Bianca's Beauty Blog

Caudalie Vinotherapie Vine Peach Shower Gel

2012-01-24T12:22:00.000Z

RRP: £7.65/200ml from www.feelunique.com

--What does the promo say?--

"Caudalie Vinotherapie Vine Peach Shower Gel is for those who want to transform their shower into a moment of total relaxation. Its intoxicating fragrance blends the sweetness of vine peach and almond milk with the invigorating freshness of mint leaves. Soap and sodium laureth sulfate free, with a plant-derived base, this shower gel respects skin’s natural pH balance."*

--Packaging--

We are promised what the name suggests in a pink-orange plastic tube, which stands alone in the shower. Complemented by dark green script, it fulfils the image we expect of the product and fits in well with the rest of the Caudalie catalogue.

--Application--

Simply lather up in the shower and spread over wet skin before rinsing off.

--Appearance--

A pale pink gel that doesn't appear lurid or unnatural in any way (despite the apparent lack of actual peach in the product). Works up beautifully into a white lather that doesn't leave any visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--

Beautiful, rich and natural-smelling; completely conforms with what we expect, in the most positive of ways (although all we're told about it in the ingredients list is "Parfum (Fragrance)". Grrr.).

--Texture and consistency--

A smooth, creamy and totally luxurious lather; nothing thin or cheap about this. Truly adds to the idea of a spa experience at home.

--Effects on the skin--

With aloe vera and coconut oil I'd be surprised if it had no effect at all; it certainly made my skin feel baby-soft for hours when used in conjunction with the Nourishing Body Lotion.

--Value for money--

This product is a delight to use and it definitely restored my faith in the Caudalie empire, as hitherto I had not been terribly impressed with their offerings (particularly for skincare). Fits well within its category for the price (in this bracket you can find products by Korres, Roger and Gallet, and Neal's Yard, to name but a few) and definitely gives you a touch of luxury at home.

perfect partners

Caudalie Vine Body Butter, £16.95 (FeelUnique.com)

Caudalie Bath Trio Set, £20.50 (Debenhams)

Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa in a Bag, £33.15 (FeelUnique.com)

Caudalie Nourishing Body Lotion, £21.50 (FeelUnique.com)

No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream (Normal/Oily)

2012-01-17T17:59:00.001Z

---What does the promo say?--

"Take off those winter layers and reveal your outer beauty this spring with new No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream. Its unique 3-in-1 formula evens and enhances skin tone and disguises imperfections, while the nutrient-enriched formula helps to banish blemishes. And with the added protective power of SPF 15 and 5 * UVA technology to help skin stay youthful, BB is the only way to wear this season’s must-have essential - perfectly-pared back, beautiful skin."

--Packaging--
The black and white squeezy tube adds to the arsenal of colour schemes permeating the BB cream market: I've already seen BB cream packages that are peach and hot pink before this one, so it's always good to differentiate. This tube is squatter than the other similar products made by No7, but that's not a problem on any practical level.

--Application--

Apply to clean dry skin, over primer if required. Nothing tricky about that.

--Appearance--

This product promises light coverage, and that is exactly what you get. Those with blemishes will unfortunately need to use concealer with this product to get a look they're completely happy with. Powder is also helpful for a more mattifying effect than is delivered by this product on its own. The colour match, however, was perfect for me (I was sent Fair), so I am definitely happy to use it otherwise.

--Texture and consistency--
This BB cream has the nicest texture of any I have tried. It's creamy without being too thick, blends beautifully, and is definitely not sticky. Nice one!

--Effects on the skin--
The SPF seems to be the cream's main selling point, which as well as protecting skin from the sun also provides an anti-ageing benefit. I haven't been able to use the product for long enough yet to say if this does help my acne, though, so the jury's still out on that one (even though the product does contain a small amount of witch hazel, so theoretically should).

--Value for money--
The recommended retail price of £12.95 is probably about the right price point for this cream, as it acknowledges what consumers are prepared to pay as well as the fact that this is a trusted brand that uses quality ingredients. I'll be continuing to use this product as we get closer to summer (my least favourite season - boo hiss).

Give your lips the red hot look with the one million lipsticks giveaway

2012-01-08T18:25:00.000Z

So while Special K's initial 'surprise' for me (which I later found out from other beauty bloggers to be a red nail varnish) never arrived courtesy of the combined crappiness of La Poste and the Royal Fail, their next promotion did: this time a red lipstick created in association with Max Factor. They're giving away one million Colour Elixir lipsticks in this classic shade (named Ruby Tuesday, which I like thanks to the perhaps unintentional allusion to the Jane Yardley book entitled Painting Ruby Tuesday) via their website. All you have to do is buy a box of Special K cereal, hotfoot it to the link, fill in your details (along with the unique code found inside your pack of cereal), and cross your fingers in hope that you'll be one of the lucky million winners. If my experience of the quality of other Max Factor products is anything to go by, you'll be getting a great value product that's long-lasting, and refined in its concept and ingredients.

JML Pedi Pro Deluxe

2012-01-05T08:52:00.000Z

RRP: £19.99

--What does the promo say?--

"Pedi Pro Deluxe is a professional pedicure treatment that fits in the palm of your hand. This electronic personal bodycare system has a high-speed rotating head, with hundreds of ultra fine micro-crystals. The head quickly, but gently, removes dead and hard calloused skin, while exfoliating and rejuvenating your feet. The result? Silky smooth, soft soles that feel like they've just stepped out of the salon. Pedi Pro Deluxe has 2 different speed settings, and comes with buffing pads that will give your feet the perfect finishing touch. Skin shavings collect in the in-built storage tray, so there's absolutely no mess. Safe and easy to use, Pedi Pro Deluxe is the perfect at home salon solution to dry cracked skin on your feet, toes and heels."

--Packaging--

The ergonomic design of the appliance means it sits very well in your hand, and while large (probably the size of your hand!) it's easy to hold. The hot pink plastic means it seems to be very much aimed at women, so even though it's superficial, bringing it out in other colours, such as black, could help it reach a wider market. While it's not always easy to fit all the parts together initially, the appliance is easy to operate thanks to a switch with three settings (full blast, half strength, and off). All of the blades and accessories can be stored with the appliance in its accompanying hot pink drawstring bag.

--Usage instructions--

Push the switch to half strength initially until you get more of a feel for how the appliance works. While the whirring and buzzing does sound terrifying at first, when you put the spinning blade to the soles of your feet it really is as promised: just a gentle buffing away of dead skin akin to the procedures and equipment used by professional podiatrists. Use on dry feet only (i.e. not when you've just stepped out of the shower!) and you may also find it helpful to use it while standing in the shower: while the appliance itself will catch most of the dead skin, some excess does fall outside of this area.

--Effects on the feet--

Just as it says on the tin, dead skin (even really thick layers of it) is gently but quickly buffed away.

--Recommendations for improvement--

This appliance runs on batteries, and I prefer mains-powered appliances, so would prefer a version of the product that plugs into the wall to recharge, even if this makes the product more expensive. I'd also recommend that a version of the product is released that is more like a pen shape (or, alternatively, that an attachment for the current product is trialled), as this is also what's used by podiatrists to get to the sides of the toes and in between toes more easily.

--Value for money--

A great value electrical appliance that does exactly what it promises, is near-equivalent to equipment used by professional podiatrists, is affordable, and is an excellent step up from JML's previous product on this theme, the Ped Egg. Brava!

perfect partner

Pedi Pro Deluxe Replacement Pads, £2.99

Aura-Soma AEOS Cleansing Oil Dé-Maq

2012-01-04T12:38:00.000Z

RRP: £39.98 for 75ml

--What does the promo say?--
"An oil-based cleanser containing a blend of organic and biodynamic essential oils, plant extracts, for skin that tends towards dehydration. Rich in Vitamin E and extracts from avocado oil help keep the skin hydrated. Natural oils from sesame seeds soften the skin and help in the removal of make-up for a deep down cleanse. Can also be used for removing eye make up."

--Packaging--
An opaque plastic bottle with a pump-action top that is so easy to control (unlike Dr Hauschka's products, whose pump action mechanisms are useless). Text on the bottle is also minimal, making the product look luxurious and uncluttered.

--Application--
One of Aura-Soma's retailers, Dolphins and Angels, recommends "[m]oisten[ing] cotton wool pads with water, add[ing] a few drops of the Dé-Maq cleanser and apply[ing] using upward sweeping movements over the face and neck. Repeat as necessary to remove all traces of dirt and make up. Use separate pads for each eye area when removing eye make up." However, I find it doesn't need to be this labour-intensive if you're in a rush: you can just use the pump action to drop five drops of oil into your palm, rubbing together over your palms to create a filmy layer, and then rubbing over your face before sweeping a dry cotton wool pad over.

--Appearance--
The oil is a golden yellow, non-shimmery colour that leaves no visible residues on the skin.

--Scent--
Sophisticated and not without finesse, the scent is luxurious without being too heavy. It's difficult to tell where this comes from, though - perhaps the rosewood, as I wouldn't say that the avocado or sesame oils are at all detectable. Certainly very pleasant and elegant at any rate.

--Texture and consistency--
Despite being an oil, I found that this was completely non-greasy and easy to wipe off with cotton wool.

--Effects on the skin--
It removes makeup effortlessly, but does not cleanse and remove makeup in one go - if you want to cleanse with it you'll need to repeat the process after removing makeup. However, it does cleanse well too and I may have even noticed a slight improvement in my acneic skin during the use of this product.

--Value for money--
At nearly £40 it is expensive (the brand is possibly punching above its weight a little - to put it into perspective, La Prairie, Sisley and Gatineau makeup removers cost this much) and I would arguably expect a product like that to cleanse and remove makeup in just one step. However, of the Aura-Soma products I've tried it is probably the one I'd be most likely to repurchase thanks to its luxuriousness and its efficacy and removing makeup, even though I don't normally spend anything like this much on makeup remover. Plus, we have to remember that all of these organic and biodynamic ingredients can't come cheap and we have to accept that you need to pay what something costs to make, first and foremost. Truly a spa experience at home, this bottle is likely to last a long time and not disappoint.

perfect partners
Gentle Exfoliant Yellow, £36
Enriching Moisturiser Blue, £59
Refreshing Hydrating Mist, £55
Dew Facial Wash, £40

Aura-Soma Pegasus Perfume 58 (Aquatic Flowers)

2011-12-24T16:39:00.000Z

RRP: £79

--What does the promo say?--

"Light earthy floral with touch of water on top notes; light and transparent, often recommended for sensitive skin. A lovely balance between mind and matter, symbolised by earth and sky, or flowers and water. Delicate, sensitive and highly feminine. Pink flowers, rose, lotus flower and pink jasmine, are grounded with a touch of amber and musk and represent the earthy notes. Aquatic notes, such as Japanese seaweed, dewdrops and wild angelica represent the more herbaceous and watery elements on the top notes."

--Packaging--

My sample size from Aura-Soma arrived in a tiny vial in the style of what you can get for free from department stores, so instead of the beautiful pink and blue faded design that you can see above, I had a clear glass tube, through which the pale yellow liquid can be seen, adorned simply with a sticker reading '58'. I feel that the numbers and the names of the perfumes, as well as the name of the line (Pegasus) are a bit superfluous, and that Aura-Soma should just pick one and run with it.

--Application--
Just spritz wherever you want to smell good, and you're away! Aura-Soma's shower gels and body lotions make a good accompaniment.

--Appearance--

Pale yellow fluid in the bottle, as mentioned; invisible on the skin.

--Scent--

As the essential oils used in the collection are, as Aura-Soma's PR were so keen to tell me, sourced from the second largest biodynamic farm in the UK (FYI, it's Shire Farm, in Lincolnshire), I was perhaps expecting something more exceptional. It smelled no more 'natural' than commercial perfumes and smelt a bit 'old' for my age group, perhaps as a consequence of the rose and jasmine that's included. The more unusual ingredients, such as angelica and Japanese seaweed, were as good as undetectable. A great shame, as I was hoping for something truly spectacular and intense.

--Longevity--

Again, this fared no better than commercial perfumes, wearing off within a few hours.

--Value for money--

As perhaps already goes without saying, I wouldn't pay £79 for this, even if the bottle is enormous and even if the ingredients are organic. If I were going to pay £79 for a perfume, it is perhaps with a tinge of regret that I would end up going for a more reliable commercial alternative, such as Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb (100ml EDP). Aura-Soma do better with their body and skin care products, however, so there's no need to give up on them completely.

Only for sale in the UK; see the following stockists:

www.dolphins-angels.com

www.11essence.co.uk

Aloka, 14 East Street, Brighton

Lucia Angelis, 8 Turnpin Lane, London

Myleene Klass Nails for JML

2011-12-20T14:28:00.001Z

--What does the promo say?--

"Get an instant nail makeover with Myleene Klass! Her fabulous new range of stick-on nail wraps will give you dazzling, gorgeous fingertips in just moments. There’s absolutely no drying time necessary, just peel, stick and go – you don’t even need to heat them up. There are so many styles to choose from – a pattern or shade for every outfit. Each design comes in 24 different shapes and sizes, so giving your tips and toes the perfect finish is easy. And best of all, unlike nail polish, there’s no chipping or peeling. They’re durable enough to last all week, but remove so easily you can change your look as quickly as you change your clothes. Whatever the occasion, Myleene Klass Nails will give any outfit a fabulous finishing touch."

--Packaging--

All very neatly done: the cardboard sleeve bigs up the association with Myleene by using a large picture of her, while the fact that it's a JML product is downplayed. The nail wraps are clearly visible through the little window on the sleeve, the sleeve is easy to open and close for convenience and portability, and also comes with a free Myleene branded nail file which seems durable enough.

--Application--

Perhaps inevitably, it's never as simple as the promo makes out. The wraps are certainly easy to apply and reposition - they are essentially just stickers, so if you go wrong you can just peel it off and try again until you're happy. There are also a number of sizes available in the 24-strong pack, so plenty of room for trial and error - although this means the process certainly isn't quick. When you take into account finding the right size, positioning the wraps, making sure all the creases are gone, and then filing the excess away, it's not much faster than applying regular nail polish. People with smaller hands than mine may also find it difficult to find a wrap to fit every finger: my sister and my sister-in-law are both sizes 6-8 and have quite small hands, and I think they wouldn't be able to manage a full set of hands from the sizes offered here.

--Appearance--

I was sent the Burgundy and the Posy sets by JML. When I wore the Burgundy set to work I was informed by a deeply on-trend colleague that the colour was very now (which makes me on trend for about the first time in my life), so for all you fashionistas - Myleene's nails could certainly fulfil your nail needs. However, I never could quite make the creases disappear. Even if they weren't visible from far away, I was certainly aware of them. It meant the nails never quite looked as authentic as genuine nail varnish, which is something that Sephora's nail wraps (for instance), even if they have other failings, do manage to achieve.

--How well do they stick?--

Sadly, not brilliantly (as perhaps already revealed by the telltale creases and the ease of repositioning). Most annoying is the edge at the top of the nail where you've filed away the excess sticker: even if you do this correctly, there is an edge that never quite sticks to the nail and always catches on stuff, ruining the overall smooth effect of the colour.

--How long do they last?--

They are *supposed* to last for days. However, I got sooooo frustrated with the above that I removed them after about a day (thankfully, unlike Sephora's, they are easy to remove).

--Value for money--

At £5.99 for 24, they are easily comparable to Sephora's offering, which is priced between €7,90 and €9,90 for 20 (and you don't get a nail file included with Sephora's). Both are quite expensive for just one or two wears, though, compared to a regular bottle of varnish, even if they do purportedly last a while. I would therefore definitely not purchase from the original or sparkle ranges. However, I would consider purchasing from the party collection: with stars and zebra stripes available, to name just a few patterns, these would be great as a one-off for a night out, as they cost a lot less than the same patterned effects in a salon.

perfect partner

JML Pampered Toes, £9.99
JML Pedi Pro, £19.99

Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Shower Gel

2011-12-11T16:27:00.000Z

RRP: £9.75/295ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Bath and Body Works Shower Gel Paris Amour Shower Gel. A luxurious shower gel with moisturizing Aloe Vera and nourishing Vitamin E that gently clean, soften and fragrance your skin with Paris Amour of French tulips, apple blossoms and sparkling pink champagne."

