Rodial Glamstick

One of the worst feelings for me is having dry lips. You know, that same uncomfortable feeling as having dry hands, I hate it.  I'm constantly reapplying lip balm or lipstick, which I find a real chore, especially when I'm busy at work, or in a place where it's totally in appropriate to do so.

Truth is, I do it anyway, but it's not ideal.

A good lip balm is definitely one of the most important products in my makeup bag, and is treated as seriously as my skincare regime. Having experimented with so many products over the past few years (well my whole life) I would say, Glamstick by Rodial is probably one of the best lip balms I have every tried.

My Glamstick in Blow... but Crush is my favourite for obvious reasons...

Enriched with with Vitamin E, Cocoa Butter, and also containing an SPF, these multi tasking Glamstick's not only hydrate and protect lips, they also come in 9 different colours.  The packaging is so cool, and the coconut flavour smells and taste amazing.

I've been using mine for a week now, and I love it.  I wear it as a base to my lipstick, which is amazing, and then throughout the day I wear it alone. What's great about the Glamstick is that I'm not reapplying as much because it is so hydrating and its lasts a lot longer than my lipstick, or previous lip balms. It softens my lips instantly without that greasy or heavy feeling a lot of glosses have.

The colours are amazing, suiting all skin types. My glamstick (above) looks super bright like a lot of the colours in the collection, but they actually come on really sheer, giving only a subtle hint of colour.

With names like Revenge, Blow, Psycho, and Wet, whats not to love?!

£25 Available from Rodial

Christopher Kane for NARS

Exciting news! One of my favourite designers Christopher Kane, has teamed up with NARS to create a super sexy Limited Edition makeup collection for the Summer  - 
NEONEUTRAL.

Neon and Nude.  The signature colour aesthetic that is now synonymous to Christopher Kane's icon fashion brand can be seen in the collection which features a full line of Eyeshadows, Blushes, Illuminating Multiples, and Lip Glosses.  Sharing their passion for vivid colours, and unconventional creativity, NARS and Christopher Kane have collaborated on London Fashion Week for the past 3 years, and this collection was debuted at his SS15 Show.

I'm thinking beautiful, natural, nude skin with pops colour such as iridescent rose gold, pink lilac, and violet on the eyes.  Lips in coral, or neon pink which stain once the gloss has gone.  I cannot wait to try these on holiday as they're perfect for tanned skin which can be accentuated with the highlighters and bronzer. 


Available April 15, 2015 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com 
and May 1, 2015 at Department Stores, Nationwide

SHOCK OF THE NEW
Christopher Kane brings his signature shock to a collection of unexpected shades inspired by the nature of neon.
Brights so boldly wearable, they behave like neutrals.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Between December and February I looked hideous! I had a horrible allergic reaction to an eyeshadow which resulted in a disgusting case eczema around my eyes.  I know I sound a little dramatic, but it was a terrible three months.  I had to get through party season with swollen, patchy, and red eyes.  Can you imagine?  I endured Christmas, New Year and my Birthday without glittery eyes, black mascara, and my signature cat flicks!  I couldn't wear any eye makeup, or use any perfumed products on my skin.  It was awful.  Last month it got worse, so I finally went to the doctor who prescribed a cream which got rid of it over night.

Luckily, there was some light during these dark days, I discovered the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream.

There was a lot of experimentation during the swollen eyes days - no eye makeup, different eye creams, a lot of apple eating (natural antihistamine apparently) and a whole new set of sensitive skin products.  I found a free sample of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream in my bedroom which I threw into my bag because it was small enough to carry around.  I was so shocked to discover, that after months of trying to calm down my rough, itchy and inflamed skin using hydrocortisone and other over the counter creams, Ultra Facial Cream literally melted the dry patches away with one application!  It is incredible.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a magic potion, so I did need medical treatment in the end.  Since then, I have been really particular about what I use on my skin and use Ultra Facial Cream every day.  It promises to hydrate even the most parched skin (like the one around my eyes) improvement of skin softness, smoothness, and radiance.  This is all true.

