My favourite Beauty Day buys

Hurray, Beauty Day is finally upon us - and with perfect timing as we all try to tick off our Christmas shopping lists! To help you out, I've picked out my four favourite collections, apart from today's TSV of course!

1. Bobbi Brown Bobbi's QVC Picks Collection - 229331

For any girl that wants on-trend make-up this is the collection to go for. It contains the Shimmer Brick, which gives you a really up-to-date look for the party season. It can be used on eyes and cheeks - perfect for that luminescent sheen.

You'll also get Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Graphite - the colour for this season! It's perfect for adding a sweeping look to the eye and a thicker look to the lashes. You'll also get Long Wear Cream Shadow in deep silver. You wouldn't even need a new party outfit, as this is a complete party look in itself!

Finish off your look with the Lipgloss. There's still more in this kit, including an applicator, and it comes in a sexy little faux-leather bag which is great for accidentally showing off to your friends!

My Beauty Day bargains

It's all about bagging some fabulous bargains this Beauty Day so I've picked the best ones out for you!

1. Bare Escentuals 20 Piece Ultimate Indulgence Collection

If you love colour, this is the ultimate kit for you!

This amazing collection was discovered and demanded for by one of our beauty buyers when she went over to America (you may have heard me mention her on air because she has the longest legs!). When she brought it back, we all went crazy for it!

It's like a make-up artist's wardrobe, containing 20 colourful powders that you can use wet as shadows for a strong party look (perfect with this season's huge sequin trend), wet as eyeliners, or dry as a dusting of shimmer over the eye area for a softer look. You can also blend the colours to personalise them and complement any outfit.

Our Beauty Channel is now online!

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to tell you that our Beauty Channel is now online! This means you can watch a host of beauty shows on the website - all day every day. It's a real beauty fan's paradise!

So, check out the Beauty Channel now and see what you think - enjoy!

Love,

Alison x

Decleor TSV - I may explode with excitement!

Hi everyone,

Can you tell that I'm a little bit excited about this Sunday's (26th July) Decleor Today's Special Value item? I've been losing sleep about it!

For me, the most exciting product is the full size Hyrda Floral Anti-Pollution Cream, which we sell on its own at about £36, and this Decleor set has a TSV price of about £36! What a bargain! 

This is the new formula of the Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Cream, which we're launching on QVC with this TSV set. It will last even longer than the old formula - I had a sneak peek at it and found it to be even more hydrating as well.

You need less making it more economical to use. This will add instant real freshness, brightness and hydration back into your skin. It's particularly great when your skin is suffering from tiredness, and it's lightweight, so make-up will go on top easily.

Anyone can use it - myself and Fiona keep going back to it after trying other moisturisers. It's like that favourite black dress, it works, and just got better!

My top three Beauty Day bargains

It's that fabulous time of year again when we all deserve a little extra pampering - it's Beauty Day! 

Because you shouldn't have to splash all your cash to look great, I've picked out my top three best-priced items of the day...

1. Leighton Denny 4 Piece Hollywood Collection

'Bikini colours' with a bonus crystal nail file

Basically, for the price of the three varnishes you get a crystal nail file as a bonus! With this crystal nail file, you just can't file your nails wrong!

With an emery board, it's difficult to get the right grade of grit for your nails and you also need to file in a certain direction, which can be a bit of a faff and take more time. With the crystal nail file there's no chance of creating splits in the nail - which you can do with an emery board.

Don't miss Beauty Day tomorrow!

This Beauty Day is all about reassessing your look and inspiring you to try new things.

You can learn new techniques and application tricks from the experts. Whatever you were doing last summer, last year or five years ago is now out of date so it's time to make a change! You can make sure your skincare routine is right for your age and that you also have the right look for now.

So tune in all day long to discover how to change your look. You may even be inspired to change your wardrobe or jewellery style. Whatever you do, don't be afraid to try something new!

Plus, check my Beauty Bible tomorrow for three best-priced items on the day!

On the shelf life of beauty products...

Please can you advise me of the shelf life of unopened cosmetics? Over a few years I have accumulated a fair amount, and with 3 teenage daughters it seems a shame to throw it out if it's still fit for their use. The makes I have are Smashbox, Laura Geller and Stacey. Also how long can I keep nail polishes that have been opened for?

Alison: There weren't always shelf lives for beauty products so here are a few guidelines that you can go by. I tend to think that if it looks ok, it usually is!

Your powdered products will last the longest, such as blushers and eyeshadows, as bacteria can't grow there. Any products that have a wax base (not containing water), such as cheek and lip tints, will last for quite a few years as well.

However, bacteria will grow more easily on emulsion-based products, such as cleansers, face creams and moisturisers. Plus, people tend to apply them with their fingers, which can increase the possibility of bacteria growing. So the average shelf life of these products is about 2 - 3 years unopened, and about 6 months once opened.

I celebrate 14 years at QVC!

I can't believe I've been here for 14 years - I've loved every minute!

Read my full interview in QGossip to find out who made my hair stand on end, why I'm thankful that I was chatted up in a petrol station and much more...

Plus, tune in to my Anniversary shows on Monday 15th June from 9pm - 11pm and on Tuesday 16th June from 7pm - 9pm.

What's the best nail colour for toes this summer?

What's the best colour for your toes this year? I'm going away in three weeks time and would appreciate your advice.

Alison: If you're looking for the key fashion colours to be seen wearing this season, then you want metallics. Nails Inc and Leighton Denny both offer strong colours with a gorgeous metallic finish. OPI also have a stylish Designer Series Colour Duo, which fits this season's trends bang on.

However, if you want a colour that lasts the trends and flatters all tones and tans - I recommend a pink shade with a hint of lilac or blue. This is a top colour in nail bars and is both pretty and feminine. Pall Mall from Nails Inc is a fabulous example of this classic shade with its soft oyster pink shade with a slight luminescent shimmer.

  

Get gorgeous for summer with my top beauty picks

Now's the time to start making sure you look your best for the summer ahead and what better way to do it than with some luxurious beauty products and feel-good pampering...

My beauty picks


1. Elemis 4 Piece Tri-Enzyme Discovery Collection

If you desire smoother and younger-looking skin (don't we all?!), then this is the set for you. It can give you a complete result on skin brightening and smoothing, and is fantastic added into your existing routine. Plus, it's perfect if you're concerned with dull, tired, sallow or uneven skin.

The set comprises Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Serum (10ml), Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash (50ml), Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Night Cream (15ml) and Tri-Enzyme Gel Mask (15ml). It's an award-winning salon facial system that offers you results at a fraction of the price of full salon sizes or a complete salon facial.

Visit our Elemis shop