Batiste welcome gorgeous new scents for summer

Earlier this week, I was thrilled when Batiste sent me some of their latest products to try out.  

I'm sure you girls are well aware of who Batiste are - but if you're not, they are THE dry shampoo company.  I say this because before Batiste, dry shampoo was relatively unheard of, despite being invented back in the 1970s.  

However, Batiste have helped to revive and popularise (dare I say it? single-handedly) this miraculous, bad hair day saving product.  Apart from rescuing thousands of us from attacks of teenage greasy hair syndrome over the years, it's fair to say almost every haircare company have taken Batiste's lead and have released their own dry shampoo.

The three latest additions to Batiste's ever-expanding wardrobe of scents are fruity and cheeky "Cherry", seductive and elegant "Lace", and sassy and daring "Wild".  I really love how Batiste are evolving, as they seem to be focusing on the design of the tins and choosing fragrances which appeal to girls as individuals, based on their personal style and interests.  

After all, we know the product does exactly what it says on the tin, so the only thing Batiste can do now is experiment with scent and packaging. 

But, which one will you be throwing in your suitcase this summer?  Cherry, Lace or Wild?  Read on to find out.

Cherry

"fruity & cheeky"

Style icons: Katy Perry, Dita Von Teese and Paloma Faith

What "Cherry" smells like...

Despite the name, Cherry doesn't have a particularly cherryish fragrance, which disappointed me a bit. The scent however is not unpleasant, it's light and fruity and is bound to appeal to younger fans of Batiste and those of you who prefer subtle fragrance.  And with a kitsch cherry-print design inspired by vintage glamour and bygone eras, Cherry is bound to be a hit amongst burlesque-y babes and retro lovers.

A few of your favourite things...

Polka dots, red lipstick, pearls, ribbons, pretty dresses, ice-cream sundaes, vintage cars, John Travolta in Grease, half-moon manicures,  lusting after Christian Louboutin heels

Where to buy?

Superdrug, Boots, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Wilkinsons, Savers and Lloyds chemists for £2.99 (200ml)

Lace

"seductive & elegant"

Style icons: Florence Welch, Alexa Chung and Fearne Cotton

What "Lace" smells like...

With a hearty base of white musk, cedarwood and sandalwood, flirty top notes of citrus, nutmeg and pink pepper and a generous dose of floral tones including rose, orchid, iris, jasmine and ylang-ylang, Lace is Batiste's most grown-up and sophisticated scent to date.  Fans of classic scents such as Chanel No.5 and Miss Dior Cherie will fall in love with this; if not for the dreamy fragrance, the design inspired by vintage embroidery and lace is guaranteed to make you swoon.  The scent of Lace is not unpleasant by any means, but may be too heavy and cloying for some.

A few of your favourite things...

Lace dresses, collecting vintage jewellery, leather handbags, drinking tea, romance, visiting museums and art galleries, old-school starlets like Audrey Hepburn and Anna Karina 

Where to buy?

Available in Boots and Superdrug for £2.99 (200ml)

Wild

"sassy & daring"

Style icons: Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Jessie J

What "Wild" smells like...

A seriously sexy blend of cocoa, oriental florals, delicious vanilla, heady musk and wood - Wild is by far my favourite of Batiste's new releases.  Bold and edgy, Wild instantly reminded me of Thierry Mugler's special edition of Angel, magnified with bitter cocoa powder, from his "Le Gout Du Parfum" range.  And with a design inspired by sassy animal print, which has experienced a huge revival in the fashion world, your dresser can look as chic as your wardrobe.

A few of your favourite things...

Your leather jacket, eyeliner, house parties, false eyelashes, sequins, festivals, dancing, animal print, experimenting with new hairstyles, sky-scraper heels

Where to buy?

A Boots exclusive, grab yours now for £2.99 (200ml)

_____

Which new Batiste fragrance will you be buying?

Which Batiste dry-shampoo is your favourite?

What fragrance would you like to see released by Batiste?