--Packaging--

The brand's characteristic ergonomically designed curved bottle is complemented this time around by a pink bow and pastel colour design, complete with an Eiffel Tower in the background. Definitely feminine! The push-down lid is practical and easy to use, and labelling is thankfully kept to a minimum - I can't stand it when products are labelled to within an inch of their lives, leaving you without any way of seeing how much of the product is left.

--Application--

Under the shower, lather over your body, keeping away from eyes, mouth, and all other obvious places. Rinse off at leisure.

--Appearance--

The gel is pale pink and lathers into a pale white foam; no visible residue is left on the body after use.

--Scent--

It never ceases to amaze me at how companies manage to achieve the effect they want without using the actual ingredients concerned. Even though this gel does not, of course, contain pink champagne, tulips, or apple, that is strangely exactly what is detected by our noses. (Although who knows whether that's because it's what we've been TOLD to expect?) The shower gel smells fruity and floral with a slight 'fizziness'. Bizarrely, the aloe vera is not at all detectable.

--Texture and consistency--

The gel itself is perhaps a little too viscous for my liking, but it lathers nicely into a foam that's satisfyingly thick (although not absurdly so).

--Longevity--

Sadly, the smell does not linger. While the gel makes body skin feel soft, I'd say the effect of this is no more and no less than any other gel, in spite of the presence of aloe vera and vitamin E.

--Value for money--

While Bath and Body Works products always make great gifts thanks to their tantalising and unusual scent combinations and concepts, and offer a practical purpose combined with a luxurious experience, I can see how some people may begin to find this a bit on the expensive side, especially considering that so few natural ingredients go towards making up the scent itself. Some may consider Ecosoapia's hand and body wash products to offer a more viable alternative - they're £5 for the same amount of product, and are organic, meaning that the origins of the scent are probably more easily traceable. However, Ecosoapia's offerings are fairly standard (peppermint, almond, rose geranium...), whereas Bath and Body Works inject truly new and different fragrances into today's market. What tradeoff/s are you willing to accept? Only you can decide.

perfect partners

Paris Amour Body Mist, £10.45

Paris Amour Body Lotion, £10.15

Paris Amour Body Cream, £10.50

Paris Amour Body Butter, £11.50

Cosmetics & Beauty News October/November 2011

2011-11-30T16:01:00.000Z

Natural News

As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, Neal's Yard Remedies has launched a brand new website, NYR Natural News, where you can search for everything you want to know about natural health and wellbeing.The new site promises to offer readers a wide range of resources to boost their knowledge and understanding of natural health and complementary medicine.

Spa-tacular

Alexander House Hotel & Spa, East Grinstead, has scooped a top accolade from the prestigious worldwide Spa Finder Readers Choice Awards by being named the Best Spa For Romance in the UK. Facilities include double treatment rooms, an outdoor spa garden with its own hot tub and plenty of comfy nooks and crannies to hide away, alongside spacious individually designed bedrooms, some with double showers and sumptuous Victorian bath tubs with room for two - all designed with romance in mind.

You can also create a spa-style atmosphere at home with Radox, who have commissioned Marconi Union to produce the most relaxing track in the world (allegedly more so than any spa treatment or massage). Five thousand women have already turned to the new track, entitled Weightless, in a bid to get that spa feeling every day while saving pennies. The track can be downloaded for free here.
In case you fancy a spa-style treatment at home while you listen, spa and skincare brand ESPA is now even more accessible thanks to the opening of its newest concession in Westfield Shopping Centre's House of Fraser. Find the best products for your skincare concerns thanks to ESPA's Skin Vision technology and give yourself a pampering experience at home.

Hair removal warnings

Women are being warned about unqualified hair removal “clinics” that totally disregard health and safety rules and use cheap devices bought on the internet. The service is very often an add-on to beauty salons cashing in on the huge demand for “unsightly” hair by women who are falsely reassured that they are in safe hands. Horror stories include burns to arms and legs, and eye damage because safety glasses have not been worn by patients. Other injuries are caused by inferior IPL (intense pulsed light) equipment. Britain’s leading ethical hair removal organisation, Laser Active, says the government, as part of its cuts, abolished regulatory controls and opened the floodgates for anyone with a cheap pen light or laser to set up in business. “Since controls effectively disappeared we’ve seen an explosion of amateurs setting up as hair removal experts,” said Laser Active founder Gill Leeden, a qualified nurse who had to pass an intensive training course before she could launch her popular clinics in Canary Wharf, London, and Knebworth in 1998. Gill, whose company is currently being franchised across the country in a bid to stamp out the cowboys, continued: “As the government appears to have abandoned any official regulatory control over these dangerous practices, then we have to offer people a safe and ethical alternative." Laser Active says its franchises will only be available to qualified nurses who agree to undertake proper training, but the benefits to patients will be enormous. “They can undertake treatment in a safe environment where their health is paramount and which

uses only the best equipment, handled by properly qualified and registered nurses,” she added.

Beautifully healthy

Staying cold- and flu-free becomes increasingly difficult as winter sets in (especially if, like me, you have a day job that brings you into contact with baby germs - the most potent germs known to man), so many brands try to help us protect ourselves from colds, soothe sore throats, and keep skin and senses nourished. One of these is Burt's Bees: with its affordable naturally medicated lip balm with eucalyptus and menthol oils, its natural throat drops (available in honey or honey & lemon flavours), aloe and witch hazel hand sanitizer, and its therapeutic bath crystals, you're well set to defend yourself while keeping your bank balance in good health too.

A/W 2011/12 cosmetic collections

See out 2011 and see in 2012 with new makeup collections from Burberry and Smashbox (or get someone else to buy them for you; tis the season after all!). Burberry's 60s-inspired collection focuses on sculptured brows, stormy wintery eyes and soft cheeks. Mascaras, eye shadows and eye definers from the new collection come in shades of brown and kick off at £15.50, while rose lip shades also start at the same price point. Sheer concealers and foundations also promise New Year confidence, although how far base collections with 'beige' in their name can truly cater to true English roses perhaps remains to be seen. For those who always have trouble picking the right eyeshadow colour, Smashbox's newest palettes promise to help: with one palette for blue eyes, one for hazel eyes and one for brown eyes, and with 3 shades in each box for a soft everyday look and 3 for a smoky eye, doing your eye makeup seemingly just got foolproof (even if L'Oréal did beat them to it some years ago with their eye and lip collections based on the same concept).

Heaven scent

Further to the recent news of Burberry releasing a single in collaboration with The Feeling to accompany the Burberry Body TV ad campaign, Burberry today announces the music video of the soundtrack. The exclusive track, entitled The Feeling – Rosé Unplugged at Abbey Road for Burberry, is the first release of a single by a luxury brand. Featuring model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the video is now airing on television music stations.

Nature, style and sustainability

Artist Vicky Woolford's brand, Sávar, recently launched its premium natural and organic product range which features all that is best in nature, style and sustainability. Concerned about the effect of substances on her hands after days spent painting in the studio Vicky has developed a range of 12 luxurious products, ranging from cleansers to anti-ageing moisturisers, as well as products for men, which are all 99% plant based. Vicky has personally selected the exquisite fragrances for the range, painted the subtle abstract inspired artwork for the labels and photographed the flowers for the beautiful Savar gift cards. The exotic ingredients list includes New Zealand blackcurrant oil, organic bilberry, marshmallow extract, organic fig, lemon balm, lime flower, and organic goji berry.

Sávar ships worldwide, and is exclusively available online at www.savaronline.com

Sticky moments no more

As a sufferer of hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating), I'm constantly on the lookout for the latest miracle. I wonder if this will do it? An AHC range of antiperspirants found on www.scrubsuk.com certainly seems a more appealing at-home alternative than an iontophoresis kit, and definitely more appealing than the outpatient option (which I've been offered in the past). Containing no colorants or preservatives, the products apparently help to close pores and work after the first application, using plant extracts to soothe and protect, such as clove oil and sage. Assuming nothing better comes along, I'll definitely be giving these a try myself.

Sticky sweet lips
Sticky sweet desserts, however, are quite another matter, especially when they don't add to your waistline. Vaseline's Limited Edition Crème Brûlée Lip Therapy seems to tick all of these boxes. It's already proved hugely popular, selling out in several stores - but keep your beady eyes peeled and you may still be able to get hold of one before 2011 is out. At £2.99 it's an affordable stocking filler - or an equally affordable treat for yourself.

Cosmetics Contemplations: Christmas Collections 2011

2011-11-27T16:05:00.001Z

And on that highly alliterative note, let's begin.

Giorgio Armani's Madre Perla Collection

Aiming to epitomise the glamour of the 1930s, this collection takes the art deco movement as its inspiration, exploiting pure lines, sophisticated colours and luxurious details to their fullest extent. The £95 Madre Perla palette evokes silk lingerie and is set off by lacquer and metal, while the more affordable Eyes To Kill eyeshadows (£24.50 each) come in glistening taupes, golds and silvers. The Gloss d'Armani capitalises on bolder colours - shown above are shades Rouge 404, Pink 507, Plum 603 and Plum 604, which at £21 each, would make a glamorous yet not bank-breaking gift.

Bath and Body Works All I Want Liplicious Collection

Despite being unavailable in the UK (sob), these look just too delicious to not feature here. Bath and Body Works' festive glosses combine holiday flavours with Vitamin E and jojoba oil, and are available in five cheekily-named variants: Gingerbread Giggle, Candied Smile, Peppermint Hug, Snickerdoodle Squeeze, and Cranberry Kiss. At $8 a pop (or $16.50 for the whole set of five), they're the perfect stocking-filler.

Get ready to party with MADARA Skincare

MADARA's Flower Dust Shimmering Body Lotion (£22) promises to turn heads at Christmas parties with its light-reflecting particles, as well as protecting skin from winter cold with its nourishing ingredients (including calendula, camomile, seaweed and rosehip). Its £25 Tinting Fluid uses St John's Wort, cocoa and plantain, among other ingredients, to allegedly help give you a natural dewy complexion while disguising imperfections and fine lines - but with only coming in two shades, I'd say that this tinted moisturiser is a bit of a gamble. The brand's Tinting Lip Glosses, priced at £9.90 each, may be a better bet, combining natural colours with moisturising properties using plant minerals, mica, soy beans, sea buckthorn and more.

Luxurious gifts from Chantecaille

Chantecaille's Swarovski-studded bottles and compacts are sure to glitter under the trees of those willing to cough up. Its Crystal Fragrance (of which there are 5 scents: Pétales, Tiare, Vetyver, Frangipane and Kalimantan), whose bottle was designed by artist Cimon, retails at £500, but even those with more modest budgets can also partake: its South Sea Pearl body highlighter, enclosed in a flow-through brush, costs £46, which while extravagant is not totally out of reach. The £75 Evening Duo contains two exquisite new eyeshadow shades, and is adorned with crystals aplenty.

Holiday Gifts from L'Occitane

The Holiday Confiserie comes in two different variants for L'Occitane fans this Christmas. The Rose and Violet collection (Délice des Fleurs) contains violet and rose leaf absolutes, and includes an eau de toilette, a solid perfume, a shower jelly, a body milk, a hand cream, and a lip gloss. The Délice des Fruits variant smells of lemon and clementine and offers customers a lip balm, shower jelly, body cream, perfumed soap, bath ball, hand cream, sweet candle, and home perfume diffuser. Prices start at £3.50.

Ellis Faas Winter Gift Set

To celebrate the season, Ellis Faas has devised a £60 gift set, comprising three best-sellers: Milky Lips L201, Creamy Eyes E103 for an easy smoky eye, which can also double up as a liner, and Milky Eyes E209 for fresh accents. Their bullet-like pens and refuse-to-budge hold never fails to impress.

With all of that to choose from, you certainly shouldn't be short of ideas now *cough*guys*cough*. There's something here for every style and budget, whether you prefer the edgy expense of Ellis, or the affordable offerings from L'Occitane. Wishing you a happy shopping season!

Murine Bright and Moist Eye Drops

2011-11-20T15:05:00.001Z

RRP: £4.07/15ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Murine Bright And Moist Eye Drops are formulated with a brightener to give super-white bright eyes. The long lasting drops also contain moisturisers helping to refresh and soothe eyes. Plus, the eye drops come in a liquid gel, a slightly thicker consistency helping them to stay in your eye. For great looking and great feeling eyes, in an instant!"

--Packaging--
Beautiful in its design and detailed in its instructions without being overwhelming. Tells you everything you need to know on the box and on a leaflet inside. The plastic eye drop bottle is plain, white, and with a tapered tip as well as a secure screw-on lid.

--Application--
Adults and teens (from age 13 onwards) are advised to tilt head back and squeeze one or two drops into each eye, up to four times a day, without letting the tip of the dropper touch the eye or any other surface. Contact lens wearers can use these, but you can't put in your lenses until 15 minutes after applying the drops. The drops are also not recommended for everyday use. In any case, application is simple and not at all problematic.

--Appearance--
The eye drop gel is completely clear.

--Scent--
Nothing really obvious, not even anything vaguely medical.

--Texture and consistency--
Normally I hate using eye drops as within a few minutes it travels down through all the other vital canals (nasal, throat...) before choking you with its taste. This did not happen with these at all, so I was very pleased. If all eye drop manufacturers could adopt this formula then they'd be making millions of users' lives so much more pleasant.

--Effects on the eyes--
I admit to being sceptical about the product's claims to give me great-looking eyes "in an instant". However, these drops did do exactly that, giving me natural-looking but visibly whiter and brighter eyes. It did also help to refresh and soothe, so would be helpful if you were feeling tired.

--Value for money--
At £4 it's hardly going to break the bank, but I still don't know if I'd buy it again: I can't see it becoming a regular part of my routine, as I'd be mostly likely to use it only if I were very tired, or if my appearance was going to be exceptionally important/if photographs were going to be taken (e.g. at a party or at an important meeting). But seeing as the pack advises you to throw it out within 28 days once opened, you'd need to be quite sure that you were going to use it a darn sight more than this to make it worth your while. I would use Murine eye drops again - but perhaps only for a more specific everyday concern, such as dry eyes or irritation and redness.

Other Murine products
Dry And Tired Eye Drops
Contacts Refresh and Clean Eye Drops
Irritation and Redness Relief Eye Drops

www.murine.co.uk

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

2011-11-15T12:31:00.000Z

RRP: £38.75/28ml

--What does the promo say?--

"The intense, aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils in this rich, restoring night-time treat is suitable for all skin types. It helps to soften dry or mature skin and balance combination or oily skin."

--Packaging--

Clean and pretty at the same time, this packaging denotes quality in its detail.

--Application--

You can apply this separately, before moisturiser, or mix it with your moisturiser for the final step in your skincare routine. I usually prefer to mix oil with moisturiser, but you can just choose what's best for you.

--Appearance--

Looks like a high-end, good quality product from the moment it comes out of the bottle. Its golden colour sinks invisibly into skin.

--Scent--

Unlike the rest of the Superskin range - which can seem to have little scent - the Superskin Concentrate has a natural, herbal fragrance that is evident without being too strong.

--Texture and consistency--

Smooth and enriching, the product sinks easily into skin.

--Effects on the skin--

As well as smoothening the skin, it also leaves it feeling softer and non-greasy.

