Space NK "Lust-haves": FRIDAY

Happy Friday! We made it *phew*

I've grappled with myself all week trying to decide whether or not to reveal my final Space NK "lust-have" (and when it comes to perfume, the fewer people who know about it the better quite frankly!). But, I'm a nice person, what can I say...

Introducing APOM Pour Femme by Maison Francis Kurkdjian (£105*)

APOM stands for 'A Piece Of Me'. Interesting, no? I like to think its acronym courts mystery and desire (oh là là).

What you need to know:
The perfume takes its inspiration from the Middle East and incorporates orange blossom, cedar wood and ylang-ylang.  

Now, I'm no 'nose' but what I can tell you is that it makes me feel:
- very feminine
- very sexy
- ready to be wooed

I probably wouldn't wear APOM during the day, opting instead for a lighter, fresher scent such as Jo Malone's White Jasmine and Mint (my signature scent). That, or Kurkdjian's other perfume - 'Absolue Pour Le Matin' - which is the perfect counterpoint to APOM; a sophisticated, talcum-powdery cocktail of Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, White Thyme, Lavender, Neroli and Violet. Wear it and people will quite literally stop you in the street to ask you what perfume you're wearing.

End of "Lust-have" Week
So there we have it. The end of my "lust-have" list. What's been your favourite?

* £105 for 70ml, eau de parfum, select Space NK stores. £115 if you buy it at Liberty or Selfridges. NB: APOM Pour Femme is currently missing from the Space NK website but it is available in select stores.

Space NK "Lust-haves": THURSDAY

In at No. 4 on my "lust-have" list this week is....

Laura Mercier's Bronzing Gel (£26)

Matte bronzers like 'Hoola' - note: the best matte bronzer for my skin. Fact. - have long been a beauty staple of mine (I'm going to hazard a guess and say it's been 9 years! *applause*). And whilst I still use a little Hoola to warm up my skin / add a bit of structure to my face, it's GEL bronzers that have challenged the status quo.

I was first introduced to Laura Mercier's Bronzing Gel in April of last year whilst working on a commercial shoot with the amazing Red Miller. The brief on the shoot was for the 'mum' to look as natural as possible (i.e. to look like she was wearing hardly any makeup at all). When Red applied the bronzing gel just under her cheek bones and blended it out - probably taking a little up into the hairline - the effect was dramatic. Our 'mum' went from looking quite pale and tired to 'glowy' and rested.

Unlike powder bronzers, gel bronzers don't 'dop' like powders so fewer touch ups (if at all) are required.

There are three secrets to getting the most out of your gel bronzer:
1. Use to sculpt features (do not apply all over the face)
2. Less is more
3. Blend, blend, blend

Laura Mercier's Bronzing Gel gives a natural, not too shimmery 'glow' (no tango'ed faces here folks!) - and successfully mimics the appearance of having 'just come back from holiday' ("Sarah, how was Belize?"). Used subtly, it will warm up the face, bringing you closer to that 'no makeup look'. It can be worn on its own (if you're blessed with an even skin tone) or on top of your regular tinted moisturiser/liquid foundation.

Chantecaille also do a fabulous bronzing gel called 'Radiance Gel Bronzer' which is a little more spenny at £49 and a touch darker than the Laura Mercier. Being the skin care experts, Chantecaille's bronzing gel is also anti-aging owing to a formula that includes raspberry stem cell technology (antioxidant).

Have you tried a gel bronzer before? What did you think?