Review: KIKO Smart Lipstick 918 / Classic Rose

The Colour: A satin nude rose

The Price: £3.90

The Stockist: kikocosmetics.co.uk

The Application: This lipstick glides on the lips like butter. It has a nourishing texture that feels velvety smooth, almost as if it were a lip balm. The lipstick is perfectly shaped for a quick and faultless application.

It has a vanilla scent, similar to that of a MAC lipstick - one of the many things KIKO has replicated from the global beauty giant. However the quality of a KIKO product is just as good as a MAC product and, considering it costs almost a quarter of the price, I can't really complain!

The Results: A beautiful, nude rose shade with a satin finish. This lipstick is highly pigmented and opaque and, importantly, it doesn't bleed. Considering its finish and price tag, the Smart Lipstick lasts a long time - keeping lips nourished and silky-smooth in the process. Now this lipstick doesn't last all day, however it does last up to four hours before needing to be reapplied. It is also hypoallergenic and paraben free.

The Pro: This lipstick is truly amazing considering it is only £3.90!

The Con: It is only available in Europe

Are you a fan of KIKO? Have you tried any other products from the brand that you would recommend?

Weekly Worship: Zoya Zenith Winter Holiday Collection

Cassedy, Dream and Belinda

Price: £10.50 / $8.00 per polish

Stockists: nailcareclub.com / zoya.com

Being a big fan of Zoya nail polishes, I was very  excited to get my hands on the brand's newest collection, Zenith.

For those who don't know, Zoya is a professional natural nail lacquer brand. All Zoya products are free from toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and DBP (dibutyl phthalate).

The new collection is made up of six winter wonderland-inspired shades, including:

Mosheen - a sheer sparkly ice blue 

Dream - a deep blue with holographic glitter

Belinda - a cosmic metallic purple

Cassedy - a metallic pewter

Payton - a dark cranberry with holographic glitter
Seraphina - a bright metallic silver

Cassedy

As with all Zoya polishes, those in the Zenith collection are highly pigmented, easy to apply and have great lasting power. I have been wearing Cassedy, Dream and Belinda throughout the holiday season, so it's about time I gave the new collection a little weekly worship!

Are you a fellow Zoya fan? If so, what is your favourite shade?

Interview: Malvina Fraser

Malvina Fraser is one of London’s top beauty specialists and skincare advisers. She has over 30 years experience in the industry and her A-list clients include Madonna, Kylie and Yasmin Le Bon. She has passed on her wealth of knowledge to some of the world's most fabulous women's magazine and has appeared on some of TV's top makeover shows. Oh, and did I mention she is the beauty ambassador for Marks & Spencer and  the creator of her own cutting edge anti-ageing creams and serums!?

Malvina took some time out of her packed beauty schedule to talk all things beauty. So sit back and enjoy our little chat...

What inspired you to work in the beauty industry? And how did your career journey begin?

I got into the beauty industry at quite a young age. It has always been a great passion of mine and after training at the London Beauty Institute, I knew it was something I wanted to make a career out of. As the years have gone by, I natural progressed to become a specialist in anti-ageing - an area of the industry that has always fascinated me.

What is your career highlight?

I have had such an amazing career so far and have been very lucky to have worked with some amazing people in the industry. I have to say that my career highlight has been launching my own anti-ageing skincare range. It has been a dream to create the products from scratch. It has been a long journey and it is so fantastic to receive amazing feedback on the products.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the beauty industry?

The best advice I could give is to never give up. The beauty industry can be hard to get into but it is all about finding a gap in the market, finding your USP and being persistent. There are so many great beauty products on the market today, so it's important to connect with people in the industry and be passionate about your products or services.

Who is the ultimate beauty icon?

I would have to say Kylie Minogue. She is a regular client of mine and I must say that, as well as being a lovely lady, she has the most amazing skin and is the envy of every woman.

What are your makeup bag essentials?

Oprex is an amazing product to use on sensitive eyes when taking off make-up residue left by remover. It is a saline ointment that will prevent your skin from reacting to the harsh qualities of remover.

Sisley tinted moisturiser is an essential which I have been using for 25 years. I love it because it keeps my skin hydrated, matches my skin colour beautifully and protects my skin.

What is the biggest beauty crime a person can commit?

Not taking your make-up off is definitely the biggest beauty crime. Our skin is alive with bacteria which we cannot see or feel, therefore maintaining good hygiene is vital. One of my top tips is to always double cleanse at night; once to remove the everyday bacteria and secondly to really clean the skin.

What is your top beauty tip?