Ultra Facial Cream doesn't have a scent, it's not very expensive, and its packaging is really minimal, so I would say, as a whole, this product is completely understated.  Do not be fooled, its probably the best, and most reliable moisturiser I have ever used.  It hydrates my skin beautifully without being oily, its brilliant under makeup because it absorbs quickly, and leaves skin feeling smooth and soft.  It would be perfect if it had an SPF.

I've been researching the product too, and discovered that it has cult status.  I already know that a lot of makeup artists have it as a must have item in their kit, but with fans like Olivia Palermo, Reece Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian, and Cameron Diaz, its not surprising that its flying off the shelves - 2 million jars were sold in 2012, and globally Kiehl's sells 4 jars every minute.

Also, now that its getting warmer, Ultra Facial Lotion is lighter version of the cream and also contains UVA and UVB protection (SPF30).

Since reading this post, around 6 bottle have already been sold.  Go get yours now!

RRP - £24.00 for 50ml, £43.50 for 125ml 

Available from www.kiehls.co.uk

*Please note, I put quite a lot of this cream around my eyes to make the dry skin melt away, and reapplied it every few hours. It won't do that to your entire face on one application. Enjoy. I hope you love it as much as I do... 

  

Glow Business...

Pixi Glow Tonic Beauty Elixir

What is the Elixir of Life 

Definition: The elixir of life, also known as elixir of immortality - a mythical potion (white drops of liquid gold) that, when drunk from a certain cup at a certain time, supposedly grants the drinker eternal life and/or eternal youth.

Ok, so this cult product Glow Tonic by Pixi By Petra wont make you live forever, but it might knock a few years off your skin age.  The oxygenating, exfoliating facial glow tonic will help tone, firm and tighten your skin by removing dead skin cells for healthier looking skin.  It is infused with Witch Hazel to minimise pores, Aloe Vera to soothe, Ginseng and Fructose to brighten, and it's alcohol free.  

I have heard quite a lot of hype about this product on social media so I was interested in finding out whether it really works.  Also, any followers of this blog, know that my beauty mission is to have glowing skin a la Jennifer Lopez (J Glow, as I like to call her) so anything that promises to make me glow, is definitely worth a go.  

After cleansing, add a few drops onto a cotton pad and apply to the skin, avoiding the eye area.  I initially found it too strong, and it made my eyes water, so I was advised to wet the cotton pad with cold water first, and then add a few drops. This totally worked, and after a few weeks of use, my skin felt amazingly soft, and looked brighter.

Unfortunately, just before Christmas, I developed eczema around my eye as a result of an allergic reaction from an eyeshadow which lasted for months.  It was a terrible time - I was in so much pain and was too embarrassment too leave the house.  Obviously, I had to go to work, but I was so depressed.  I even had to ditch my eye makeup as well as every other beauty product on my shelf.  The reaction has finally cleared, leaving my skin is quite sensitive.  Glow Tonic has been perfect to brighten my dull winter skin without me having to use a grainy exfoliator which would irritate my eye area.  I've only been using it  week, but I can already see the difference.

I would recommend this Glow Tonic to anyone with normal, to oily/trouble skin but you wont see immediate results, and it could cause irritation to sensitive skin, especially your eyes.  
Persist with the product like me, and dilute with water.  You will definitely see the results.

Available from Pixie Beauty
£18

Sleep in a bottle

Midnight Recovery Concentrate 

Blue Monday...

Have you been burning the midnight oil? Partying all weekend? Or just affected by the hour of sleep we lost last night?

Me too.  Its Monday morning and Im soooo tired! I used to be able to cope with a few hours of sleep, and thought it was pretty cool that I could function on very little.  However, since finding out that sleep deprivation leads to negative consequences on your mind (makes you more emotional, inability to concentrate, reduced memory), health (slows down metabolism) and appearance (ages skin, puffy eyes, dark circles, dull skin) I now always make sure I get my full 8 hours.... well 7.5 hours too be honest..

Taking care of your skin at night is just as important as your morning routine because skin cells recover and repair over night while you sleep.  My nighttime routine is more of a ritual - I always take my makeup off, and prefer to use an oil which penetrates into the skin easier.