--Value for money--

While not the cheapest product on the market, this is far from being the most expensive. It's good value for the quality of the product, and it lasts a reasonable period of time as well as you don't need to use it in excessive quantities. Nonetheless, as a bargain hunter I would say that you are better off searching out a deal in store or on QVC rather than paying full price ;-)

perfect partners

Eye and Lip Treatment, £26.50

Moisturiser, from £12.75

Bust Treatment, £27.25

Body Cream, from £12.50

Superskin Essentials, £56.70

Superskin Try-Me Kit, £27.50

Superskin Christmas Collection, £78.00

Dainty Doll Hot Pour Concealer

2011-11-11T18:13:00.000Z

RRP: £14.30

# of shades available: 3

--What does the promo say?--

"Some things are best kept secret, so mask imperfections while helping them heal with this Dainty Doll Concealer Hot Pour. Very Light. This creamy concealer is enriched with skin loving ingredients that camouflage flaws while protecting your skin."

--Packaging--

Sophisticated, glamorous and artsy. The drawing of the Nicola Roberts-a-like on the box is vivid, albeit perhaps a little unrealistic in what it encourages women to aspire to, and the compact comes with its own mirror. The box is enormous compared to the size of the compact though, so be prepared for a slight disappointment when you open it.

--Application--
The worst ever of any concealer I have tried. It is impossible to apply with your fingers, unlike more traditional foundation, and while decent coverage is achievable, it takes much longer than with other concealers - you need a proper concealer brush to do it, and even then it lengthens the routine of putting on your face by significant proportions.

--Scent--

Some reviewers say it smells of cocoa butter; I personally couldn't detect this, but as it does contain shea butter, maybe my nose is just defective.

--Texture and consistency--

A bit too cakey for my liking and not always easy to blend. Be prepared to work hard when applying it!

--Appearance--

I was amazed to find that the lightest shade (001) wasn't right for my skin tone, being too light. This meant I had to work a lot harder with foundation and powder to obtain something resembling a natural look. You definitely couldn't go out wearing this concealer on its own as the overall look of the thing is just far too patchy.

--Longevity--

Lasts quite well once on (it is water-resistant, though, as I found out when I tried to mix it with water to make it easier to apply with my fingers, so I suppose this should be expected), but is it enough to compensate for the frustration and time it takes in applying it?

--Value for money--

While I might be willing to try this in another shade, this is officially the world's crappiest product in terms of the fact that applying it is just so damn time-consuming! I just don't have that kind of time on my hands - and in the end this, coupled with the fact of the shade being the wrong colour for me, I threw out the thing before it was empty (NB I practically never do this). For this price, Benefit's Boi-ing concealer is better for blendability and speedy application while competing well on durability. Dainty Doll is also overpriced for the brand name: as well as Benefit concealers also coming up in this price bracket, you can also spend your £14 on concealers by Elizabeth Arden, BareMinerals, Smashbox, Clinique, Shiseido and BareEscentuals - indicating that pricing Dainty Doll with them is way off. My advice? Unless you really cannot find a shade *anywhere* else to suit you, choose something else.

perfect partners

Loose Mineral Powder Foundation, £15

Wonderbalm, £16

Mascara and Eyeliner Duo, £14

GlossyBox

2011-11-06T16:38:00.000Z

RRP: £10 a month

--What does the promo say?--

"Stay up to date with current trends and discover new niche brands. Every month, GLOSSYBOX delivers a mix of 5 exciting product miniatures packed in a beautiful box for you to test at home. Our product selection is original and innovative. You can try them out in the comfort of your own home and in your own time without any pressure from sales associates."

--Packaging--

When Glossybox offered to kindly send me a free Glossybox, I was in no universe expecting it to be so beautifully packaged. The pale pink and black box is sturdy and pretty, filled with luxurious ribbon and tissue paper in coordinating colours, and comes with full product information too (also printed up in their black and pink colour scheme). Definitely has the wow factor as well as being practical; for the packaging alone, a Glossybox subscription would make a great gift. Swift and secure dispatch also ensure it arrives promptly and undamaged.

--Contains--

As mentioned, you get five product samples (not including multiples; I think including multiples I had 6 or 7 individual pots, vials or sachets). I was intrigued to find out whether these would be full size products, or no more than the teeny sample sizes you get at any posh beauty counter. As it turns out, it's a mixture of the two.

--Concept--

It takes the same view as a magazine or mobile phone subscription: you pay £10 a month to receive an ongoing service. Unlike a magazine or mobile phone subscription, though, the Glossybox can be easily personalised: on the Glossybox website, you can fill out beauty profiles so that you're sent things that fit your beauty and styling requirements. In addition, there is a loyalty scheme on the website which enables you to pick up 500 GlossyDots for every friend you recommend, and 20 GlossyDots for every product from the box that you review on the site. Once you attain 1000 GlossyDots, your next box is free. This all encourages active use and consumer loyalty. Buying products you have enjoyed using is also enabled through the site, and cancelling subscriptions seems to be easy based on the website description of the process. The only feature I would add to the concept would be some sort of forum or service enabling GlossyBox users to interact as an integral part of the site: while there is a blog (and doubtless various Facebook and Twitter accounts), the site community would be strengthened further if its users could communicate with each other more easily.

--Product satisfaction--

With GlossyBox promising high-end and niche products alike, I was certainly not disappointed with the selection I received in the September box. I used one of the two generously-sized Dead Sea Spa Magik Salt Brushing sachets on a weekend away in the Loire valley, which rejuvenated and energised as well as fitting in with the luxury setting of my weekend. At £12 for 500ml as advertised on the site (offers exclusive to the site/to GlossyBox subscribers could perhaps be another way forward, allowing companies to shift more of their products and keep GlossyBox users loyal?), I would definitely buy. The HD Brows set is sophisticated and technical, and the Moa green balm is a serious contender to Liz Earle's Superbalm thanks to its multitasking moisturising rescue properties for your whole body. The Neal and Wolf Glow Super Shine Spray is also sure to add a touch of glamour and confidence to any girl's hair. The sample of Plum perfume, by Mary Greenwell, was the only thing I was disappointed with - not for its scent, but the sample size was nothing special and no different to what you get as a freebie if shopping in a department store. However, the box definitely gave me the chance to try products I'd had earmarked for a while (the Moa green balm had been pinned to my fridge in the form of a magazine cutout for months) as well as to discover products I didn't know to exist.

--Value for money--

While for some people £10 seems a lot for something unnecessary, people across the world spend this sort of money routinely on things like state-of-the-art mobile phones. However, the statements made by the company are valid: this is a good way to try a lot of new, different beauty products at once without wasting your money on full size packs. I have also heard GlossyBox lovers justifying the purchase with reasons such as them not drinking or smoking, and so that this is their affordable monthly luxury. And I don't blame them - the brand easily fulfils its brief of delivering a slice of daily sophistication to users' doors, and I have already recommended it to my husband as a gift for a family member this Christmas. Top service.

Green People Vita Min Fix

2011-11-04T10:33:00.001Z

RRP: £14.95/50ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Voted ‘Best Moisturiser for Dry Skin’ by Natural Health & Beauty magazine. A 24 hour solution for normal, dry and tired skin. An explosion of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Regenerates and nourishes your skin. Promotes production of new skin cells. Delicate, natural scent. This natural skin care product is made without Parabens, Lanolin, ethyl alcohol, artificial perfumes, petrochemicals, phthalates and colourants to bring you the purest moisturiser that nature can offer. Certified with the Organic Food Federation. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Also available in a 10ml travel/trial size. This product contains Fairly Traded Ingredients."

--Packaging--

The white and blue bottle (looks like a pump-action bottle; I wouldn't know, as Green People kindly sent me a sample tube that works more like a lip gloss) tells you everything you need to know without overloading you.

--Application--

Apply onto clean dry skin after cleansing and toning.

--Appearance--

A white, slightly translucent cream which blends invisibly into skin.

--Scent--

Floral and natural without being overpowering. It also seems slightly fruity, although I don't know what ingredient/s could be giving me this impression. Overall very pleasant.

--Texture and consistency--

Light and non-greasy, rather than intensive; sinks into skin quickly.

--Effects on the skin--

Sadly, I think this made my acne worse, but then again it was clearly never made for my skin type. I can see how it would definitely be better for normal or dry skin and will be passing this on to someone else whose skin type is closer to this for a more accurate assessment.

--Value for money--

It is great to see a genuinely ethical company endorsed by genuinely ethical organisations, such as the Organic Food Federation and the Vegan Society, as opposed to all the other companies out there who think sticking a leaping bunny on the tube (which is linked with BUAV - possibly one of the most questionable "ethical" organisations out there) makes it all OK. Despite my negative experience with this cream, I am not put off trying a Green People product again that might be better suited to my skin type - and I don't think £14.95 is a lot to pay for 50ml of genuinely natural and ethically produced cream.

perfect partners

Eye Cream (night), £8.50/10ml

Fruitful Nights, £14.95/50ml

Kleenex Eye Make-Up Removal Wipes Sensitive

2011-10-30T17:23:00.001Z

RRP: £2.99 for 24

--What does the promo say?--

"Gently and effectively removes eye make-up including waterproof mascara. Made with ecoform natural fibres; lower environmental impact than standard wipe material."

--Packaging--

A slender 'roll' with a sticky peel-back opening that's easy to open and close and protects the wipes well. Wipes don't dry out at all inside the roll, and the image of a masquerade mask gives a distinctly female impression (even though other products in this range, such as the cotton cloths, are equally likely to be used by men). I also love how the ingredients' purposes are explained on the back, in brackets next to the scientific terms. All companies should do this! In short, good-looking, user-friendly, and functional.

--Usage--

Wipe over eyes (or indeed whole face, although they are perhaps a tad small for this) to remove makeup. Simple.

--Appearance--

White wipes that glisten slightly with makeup remover. Makeup remover itself is invisible on the face, leaving no residue.

--Scent--

Like clean washing; not at all chemical or clinical.

--Texture and consistency--

Face feels smoother and calmer after use, and while you could get away with not using moisturiser afterwards, you would probably prefer to use one.

--Effectiveness--

Definitely removes makeup brilliantly without you have to rub too hard or irritate your skin or eyes. Yes, even waterproof mascara as promised! No complaints.

--Value for money--

I don't buy wipes in general as I feel traditional makeup remover represents superior value for money. However, I do take wipes on holiday with me, and would definitely use these again: they're effective, inexpensive, and from a brand you can trust. Could not ask for more; Kleenex is to be applauded for making this (albeit totally natural) move so successfully.

perfect partners

Extra Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes, £2.99 for 24

Cotton Touch Facial Cloths, £1.99 for 30

Shine Absorbing Sheets, £2.99 for 50

Aquafresh Ultimate + Whitening

2011-10-27T14:32:00.001+01:00

RRP: £1.79

--What does the promo say?--

"Keep your family's teeth in good hand with Aquafresh Ultimate Whitening Toothpaste. Aquafresh Ultimate's unique formula helps to strengthen the 30% of visible teeth, as well as helping to protect the 70% that isn't by helping to keep the gum seal tight and healthy. How does Aquafresh Ultimate protect? Above the gumline: Aquafresh Ultimate contains fluoride which helps to strengthen the enamel of the teeth and protect from cavities. Below the gumline: The unique antibacterial formula in Aquafresh Ultimate kills bacteria that can build up along the gum line, helping to keep the gum seal tight and healthy, protecting the tooth below. Not only this, but Aquafresh Ultimate also leaves you with fresh breath and a great clean feeling - now that is something to smile about."

--Packaging--

The blue, white and red is fairly standard among toothpaste brands, but the fact that it stands on its flip-top lid is pretty handy.

--Usage--

As with all other toothpaste: just don't decide to eat the whole tube in one go and you'll be fine. Put some onto your toothbrush and brush away before rinsing and spitting.

--Appearance--

Aquafresh's characteristic blue, white and red stripes are all there and work their way into a bluish-white foam. No visible residue is left on teeth after use.

--Scent and taste--

Very minty! All very usual.

--Texture and consistency--

Foams up well in the mouth without making you feel overloaded.

--Effects on the teeth--

Strangely, even though the whitening aspect of this toothpaste is mentioned on the tube, the promotional material still emphasises protection and strengthening above all other aspects, almost completely bypassing the whitening - making me feel like they've added this version to the range just as an afterthought. While I didn't notice any significant whitening, the blotching on my teeth (thanks to a combination of fluorosis and train tracks) was reduced even further (having already been reduced by two professional whitening treatments), so this was already an improvement. Plus, a visit to my dentist yesterday after not having gone for nearly 2 years (oops) revealed I have no cavities - so maybe this toothpaste helped in that regard too.

--Value for money--

At this price, it's in the average bracket for toothpastes, competing well with other products. I'd recommend it as a normal everyday toothpaste, even if not for whitening per se (perhaps go with a specialist, like Arm&Hammer or Blanx, for this), and perhaps also recommend using with an electric toothbrush for even better results.

Radox Bath Smoothies

2011-10-26T16:42:00.000+01:00

RRP: £2.99/250ml

available in 3 variants: Spirit Booster (pomegranate, yoghurt and elderberry), Soul Soother (cranberry, blackcurrant, camomile), and Tropical Tranquility (myrrh, coconut and almonds)

--What does the promo say?--

"Radox Bath Smoothies Spirit Booster will allow you to relax in the sumptuous bubbles whilst super fruits like natural pomegranate and elderberries, blended with yoghurt, comfort your skin. Packed with berry goodness to leave you feeling totally pampered. Your skin will thank you."

--Packaging--

While clearly distinguished from its squeezy-tube Shower Smoothie counterparts, the "handwritten" effect, Radox logo and sumptuous illustrations all identify the product clearly with its brand. Strangely, the bottle is not in the least impractical, and pours and travels well.

--Application--

Even though no instructions are given on the bottle, it's probably fairly self-explanatory for most: pour a couple of capfuls into a bath until the required bubble quotient is reached. Then just relax! (Can also be used in a shower situation: just rub over wet skin like you would with a normal shower gel, then rinse off.)

--Appearance--

The Spirit Booster variant (kindly sent to me by Radox) is a runny purple creamy liquid that's similar to a blackcurrant or elderberry colour. This froths into fine white bubbles and leaves no residue on the skin.

--Scent--

Very fruity and very natural; it's also a very strong smell that lingers on the skin for hours (unlike that of the Shower Smoothies that came before it). The pomegranate and elderberry are detectable in the scent, while the yoghurt isn't (I'm guessing the latter is there mainly for texture though).

--Texture and consistency--

Very creamy and luxurious - just what Radox is famed for. Its runniness means you obviously have to make sure you don't get too enthusiastic about pouring it out of the bottle, though, but not in any serious though.

--Effects on the skin--

Softens the skin, but no more than any other bath or shower product. Saying this, though, my body skin is normal to oily, so tends to regulate itself pretty well; this means I don't see nourishing effects perhaps as much as some people.

--Value for money--

Surprisingly few companies are offering this quantity of shower gel, for this price, at this level of luxury. The closest companies that come towards filling the gap are Original Source and Dove, but neither of them fulfil the consumer needs that Radox do. In addition, as it's an effective and enjoyable product, I would thoroughly recommend it.

--Other comments--

My complaint with the Shower Smoothies was that they apparently had little in the way of practical function, when what I really like it to combine pampering with practicality. The Bath Smoothie, however, does do both: as well as being a pleasing experience, I can also see how it would nourish, and its strong natural smell has quite an aromatherapeutic effect too. Lovely bubbly.

Bath and Body Works Plum Potion Body Lotion

2011-10-25T16:45:00.031+01:00

RRP: $5/88ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Our exclusive Signature Body Lotion formula, fortified with powerful ingredients like super conditioning Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E, hydrates skin with moisture that lasts all day. Our non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and completely to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished, making it the perfect daily moisturizer. Our exclusive Plum Potion is an enticing blend sweet plum, blood orange and black raspberry."

--Packaging--

Capitalising on the Halloween theme with black and glitter and plenty of scary-looking lettering, this bottle fits the bill perfectly. Its ergonomic shape and secure push-down lid are also characteristic of the brand and make the product enjoyable and easy to use.

--Application--

Smooth over clean, dry skin to moisturise and fragrance skin.

--Appearance--

Surprisingly, the cream is white. For the Plum Potion variant, a deep purple perhaps would have been more what we expected.

