Kérastase haul: Nutritive & Noctogenist

I noticed last night that my shampoo bottle was (sort of) nearly empty so I, quite enthusiastically, went out to buy some more today! You know, I wanted a back up, just in case.

For about two years now I have been loyal to Kérastase. (Try as I might, I can never stay faithful to one make-up brand so that says something.)

I have tried green (for damaged hair), pink (for coloured hair), orange (for unruly hair) and blue (night treatment). I recently bought a hair treatment from the white Nutritive series - which by the way smells wonderful - and as a happy customer, I decided to go for a 'matching' shampoo.

This is what I got. The Bain Satin Dosage Gluco-Active 2: Complete Nutrition Shampoo.

It caught my eye because it was the only giant Kérastase product with a pump in the shop. So I decided it was good value, as you get (500 ml, which is) double the usual amount.

And then I went to pay.

Uh, not quite.

I conveniently remembered that I like leave-in treatments for during the day. And oh! look what happened to be on the shelf! The Nectar Thermique: Nourishing care with heat-styling protective agent.

And a little oomph for whilst we sleep, as well. The Noctogenist Sérum Nuit: Overnight Softening Treatment.

There's nothing like the promise of waking up to silky hair.

Quote: Monkeys don't wear tights

My son was wearing tights under his trousers the other day.

(I wonder when he will start telling me that tights aren't cool and he'd rather freeze his ___ (fill in the blank) off than wear a pair.)

He likes to climb and is astoundingly strong - he can hold on by wrapping his limbs around me and I can wave my arms up in the air (a bit like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman: "Look, no hands!").

Me: "You're a monkey!"

My four-year old: "No. Monkeys don't wear tights."

He got me there. At least the last time we went to the zoo, there weren't any monkeys clad in tights.

MAC's new mineralize compact foundation

This is MAC's newest foundation and I love it. It is creamy and my skin feels hydrated when I use this. It's ideal for travelling and I'm sure some people will find it less messy to apply than a liquid foundation.

It gives medium coverage: lighter than the Studio Sculpt (left) and more than the Face and Body (right). It also has SPF 15, which the Face and Body doesn't.

L to R: Studio Sculpt NC30, Mineralize NC30, Face and Body C4

It comes with a sponge but I would recommend using a brush. I think the 130 short duo fibre brush is fantastic and easy to use because the bristles are short and compact.

If you like the dewy look, you won't need to powder your face after applying this foundation. I personally prefer to powder my t-zone. I like to use the select sheer powder (and blot powder for touch ups) but you could use the Studio Fix powder, as well, to give you that extra bit of coverage.

Gym? No way, thank you

I hate working out. Gym memberships are a waste of money (my record: one year of non-attendance). I don't like being around (other) sweaty people. And oh, the hassle of leaving the house, especially in winter when it's freezing outside.

So last year I bought some cardio workout DVDs. I quite liked them. For a while. Until I realised what a pain it was to have to do the following in the middle of the day:

1. change into a sports bra

2. shower

3. re-do my hair and make-up.

Of course, I tried to do it first thing in the morning. But I just can't get up any earlier than I really have to. And I can't do it after taking my son to kindergarten because I've already got a full face of make-up on.

So I tried working out at night. But between 9pm and midnight is when I finally have my peace and quiet! I'd rather enjoy that than have to hop around in front of the TV.

But now I think I have found what I have always been looking for...

Kundalini yoga with Maya Fiennes!

I am trying out one of her DVDs and so far... I like it. I'll be doing a proper review soon.

Who is familiar with her yoga?

This Week BG is Loving. . .

This gorgeously delicious rose buckle belt from McQ!

I love the beautiful and intricate design of the rose buckle. It is feminine yet cool. Matched with the perfect width belt, they will be just the thing to spice up and pull together an outfit. I’ve been looking for something like this for the longest time.