Love, peace + dry-shampooed ponytails

xo

Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.  I have not been paid to advertise products- it is something I do for fun in my spare time, however endeavour to deliver honest reviews.  If you would like to use any of my original photography featured on the blog, feel free, but please link back to me and give credit where due.

weekly haul #1...holiday special

The past few weeks have been so depressing as I haven't been able to leave the house much.  Especially when the weather has been so lovely, it's such a shame not to be able to go out to enjoy the beautiful sunshine.  I joined the gym a few days ago as I love the feel-good rush you get after a work-out, plus I'm determined to get myself into shape for my bikini.  Lying on the couch doubled over in pain results in me comfort eating, which then results in me gaining weight around the mid-riff.  I don't like this, at all!  So the gym will be my second home now for the next 4 weeks.

Yesterday I went on a shopping trip to the Metro Centre (my friends know just how to cheer me up!), so it was a perfect opportunity to get in some goodies to update my summer wardrobe in preparation for our Moroccan holiday.  Of course, being skint students, the first shop we headed to was...PRIMARK!  Where else?  My boyfriend refuses to enter, but you can't go wrong in Primark for bargain holiday clothes.  I am very happy with my lovely purchases...

ABOVE: Suitcase £20 Primark

First on my list was a cute suitcase, as I am taking stand against my Dad insisting I use one of his boring ugly black monstrosities.  I was delighted to pick up this little beauty for £20.  Finally, a suitcase I don't have to tie a coloured shopping bag to in order to recognise it on the endless stream of cases on the airport luggage belt!

ABOVE:  Leather sandals £6 reduced from £12 Primark, 

lime bandeau top £2.50 Primark, Aztec print shorts £3 Primark

I was in desperate need of holiday wardrobe essentials (shorts, sandals, vests).  Primark is my #1 destination for said items; if I had bought the Topshop equivalent of the above outfit it would have cost at least £50.  But for £11.50, I picked up a lime green bandeau, real leather sandals (FOR £6, AMAZING!) at half price and some funky Aztec print shorts.  For some reason I'm scared of wearing bright colours, so I've been gradually adding   bolder pieces to my wardrobe to try and wean me off my usual choices of navy and black.  

ABOVE: Aztec print bralet £6 Primark, pink jelly sandals £4 Primark

I was absolutely ecstatic when I nabbed this Aztec print bralet at an unbelievably cheap price of £6.  I have been after something like this for ages.  I don't think I'm confident enough yet to wear this with shorts as I'd have too much belly on show, but I think it will look fab with my high-waisted maxi skirt.  And of course, how could I resist a pair of jelly sandals when they were only £4?  They are my guilty pleasure - I used to love them as a child!  The 90's children amongst you will remember the silver and pink glittery ones we used to lust after...

On the subject of jelly sandals, another pair I couldn't resist were from River Island - they currently have 40% off selected items and these were included!  I nabbed them for £10 instead of £18.  I think I have all bases covered now when it comes to sandals - leather, metallic, blingtastic, girly... I promise I won't buy another pair. 

ABOVE: Beaded jelly sandals £10 reduced from £18 River Island

As my friends know, I am absolutely addicted to perfume.  Perfume is my thing - I must have at least 30 bottles, a mixture of yet to-be-opened, empty and half full, littering my dressing table.  I was on the hunt for a summery, fresh hand-bag sized spray I could pop in my beach bag, and I found a perfect mini version of CK One Shock (20ml bottle) from Boots.  I used my Boots £5 off fragrance voucher and nabbed this for £7 instead of £12.  Get yours quick!

ABOVE: CK One Shock 20ml £7 instead of £12 with Boots £5 off fragrance voucher 

And finally, the last thing on my list was a couple of new lipsticks.  I intended to buy another nude lipstick (shade #3) from the Kate Moss for Rimmel range.  I absolutely adore it, and it's the only lipstick I've ever used fully.  I was chuffed to see new shades had been added to the range, and couldn't help but investing in the newest nude shade (#26) which is slightly lighter and more sheer than #3, as well as the light coral pink shade (#16).  I find nudes and pinks work best on me (and most other girls) when they are a lovely sunkissed colour!  I will review these at a later date.

ABOVE: Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick (shades #16 + #26) on promotion for £3.99 instead of the usual price of £5.49 Boots

So, what have you all been buying for your summer holidays?

I can't wait for some sunshine!

Love, kisses + ponytails

xo

a little gift from the viktor & rolf secret service..

So, this morning I received the cutest little gift in the post from the Viktor & Rolf Secret Service!  Along with a personalised letter, a shiny gold mirror in the shape of the V&R trademark wax stamp, with it's own black velvet pouch, was enclosed.