--Scent--

Incredibly sweet, fruity and intense. While the blend is as enticing as the promotional material promises (someone said it reminded them of a car air freshener - I disagree), it's also not a light scent - it is heavy, lingers for hours on skin and night clothes, and may be offputting to some as a result. Not me though :D

--Texture and consistency--

It is fast-absorbing as promised, and is light without being runny. It's also definitely luxurious: nothing everyday about this lotion.

--Value for money--

For the strength of scent and effectiveness of moisturisation, $5 is already very good for a travel size, but in the runup to Halloween, it's been discounted further to a mere $1.25 a bottle, so I'd encourage all US readers to get their mitts on it (or, if not on this variant, on the other Halloween scents, such as Black Candy Apple or Scream-A-Colada). If UK readers are lucky, Amazon or Ebay may also yield fruit. Yet another excellent product from an excellent brand.

Kleenex Extra Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes

2011-10-24T17:24:00.026+01:00

RRP: £2.99 for 24

--What does the promo say?--

"These soft, quilted wipes contain natural fibres and provide a gentle and effective cleanse, removing your "mask" at the end of the day. They are suitable even for sensitive skin. You can also feel good about using them as they have a lower environmental impact than a standard wipe material."

--Packaging--

Standard face wipe size pack with standard peely-back opening. Everything works as it should: the peel-back opens and closes correctly and wipes don't dry out inside the pack. The purple mask is also a beautiful illustration that appeals to me, and as mentioned in my other Kleenex reviews, I love the fact that Kleenex explains on the pack why they have used every single ingredient in a way that's concise and understandable.

--Usage--

Wipe across face to cleanse; can also be used to remove makeup.

--Appearance--

A plain white wipe whose cleansing liquid cannot be seen either on the wipe or on the face. Nonetheless, it does its job.

--Scent--

A clean, refreshing, unisex smell.

--Texture and consistency--

Moist without being sticky or overly wet.

--Effects on the skin--

Makes your skin feel really clean, although you'll probably still want to use moisturiser afterwards. It also removes makeup really effectively despite not claiming to be able to do this. Feel the multitasking love.

--Value for money--

The price is right for a strong, user-friendly and environmentally friendly product that really works. Brava!

perfect partners

Sensitive Eye Makeup Removal Wipes, £2.99 for 24

Cotton Touch Facial Cloths, £1.99 for 30

Shine Absorbing Sheets, £2.99 for 50

Kleenex Cotton Touch Facial Cloths

2011-10-23T17:33:00.031+01:00

RRP: £1.99 for 30

--What does the promo say?--

"These gentle, cotton sheets are not only larger but softer, and are designed to be more effective at cleansing than cotton wool due to their quilted texture and natural fibres. They are soft and strong when wet or dry, so you can use them not only while applying cleanser and toner, but also while removing facemasks and even nail varnish."

--Packaging--

Not as robust as the packaging used for the wipes and blotting sheets: this cardboard box was falling apart by the time it reached me in France (although to be fair, I suspect that this was La Poste's fault, and not Kleenex's). Nonetheless, the setup seems both handy (with openings on various sides for easy access) and attractive (with the same masquerade mask theme being used here as on other products).

--Usage--

As mentioned in the promotional material, this is a very multi-functional product. I used them to remove makeup by soaking them in my usual makeup remover, and my husband and I both used them to apply toner after cleansing. However, the notion of being able to use them to remove cleansers, face masks and nail varnish is equally believable.

--Appearance--

Each cloth looks like a very thick standard white tissue that's folded over a couple of times. In short, it's not quite a tissue, flannel or wipe, but something in between.

--Scent--

None...it is basically a tissue, after all.

--Texture and consistency--

Soft, thick and luxurious; not at all irritating. They hold liquids well without absorbing them so quickly that they're gone before you're able to get them to your face. In short, perfect for the purpose.

--Effects on the skin--

The cloths perform multiple tasks without irritating skin in the least. However, they are passive facilitators rather than active agents, so don't have an effect on the skin per se in the way that the wipes in the same range do.

--Value for money--

May seem initially expensive, but are so soft, strong and large that they can be used not only for loads of things but also over a day or two if you desire (use one side for toner in the morning and evening, then the other edge for makeup removal at night for instance). So even though you only get 30 in a pack, you could easily make it last more than 30 days. Would definitely consider buying again.

perfect partners

Extra Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes, £2.99 for 24

Sensitive Eye Makeup Removal Wipes, £2.99 for 24

Shine Absorbing Sheets, £2.99 for 50

Blistex Lip Brilliance

2011-10-16T16:33:00.000+01:00

RRP: £2.49

--What does the promo say?--

"Blistex Lip Brilliance is an exciting multi-benefit lip balm with real silk extracts to condition your lips, along with a touch of subtle colour and shimmer to keep them looking beautiful. The addition of Hyaluronic Filling Spheres provides a natural fuller lip effect, and SPF 15 protects from sun damage. Lip Brilliance is the only lip product you will need to ensure your lips are feeling and looking their best."

--Packaging--

Nothing radical about the dark baby pink colour, plastic pull-off lid and twist-up mechanism. Lid stays on when you want it to, comes off easily when you don't. Simples, as they say.

--Application--

Apply to lips regularly to combat dryness and protect from sunlight. Nothing hard about that.

--Appearance--

Despite the dark pink colour of the stick, on the lips a very natural, non-glittery sheen is given. Great for men, women and children.

--Texture and consistency--

Slides on easily without being slippery or sticky. Moisturises more than satisfyingly.

--Scent--

My only major bugbear with this product! It has a very artificial strawberry smell which reminds me of a Haribo product that's sold in France (not in the UK, though) which I dislike (if any of you are familiar with the Tagada sweets, you'll know what I mean). Very disappointing. Girls under 10 would probably like it, but I think it counts out just about anyone else.

--Effects on the lips--

As mentioned, it moisturises, soothes and protects adequately for those who don't require a more heavy-duty product, like some of the other more medicated options from the Blistex range. I can't say I noticed any extra-special plumping effect, though. To have SPF in a product is always nice :)

--Value for money--

There are lots of choices in this price bracket, including other high street favourites such as Carmex, but I think Blistex remains competitive thanks to its stick format: many of the other products for this price are in tins/pots or squeezy tubes. However, I would ultimately not purchase this product - the smell, for me, just makes it far too off-putting. A shame, as it has a lot to offer in other areas.

perfect partners

Blistex Intensive Moisturiser Lip Cream, £2.59

Blistex MedPlus Balm, £2.59

Blistex Relief Cream, £2.85

Beauty Book Review: Branded Beauty (Mark Tungate)

2011-10-09T14:47:00.002+01:00

--The blurb--

"Beauty is a multi-billion dollar global industry embracing makeup, skincare, hair care, fragrances, cosmetic surgery, and even tattooing and piercing. Over the years it has used flattery, seduction, science and shame to persuade consumers that they have to invest if they want to look their best. In Branded Beauty, Mark Tungate delves into the history and evolution of the beauty business. From luxury boutiques in Paris to tattoo parlours in Brooklyn, he talks to the people who've made skin their trade."

--The review--

As a book and beauty blogger I was pleased to receive a complimentary copy of Branded Beauty from Kogan Page for review, as I don't tend to be asked to review many books on my beauty site (the last was an American coffee-table style publication, Be...A Woman, back in 2008), and my book site is still only a baby (so offers of books for review are hardly forthcoming). I was wary, though, of the "self-published" impression I had of the publisher, as I feel that this industry still has a lot of work to do to build its credibility (although as it turned out I was mistaken - Kogan Page is a small independent publishing house, not a company for those wishing to self-publish). Nonetheless, the author's credentials (work published in The Times, Stratégies, and The Independent, among others), filled me with enough confidence to pick up the book and begin reading.

In spite of its initially specialist-seeming premises and topic, the style in which the book is written is extremely accessible without being patronising, meaning that marketing professionals and beauty aficionados alike should have no difficulty in enjoying it (although the summary of each chapter at its end - Beauty Tips - seems a little too dumbed-down in its style, even for amateurs). The stories from times past, anecdotes from industry insiders and peeks behind the scenes, alongside history and statistics, all contribute to making Branded Beauty an enjoyable and intriguing read. Illustrations would have been nice, but the reality is that the majority of the stories are sufficiently compelling on their own.

The writer's chronological approach makes it clear how the rise and rise of marketing has changed the way we not only look, but also look at ourselves. From this point of view, too, he is at risk of being led astray from his original purpose: from about halfway through the book, it is less and less about analysing how marketing has changed our appearance but more about exposing the controversies behind brands, such as the airbrushing scandals that have plagued certain very large brands, and the fact that not all brands marketing themselves as ethical are as squeaky clean as they may first appear. Nevertheless, even if Tungate does not perhaps 100% achieve his original goal, it makes interesting reading as we try to get past the suspiciously small samples of women on which products have been tested, and get back to the personal histories of what can now all too often seem like faceless global corporations.

But there was one deviation I could not tolerate. Part of Tungate's digression consists of repeatedly taking cheap swipes at the integrity of beauty bloggers. It is suggested and stated strongly throughout that beauty bloggers (along with beauty ediotrs) are traitors, propagandiists, straitjacketed, commercial, and untrustworthy. While I can see how Tungate may have reached this conclusion - I know that I for one have been frustrated at far too many magazines where features on products are as far from honest reviews as possible and are closer to being infomercials - it is far too sweeping to speak of beauty bloggers in the same breath as the magazines that do this. Equally, even though I cannot speak for other beauty bloggers, I wonder how many Tungate himself has actually spoken to: as well as trying to do this myself, I have met many other beauty bloggers who are concerned primarily with transparency, providing honest opinions, and allowing readers to make informed choices - not with glossily providing perfect impressions of a brand or product (regardless of how much the free products we are sent may happen to be worth). Such statements cast gross slurs on community journalists who are just trying to do a good job - and, more to the point, often do it voluntarily alongside more mundane day jobs. In addition, alongside the various assumptions delineated above, there are blatant errors, such as saying that Stri-Vectin SD is a Sephora own-brand product (it isn't).

As mentioned, the book is enthralling for its highly visual sense of history, its amusing and well-chosen anecdotes, and its extremely ambitious and up-to-date scope. Exploring the positives and negatives of the beauty industry, it is bound to be of interest to many. However, it fundamentally fails in its mission thanks to its deviations from its original topic, occasional factual errors, and near-libellous slurs against people like myself, whom the book's publishers so badly want good reviews from in approaching us. Should Tungate wish for this book to be published by a mainstream publisher, I fear that it would lamentably require significant revisions in order to be up to standard (a shame; I was hoping that this book would restore my faith in the credulity of independent/self-publishing houses). For Tungate's intriguing content, I could possibly forgive him and delve into his other books on this subject. For certain aspects of his professional conduct within these pages, though, I may need to think twice.

Other works by Mark Tungate

Luxury World: The Past, Present and Future of Luxury Brands (2009)

Branded Male: Marketing to Men (2008)

Fashion Brands: Branding Style from Armani to Zara (2008)

Adland: A Global History of Advertising (2007)

Media Monoliths: How Great Media Brands Thrive and Survive (2005)

cross-posted to Bianca's Book Blog

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF15

2011-10-02T16:37:00.000+01:00

RRP: £21/40ml

# of shades available: 3

--What does the promo say?--

"The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range."

--Packaging--

The dark blue shiny tube is a big departure from the matte pastel colours that we usually see Liz Earle's products packaged in, and yet somehow it still seems to fit well with the brand. The lid is easy to open when you need it (it just twists), and closes securely when you don't. I didn't receive these, as I was able to request the shade I wanted from the PR department, but for every first order of this product from the website, you also get a mini sample of each shade available: this enables you to test them out to see if you've got your shade choice right the first time, and, if you haven't, to return the full size product unopened. This means the full size tube can be sold on to someone else, avoiding the eventuality of sending perfectly good unused product to landfill. Nice manoeuvre.

--Application--

The Liz Earle website states: "Apply a little Sheer Skin Tint onto forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, then blend with fingertips over your face." All fairly simple stuff. You can of course, also use other products under or over the Sheer Skin Tint, such as primer, concealer or powder.

--Appearance--

A shiny, stiff cream that gives a dewy finish on the skin. The colour match was not bad at all, but maybe I was just lucky - with only 3 shades available, not everyone will be. However, as this is Liz Earle's first foray into colour, I suppose they can be forgiven (for now).

--Coverage--

Not great at all, even with the use of a heavy-duty concealer. However, I appreciate that most of Liz Earle's target audience won't be buying this for coverage purposes.

--Scent--

There are complaints online about the smell of the product, stating that it smelt overwhelmingly of potatoes. While this is detectable, it is only there in trace amounts; the overall earthiness is not unpleasant, and, to me, far from offputting.

--Texture and consistency--

This was really my biggest bugbear. I found that while the product sat okay on the skin once applied, in the fingers it was far too sticky for my liking. I much prefer the creamier consistency offered by other tinted moisturisers that I've tried, such as the one made by Arbonne.

--Longevity--

No better or worse than other products that I've tried - but by this stage it would have taken something stellar to redeem the product in my eyes.

--Value for money--

I sadly can't say that I would pay the requisite £21 for this product. Perhaps it works for some people, but for me the consistency and lack of coverage really killed it. Even in general, though, I'd say the price is a bit too high: £21 for 40ml also buys you tinted moisturisers from Dermalogica and MAC, which I could understand others going for over this for sheer efficacy alone. Casting the net more widely, for your same £21 you get 50ml of product from Elizabeth Arden, Stila and Benefit - all of whom have proven their expertise and popularity in the field of cosmetics. Overall a disappointing product from Liz Earle which does not meet their usually high standards.

Cosmetics & Beauty News (September 2011)

2011-09-30T09:11:00.091+01:00

Navigations through scent

With unisex fragrances becoming ever popular, it is no surprise that Molton Brown has capitalised on this trend with its Navigations Through Scent collection, which consists of five fragrances that can be equally enjoyed by men and women. As the brand's debut in the arena of artisanal fine fragrance, it was launched at Harrods in August and is now available in Molton Brown stores nationwide. Taking the consumer on a worldwide journey through perfume's history and heritage, it starts with the floriental-spicy scent of IUNU, which uses Egyptian white jasmine to create a sense of elegant opulence. LIJIANG leads to China, its floral-musky scent evoking silk and tea thanks to its lead ingredient, osmanthus absolute. SINGOSARI takes consumers to Indonesia thanks to its aroma of spices, patchouli and wood. The fourth scent, APLUDRE, is based on juniper berry, conjuring up English lawns and gin and tonics. The collection is completed with a Canada-inspired perfume, ROGART, which juxtaposes fire and ice thanks to balsam and maple. Molton Brown's principal perfumer, Jennifer, personally travelled to all of the destinations in question over the course of one year to intensify the creative process. All of the fragrances are priced at £55 for 50ml.

All I want for Christmas is...

Yep, it's the C-word! Despite it only being September, retailers are rushing out their Christmas collections to ensnare the most organised shoppers. Rhodes To Heaven allows consumers to select individual holiday treats from their All In One range to add to a black and fuschia gift bag, and starting from just £12, this makes an affordable yet opulent gift made from natural ingredients. From anise extract (nature's version of Botox, don't you know), juniper berries and wild sea fennel, to maca root and New Zealand wool, each All In One product is a fusion of goodness. Also available is the Santa Baby Christmas Special for the littlest members of the family - the £20 gift set contains three products, including Top to Toe Shampoo (containing rose, camomile, orange and lavender essential oils).

Think Skin Love Skin has also launched its range of new Christmas gift products to get us through what can at times be a stressful season. Its organic Serenity & Tranquility Gift Sets are designed for sensitive skin, use Dead Sea Salt, comfrey and calendula, contain bath oil and body oil to protect from the harsh effects of winter, and are priced from £13.99. The Balm Balm Bath Oil Set is favoured by celebrities, including KT Tunstall, for its blend of essential oils to help you detox, indulge, recover, refresh and relax. At £24.99, it also contains lavender, tea tree, frankincense and lemongrass to soothe skin.

