First of all can I sincerely apologise for my lack of posts recently, I've probably missed this more than you! (I've been very busy with exam prep lately) - As of June 18th I will be returning to full time blogging, yay!

Around a month ago I treated myself to multiple products I had wanted for quite a while, and now I've have chance to give them a thorough testing, I shall give you my verdict!

Chanel's 'Rouge Coco ultra hydrating lip colour' in 416 coco

Chanel's newest lipstick was covered in many magazines, with articles about it, bloggers testing it, 

and of course editorial ad campaigns running up to it's big release in March. I have to say, when I read about it's hydrating formula I was VERY excited to try it out. When I finally managed to get my hands on one in store, early April, I was spoilt for choice from their wide range of colours, and I loved the feel of it when the assistant tried it on me. But upon wearing it after purchasing, I found it came off pretty easily. Something I find important in lipsticks is staying power, and this is something this lipstick lacks. It feels nice on initially, but the hydrating properties fade fast, along with the colour. It's very high maintenance, even when applied properly with the Chanel lipliner, and I find I have to touch it up constantly to avoid the embarrassment of having a patchy colour. I admit though I do adore the colour, in the shade 'coco' it is a sheer cool orange-red, a very on-trend colour, and it's sheerness making it easier to apply such a bright colour. But for a hefty £26 along with £17.50 for the liner (which makes it easier to apply the colour but certainly doesn't improve it's wear) I will not be buying this lipstick again. I'm afraid to say, unlike face of Rouge coco Keira Knightley, I do NOT love coco. I still haven't found another lipstick as good as Dior Rouge, see my review here

Chanel le Crayon lèvres precision lip definer

This all-in-one lipliner is perfect for on-the-go lips, with a soft, hydrating and sheer colour when applied all over, and a nifty brush on the other end to apply lipstick and blend, it makes lipstick application super easy. It also comes with a nice little pencil sharpener to keep the pencil perfectly defined. But the downside to this handy but expensive (£17.50) liner is that it doesn't make lipstick last any longer. I judge staying power by how much I can eat or drink before it budges, good being a whole meal and bad being half a drink. Let's just say this is on the bad end of the scale, and I feel inclined to avoid drinking as much.

No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter

When I first applied this my reaction was 'oh no what have I done', I didn't quite expect it to completely rub my foundation off. After a few practice attempts (this was my first highlighter), I discovered that dabbing the stick on my face rather than dragging it was the best approach. When carefully dabbed on over foundation, it gives a natural dewy but matte glow (if that's possible). I love this on my cheekbones, above my lip, and in the corner of my eyes. It is the same colour and application as the well advertised £19 Clinique chubby stick highlighter, but for £9.95! This is definitely money well spent.

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Perfume

I was quiet shocked when I first discovered this as a sample in a magazine; despite it's heavy, sensual, night-time wear appearance, this perfume is very light with a soft feminine floral smell that's perfect for everyday wear. I love it. This is definitely an example of 'don't judge a perfume by it's bottle' or in this case it's editorial advertisement as well. Bad branding here YSL, this is not a heavy, strong and bitter, occasion-wear perfume, but a light, floral, almost vanilla scent. Have a smell next time you see it in store, it's lovely.

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

When I purchased my perfume, I got a free mini sample of this YSL black mascara. I don't normally wear black, I prefer the natural look of brown, but with this I feel I can wear it and still feel like I have naturally long looking lashes. It is completely lump-free and makes my lashes look full and long without looking fake. When this mini sample runs out I'm definitely buying the full sized version, of all the many mascaras I have tried over the years I think this is possibly the best.

Looking after myself, inside and out, is something that's really important to me. I want to look after my body as well as I can now so that it pays off in the future. Once every week (usually Saturday mornings) I spend the morning soaking, scrubbing, cleansing and moisturising myself, getting rid of the weekly grime and putting life back into my skin. Here I've compiled the basic body kit, what I use to keep my skin, hair, nails and body revived, and how I use them. Get ready for the full works at your own home spa!

FACE

1) Exfoliate - The Body Shop pore-cleansing facial exfoliator, £10  In a steamy bath or shower, gently rub a small blob of this over your face and neck in circular motions, then wash off with clean water. For lips, dampen a face cloth a gentle rub over the lips in horizontal movements for around 20 seconds.

2) Cleanse - Burt's Bees deep cleansing cream, £10.99 In gentle circular motions, rub this around your face and neck with your fingers, avoiding the eyes, and splash off with warm water.

