Clarins Multi-Active Eye

Coming this February, Clarins have just the thing for those tired eyes. January is a tough month for everyone, the days are cold, money is tight and the bags under our eyes, well let's not go there so the new Multi Active Eye is a product we could all probably do with welcoming into our skincare routine. Inspired by the latest technological advances in plant power, this new product will help counteract the effects of a stressful lifestyle.

It's Time for a Chat

I wouldn't even know where to start with the last year, to say it has been a challenge would be an understatement. My life has changed dramatically, I've learnt a lot about myself and who was worth keeping in my life. The last bit sounds harsh but I'm at the age now where I can see a toxic person from a mile off and that shit needs to be cut away. 

Crown 35 Colour Nude Eye Palette

Earlier on in the month I shared the makeup brushes I've been reaching for most from Crown Brushes and the little lovelies don't just specialise in brushes, turns out they have a pretty fabulous makeup range too. I had the 35 Colour Nude Eye Palette fall into my beauty loving paws towards the end of last year and I've been giving it a good going over before telling you exactly what I thought.

The Real Greek

Last week, a group of us descended on the newly opened The Real Greek restaurant to try all our stomachs could fit. The Real Greek has recently opened in the new West Quay Watermark development in the centre of Southampton. The restaurant serves a delicious selection of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine full of flavour and variety. This is a place that was very much needed in the city and boy, am I glad it's here.

My First Look Fantastic Beauty Box

And so the adventure begins... This months tagline from the Look Fantastic Beauty Box couldn't be more apt for me as this is my very first box. I've admired the boxes from afar for sometime but as I have a couple of subscriptions already and my beauty collection is bursting I thought I'd be sensible and not add another to my direct debit. Turns out it's pretty fab and I shouldn't of held off for so long.

The Kat Von D Shade & Light Eye Palette

Every now and then an eye shadow palette you never knew you needed comes along and wows you. That is exactly what happened with the Kat Von D Shade & Light palette. I've read rave reviews on the contour palettes, eyeliners and lip products but not much on this so it never really found its way onto my wishlist. My fave blogging gals then surprised me with this for my birthday and I've used it more or less every day in January.

Right Here, Right CAU

Southampton has fast become a foodie hub, the city is developing at rapid speed and businesses are flocking to be a part of it. West Quay South opened its doors early December, becoming the home of many a new restaurant, one of which was CAU Restaurants that we visited recently. CAU brings a taste of Buenos Aires to the UK with succulent steaks as well as a sprinkle of Spanish and Italian inspired dishes. It was good, really good.

The Beauty Game Has Changed Forever or Has It?

On December 6th, Beauty Pie revolutionised the beauty game and I'm gunna tell you allllll about it. At Beauty Pie their mission is to bring members the world's best beauty products at transparent factory cost. It sounds too good to be true, right!? 

Getting Noughty in the Shower

For someone that absolutely despises washing her hair, I have a weird hair care collecting addiction. If I see new hair products or something promising to deliver a treatment like no other, I have to try it and that is why my bathroom is over-run with bottles of shampoo and conditioner. So with Noughty Haircare launching instores towards the end of last year, it was only right I added some new additions to my bathroom.

My Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick Collection

Kat Von D... This has been a long time coming and with the launch of the famed beauty range launching on our side of the Atlantic in October, it was only right I bought something to try when I was in London recently. Fast forward two months later and I have four more shades to show you. This is a long one but you'll enjoy it, trust me.

Dumpling Dumpling

Watermark West Quay opened its doors before December much to the delight of foodies everywhere. The new development showcases the best in new restaurants, diners and pop ups including Dumpling Dumpling, the go to place for Jiaozi or more commonly known, Chinese dumplings. After spending just over two years teaching English in China, Dan & Nat came back to the Isle of Wight and after struggling to get their dumpling fix, Dumpling Dumping was born.

Pro Makeup Brushes by Crown Brush

The secret to perfectly applied make up is in the brushes you use. My brush collection has grown substantially over the years and now brush washing day is my idea of hell. Some of my favourites range from the eye blending brushes from The Body Shop, the blush and contour brushes from Spectrum Collection and the most recent brushes to my collection designed by Crown Brushes. Manufactured for more than thirty years, Crown know a thing or two about brushes and I'm sharing my faves with you.

Jurlique Skincare Favourites

I've tried samples of Jurlique products over the years and one of my favourites has been the Rosewater Balancing Mist so I felt it was about time to try some more products from the range and really give my skin a pamper. Jurlique have always worked to the dream of connecting their customers to nature which reflects beautifully into their products. I loved reading the story of the brand and how it was created so much that I couldn't not share it with you too.

The Clarins Palette Contour Visage

It's here! Clarins finally launch their very first contour palette and boy is it worth the wait. Available from today for £36, the limited edition palette comes in their signature gold packaging with three skincare enriched powders, a mirror and a curved brush to allow applying even easier than with an ordinary brush. I hope you're already writing this on your wishlist.

What I Got For My Birthday

On new years eve, I turned the ripe old age of 27. It was a age I was kind of dreading but I didn't have a breakdown or cry on my birthday so I feel like it's going okay so far. Everyone always assumes having a December birthday can really suck with it being so close to Christmas but thankfully, my birthday is always just my birthday. Celebrations, presents and cards are always separate which I'm very grateful for. I was incredibly spoilt by my nearest and dearest so I'm going to show you.

In My Mailbox

So you guys are really liking my In My Mailbox series so I'm going to keep it going for a while. I really love watching unboxings on Snapchat and Youtube and seeing as I don't have a channel, I'm giving you a blog post instead. I do unbox all my parcels on Snapchat (Alicea89) so make sure you're following me there too. This isn't me showing off, I want this to be more like a quick and nosy post so please do let me know your thoughts in the comments. I've received everything in this post the last couple of weeks so stay put and grab a cuppa...

Annie Writes Beauty turns THREE

When I started my little old blog, I didn't realise my hobby to occupy me in the dark evenings would turn into much more than that. Annie Writes Beauty was started from a love of beauty and writing, it was a hobby, something for me to do in my spare time and it's quickly turned into so much more than that.