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Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick – Uber Nude*

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When Bobbi Brown’s brand new Wine & Chocolate collection popped through the letterbox, it’s fair to say that I got a little giddy. It’s the first of the Christmas collections to arrive, and I have to say, it’s a good one!

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The collection has three new shades of the Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colors – Tawny, a rich brown; Your Majesty, a saturate wine shade, and Uber Nude, a warm natural which is the stuff of dreams.

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Uber Nude is the first of the brand’s Luxe Lip Colors that I’ve tried, and I have to say, I’ve fallen more than a little in love with them! They’re basically everything you hope for when you crack into a new lippy – beautiful colour, great colour payoff, good wear time and they even feel balmy on the lips!

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Uber Nude is basically the culmination every neutral-lip wish you’ve made ever. It’s a warm, pinky shade which is incredibly easy to wear. During the day it’s the perfect shade for an effortlessly chic makeup look. Paired with a natural, smudgy brown eyeshadow, it’s wonderfully subtle, and adds a hint of polish to a deceivingly simple look. Then, at night, it’s the ideal counterpoint for a more dramatic eye. Dark, smoky shadow looks so chic when paired with Uber Nude, and I have to say, I couldn’t be more in love!

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color is priced at £25

Clucky Balboa at Byron*

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When Byron announce that they’re releasing a new burger, you can imagine how excited people get! Since opening two outlets in Edinburgh this year alone, they’ve become my favourite haunt for a casual bite with friends, so, when I got the chance to try the rather brilliantly named Clucky Balboa, I jumped at the chance!

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So, on a rather damp Wednesday, I headed over to the Lothian Road restaurant to get to grips with the newcomer. Claiming to be a new burger champion, I couldn’t not pop in and give it a go!

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If you’ve never been before, The Lothian Road Byron is a gorgeous, rather industrial property which always has a good buzz going. It’s right across the road from the cinema, and the Usher Hall is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect spot for an indulgent bite before an evening out!

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It had been a busy day at work, and we were absolutely starving, so we opted to share a plate of Nachos (£5.95). Happily, they didn’t disappoint. The plate was piled high with tortilla chips, with generous scoops of salsa, guacamole and sour cream. Sprinkled with melted cheddar cheese, they were an incredibly moreish start to the meal.

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We both also opted for some shakes – Vanilla with bourbon (£7.00) and Chocolate with bourbon (£7.00). Since I wasn’t the designated driver, I rather cheekily snuck both shots into my milkshake and made it (extra) hard. I can’t tell you how wonderful Byron’s boozy shakes are – incredibly decadent and they always feel like such a treat.

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There was no discussion on what I’d be ordering for my main meal. I’d been savouring the thoughts of Clucky Balboa all afternoon, and I opted to go for the spicer hot sauce smothered version (Make it Buffalo) £11.85). Since it’s the restaurant’s latest special, every time one of these burgers is ordered, Byron provide a school meal for a child in need. Which means there really isn’t a real not to try it out yourself.

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I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed the Clucky Balboa. It’s probably the messiest burger I’ve had in a while, but the flavour was insane. A rather hearty fried chicken breast had been absolutely covered in Byron’s hot sauce, and was piled high with lettuce, siracha mayonnaise, guacamole and sliced pickles, then contained in one of the restaurant’s signature squishy buns.

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The hot, vinegary twang of the hot sauce worked well with cooling guacamole, and the chicken itself was moist and juicy. By about two bites in, I admitted defeat and had to get to work with a knife and fork, as the burger was as delicious as it was messy.

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My friend had gone for the rather neater Byron Burger with Monterey Jack (£8.25), which was declared delicious.

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To go with our respective burgers, we shared pots of fries – one cheese covered (£3.95) and the other original (£2.95). The fries were hot and crisp perfection, and the drizzle of Freddar cheese helped cool some of the heat of my Clucky Balboa. The whole meal was absolute perfection, and we positively rolled back out to Lothian Road filled to the gills with the best burgers in Edinburgh

Jo Malone Basil & Neroli Cologne*

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When it comes to perfumes, Jo Malone tends to be my go-to. Their Orange Blossom cologne is one of my all-time favourites which I wear at least twice per week, so when I heard all about their brand new concoction, I was more than a little excited.

