Wednesday 30 July 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Tina Fey

“If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: who cares?”

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Sunday 27 July 2014

Weekly Worship: Bieber, Smashbox and Stila

Bieber, Smashbox and Stila

I always struggle choosing one product to worship each week as, fortunately, I try a lot of great beauty products throughout each month. So this week I've switched things up and will show you not one, but three  things I've been loving this week...

Stila One Step Correct Review

Price: £24.00 / $36.00 30ml

Stockist: Boots / Sephora

I have wanted to try the Stila One Step Correct for a while as I suffer from dark circles and slight redness. So a few weeks ago I bit the bullet and gave it a try...thank God I did.

This triple swirl helix primer combines lavender, peach and green tones that neutralise redness, conceal spots and pigmentation, counteract sallow undertones and brighten the skin. Not only does this beauty wonder do an amazing job at hiding imperfections, reducing redness and brightening the skin, it also doubles as the perfect primer. It reduces fine lines, wrinkles and pores, creating a super smooth base for makeup application, and it also gives makeup some serious lasting power - which is an added bonus!

Justin Bieber Collector's Edition Review

Price: £24.00 30ml

Stockist:
Boots

Justin Bieber Collector's Edition launched this week and I'm surprised to say that I really love it! The eau de parfum contains top notes of bergamot, pear and passionfruit, mid notes of honeysuckle, freesia and heliotrope and base notes of golden amber, white musk, sandalwood and apricot nectar. The result of this medley is a fresh, floral and fruity daytime scent that has real staying power. Nice work Biebs!

Smashbox Telephoto 3-in-1 Face Brush Review

Price: £39.00 / $ 39.00

Stockist:
smashbox.co.uk / ULTA

Smashbox's latest beauty tool, the Telephoto 3-in-1 Face Brush, is a dual-fiber, multi-tasking brush that expands out to provide three different coverage levels - full, medium and sheer. No matter what foundation you use, this brush lives up to its promise - you'll get a light, natural coverage with the 'sheer' brush and a maximum flawless coverage with the 'full'. All you have to do is rotate the base until you click into the brush you need, very simple.

I always work to achieve a full coverage foundation look, so this brush rarely rotates! The full brush is dense and firm, yet soft enough to access those harder-to-reach areas of the face. It blends foundation seamlessly and provides a gorgeous even finish. This little guy is now an essential part of my makeup routine and when he is not in my makeup bag, he's travelling with me in my handbag. I'm obsessed!

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Friday 25 July 2014

News: #Essietogo

The beauty vending machine is not a new concept, however the rumours of an Essie vending machine still got me pretty freakin excited! So I'm very  happy to announce that those rumours were true...

Essie vending machine

This month, the much-loved nail brand launched the Essie Color Boutique - a nail polish vending machine that will be available in select airports and malls across North America.

Each Color Boutique will be stocked with a total of 42 shades from the core Essie range, along with six seasonal colours that will be switched up every time a new collection launches. Users can also choose from among eight curated nail art looks, which link to a 'how to' application guide.

So you can now feel safe in the knowledge that the next time you have a chipped manicure (or no manicure at all!), a solution won't be far from your fingertips!

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Wednesday 23 July 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Madeleine Albright

“There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women”

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Tuesday 22 July 2014

The Tuesday Tip: How To Achieve The Perfect Cupid's Bow

Applying lip liner is always tricky but lining the cupid's bow is the worst. Even those with the steadiest hands struggle to get an even application - particularly when a cupid's bow is not well defined.

Luckily, a few years ago I came across a makeup trick that guarantees a perfect pout. It is quick, free and unbelievably easy.

All you have to do is draw an X on the top of your lip, simple right?! Using your lip liner, draw a diagonal line down your top lip, starting from the left peak of your cupid’s bow. Then move the pencil to the right peak of your cupid’s bow and draw another diagonal line downwards, creating an X. Finish lining your lips as per usual and then colour in with lipstick!


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Sunday 20 July 2014

Weekly Worship: Vichy Normaderm Night Detox

Vichy Normaderm Night Detox review

Price: £15.50 / $27.00 40ml

Stockist:
Boots / feelunique.com

Night treatments are amazing because, well, who doesn't love a product that boosts beauty sleep? The latest night treatment to hit my face before it hits the pillow is Vichy's Normaderm Night Detox - a new serum that contains a cocktail of salicylic acid, LHA, eperuline, H.E.P.E.S and perlite. Impressive mix, right?

The detox serum is designed to improve your skin throughout the night and does this by purifying and cleansing the skin, tightening pores and evening skin texture. It also works wonders on oily skin as it helps to slow the rate of oil production that increases while you sleep (a problem that greatly effects those with oily skin). As I don't suffer with oily skin, I haven't been able to use this product to its full potential. However I can often wakeup looking a little oily in areas and, since using this product, my face has been shine-free at sunrise!

What I love about this night treatment is its lightweight texture and ability to absorb into the skin quickly - there is nothing  worse than your pillow getting more beauty benefits than your face! Each time I use the Normaderm Night Detox, I wake up with my skin feeling tight (in the right way), uber soft and lusciously plump. My skin looks healthy and fresh, which makes a change from the usual early-morning dull and dehydrated look!