When applying facial creams and serums, ensure you work the product right up to the hairline. At night, don’t be afraid to go over the hairline - this small area often gets neglected but it is just as important as the others.

www.malvinaskincare.com / @MalvinaSkincare

Wednesday Wisdom: Shirley Temple

“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph”

Weekly Worship: Diptyque 50th Anniversary Candle Set

Price: £55.00 / $75.00

Stockists: diptyqueparis.co.uk / aedes.com

Diptyque create the most beautiful scented candles and have been doing so for over 50 years. I am a huge fan of the brand and was close to squealing when I stumbled across the 50th Anniversary Candle Set online.

The set includes 5 mini versions (35g each) of the brand's most loved candles - Thé, Jasmin, Baies, Figuier and Ambre. Also included is a sweet leaflet, packed full of interesting information about the brand.

The mini candles look absolutely adorable and, as always, the scents are enchanting, powerful and long-lasting. The set is expensive but the candles have a 20 hour burn time, which is amazing considering their size.

The only downside? It's impossible to know which candle to burn first!

Wednesday Wisdom: Arianna Huffington

“The first step toward changing the world is to change our vision of the world and of our place in it”

Weekly Worship: The Representation Project

Any organisation that promotes a positive change in the world deserves a little worshipping. However The Representation Project is one that currently has my full attention and admiration. It is an organisation that uses all types of media content to expose injustices created by gender stereotypes, with the aim of shifting people’s consciousness towards change.

This non-profit organisation was founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, an actress and documentary film maker who wrote, produced and directed Miss Representation. Miss Representation is a famous 2011 documentary film that explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women.

Now, in the past few years, the media has delivered some amazingly strong, independent and heroic representations of women. However, if you think the misrepresentation of women has gone completely, think again and take a little look at this...

So thank God for the likes of The Representation Project, right?

If you fancy getting involved, there are many ways in which you can lend a helping hand. Supporting this organisation can range from simple actions, like tweeting and taking a pledge, to donating and becoming a representative. To find out more visit therepresentationproject.org.

Interview: Jane Wurwand

Jane Wurwand isn't just the founder of one of the world's best skincare brands (Dermalogica, if you're wondering), she is an inspiration to women everywhere. Known for championing female entrepreneurship, Jane founded Dermalogica FITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship) in 1999. FITE is a foundation that works to empower women entrepreneurs globally, through various different support systems.

I got the opportunity to interview Jane and, as sycophantic as it sounds, I felt honoured to pick her beauty brain. So sit back and enjoy our little chat...

What inspired you to work in the beauty industry? And how did your career journey begin?

I was 13 when I started in the business. I wanted to work because I wanted money to buy David Bowie records! I began as a Saturday Girl, sweeping up hair cuttings in the local salon in Broadstone, Dorset. I then would pick through the huge box of hair-cuttings, pull out all the hair-pins, sterilize the pins, put them into boxes, put the boxes on the trolleys and send the trolleys out onto the floor for the hairdressers - only to do it all over again! This was still the age of the bi-weekly updo in the small town in England where I grew up, where the work of Mr. Sassoon hadn't quite reached yet!

What is your career highlight?

My career highlight, one of many, has been being called upon by President Bill Clinton as a thought leader. I participated in the Clinton Global Initiative and spoke at the United Nations on the subject of women's equality in the workplace. It is an honor to speak on behalf of the professional skin care industry which puts more women into their own business than any other, for which I am very proud. This is also related to another highlight, the founding of Dermalogica's women's initiative, Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship [FITE]. This initiative is a global program for women all over the world, empowering women, girls and communities everywhere, especially in developing countries. We have funded close to 40,000 women to grow their own business in the past 3 years alone.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the beauty industry?

My advice to someone starting out is to make sure that you're in it for the long haul. The rewards are very tangible, but this business is one where you must prove yourself and earn your place by standing on your feet and working with your hands, as well as your mind and spirit, every day. 

This is not an industry where there is immediate superstardom. Really, I think very few jobs can realistically offer that immediate gratification, however it is surprising how many people do expect it, and give up when they aren't on the cover of VOGUE the first year. Also, be prepared to invest in your own ongoing education, from the beginning. It is the only way that you will keep your edge. Almost every 'name' that you know in the industry worked their way up from the ground floor and have a passion for the business as a result.

Who is the ultimate beauty icon?

The ultimate beauty icon for me is Vidal Sassoon. He was so creative, so real, hard working, disciplined and such a visionary. He sensed what women really wanted - which was freedom and a sense of control over their own futures. This is what everyone wants, and I'm not just talking about our hair! And his genius was that he created an entire industry by flipping the paradigm. 

Salon-owners attacked Sassoon when he suggested that the woman could wash and condition and style her own hair at home between salon-visits, which could then be spaced to every 6 weeks instead of weekly. Then Sassoon introduced his other idea: retail products that the consumer could buy for herself at the salon. This was a light-bulb moment which created an entirely new industry.