For the festive season, Jane Iredale has also released a new edition of the brand's best-selling lip product, chocoholicks. Four chocolate-flavoured mineral petroleum-free lip glosses - Chocolate and Blood Orange, Chocolate and Espresso, Chocolate Very Berry and Chocolate Chili Pepper - are presented in a "chocolate box" that includes a retractable lip brush. The glosses contain peppermint oil and natural flavourings for taste and aromatherapeutic benefits, and the whole set of four glosses retails for £24.95. Tis the season to be jolly!

Happy Halloween

Celebrate All Hallows' Eve (an event a little closer to home than the big C, I think we'll all agree) with special Halloween products by Philosophy. Exclusive to Selfridges in London and Birmingham are the crispy marshmallow bar and caramel apple shampoos, shower gels and bubble baths made by Philosophy. The multitasking, 3-in-1 product costs £18 for the duo of bottles - and all in a cute Trick or Treat bag. Also launching from Philosophy, exclusive to Boots from November, is their Fruit Collection of bath and shower gels (pomegranate, tangerine, lime or grapefruit; £14), and, nationwide, their Keep The Peace range for sensitive skin (out now; prices from £30).

Crabtree and Evelyn at the Hilton

Crabtree and Evelyn's already popular Citron bath and body care product line is now being introduced to travellers at all nine DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels across the UK, as well as in more than 200 additional hotels across Europe and North America. Featuring natural extracts of lemon, honey and coriander, as well as orchard fruits and herbs, the products are botanically based. Shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, facial soap and body soap bars will be provided to travellers - and customers can sleep easy, assured that the products are also free from phthalates and mineral oil. Furthermore, the product packaging is also recyclable and biodegradable, meaning that the luxury guest is also a green guest. For those not travelling, the products are available via www.crabtree-evelyn.com (with the exception of Citron hair care products, which will be exclusive to the hotels until late 2011).

Top Tips For Girls

Ever wondered how to tackle a rogue eyebrow without losing half of it? TopTipsForGirls.com is a website that allows women and girls to give and receive advice on all subjects, from how to get approved for a home loan to reducing unwanted hair. The four-year-old site, founded by the editor of Tatler, has a 30,000-strong community, so questions can be answered quickly. In addition, a Top Tips For Girls blog has now also been launched, featuring creative ideas from around the web.

Long live the metrosexual
So is your guy one of the men who will spend 5105 hours grooming during his lifetime? According to new research, the average British male spends an average of 18 minutes every day getting ready. The research, conducted by QVC to celebrate the launch of new grooming range HIM, reveals that 54% of British men admit that their partners are the main reason they make an effort with their appearance. Just over a quarter of men admit to competing with male friends about who is more immaculately spruced, and 23% voted David Beckham as the man they most aspire to look like. He was followed (in order) by Daniel Craig, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jude Law, Orlando Bloom, Will Young, Hugh Laurie, Jason Statham (qui?) and Robbie Williams. In addition, 45% of men say their biggest grooming problem is knowing how to shave properly, followed by hairstyling gripes, while 10% named dark circles as their greatest concern.

The Scent

To launch its first female fragrance, Bottega Veneta has created two films with the guidance of photographer and director Christian Weber (the second of these short films is above). Conjuring up leather and florals thanks to the magic of oak moss, bergamot, patchouli and jasmine, the collection for women comprises eau de parfum, eau de toilette, shower gel and body cream; prices start at £31.

Raise money with L'Occitane

Launching on October 12th are L'Occitane's Get On Board For Sight Limited Edition Soaps, which support ORBIS, an NGO committed to ending preventable blindness. Inspired by the ORBIS plane, also known as the Flying Hospital, these limited-edition charity soaps are crafted in the shape of a plane wearing glasses. Nourished with shea butter, they come in two varieties - floral and fruity pink, and verbena blue. 100% of the proceeds from sales will allow ORBIS to launch a large-scale project in Burkina Faso. At only £5 each (or £13 for the Honey Candle, which supports the same cause), what have you got to lose?

Beauty Byte: The Big Suitcase

2011-09-20T20:33:00.001+01:00

SPONSORED CONTENT

A beautiful woman has been shopping in Bicester Village. She finds too many beauty bargains, buys a lot, and ends up with a big suitcase packed with her goodies. The gag is when she tries to hail a taxi and takes this big suitcase with her. The taxi driver is not aware that a video is being shot while he tries to accommodate the lady's bag in his car.

Ladies - it is a dream come true. You know you have had a good day shopping when you have to hide the bags from partners, flat mates, friends or family. Imagine a suitcase!

Beauty Byte: Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable

2011-09-18T18:19:00.000+01:00

SPONSORED CONTENT

The Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable campaign aims to emphasize the life-changing benefits of giving up smoking. The campaign wants to encourage and assist people to quit, moving towards a smoke-free Europe. There are also more personal benefits to giving up smoking: not only having more of life to enjoy with loved ones, and more money in your pocket, but also better skin and teeth, and the ability to kiss goodbye to the constant smell of cigarettes on your hair and clothes.

Tobacco is the single largest cause of avoidable death in the EU. The Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable campaign aims to emphasise the life-changing benefits of giving up smoking. The campaign wants to encourage and assist people to quit with the help of iCoach, a free online health coach, hoping to ensure that up-and-coming generations live long and healthy lives in a smoke-free Europe.

Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable is a three-year awareness raising campaign promoted by the European Commission. The campaign provides smokers with motivation to quit and - very importantly - with practical assistance at www.exsmokers.eu. The campaign highlights ex-smokers as inspiring individuals and role models who encourage current smokers to quit. The site is free to use, and more tha 30% of people who start the program quit smoking. It adapts to your needs, time and goals, and enables you to speak to people like you, meaning you get support from a dedicated community.

For more information on the campaign please visit:

http://www.stopsmokingcoach.eu/home.ashx?lang=en#registertab-tab

Garnier Miracle Perfector All-in-One BB Cream

2011-09-18T17:40:00.001+01:00

RRP: £9.99/50ml

# of shades available: 2 (light and medium)

--What does the promo say?--

"Garnier's Miracle Skin Perfector Cream, inspired by the Asian skincare sensation, B.B. (Blemish Balm) Creams. Garnier BB cream for immediately perfected skin with even tone and boosted glow. Blurs imperfections and smoothes fine lines. SPF15 protection and 24hr hydration."

--Packaging--

The skin tone-coloured packaging is more reminiscent of a standard tinted moisturiser or foundation's packaging, in contrast to the usually more glitzy packaging of other BB creams I've seen from Asia. This may not immediately alert consumers to the notion that this product is supposed to do something different. However, the packaging is sturdy, reliable, and easily controllable - you won't get silly amounts of product ejected all over your hand unless you try really hard.

--Application--

Simple really: squeeze a pea-sized amount onto the back of your hand and then distribute evenly over your face, rubbing it in, avoiding the eye area. You can do this in between concealer and powder if you like.

--Appearance--

A thick, skin-coloured cream that blends in well with my pale skin tone. At the edges, though, you have to be careful to blend the product well as there is the danger of tide marks or it looking slightly orange. The overall effect is a dewy one (hence why I prefer to set it with powder for a more matte look for work) and I wouldn't say it covers blemishes brilliantly on its own.

--Scent--

Slightly fruity, slightly floral - it's possibly the geraniol that does this. Very pleasant and very different to the tinted moisturisers and foundations currently available to consumers.

--Texture and consistency--

Blends very well, although as I mentioned, be careful at the jawline and hairline for tide marks. Definitely feels different to a foundation or tinted moisturiser - it's more creamy, rather than giving a powdery or paint-like feel. Not runny at all and very easy to control.

--Coverage--

As mentioned, not fantastic, even with a fairly heavy-duty concealer being used underneath it. As for wrinkle/fine line coverage, I wouldn't know - I am only 25 after all and so don't have many.

--Effects on the skin--

With reference to my comments above, this product does contain an agent that acts like a temporary 'plumping' agent to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, but nothing noticeable jumped out at me in this respect once the product was on my skin. The dewy finish probably contributes more to the awake-looking appearance than the caffeine it contains, and in any case, presumably the effects of the caffeine, like the vitamin C and SPF that it also contains, wouldn't be visible in the short term anyway. On the up side, though, I did notice a general improvement in the condition of my skin while using this product - in terms of testing out the claims on Garnier's website, redness did seem to be reduced, complexion seemed more glowing, radiant and unified, and blemishes seemed reduced as well (although curiously the product contains no immediately obvious blemish-reducing agent).

--Value for money--

In spite of this product's shortcomings (and speaking of which - only 2 shades available, Garnier? Come on.), I have found myself pleasantly surprised. I know I was lucky that the light shade was suitable for my skin (which was the one I chose when Garnier asked what I wanted), and I know that its ability to conceal definitely leaves something to be desired, but the texture is really pleasing and the effects on the skin more than satisfactory (although to say in the promo that skin will be 'immediately perfected' is more than a bit of an exaggeration). Nonetheless, I shall be interested to see how this product competes with Clinique's attempt at a European BB cream (Asian ones tend to have whitening as their goal), as well as with bona fide BB creams from Korea and Taiwan.

perfect partner

Caffeine Anti-Dark Circles 2-in-1 Roll-on, £10.20

Illamasqua Concealer

2011-09-17T18:23:00.001+01:00

RRP: £13
# of shades available: at least 9

--What does the promo say?--

"The Illamasqua woman knows how to conceal. Cover blemishes and problem areas to create beautiful skin that feels smooth and looks flawless. Tested under the harsh lights of film sets, Illamasqua Concealer is guaranteed to keep your secrets and let you take centre stage."

--Packaging--

The small square compact, made of black plastic, has a good-sized mirror and is easy to open when you need it, and keeps securely closed when you don't. Largely unadorned except for the word 'Illamasqua' in small lettering on the side of the compact. The curves in the square add something unique to the product, and is common to the Illamasqua line, helping to give the brand its own identity. Nice.

--Application--

The Illamasqua website recommends the use of a small blending brush for this product, but you can of course just get straight in with your fingers if you choose.

--Appearance--

I took a punt on a now-defunct shade, 220, which was, if I recall correctly, on sale online. I had heard good things about Illamasqua and wanted to try the product. However, as a result of this slightly devil-may-care gamble, the shade is totally wrong for me, its yellow undertones totally contradicting my pink and white complexion. It therefore would not be suitable for me to wear on its own as the patches of yellow across my face are very obvious, even though it looks OK once I've applied foundation and powder over the top. I accept that my own stinginess is to blame for this. There are other reasons, though, why the overall appearance of the product on my face is not good - see below for more.

--Scent--

Nothing discernible; perhaps a surprise given that it contains carnauba, candelilla and and bees waxes.

--Texture and consistency--

Not easy to blend, though probably easier if, unlike me, you actually choose the right shade and use a blending brush as recommended. The formula also seems to 'split' a little in the compact, with small droplets of an oily yellow substance having formed at the corners of mine. This, however, does not seem to affect how well it works on the face, and is probably to be expected given the use of natural waxes.

--Coverage--

Not as good as I had been expecting, and the other main reason why I found that the appearance of this product did not come up to standard. Several layers are required both before and after foundation to get a result you're anything like being happy with.

--Value for money--

Even though Illamasqua certainly does have shades that are more appropriate for me (such as 115 and 130), I'm not sure I would try this product again even with the correct shade in hand, due to the shoddy coverage that I experienced while using this product. I was surprised and disappointed, since as well as its range of colours, Illamasqua is famed for the level of its coverage. For my £13, I'll stick with my beloved Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette (which costs roughly the same in US$ if bought online) to get the effect I want.

perfect partners

Cream Blusher, £16.50

Rich Liquid Foundation, £21.50

Matt Primer, £19.50

Illuminator, £13.50

Beauty Byte: Flower Girl

2011-09-15T15:20:00.001+01:00

SPONSORED CONTENT

Flowers are definitely great birthday gifts. But for beauty-based floral gift ideas for women, there is certainly no shortage of ideas on the web or in department stores.

In my series on different perfumes, I looked at all aspects of the fragrance wheel, from fruity to fougère. I also naturally looked to floral scents for inspiration, naming such examples as Cacharel's Anaïs Anaïs, Yves St Laurent's Paris, and Daisy by Marc Jacobs, which utilise floral essences from all around the world, including rose, lily, jasmine and mimosa. All of these would make superb gifts at any time of year - the Cacharel classic in particular is one of my favourites.

But what if the person you're buying for isn't into perfume? (Believe me, it is possible. Some women see putting perfume on in the morning as being as much a part of their routine as brushing their teeth, while others barely think to put it on.) Molton Brown's Ziao Jao hair wash is floral and botanical without being sickly, while Logona is another brand famed for its use of herbal extracts and floral distillates in its makeup. Garnier's Vital Restore Daily Beauty Serum also smells beautifully of orchids - while other brands have not really capitalised on the orchid craze beyond their packaging, Garnier has really used it to its advantage.

Or why not combine the two concepts, building up thank you gifts into a cornucopia of fresh flowers, solid scents (such as Clinique's Aromatics Elixir Solid Perfume, which is convenient for travel, smells of camomile and rose, and has a beautiful floral design engraved on its compact lid), and other beauty products (body lotions and shower gels, such as those by Bath and Body Works, also offer a comprehensive range of flowery-smelling choices)? It's really easier than you think to create a gift that'll never be forgotten and thank someone with garden scents that they can use and enjoy all year round.

Beauty Byte: Sudocrem Beauty Blogger of the Month

2011-09-11T18:42:00.001+01:00

Yep, you've guessed it - it's me!

http://www.sudocremtube.co.uk/blog/sudocrem-beauty-blogger-of-the-month/

Sudocrem have named me their Beauty Blogger of the Month for September. Thanks! Good choice guys :p

Cosmetics Contemplations: A Girl's Best Friend?

2011-09-10T14:32:00.003+01:00

SPONSORED CONTENT

I was lucky enough to be able to peruse hundreds of diamond engagement rings online before choosing the one to be bought for me back in 2009. Certainly the newly-affianced of my parents' generation usually had to make do with whatever was available down the local jeweller's, whereas these days there is an infinite wealth of choice. I choose the phrase 'wealth of choice' not without significance - we're not all lucky enough to be able to afford diamond rings, and even my now-husband and I were only able to get mine by going Dutch on its cost (how thoroughly modern of us) - but that doesn't matter, because it's mine and I love it. So how can we all add a touch of diamond sparkle to our lives without breaking the bank?

Sadly real diamonds will always come at a cost - but I think that cosmetics and treatments containing diamonds still offer remarkable value for money. Crème de la Mer's Refining Facial, for instance, does cost £59 - but you're only going to get two or three inferior facials at best for this price in a salon, whereas the 100ml tube is going to offer at least 10 treatments. And for the money, it's certainly worth it for its ability to smooth skin, tone redness, and make visible pores apparently disappear (sadly only temporarily) as if by magic.

Another brand harnessing the power of diamond powder technology is Larynn Crystalline, whose products, for the record, I have not yet tried. Using "the healing powers of gemstones and plants", the products are supposed to unlock our natural beauty and radiance. Its Diamond face cream is of a comparable price to Crème de la Mer's mask, with a single pot in its smallest size priced at £65. Containing plankton extract, squalane, black oat seeds, maca root, apricot kernel oil, seaweed extracts, avocado oil and honeysuckle alongside pure diamond powder, it is intended to combat wrinkles, regenerate skin, act as an anti-inflammatory, increase collagen stimulation, moisturise, and increase radiance and luminosity (although I can't say I'd want to be the lucky individual who gets the job of measuring something as intangible as radiance).

But even cheaper products are now getting in on the act. Skin79 BB Cream uses diamond powder and jewel complex to help strengthen and fortify skin - and all at the perfectly reasonable price of £17.99. High street luvvie Soap & Glory are also at it, with its anti-ageing gem, Wish Upon A Jar, containing its patented YouthFake diamond spheres as well as shea butter and anti-oxidants - and all for under £15. Even Avon went as far as to bring out its Skin So Soft Mineral Gems Diamond Blush range of body and hand care this year, which contains trace elements of minerals and diamonds, allowing you to get your mitts on some sparkle for under a fiver. Avon doesn't stop there, either, with their Diamond Eau de Parfum also being available.

