The Glueless Scr4pbook.

Chanel Classic Cardholder in Black Caviar Leather with Gold Hardware £245.

As a girl, I of course love anything Chanel, and I would love to own a J12 or a 2.55 but at the moment I definitely cannot afford anything that extravangant, however I had been contemplating getting the classic card holder but talked myself out of it a bunch of times. I then found out I would be getting a bonus from work, so I decided I would get it anyway as a treat for myself because work has been really crazy lately and I really thought I deserve a treat so why not.

I had a card holder from Prada that I picked up in Bicester Village (a discount designer outlet) for my birthday 2 years ago and I used it every day and really got my money's worth so I plan to do the same with this one. This is the Classic Black Caviar Leather Cardholder, this also comes in Lambskin Leather but the caviar is more durable and long lasting so I decided on that instead. This has gold hardware which I always prefer for everything and the logo is just small and understated which is perfect for me. This has a popper opening with one large pocket and one card slot pocket and I use this as my entire wallet now, I keep all my cards in the thin card pocket at the front and then any cash, vouchers and recipets in the bigger pocket and everything fits perfectly. Even if I swap this one for my bigger one if I need to or if you are contemplating getting this and think it's not big enough, this would be great for using with clutches in the evening. 

I bought this from the Chanel boutique on New Bond Street and the service was impeccable as you might expect, everything was 1st class, no over the counter payments here... I was taken to a seperate office for my payments (even when purchasing my beauty bits) which was a nice touch. The packaging and wrapping is also gorgeous, a typical black bag with the White ribbon and the white camellia flower, then inside and all black box wrapped in more ribbon and another camellia and the actual cardholder comes in a velvet dust pocket for protection when not in use.

I know to some this seems extravagant but I didn't buy this on a whim and I always work hard and save for any expensive items that I buy because that is just what I prefer to spend my money on at this time in my life. This was just a review to show anyone who might be looking into buying any Chanel items. 

A little series I wanted to start to share with you guys some products that I can't live without, and either would repurchase, or already have repurchased. I hope you enjoy it.

1. Lanolips 101 Ointment

This is a great multi use product, I mainly use this as a super hydrating long lasting lip balm, but it can also be used for eczema, smoothing eyebrows, moupiturising cuticles and plenty of other stuff. It's really thick so it lasts for ages too.

2. Bumble & Bumble Defrizz

This is another multi use product as it can be used on dry or wet hair, I generally use this on the ends of my hair once I have finished styling it, but I have also mixed it with a leave in Conditoner to get a nice slick blow dry or just brushed it throught the ends of my wet hair before a rough dry.

3. La Roche Posay Thermal Water

This has a perfectly even spray, it's refreshing and cooling when sprayed over make up throughout the day, without feeling 'wet'. This bottle lasts for ages but they also do a handbag sized one too which is great for handbags. I like using this to moisturise before make up, to spray over a powdery flat face to bring back a bit of life and I also use it every day to dampen my beauty blender.

4. Mac Painterly Paint Pot

The only paint pot I own from MAC, but I think it's only one I need, it's a very light pinky nude shade which is great for brightening the eyes up on its own, but also as a nice clean base for other eyeshadows.

5. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet

One of the best foundations in my collection, great coverage with a really light wearable texture and A lovely matte but somehow luminous finish which is perfect for my oily complexion. Worth every penny.

6. & Other Stories Punk Bouquet Hand Cream

This is my favourite scent, it's so light and fresh and clean but still feminine. I have converted my brother and mum to this as well. I use the whole range and already have a back up of this in my drawer.

L'oreal Paris Infallible 24hr Matte (35ml/ £6.99)

"L'oreal Paris make up designers have developed a new matte finish, lightweight, non cakey, 24 hour matte perfection. Texture: medium, coverage: high, shine control, smooth onto skin in circular motions for flawless looking coverage."

This foundation has great full coverage with just one layer, I only needed to add concealer around my eye area, it has a nice matte finish which still somehow lets a little natural glow through, I just dusted a little powder on my Tzone and I was good to go. It stays matte for around 6 hours on me and afterwards had a bit more of a dewy finish, but still not greasy or oily, the coverage however lasted for over 8 hours I didn't have to touch up at all, I didn't even add powder as the dew was totally liveable. This didn't sit in my pores or fine lines and even though instructed to use fingers for best results I still found my damp sponge gave the best finish as always. This foundation boasts that it is lightweight but I could definitely feel the product on my skin which wasn't great but the finish and lasting power made it worth it. The packaging is a clear tube which is great for being able to see when you are nearly done and also for hygiene and control purposes, the only fault I would say is of course the shade range but other than that I am throroughly impressed with this foundation.

