TOP FIVE LIQUID EYELINERS

I was a late adopter when it came to liquid eyeliner. I used to be a kohl kinda gal, but now I'm settled. Liquid all the way. You'll never get a smoother liner or a more awesome kick at the end of your lash line. So, here are my top five liquid eyeliners...

Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner, £5.29
http://www.boots.com/

Best for beginners

This liner was recommended to me by a few different friends, and I can see why. It's really easy to apply, the colour goes on really dark and lasts all day/night. It is also a real bargain. If you're trying out liquid liner for the first time, this is a dream. My only negative about this liner, is that the fibres in the applicator starts to flake after a while - so it's necessary to pull these loose threads away before you use (or you'll end up with messy eyelids!)

Colorsport 24hour Eyeliner, £7.49
www.boots.com

Best for waterproof lines
The Colorsport eyeliner is pretty thick, a bit like a felt tip pen - perfect if you like thick lines. The great thing about this liner is that it's waterproof and long lasting. Perfect for holidays or weddings... as there's nothing worse that eyeliner running down your face!


New CID I-flick, £18.50
Debenhams

Best multi-purpose liner

There are two things I love about this liner. The first is that the liquid eyeliner brush is really small, allowing for really precise lines to be drawn (even right into the inner eye lash line). The second is that it has a retractable kohl liner... ideal for the inner lash line - as I've never been able to master painting the inner lash line with liquid liner, at least not without turning my eyeball black! Basically this is the handbag must-have for a night out!

No7 Smoky Eyeliner
http://www.boots.com/

Best for Smoky Eyes

I feel a bit naughty mentioning this eyeliner as a) it's technically not liquid and b) it's limited edition and no longer available to buy (unless you get lucky on Ebay). BUT, this really is a fab little find. It's a powder eyeliner, that with one stoke, creates a fabulous smoky line. Great for those of us that love the sexy, smouldering look. Keep your eyes peeled for any similar products... Particularly in other colours. I'd love to try it in navy!

YSL Eyeliner Moire £22
http://www.boots.com/

Best blow-out buy

Hands up who likes pretty things in their make-up bag? Me me me! But not fashion over function, the YSL Moire liner is silky smooth and it's delicate brush enables you to swipe on a fashion show perfect line in an instant. Did I mention it's really pretty too?

What liners do you love? I'm going to do a top five gel liner review soon, so would be great to hear if there are any great gel liners I should look out for XX

TOP FIVE FACIAL WIPES

I always use facewash, but it'll never remove all the dirt and make-up from my face, so cleansing wipes are an absolute must-have. But which are the best? Here are my top five face wipes....

Best for sensitive skin

Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes, £3.99
www.simple.co.uk

Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes are the UK’s favourite, with a pack sold every 5 seconds. How crazy is that?! I love these wipes - the great thing is they're stocked everywhere, so you'll never be without.  Super-good at removing make-up, these wipes are perfect for sensitive skin, as they contain no perfume, colour or harsh chemicals.

Best for value


3 in 1 Fragrances Facial Wipes, £0.57
Wilkinsons

Wilkinson’s Skin Therapy 3 in 1 facial wipes are ridiculously good value. They're really soft and do the job. Did I mention they're 57p! 57p... you can't even by a can of Diet Coke in London for 57p, and you can get 25 pH balanced, allergen free facial wipes. Yes please. Word of warning on Wilko's facial wipes, do not buy the exfoliating ones - they are like sandpaper, stick with the 3-in-1 bargain/soft/joy wipes!
Best for spot-prone skin

Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Daily Facial Wipes,£5.30

These wipes quickly cleanse away impurities to soothe and restore skin, leaving it feeling cleansed and refreshed. The tea tree oil is calming and will dry out excess oil, while Arnica soothes skin and Calendula conditions - genius! I also love that these wipes have a clip-seal too, as the sticker-seals often come loose, which can cause wipes to dry out .

