Let's catch up!

Whoops! It’s been such a long time! What have I been up to?
Well here are some highlights:
Hair
I have lightened my hair and now feel like myself again. Albeit a fake, peroxide version.

I have also dipped my toe into the world of keratin treatments and had Kerastraight applied on Wednesday. This is one of the formaldehyde free versions and can be used on very damaged/coloured hair. That would be me.
I am currently sporting a very flat hairstyle as I have to wait 48 hours until I can wash it out. This straight hair malarkey really does highlight how much of a pin head I have. However, it’s a small price to pay in the quest to eliminate frizz.
Clothes
I have been shopping. Quite a lot actually.

This Topshop jumper jumped out at me in the Mall of the Emirates store. I love an immature sweat and especially when it comes in light grey.
I also have been to Zara so much that the cashier said “welcome back” to me during my last visit. Needless to say I haven’t been back since. One of the best purchases was a cape. No, I am not joking. It’s a full on winter cape coat. I am preparing myself for a trip to New York in 2015 and possibly for the one day of genuine winter in Dubai in December.
Makeup
I am having a bit of a MAC Renaissance. That brand will never stop pulling me in and there is a Cremeblend blush that I cannot stop wearing. It’s called So Sweet, So Easy.

When I saw it at the stand I wasn’t sure but swatched on the skin it gives that light pretty bloom. For a cream blush it also has decent staying power – and it is not at all sticky. I think Something Special will be next.

Last but not least is my latest lipstick obsession – NARSAudacious lipstick in Charlotte. Wow Wow Wow.

This is described as Oxblood burgundy and translates as a deep berry hue when worn. Of course it’s similar to Empress, the Hourglass stain that I blogged about recently, but definitely more wearable both in terms of it being a slightly less vamp-centric shade but also in formula as it doesn't pull as much moisture from the lips.
Speaking of formula, I have some thoughts on that.
So the Audacious line is intensely creamy. This is well known. I guess you can look at this in one of two ways: yes it makes colours feel nourishing when applied but it also can work against you. There is a lot of slippage, it’s difficult to apply without a brush and almost impossible to keep in place without a liner. They are very nice and all but in reviewing the marketplace I think I might prefer Estee Lauder Lipstick Envy, By Terry Rouge Terrybly or a good ole Amplified/Satin from MAC.
Despite my preferences I do like the fact that this feels lightweight and gently fades over a couple of hours to a nice looking stain. Charlotte has definitely warmed me up to giving Audacious another try.
I’d be interested to hear what you think of these lipsticks. All I have heard is positive things so I feel like I am not "getting it" when I say that although nice, they don't seem super-fantastic-amazing-fabulous! :)
Hope you have all been well x