Perricone MD - No Foundation Foundation

We are lead to believe that you need to cover tired, aged, and wrinkled skin with with as much makeup as possible.  However, too much foundation, powder, and also contouring really does age you, no matter how old you are. The key to youthful looking and healthy, glowing skin, is a good diet and also a regimented skincare routine.

Makeup artists are constantly championing clean makeup that looks like second skin.  Im obsessed with flawless looking radiant skin that looks natural, but unless you're gifted with good genes, have regular facials, eat a truckload of superfoods per week, and get enough sleep, its almost impossible to achieve. For this reason, I actually wear less makeup now than I did in my 20s, and I think it does make me look younger and healthier. On the other hand, if you know me, you know I do love looking polished and my makeup is rarely out of place. 

So, when I first heard about the No Foundation Foundation, that creates flawless skin by unleashing the beauty from within, I thanked god... well Dr Perricone.

No Foundtion Foundation is a translucent foundation which has been scientifically formulated with Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitain C Ester to create a dewy, glowy coverage to skin that feels and looks like second skin.  You have probably heard about it, as its one of those cult products you're terrified of trying, because it's expensive, and because it sounds too good to be true. 

No Foundation Foundation now comes in two shades, light and dark which once applied, instantly diffuses imperfections, corrects skin undertones, and minimises the apperance of fine lines and pores over time.  It also provied a non chemical and mineral based SPF 30 which is great for the summer when you want to wear less foundation....  But as summer is an eternity away, you can use it now as an anti ageing formula all year round.  

As a devotee to foundation, I was so curious to try this product out. It could be totally revolutionary and change my life forever. I mean a non foundation, foundation that brings out the beauty within like a real life Instagram filter has got be the best makeup product of all time right? 

The packaging is cute and the bottle is small, but it does go a long way.  All you need is to do is shake bottle, dispense 3 drops on the palm of your hand, dot onto forehead, chin and cheeks, and then press in and finally blend to the desired finish. Add more if you wish, and use with a primer like I did, but too be honest, you really don't need one. 

As I mentioned earlier, I like my skin looking flawless so this has been a product I have been using on days where I don't need makeup... The days I don't really go out and see anyone.. You know, a quick trip to the supermarket or the gym.  

Yesterday, I used it instead of my foundation and the results were incredible. The three drops really did go a long way, and it miraculously covered my skin. I did feel super paranoid on my way to work because my skin felt naked, the feeling I only get when wearing no makeup. 

As soon as I got into the office I asked my colleagues what they thought and they said that they preferred it to my usual look and that my skin was glowing. I hadn't looked in the mirror, hating the way my skin felt and was astonished by how great it looked. It looked glowy and perfect but also velvety and smooth. The kind of look you get from a mattifying and smoothing primer. As you an see from the pic below that it looks radiant and natural. 

I can see a few lines and uneven skin tone but No Foundation Foundation would change this over time. After lunch my skin started to flag and I needed to reapply but I would do that with makeup anyway. It really has me converted. I wouldn't normally use it alone like yesterday, I would now mix it with a drop of foundation and then maybe over time, ditch the foundation altogether. I guess it's all about how confident you feel about your own skin. 

I would highly recommend this to people who use BB and CC cream as its so much better. There's also makeup in the collection too, review coming soon...

Available from Selfridges

£45 

A few ingrediets - 

Alpha Lipoic Acid - A powerful antioxident to minimise pores, fine lines and and imperfections.  Its part of an anti age or acne treatment patented by Dr Perricone.

DMAE - A powerful anti inflamatory which is critical to the contracting and tightrning of muscles helps with skin elaciticy 

Titanium Dioxide - A mineral based sunscrean

Vitamin C Ester - Idel therapy for sun damaged skin.  Minimises discolouartion and firms and brightens skin.

SPRAY IT - Nails Inc launch world first spray on polish

Painting your nails and then watching them dry is like watching, well, piant dry.... 

I normally do mine, three times a week, before bed, and then sleep like a Geisha - with my arms and hands stretched out so they dont get damaged before morning,  It's an art I have perfected over the years, and it works.  I don't have time, or the money for regular salon manicures, but even when I do, I find it incredibly boring, and manage to get at least one scratch on my newly painted nails.

If you're impatient like me, you will love the spray on polish from Nails Inc.  This innovative new product, which is the first of its kind applies polish effeciently and evenly to the nails in seconds.  All you do is apply the base coat, and spray onto fingertips.  Its as easy as that.  The polish then adheres to the basecoat, resulting in the world's fastest mainure! 

Don't forget to wash your hands of course, with water or facewipes.  

It really is that easy.

 Hoxton Square (hot neon pink) and Shoreditch Lane (silver foil) are available 12th November from Nails Inc

£10

BTW... If you haven't already noticed, the campign is fronted by Alexa Chung, so I would definietly reccomend pre ordering because they will sell out super fast.

Review coming soon....

NARS x Steven Klein Pop Up Shop opens today...

Fashion, Photography, Power, Play

The day is finally here.  NARS have opened thier first, and only, pop up shop in London. 

The four day pop up running from 3-6th November, is a celebration of the brands highly anticipated collection with photographer Steven Klein. 

If you're not familiar with Steven Klein, you definitely would have seen his work. He is basically a legend, and one of the most iconic fashion photographers in the world. A visionary, whose provocative work defies the rules of photography, and pushes boundaries to elicit reaction. His work is frequently seen on campaigns for brands such as Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Akexander McQueen, and graced the pages of Vogue, i-D, Numero. As a visionary and pioneer, it would only be fitting that he has worked with music innovators Madonna, Lady Gaga and Kanye West. 

The collection (below) is inspired by the dark side of glamour - it's eerie, seductive, and rule breaking. The makeup collection is all based on existing images by the photographer, which captures the essence of the vision that both Francois Nars and Steven Klein share. It's a powerful, and exquisite, collection, featuring strong campaign images (shot by Klein) to represent a fantasy played by extremes. Team this with with design legend Fabien Baron, and you're onto a winner. 

There are 23 pieces in the collection of Killer Shine lipsticks (£20) and lipglosses (£19), in intense colours from dark to nudes, which are super creamy. Glittering eye shadows (£18), metallic nail polishes (£15), and the highly pigmented Dual Intensity Blusher (£30). The palettes and gift collections are insane! The cheek palette (£45) and eyeshadow palettes (£35) are also incredible. There are a number of lipstick sets but my favourite has to be the Abnormal Lip Pencil Coffret (£45). 

It's all amazing and I want it all. The packaging is fun, sexy, naughty, and weired. It's perfect for Christmas. I already have a wish list from all of my sisters. 

The pop up shop will host a number of in store activities and consultations with leading makeup experts. For a full line-up of events and activities visit the NARS website.

The pop up shop runs from 3rd - 6th November 2015

Opening hours  - 10am – 5pm each day except for Friday, where the store is open from 10am – 8pm

Address - 15 Bateman Street, London, W1D 3AQ

If you can't make it to the pop up and would like to buy the collection, visit NARS and buy it in Selfridges

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

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

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 

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