Sunday 31 August 2014

News: The Kardashian Kollections Kontinue

The Kardashian sisters are expanding their ever-growing brand by launching a hair care line.

Launching next spring, the hair care line will feature three types of hair tools, as well as seven hair care products - including shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, curl cream and Black Seed Dry Oil. Kim has already been using the Black Seed Oil on baby North. The reality star recently revealed, "North likes to brush her own hair. You start with a brush and then you have to get a second brush [for her]. Right when you get it all perfect, she takes the brush and starts doing it herself". "I just started using our oil because I needed to slick it [her hair] back and make it stay" she added.

As with their fashion and beauty collections, the Kardashian girls have promised that this hair care line will include the best quality products for their fans and at extremely affordable prices.

Kardashian Hair Care Line

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Friday 29 August 2014

The Lookbook: Kylie Jenner

The 'Kylie Jenner Lip' has been a big talking point amongst beauty fans these past weeks. Whether little Miss Jenner is injecting those lips with fillers or extending them with liner, they look amazing and girls everywhere have been dying to know what colour she puts on them. For those who care, she applies MAC's Whirl Liner across the entire lip. She also revealed that MAC's Velvet Teddy is another one of her favourite lip colours.

Kylie Jenner makeup look

Her makeup is always flawless, so it's no surprise that there are already hundreds of tutorials on how to replicate it. I am obsessed with her everyday makeup look, so I created something that was similar but a little softer.

Here is what I used to create the look...

Skincare:
- Antipodes Apostle Skin Brightening & Tone-Correcting Serum
- Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Perfect Primer SPF30
- Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Eye Gel
- Homemade lip scrub (recipe here!)

Kylie Jenner eye makeup

Makeup:
- Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer in Light Golden
- Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Addiction
- MAC The Perfect Cheek Blush

Tools:

Now it's time to show me your 'Kylie Jenner' inspired makeup look. Just Tweet or Instagram me your #lookbookselfie!

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Wednesday 27 August 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Brooke Shields

“Don't waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window - or break down a door”

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Tuesday 26 August 2014

The Tuesday Tip: Don't Pick That Pimple!

This tip is for all my acne sufferers out there! We all suffer with nasty pimples from time to time and one of the best tips for treating pimples is to just not pick them!

hair animated GIF

Now this will in no way prevent acne, however squeezing pimples really makes the situation a million times worse - we're talking bigger pimples, more pimples and permanent scarring.

The problem with squeezing a pimple is that it aggravates the pore and its surrounding area, causing skin to become inflamed, damaged and unable to hold on to any type of cover-up. Squeezing a pimple also spreads oil and bacteria, resulting in a longer healing time and a strong chance of more pimples. Even worse, squeezing a spot can break the skin, leading to permanent acne scarring. So stay strong and say no to the squeeze!

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Monday 25 August 2014

Faithful Four: Summer Fragrances


Soap & Glory Orangeasm

Price: £12.00 100ml
Purchase: Boots

The award for the best budget summer fragrance has to go to Soap & Glory's Orangeasm. If you like the smell of oranges, you need  this fragrance in your life, trust me. This fragrance is part of Soap & Glory's new (and very popular) Orangeasm range. It is citrussy sweet, fresh and uplifting - a good go-to fragrance when in need of a morning pick-me-up!

Now, Orangeasm doesn't have the lasting power of the other fragrances on the list, however considering the others are all eau de parfum, this is no surprise. However regardless of this, the scent is strong and lasts a good four hours - pretty impressive considering it costs just £12.00 for 100ml! Also, the scent can be given a little extra lasting power if you apply the Orangeasm Super Rich Body Butter underneath.


BOSS MA VIE Pour Femme

Price: £49.50 / $67.00 50ml
Purchase: The Perfume Shop / hugoboss.com

The BOSS MA VIE Pour Femme has to be my favourite fragrance out of the four. It follows on from the success of NUIT Pour Femme and JOUR Pour Femme, completing the BOSS woman trio.

It is feminine, sexy and sweet and I cannot get enough of it. I would bathe in it if I could! It features a unique top note of cactus blossom, middle notes of rose, jasmine and pink freesia and base notes of sheer woods and cedar wood. This long lasting fragrance is very floral but not overpowering or sickly sweet - in fact, its woody notes help to give it depth and sexiness.

