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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

Bliss Mask-a-Peel*

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So it’s more than fair to say that I’ve got something of a fascination with Korean skincare. I’ve been collecting sheet masks for the past year or so and slap one on at least once a week. I’m obviously not the only one – Bliss have just released their take on the rubberising mask (which the currently the mask that’s taking Asian skincare by storm!)

Rather than being packaged in your typical tube or tub, Mask a-‘peel’ comes in the form of three little pots, which look like they should have a yoghurt inside. There is also a branded spatula included, which is crucial in getting your mask assembled!

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Mixing up the mask couldn’t be easier. After cleansing my skin, I filled one of the little pots with mineral water  (the pots have a little indentation to show you where to fill it, and you don’t need to use distilled water but it’s a lovely treat) and got stirring. The mask is just a finely milled powder, so once water is added, it’s easy to stir it into a super smooth paste. Once it has turned smooth, it’s time to slap it on. Bliss recommend applying the mask using the spatula, but I found it a touch messy. Fingers are fine – and there is a lot of mask to play with!

Since you’re going to be peeling it off, it’s meant to be layered up, but I had more than enough to apply all over my face, neck and décolletage with some left over. Then, I had twenty minutes to kill while the mask dried. Since it can be a bit goopy and messy, I found it easier to just grab a magazine and hop in the bath. After about 15 minutes, the mask was mostly set, and it was fully dry after 20. Since you apply it thickly, it’s incredibly easy to peel off, and it came off in pretty much a single go! My skin felt soft and smooth, and looked far brighter. I followed up with a good dose of moisturiser and applied my makeup as normal. I felt like I needed less foundation and concealer than normal, and it lasted without touchups all day!

Bliss Mask a-‘Peel’ is priced at £20 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar*

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When it comes to moisturisers, I can be rather picky. I have dry, sensitive skin, but I’m always a little afraid of overloading it. So, my perfect products are always ones with great hydrating potential which aren’t too thick or heavy. Thankfully the Renewed Hope in a Jar from Philosophy fits squarely into the latter category, and it’s the perfect cream for protecting my skin from the dropping temperatures.

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Packaged in the brand’s signature stye, Renewed Hope in a Jar is suitable for use on all skin types thanks to it’s light, whipped texture.It’s perfect to use every day, as it just disappears into skin, leaving it feeling super soft and smooth. It feels wonderfully nourishing to apply, and it’s an absolute joy to use.

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With a light, fresh scent, it doesn’t leave skin feeling too shiny or sticky to apply makeup, and on mornings I’ve used Renewed Hope in a Jar I don’t even feel the need to use a primer. What I’ve also been absolutely loving that fact that my skin stays hydrated all day when using the cream. I don’t get that horrible tight feeling in the mid-afternoon, it feels nourished all they way until I wash my face in the evening!

Renewed Hope in a Jar is priced at £35.50 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Beautiful Color Lipstick – Matte Chocolate*

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So I think it’s fair to say, nineties fashion is having a major moment. The amount of chokers, crop tops and velvet in the shops doesn’t lie, so it was only a matter of time until beauty shelves had a bit of a flashback too.

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I’m in my mid-twenties, so was a tad young to hop on the super dark lips bandwagon the first time around (although I pretty much single handedly kept Hard Candy in business). So seeing the amount of chocolatey goodness on the beauty counters at the moment is a real flashback. Elizabeth Arden kindly sent over their new and limited edition Beautiful Color Lipstick in Matte Chocolate, which is just the shade if you’re looking for a bit of glamorous grunge.

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Matte Chocolate is a stunning red-toned brown, which, in my opinion, is the most flattering way to wear the trend. After applying a light base and dusting of bronzer, I primed my lips with a little balm, then applied straight from the tube. Matte Chocolate applied wonderfully smoothly with an insane colour payoff. Unlike liquid lipsticks, which tend to feel super drying, Matte Chocolate is a creamy affair which just glides on. And it doesn’t shift either! I got three hours before I noticed a slight fading, but a quick swipe got it back to it’s best! Is this the best brown lipstick? I think so!

Elizabeth Arden’s Beautiful Color Lipstick in Matte Chocolate is available here for £21

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

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