I absolutely love Midnight Recovery Concentrate from Kiehl's which replenishes moisture, giving you younger looking skin by morning.  It absorbs straight into my skin and smells amazing.  Its expensive so a few drops go a long way.  I warm in my hands and then gently press onto my skin.  If you have time, massage it onto the skin to activate circulation.  Midnight Recovery Concentrate is enriched with a blend of naturally derived ingredients - Squalane, Evening Primrose, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, and Essential Oils including Lavender, which of course aids sleep.

Even though right now, all I can think about is crawling back under the duvet, at least my skin is hydrated, softer, and looks brighter.

Happy Monday!

Available from Kiehlshttp://www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/midnight-recovery-concentrate, Selfridges, and Liberty

£36 (30ml)

Midnight Recovery eye review coming soon... 

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

Im obsessed with foundation.  I don't need to wear it because I have relatively good skin, but I like having a flawless complexion.  I used to think this could be achieved though makeup, however, since working with makeup artists, I have realised the importance of natural looking, luminous skin, which comes from a combination or lifestyle, and a very good (illuminating) primer... meaning less foundation.

A couple of months ago, I decided to experiment with other brands, and considered replacing my foundation of 6 years (NARS Sheer Glow) with Dior Star, but after a few weeks of use, I returned to my beloved Sheer Glow because the colour wasn't quite right.  The appeal of Dior Star, was its weightless formula, and its ability to blend straight onto the skin, unlike Sheer Glow which needs layering.

A Potion for Perfection

Typically, when I stopped searching, NARS launches its new All day Luminous Weightless Foundation, which is incredible!  The All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation creates instantly polished, and perfect skin, using a single, weightless drop. Its uniquely fluid, oil-free formula defies the expectations of long-wear foundation, delivering full, natural-looking coverage.  The Even Tone Technology is designed to instantly neutralize redness and dullness, while working long-term to reduce the appearance of discoloration for more even, uniform skin.

I have started a new job, and my commute is super long, so a foundation which promises perfect, yet natural looking skin, which lasts for up to 16 hours is very appealing.  Running from home in East London, to work, way out in West London, and then then back to back meetings with makeup artists, and beauty brands can be stressful.  This new foundation has not failed to deliver, and even stays on after my gym sessions. I love it! 

The foundation itself is so lightweight and highly pigmented, so you only need a drop to get full coverage.  I apply mine with a foundation brush, and blend outwards. The consistency is quite watery, so it comes on amazingly well, and absorbs onto the skin quickly.  There is no need for layering like Sheer Glow, making skin look fresher, and more radiant.  The formula is oil free but the finish is luminous. It also comes in 20 shades, suiting all skin colours. I wear Barcelona, and although it seems slightly darker to Sheer Glow in the same colour, it is still a good match and makes me look like I have just come back from holiday.

Available from Selfridges and NARS 

£32.00

The Braidy Bunch - Selfridges opens Pop Up Braid Bar

Goodbye Ombre and Balayage, theres a new hair trend hitting the catwalks and red carpet - Braids.

Making the transition from playground (or Disney character) to runways, braids could be seen all over SS15 shows from Balmain, to Marc Jacobs, as well as celebrities, Blake Lively, FKA Twigs, and Alexa Chung.

Now here's the reality check. Ever tried braiding your own hair? It's impossible, and so difficult to pull off unless executed correctly. Even the messiest French Plait requires symmetry which can never be never mastered by a novice.  I would suggest leaving it with the skilful hands of the professionals such as The Braid Bar who currently have a Pop Up in Selfridges.

Braid Babes

Open for two weeks only, this new pop up, founded by West London duo Sarah Hiscox and Willa Burton, is exclusive to the Selfridges Beauty Workshop on the Ground Floor. Choose from a visual menu of 12 styles named after supermodels and stars. Braids can also be adorned with beads, hair rings, and streaks of colour.

The Braid Bar

Sarah Hiscox and Willa Burton

Braid Bar Menu

At the Braid Bar, just walk in, theres no appointment necessary, no washing, or blow drying, and the girls are super fast.  Mine took around 5 minutes, its amazing!

Here's my Braid

Blake Lively is the inspiration for my look, because lets face it, no one rocks a braid like Blake!

That's a wrap!

The Braid Bar Selfridges is open until 8th March. Prices start from £10

For further information, visit The Braid Bar or call Selfridges on 0207 318 3647