Estée Lauder Pure Colour Nail Lacquer - Tempting Melon

I love the colour of this summery polish - tempting and indeed melony.

The application wasn't that great - had to load polish on the brush and couldn't get it to apply v evenly. However it was worth persevering as it has lasted me about three days so far without chipping - pretty good in my book.

Pictured below with Nails Inc top coat.

I don't think I've seen a prettier peach than this this summer - definitely a warm weather staple (we can but dream!)

Estée Lauder Nail Lacquers are £14 for 9ml.

Essential measures #8 Dr Hauschka Cleansing Cream

A few years ago, I bought a few items from the Dr Hauschka range during a terrible skin period, hoping I think for miracles. I didn't witness any miracles, and whilst I really liked some of the products, such as the Rose day cream, I concluded they weren't quite right for my skin (the latter just too heavy sadly, as I adore the scent and consistency and the dewy look it gives on application).

This summer anyway I decided to give the brand another chance. My skin had been feeling very stressed - tight, congested and irritated - and I felt the need to try something soothing and natural. As my laser clinic had started stocking Dr Hauschka and numerous other lovely natural brands such as Ren, I decided on instinct to purchase the Cleansing Cream (and the Neem Nail Oil - truly amazing, but for another post).

I have to say, this cleanser has notably improved the condition of my skin this summer. It no longer feels stressed; rather it feels smoother, softer and much more supple. Bumps and blemishes on my skin seem to disappear and my skin looks clearer and softer. I ran out of a tube and started using a Vichy cleanser, and was very aware of how much less comfortable and more tight my skin felt, so quickly bought another tube and lo - happy skin once again. This is now cemented in my beauty hall of fame.

It's quite an unusual product - the smell takes some getting used to. I won't attempt to describe it but I've actually grown to rather like it. I love the unique consistency of the cream - it's actually more of a paste than a cream I'd say (kind of like peanut butter, perhaps mixed with a dash of houmous...)

The idea is that you mix a bit with water, then use a "pressing, rolling motion" to work the product into your skin - rather than rub it in like a traditional face scrub. I think this method of applying (though I probably massage it in a bit more forcefully than you're meant to) is partly what is causing the visible improvements to my skin. If I leave it on for too long however it does start to sting a little.

I don't use this product to remove make up, so I tend to use it in the morning only. This is a deep cleansing product but due to the slightly mealy texture I'd feel like I was working my make up, along with the product, into my skin if I didn't remove it first.

The only thing I dislike - although I actually really like how the packaging looks - is that I think the toothpaste-like metal tube results in a bit of product wastage towards the end. I might have to start doing what I do with my Eight-hour cream - cutting it in half to get every last bit of product out before discarding it. Also I seem to get through the 50ml tube quite quickly (probably about 3 or 4 weeks with daily use) - a bigger tube would be brilliant.

Encouraged by the success with the Cleansing Cream I have since bought the Dr Hauschka Toner for normal skin, which you are instructed to spray on after cleansing in the morning and evening (without using a night cream). I'm trialling this at the moment, and have to say I don't think my skin is missing not having a night time cream or serum. Will report on that when I've used it all up, and on the Neem nail oil very soon - I noticed results after using that just a handful of times.

Dr Hauschka Cleansing Cream retails at £14.95 for 50ml and is aimed at all skin types.

Do you have any hero products from Dr Hauschka?

Ren Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm

I first mentioned this scrub a few months ago on Amina's Bazaar, but was waiting to use up my considerable arsenal of other scrubs before I tried it. It was certainly worth the wait. Whilst perhaps not the most economical scrub I've ever bought, it's one of the most effective.

Although described as a body balm this is essentially a scrub, a thick, pasty, luxurious scrub with a lovely clean, fresh scent (it contains basil, peppermint and rosemary extracts).

I find you do have to use quite a lot of this to cover the whole body, hence my comment about it being less than economical. For example, I think I got about six or seven full body scrubs out of this (I like to do a thorough job!) plus a few touch ups here and there.

That said, the effects are definitely more long lasting than some other scrubs, like my Amina's Essentials listed L'Oreal Exfotonic. The Guerande scrub left my skin feeling equally smooth, but for longer - it's about three times the price of the L'Oreal, but about three times more long lasting. And the Ren is certainly more pleasurable to use.