You can also give your nails the diamond treatment (just the look, or the real deal) with polishes such as Maybelline's Express Finish Diamonds and Leighton Denny's Diamond VIP Nail Buffer (the latter contains nearly 10% diamond). Give yourself a pedicure, too, with the Diamond Sole Mate Foot Scrub, which contains sea salt, pumice and diamond to kick dry skin into touch.

But naturally these products all run out and need to be replaced. If you really want diamonds to be forever, consider eternity rings - diamonds stretch around them in an everlasting line and can be had for as little as £60 from Amazon, Tesco and Argos. Same price as that Crème de la Mer mask I linked to before in fact. Convenient.

Montagne Jeunesse Weather Screen Lip Balm

2011-09-05T16:53:00.000+01:00

--What does the promo say?--

"Are you a Busy outdoor Bee? Then protect your best feature from the elements with Wheatgerm & Black Pepper for a subtle tingly sensation, and flavour with a kick. The Olive Oil safeguards your skin whilst Shea Butter and 100% pure Beeswax soothes and locks moisture in."

--Packaging--

The honeycomb cartoon on the front of the tube is cheerful and the pull-off plastic lid stays secure, but is not difficult to remove when you do need to use it. More balm is exposed by twisting the bottom of the tube. It also features the Vegetarian Standard mark from the Vegetarian Society, but I don't know if the tube itself is recyclable (although the paper and plastic sleeve it comes in definitely is).

--Application--

Slap on to clean, dry lips and go about your daily business. Simples.

--Appearance--

The balm is a fairly solid white-yellow creamy block that leaves a slight, barely detectable sheen on the lips once applied.

--Scent--

The smell of shea and cocoa butters is dominant, which is a little boring; given the emphasis on beeswax, a honey-scented product might have been more pleasant and different.

--Texture and consistency--

Smooth, soft and absorbs well.

--Effects on the skin--

Softens and smoothens lips, but no better or worse than any other commercial lip balm. I also don't really "get" the weather screen part - it contains no SPF, so I don't see how it would provide any beyond-superficial protection to your lips. If the variety of essential oils that have been used do in fact have this effect, it needs to be explained on the pack, as it isn't really common knowledge.

--Value for money--

The main appeal of this product is its 99.5% natural claim. However, there are definitely other products out there for the same price that do just as well or better - Fair Squared's lip balms, for instance, are not only 99% organic but also vegan due to their lack of beeswax; Jason and Optima also offer natural lip balms for this price, and Optima's contain SPF too. This means that Montagne Jeunesse needs to constantly keep its eyes on the competition so as to constantly develop its products for the better. I'm loving the all-natural thing, but would prefer such a product to have a more obvious SPF in it - and if that SPF can be natural, so much the better.

Salcura Skin Therapy Spray

2011-09-04T17:52:00.000+01:00

RRP: £2.99 for 15ml travel size; other sizes from £9.99

--What does the promo say?--

"Cooling, soothing and calming solution for individuals with hypersensitive skin or babies, children or infants with skin problems like skin rashes, dry skin or eczema. The safer natural alternative to treating your baby or your sensitive skin.  

Gentle Skin Therapy Spray is a 100% safe and natural topical spray that helps to support, soothe and heal hypersensitive skin or baby skin that is prone to eczema, nappy rash, cradle cap, skin rashes and irritations, and dry skin. It is very effective at killing bacteria and fungus and also stops skin itching.   Intensive is a 100% safe and natural topical spray formulated to provide skin with minerals, oils and vitamins that will repair, strengthen and support skin in its own natural healing process.

Like all Salcura products, it is free from steroids, paraffin, alcohol, parabens, lanolin, anti-biotics and any other harmful chemicals."

--Packaging--

I was sent these tiny sprays from Salcura after participating in one of their Facebook publicity campaigns. The packaging design is similar across the Gentle (intended for baby or sensitive skin) and Intensive versions, but the bold green and blue make differentiation easy. The spray action is effective, targeted and easy to use - if, for instance, you had dry skin or eczema just on your scalp, you would have no problems spraying it directly onto your parting without messing with your hair. The only bad thing was that one of the spray pumps came unscrewed and so leaked into my travel toiletry bag :( Not that the smell of lavender isn't nice, but yknow. I'd have rather kept and used it.

--Usage--

The Salcura website recommends use of the spray "2 – 3 times a day. Simply shake the bottle and spray onto the skin from about 2 – 3 inches away. You can leave the liquid on the skin and let it absorb or you can gently massage it in. You can apply the spray as many times a day as needed depending on the severity of the eczema, psoriasis, dry or itchy skin." All very easy. If you are using the product on your face, it's easier to spray onto a cotton pad and then to wipe the cotton pad over the skin as you would with an ordinary toner.

--Appearance--

A completely clear liquid that is invisible once sprayed on.

--Scent--

The dominant smell in both sprays is lavender, although perhaps as you would expect, the scent is less strong in the Gentle version.

--Texture and consistency--

Surprisingly, given the amount of different essential oils contained in this product, it is completely non-oily or greasy so shouldn't bother anyone in this regard, even if you are using it directly on the face.

--Effects on the skin--

Even though I don't suffer from eczema or psoriasis (acne is sadly the name of my game), I was amazed by the degree to which the instinct to touch my face reduced. Definitely an anti-itch product! It was also cooling, soothing, and seemed to calm redness significantly - and even though I wasn't using a cleanser at this time (due to wanting to test the sprays and Salcura's moisturiser, Zeoderm, on their own), I was very impressed, too, with the smoothness and cleanliness of my skin, excess oil being blasted into the stratosphere.

--Value for money--

It's great that Salcura allows you to try these products before you buy at the reasonable price of £2.99 - they should do this for their other spray, Antiac, as well. Once you have decided on the right product for you, I think a starting price of £9.99 is very reasonable, and naturally the value for money increases as you go up in size. I was impressed enough with these two sprays to buy Antiac, Salcura's spray for acne sufferers, and am hoping I haven't just taken yet another punt on a so-called saviour product for nothing.

Body Shop Mango Bath Shower Gel

2011-09-01T14:10:00.000+01:00

--What does the promo say?--

"This soap-free shower gel contains real mango seed oil and has a deliciously exotic scent."

--Packaging--

Coming in a range of sizes (250ml, 400ml, and, as part of the Mango Mini Gift Cube, 60ml for travel) means that there is something to suit your every need. The plastic flip top style bottle, while potentially fragile, in fact travels well without leakage. The see-throughness is also handy; I hate not knowing how much of a product is left. Information on the bottle tells you everything you need to know without being overcrowded.

--Application--

Lather up under the shower, or in the bath, and rub all over the body, keeping it away from the face, eyes, and other sensitive areas, and then rinse off. Easy AS.

--Appearance--

A slightly viscous and translucent yellowy-orange gel which replicate the mango's natural colour faithfully. It lathers into a fine white foam which rinses off easily (but not too easily now), leaving no visible residue on the body.

--Scent--

As with the colour, the scent is very accurate - just what you would hope for in a mango shower gel. Rich and natural-smelling, even though the natural mango extract is supplemented by artificial fragrances and limonene.

--Texture and consistency--

Has the reliability that we have all come to expect from the Body Shop - lathers up instantly and favourably, is not sticky at all, and washes off well when you want it to. Good work.

--Effects on the skin--

It seems to leave skin soft enough, but nothing exceptional. The same could be said of the smell; it smells amazing when you're actually in the shower, but doesn't last for hours on the skin.

--Value for money--

Scaling only to the dizzy heights of £5.50 even for the largest size, I'd say you're buying into a good deal here, as even the dinky 60ml bottle lasts ages, and this shower gel delivers a pleasurable truly multi-sensory experience all round. However, if you're more concerned about buying something more environmentally conscious, you could always try the shower gels by Faith In Nature, which are similarly priced and seem to contain a higher proportion of natural ingredients. Nevertheless, I'm not planning on giving up on Body Shop completely - its range of new and unusual scents is virtually unrivalled elsewhere, and with such temptations on offer as moringa, dewberry, arber, kistna and bakula, who could possibly resist?

perfect partners

Mango Soap, from £2

Mango Body Butter, from £12.50

Mango Mini Gift Cube, from £5

Mango Lip Butter, from £4
Mango Body Scrub, from £12.50

Born Lippy Mango and Peach Lip Balm, from £2

Mango Whip Body Lotion, from £8

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Cream Wash

2011-08-31T16:31:00.000+01:00

--What does the promo say?--
"Enriched with powerful MicroClear® technology, the gentle cream wash cleanses deeply, removing dirt, oil and impurities to help prevent spots and blackheads. With its creamy texture it purifies the skin without overdrying, while a wave of pink grapefruit uplifts the senses with a burst of invigorating freshness. Dermatologically tested and suitable for even sensitive skin."

--Packaging--

The classic stand-alone flip-top lid is a good one for travel - this one went on a nine-hour drive and back, with the holiday involving two different overnight stay destinations, and not a leak in sight. The pink and white combination is nice, too, and slightly unusual in a market where greens and blues tend to proliferate.

--Application--

Rub a blob of the cream between your hands and then smooth all over the face, avoiding the eye area. You don't even need to wet your hands first :) Then rinse off using a flannel before proceeding with the rest of your routine.

--Appearance--

A pale pink cream that gives a hint of everyday luxury - lovely. No visible residue is left on the skin.

--Scent--

Bang on the money for the pink grapefruit there - you can smell it straight away and it doesn't smell at all overpowering or artificial - job well done.

--Texture, consistency and sensation--

As mentioned, the creaminess adds a great bit of luxury into your daily routine. Strangely, it is not difficult at all to wash off the face, but if there is any excess left on your hands you will need to use soap to get off any residue. The sensation during use is amazing - cooling and refreshing - and you really feel while using it as if it is doing something good.

--Effects on the skin--

I had already tested the original facial wash last summer courtesy of Neutrogena, so was really interested to see how this would compare. I had experienced more oily skin than I would have liked last time, which wasn't something I noticed this time around. Like last time, too, I did see a marginal improvement during this trial. Sadly, there was not quite *enough* improvement for me to consider buying this product again - although as I have said before in my reviews of other products (by Neutrogena and otherwise), as a long-term acne sufferer I appreciate I am a special case, so if you just get a few spots from time to time, this may well work for you. As claimed in the promotional material, it does not dry out the skin, so you need have no fears on this score. As I mentioned last time, too, if Neutrogena expanded the range further with masks, toners, moisturisers and wipes, the effects of the product may be maximised, as opposed to mixing the use of this product with stuff from another brand (Salcura for me at the moment).

--Value for money--

If you have more severe skin conditions, as I do, then something a little bit stronger in the same price bracket, such as Ten O Six's Pore Cream Facial Wash may prove a little more effective. At £4.49, though, Neutrogena's cream wash is not a bad deal at all, so even if you do try it and find it doesn't work for you, at least you won't feel too much out of pocket.

perfect partners

Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash, £4.99

Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub, £4.99

Cosmetics Contemplations: Can you fully trust a brand that only sells online?

2011-08-30T14:50:00.000+01:00

With the rise and rise of online shopping, we could be forgiven for thinking that in just a few short years, physical shops will almost disappear to make way for the ever-expanding web hypermarket which promises to deliver anything we desire to our doors from just about anywhere in the world.

But are makeup and beauty products exempt from this tidal wave of choice online? While shopping via the world wide web does enable us all to discover products beyond our own back door, such an industry is arguably the one that has the ability to try before you buy most at its heart. Do people really have the confidence to buy a product, one that they have never tried before in real life, online?

For lovers of large brands that already have a big presence in department stores, the answer can seem obvious. What better than to go for a wander around a few beauty counters, discreetly touch and sniff and try (and, for the more audacious, ask for a few samples), and then go home and try to find the product for less money on the internet?

But what of brands who don't have the same physical presence? Smaller brands can find that the easiest way to start up is to go entirely online, so that they can make more money by needing to pay fewer staff and fewer overheads, rather than selling their products out of physical premises where these costs may become more of a concern. This means that the opportunity to try before you buy is not always there - and the very lack of a physical presence in a shop near them may leave buyers feeling more wary. And yet people do buy online without having tried the product, and smaller brands such as Lily Lolo and Bellapierre have indeed grown up into bigger brands by starting online.

How have they done it? And how can we as buyers know who to trust? As well as the issue of paying for a product that, for all you know, you may never receive (an ever-present peril of etailing!), there's also the notion of counterfeit products to contend with, whether through rogue traders on eBay or dodgy deals via group buying sites such as KGB Deals. One user of community forum MoneySavingExpert.com, for example, purchased a Benefit eye kit only to be told it was fake by department store staff (after hearing bad things about the company, she had gone in to have her kit checked over). "They even pointed out differences between the real deal and my fake one," she said, citing that her eye pencil had had 'Made in Germany' printed along it when it shouldn't, and that the compartment for the tweezers should be magnetic to stop them from falling out (hers wasn't).

One way in which such companies can build up trust is to do as Lily Lolo did - to sell small sample sizes on the site that potentially interested buyers could test out at a very low price before shelling out for a full-size pot. That way, people can make sure they are happy, and have a travel size on hand once they have bought the full size in the right shade. When Lily Lolo did get bigger, they started selling through another highly trusted retailer, TV shopping channel QVC, which is famed for its lenient returns policy (every purchase on QVC has a 30-day money back guarantee).

Liz Earle is another beauty company which also now sells via QVC, but started out online and with only one physical shop (on the Isle of Wight). As well as offering Try-Me kits online, the key way in which the company was able to gain trust was simply by word of mouth and by being featured frequently in national press - the company often seems newer than it is because of the fact that they have had to build up trust slowly over a number of years.

But just because companies don't do these things, it doesn't mean that they shouldn't be trusted either. One of my favourite companies, Fyrinnae, produces mineral makeup at rock-bottom prices. You can't order samples, and they're not really known in the mainstream even though they've been around a while. So throwing caution to the wind and just ordering from them (especially when they're located in the US - across a mighty great body of water!) may have seemed foolhardy - but as a result I've discovered some brilliant products.

There are ways, though, in which you can protect yourself: does the website seem secure? Does it use trusted payment methods like WorldPay and PayPal (I know there are plenty of people out there with issues with PayPal, but I'm not one of them)? Is the seller themselves a trusted one with a good feedback rating? Do they post their own photographs of the product, or just use a generic copy of an image from elsewhere? Do they have a suspicious number of duplicate listings? It's important to check these things - not just to avoid being ripped off, but also for your own health (if a product intended for use on your face, especially around your eyes, is contaminated in any way, all you'll have bought yourself is a trip to the hospital).

Take a good look yourself, and if you're still not sure, there are plenty of websites that try to help too, such as MakeupSavvy and SavvySkin. Ebay is even wising up to the problem and trying to protect its customers by publishing its own guide. Used products are also more likely to be genuine, and since something that's only been used once or twice is not going to be too different to a brand new product, I'd advise taking a punt on used products as well - just make sure you use a clean brush.

In short, then, you can trust a brand that sells online - whether that's its whole business or only part of it. Like anything else in life, just have fun and be careful while you're doing it.

Cosmetics & Beauty News August 2011

2011-08-29T17:59:00.002+01:00

Natural beauty benefits of organic argan oil

Scientists have recently concluded that argan oil is one of the best oils for human health. The argan tree, native to Morocco, is known as the tree of life - and not without good reason, as its oil can be used not only to get loads of vitamins and nutrients but also to keep hair, skin and nails looking healthy and beautiful. Model Sophie Dahl is a fan, as is chef Heston Blumenthal. Ideal for all skin types, the oil protects, moisturises, and reduces signs of ageing as well as treating skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne scars. Best of oil (see what I did there? BOOOOOM), a wide variety of products using argan oil can be found at an equally vast range of prices, so that everyone can feel the difference: examples of products using the wonder oil are Mazuri Organics Olive Oil and Argan Oil hair treatments (just 99p, folks!), LPO Anti-Ageing Organic Argan Cream (£17) and Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion (£50 for the largest size). Other products that can help to treat such skin conditions are products containing Dead Sea minerals, such as those made by Malki.