I have been a huge fan of their debut fragrance, Flowerbomb, for YEARS now - I really did fall in love with it the first time I tried it, and have yet to find a nicer perfume.

Despite the name of the perfume, it isn't overpowering like a lot of floral scents are.  In fact, I would say Flowerbomb was more of a gourmand fragrance; imagine the smell of a sweet shop in a bottle with a sprinkling of summer blooms, and you have Flowerbomb.

My mam bought me a bottle for my 18th birthday and was the first luxury fragrance I owned - a much needed upgrade from my usual 99p Impulse and Charlie sprays! I cherished it so much I have only recently ran out (I WILL be buying a new bottle when my funds allow it).  It's one of those scents that really makes you feel glamorous and special, and is the perfect finishing touch when you already feel a million dollars in a new party dress.

Are you a member of the Viktor & Rolf Secret Service?

What's your favourite Viktor & Rolf fragrance?

Love + kisses

xo

review: "cupcake" facemask by lush

When I'm PMSing, I may as well be hooked up to a drip of liquid chocolate.  Apart from stuffing my face full of all of the beige food I can find (custard cream biscuits, mashed potato, crisps, fudge, peanuts, cheese, bread - or if I'm feeling extra fat, a mashed potato sandwich), chocolate is without a doubt my go-to food when my monthly friend pays a visit.  I say friend, it's anything but my friend.  It leaves me fat, spotty and miserable.

So you can only imagine my delight, when my sister brought me home a pot of Lush's chocolate "Cupcake" face mask.  Why just eat chocolate, when you can smother it all over your face too?!  This is brilliant.  Why didn't I think of this before?  

For £5.75 for a 75g pot of FRESH face mask (free of preservatives and chemical nasties), Cupcake is by far one of my favourite items from the skin care range Lush has to offer.  


I first bought it a few years ago when suffering quite badly from troublesome teenage skin, and was amazed by how much it soothed the angry red lumps and bumps.  I always liked to think that my "teenage" acne would piss off, ideally the day I turned 20.  I dreamt of the day I'd wake up with flawless dewy skin, but it's yet to happen.  In fact, it's only the other day my sister described my face as looking like a "greasy potato".  Aren't sisters great?  But no, at nearly 21 and a half years old, I am STILL suffering and work very hard to keep my skin under control.

Crammed full of ingredients which work to purify (rhassoul mud), soothe (linseed infusion), cleanse and tone  (fresh mint, spearmint oil) and moisturise (cocoa butter) all at once, Cupcake is a must have for oily skin types prone to breakouts.  


It left my skin feeling smoother and my pores looked visibly smaller, all whilst delivering a much needed moisture kick to patches on my skin which have been dried out by acne treatments.  And for a product which looks and smells like chocolate, you can indulge in it as much as you like without worrying about calorie counting!

Pros

:)  Easy to apply

:)  Soothes inflamed skin and reduces painful swelling 

:)  Great value for money!  A little goes a very long way

:)  Purifies, soothes, cleanses, tones and moisturises in one easy step

:)  IT'S MADE FROM CHOCOLATE

:)  IT SMELLS OF CHOCOLATE

:)  I LOVE CHOCOLATE

Cons

:(  Can be very messy!  Needs to be washed off as soon as it starts drying, otherwise you end up with crumbly brown bits EVERYWHERE

:(  The moisturising cocoa butter should be blended into the mixture more, instead of appearing like little chunks!  As the fresh face masks should be kept in the fridge, the lumps of cocoa butter don't melt when the mask is so cold

Who would I recommend this product to?

Girls (and boys!) with oily skin who suffer from breakouts of underlying painful boils and spots.  This product is amazing at soothing acne prone skin, especially when applied straight from the fridge, and removed by gently wiping away with a cold flannel.

Rating

5/5 (no, really, I love it that much)

Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.  I have not been paid to advertise products- it is something I do for fun in my spare time, however endeavour to deliver honest reviews.  If you would like to use any of my original photography featured on the blog, feel free, but please link back to me and give credit where due.

CJG for Topshop

I'm sure a lot of you here already know that on Thursday, Chloe Green (daughter of THE Sir Philip Green a.k.a THE OWNER OF ARCADIA) launched her debut shoe collection for Topshop, following in the perfectly manicured footsteps of Kate Moss.

