VIDEO: Alicia Florrick Makeup Look

A couple of months ago I posted my Makeup Heroes, three gorgeous screen sirens whose makeup I most admired.

This week's video is my take on Alicia Florrick of The Good Wife's signature smokey eye and nude lip... I am psyched to hear what you think!

The Greatest Packaging

So a while back I saw this post over on Vanessa's blog about her favourite packaging, and it was only a matter of time before I assembled my A team of the most gorgeous products in my stash.

Some of these really are style over substance; others, I'm delighted to report, are as gorgeous inside as they are out.

Let's meet the crew...

First up, we're talking Nars, because they are a brand that know how to make a concealer look effortlessly chic. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer is not only my favourite coverup of the lot (Bobbi Brown and Collection are rarely subbed in, and even Rimmel doesn't quite cut it) the packaging is just... frankly it's one of those products I just get a kick out of pulling out my makeup bag.

You'll also notice there are a couple of MAC products in the mix, because I think MAC products really do drip with all kinds of cool. Pictured is my beloved MAC Vanilla Pigment (a.k.a. one of the prettiest products of all time) and MAC Ruby Woo as my all time favourite MAC lippy. I mean that bullet guys. Oosh.

I couldn't leave out one of my Charlotte Tilbury purchases, so here is my Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet... If you've ever bought a CT product, you'll know they come in the most divine dark red boxes with gold accents, that just send a shiver up my spine. So much fabulous.

There is a product here that, it turned out, was more of a "looks better on my desk than on my face" kind of deal, and that's the Hourglass Opaque Rouge in Muse. The colour is undeniably stunning, and the packaging is just dynamite - but that's where the good times end for me.

A lippy that does get a good write up, in my book at least, is the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Fascinante. It's a slightly more muted version of Ruby Woo, but it comes in hands down the greatest lipstick packaging on planet earth... All lipsticks should have a magnetic spring system. They just should.

I've saved the best two till last: I'm sure you've already recognised my Marc Jacobs Lolita Palette, which is the sleekest eye palette I own/have ever seen. If you're after a hit of luxury to your makeup stash, this is your best bet: it even comes in its own sleeve for Pete's sake... Plus it houses some pretty lovely shadows too.

Last off is my new bestie, Guerlain MaxiLash Mascara - a mascara so luxurious I do occasionally pull it out just to stare at its loveliness... I wish I was joking. Somehow this guy gets away with being deeply scented, usually a no go in my book, plus it provides some pretty spectacular lash action... So far it has been a complete makeup love story.

So this is my line-up... I am now dying to know, what is yours? Which are the products that get you all hot and bothered mid morning?

A Week In Photos #2

Back in Birmingham - Some sweet architecture | Pizza Express | Gorgeous belfry action

Creature Comforts - Cannae get over my watch | Pasta putanesca by Ells | Cocktail action with Lara

At Home - Chocolat by Joanne Harris | A gorgeous chilly morning | Mel on GBBO, what a bae

Thoughts on Never Let Me Go

Have you read Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go?

If you haven't and don't want spoilers, don't read this post, get out there and enjoy your day!

If you have read it and want to hear my thoughts, do feel free to stick around.

This is one of those books that split me down the middle; I was completely gripped and compelled to read on, but found that I wasn't besotted with the narrator or the characters; it has stayed with me and had some great twists to the plot, but it's not a book I'm in a hurry to read again or force upon others.

Not every story should be a fairy tale, and not all novels should have happy endings. I do however feel that books ought to leave us with a feeling we have been given something, or even wanting more, rather than feeling we've been cheated or taken for a ride.

Having written that sentence, I see now that it's likely that my reaction was an intentional one, constructed to echo the emotions of Kathy at the end of the story; but I still feel Never Let Me Go 
had all the ingredients of a great book but somehow didn't make good on them.

In all honesty, I recommend Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale over this one.

If anyone out there has read this book, what was your take on it? Have I missed the point, and did you feel satisfied with its conclusion? I am all ears!

VIDEO: August Beauty Haul

Today's vid is all about some SUPER exciting purchases from Charlotte Tilbury as well as Guerlain and Revlon... Enjoy mes amies!

Today's vid is all about some SUPER exciting purchases from Charlotte Tilbury as well as Guerlain and Revlon... Enjoy mes amies!