MA VIE Pour Femme is only available in eau de parfam, in sizes 30ml, 50ml and 75ml.


Versace Yellow Diamond Intense

Price: £80.00 90ml
Purchase: Debenhams

The Versace Yellow Diamond Intense is a follow on from - you guessed it - Yellow Diamond, however this perfume packs even more of a punch. With just a few sprays, this sweet and seductive scent can be smelt from miles away and lasts up to seven hours.

It features top notes of citron diamante, pear sorbet, neroli, bergamot, middle notes of freesia, orange blossom, jasmine, osmanthus and base notes of benzoin, amber wood, palo santo and musk. It is summer in a bottle, a Mediterranean summer to be precise!

In true Versace fashion, the bottle is as gorgeous as the scent and it adds some serious glamour to my dressing table. Versace Yellow Diamond Intense is only available in eau de parfam, in sizes 30ml, 50ml and 100ml.


CLEAN Fresh Laundry

Price: £50.00 / $69.00
Purchase: Garden.co.uk / Sephora

There is not a gal alive that doesn't like the smell of fresh laundry so, when Fresh Laundry, an innovative fragrance from US fragrance house CLEAN landed on my desk, I was intrigued. And I can now confirm that fresh laundry is as good on the body as it is on the washing line. I absolutely love it.

The fragrance is fresh and crisp and - just like fresh laundry - it conjures up thoughts of sunny summer days. Notes of brazilian orange, mexican lime, fresh mown grass, cyclamen, rose otto, night blooming white jasmine, petals, heliotrope and musk combine to create this beautiful scent. It is soft and delicate however, being a eau de parfume, it stays on for hours and hours.

CLEAN Fresh Laundry is available in sizes 30ml and 60ml, as well as a 15ml rollerball.

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Sunday 24 August 2014

Weekly Worship: Avène, Amazing Concealer and Elizabeth Arden


Price: £6.50 / $12.00 150ml

Stockist: Boots / dermstore.com

The Avène Thermal Spring Water is a product I've loved for a long time, so it's about time I gave it a shout out. Some people say these sprays are just tap water in a can, but I disagree.

This Avène Thermal Spring Water calms and soothes the skin and provides a much-needed refreshment on hot days, long days and tiring days. It's special because it contains Avene's famous Thermale Spring Water, which is infused with trace elements and silicates - a perfectly balanced mineral composition ideal for sensitive skin. Over 300 stringent biological, pharmacological and clinical studies have proven the skin-healing and soothing benefits of this miracle water, so bulls**t it is not.

What I love most about this product is that it has a million different uses. One of which is to dampen makeup brushes in order to apply loose pigments, make shadow colours pop and transform eyeshadows into liners.

Avène Thermal Spring Water

Price: £19.50 / $28.00 6ml

Stockist:
M&S / amazingcosmetics.com

This is the best concealer I have ever used.

I have the worst dark circles and struggle finding a concealer that covers them completely, without the need of a thousand layers. However everything changed when the Amazing Concealer from Amazing Cosmetics came into my life. It conceals perfectly, blends like a dream and it so pigmented that only the tiniest amount of product is required - so say goodbye to dark circles and the dreaded concealer crease!!

It is pretty costly however, as such a little amount is needed to cover the eye area and one application lasts all day, one tube should go the distance. I honestly couldn't imagine life without it!

AmazingConcealer Review

Price: £35.00 / $40.00 15ml

Stockist: John Lewis / Macy's

Elizabeth Arden's new eye gel is part of the Flawless Future Powered by Ceremide collection and it is everything. Ceremide - an innovative ingredient included in some of the best Elizabeth Arden products - provides the skin with a huge number of benefits (find out more here).

This Flawless Future Rejuvenating Eye Gel tightens, brightens and hydrates and leaves even the most tired of eyes looking refreshed and wide awake. It soothes the eyes the second it is applied and its ophthalmalic tip allows for solid control over how much product comes out. I have now been using this eye gel daily for the past three weeks and my fine lines are reduced and the whole eye area significantly more hydrated .

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Eye Gel Review

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Friday 22 August 2014

News: #BeAwesomeToSomebody

I heard some news this week that is so inspiring I would be crazy not to share it. It is all about the good deeds of Mr Mark Bustos.