3) Peel - Adore Essence Facial Peeling Gel, $189 (US only, can be bought for cheaper) Spread a pea sized amount on both cheeks and t-zone with the paddle provided, and leave to dry. Rub off with fingers. 

4) Tone - The Body Shop clarifying toner, £8.50 Squirt a small amount onto a cotton pad and rub over every area of the face, make sure to also do the sides of your nose, your neck and your lips.

5) Moisturise - No7 Beautiful skin Day cream, £12.50 Gently rub a pea sized amount onto both cheeks, then on the t-zone and neck. Use Blistex Intensive Moisturiser, £2.63 on the lips.

HAIR

1) Comb - Any fine toothed comb, similar to the above  Before washing your hair, gently comb out all the tangles with a fine toothed comb to get out all the knots.

2) Shampoo - Aussie Winter miracle shampoo, £4.69  Massage a coin sized blob into your scalp and through the ends, then wash off with warm water.

3) Condition - Aussie Winter Miracle 3 Minute, £4.99  Massage a coin sized blob into just the ends of the hair, and tease through with your fingers.

4) Serum & Oil - John Frieda Frizz-Ease hair serum, £3.99 Before blow drying- rub the one pump of serum through the ends, and comb through. When blow-drying, always use a brush to keep it smooth and shiny. After it's dry rub one pump of Schwarzkopf got2b Oil-Vicious hair oil, £3 through your hands and then run your palms along the ends of the hair until it's distributed evenly.

BODY

1) Polish - Body polisher, included in Champney's pamper kit, £12  + The Body Shop Vanilla Brûlée shower gel, £6.50 (Vanilla no longer available, although you can get similar) In gentle vertical motions, use the body polisher with gel over arms, legs, torso and feet.

2) Moisturise - The Body Shop coconut body butter, £13 (Available in a variety of fragrances) Massage a medium thickness layer of the body butter across the legs, torso, arms, neck and hands. Allow it to soak in before getting dressed.

NAILS

1) File - Any soft nail file  File your nails to an even length, if your nails are broken or flaking, try and file them down below the flakes. Avoid using a buffer unless you have really thick nails, as it will thin your nails and make them weak. Correct care of the cuticles should help them to grow smooth.

2) Nourish - Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream, £5.99  Rub over the cuticles and the sides of your nails, as much as you would apply as lip balm. Use one dip of Essie nail treatment cuticle oil, £8.99 one each hand, brushing over each nail. I also use a bit of this on my knuckles if they are cracked and dry.

Let me know what products you find essential for looking after yourself by commenting below! Also if you have any questions about the products feel free to ask x

When looking for next season's beauty trends, look straight at where it's all created: Backstage at the catwalks! Here I've compiled the best hair and beauty trends set for this winter, with something for everyone.

Tuck your hair into your shirt or jacket for a chic way of keeping your hair out of the way. This style was seen at Giambattista Valli and Nina Ricci.

Also seen at Nina Ricci, the models had groomed brushed-up eyebrows, highlighter to define their cheekbones, multiple coats of mascara for thicker lashes, and nude-pink lips.

At Chanel we saw heavy cat-eye makeup with matte eyeshadow. This was also teamed with soft pink lips for a feminine touch.

Wet your hair and pull back into a mid ponytail as the model's at Stella McCartney wore their hair, for a sleek 'just got out the shower' look.

The Christian Dior models had simple minimalistic lips and skin to let their graphic eyes take centre stage. Applied with a wet brush, the colour blocked eyes were seen in magenta, purple, blue and khaki.

For the Giorgio Armani look, tie your hair back in a messy knot, leaving a few loose strands around your face. Messy knots were also seen at Isabel Marant, and messy chignons at Vera Wang.

For a seventies look, as seen at Emilio Pucci, apply an orange-brown shade to the eyes and cheekbones for a soft and dewy look. The models also had a custom made red-pink lip.

Roberto Cavalli showed relaxed centre-parted waves, scrunched with salt spray for texture.

A Marilyn Monroe inspired make-up look at MaxMara showed this classic look refreshed. It features dewy skin, pink lips, black eyeliner and curly lashes. 

The beauty at Donna Karan was very naturally blushed, with lipstick used on the cheeks for a dewy shine, pale pink-brown on the lips and eyes, and a thinly lined eye.

A dark and romantic smoky eye was seen at Diane Von Furstenburg. For a lower key but still as striking look (as seen on the runway) keep all other make-up very minimal.

Let me know which look's are your favourite by commenting below!

    -Lauren