LookFantastic Haul ft. Benefit, Redken and Korres

I received a little performance related bonus through work a few weeks ago and as part of this I had a few pounds to spend at one of my favourite beauty sites - LookFantastic.  Along the lines of FeelUnique et al, this hub stocks a huge array of beauty products - the classics and newly hyped - with most at a reduced price compared to the RRP.  There are literally hundreds of brands and thousands of products to swoon over but these were the ones that worked their way into my basket:

Redken Extreme Anti Snap - £12.64 (RRP £18.85)

I spoke about this product way back in 2010 in my Hair Routine post and although my love affair with extensions has faded, my feelings for Anti Snap remain as strong to this day. Used post-shower after I've combed through my wet hair, this gorgeous smelling treatment helps to keep my ends in tip top condition, whilst leaving no sticky residue. For a hot tool addict like me, this is truly a holy grail product and one I will repurchase time and time again.

Korres Jasmine Lip Butter - £6.40 (RRP £8)

I have to hold my hands up here - I already have far too many lip products and definitely didn't need this but I'm a girl and have heard lots of good things about this so resistance was futile.  I was lured in by the milky finish and moisture enhancing formula and so far, it's living up to its promises. 

DUO Lash Adhesive - £7.95 (RRP £10)

After watching numerous YouTube videos, I purchased a tube of this on a whim many moons ago. What can I say?  Once you use this glue, the tiny vials you get in eyelash packs will never be the same. This stuff is of industrial strength and will ensure your lashes last the whole night, even if you don't. Try it; you won't regret it.

Tweezerman For Benefit Slant Tweezer - £19.50

I finally caved and spent £20 on a pair of tweezers. I haven't given them a whirl yet - Cara has inspired me to grow out my brows - but I am sure they will be as wonderful as everyone says they are. Fingers crossed.

Benefit Sun Beam - £19.50

Never one to get along with High Beam, I didn't think it's younger, sunkissed sister Sun Beam would work for me either. Oh, how wrong I was. This highlighter is a dream to apply, blends seamlessly and leaves the cheeks with a beautifully delicate, golden glow. Although a summer favourite to enhance bronzed features, it works just as well now my tan has faded and can tell this will be an all-year-round favourite.

Benefit They're Real - Deluxe Free Sample (Worth £9.50)

Although Benefit products aren't discounted on LF, currently when you buy any two products from the range you get a free sample of their cult mascara. I've wanted to try this for a while but I'm always a bit reluctant to splash out on new mascaras as I have a trusty MaxFactor favourite. Will this give me the eyelashes of my dreams?  I'll let you know...

A European Adventure| Part 2 - Nice & Monaco

After a few hours sleep in the world's comfiest bed, 5am rolled around far too quickly and once again we were on the road.  Baguettes and the most delicous pain au chocolat in hand, we boarded the 7am TGV bound for Nice.  The 6 hours passed quickly - with the help of a mountain of sweets and our iPads filled with rom-coms - and before we knew it, we arrived in Nice as the midday sun was beating down.  A quick change, a swift application of the all-important SPF and we were on the beach.

Mitch, the classic Aussie beach bum, was in heaven.

I have to admit, we were slightly disappointed with the beach.  It was nowhere near as pretty as we had hoped and walking along the promenade it felt like we could have been in Blackpool on a good day.  But the weather was incredible and after a nap in the afternoon sun, we freshened up and set out on a mission to find the best night life in town.  What we ended up finding was Wayne's and, if you're a backpacker in Nice, that's exactly what it is.  Hot, sweaty, and so much fun.  This place was packed to the rafters with people of all ages, from all walks on life, who just wanted a good time.  And as we stumbled out in the early hours, the walk home through the beautiful old town was a welcome change from the usual London sights...

The following morning we dragged our ourselves out of bed and onto the next train set for Monaco. 40 minutes later, we stepped out of the station and were immediately immersed in the billionaires' playground. With rows of yachts, each one larger than the other, it's incomprehensible how there can be so much money in such a small area.  Hands up who wants to chip in for one of these bad boys?!

We didn't hang around the port for too long and hot-footed it to where the real action is - Monte Carlo.

To reach the town, you have to walk along the edge of a main road before entering into a tunnel which runs underneath the Maritime Alps. You then enter a strange, eerie corridor before being met with a lift. We were sure we had taken a wrong turn somewhere until the lift opened and we were thrust into this:

It was a blur of fast cars, beautiful people and the most incredible views. It almost felt like we were walking around a movie set - like everything was real but completely ridiculous at the same time.  We had a little flutter in the casino, sat & watched how the other half live and then did the only logical thing - sought out the largest ice creams we could find from Café de Paris and set off back for Nice. Italy was waiting for us...