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Saturday 19 July 2014

Review: Jamie Stevens Salon


Jamie Stevens Salon London

The Place: Jamie Stevens (London & Somerset)

The Products Used: Matrix Professional Colour, Matrix Heat Protector and Matrix Thermo Glide Expres Blowout Creme.

The Treatment: Full head of highlights, including cut and blowdry

The Price: From £185

The Review: I had high expectations when I entered a Jamie Stevens salon; after all, Jamie is the Head Stylist on the X-Factor, he's won numerous hairdressing awards and his London salon just won 'Salon of the Year' in the 2014 Hair Awards. Luckily for me, those expectations were met! Not only did I have a lovely time in salon, I walked out with some amazingly transformed locks!

From the second I stepped in the salon, everyone I came into contact with was extremely friendly and helpful. The team attended to my every need to keep me as comfortable as possible - which is important when your salon stay is around the three hour mark!

My consultation was extremely thorough. My stylist, Jess, asked lots of questions regarding my hair concerns and desires and we spoke in detail about the look I wanted to achieve. She then advised me on what styles and colours would work best with face shape and skin tone. I was really impressed by the whole experience - I gave Jess quite a difficult brief but she really listened to what I wanted and advised me on what would look best.

Jamie Stevens Salon review

The service itself was as comfortable and relaxing as it could have been - the time flew by as Jess and I spent most of it gossiping and chatting about all things beauty. Jess was packed full of hair knowledge and spent a lot of time recommending great products for my hair type and providing useful tips and advice on how to keep my hair healthy and looking fabulous.

The end result had to be my favourite part of the Jamie Stevens experience! I left the salon with gorgeous, natural-looking highlights that were strategically placed to give me an on-trend and edgy style. The choice of colours used complimented my skintone and the layered, choppy cut perfectly framed my face. The overall look was exactly what I was going for...it was clear the thorough consultation had paid off!

Jamie Stevens Salon X-Factor

The Pro: The consultation was the best I've ever received at a hair salon. Jess, my stylist, was patient, extremely knowledgeable and - importantly - honest about what would suit me and what wouldn't.

The Con: The starting prices of most services are quite high, so this salon won't fit everyone's budget. However, if you deserve a treat or need to makeover your hair for a special event, I couldn't recommend Jamie Stevens highly enough!


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Wednesday 16 July 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Jane Fonda

“It's never too late - never too late to start over, never too late to be happy”

Jane Fonda Quote
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Monday 14 July 2014

Ingredients 101: Coffea Arabica Seed Oil

Natural or Synthetic: Natural

Origin: Coffea arabica seed oil is extracted by cold pressing the green coffee beans from a coffea arabica plant

Location: Coffea arabica originates from the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia, however today it is cultivated worldwide

Beauty Benefits: Coffea arabica seed oil contains a high concentration of essential fatty acids, sterols and vitamin E. This makes it a powerful antioxidant that can protect against skin damage, as well as deeply hydrate the skin and assist in the prevention of inflammatory skin disorders.

The ingredient is also known to increase elastin and collagen production. In fact, a recent study found that, when used topically, coffea arabica seed oil causes significant improvements in the appearance of wrinkles, firmness, redness and skin texture.

Warnings: Coffea arabica seed oil is safe to use topically

Found in: Philosophy's new Time In A Bottle 40ml (£55.00 John Lewis / $74.00 Sephora). This lightweight anti-ageing serum features a breakthrough DNA renewal complex that supports healthy DNA function by helping to promote skin's natural renewal and protection processes. Unlike other serums, you have to activate this one yourself by pouring in a vial of high-potency vitamin C, using an adorable mini funnel - very sciency!

Philosophy Time In A Bottle
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Saturday 12 July 2014

News: Inglot Cosmetics Launch The Lion King Collection

Inglot Cosmetics Launch The Lion King Collection

Makeup and musical fans rejoice! Inglot Cosmetics is teaming up with the Broadway musical hit The Lion King to create an exclusive colour collection.

The collection, appropriately titled Savannah Sunset, will include a blush, lipstick, nail enamel, mascara and eyeliner - each featuring colours inspired by the African Savannah sunsets and starry night-time skies.

Luckily for us, this won't be the only broadway collaboration for Inglot. As Inglot's Creative Director, Kaye Tuckerman, said, “Inglot USA is also currently working closely with several other Broadway productions to design collections, create limited edition products and supply makeup for the casts”.

The collection launches on July 25th and can be purchased at all 500 global Inglot stores and concessions, as well as online at inglotusa.com. If you're planning on seeing The Lion King on Broadway, you can receive a 20% discount on Inglot purchases or  receive a free makeover - just bring your ticket to Inglot’s Time Square location!

