Sunday 28 June 2015

Weekly Worship: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50


Biologique Recherche P50 Review

Price: £49.00 / $57.00 150ml

Stockists: EF Medispa / shoprescuespa.com

The Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 is one of those Holy Grail products that many have heard about but very few have experienced. It is quite difficult to get hold of, however I was lucky enough to get my hands on one and, let me just say, wow!

The Lotion P50 is a balancing exfoliator that speeds up the epidermis' natural exfoliating process and the reconstruction of the epidermal shield. According to Biologique Recherche, "The fortified epidermis can then fulfill its protective functions completely, enhancing skin's self-regeneration potential".
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Saturday 27 June 2015

Interview: Justine Jenkins


Justine Jenkins is a celebrity makeup artist and cruelty free ambassador. Also known as JJ, her amazing work has graced the pages of Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and Grazia and the faces of Fearne Cotton, Laura Whitmore and Elizabeth Moss.

JJ has racked up 15 years in the industry and is a regular BBC Radio 1 Beauty Expert, as well as a beauty writer and Huffington Post columnist. So you can understand how excited I was when she kindly gave up her time to talk to me about all things beauty. We talked industry success, beauty tips and the classic beauty crime...


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

I'd worked my way up in the City to become a stock market dealer, however - since the age of 17 - I had secretly yearned to be a makeup artist. I got to my late 20's and just said to myself, 'it's now or never'. Something took over and I had this laser point focus. Luckily a chance encounter led me to meet a wonderful film makeup artist who took me under her wing. I was still working in the City at the time, so I used all of my annual holiday leave to work as her trainee on the most wonderful film sets. I went from feeling despondent in a job that I knew wasn't for me, to feeling elated being on set of a Tim Burton movie.
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Tuesday 23 June 2015

The Tuesday Tip: DIY Mixing Medium


Mixing mediums are an incredibly useful beauty tool, providing versatility in the way you use and apply different colour cosmetics. Mixing mediums help to control the application, texture and finish of cosmetic powders. Many people use mixing mediums with loose pigments and glitters, as they intensify colour, hold product together and help it stay put.
There are a huge number of great mixing mediums on the market, however you can make your own; and doing so is incredibly easy and very cheap...

You just need:
  • Glycerin (£1.39 Boots / $5.99 CVS)
  • Water
  • Container

The formula for making a mixing medium is one part glycerin to three parts water (I use a tablespoon for a measuring tool). To make the mixing medium, just pour the glycerin into the container and add water. Once the ingredients have been added, shake the s**t out of the container and voilà, your mixing medium is ready to use!

Now, as this DIY mixing medium contains no preservatives, it is important that you replace it every two weeks. For these reasons it's best to only make a small amount at a time.

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Sunday 21 June 2015

Weekly Worship: Cire Trudon Joséphine Candle



Price: £75.00 270g

Stockists: Harrods

If there is one brand in the world that is guaranteed to create a good candle, it's Cire Trudon. Cire Trudon is the oldest candle brand in the world and once provided candles to the royal court of Louis XIV. Cire Trudon consider candle making an art form, blending unique and often surprising ingredients together to create one-of-a-kind scents.

My latest - and now favourite - Cire Trudon candle is Joséphine, a fitting tribute to Joséphine de Beauharnais, first wife and true love of Napoleon. Empress Josephine was famous - amongst other things - for creating an impressive botanical collection in the gardens of Malmaison, full of rare and interesting plants, brought back by Napoleon's war ships during the great age of exploration.
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Saturday 20 June 2015

The Beauty Myth: The Higher The SPF Rating The Better The Protection

Verdict: Not really... SPF stands for 'Sun Protection Factor', referring to its ability to block UVB rays. It is UVB exposure that is responsible for sun burn and skin cancer.

A SPF rating indicates you how long you can stay out in the sun without getting burnt compared to how long you could stay out without it. For example, if you burn after only 15 minutes in the sun and you use a SPF15, you will be able to stay out for 225 minutes (2hrs 45minutes) before you burn.

