EYE may have cheated this Valentines

Valentines confession: 'Max' and I have been inseparable since 2009, but in a moment of weakness, a friend with 'Benefit' caught my eye....

The one and only item of makeup I won't leave the house without is mascara, I can cope without foundation or lippy, but I truly believe the windows are the eye to the soul - and without mascara my soul looks pretty bleak!

Keen to try the latest lash innovations, I'm

often seduced by the "200% longer.... thickest ever.... gravity defying....this mascara WILL change your life" claims.

However, I always come back to my truly faithful Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara (£10.99),
which promises to "DOUBLE lash size appearance vs. bare lashes".

I've dabbled in Dior and lingered over Lancôme, but nothing beats my original Max Factor. And it's not just me - it's so popular, that they seem to bring out varying versions of False Lash with 'fusion', ' 24' and the limited edition coloured packaging that bears no relevance to the product inside (I've had gold, purple, pink and orange to name but a few).

After 5 long years together, I was starting to wonder if Max was the one, or if another could be the perfect match for me. Seduced by the knockout femme fatale POS artwork I tried Benefit's they're Real! mascara (£19.50)

At £19.50 it's almost double the price of Max Factor's False Lash mascara, but the results are really worth it.

The brush is fat and chunky and grabs every lash really well, to get great coverage.

My lashes were thicker and fuller, and most importantly they didn't become stiff and crunchy like some falsie mascaras do; they still feel soft and 'real' to touch.

Benefit's they're Real! mascara

I can't fault Max Factor's False Lash, it's been faithful to me and never let me down, and at that price I always keep one in my hand bag and gym locker for touch-ups and emergencies.

But ladies, size does matter - so in the search for a lasting lash love in 2014, it's out with the false (lash) and now they're real!

Max Factor's False Lash Effect mascara

Nailed it!

I rarely find a nail polish that goes on perfectly in the first coat - and even more pleased when it stays on!

A work colleague recommended Rimmel's Salon Pro Nail Colour with Lycra (£4.49), as her manicure stayed perfect for weeks - I frequently oohed and aahhed over this fact.

At Christmas my work department's 'Secret Santa' conveniently got me some of the very same Rimmel nail polishes! ;-)

Each coat went on flawlessly and the thick brush enables a clean sweep on the nail, preventing brush marks in the enamel.

I'm yet to see how long the manicure lasts, but as the polish contains Lycra, this should help protect against shattering/cracking on impacts.

So as I return to work on Monday after xmas, I'll not only have fabulous nails, but will be able to thank my not-so-secret Santa.

The nail polish featured in this blog post is Rimmel's Salon Pro Nail Colour with Lycra (£4.49) in shade 312 Ultra Violet.