Pretending To Be Chic

My passions in life include taking screenshots that amuse and entertain only myself, tidying a metre of the tip that is my bedroom and spending three hours online to celebrate, and occasionally fancying myself up so as to feel chic (by far my favourite word the French have ever given us).

The first step, and the one I have turned to most, is the striped top. It's a classic for a reason folks, and a Breton audit that I carried out before writing this post revealed I currently have six variations on the classic, and approximately zero regrets on this subject. The one in the photo is a slightly cropped, ribbed beauty from M&S of all places, and can be purchased here.

Next up are my black sunnies; frankly any garment or accessory that even vaguely reminds me of Audrey Hepburn is one that I feel I need, and this pair were actually a freebie as part of this Bourjois promotion. They are magically flattering and one of my favourite pairs I've ever owned - so merci, Bourjois, merci.

Last of all is my early birthday present from my mum and dad (living legends both of them, let me tell you) which is a grey and rose gold Marc Jacobs watch that I am frankly besotted with. It's a style that I used to drool over regularly in France, as the jewellers I passed by on the way to the bank was home to this beauty and I never got round to treating myself to it.

These are my three steps for pretending to be chic - now the question is what are yours??

Keeping Things Sable

I've heard plenty about Laura Mercier's bases - even bought a couple, and loved them - but I've recently been introduced to their colour range and it has seriously impressed.

And it's the shade Sable that has stood out most (so much that it got a shoutout in last month's favourites video - bravo Sable, bravo). It is a beautiful minky shade, silvery and browny and beautifully, that works well as a team and also shines solo - he's a real keeper.

If you're new to LM eyeshadows (as I am) I'm pretty confident Sable will get you won over pretty sharpish.

In the above shots I'm rocking him on my lid with a sweep of Laura Mercier's Eye Kohl in Espresso, another fave that has so far wowwed me.

A Long Weekend In Photos

A Trip to London - That brickwork though | The V&A | Poppies at the Tower of London

A Day in Birmingham - English skies always amaze me | A lil CT action | Wagamamas p0rn

At Lizzie's House - A gorgeous rainy morning | Salted toffee cupcake | An old station

5 Blushers For Beginners

I've spoken of my blush phobia before... It's a cautiousness that comes down to the fact that my face is naturally rosy, prone to broken veins and just has its own blush - okay, flush - going on most of the time.

I certainly never expected to be writing a post about blushers when  I started Just Bananas, I can tell you that much!

There are however five blushers whose presence I generally enjoy on my face, as long as every inch of redness elsewhere has been buried under four layers of concealer. My logic on this one is if I like them, they must be pretty freakin' good.

To ease yourself into blush, a great powder formula is probably the easiest way to go: the method of application is reminiscent to applying face powder and is generally not too tricky. For complete blush virgins, I'd recommend Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso: it is a beautiful, corally option with subtle gold highlight running through it, making it really perk up the skin and and some brightness as well as some warmth to the face.

If powder blushes are definitely your thing, and you're feeling spendy, the Laura Mercier Second Skin blushers are really rather beautiful. I have the shades Heather Pink and Barely Pink, which are both stunning and apply wonderfully. Don't be put off by the vivid pink of Heather in pan as on the skin it translates to a really healthy, lovely looking natural rosiness; however, if you're really wanting to ease yourself in, Barely Pink may be the better choice, as it is a super soft and subtle hint of pink.

Now you've conquered the powder blush, let me convince you that cream is the dream: even if you're oily skinned, there are some cream formulas that are definitely suitable and beautiful and altogether cute-able.

Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush in 01 Nude Velvet is a cream to powder formula that is nothing like the gross cream-to-powders of old: all you need is a quick swipe and an easy blend for a colour that's a muted coral kiss of loveliness. If you're ready to spend more, Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera is a lovely creamy formula that stays put much longer than you might expect, and looks fresh and light on the cheek. Last up, and another budget option is the Sleek Pout Polish. It is intended to be a tinted lip balm, but I've been loving the look on my cheeks. The shade I have is discontinued but the formula itself is really rather decent and lasts nicely too... A rare two in one I can get behind!

That's my blush gush, of five cheeky chappies that I love even as it goes against my very nature. Now it's over to you: what blushes am I missing out on? Or are you a blush-phobe too (we can suffer together, BPFF...) I'd love to know!

If You Do One Thing This Month #3

Hit up your local TK or TJ Maxx, depending on where you live!