So although a higher SPF offers protection for a longer period of time, the actual protection that you get within the specified time frame is no better than that of a lower SPF rating.

It is important to remember that as a SPF only protects against UVB exposure, you need to look for a sunscreen that also protects against UVA exposure (UVA exposure causes premature ageing). I recommend using the Decléor Aroma Sun Expert Summer Oil SPF30 150ml (£32.00 decleor.co.uk). Not only is this perfect skin-protector an oil, it also comes in a spray bottle, making application easy and speedy - just want you need when you're in a rush to soak up the sun! It also leaves skin deeply nourished and soft, which is an added beauty bonus.
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Wednesday 17 June 2015

A Guy's Guide to Father's Day Gifting



I know a thing or two about male grooming and I'd like to think I know what a man needs when it comes to choosing products. However, although I know what a guy needs, I don't know what a guy wants. So, with Father's Day fast approaching, I've handed my gift-selecting responsibilities to my fabulous GBF Doug, because no one knows how to select grooming gifts quite like a gay guy, trust me. So, if you are stressing over what to get your dad this Sunday, I suggest you check out Doug's picks below...


Patsy from Ab Fab famously declared, "You can never have enough hats, coats or shoes". However, when it comes to men, the necessary requirements are a little different. One of the most important things a man needs to master is his hair; luckily there are some great products out there to help him.

I love the Toni & Guy haircare range - one of my particular favourite products is the Messy Salt Spray 200ml (£7.49 Superdrug). Not only does it help provide great texture to the hair, it smells gorgeously of salty sea and beach holidays. Another hero in the range is the Styling Putty 75ml (£7.00 Boots), aka the perfect product for taming and shaping unruly hair! Like the Messy Salt Spray, the Styling Putty is a great gift if you're limited to a small budget; your dad will appreciate the hair help and you won't have to break the bank.

For the anti-ageing obsessed dad, I would recommend a good eye cream. Eyes are often the first feature to show signs of aging so, if your dad is rocking crows feet or big bags, he will appreciate a nourishing eye treatment. I’ve fallen for the Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer ($20.00 kiehls.com). You just have to roll this cooling agent under your eyes to instantly perk up those red, puffy and tired peepers!


If you have a generous budget for gifting this Father's Day, I really recommend a fragrance. I’ve recently discovered two incredible scents; Issey Miyake Nuit d’Issey and Liquid Imaginaires Fortis. Issey Miyake’s Nuit d’Issey 125ml (£59.50 theperfumeshop.com / $89.00 Sephora) is a hypnotic masculine scent, with a spicy-woody composition. It includes top notes of bergamot and grapefruit, middle notes of leather, black pepper and vetiver and base notes of tonka bean, patchouli and incense. I only got my hands on this fragrance a couple of weeks ago and it has already taken pride of place in my bathroom cabinet.

Liquid Imaginaires Fortis 100ml (£150.00 Selfridges / $210.00 Barneys) is a precious assembly of rare woods and spices - notes include saffron, gaiac wood, amyris, vetiver, sandalwood and vanilla. Only two pumps of this eaux de parfum is needed per use and its smokey, sweet scent lasts several hours. It is the most expensive gift on the list, however it's a real must-have for dads who deserve an extra special treat this year.


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Tuesday 16 June 2015

The Tuesday Tip: Prevent A Patchy Tan


He-Shi Gold Foaming Self Tan Mousse

Self-tan is a real godsend during the summer months, however there is nothing worse than rocking the patchy, streaky look. Luckily, there is one easy way to prevent this... exfoliating! Tanning products tend to stick to dryer areas of the skin, so exfoliating your entire body before applying self-tan will leave your skin soft, patch-free and glowing!

For real self-tan success, slather your entire body in moisturiser after you exfoliate. Make sure you pay particular attention to your elbows, knees, ankles, wrists and feet, as these areas are notoriously dry.

A great exfoliator is the Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Buffing Cleanser 150ml (£21.00 Selfridges / $24.00 Sephora) and I would recommend pairing this with the foolproof He-Shi Gold Foaming Self Tan Mousse 150ml (£24.70 feelunique.com). This marvelous moose provides an instant golden colour that helps you apply the product evenly. Its light mousse texture glides over the skin easily and absorbs very quickly - a must when self-tanning. It is also scent-free, contains natural DHA and can be used on the face, as well as the body.

