Wednesday 28 October 2015

Eyes wide open...

NARS AUDACIOUS MASCARA


 I'm a little obsessed with the seventies trend for AW15.  I have the hair, the suede skirt, platforms, fringing, floral, lurex...and I'm even considering flares! Gucci is my dream look.  Its also going strong for SS16 so I have decided to change my makeup to match.

Retro eyelashes (below) are key to this look.  For someone who loves rimming their eyes in black eyeliner, this kind of makeup is tricky to achieve as eye makeup needs to be neautral, and lashes need to be super long and thick.

Wylde Magazine

 I have a constant battle with the lash - no matter what I use, my eyelashes always look the same, bad. I hate them, and I really dislike false lashes, and would stay clear of implants.

The new Audacious Mascara from NARS is a game changer for me.  Its designed with over 200 molded bristles and lengthening hooks to catch and grip each lash from root to tip to lengthen and amplify.  The tapered tip gets onto those difficult to reach inner, outer and lower lashes to create the clean and precise retro look without clumping.  The matt packaging is the typical sexy NARS look which is easy to grip, compact and minimal.  
The mascara comes on super easily and doesn't clump at all.  The desired look can be created by layering, so those lucky people who have naturally thick and long lashes would probably only apply one.  Me on the other hand, needs at least three.  Yes, it even makes my eyelashes look good, and the three layers don't make me look like an extra from a reality TV show.  Its great.  The only criticism I would have is that it's messy, so if you're a swipe and go kind of person, you'll probably poke yourself in the eye like I did this morning, and get mascara all over your eyes. The wand is plastic, so you have to be super careful with the bristles, therefore combing through the lashes carefully. Something I don't have the time and patience for. It does however catch the lashes and instantly make them look longer, thicker and fuller, so that definitely saves time. Also removing the mascara with my usual eyemakep remover is so a breeze, it comes off straight away and doesn't dry on the lashes considering the amount of layers.  


The amazing thing about this mascara is, that its buildable formula lets you reapply over the original application, making it perfect for the parties coming up with the run up to Christmas.

Available fron NARS and Selfridges, Liberty and Space NK 
 £21.00

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Sabon Beauty

Dream Of Harmony


I have discovered a new Beauty brand Sabon which uses natural ingredients and ancient formulas to create products that are not only great for the skin, they act as your therapist too!  

This is a late post, and I know summer is over, but I feel like I need to extend it a little because I'm not ready to let go of the Dream of Harmony range which is still available to buy.  Inspired by tranquility and taking time for yourself, the collection really does exactly what it says on the tin, giving you a spa experience at home, and making you feel happy.

If you're not aware of Sabon, they specialise in creating products to offer a personal and exciting experience for not only the body, but the soul, as they view atmosphere as part of the experience.  All products are Paraban free and enriched with a range of raw ingredients including extracts from the Amazon rainforest and minerals from the Dead Sea. Their first UK store in Covent Gard is definitely worth a visit. It looks like an old apothecary with walls of beautifully packaged products and you have to see the handmade soap bar.

I have been using the shower oil in Clear Dream from this collection which seems to have lasted forever.  It smells amazing, makes skin super soft, and the vintage packaging looks great in the bathroom. It is rich in essential Olive, Avocado, Jojoba and Wheat Germ oils, Omega 3, 6, 7, 9 and vitamins A, E.
 
Shower oil (left)

The Lavender Apple Body Scrub uses a combination of sea salt and essential oils (almond and soy) to revitalizing the skin.  It also smells great and gently exfoliates leaving skin super soft.

Lavender Apple Body Scrub

If you're feeling a little cold and want some pampering, I would definitely recommend heading down to the store on Neal Street, Covent Garden or their website.  There are 100's of products to choose from, for not only the body, but the home too.