#BeAwesomeToSomebody

Mark Bustos is a stylist in New York that spends his Sundays offering haircuts to the homeless. Bustos, who works at Three Squares Studio, started these awesome acts of kindness in May 2012. It all began during a family visit to the Philippines, when the 30-year-old rented a chair from a local barbershop to give hair cuts to impoverished children in need of a good trim. He told the Huffington Post, “The feeling was so rewarding, I decided to bring the positive energy back to New York City.”

Bustos provides free haircuts to as many as six homeless people every Sunday and does this in "open, well-travelled spaces like street corners and sidewalks", so that people can be inspired by his actions and (hopefully) do something similar for others in need.

Mark Bustos homeless hair cuts

You can check out Bustos's amazing and generous work by following him on Instagram! And, if you fancy doing something equally as fabulous, share your journey using the hair hero's hashtag, #BeAwesomeToSomebody

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Thursday 21 August 2014

Interview: David Colbert MD


David Colbert MD knows skin. He is the founder and head physician of New York Dermatology Group and is board certified by the American Academy of Dermatology. In addition to being a highly skilled and experienced physician, specialising in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Colbert has a degree in Internal Medicine, and a Fellowship in Acne and Wound Healing from Boston University. If this man's CV isn't impressive enough, before establishing himself in private practice in Manhattan, Dr. Colbert was a dermatological research consultant for Chanel in Paris. Oh, and he has his own skincare line.

I was very excited to grill the doctor - after all, he knows all there is to know about skin and his skincare line is everything. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our little chat...

David Colbert MD Interview

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

My inspiration for dermatology began in my first year of medical school in France, studying the structure and function of skin. I was always fascinated by what goes on in the epidermis on a molecular level. 

After I completed my dermatology training and spent a decade taking care of patients at our Fifth Avenue practice (New York Dermatology Group), I expanded my horizons and began making elixirs by request. My first elixir, Heal and Soothe Night Cream, with angelica sinensis and shea nut butter, became a Hollywood success through word of mouth. Shortly thereafter, I was doing customized small batches for different actresses. Soon this morphed into a full line of products, ColbertMD Skincare.

What has been your career highlight?

I think that must have been jumping on a plane after the devastating earthquake in Haiti and doing emergency field medicine. Another was later having Sir Mick Jagger and the late L'wren Scott chair our newly founded charitable fundraiser for the NYDG Foundation.

The best success in life is helping others.

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

Become an expert in your field of interest and do what you are passionate about.

Semper excelsius - always do your best.


Who is the ultimate beauty icon?

It's a toss up between Rachel Weisz, Angelina Jolie, Naomi Watts, Sienna Miller, Halle Berry, Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima.


What are your bathroom and travel bag essentials? 

My Gillette Sensor Excel razor. Illumino Facial Oil, Stimulate Serum and Balance Cleanser.

What is the biggest beauty/skincare crime a person can commit?

To hit 40 and not be using a facial oil.

What is your top beauty/skincare tip?

Be confident..and use a simplified skincare system that feels good and delivers results. Don't over-treat your skin.
ColbertMD skincare
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Wednesday 20 August 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within”


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Tuesday 19 August 2014

The Tuesday Tip: A New Kind Of Primer

Run out of foundation primer? Or just don’t fancy the heavy price tag? Try anti-chafing gel! It may sound a little strange, however anti-chafing gel has the same silicone texture as popular gel primers. It provides a smooth base for foundation and keeps makeup in place for longer!

I use Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel 28ml (£6.65 Boots / $9.99 Walgreens) as it is found in most drug stores.
Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel foundation primer
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Saturday 16 August 2014

The Beauty Myth: You Will Eventually Outgrow Acne

Verdict: False

Acne GIF

Sadly, this is just bullshit. You can suffer with acne at any age - even women in their 60's have been known to have it. This is because women's hormone levels fluctuate throughout their lifetime and, as y'all know, hormones are a huge factor in the development of acne.

So, whatever you do, don't put off treating acne in the hopes that it will eventually go away. If left untreated, acne can worsen and cause permanent scarring. So, if you suffer from acne, the best thing to do is find a diligent skincare routine that works best for your skin or visit at dermatologist. To find out more about acne, click here!

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Wednesday 13 August 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Margaret Mead

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”


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Tuesday 12 August 2014

The Tuesday Tip: Polish Prep

Rihanna manicure GIF

Do you ever get unexplained streaks when painting your nails or, worse, nail polish that recedes from the nail tip the second it's applied? Well if you do, I have a little trick that you are going to love.