With prices ranging from £115-£175 (ouch!), the range isn't exactly purse friendly - well, it is if you're prepared to live on a diet of white rice, pasta and beans until your next student loan comes in.  But, a girl can dream.  

Here's the statement Topshop issued alongside the collection...

"Inspired by her love of illustrated butterflies, hearts and charms as well as darker roses, skulls and animal motifs, innocence is set against a mystical backdrop in Chloe Green's debut shoe collection.  With each shoe named after a special person in her life and featuring her signature green sole, Chloe hopes you'll enjoy wearing her shoes as much as she loved designing them."

Considering the prices are so eye-wateringly steep, I must admit there's not many of the designs which really induce serious shoe lust.  If I was to shell out a small fortune on a pair of heels I would a. have to fall deeply, madly in love with them at first sight, and b. would have to make sure they were versatile enough to dress up or dress down as not to be worn once.  


However, I do have favourites ("LYDIA" £165 and "BELLA BEA" £150).  Shame that they're the most expensive too!  They're girly, have a wedge heel (SO COMFORTABLE!) and the colours are really light and summery.  


I can just imagine myself now wearing them; with my broderie anglaise sun-dress, or with a vest and denim cut-offs, or even with my floral playsuit...  The list goes on and on, but unless I inherit a small fortune and a country manor house from an Aunt I never knew existed, or win the lottery, the likelihood of me owning a pair of these beauties are  slim to none.

What do you think of the collection?  

Love/hate?  Maybe you've bought a pair? (DAMN YOU!)

Love, kisses and ponytails

xo

label watch: nereus london

So whilst browsing my new followers on Twitter this morning, I was delighted to discover a London-based independent fashion label, Nereus London, were following me (@NereusLondon). 

Nereus London have traded in the world famous and eternally fashionable Spitalfields Market, and specialise in breathing new life into wardrobe staples.  Their garments are now available to buy on their boutique page on ASOS Marketplace - click here to check it out, you won't be disappointed!  All of the pictures I have used are courtesy of ASOS.

Reworked/Customized Levi's High Waisted Tie Dye Shorts £48

For me, the stand-out pieces in their Spring/Summer'12 collection are the reworked and customised Levi's which they have tie-dyed and embellished with pretty jewels (my guilty pleasure).  The dreamy, galactic colours used are the perfect way to ease yourself into the pastel trend which is huge this season, especially if you're not a girly-girl and the thought of being dressed in baby pink scares the hell out of you.  Personally, I'd team these shorts with a plain white or grey vest and my Doc Marten's - perfect!

Oversized Tie Dye Crop Top £26

Optional Tie-Front Snake Print Top £18

Tie Dye Crop Top £25

If you want to switch it up and wear tie dye on top, Nereus have it covered.  They also  offer equally lust-worthy tie dye slouchy T-Shirts and vests which are perfect for the coming festival season.  Embrace your inner hippie and team with your favourite denim cut-offs, leather boots and poncho and you're on to a winner.  

Peace out,

Love + ponytails

xo

review: john frieda 'go blonder' range

Like a little sucker, the day after I got my hair blonde, I was straight down the shops looking for new hair care products to adorn *cough* clutter *cough* my dresser.  I really could open my own branch of Boots from my bedroom as the amount of cosmetics/beauty + hair products I own is insane.  

On a not so glamorous trip to ASDA with Mother Bear, I made a beeline for my favourite isle!    Oh yes, I have a favourite isle.

No not the cake isle!  

THE SMELLIES ISLE!  For all of you who are confused by the word "smellies" I'm not surprised.  It's one of those words either your family uses or doesn't.  Anyway, one offer caught my attention - ASDA currently have a 3 for £10 promotion on luxury haircare.  I normally buy all my cosmetics from Boots; when I compared the prices they also have a 3 for £10 on the same lines.  

The 3 items I chose were the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder shampoo, and the conditioner from the same range (normal price £5.89 each for a 250ml bottle), and the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder lightening spray (normal price £6.99 for a 100ml bottle). 

PACKAGING:
Not the prettiest - I absolutely adore ultra-girly packaging by brand such as Soap & Glory, and packaging is obviously the first thing that attracts someone to a product. But it's not the outside what counts, it's what the product does.  The bright white and yellow bottles can be spotted for a mile off, so I suppose that's a good thing.  However, the packaging is nothing special and if the product hadn't been on offer it wouldn't have jumped out at me.

