the obsession started back in sixth form all those years ago, when I couldn’t get really get away with a lot of eyeshadow or lipstick. Instead, I used to paint my nails crazy colours.

Right now, I’m going mad for crazy bright nail varnish. Mostly because winter is around the corner and I know I’ll be wearing head to toe black so I need a pop of colour.

My current loves are Barry M turquoise which is really more like some kind of manic neon sky blue and Model’s Own Lemon Sherbert, a fantastically mad flourescent yellow. The yellow shade needed a massive 5 coats before it looked bright and bold though – on first try it just made me look like a heavy smoker with nicotine nails – bleeeuch.

Both brands last ages too which is a huge bonus as there’s not much worse than chipped nail colour. You can grab both colours at asos.com if they tickle your fancy!

Best known for fashion, I like it for beauty goodies! I recently bought a bunch of products from Aromatherapy Associates. I treated myself to the Renew Facial Oil which plumps and revives my skin, as well as smelling delicious and the Renew Rose Cleanser which gives my skin a gorgeous perky, pink glow. The products were about half price so I picked up some stuff for my Mum too.

If you’re a bit of a beauty junkie then I really recommend signing up. You’ve got nothing to lose, and you might get a few fashion bargains too!

Usually you need a current member to recommend you, but right now you can sign up for yourself – so get to it!

Brand Alley

Thanks to the launch of new website catwalkbeautysecrets.com all us regular folk can now get our hands on the products.

I’ve been road-testing some of the lip products and I’m fairly impressed; I’ll certainly continue to use them.

First up we have the Natural Lip Corrector. This is a skin tone shaded lip pencil which you apply to the outside lip line. The pencil corrects any little  irregularities that you may have and creates a picture perfect shape to the pout in the process. It also works to stop lipsticks bleeding or feathering – bonus!

Next I tried the Hot Chilli Lip Booster, which does exactly what it says on the tin. Using spicy ingredients to essentially irritate the lips into swelling, the lip gloss plumps up your pout and gives it that bee stung look. If you have sensitive lips then I don’t recommend it as it does have a bit of a sting to it but if you can brave that zing then you’ll be pleased with the results. The addition of sparkling glitter gives the lips and even plumper look.

Finally, there’s my favourite product – the Magic Fix. This clear liquid is brushed on to lips after applying lipstick and it seals the colour incredibly well. I could drink and eat without my lippy smudging or shifting. This is something that I will use religiously before nights out, when I am always too lazy to reapply my lipstick. I can almost convince myself that it’s an investment too – think of how much longer your lippy will last without the need to keep slapping it on every five minutes!

All in all I think this is a good little range and catwalkbeautysecrets.com is a fab website with a small but perfectly formed, well though out collection of beauty goodies.

Over the past week I’ve been using the Frangipani and Orange Blossom Soap and I have to say it is a delight to use. I haven’t actually used a standard soap for years – choosing instead to go for liquid versions, but I’ve loved the change.

The soap made a really creamy lather and didn’t strip my skin at all which was something I was worried about. In fact it made my skin so soft and touchable.

The best part? The delicious scent! It lingers on the body for good amount of time without being over-powerful and makes me feel really fresh and clean. Especially on sweltering hot days like today.

It has also made my en-suite bathroom smell divine, which is always a good thing.

Abahna’s slogan sums up this brand better than I ever could – ‘The Ceremony of Bathing’. These luxury toiletries really do make you take a moment and enjoy you bath or shower rather than having a quick scrub up.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the range; the Frangipani and Orange candle and bath oils are top of the list.

But for me, it still gives that flat, dull appearance of pretty much all the lip products of the same genre. Plus, it is somehow extremely drying and simultaneously sticky.

Used with an extra layer of lip-gloss or balm it is improved ten fold and I have to admit it stayed in place for about 6 hours today. Generally though, I’m not a fan and I’ll be passing my set on to a more loving owner.

Used in the bath last night, my skin is now glowing, luminous and feels so soft. For some added oomph, slather on a bit more moisturiser post bath or shower and awake to some seriously lovely limbs. I have to admit, I’m a huge fan of this brand’s lovely skin care products in general.

Watch out though – this stuff makes the tub slimy and slippery!

It always puts a smile on my face when a beauty PR goes the extra distance. It’s nice to see people who clearly love their job and want to make an impression.

Well, today I received a great product to review; Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner (expect my thoughts on it shortly). What could be better than finding a bottle of conditioner in the post? Finding a bottle of conditioner full of yummy sweeties!

I can of course report on the jelly beans – they are YUMMY!

The cut has started to heal properly now and has fully closed up, after days of applying sudocrem to ease the burning pain and dry up the wound.

The epilator in question? Braun Silk Epil. NOw, I hasten to add that I’ve used this epilator several times and never ever had any trouble with it. Obviously, once is enough to be hurt and with both of my arm pits in a sorry state it has rapidly found itself in the bin.

Would I suggest everyone should chuck their Braun epilators ASAP? Of course not. Would I recommend them to anyone who was thinking of buying them? Well, no. I wouldn’t do that either.

God knows how this happened, maybe my technique was off or maybe it’s just a bit old and gnarled. Next time though, I’ll be shaving.

All very good in theory, but my flat and fine hair has never been much of a fan. No, my lifeless locks takes one look at salt sprays and immediately goes rock solid and dry yet still managing to lie limply on my scalp.

I’ve finally found one which works for me though; KMS Hair Play Sea Salt Spray.

It gives that beach bum hair without weighing it down, used in moderation it doesn’t make my hair crunchy – just mildly matte (but not so much that it looks horribly unhealthy), and it tousles and twists my hair into a bit of volume.

I also adore it’s tropical fruity smell and the fact that it can be used on dry hair to zing up your style. Fabulouso!