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Sunday 14 June 2015

Review: Cosmedics Skin Clinics Mole Removal


Cosmedics Skin Clinics Mole Removal Review

I had a facial mole that I absolutely hated. It wasn't that big - when I would complain about it, friends would ask me to point out where it even was. They would also ask why it bothered me so much, however if you don't like something about yourself, it doesn't matter how anyone else see it or feels about it, it has to go.

I was incredibly nervous about getting my mole removed as, if anything went wrong with the removal, I could've been left with a scarred or damaged face. However I spent a few weeks googling the best mole removal spots in London, to ensure a safe treatment, and I discovered Cosmedics Skin Clinics. Cosmedics Skin Clinics are all over London (with two locations in Bristol) and they have great credentials and client reviews. So I booked a consultation and began my mole removal journey!

Consultation day came and I met with Dr Ross Perry, the Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics. We discussed my concerns surrounding the mole and then Dr Perry examined it to see if removal was possible, it was! He then explained what the procedure would involve and how to best look after the area post-treatment.

Mole Removal Before

The treatment itself was very quick and relatively painless, the only pain I experienced came from the aesthetic injection and it only lasted a few seconds. The whole procedure took under 10 minutes and, once complete, I was free to leave and go about my regular business and the mole was sent off for examination. A few hours after the removal, the area felt a little sore, however this only latest a few hours.
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Saturday 13 June 2015

Ingredients 101: Liquorice Root Extract


Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector

Natural or Synthetic: Natural

Origin: Liquorice Root Extract is sourced from liquorice, the root of the Glycyrrhiza Glabra plant.

Location: Liquorice is produced in a variety of countries including Iran, China, Pakistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkey.

Beauty Benefits: Liquorice root extract has been used for its medicinal benefits for hundreds of years; as far back as ancient China! It is one of the few natural ingredients that has been scientifically proven to provide health benefits.

Liquorice root extract contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties and it's effective at controlling redness and flushing. The popular ingredient has also been known to lighten skin and fade dark spots and blemishes.

Liquorice root extract is also the perfect anti-ager, as it is packed with powerful antioxidants that speed up skin cell regeneration, promote skin elasticity and fight the free-radicals that cause early skin-ageing.

Warnings: Liquorice root extract ingredients are safe to use topically.

Found in: The Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector SPF30 15ml (£29.00 John Lewis / $38.00 kiehls.com). This makeup and skincare hybrid is a dark-circle diminishing demon! It is a lightweight, tinted eye cream that has a very thin consistency. Due to its SPF and tint, the Dark Circle Perfector works like a BB cream for the eye area, helping to moisturise, conceal, protect and prime! It absorbs quickly and creates the perfect base for further concealer application. I suffer from the worse dark circles and no concealer hides them completely; however, using this product underneath my concealer does the trick!

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Thursday 11 June 2015

Interview: Indie Lee


In my two short year's of beauty reporting, I've had the pleasure of meeting many inspirational women in the industry, from makeup artists and scientists to CEOs and journalists. However, of all the amazing women I've met, Indie Lee has to be my favourite.

Indie Lee's brand was born out of a brain tumour diagnosis, which, in itself, is pretty inspiring - especially when she considers the tumour to be the "best thing that's ever happened to her". However, that is not why I consider her to be one of the best beauty industry leaders. It is her passionate, funny and incredibility positive spirit that makes her special and her energy is infectious. I walked away from a recent meeting with Indie feeling as though everything I want from life is achievable. If you're ever feeling low or short of inspiration, I urge you to check out Indie's blog.

During our meeting, Indie was kind enough to let me interview her for thebeautyinfomrer.com. So, as you can imagine, I grilled her life, beauty and, of course, Indie Lee...