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Thursday 10 July 2014

Behind The Brand: BECCA




Date of Birth: 2001

Founder: Rebecca Morrice Williams

History: Like many beauty brand founders before her, Rebecca Morrice Williams started her career as a makeup artist. She became frustrated by her inability to find the perfect foundation, so in 1996 she set out to create one herself and did it, successfully. It took Rebecca and her business partner, Steven Schapera (CEO), six years of scientific research and development to create what is now known as BECCA.

Rebecca Morrice Williams

The Australian beauty brand made its debut at London's Space NK in 2001, followed by a launch in New York's Bergdorf Goodman in 2003. Since then, BECCA's success has spread across the globe and the brand is now available across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. It is also a favourite amongst A-listers, including Miranda Kerr, Mary-Kate Olsen, Rachel Bilson, Natalie Portman and Queen Bey!

USP: BECCA is all about creating the perfect complexion and no other brand creates complexion enhancing products like them. As Rebecca Morrice Williams says, "The whole philosophy of BECCA is about creating a natural, flawless look. It's really about skin looking amazing - everything else is secondary".

Offerings: BECCA sell everything from lipsticks and complexion enhancers to multi-use tints and makeup brushes.

Hero Products: Shimmering Skin Perfector, Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation, Ultimate Colour Gloss and Beach Tint

BECCA products

Availability: BECCA is available around the globe. If you are based in the US, you can find BECCA in Sephora, b-glowing.com and dermstore.com. If you reside in the UK, BECCA can be found at Space NK.

Website: beccacosmetics.com

Price Points

Foundations: Up to £35.00/$44.00

Single Eye Shadows: Up to £20.00/$24.00

Blushers: Up to £25.00/$32.00

Lipsticks: Up to £19.00/$24.00

Tools: Up to £40.00/$49.00

BECCA Dethroned Collection
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Friday 4 July 2014

God Bless America(n Beauty)!

Us Brits may not celebrate Independence Day but it's the perfect excuse to celebrate the best of American beauty. Some of the world's best beauty beauty brands and products were born in the US of A, so it's only right we put them in the spotlight!

Now, no American beauty round-up would be complete without mentioning Elizabeth Arden's famous Eight Hour Cream 50ml (£26.00 Boots / $21.00 ULTA). This true beauty hero is loved by women all over the world because it calms, protects and hydrates skin for up to eight hours. It was created back in 1930 by Miss Elizabeth Arden herself and, although it was originally made to soothe skin, it has a crazy number of other benefits. This handbag essential can be used to treat dry skin, chapped lips, dry cuticles, rough elbows and calluses, in-flight dehydration, sunburn and a million other skin problems. Eight Hour Cream = The American Dream.
It would also be impossible to talk American beauty and not mention Stila, one of America's favourite cult beauty brands. Stila's One Step Colour Corrector 30ml (£24.00 stila.co.uk / $36.00 Sephora) alone deserves a spot in the American beauty hall of fame. This award-winning primer instantly colour-corrects, brightens and covers skin imperfections for a flawless face or perfect base. It combines lavender, peach and green tones that neutralise redness, conceal spots and pigmentation, counteract sallow undertones and brighten the skin. The One Step Colour Corrector is a makeup bag must!

The next product I have to mention isn't just loved by Americans, it's loved by freakin Oprah! It goes by the name of Hope In A Jar 60ml (£34.50 philosophyskincare.co.uk / $42.00 Nordstrom) - Philosophy's award-winning moisturiser. It is the perfect all-rounder, helping to hydrate and gently exfoliate skin, making it smoother, healthier and more radiant. It is also packed with powerful antioxidants, which help to protect skin against environmental damage!
Kiehl's Creme de Corps 250ml (£27.00 John Lewis / $29.50 kiehls.com) is another American classic that is arguably the best body moisturiser in the world. This ultra-nourishing cream is formulated with Beta-Carotene (an antioxidant found in red vegetables), Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Squalane, Vitamins A and E and Vegetable Oils to soothe, hydrate and moisturise the skin. It has a rich, creamy texture that applies easily and absorbs quickly. Creme de Corps is an absolute must for those who suffer with very dry skin!

Now, if you are completely lacking American beauty experience, Glossybox is currently selling the perfect solution - a Stars and Stripes themed box (£10.00 glossybox.com). This special, limited edition beauty box contains amazing products from the likes of Tarte, Mary Kay and Carmex, so it would make the perfect start to your American beauty journey!


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Wednesday 2 July 2014

Wednesday Wisdom: Cher

“Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great”

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Tuesday 1 July 2014

The Tuesday Tip: How To Fix Broken Makeup

There is nothing more frustrating than opening your favourite pressed powder product and finding it broken up into little pieces. It looks ugly, creates a mess every time you open it and makes application trickier.

However, there is a genius way to repair broken pressed powders and the only thing required is you and rubbing alcohol (aka surgical spirit). All you have to do is follow these super easy instructions...
  1. Open up your compact and pour a little rubbing alcohol on the crumbled powder until it is saturated
  2. Mix in the rubbing alcohol and then even out the new mixture using your finger
  3. Leave it overnight to harden
  4. Wake up to find your pressed powder fully repaired, with no difference in colour, smell or texture!
It is a makeup miracle!!
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