Above are three goodies that I grabbed last month... It's definitely worth remembering that as TK runs on other brands' old stock (or so I'm told!) there will be beauty products that are a little bit less fresh than you may be used to, but I think this is still a great option to try higher end lines before you buy 'em full price.

Not pictured, but DEFINITELY worth checking out, is their stationery section: my local one has some incredible and beautiful notebooks that are a total bloody steal, so RUN DOWN THERE my friend, go go go!

Bloggers Made Me Buy It Tag

I love me a good tag - this one I saw over on Parisian To Be's blog and knew I had to get it on mine, not least because a beauty stash based 95% on blogger recommendations meant I would have heaps of material... Let us commence!

Who are your most influential bloggers?
Obviously, obviously Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup - a no brainer there! I also super trust the opinion of Siobhan from LetzMakeup and Sharon Farrell. Of course, I rarely watch a Lisa Eldridge video without my blogging notebook at the ready for some product recommendations. More recently, I have been swooning over That Grace Girl and some lush picks on her part!

Who are the ones you rely on for reviews and swatches?
I don't really have an answer for the swatches part of this question other than my old friend Google, as it's rare that a blogger I follow has the exact same skin tone/hair colour combination as I do, and I find this helps make a huge difference to how a product will look on me. In terms of reviews, Temptalia is probably my first port of call, followed by Makeup Alley too.

Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review of your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others?
I want to say that I am a good girl and always shop around with a range of reviews from different sources but I would be lying to you. I hope that now I have learnt the error of my ways as there is plenty of evidence of the disappointment I have felt when I've just bounded from one blogger's rave review to Feel Unique/Space NK/Boots.com (delete as appropriate) without doing sufficient homework.
I'm not perfect guys (hard to believe I know!)

What is your favourite item you have bought as a consequence of blogs?
Right now I think it's got to be Effaclar Duo! As you will know if you saw my Skincare Update last week I am a big fan of this little white tube and it has really helped keep blemishes at bay now that my acne is too mild for my old prescription treatment. It's also true that the new formula is some how even better than the old one.

Name five products you have bought recently based on blogger recommendations!
I am currently obsessed with the No7 Shade and Define Eyeshadow Crayons (I have 3 shades so far, for me that's a pretty big deal!). I also bought another Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet, this time in the shade 08 Grand Cru, whose colour is beautiful but the formula appears to be seriously dodgy. I have also bought the Body Shop Honey Bronzer, Origins VitaZing and Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Clearing Gel in recent times too.

And we will leave it for the tag there (I deleted some questions I felt were too repetitive!)

I hope this tag sparks you to get answering these questions too - if you do this tag please let me know so I can show some lovin'!

VIDEO: July Favourites

Well well well, what have we here? It's a favourites video folks, and it's just for you... enjoy!

Sunday Wishlist #2 The Brush Edition

I love, love, love me a good wishlist... They work to get out my spending itch in a more constructive and less bank-balance-bothering fashion, and if  I can afford to, reading other people's is the perfect spending inspo. 

This wishlist is a brush themed one as I have told myself many a time that you can never have too many brushes (or skincare... one for another wishlist!) Given that at the time of writing I am currently curating my favourite brushes from my present stash, I felt it was the ideal opportunity to give you the lowdown on what other brushes I have my eyes on...

The High End Heroes

Charlotte Tilbury's Powder and Sculpt | Louise Young's LY34 | Paula Dorf Sheer Crease | Suqqu Cheek

These lovely ladies have been on my wishlist for what feels like an eternity... Pixiwoo, Lisa Eldridge and of course Charlotte Tilbury are all responsible for the lust that I feel for these four. The Paula Dorf and Suqqu Cheek brushes in particular have been on my mental wishlist for a good couple of years now; I am thinking their purchase will have to be save for a very special occasion!

Sold On Rose Gold

Zoeva's Rose Gold Set

But of course! This particular pick has received arguably more blog coverage than any other set (with the exception of perhaps Real Techniques' Core Collection) so I won't bore you too much with its merits but good LORD it is GORGEOUS.

Bobbi Brown Beauties

Full Coverage | Face Blender | Blush | Eye Sweep | Eye Smudge

I'm a real fan of Bobbi Brown and her brushes are no exception... So far there is just one in my collection but I wouldn't say no to having a fair few more as the quality and look of these brushes is just fabulous...

Those are my choices, I hope you liked 'em - what are the brushes you are drooling over?