Best for a skin that needs TLC

Garnier Detoxifying Cleansing Wipes, £4.99

I am a massive Garnier fan. Its moisturiser is dreamy. These gentle wipes not only smell great, they packed with protective anti-oxidant green mint and vitamin E - which helps prevent skin getting damaged by free-radicals. These wipes will really look after your skin.

Best for dry skin

Neutrogena Hydrating Formula Cleansing wipes, £3.99

I adore Neutrogena's Hydrating Formula Cleansing wipes. They remove all traces of makeup (including waterproof mascara) and don't sting your eyes or leave your skin tight. These magic wipes moisturise while they cleanse, so they're perfect for people with dry skin. Love them!

Are there any other facial wipes I should know about?

TOP FIVE BEAUTY PRODUCTS FOR SEDUCTION

A few beauty products to get you prepped for your Valentine's night out....

Xen-Tan Transform Luxe, £24.99 (236ml)
http://www.xen-tan.co.uk/

There's something really sexy about tanned skin, isn't there? My new favourite tanning product is Xen-Tan Transformation Daily Self Tan. As well as kissing your skin with a natural olive tone, it's crammed with ingredients such as Shea Butter and Vitamin E to keep skin soft;  this helps the colour to go on evenly - without build-up on dry areas. The smell on application is delicious - sweet vanilla - although it does fade to a very slight fake-tan smell after a while, still much less so than most tans, but probably worth applying the night before and showering before your big night out!

Ardell lases are available from Boots and
http://www.onestopbeauty.com/

It's thought that eyes are the window to the soul... So they need to be framed to catch your mate's attention. Undeniably long lashes are the best way to do this. The important thing is to ensure that lashes look natural. ARDELL lashes are amazing at this. Whether you need a few individual lashes to create a little extra length and volume, or a pair of strip lashes to create drama - they have something for you. I recently trialled the ARDELL fashion lashes 105. They are insane! My eyes looked like a doll's... I want to wear them everyday.

EllaPure Sexy Rollerball, £5
http://www.ellapure.co.uk/

Organic healthy and beauty company, EllaPure has the perfect answer for ladies looking to turn their man on this Valentine’s Day with its ‘Sexy’ range . EllaPure Sexy Rollerball contains Patchouli, Mandarin & Ylang Ylang to give your body an extra boost of energy and a euphoric feeling. The aphrodisiac properties will also help with nervous tension, irritability and emotional guilt, apparently. The oil should be applied directly to pulse points to gain rapid entry into your blood stream.It's really small, so easily popped into a handbag...

NUBAR nail varnish - Seduction

Nubar is an eco-friendly nail brand. For Valentines, they've created a 'Risque Reds' collection which has four sexy shades of red. I particularly like the 'Seduction' shade. I always apply OPI top coat over nail varnish, to leave it chip-free as long as possible.

Estee Lauder High Gloss, in Flamingo £14.50
http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/

Finally, a Valentine's look wouldn't be complete without a slathering of lip gloss. I LOVE the Estee Lauder High Gloss. It's super-moisturising and the gloss stays put for ages. It tastes delicious too. As soon as I'm wearing it, my look is complete!

TOP FIVE VALENTINE'S DRINKS

So, you've decided to dodge the over-priced Valentine's menus and avoid the bars full of couples trying to 'out-couple' each other, and entertain at home. Below are a few suggestions of delicious drinks you can serve your lover....

Camitz Sparkling Passion Martini

Camitz Sparkling Passion Martini
Ingredients
1 passion fruit
10ml strawberry liqueur
20ml Xante Pear liqueur
20ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice
40ml Camitz Sparkling Vodka

Method
Squeeze half the passion fruit, both liqueurs and the lemon juice into the shaker with some cubed ice. Shake, strain into a chilled martini glass and top carefully with the Camitz Vodka. The great thing about Camitz, is that it's Vodka is sparkling, giving this cocktail a fizzy twang! Garnish with the other half of the passion fruit - as pictured. Delicious!