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The mix of Neroli and Basil feels like it was made for me! Basil is one of my all-time favourite scents. I just adore how green and clean it smells. I use it all the time in the kitchen and I always wonder why it’s not used in more perfumes. In fact, it’s the first time there’s been Basil in a Jo Malone product since their iconic Lime, Basil and Mandarin.

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Just as I had hoped, I fell absolutely in love with Basil & Neroli at first sniff. It’s one of those scents which makes you feel so fresh and clean to wear, and, more importantly, it smells like nothing else in my collection. At first, I get  a huge whoosh of green and basil. It has a gorgeous, almost unisex feel which feels incredibly elegant to wear.

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Then, as the cologne warms up, the notes of Neroli become stronger. Anyone who’s spent two minutes on this site knows I’m into white flowers, and Neroli is one of my absolute favourites. It’s both soft and clean, yet it is noticeable. The mix feels unusual enough to stand out from the crowd whilst still feeling beautifully classic. My only gripe is that it’s not the longest lasting perfume in the world, but Jo Malone’s purse-sized bottles means that mid-day touchups are no big deal! I’ve actually bought one of the big bottles as I’m just so enamoured with it!

Jo Malone Basil & Neroli starts at £43 and is available here.

DKNY BE Tempted*

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I feel like the season has finally shifted firmly into autumn, and as a result, I’m shifting around my most loved beauty goods like a crazy person! The light, citrus-based fragrances I wear throughout the summer have been popped back in the cupboard, and I’m in the mood for something a little deeper, and dare I say it, sexier.

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DKNY’s newest scent, Be Tempted, is ticking all my boxes, and has been described as a more sultry take on DKNY’s Be Delicious fragrance. The bottle, designed to look like a red apple, is adorable, and is incredibly eye-catching on my vanity. The fragrance itself is, as the name might suggest, absolutely delicious. Top notes of red berries, apple with a touch of patchouli feel both fruity yet grown up. There are heart notes of vanilla and rose which feel incredibly feminine and alluring, whilst the base notes of myrrh gives the perfume a wonderful depth and warmth. DKNY’s Be Tempted is a gorgeous choice if you’re looking for an autumn update!

DKNY’s Be Tempted is priced at £69.00 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded*

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Whenever Urban Decay release a new palette, it’s almost as if you can hear the world’s intake of breath. There have been a couple lately, and I got my hands on the brand new XX Vice Reloaded Palette, and spoiler alert – it’s a good one!

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Packaged in a slick black compact, complete with jewelled logo, XX Vice Reloaded is something special to behold. It’s big, weighty thing, with a push button which releases the spring-loaded lid. I just love it, and it looks incredible. There’s no doubt about it, this palette is all about celebrating the best of Urban Decay!

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Inside there are 20 shades (to celebrate 20 years of the brand), some new, some classic, and some re-releases, as well as a double ended brush, and a huge mirror. At first I was a little daunted by the shades selection – there are some true jewel colours in there – particularly ones like Acid Rain and Asphyxia which are just breathtaking. But there is also a great selection of neutrals in there too! Perfect for using on a more regular basis.

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The beauty of XX Vice Reloaded is in it’s adaptability. Day looks revolve around the colours Suspend, Shallow and Midnight Cowboy. They’re a mix of matte and satin finish shades, which provide a subtle wash of definition without looking too dramatic.

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In the evenings, I’ve been smoking everything out with shades like Oil Slick, Smog, and Twice Baked. As we’ve come to expect from the brand, Urban Decay’s XX Vice Reloaded’s shadows are buttery smooth and apply like a dream. I’ve noticed that the matte shades do seem to have the very best colour payoff, whilst the shimmers and glitters are a touch sheerer, so when I want a really vivid look, I apply using a dampened brush.

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Like most of the brand’s palette, this one comes with a double-ended brush which is surprisingly useful. I just love that Urban Decay include real tools in their kits, rather than the usual sponge applicators which I throw out immediately!

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Since both ends have quite long and fluffy bristles, it’s a good tool for creating subtle blended looks – and what more can I ask for in the mornings?!

Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded is priced at £43 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

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