Beer and barley spa treatments launch at Brown's Hotel

Brown's Hotel in London has added a new range of British beer and barley treatments to its already sumptuous spa menu in celebration of the Great British Beer Festival. The treatments blend Maris Otter barley with East Kent Goldings hops, Hooky Gold Ale from Oxfordshire and St Austell's Tribute Beer from Cornwall to create a truly unforgettable experience. Barley is high in vitamins (including B1 and B3) and minerals (selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and copper), and what's more, all treatments also kick off with a hot malt drink which is high in fibre and has a low glycaemic index (GI) and a unique barley snack created by the hotel's pastry chef. Whether it's a 90-minute pale ale pedicure, a 75-minute honey and barley facial (which also uses lagoon water and sesame seed oil) or a 90-minute barley body wrap you're after, you now truly can have your beer and drink it too. Prices from £85.

30 Days of Fashion and Beauty is back!

Giveaways and offers are now in full swing as September's calendar of events draws closer. The National Magazine Company is also offering stacks of free hints and tips online as we get back into the swing of work, school and university. Prizes include Elemis spa treatments, £500 to spend at Reiss, Bellapierre makeup, and bottles of Lolita Lempicka fragrance. I'd get entering if I were you.

Debenhams launches 'boob job in a bra'

Aiming to give the biggest boost on the high street, Debenhams have launched its Triple Boost bra. Allowing women to enhance their bust without the cost or pain of surgery, the bra is available in several colours and has taken two years to perfect. Three separate foam pads in varying densities are pushed in different directions, resulting in a maximum impact of cleavage and shape. The different pads enhance the shape of the bust, provide a boost, and add extra uplift. The bra is available in sizes 30A-38DD, and costs £22.

Boob job...in a glass?!

Even more wacky is the new collagen drink that's just hit the shelves in the UK. Pure GOLD COLLAGEN contains hydrolysed collagen, hyaluronic acid, borage oil and vitamins to tackle ageing skin. While collagen drinks have been popular in Japan for some time, they are only just arriving in Britain. The ingredients supposedly work together to add moisture and plump up the deeper levels of the skin - as opposed to topical skin creams that only work on the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). 10ml should be taken every day for four weeks to see noticeable results according to clinical trials in France - following these tests, the 47 participants showed a 28% decrease in skin hydration, 19% increase in skin suppleness, and a 30% decrease in wrinkles. The 50ml bottle, on that basis, should last you 5 days, meaning you'd need 6 bottles to get you through a month. At £3.60 a bottle, is the total monthly cost of £21.60 worth it? You decide.

Supporting Breast Cancer Care

(I'll stop talking about boobs in a minute. I promise.)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many brands are reissuing classic products in pink packaging to help get people thinking about and examining their chests - remember that men can get breast cancer too! Palmer's, for instance, has reintroduced the nation's favourite cocoa butter in a limited edition pink bottle, with 30p from each sale going towards the support of men and women with breast cancer. Mineral makeup brand Jane Iredale is also not missing out, with 100% of the net proceeds from its new product, Lollipops and Roses (a Swarovski-decorated keychain lip duo that comes with its own mirror - £19.95, available from September), also going to a charity supporting breast cancer awareness. Finally, Clarisonic is also supporting through sales of its paisley range, including the new Clarisonic Mia; £3 from each sale will go to Look Good...Feel Better.

In the pink

Fragrance brand Impulse has teamed up with fashion brand Lipsy to create a limited edition hot pink dress to celebrate their latest fragrance, Very Pink. The off-the-shoulder dress has a delicate drape sleeve and an embellishment at the waist. The dress is available at full price now from www.lipsy.co.uk, but as a special offer for Impulse fans, you can get the dress from any of the following stores for HALF PRICE when you show your can of Very Pink (£1.99) to the cashier:

22 – 26 Cameron Walk, Metro Centre, Gateshead, NE11 9ER
82-88 Queens Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GR
Westfield, Ariel Way, London, W12 7GA
122 Regents Crescent, The Trafford Centre, Manchester, M17 8AA

UK women less confident than their sisters in the States

According to a survey by Mama Mio skincare, American women could teach us Brits a thing or two. 15% of American women claim their birthday suit was made to be shared, compared with 10% of Britons. Just 12% of British women feel happy in a bikini compared with 30% of Americans. Thirty-five per cent of Americans rated their boobs 'beautiful' compared with 20% of UK women, and that 20% rears its head again, with that percentage of British women thinking their posterior is their best feature, while 30% of American women are happy to bare their bottoms.

The 'Net-A-Porter' of beauty

Finally a version of Net-A-Porter has arrived that we beauty buffs can love: www.nuusuite.com is a one-stop beauty shop founded by makeup artist Deborah J Francis. Exclusive brands include Jason Shankey, Gielly Green, MUD, Natural Empathy, and many more besides. Shop by your skin type, hair type, or what's new in; there's even stuff for men. If your order comes to over £40 you get free delivery too - wherever you are in the world.

QVC Beauty Awards winners revealed

Throughout July Beauty Month, 15,000 QVC viewers voted for the products that they themselves have used and loved. The winners are:

Best Moisturiser: Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser, £33

Best Flawless Finish: Bare Escentuals SPF15 Foundation, £20

Best Anti-Ageing Product: Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate, £38

Best Haircare Product: Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, £23

Best Eyecare Product: Gatineau Melatogenine Futur Plus Eye Concentrate, £46.50

Best Nailcare Product: OPI Twice The Envy, £16.75

Best Bodycare Product: L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream, £24.75

Best Makeup Must-Have: Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil, £17

Best Facial Cleanser: Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, £25

Best Handcare Product: L'Occitane Hand Cream Duo, £30

Best Concealer: Bare Minerals Multi-Tasking, Well-Rested and Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush, £25

Best Lip Product: Gale Hayman Lip Lift Duo with Collagen and Vitamin E, £21.75

Also in award news comes the message that eco-luxury skincare brand Bodhi has been shortlisted for a UK Beauty Award for its Ylang Ylang Incensa, a sensual bath and shower therapy that uses a higher-than-average percentage of essential oils, making it therapeutic to body and mind. This comes just one year after the launch of the brand's first range. Top beauty journalists and buyers will vote to decide the winner, which will be announced on December 2nd. Well done and good luck!

Stock up on essentials

In these wallet-crunching times, it's only understandable that companies don't want to put prices up - but sometimes they have to. Thankfully, The Organic Pharmacy has given its fans a warning in advance, saying that "from September 15th our products will cost a little more due to a price increase in our ingredients. This is so we can continue to remain true to our principles of bringing you the best products with the best organic ingredients as we have always promised to deliver you. Stock up on your essential products before the price increase - buy online or in store by September 14th."

Ancient beauty secrets from Queen of Aleppo

It's all about the oils this month! Olive oil has been popular for hundreds if not thousands of years as a way of taking care of our health and beauty from the inside and the outside. Queen of Aleppo's 100% natural soap crafted from olive and laurel oils is proving that ancient techniques can still work wonders today. The soaps are handmade in the winter, dried on racks, and then aged in subterranean chambers, during which time the soap becomes a deep golden colour and pH levels change naturally to match those of the skin. Perfect for all types of skin, from baby to mature, it can also prove a space-saver when travelling as it can be used to wash hair as well as skin. It also floats in water, so no chance of losing it in the bath! Costs from £3.25.

Coconut oil has also been recommended recently by the International Institute for Anti-Ageing (IIAA) as a way to help soften skin. Products recommended by the institute include Environ AVST Pre-Cleansing Oil (£15.95) and Jane Iredale PureGloss (£15).

Bee friendly

Some of you may remember my earlier post about actions taken by beauty company Neal's Yard to help protect the declining bee population. French organic beauty brand Melvita is now getting in on the act, having joined forces with frozen yoghurt company Yuforia. Buy one of the limited edition frozen yoghurts from Yuforia's Covent Garden or Soho stores, and you'll be helping to raise funds to build a third beehive on their roof. Bee-yoo-tiful. (BA-DUM-TSSSH.)

Topman launch first fragrance range

This September will see the long-awaited launch of Topman's fragrance and grooming range. The range - which will launch exclusively in Topman Oxford Circus and Selfridges department stores on September 22nd before going nationwide to all Boots and remaining Topman stores a week later - will consist of two eau de parfum fragrances (16 and 27) and an essential hair and body range offering hair putty, body wash, deodorant and a body spray, all carrying the 27 fragrance. The fragrances are brought to the Topman customer at the price of £15. "No.16 gives a sense of cool fresh air using three key top notes - bergamot, poivre and a woody ozone accent - which are amplified by the heart and edgy base of amber, labdanum and musks. No.27 had to have ingredients that would be addictive and distinctive, so we chose a wild accord of clarysage, anise and neroli with a magnetic character of vetiver and nutmeg for the heart, and added tenacity to the end composition with four notes of oakmoss, frankincense, cedarwood and musks," says Azzi Glasser, the perfume designer.

Akileine Regenerating Cream for Very Dry Feet

2011-08-18T21:37:00.000+01:00

RRP: £5.25/50ml; £10.25/150ml (www.akileine.co.uk)

--What does the promo say?--
"Made of shea butter and horse-chestnut extract, this cream intensively moisturizes, nourishes, smoothes and protects dehydrated, dry keratinised and rough skin. It prevents the formation of calluses and gives back the skin's suppleness while maintaining its natural pH."

--Packaging--
Akileine cleverly but simply distinguish between different foot care needs using different bright colours. The range for dry feet is bright blue. No softly-softly pastel approach here; this is a company that knows what it does, what it wants to achieve, and how to get it - fast. The screw-top lid is easy to remove when you need it, but stays secure when you don't.

--Application--
Rub into clean dry feet, not forgetting to get right in between your toes, and rub in until fully absorbed. Nothing tricky about this - the cream is luxurious but fast-absorbing.

--Scent--
Shea butter is detectable but not prominent; the arnica used in the product is more obvious. Despite being packed with chestnut and peanut there is no real nutty odour.

--Appearance--
A white cream that rubs invisibly into skin.

--Texture and consistency--
Perfect in my eyes: rubs in quickly and well in spite of its thickness. Luxurious, creamy, and not at all runny or sticky. A joy to use.

--Effects on the skin--
Clears up dry body skin better than any other cream I have tried, including prescription stuff. That's on very hard layers of skin, too. Well impressed - these guys are definitely foot specialists.

--Value for money--
It's arguably not the cheapest cream out there - at £10.25 for 150ml, you're in the same realms as brands such as L'Occitane. Nevertheless, it's still effective and affordable - what more could you want? I would definitely buy again.

perfect partners
Hydra Defense Balm, from £7.50
Softening Lotion for Dry Legs and Feet, from £7.25
Foot Peeling Creme, £10.25
Foot File, £6.95

Bath and Body Works Into The Wild Body Lotion

2011-08-05T17:53:00.000+01:00

RRP: £9.99/236ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Bath and Body Works Into The Wild Body Lotion.Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E, hydrates skin with moisture to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished of exotic mandarin, lush petals, and white woods."

--Packaging--

The burst of colour is naturally the first thing you notice - it jumps off the bottle like a shattered rainbow. Here it is contrasted nicely with the white of the bottle; in America it is also available in tube form, and the kaleidoscopic design covers the entire thing. The lotion comes out of the vessel easily and closure is firm and secure, without being too difficult to open when you do want to use it.

--Appearance--

A white cream that gives no hint of the bounty that lies beyond, and that rubs invisibly into skin.

--Scent--

Does exactly what it says on the tin: you get an immediate feeling of escapism and fresh air thanks to the white woods, petals and fruity scents. Saying that, though, I can't say the mandarin comes through too strongly - but the smell is one that I just find so divine that I'm willing to forgive it. It is quite musky without being vanilla-like, so if you're not into musk, stay away! However, I think there's something in this for every woman - it's floral and feminine while still being exotic and packing a punch.

--Texture and consistency--

Not at all sticky; sinks into skin perfectly.

--Longevity and effects on the skin--

The scent doesn't endure exceptionally well, but it was the moisturising effects that I was after - I am sick of being told by beauty therapists how dry my body skin is. As far as I'm concerned, this stuff worked - no positive comments, but certainly no negative ones either. I've also been using this in conjunction with the Into The Wild shower gel, which has the same moisturising properties (but is sadly unavailable in the UK).

--Value for money--

At this price, it falls into the same league as similar products by Burt's Bees and Essie, which I think is the right place for it. A little goes a long way, too, so you shouldn't need to replace it for a while after the initial purchase. A good exotic-seeming buy that is readily available at home.

perfect partners

Into The Wild Body Mist 236ml, £10.25

Liplicious Lip Gloss Into The Wild 14ml, £5.15

Into The Wild Perfume for Women 75ml, £18.30

Ex-smokers to be captured by famous photographer Rankin

2011-08-04T13:14:00.001+01:00

SPONSORED CONTENT

Famous photographer Rankin is looking for ex-smokers, or people who are trying to quit smoking, from across the EU, to be photographed by him and in doing so make history by participating in the latest campaign to be pro ex-smokers. By going to http://exsmokers.eu, you can enter yourself as one of the prospective 27 European ex-smokers to take part in the project. If you're chosen, you'll be brought to London to be photographed. Rankin enthuses about the project below:

Although, as you will have noticed above, this is a piece of sponsored content, the damage caused by smoking is something very close to my own heart. Not only do I work in an affluent international school, where worrying numbers of young people with too much money at their disposal take up smoking despite our best efforts to dissuade them, but both of my grandfathers also died of lung cancer because they smoked. Smoking not only makes you smell bad and burn a hole in your pocket, but it can yellow your nails and teeth, and accelerate the ageing process. Hardly a way to make yourself look beautiful. But more than that, smoking can cause a long, horrible, premature and painful death. Seriously - it's never too late to stop. If you're a smoker and want to quit, or already an ex-smoker, I really encourage you from the bottom of my heart to sign up.

Beauty Byte: Free Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Lip Balm

2011-08-04T13:02:00.000+01:00

Blistex have recently launched a new product: Raspberry Lemonade Blast.

A summery, fun lip balm which contains moisturising ingredients and sun protection, its launch is being celebrated with Blistex giving away FREE samples of the lip balm via its Facebook page. Like the page, fill in your details, and a sample will be winging its way to you.

Samples are limited, so make sure you get in there quickly. Enjoy!

Nanocosmetics: a bright future, or clouded with doubt?

2011-08-03T08:59:00.000+01:00

SPONSORED CONTENT

As I mentioned in my recent news post, nanocosmetics are potentially the rising star of the beauty industry this decade. Micro-particles are being used in just about everything from nail polishes to sunscreens to anti-ageing products, as these tiny molecular compounds are able to penetrate skin more deeply and produce better results. Great strides have been made in this field, so we can arguably expect to see in the near future more and more cosmetics that are both

beautifying and medically enhancing. Similarly exciting advancements are found at fashion merchandising colleges as well. It's therefore unsurprising that several big brands such as The Body Shop, as well as smaller brands such as Fiabila, are cashing in on the upward trend, with patents in this field having increased by 103% in the past seven years. But despite all of these globally known brands taking it so seriously, could it be nothing more than a flash in the pan?

This is certainly a possibility - and here's why. It's often been found in tests in the past that anti-ageing creams are not as effective as they are made out to be, doing little more for your skin than your average high street sunscreen. This is because if they were genuinely effective, they would have to be sold as medication - maybe even behind the counter of a pharmacy rather than off the shelf in a supermarket or branch of Boots. Can you really see your favourite foundation going that way? And if it did, would you still buy it, or would it be too much trouble?