 Dooleys Toffee Toddy, made with Dooley’s Original Toffee & Vodka, £11.99 (70cl),
http://www.dooleysoriginal.co.uk/

The Dooleys Toffee Toddy:
Looking for a new, fresh and exciting winter warmer to bring some added spice this Valentine’s Day? Some top barmen came together to create this rich, spicy drink....

Ingredients
1 part Dooley’s Original Toffee & Vodka
1 part milk
1 part double cream
1/2 part cognac
Whole nutmeg or ground nutmeg
Cinnamon sticks
Apple and orange peel (optional)

Method
Pour the Dooley’s, milk, cream and cognac into a pan, add cinnamon sticks, a sprinkle of nutmeg and chopped apple (optional) and orange peel, gently heat over a stove for 5-10 minutes. Serve with a sprinkling of nutmeg. This rich, spicy drink is delicious - and a great way to warm up on a cold night.

Hardy's Sparkling wines (Rose pictured), half price, £5.99
at Tesco

Valentine's this year has very inconveniently fallen on a Monday, so, if you don't have time to collect ingredients and prepare for making cocktails, pick up a bottle of fizz en-route home. If you've spent all your money on the perfect gift, but don't want to look cheap with your drinks choice, ditch the Champagne in favour of some sparkling wine (when served in a Champagne flute, noone will know your secret!). Hardy's make a great sparkling Chardonay-Pinot Noir, it was a citrus aroma, with a berry flavour and creamy texture - truly delicious. Hardy's also have a Brut Rose sparkling wine which is a little crisper - it's also pink - which is always a winner on February 14th! The best thing is, both variants are on half price offer at Tesco. I've stocked up my fridge!

Shloer, £1.97

As mentioned, Valentine's falls on a Monday. If conuming the above-mentioned drinks, you may feel a little worse-for-wear the next day. If your evil boss has booked you in to make a presentation on Tuesday morning, or if there's another reason you need to be hangover-free, why not drink Shloer... I'm a big fan of this fruity, sparkling drink. It's really refreshing, and a great alternative to wine.

Firefly Love Potion, £1.49 for 330ml

http://www.fireflytonics.com/

Firefly, producers of 100% natural energy tonics, have listened to fans across the globe and promised the return of their infamous Love Potion, a saucy blend of Passionfruit, Blueberry and Jasmine with sensory botanicals Angelica, Chocolate and Damiana, all known for their aphrodisiac qualities. Released just in time for Valentine's, it's a delicious, non-alcoholic drink that may help get you in the mood.

TOP FIVE VALENTINE'S GIFTS

Eeek. It's Valentine's day in a about a week. What to buy? Below are a few suggestions to suit all budgets...

The Sanctum Valentine’s package, £420
http://www.sanctumsoho.com/

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London’s infamous Regent Street lies the seven-storey Sanctum Soho Hotel. It's a great place to stay in London, just a stones through from all the theatres and fab restaurants and shops. The Sanctum Valentine’s package includes a luxury nights stay in Sanctum Soho for two, complete with a chilled bottle of champagne and strawberries on arrival, a sumptuousness candle lit dinner in the well known celebrity haunt restaurant No. 20, and breakfast in bed the next morning  for £420. You'll earn some serious brownie points with this gift!  

Connock London’s Kukui Oil Candle, £36.80
www.connocklondon.com

The delicate Kukui Oil Candle is infused with the sensual, exotic fragrance of Hawaiian flowers - it's make a great gift for girls who like the finer things in life. Romantic floral notes of Gardenia and Jasmine blend together into an adorable scent that isn't at all overpowering. This candle is beautifully packaged, so a great gift to give if you're not the best at wrapping presents!

Ruby Red Love is Everywhere, £32
www.rubyredcosmetics.co.uk/



Ruby Red is a range of natural beauty products designed and created for healthy, glowing skin. The ‘Love is Everywhere’ Valentine’s gift set will give her everything she needs for a night of indulgent pampering. It contains Bath Time Bliss; an Organic Rose Geranium & Ylang Ylang Bath Soak to help her unwind, an Organic Rose Whipped Shea Butter for smooth skin and an Organic Honey & Vanilla Lip Balm, formulated for soft, supple & kissable lips.

