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Wahaca Edinburgh*

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When Edinburgh’s new Wahaca threw their doors open for the first time last week, I knew I had to check it out! Not only is it one of the city’s newest haunts, but it’s also the first Wahaca north of the border.

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Located just off St. Andrews Square, it couldn’t be a more central location, and it was the perfect spot to sneak into after a long day at work. The restaurant itself is far bigger than I expected – spread over two floors; it was packed, despite our visit being pretty early on a Thursday evening.

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We were seated upstairs, and got to soak in the atmosphere. With Latin music pumping, and the staff buzzing around, it felt like we were somewhere rather more glamorous than cold and rather damp Edinburgh!

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The menu is pretty vast, and caters to pretty much everything you can think of – whether you’re in for a quick bite, or a bit of a feast, you can order as much or as little as you like. There’s even a tapas-esque section filled with morsels to savour if you fancy a bit of mix-and match in your supper!

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As we pondered our dinner choices, one choice I didn’t have any trouble with was my drinks order! I’m a fan of a margarita (frozen or otherwise) and opted for a Classic (£7). Served icy cold, it was an absolute delight – sharp lime and smooth tequila was a heavenly and classic combination.

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We started off with a couple of sharing dishes. Obviously we couldn’t miss guacamole, and the inclusion of Frijoles was a new one to us, so we ordered a tub of that too!

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The Guacamole and Tortilla Chips (£4.50) was great mash-up of zesty and creamy, just as you want from the green stuff! Wahaca make their guac fresh daily. With chilli, lime juice and coriander, it was a flavourful way of kicking off the meal!

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Our order of Frijoles & Tortilla Chips (£3.50) was an unexpected delight. Comprising of twice-cooked black beans and chorizo, it was incredibly flavourful and satisfying. Paired with the crispy tortilla chips, it was the perfect accompaniment to my margarita and started the meal off beautifully.

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Then we got onto the mains. Neither of us could resist the British Steak the Mexican Way (£12.95) which promised an overnight-marinated Bavette steak with a crisp cheese, green rice and salad. It’s one of my favourite cuts of steak to cook at home – and happily Wahaca’s didn’t disappoint!

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It was an incredibly generous portion, and an absolute riot of colour on the plate. The meat was cooked to medium-rare perfection, tender and so flavoursome. It paired well with the green rice, and extra crunch was added to the salad with a sprinkling of seeds and slices of tortilla chips.

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Suitably stuffed by the meal, we couldn’t even contemplate pudding, but with options like freshly made churros served with warm chocolate sauce (£4.25) and salted caramel ice cream (£4.25) we were incredibly tempted!

Thank you to Wahaca for having us!

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

Toni & Guy Halloween Hair Accessories*

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Anyone that knows me, knows that this week is pretty my my favourite of the year! For me, I just adore the run-up to Halloween – it’s probably my favourite out of all the holidays, and I’ve been known to be a little OTT in my celebrations. When I lived in Dubai I forked out the equivalent of about £50 for pumpkins to decorate my balcony, and I’ve had more Jack-O-Lantern manicures than you can imagine!  This year, I’m planning a few spooky-themed outfits, so of course, I’ve been on the look out for the best Halloween accessories available!

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I’ve fallen absolutely in love with the Black Widow hair clip from Tony & Guy, which might just be the most glamorous Halloween accessory in my arsenal. The big black jewels are super chic, and I love the tiny little crystals. They glint and glisten in the light, and honestly, I’m just obsessed!

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I’m also crushing pretty hard on Tony & Guy’s Pretty in Punk ear cuff. If you’re going for a harder, punkier look for the holiday – this is the accessory for you! It couldn’t be easier to wear either – you just kind of hang the suff around the back of your ear, then pin the chains into your ponytail or updo.

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The Pretty in Punk Cuff looks super fun on, and it’s such an effortless way to update your look. It’s not too costume-y either, so I think it would look absolutely gorgeous with a super simple outfit and cute ponytail!

Toni & Guy’s Black Widow hair slide is priced at £16 while the Pretty In Punk Ear Cuff is £12.50. They’re both available here.

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)

Kerastase Bain Satin 1

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I’m not sure about you, but there are a few products which I’ve used for absolutely years, and I can’t be without. When I say I’ve had a bottle of Kerastase’s Bain Satin 1 in my closet since childhood, it’s no lie – my mother used to send me to swim class with a bottle of it in my gym bag! Having thick, wavy hair before straighteners were such a big thing meant that frizz was (and still is) the enemy so using a product which really nourished ends was a must have!

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Now, with ends which have been all too damaged by bleach and heat styling, every third or so wash, I find myself reaching for the familiar ivory and orange bottle. The formula is incredibly rich and nourishing, and it foams beautifully. I only need a 10p sized blob to thoroughly wash my hair. I then follow up with a Kerastase hair masque. It’s an integral part of my haircare routine, and I can’t see that changing any time soon!

Kerastase Bain Satin is priced at £17.90 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

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