Have you tried this yet?

Sometimes I just feel like my skin needs a break and I don't want to use all my usual products together because it seems too much, that's when I go for the more natural products which are gentler and generally kinder to the skin. Here's what I use to give my skin some TLC.

For cleanser I have recently picked up the Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash which is a creamy cleanser that leaves skin soft and cleansed without drying, so instead of my usual oil, cleanse, exfoliate routine I just wash my face twice with this (the first time to remove my make up like the oil would and the second to actually cleanse my skin). After cleansing I use the Aesop Control spot gel, which has active ingredients to fight against blemishes without being as harsh as the tea tree oil I often use.

For moisturiser something like the Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser is great as it intensely moisturises for up to 12 hours and leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. Something new I have also been trying lately is the Grown Alchemist Camellia & Geranium Hydrating Cream which is full of natural extracts and makes the skin feel instantly nourished so it's a great base for foundation.

If I'm going to use a mask I go for the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask which is a great 3-in-1, a gentle cleanser, fights blemishes and leaves skin moisturised with Manuka honey, avocado oil and vanilla pod. The Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti Blemish Masque is great for bad skin days as it gently soothes, helps with blemishes and prevents future breakouts with natural ingredients like Chamomile, tea tree and evening primrose.

What products do you use to give your skin a break?

As I have said in previous posts I have been loving lip liner and the whole Ombre Lip trend for a while now and I've got a new combo that I've been wearing a lot recently... The Tom Ford Lip Color in Nude Vanille (£37) and the Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Pale Mauve (£16). I have been lining the outer edge of my lips (not over lining just following the line of my natural lips) and then filling in the outer corners with the liner too, I then add the lipstick just to the centre of my lips and blend the colour out to the edges to get the most natural look. The liner is a nice pale plum shade, a sort of my lips but better but ever so slightly darker and the lipstick is a very opaque peachy nude so together they create a perfect ombre lip without looking too 90's. What's your favourite lip combo at the moment?

The New, Clarins Instant Concealer

The newest concealer in my collection and a great addition, enough coverage and a nice brightening effect for dark circles but as it is so moisturising it works really well on blemishes and discolouration too, this is in a tube so it's very hygienic and also easy to control how much you use, it's a very creamy consistency with a medium coverage.

The Old, Mac Pro Longwear

An old faithful for sure, amazingly thin consistency but highly pigmented so a little goes a very long way, this is great for contouring as its so brightening under the eyes. This comes with a pump which is great but it does tend to dispense a little too much which is the only fault I can find with this. It is a full coverage but very wearable concealer which doesn't cake or crease.

The Lovely, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

This is the holy grail concealer for most beauty bloggers and I can see why, the formula is rich and creamy so it doesn't cling to dry patches but doesn't cake under the eyes and feels natural on the skin. This is another full coverage concealer and comes with a doe foot applicator so it's perfect for on the go.

Do you love any of these too?

Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather Effect 'Creamy Beige' (£4.99)

I have been loving this recently so I wanted to just share a few thoughts for you guys. This is a cream gel eye shadow which can be used as a base for a full eye look or on its own, I have been using it on its own as you can easily build up layers to get more depth, I apply it with my ring finger and just add more at the outer corners to build up the colour. This shade looks like a chocolatey brown in the pot but it translates to a warmer bronze/ terracotta shade on the skin, it has tiny little shimmers but they are barely noticeable when applied which is great for day time wear. This is a crease proof formula and is very long wearing which doesn't smudge or move around during the day either. I think these are great value for money and a really good alternative to the Mac Paint Pots, I just wish there were some more mattes and neutrals in the range.

Have you tried these?

I had a week off from work recently and it gave me time to do some of the things that have been way over due, I took a few pictures during the week so I just thought I'd post them up. I managed to spend some time cleaning my muji drawers and their contents so there is no nasty foundation fingerprints anymore, I also gave my brushes a good clean. I got a good few days to spend on my blog, adding in links to loads of old posts and drafting up new ones and I spent a day with my good friend at Starbucks scheduling loads of future posts so I can be on track. The backlog of magazines I have is ridiculous at the moment and I finally managed to catch myself up (almost). I had a few lazy days watching the Sex & The City box set and pampering myself and finally I gave my bag a good clear out ready to go back to work. I think the next time I book some time off I'm going to try and take a trip back to Paris for a few days so I can't wait for that. Hope you enjoyed seeing how I spent my time.

Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation (£5.99)

This is the new full coverage foundation from Maybelline which actually really reminds me of the new Nars All Day Luminous Weightless foundation, it has the same water thin consistency, it sets really quickly and offers a good amount of coverage with a comfortable feel on the skin. 

So this is a really lightweight foundation which comes with a tear drop applicator (either to drop on the back of your hand or directly onto the face) and I find this definitely works best with a damp sponge, fingertips and brushes seem to eat up all the product. The coverage I would say is medium buildable to fulland it doesn't feel heavy when layered up. This has a matte finish with a slight luminosity that is powdery dry to the touch, unfortunately this means it does cling to dry patches but it doesn't sit in pores when applied with a sponge. 

This foundation also really reminds me of the L'oreal Lumi Magique foundation but like most drugstore foundations the main downfall for this is that there aren't enough shades to be able to get a perfect match, this is the shade 10 Ivory which is the lightest out of the 7 shades available, unfortunately it's just too pink toned but does work when I've got a bit of fake tan going on. It is also worth noting that this foundation has a really strong chemically scent.

I would say this is a good high street/ drugstore dupe for the Nars foundation if you can find a shade match. Have you tried this yet?

My current wishlist

1. Grown Alchemist Toner (£19)

2. Nars Doucer Blush (£22)

3. Beauty Blender Micro Mini (£13.50)

4. Mac Soar Lip Liner (£12.50)

5. Seche Vite (£9)

6. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (£7.99)

7. Viktor & Rolf Bon Bon Perfume (£49.50)

8. Dove Oxygen Haircare Range

9. Chanel Card Holder (£245)

*All images sourced from Google.

I have been seeing Grown Alchemist products popping up everywhere recently and I've become so interested in the brand, it originates from Australia and is a all natural brand with the slogan "HEALTHY SKINCARE NO lauryl sulphate, glycols, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, animal derivatives, T.E.A, D.E.A, synthetic colours, silicones, parabens. Made with bio active certified organic ingredients." printed on every product. The packaging is all very sleek either black or cream which really reminds me of the Aesop packaging which I love.

I decided to pick up one of their kits so I could try a few different products, I went for the Amenity Kit (£19) which contains the Hydra Repair Day Cream, Camellia & Geranium Blossom (12ml), the Hand Cream, Vanilla & Orange Peel (20ml) and the Lip Balm, Watermelon & Vanilla (12ml). The lip balm is full sized and would cost £14 separately, the full sized day cream is £24 for 65ml and the hand cream is usually £9 for the 20ml tube or £14 for the 65ml, so the value for money is great considering just 2 of the products would cost £23 separately. I will be reviewing these products soon.

Have you tried anything from the range?

I wanted to get my February favourites up early this month as I was so late last month, it wasn't hard to pick because my routine has been pretty much the same all month, a few new launches and a few old favourites too.

1. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

I have been loving this mascara this month since I received my sample in Elle Magazine, it separates well and holds a curl for a good amount of time, great for a daytime look. If you would like to know more I have done a full review of this too.

2. Nars All Day Weightless Luminous Foundation

Another new release that I have been trying out this month, it's a full coverage foundation with a very thin consistency and a powder finish which I love, I don't think it's made it to holy grail status purely because I love my Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet which is very similar. I have also done a full review on this.

3. Contour Brush

I found this on eBay for around £3 and I love it, it's really densely packed but very soft so it's really easy to work with, so happy with it since I was planning on getting the Real Technique Bold Metals.

4. Diptyque Vetyverio

I had been wanting this for months and I finally picked it up when I got a voucher for my birthday. I'm terrible at describing scents but it is described as a woody scent with notes of Javanese and Haitian vetiver, Turkish rose and grapefruit. The scent stay on the skin for a good while, not that I can smell it on myself but others can.

5. Sleek Contour Kit

The powder in this is ever so slightly warmer than my Kevyn Aucoin Scultping powder which has been really working for my washed out complexion recently, and even though it is a powder product it's really easy to blend away to a natural finish.

6. Mac Prolongwear Concealer

An old faithful which I have been loving under my eyes, such full coverage but so light on the skin and the coverage lasts all day.

7. Benefit Bluff Dust

I don't think this is actually available to buy anymore which is a shame but I have been really obsessing over the Ben Nye powders this month and can't seem to find them anywhere so I shopped my stash and found this oldy which has been working really well at disguising my deep set eyes, applied with a very light hand of course.

8. Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather Effect 'Creamy Beige'

I picked this up while on the hunt for some more matte cream eye shadows and I've really been enjoying it, it's a light bronze shade once on the skin while can be worn alone for daytime or really built up for the night.

Are any of these your favourites?