Vidal Sassoon

What are your makeup bag essentials?

My makeup bag essentials are Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, SkinPerfect Primer SPF30 and Power Rich because I travel so much. Also I live in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, where the weather is usually quite dry and bright, so I need to keep my lipid-layer intact. I also never leave the house without the perfect black mascara and a good lipstick, usually brick-red.

What is the biggest beauty crime a person can commit?

The biggest beauty crime a person can commit is, of course, not protecting their skin against the sun. We all need to do this every day, even if we live some place where it's often foggy, grey or overcast. We also need to do this even if we spend much of our time indoors - this goes for men as well as women. That weathered, tan look really is just so over. Even Mick Jagger exfoliates.

What is your top beauty tip?

My top tip is to remember that your skin is alive and your hair and nails are not - this is a fact! Women may spend a fortune on their nails and hair and buy many related products that are backed by marketing jargon about 'health'. However the fact is, something which is deceased cannot be healthy or unhealthy - it is simply dead. Hair is dead - it lives beneath the surface in the follicle, however what we see is an organic by-product of a living process, which has ceased. It is important to take care of your hair and nails, however your skin is living and warrants more attention and service. Women will easily spend hundreds on cut, colour, blow-out and gel manicure but wash their face with deodorant soap they share with others in the shower. 

My beauty tip is: place priority on your skin with a quality liquid cleanser, exfoliant, moisturiser, toner, serum, SPF and regular trips to a licensed skin care professional for a consultation and ongoing care.

www.dermalogica.com

News: BeautyBay.com Launches Beauty Collection

BeautyBay.com has launched its very own beauty collection, becoming one of the first online beauty retailers to do so. 

After years of selling some of the world's most popular - as well as niche - beauty brands, it comes as no surprise that the online beauty giant decided to start selling itself!

The make-up range includes just about everything to meet your beauty needs - we're talking mineral foundation, concealer, lipstick, lipgloss, mascara, primer and eyeshadow palettes. However makeup isn't the only thing on the menu, there is also a nail polish range and a selection of tools and accessories. The complete range is available exclusively from BeautyBay.com, with prices starting at just £4!!

Wednesday Wisdom: Diana Ross

“My travels led me to where I am today. Sometimes these steps have felt painful, difficult, but led me to greater happiness and opportunities”

News: The Benemobile

To all the girls that hoped to one day own a Penelope Pitstop car, dream no more! The beautymobile has finally arrived and it comes courtesy of Citroën UK and Benefit Cosmetics.

The two brands have collaborated on a one-off version of Citroën’s DS3. The 'DS3 by Benefit' will premiere at the UK Clothes Show Live (6th - 10th December), for which Citroën is a main sponsor.

The car is absolutely bootiful (get it?) - the exterior features colours from the Benefit palette, the brand’s signature pink and yellow ‘Candy Stripes’ motif and a graphic of the San Francisco skyline. The interior displays fabulous Candy Stripe Italian leather upholstery and pink detailing throughout.

However, what makes this a car Penelope Pitstop would be proud of is the custom arm rest. It doubles as a makeup kit which contains a selection of Benefit products! Other touches include a handbag hook, fragrance dispenser and an ornate vanity mirror emerging from the dashboard. I am head over wheels in love!

www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Wednesday Wisdom: RuPaul

“If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”

Review: Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Cooling Mask

The Promise: "Turn down the redness, rid your skin of breakouts! This potent masque helps clear breakouts while a cooling sensation refreshes and soothes"

The Price: £16.00 / $24.00

The Stockist: johnandginger.co.uk / dermalogica.com

The Hero Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Thyme, Lavender, Camphor, Aloe Vera and Liquorice

The Application: This mask has a gel texture and thin consistency. It glides over the face and neck easily and the majority of the mask is absorbed almost instantly. Only a very thin, tacky-like film is left on the skin until the mask is rinsed off.

The Breakout Clearing Cooling Mask contains camphor which, similar to menthol, feels tingly and cooling on the skin. Camphor is a great ingredient for soothing skin, so this mask is perfect for treating irritation and inflammation. The camphor also gives this mask a lovely menthol scent, just like the Vicks VapoRub!

The Results: A friend of mine suffers with bad acne, so it made complete sense for her to put this mask to the test.

She found that the Breakout Clearing Cooling Mask soothed her irritated and sore skin and, more importantly, helped to clear her skin. After trialling the mask for over a week, she noticed that both her spots and redness had been significantly reduced. Now the mask didn't remove her acne entirely, however it did remove approximately 80% of it. As far as she's concerned, this was an amazing result!

The Pro: This mask is as good at soothing skin as it is at saving it

The Con: Struggling to find one...

Are you fan of the new Dermalogica Clear Start range? Have you tried any other products from the brand that you would recommend?

PR sample