The trick is to wipe each nail with acetone nail polish remover before applying nail polish - even if you aren't wearing any nail polish to begin with. Now this may seem a little backwards but, trust me, it works like a dream!

Wiping nails with acetone nail polish remover will strip the nail of dirt and oil, making them very dry. This will then create a rough nail surface, enabling the polish to apply more evenly and stay in place!

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Saturday 9 August 2014

News: Brooke Shields & MAC

These days it feels like one month doesn't go by without MAC announcing a new collaboration. However the cosmetics giant has revealed the star behind its next Icon collection and it's none other than the fabulous Brooke Shields. Brooke's eyebrows alone deserve a MAC collection, so I couldn't be more excited by the news.

The 49-year-old model and actress has designed a 15-piece collection that includes a massive shadow palette - the biggest celebrity palette MAC has ever created! The collection features a wide array of nudes, beiges and greys as well as sheer metallic and purple tones.

"I have been a fan of MAC Cosmetics for ages. I love MAC's collections and visuals - it's a fun brand. This was such a different project for me because I was not just the model or the face of the collection; MAC really wanted my input and wanted this to be MY collection. I was involved in every single step of the process" says Brooke.

Brooke Shields and MAC

The beautiful packaged range will launch in October with prices starting at £13.50 / $17.00.

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Wednesday 6 August 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Blair Waldorf

“Destiny is for losers. It's just a stupid excuse to wait for things to happen instead of making them happen”

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Tuesday 5 August 2014

The Tuesday Tip: Magic Wands

Nothing annoys me more than finishing my makeup and finding I have brush hairs, lashes or mascara flakes stuck to my face. Trying to remove any of these is hard, but doing so without ruining my make up is just  impossible.

A couple of years ago I discovered an easy, mess-free way of removing these annoyances and it is about time I shared it with y'all. The key is to gently brush up unwanted fallout using free disposable mascara wands (the ones found at most good makeup counters!). I grab one or two of these magic wands as and when I can, as they can pick up even the finest of hairs without removing any makeup. They are some serious makeup bag must-haves!
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Sunday 3 August 2014

Weekly Worship: Madame LA LA, Dermalogica and Nails Inc


Price: £36.00 200ml

Stockist: feelunique.com

Madame LA LA Self Tan Mousse is loved by celebrities and celebrity makeup artists alike. It is a tinted lightweight mousse that claims to dry quickly and  provide hydrating skincare benefits. I have only used it once and I am already obsessed!

I struggle finding reliable self tanners but this one is a keeper. It applies easily and evenly and does dry really quickly - important when you're short on time. The colour begins to build three hours after application and, when it does, you're left with a beautifully bronzed body! No streaks, no mistakes and no fuss!

Madame LA LA Self Tan Mousse Review

Price: £52.20 / $56.00 30ml

Stockist:
dermalogica.co.uk / ULTA

I am a big fan of hydrating products as I swear I have the most dehydrated skin on earth. For me, the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster is the ultimate saviour. This serum deeply hydrates the skin and keeps it that way hours after application.

Unlike other hydrating skincare products, this bad boy absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a tacky film on the skin. It is thin and watery in texture and just a small amount is needed per use. I have been using the Hydrating Booter daily, for the past two weeks, and have seen a dramatic improvement in my skin health and texture. I freaking love it!

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster Review

Price: £15.00 14ml

Stockist:
nailsinc.com

If you're a regular reader, you'll know that I've developed a huge soft spot for Nails Inc. The brand recently announced a collaborative collection with Brit beauty Alexa Chung. I was introduced to the new range last week and even got to try one of the polishes. I got my hands on Alexa Leather, a black leather effect polish, and I absolutely love it!! It is one of Alexa's six fabric-inspired shades, which also includes silk, cashmere, lace, camo, and sequins.

In addition to teaming up with Alexa, Nails Inc has also undergone a big brand makeover - another thing I've been loving this week! The famous cylinder bottles have now been replaced with stylish rectangular bottles and - in Chanel-like fashion - the rectangular lids pop off to reveal easy-to-hold cylinder handles, ribbed for a perfect grip! Interestingly, the nail polish brushes have also changed - they are now flatter and fatter, just how I like it!

Nails Inc Alexa Leather Review
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