SMELL/CONSISTENCY/VALUE:

I love fragrant products, and this is where the range really disappointed me.  I expected a pretty-smelling shampoo and conditioner, and is the minimum you'd expect from a high end product like this.  It's clean and simple smelling with a hint of menthol, but nothing special.  


The consistency of the shampoo was good, and it lathered well- it's really thick so you don't need a lot (a 50p sized piece is more than enough for long hair), and the conditioner was rich and creamy.  A little really does go a long way; use this product sparingly and it would last you 2 months or more.  Personally, I'm going to use this product a few times a week as a way of brightening up my hair if I'm going on a night out/somewhere special - so hopefully it will last me longer than that!  


The lightening spray is just a liquid you apply to your hair after you've washed it and whilst it's still damp.  I sprayed liberally around my crown and blow dried my hair on a low heat (this product is heat activated so it's probably best to avoid straightening/high heat because you could really dry out your hair).

EFFECTIVENESS:
After one use of the shampoo and conditioner, I really did notice a change in the colour of my newly blonde hair.  No, it wasn't drastic, and if you're looking for a miracle product, this isn't it.  Ultimately, to get bright blonde tresses, highlights are the way to go.  The shampoo and conditioner will simply enhance your blonde and will make it really dazzle. However, my hair certainly did look brighter and a more "clear" blonde, and it really helped to tone down the coppery tones.  The spray on the other hand...WOW.  I read reems of negative, terrifying reviews on the net so was apprehensive.  I have used the spray twice now, and it's helped to lift the darker parts of my hair that will be lightened even further when I go for my second round of highlights.  The darker bits now blend in much better with the blonder parts of my hair.

PROS:

:) Such a bargain when it's on an offer 3 for £10, you'll save around £7 if you take advatange of this!


:) The conditioner left my hair feeling extremely soft and manageable, despite it being processed quite heavily over the past week.


:) The lightening spray (when used CORRECTLY!) is amazing in brightening up existing highlights and blending roots and darker patches.

CONS:

X The price of this stuff when not on promotion is a bit steep, and I can't imagine a lot of students could afford to replenish their supplies on a regular basis.  However, I would be prepared to pay the £6.99 non-promotional price of the lightening spray, as it works absolute wonders.


X After I rinsed the shampoo off, my hair did feel quite dry- however the conditioner worked amazingly well in restoring moisture levels which the shampoo had stripped my hair of.

X There's no denying the huge numbers of mainly negative reviews on the lightening spray.  My hair is slightly damaged from taking it from black to blonde, but that's to be expected, and it's nothing a deep conditioning treatment and a good trim can't sort.  But if your hair is naturally dry, or really damaged/brittle from colouring, I honestly wouldn't recommend you use this.  Personally, the lightening spray made my hair feel a tad dry after use, but after a good old dousing with Argan oil treatment, it's back to being its silky-soft self.  If in doubt, do a patch test before spraying it all over.  DO NOT USE THE LIGHTENING SPRAY DAILY.  Once a week will suffice!

OVERALL VERDICT:

Shampoo 3/5

Conditioner 4/5

Lightening spray 4/5 (if used correctly and sparingly)

*BEWARE*

! Do not use the Lightening Spray on intensely lightened/bleached hair, there's a big risk you'll damage your already over-processed locks (this product comes with a warning on the packaging).  The spray contains hydrogen peroxide AKA bleach!  This stuff can be nasty and extremely damaging.  You have been warned. ! 


Love, hugs + blonde ponytails
xo

blonde ambition

On my last post, I told you all how I have recently dyed my hair blonde.

For anyone who knows me, you'll know that this decision was an extreme one - I have been dabbling with dark dyes since my early teenage years.  I had even forgot what my natural hair colour was, as it has been constantly hidden under endless amounts of raven and blue-black dyes for over a decade now.  So, at the ripe old age of 21 (WAHHHHHHHHHHH!), I decided enough was enough, and before I knew it, last week I found myself sitting in the hairdressers asking for blonde hair.  Me, blonde.  Blonde.  Hmm.

ABOVE:  Before, with my dyed black hair

I think the reasoning behind this drastic change is because I feel like since I first started dying my hair I have changed so much as a person.  The majority of the years I spent with black hair weren't particularly the happiest.  Blonde hair is fun, light and summery.  So...if I can't bring the sun to my hometown of Sunderland (which is, ironically, NEVER sunny), I'll bring the sun to my hair. 

