Here’s my theory: if we’re going to be plastering our faces with foundation on a daily basis, it’s probably a good idea to use one that’s free from chemicals and preservatives. Our skin absorbs what we put on it and if it so happens to be something dodgy then we’ll pay the price at some point (says the girl with the tattoo(s)).

Natural and organic cosmetics brand Anita Grant has launched a brand new chemical and preservative free foundation range called Hello Beautiful. The range aims to offer one of the most affordable and comprehensive pallets available for darker skin tones in particular.

There are 29 colours in the range from ‘Biscotti’ and ‘Vanilla Sugar’ on the lighter end of the spectrum to ‘Fondant Au Chocolat’ and ‘Hot Fudge’ on the darker end.

I don’t know about y’all but I am total sucker for makeup (anything in fact) that sounds edible – other delicious sounding shades include  ‘Shortbread’, ‘Cinnamon Toast’, ‘Spiced Pumpkin’, ‘Brown Sugar Truffle’ ‘Warm Honey Blossom’, ‘Honey Butter Popcorn’ and ‘Mocha Latte’.

A regular 10g foundation tub costs £12.95 (pretty reasonable if you ask me!) or you can pay £1.95 for a 1g sample.

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I swap between handbags quite often, usually when I am going out without the children and want to travel a little lighter, leaving the spare pants, entertainment, snacks, hats and gloves behind me for a while.

By swapping bags frequently, you might think that I manage to keep on top of what is in them, since I empty them out more often than if I stuck to the same bag every day. But in fact the opposite is true.

This is because I swap my bag with one foot out of the door (usually because I am running late, and my bag is the last thing on my list as I try to leave the house).

So instead of sitting down with bag A, bag B and a rubbish bin, and carefully going through moving things one at a time from bag A to either bag B or the bin (which only happens at New Year), I take the essentials from bag A, through them into bag B and then head out the door.

Next day, I don’t usually have time to move things from bag B back to normal bag A, so bag B becomes the new ‘everyday’ bag to be filled with daily rubbish.

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Calling all fashionistas! If you love clutches, and so happen to be a bookworm as well; your pulse is just about to get freakishly fast…

…literary book clutches are where the coolness is at!

Check out PsBesitos – online and on Etsy – for handmade clutches embroidered with the cover of a literary classic, or any literature; the clutches are bespoke as well.

The designs focus on romantic and retro, vintage as well, but I am itching to walk around with a Silence of the Lambs clutch in hand! Dracula would be ever better! Why not order a whole bunch to go with different outfits?

The bags are small – as clutches usually are – but beautifully crafted and lined to suit the chosen theme.

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Is there any varnish user out there who actually maxes out an entire bottle? I never do! It always gets all sticky and gloopy before I get the chance. And judging by the season’s latest trend, fashionistas feel the same.

Mini nail polish bottles are where it’s at these days; cute little bottles that run out before we get bored, or the varnish deteriorates.

Kate Spade New York has launched a set of mini nail varnish bottles in four tropical shades – Watermelon Fingers (flirty watermelon pink), Sea Foam Swirls (vintage pale blue), Solar Orange (bright hot orange), & Yellow Cockatoo (sunny yellow) – that celebrate summer, and take inspiration from the bold prints and patterns of Australian artist Florence Broadhurst.

Max Factor has also launched a cool range of mini nail varnish bottles in 18 shades of awesomeness. From Lollipop Pink and Candy Blue to Cactus Green and Purple Haze, there’s a shade for every gorgeous nail.

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I have a lip balm fetish. I simply can’t resist the stuff. In tubs, tubes or sticks – all flavours, especially ones that are ‘foody’; candyfloss, marshmallow, cherry, cinnamon, vanilla… YUM – I must have it! All of it.

So… when I discovered a recipe on how to make your own lip balms, I was, needless to say, ecstatic! (And so was my purse.)

Company magazine’s recipe is fab! And it offers a use for those old lipsticks that populate your dressing table with meddlesome resilience.

Here’s what you need:

* 1 tbsp Vaseline petroleum jelly

* An old lipstick

* 1 drop of your favourite essential oil

* A microwave-safe bowl

* A spoon

* A small container or pot for storing

Here’s what you do:

1. Place the Vaseline in a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Cut off an inch of your old lipstick and blend it into the Vaseline with the back of your spoon.

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