Although I might just end up with something even simpler this season. A black patent leather belt with a simple buckle and the perfect width, not too wide or too thin- like this one here from Shop Intuition. I saw something very similar the other day at Lafayette and I really wanted it because it would just match with everything, but alas they were 65euros. I’m not sure something so simple is worth that much. Thoughts?

Travel Essentials: Shoes

One of the things that take up the most space in a suitcase is footwear. Seriously, when I packed up my dorm room, I literally had a whole box full of shoes and I didn't even realised I owned that much footwear. So what are the essentials one packs for a holiday?

A must have are nice comfortable sneakers. Shown here are Hogan (left) and Puma by Alexander McQueen (right) sneakers. I personally am loving my black patent Hogans, because not only do they look good and are comfortable, they're waterproof too! No wet feet-ever.

As a girly girl, I must also have a pair of comfortable pretty shoes to go with everything. What better than flats? For winter, I am loving flats, whether is it ballerina style or loafer style (as the one shown above from Tod's). For summer, I have my metallic RL thongs, although these one shown are Musa from net-a-porter.

Then of course there is the fashionable and not neccessarily comfortable shoes. For winter, I bring classic ankle boots (they also save space!), like these ones (left) from Steve Madden. For summer, I love my Miu Miu platform sandals from last season. These ones shown here (right) though are much more seasonally versatile and they're from Burberry.

Last but not least, there are the party/evening heels that one simply MUST bring. Bring black pumps (pointy or otherwise) for winter (these adorable ones are from Dior) and bring silver sandals (like these sexy Jimmy Choo's) for summer. That way, they match all color outfits. Every girl needs a pair of smashing heels right?

So these are my footwear essentials (I know, I don't live lightly!), what are yours?

Mr. Blackwell&39;s 47th annual "Worst Dressed" list

Mr. Blackwell's famous annual worst dress list was released a few days ago, and I only got around looking at it properly. Quite frankly, I don't agree with half the list, and I don't care about the people on the other half of the list. So I'm just going to talk about the people who I notice.

No.1 Britney and Paris -"Two peas in an overexposed pod"

Oh Britney Britney, I thought losing K Fed was going to make you a pretty star again. Unfortunately setting you free on your own was even worse. Stop flashing your private bits and underwear. I also read today that you don't listen to your stylist. It's always best to listen to the pro dear, especially since you obviously have no personal style.

OK, onto Paris. Now I am no fan of Paris' and have always thought she looked just-not-right in most of her outfits, (although her hair was so pretty in Simple Life 3.) But it is SO wrong to place Paris up at No.1 with Britney. I actually think many of Paris' outfits are ok, but it's her who looks odd.
I've chosen a few photos here which shows Paris is not-bad outfits, and in a terrible one.

No.3 Lindsay Lohan -"from adorable to deplorable"

Riiight. Why on earth is Lindsay on this list? Apart from the very occasional mistakes (-she is human afterall), Lindsay has been dressing really well. With her limitless wardrobe, she's sometimes casual, sometimes hot, sometimes high-fashion, sometimes in a stylish dress etc. Oh, and let's not forget she has nice taste in bags. Just because Lindsay is an easy target, doesn't mean should be in every negative lists out there. Leave her alone.

No.5 Mariah Carey -"the queen of catastrophic kitsch"
Totally. Actually, Mariah should be bumped up to no.2.

No.9 Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh doesn't seem to have mastered the art of picking the perfect outfit yet, but they're not all too bad. She wore too many necklaces with that blue Vera Wang dress, but the black dress on the right (the picture taken only a few days ago,) acutally looks quite nice on her. I love her as an actress so much but alas, I can't defend her because her everyday clothes which I've seen from the very few paparazzi photos have been seriously ugly.

As for Blackwell's 10 "fabulous fashion independents" list, most of these so-called independents don't get photographed much and don't make particularly exciting or influential fashion choices. Oh, and what kind of best dressed list is it that doesn't have Kate Moss on it?