It set me back £65 (a small fortune by any student's standards, luckily I have a small job to fund such crazy moves) for a cut, full head of blonde highlights and a toner.  This was an extremely reasonable price in my opinion - I know many friends who have spent hundreds at salons correcting their dark locks in a bid for a blonde mane.  Dare I even say it?  I think £65 is a bargain.  

ABOVE: Kaedere <3

At the start of the year, I discovered a little salon called Kaedere in Sunderland, and I have a wonderful hairdresser there called Lesley.  She does my sister's colour, and has managed to get it a pure platinum blonde without her hair looking or feeling over-processed or damaged.  I would highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed girls!  After the amazing job Lesley done on my sister's colour, I don't think I would have trusted anyone else to take me to blonde.

ABOVE: Blonde!  (Not the best picture, but it shows how lovely the colour is)

After 3 hours in the hairdressers seat, I was absolutely thrilled with the result.  Looking in the mirror, I felt like a new woman (I'm really not exagerrating).  The end result was a warm dark blonde with slight copper undertones, which is to be expected when your hair is extremely dark, either naturally or artificially.  I have an appointment booked for 20th June for another round of highlighting which will eliminate the darker/coppery patches, and I will have the light honey tresses that I am lusting after, just in time for my amazing summer holiday in Morocco!


I can't wait.  


Stay tuned for several reviews I have lined up - since becoming a blondie I have stocked up on a plethora of colour enhancing hair products.


Love, kisses + (blonde) ponytails


xoxo

a quick update...

I just want to apologise to my loyal readers for the lack of new posts.  I'm dealing with a bitch of an illness and things get too much for me sometimes, and the pain is hard to deal with.


Ideally, I'd be posting something every day to keep my mind from wandering and being sad.  But it's easier said than done...all I want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep.

Sometimes, I think, 'invisible' illnesses - those that involve chronic pain, are misunderstood.  People don't appreciate how much of a detrimental effect pain can have on a person.  My whole body and mind is tired at the minute, but I don't plan to take this lying down.

I have nearly 5 months before I go back to university, my final year.  I can't quite believe it myself.  It seems like yesterday I was all bright eyed and bushy-tailed out from college, eager to start my degree.  

So, I've made it my personal mission to NOT lie around and mope, however much I want to do that, and however hard it may be to stop myself from doing that.  I have so many exciting things in store over the coming months, and the thought of these things is what is keeping me going.  I'm going to London to cover Graduate Fashion Week, I've got a fabulous holiday booked to Morocco with my best girls and it's very possible I'll be visiting my boyfriend in San Francisco in August (he's working there over the summer).

When there's so many exciting things happening, I'm hoping it's enough to inject that sparkle back into me I feel like I've lost over the past few months.  

So, here's to hoping...

Love, peace + ponytails

PS. I've went blonde, but more of that later


PPS. 2000 pageviews! Somebody pop open the Lambrini...

The Met Costume Institute Gala 2012

Forget London fashion week.  In fact, forget New York fashion week, Paris fashion week and Milan fashion week.  Forget all four put together.

The annual Met Costume Institute Gala is the one event on the fash calendar that I absolutely cannot wait for.  Toted as one of the most anticipated, glamorous and exclusive events in the world by the who's-who in fashion, the event which has been running since 1948 never fails to wow us mere-mortals who can only dream of wearing gowns so expensive, it would be cheaper to buy a penthouse in London, deck it out wall-to-wall in solid gold furniture, all whilst living on a diet of caviar and truffle oil for a year.

However, save up your pocket money, and for the lip-quivering sum of *£3,000, you could be rubbing shoulders with the stars.  (*Please note, this is the price of the CHEAPEST ticket available, so will probably be comparable to buying the cheapest ticket to Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the theatre.  But hey, you'll be rubbing shoulders with the perfectly preened and immaculately dressed.  Well, perhaps not rubbing shoulders.  At least you'll be in the same room as them.)

There's something so tantalisingly exciting about seeing the most beautiful people in the world looking, well - even more immaculate and beautiful than usual, if that's even possible.  