Rosey Slippers and Body Lotion, £9.99
http://www.madbeauty.com/  

If she loves all things pink and girly, this slipper and body lotion set is a good call. Super-snugly slippers to slip on post bath, with some lotion so she can make her skin super soft. The great thing about a gift like this, is it's something you can guarentee she'll use everyday.

For a full selection of products and services
available at  HeavenV visit http://www.heavenv.co.uk/

Virgin Active’s nationwide beauty spa, HeavenV, has lovingly crafted seven Valentine’s themed pamper packages. What better way to show your Valentine that you care, than with the gift of looking and feeling great? OR what a perfect way to treat yourself to some pampering before a Valentine's date?  There's a package to suit every budget. Prices start at £35, but I like the sound of the Spoil Me Senseless Package, £75 - with a facial, scalp and hand massage and full body massage...bliss.

What are you buying/hoping to receive for Valentine's?

TOP FIVE NEW BEAUTY FINDS

One benefit to being a girl is going though your friend's, sister's or mum's make-up bag to find new treasure. The day I found MAC liquid concealer this way was a great day - and when I purchased it, friends tried it on nights out and ended up loving/buying it too... So, below I am tipping out my hypothetical make-up bag, just for you to have a rummage. In it you will find five of my latest beauty lusts...

Monu Cleansing Balm, £35 (150ml)
http://www.monushop.co.uk/

Absolutely adore the smell, texture and effectiveness of Monu Cleansing Balm. It's is a rich balm that you rub onto wet skin for a minute or two- you can feel beads gently removing the dirt - including make-up. You then rinse off with warm water and a cotton cloth. The balm leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. It's hands down the best cleanser I've ever used. I am so precious about this balm that I actually remove it from the bathroom between uses, as I don't want anyone else to put their grubby fingers in my amazing new cleanser! 

Rescue Balm, £5.75
http://www.rescueremedy.co.uk/

Chapped lips. Yuck. When you get them, you want something that will get rid of them, fast. Although I do love good ol' Vaseline as a cheap cure, my new miracle find is Rescue Balm. It's an uber-moisturising lip balm with natural flower essences. This cute little tub can be popped into our bag for everyday use, as well as chap-lip emergencies. Kiss anyone?!

glōSheer Tint Base £22
http://www.effortlessskin.com/

Beautiful, dewy, natural looking skin. Oh yes, it can be achieved! Now, some days we need a big slathering of foundation to hide our bags/spots/redspots, but when we can - particularly with spring approaching - we should definitely try to switch to something lighter. glōSheer Tint Base creates a luminous, flawless base. The slight tint (it comes in six shades ranging from golden medium to honey and natural) melts into skin. Simply apply with fingertips to create a flawless look that will have people guessing if you've got make-up on at all. J'adore.



Sudocrem Skin Care Cream, £2.07 for 30g

How did I not try Sudocrem Skin Care Cream for so long? What doesn't it do?  It still soothes irritations, moisturises, it's great for problem skin - including spots and dryness. I've been using it recently if my skin isn't at it's best, as an overnight mask - and it really does the job. In my opinion, it's too thick for use in the day-time (maybe because I don't have dry skin?).The product now comes in a handy tube -  so you can keep it close by for any skin emergencies. This product's for the long-haul.



Laura Geller Bronze n Brighten Baked Colour Bronzer with Brush, £26.50
www.qvcuk.com/beauty

Bronzer. It can go right, or you can look orange. For the former, try out Laura Geller Bronze n Brighten . This colour correcting bronzer gives you a sun-kissed glow without leaving you looking like Judith Chalmer's daughter. Its unique formula starts as a liquid and is baked for 24 hours to create a creamy power finish, which can be easily applied with the retractable brush. It's available in Fair or Medium and comes with a compact mirror in the lid - perfect for a midday/post-work touch up!

These are my newest finds... please share any of yours below!