Prices start from £6



Monday 5 October 2015

H&M Launch Beauty Department


H&M have a launched a beauty department and its amazing!  Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to the the launch of its new Beauty Pop Up shop on Dray Walk, Truman Brewery which will stock their full range of hair, and beauty products from Friday 2nd October for 5 weeks.  The pop up shop is a fun way to discover the products, as there are experts at hand offering advice, and free in store treatments for customers spending over £15.00 on weekends.

The space is everything you expect from a Scandinavian brand, its clean, minimal...and also very East London.  Also, the fact that its a stand alone store, without clothing, makes it feel more like going into Space NK, or MAC and Bobbi Brown which have both recently moved in around the corner.







As a lover of luxury products, I have to admit, the makeup is actually nice, and I have been wearing it.  The packing looks expensive, there are hundreds of colours, and the visual merchandising and photography is really on point.  I have just flicked through the in store beauty magazine which offers advice on key looks, trends, and information on how to achieve them.  This is a great way for editors to help people choose the products without spending an hour in store, sort of the same way the Charlotte Tilbury counters do.



The nail colours are amazing.  Choose from nudes, to brights, and finish off with lots of glitter.  I had my nails done in store and the colour has only chipped after 4 days.  The Eyeshadow Palettes, Lipsticks, and Glitter Dusts were what stood out for me the most.  Im actually really excited about trying everything out, and with prices starting at £2.99 I will end up buying the entire collection.  Check out the store while you can.

Address: The Old Truman Brewery, Shop 8, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
Closest Tube: Liverpool street

For more information visit www.hm.com

Here's me getting my nails done


A few of my fav products from the collection 



Thursday 1 October 2015

Makeup Be Gone Cleansing Balm


Don't you hate that dreaded time at the end of the day when you have to take your makeup off? Me too. Luckily, I have discovered a product that is so good, I have actually started looking forward to it!

The very appropriately named Makeup be Gone Cleansing Balm is the latest product from one of my favourite skincare brands Trilogy. It is an end-of-the-day cleansing balm which removes foundation, mascara, eyeliner and lipstick. It contains a rich blend of pure plant oil, and ingredients to nourish skin such as mango butter, my favourite rosehip oil, and coconut oil, which nourish skin as well as melting away all traces of makeup.

There's been a lot of talk about beauty balms being the only way to cleanse skin so I was curious about trying them.  I'm normally a traditional makeup remover, and face wash kind of girl as I find its the only way I can effectively remove stubborn eyeliner and mascara, so was quite interested in trying this out.

The balm is solid, but it's quite easy to get out your recommended 1/4 teaspoon amount as it melts quite quickly. Its soft and easy to handle, so it won't really slip out of your hands onto your clothes or on your carpet.  It smells good too, and due to the ingredients being natural, it doesn't have that fake and overbearing mango and coconut scent normally found in cheaper products. I applied it to my face and it melted immediately, dissolving all of the makeup on my face.  It did however make my whole face black.  Yes, depending on the colours you wear, it will vary, so my black mascara and eyeliner made my face dark brown/black.  I would therefore recommend using the balm alone, and in front of a mirror.  Finally, to remove the balm, you have to use the wet, unbleached, organic cotton cloth which comes in the package.  I always make it super hot, apply to my face and leave it for around 30 seconds.  Its the best thing ever, especially if you're tired and cold.  The heat from the cloth, mixed with the natural ingredients makes you feel like you're in a spa, I really love it. After my first use, I was so amazed by how great it made my skin look, I swear I looked 5 years younger. I haven't used a cleanser like this before and wouldn't normally write about a product so quickly after using it.  Even in the morning, my skin looked incredibly radiant and soft.  

This is definitely one of the best makeup removing products I have discovered.  Trilogy products are natural, relatively cheap, and contain natural ingredients which feed the skin with goodness.  The only negative feedback I have is that the cloth is so difficult to wash, and it doesn't remove stubborn eye makup the way oil based products do.  I would suggest removing eye makeup first and then using the balm.

Available from Trilogy and Debenhams 
19.50