In summary, a lovely, luxe scrub that gives great results. Would definitely repurchase, though perhaps when there's a special offer.

£22 / 300ml. Available from renskincare.com

OPI - Bullish on OPI

From the autumn 2009 Collection de Espana. It's taken me a while to do a full mani with Bullish on OPI - I've swatched it onto one nail before while trying to choose a colour (anyone else do that and end up with 10 different coloured fingernails??) but it's never really called to me before so to speak. Today however I was trying to decide on a colour to go with a nutmeg coloured pair of trousers (Topshop's description not mine!) and decided the only way forward was a nice clashing red.

Bullish on OPI is pictured below with Nails Inc Kensington Caviar top coat.

natural daylight

with the nutmeg trouser!

Application was a doddle as with most OPIs and this shade has really grown on me throughout the day - not a complicated or outstandingly original shade.. it's just a nice, warm toned red creme that looks somehow a little retro to me too.Definitely worth checking out if you have warmer skin and like your reds...

Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick - Kiss Me Coral

I am surprised how much I like this lipstick - I purchased it about six months ago and having just returned from holidays and having a bit of colour to my skin, I thought I'd try it out.

Although it is described as coral, I'd say this definitely veers towards orange!

However it's somehow a flattering shade that I think would suit a variety of warmer skin tones, and it makes a change from the usual pinks, berries and nudes I would normally sport.

Excuse the arty photos but they actually showed the colour the best! In fact they're making me want to go on holiday again, or at least waft around in a floaty kaftan wearing lots of jewellery and generally being fabulous.

I think it would look great with nude skin and a strong brow.

The formula is lovely - creamy and moisturising and stays on for ages. I've only worn this round the house so far and don't normally wear bright lipstick, but I might just have to be brave and go public with it this summer!

Revlon Superlustrous Lipsticks retail at a reasonable £7.49 and can often be found on special offer.  Based on Kiss Me Coral, I'd like to try more in the range - I do also have the cult shade Cherries in the Snow but it is even louder than Kiss Me Coral so I'll have to work up to that one I think. Have you tried any of the Superlustrous lipsticks?

Eve Lom moisturiser SPF 15

This could (whisper it) be my holy grail moisturiser. It's thick without being heavy, it has a pleasant, non-overpowering fragrance, sinks in beautifully to a matt but glowy finish, makes my make-up look about a million times better and most of all makes my skin look and feel soft and healthy, and perhaps (again, whisper it) even a bit younger! Plus it has an SPF - what is not to love?

I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and couldn't wait any longer to report - will update this review if anything changes but at the moment, my skin and I just love this stuff.

At £40 for 50ml it is by no means cheap, but for me it's worth every penny, and has inspired me to investigate some other items from the Eve Lom range. So far I've only tried the Rescue Mask which I wasn't blown away by despite the rave reviews it seems to get, however I do like the sound of the TLC Radiance cream and the Kiss Mix and have been meaning to try the cleanser as well for some time.

Do you have any Eve Lom recommendations?

Essential measures #7 Batiste dry shampoo

I know I know nothing revolutionary here but actually this has revolutionised my haircare regime! I have very fine curly hair that tends to get oily if I go more than a day without washing. I also like to straighten and curl the layers that frame my face quite regularly with my GHDs - however due to their proximity with my oily skin these are also these bits tend to get even more oily! Batiste is an absolute godsend for those mornings when I haven't got time, or can't be bothered, to wash my hair. Just a couple of sprays (from a good distance, this stuff comes out like a bullet train!) and my hair is soft and oil free (you'll need to brush it through to avoid the talcum powder look). It's also great for when you want to add a bit of volume - I'm quite into a subtle backcomb at the moment and this provides fantastic root-boosting effect. And all this at the fantastically bargainous price of about £2 for 150ml. I know there are other more expensive dry shampoos on the market but when something this cheap is this effective I just don't even see the point of looking elsewhere. Love.

NB Batiste is currently on offer in Superdrug: 3 cans for £3.49, making it even more unbelievably bargainous!