Indie Lee interview

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

In 2008, I was diagnosed with an environmentally-derived brain tumor and had to undergo major, life-threatening surgery to have it removed. It was a huge wakeup call for me as to how I was living my life. I thought I was healthy, but I had this tumor that was said to have been caused by environmental toxins. It didn’t make sense to me until my doctors told me that it could have been something as simple as what I was putting on my skin day in and day out. After I woke up from surgery, I set out on a new path: To educate others on the beauty choices they make and start my own collection of eco-chic skincare for face and body.
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Tuesday 9 June 2015

The Tuesday Tip: Prevent Brassy Blonde Locks


There is nothing worse than witnessing your beautiful blonde locks go brassy. Luckily there are several ways to treat this dye disaster...


The first fix is to invest in a purple shampoo. The colour may be a little scary, however, because purple is opposite yellow on the colour wheel, the violet pigments in a purple shampoo will counteract brassy tones and neutralise blonde colours. It is important to avoid overusing purple shampoo as doing so will turn your hair purple! I wash my hair with a purple shampoo once a week and in-between these washes, I use a colour-protecting shampoo to maintain the colour. As for which shampoo to use, I can't recommend the Bleach London Silver Shampoo 250ml (£5.00 Boots) enough. It keeps my hair clean, bright and brass-free and it smells amazing!
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Sunday 7 June 2015

Weekly Worship: 001 London Eyecicles


001 London Eyecicles

A few weeks ago I stumbled across this YouTube video from British beauty brand, 001 London. The video was an eye massage tutorial that used the brand's revolutionary beauty device, Eyecicle® (£150.00 001skincare.com). Two minutes into watching the video, I decided that I needed these Eyecicles in my life.

For those wondering, 001 London's Eyecicle is a temperature-conditioning™ beauty device that is chilled in the fridge for 30 minutes and then massaged around the eye area, using acupressure techniques on the seven pressure points. When our bodies react to cooler temperatures (below 29°C), blood vessels are activated to expand and contract, which stimulates blood flow and boosts oxygen and nutrients to our cells. So, because of the cool temperature they maintain, Eyecicles are able to combat thermal ageing, flush out toxins that build-up around our eyes and stimulate blood flow and the metabolism of skin cell growth, to keep the eye area tight, bright and smooth!

Taking the shape of a lollipop, Eyecicles are made with artisan glass techniques and their entire contact surface is rounded and smoothed with no seam.
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Saturday 6 June 2015

Ingredients 101: Cupuacu Seed Butter



Natural or Synthetic: Natural

Origin: Cupuacu seed butter is extracted from the fruit seed of the Cupuacu tree (pronounced 'coo-poo-wa-soo')

Location: The Cupuacu tree is cultivated in the jungles of Colombia, Bolivia and Peru and in the north of Brazil.

Beauty Benefits: Cupuacu seed butter is high in essential fatty acids and phytosterols and this - added to the fact that it has a naturally high water absorption capacity - makes capuacu ideal for dry and damaged skin. The ingredient is similar to, and is often compared with, Cocoa Butter, however it has a much creamier consistency. Cupuaçu seed butter is also rich in antioxidants, including vitamins C, A, and B, amino acids and minerals, such as calcium and selenium. It also provides a natural protection from UVA and UVB rays.
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Tuesday 2 June 2015

The Tuesday Tip: Fix Dried Or Gloopy Nail Polish


Fix Dried Or Gloopy Nail Polish

If your nail polish has dried up or turned gloopy, do not fear! Bringing it back to life couldn't be easier. Simply add a couple of drops of nail polish remover to the bottle, tighten the lid and shake! In only a few short seconds your polish will be back to life and ready to use.

Be warned, although this trick revives a lifeless lacquer, it doesn't do it without compromise. Adding nail polish remover to a polish does weaken its quality and pigmentation. However once it turns gloopy it is unusable anyway, so what the hell...

Now, there is a second way to combat the god awful gloop....using the Mavala Nail Polish Thinner 10ml (£7.60 feelunique.com). This amazing product does exactly what is says and deserves a spot in every nail kit! Your final option is to invest in quality polishes from great nail brands; some of my favourites include Treat, OPI, Caption and Nails Inc.


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