The first thing I done when I got up this morning was to frantically scour the pages of The Fashion Spot for the deets and the all-important visuals from the event which took place in NYC last night.  Cue endless amount of admiring/envious sighs as I fawned over the beautiful creations the A-list flaunted on the red carpet.

And so, I've compiled a list of the best dressed (in my opinion).  Perhaps 'best' is an understatement, because today I am seriously questioning my sexuality after seeing how jaw-droppingly beautiful some of the women looked last night.  Who knew that an exquisitely crafted garment had the ability to alter someone's sexual orientation?  So, sit back, and prepare to be wowed.  You'll probably have a new girl crush by the time you've finished reading!

WINNER: "THE RISK-TAKER" AWARD

Lana Del Rey

"Chain-mail" and "long, black goth cape" conjur rather unsettling images as two separate concepts, but together?  Surely a recipe for a fashion disaster - or not, as our favourite songstress Lana Del Rey proved as she stepped out in custom Joseph Altuzarra.  Teamed with freshly dyed chocolate brown locks and a matte aubergine lip, Lana smouldered in her simple yet stunning ensemble, with the balance of timeless elegance and femme-fetale being just right.

WINNER: "THE BELLE OF THE BALL" AWARD

Lily Collins

Who knew Phil Collins could spawn something so beautiful?!  Lily looked dainty as a doll in Valentino - I really love how she complimented her youthful appearance with floaty chiffon in virginal cream and white, whilst keeping her make-up natural looking with coral blush and a rosy lip.  Lace, bows and shamelessly feminine - what's not to love?  The one to watch in 2012, prepare to see her as a regular fixture on the style pages of Grazia and Vogue. 

WINNER: "THE QUEEN OF COOL" AWARD

Dree Hemingway

Wearing a customised creation from the Topshop Unique A/W '12 collection, Ms. Hemingway proved just how she earned her achingly cool style credentials.  Cheeky panels of peek-a-boo chiffon provided enough naughtiness to give a real wow-factor to an otherwise plain dress, whilst the shin length was refreshing amongst a sea of floor-sweeping gowns.  A slick of orange red lipstick and mussed up bed-hair was the perfect finishing touch to Dree's Met look which oozed effortless style.

WINNER: "THE GLAMAZON" AWARD

Beyonce

Pick your jaws up off the floor, ladies and gentleman.  After last night, Beyonce can officially add "yummy mummy" to her already enviable CV.  Bey looked radiant in an exquisite couture Givenchy creation, with purple ostrich feathers at the hem providing an edgy kick of colour to take the gown from being exquisite to out of this world.  I love her hair a slightly bit darker- the warm honey hue really compliments her glowing peaches 'n' cream complexion.

WINNER: "THE ENGLISH ROSE" AWARD

Michelle Dockery

Out of the few Brit girls at the Met last night, Downtown Abbey's Michelle Dockery certainly did us proud.  In a simple black Ralph Lauren gown emphasised with metallic detailing on the bust, Michelle is officially our poster girl for the anti-TOWIE movement, where simplicity, elegance and natural beauty comes up trumps against the scantily clad oompa-loompa look which so many girls of our generation buy into (why is a mystery!).  And teamed with the addition of black silky gloves, I'm sure this ensemble would have had Audrey Hepburn's stamp of approval.

WINNER: "THE STYLE CHAMELEON" AWARD

Rihanna

Ahhh, the ever-changing style of Rihanna.  Fashion icon, or the manufactured product of a hard-working team of stylists and publicity machine?  Probably the latter, however nobody can deny the fact that RiRi looked drop-dead gorgeous last night.  In a black croc-print Tom Ford dress, black stilettos and pared down make-up, Rihanna ticked all the right boxes when it came down to perfecting a look fit for the Met  red carpet.    And I am loving her new black weave, the blonde was nasty and cheap-looking on her.  Please drop the faux-gangster persona Ri, you look phenomenal without the gimmicky clothes!

WINNER: "THE RED HOT" AWARD

Eva Mendes

With metallic being the biggest story on the red carpet of the Met Gala 2012, Eva stood out for all of the right reasons and opted for a spicy orange silk gown by Prada.  The high-waisted skirt with an additional on-trend peplum emphasised Eva's enviable hourglass figure, whilst the black and white embellishment on the bust broke up the bold colour.  A perfect example of how to compliment your summer sun-kissed complexion with rich jewel colour and neutral makeup.