ALL THAT GLITTERS...

Galaxy Glitter Nail Polish, American Apparel £9

My wonderful and talented friend Miss J Bijoux always looks beautiful and immaculate.  I saw her recently rocking these AMAzing glitter tips!  I of course, had to try them myself.  My instructions were:

• Base Coat
• Glitter
• Top Coat to seal

Done!  How easy is that?! xx

Miss J Bijoux's amazing glitter tip nails!

AA Galaxy Glitter

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Active Moist, Dermalogica £41.00 (100ml)

I am very aware that I have not been updating this blog recently, however, from today onwards, I promise to post weekly...

Active Moist is one of the many products from Dermalogica that I love.  If you get a chance to have a skin mapping consultation at one of their concessions, I would highly reccomend it. Also, the consultants are normally quite generous with free samples which is always a bonus when shopping, because lets face it, they're not cheap, so you would want to definitely try before you buy.

As moisturisers go, Active Moist is pretty basic.  It does what it says on the tin - it is an oil-free, lightweight moisturizer in a sheer, easy-to-apply formula helping to hydrate combination skin.

I promise, after a couple of weeks of using this product, your skin will be transformed! The Silk Amino Acids and a unique combination of plant extracts that help improve skin texture and combat surface dehydration will make your skin appear more radiant and healthy.  It works really well under makeup and can be used day and night.

The only problem with this moisturiser is that it contains no SPF, so it's not anti ageing or a a sunscreen.  You can however, add an SPF to it, or just make sure you use a super strong anti age night cream to compensate for not using it during the day.

Available at Selfridges and Liberty

EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED

Im a little sad today because I have a cold and winter has decided to make an appearance. Before the sun finally sets on our favourite season, I wanted to highlight the product that got me through the (let's admit it, non existent British) summer.  

Nars Body Illuminator £33 in Laguna

I have become so addicted to this limited edition summertime only product, that I'm actually considering buying a few more bottles in case Nars decide to discontinue it.  I use it all over my body (in particular my legs) to give that perfect bronzed 'just got off the beach' look.  The cream smells amazing, spreads evenly onto the skin and dries super fast without streaking or rubbing onto clothing.  It only comes in one colour so you can layer it depending on the intensity you wish to achieve.  

I have decided to go for the bronzed goddess look all year...teamed with the D&G baroque look for AW12.

That's winter sorted...Feeling better already!

BLEACHED

My new hair!

I have been dying my hair since I was 16 and remember buying these awful pots of red hair dye from Birmingham's equivalent of Camden Market in the 90's.  The funny thing is, I have 4 sisters who all dyed their hair the same colour, so when we went out, we looked this a crazy red haired, brown skinned grunge band - believe me, it was awesome! 

I have been going to Bleach since they first opened in Dalston a couple of years ago and was very lucky to have been introduced to who I think is the most amazing hair colourist ever, Alisha Dobson.

I wouldn't recommend having your hair done at Bleach if you're precious about customer service - don't expect a cup of tea on arrival, your hair to be washed with hot water, and pointless conversations about what you're doing on the weekend.  It's more like going to your mates house when you're hungover and want to go a crazy colour because you're still drunk! Their laid back and blasé approach to hairdressing is slightly scary, the stylists look like they are randomly backcombing and twisting bleach into your locks, and then throwing flouro colours into your hair, proving that they really are true masters of their art because the end result is always super amazing.  

I would highly recommend taking a trip down to Topshop Oxford Circus or Dalston for a super cool colour or just the good old bleachenders like me.  

Bleach Prices start from £55

R.I.P ANNA PIAGGI

Sad news for the fashion industry today with the passing of style icon Anna Piaggi.  I remember being mesmerised by her at one of the Fashion Week shows a few years ago, her makeup and hair was immaculate and her trousers were half leopard print, half striped, she looked AMAzing! It was like meeting one of fashions fictional characters you believe only exist in the pages of Vogue, or a character out of Zoolander - all of which do actually exist. With her blue hair and eccentric makeup, she really was a one of the rare breeds in the industry who lived and breathed glamour and individuality.  

R.I.P Anna, we will miss you on the front row.

THE FOUNDATION OF LIFE

Sheer Glow, Nars, £29.50

I know there has been a lot of talk about the new YSL Le Teinte Touch Eclat foundation, and I haven't featured it here because I have tried it, but I'm not a fan.  Their lipsticks, eyeshadows and powders are amazing, but this so called revolutionary foundation just didn't do it for me.

Nars Sheer Glow on the other hand really is the foundation of my life.  I used to use St Tropez from the Nars oil free range so when they discontinued it, I went on a crazy online rampage to buy any bottle I could find.  Thank god Nars replaced it with an even better version in two ranges - Sheer Matte and Sheer Glow which are both available in 20 shades.  I use Sheer Glow in Barcelona.  Even though I dont have dry skin, I find that this range gives a more natural look.  It isn't greasy and can be used on oily to combination skin if used with a primer and powder.  It is designed to layer on the skin so that it is never cakey and it contains antioxidents which actually improving its texture and make it appear more radiant.  Mix with moisturiser in the summer when you want minimal yet perfect looking skin that doesn't melt in the heat.

Medium 4 - Medium with golden, peachy undertone

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Moroccanoil Treatment £30.45

Gold, Frankincense and Moroccanoil!

I should call this product of the year because it really is that amazing.  A year ago, the Morrocanoil conditioner was recommended to me by my sister because I really wanted to grow my hair.

After using it for 8-10 weeks, my hair went from a short, messy Alexa Chung bob to Blake Lively's long and lustrous mane.  Even friends on Facebook couldnt believe how long my hair grew in such a short space of time.  Also the condition of my hair had dramatically changed.  I have naturally dark hair with an Ombre Dip Dye so the ends are white blonde.  This product has really helped to retain the colour and condition of my hair without it going brittle, splitting or damaging.

Moroccanoil is made from Argan oil, the nut of the Argan tree which is a plant only found in native South-West Morocco.  This well kept secret among Berber women of Morocco is now known as the 'liquid gold of the beauty industry'.  Its name gives the impression of a prophetic and mystical, Middle Eastern wonder treatment, and even Kim Kardashian has added it to her beauty bag must have!

They have shampoos, conditioners, oils and styling products to suit all hair types, but my favourite has got to be the treatment oil.  It can be used daily as a styling or finishing tool, and its lightweight formula doesn't weigh down the hair which other hair serums can do, making them flat and greasy.  The treatment smells amazing and its formula of antioxidants, proteins, fatty acids, omega-3 oils and vitamins transform and repair the hair.

I have lost count of the number of people I have converted to Moroccanoil, it really is amazing and will probably stay as my product of the year for a long time.