Some fear that the use of this technology is racing ahead of the research done and potential repercussions. The words 'cancer' and 'genetic disorders' have been floated more than once in relation to nanocosmetics, and German citizens have even been warned by the country's Federal Environment Agency against using products containing nanoparticles, given that the impact of these nanoparticles upon the environment is not fully known. Another problem is that products containing nanoparticles are not always labelled as such - and if there's one thing that consumers like, it's transparency. Which? magazine, in 2008, demanded that such products be independently tested for safety - and it is a little worrying that of the 67 companies that Which? surveyed on this subject, only 17 firms responded - and that of these 17, only 8 were willing to provide information about how they use nanotechnology.

But all information needs to be regarded with an analytical and impartial eye: much of the criticism levelled at the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics comes from three years ago or more, and as with any technology, three years is a long time. We may as well count in dog rather than human years. And with the release of a new book this year on nanocosmetics and nanomedicines, we may get even closer in 2011 and beyond to discovering the truth of the matter.

Cosmetics & Beauty News July 2011

2011-07-31T15:40:00.001+01:00

Kate Beckinsale

Top British beauties revealed

The results of QVC's survey of 2000 men and women are in - so what does Britain believe to make the most beautiful? Apparently if you're 5'5", have blue eyes and dark brown hair, and are into acting, you stand a good chance. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, in the list of the 100 most beautiful women formulated according to the survey results, Audrey Hepburn came out on top, although the results were certainly evenly and closely spread - there were no landslides here, with the Breakfast At Tiffany's star scoring 11% of the votes. Plenty of famous brunettes appeared in the top 10, with Elizabeth Taylor in second place, and Catherine Zeta Jones, Cheryl Cole and Kelly Brook coming in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Plenty of blondes featured too, though, with Princess Diana coming third, Keira Knightley coming 7th, Holly Willoughby coming 9th, and Twiggy 10th. Kate Beckinsale completed the top 10 list, filling the 8th place. Vlogger Fleur de Force has been commissioned by QVC to create video tutorials using a whole range of beauty products from the shopping channel so that you can get the looks of these top ten British beauties at home. Products used to create the looks include Amazing Cosmetics concealer, Perricone No Foundation Foundation, and Bare Escentuals Fabulous Eye Colour Palette Diamond.

Beat The Heat

Since it appears that the sun is finally coming out again, we can all be newly concerned about protecting our hair, skin and eyes from the sun. John Frieda's Frizz-Ease hair serum is one way of dealing with the former: with three different formulas to choose from (original, extra-strength, and thermal protection), there's a frizz-busting serum for every possible problem, ensuring sleek and flawless style whether combating humidity or sun damage. Neutrogena's Multi-Defence range (prices from £3.49) will also help to protect skin from environmental aggressors all year round - while we all know about sun damage, your skin is also exposed to pollution from road vehicles, factories and homes. The range comprises moisturisers, scrubs and wipes and contains a heavenly host of ingredients to calm and protect skin, including vitamins, antioxidants, green tea, and Moringa seed. You could also try Simple's cooling Limited Edition Facial Wipes - for every pack sold, Simple will donate 10p of the RRP to Macmillan Cancer Care. Cooling, cleansing and caring - what more could you want?

Stand out from the crowd with Miami Pop

For a low-budget way of making yourself seen in the crowd this summer, you could always try 17's Miami Pop range, available at Boots. Centering on spontaneity, bronzes are mixed with bold brights and the products come in packages with a distinctive flamingo design. Try the nail varnishes, lip gloss and bronzer from just £2.99, or try the £6.49 Adaptitude Adapting Skin Match foundation for a look you can work all year round.

The future's bright

Are nano-cosmetics a mainstay of the future, or a flash-in-the-pan fad? Beauty company Fiabila certainly thinks it could be the former, having just secured permission to use nanotechnologies in its nail polishes. More specifically, they will be using Halloysite Natural Tubes: naturally occurring, non-toxic and environmentally friendly nano-composites which provide increased durability and performance to nail products. This means that as well as being at the cutting edge of technology, you're using natural products too - and Fiabila aren't the only ones to cash in on the rising star of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology - or the use of tiny molecular compounds - enables ingredients in beauty products to go deeper into the skin's surface and produce better results; as a consequence, the volume of patents relating to nanotechnology use in the beauty industry has increased by 103% over the past seven years, with the technology being used mainly in sunscreens and anti-ageing products. Since it can help with the healing and repair of skin tissue, it's hardly surprising that international brands such as Estée Lauder, Dr Brandt, Avon and Shiseido are hot on this new technology's tail.

Staying fresh

Aspects of health can be just as important as makeup and facials in helping us all feel our most beautiful. Companies like Femfresh are beginning to recognise this by offering products to keep us clean on the go - whether we are off to a festival or off on holiday. Especially important in hot weather, Femfresh's Feminine Freshness Wipes (£2.49) cleanse, freshen and deodorise with their hypoallergenic and pH-balanced formula. Just as importantly, they are biodegradable and flushable, helping to circumvent tricky disposal tactics. Also available is the Feminine Freshness Deodorant (£2.65), containing calendula and silk.

Babies and children can now also 'stay fresh' with the arrival of Pure Beginnings at John Lewis. Eco and vegan friendly, this organic skincare line is endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty South Africa, and accredited by Phytotrade Africa - all the while providing everyday essentials for little ones' skin, such as baby wash and shampoo (£8.15; contains rosemary, geranium and baobab), berry toothpaste (£3.60; endorsed by dental associations and suitable for teething babies), and barrier cream (£10.15; contains tea tree and baobab and can be used to treat skin conditions ranging from nappy rash to eczema).

Your secret weapon for perfect brows

Famous fans The Saturdays recommend HD Brows' Eye and Brow Palette (£19.95), whose long-lasting anti-smudge powders should keep your brows looking good for up to 24 hours. What makes this product different is the availability of different varieties for blondes (Bombshell), brunettes (Foxy), and those with dark hair (Vamp) to create a range of natural and smouldering looks. Rochelle describes her 'Vamp' palette as "an absolute must have" while Frankie "love[s] the definition they give". The powders can also be used as eyeshadows and the palette comes with a mirror and double-ended styling tool.

Fragrance news

Burberry announces the launch of Burberry Body - its most sensual women’s fragrance to date. British actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is the first Burberry Body fronting the fragrance’s multimedia ad campaign. The campaign directed by Christopher Bailey, features Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing only a rose gold satin trench coat and the scent Burberry Body will be launched through dynamic offline and online activity, innovative digital events and highly visible, disruptive communication combining tradition and technology. Burberry will create an iconic portfolio of "Burberry bodies" shot by Mario Testino, iconising the fragrance for years to come. Burberry Body launches in over 150 countries from 1 September 2011 with further details of the innovative bottle, fragrance and scent all being revealed over the coming weeks.

What makes you beautiful?

Lancôme is launching its site, www.visionsofbeauties.com, as of tomorrow, to help us find the answer. Everyone is invited to share their own vision of beauty, in whatever medium they so desire - an image, a phrase, a video...- and thus contribute to a constantly changing digital picture of beauty.

The site www.youbeauty.com could also help; it allows you to unlock your hidden beauty potential through specialised quizzes developed by doctors (on nutrition, sleep, relationships and more), improve your scores with personalised action steps delivered to your inbox, get the latest health and beauty news, read columns written by experts in their fields, and explore daily beauty facts. Tap into the science of a beautiful you!

You can also revitalise and detoxify yourself with the help of another doctor - Dr Hauschka - by using Dr Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Body Oil (£17.95), which for a limited time also comes with a 'grow your own' sleeve implanted with lemon mint seeds. The handmade paper sleeve can be planted and grown rather than discarded - use the leaves for a rejuvenating tea or to add kick to a salad, while the body oil keeps your skin hydrated and supple all year round with its formula containing jojoba, lemon, lemongrass and mistletoe.

Continue the lemon theme with Lanolips' Lemonaid Lip Aid - an originally limited edition product that is now permanently part of the Lanolips range. Containing lanolin and organic lemon oil to soften and exfoliate, it's priced at £8.99.

Free beauty treatments

To help the above along, why not take advantage of a free beauty treatment this summer courtesy of Really TV? The Really Buff Boutique in central London will be open for a limited time only (August 2nd-5th, 11-7) and offering free treatments including fish pedicures, waxing, and manicures. Just like their Facebook page to get hold of their exclusive booking number. John Bell & Croyden, London's landmark pharmacy, is also holding a summer shopping event in store on August 11th from 13.00-21.00. Packed full of free treatments including hand massages and mini facials, free health checks, and free tastings of red ginseng and Comvita honey (to name just a few), there's something for every need and desire. You can also enjoy 20% off everything and enter spectacular prize draws.

It's hardly surprising that this should appeal given QVC's latest survey indications that we really are a nation of beauty addicts: of the 2000 women surveyed recently, 33% would never leave the house without makeup on and 21% say putting on their makeup is the most important part of their day. A quarter of Brits reapply their makeup every two or three hours, and a whopping 65% believe themselves to be judged more by other women than by men. Make of that what you will...

Hand luggage essentials

Still got your hols to look forward to? You can beat the budget airlines at their game by travelling on hand baggage only to save money. Along with planning meticulously what you will wear (and sticking to it), wearing clothes more than once, and using your hotel's free towels (if provided) rather than bringing your own, you can pack smart by bringing makeup palettes, wipes and mini products rather than taking full size versions of everything. Some hand luggage essentials include Wet Ones antibacterial wipes (£1.19), Hawaiian Tropic's Takeaway Sun Protection Kit (£13.99), and Quattro for Women Disposable Razors (£5.79; contrary to popular belief, disposable razors are allowed - it's just individual blades that aren't). Happy travelling!

Blistex Lip Massage

2011-07-27T14:27:00.000+01:00

RRP: £1.83 (Boots.com)

--What does the promo say?--

"A softening treatment formula of shea butter, aloe vera and squalane applied with its unique massaging tip for smooth, refreshed and gorgeous lips. Dermatologically tested. SPF15."

--Packaging--

The shiny dark blue is an unusual touch and the tapered, textured top of the plastic tube only furthers this. The pull-off lid is secure, stays on well and comes off easily when you want it to. Simples! One complaint by other reviewers has been that the textured top becomes dirty too easily and requires constant cleaning; I personally haven't found this. Just remember that a little of this stuff goes a long way and you'll be fine.

--Application--

Blistex say: "Twist the cream and use the applicator tip to gently massage all over your lips (first use may take up to 10 turns, subsequent uses should only require one turn). Reapply frequently during prolonged exposure to dry, cold or sunny environments - the soft touch tip smooths away rough spots to achieve soft, smooth and gorgeous lips." No reading between the lines here; does exactly what it says on the tin.

--Appearance--

An opaque, creamy-coloured stiff lotion that gives a slight sheen to the lips once applied.

--Scent--

An overwhelmingly fruity scent which contrasts the menthol and vanilla scent you get from Blistex's other products. Could put the blokey contingent off, but I like it - it's a natural fruity smell too (although I can't work out where it comes from), unlike Carmex's fruit-style confections.

--Texture, consistency and sensation--

As mentioned, this is a stiff and creamy lotion, but it absorbs easily and is not at all sticky. Slight tingling sensation which fulfils the refreshing feeling promised by the promotional material. Equally, the textured tip offers a comforting and soothing 'massage' feeling when dragged across the lips, which is so simple and effective that I can't believe other lip care manufacturers haven't yet seized on similar devices.

--Effects on the lips--

All as promised: lips are soothed, smoothed and massaged. Top stuff.

--Value for money--

Prices vary widely across the web, even running as high as £3.50, so be careful. Boots offers it at £1.83 on special offer, but even at its normal price of £2.50, I'd say it's still a steal for an effective and unique product.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

2011-07-11T17:30:00.001+01:00

RRP: £9.70/150ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Wake up and revitalise eyes with cotton wool pads soaked in this gentle, soothing herbal lotion before using Cleanse & Polish. Non-oily, it is ideal for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Naturally active ingredients include the grassland herb eyebright, witch hazel, organic aloe vera and cornflower to help tone, cool and refresh tired, puffy or sore eyes."

--Packaging--

The rectangular packaging is reliable and confident, especially with its twist-up lid, and the calm yellow is unusual too, while still fitting in with the rest of the company's products.

--Application--

The Liz Earle website states: "Apply Eyebright to cotton wool pad to clean and wake up your eyes first thing. For a revitalising, soothing compress, soak 2 cotton wool pads in Eyebright and place over eyes and relax for 5 – 10 minutes." No tricks to any of that. One other tip from the Liz Earle therapists is to keep this product in the fridge for extra coolness on summer mornings.

--Appearance--

A clear liquid which leaves no visible residue on the skin after use.

--Scent--

I would actually say it's fragrance free, which is perhaps a little surprising given the presence of the aloe vera and witch hazel. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing - if you are put off by strong smells in products, have no fear here.

--Texture, consistency and sensation--

It's a replica of water in its texture and consistency - and, as promised by Liz Earle, is light and non-oily. It also didn't bother my contact lens-wearing husband; we both found it delivered a refreshing sensation without any irritating side effects. Although it's marketed as an eye lotion, it can also be used to refresh the entire face, which makes it a lifesaver in hot weather. Its lack of harsh chemicals also means it can be used for children.

--Other comments--

I've heard this can also be used to remove light eye makeup, and while I believe it can do this, I don't know anyone who wears *only* eye makeup, and so most people need a more heavy duty makeup remover that also removes foundation etc. Why would you use two products when one will do?

--Value for money--

It's not that I think the price is bad, especially for a product which appears to be totally unique in the market (type "eye lotion 150ml" into Google Shopping, and even without the speech marks, Liz Earle's product is the only one to come up; without the ml specification, even then most of the results are eye creams, which is not what this product is). However, even though I think it is a great addition to a facial (before, during or after a mask, for example), neither my husband nor I could see the point of it exactly in terms of fitting it into our day-to-day routine (we both already cleanse, tone and moisturise). I'm guessing that the people who would get the most out of this product are people who perhaps suffer with eczema, psoriasis or dry/irritated skin around the eye area, but apart from that, most people are not going to make regular use of this product. Liz Earle would perhaps be better off rebranding it as a toner for acneic skin (its Skin Repair Light moisturiser, which is for oily skin, already contains similar ingredients; I would be tempted to use Eyebright as a toner to see if its witch hazel sees off the blighters), a toner for sensitive skin, or a toner for people with other skin complaints (see above for examples). Maybe then it would have more takers.

perfect partners

Eye Try-Me Kit, £22.75 (for 4 travel size favourites)

Daily Eye Repair, £13.25/10ml

Smoothing Line Serum, £13.25/10ml

Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £11.75/100ml

Skin Repair Light, £17.60/50ml

Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner

2011-07-11T14:13:00.000+01:00

RRP: £1.49 (Superdrug)

--What does the promo say?--

"For beautifully cared for lips that are healthy and in tip top condition. Now bursting with even more Vitamin E and with added Aloe Vera and collagen, this daily lip balm has all the ingredients for keeping your lips gorgeously soft, healthy and younger looking.

Care - your lovely lips will feel smooth and super soft from all the goodness of daily conditioner."

--Packaging--

The green and cream combination is unusual - a lot of lip balm containers seem to burst off the shelves in bright primary colours - and evokes the idea of natural ingredients being used. Despite the appearance of the cardboard sleeve, the balm itself comes in a small plastic pot that you need to dunk your finger into to extract the balm. Generally no complaints apart from the fact that the screwtop lid can occasionally come a bit loose in a pocket or bag - although not so loose that you can't fix it before it falls off and makes the balm all sticky and gross.

--Application--

Use your fingers, or perhaps a lip brush, to apply the balm onto the lips. Much easier to control than other Blistex products such as the Relief Cream.

--Appearance--

A creamy-coloured balm in the pot which is invisible on the lips, delivering only the slightest sheen and thus making it suitable to be used by men, women and children.

--Scent--

A lovely vanilla smell - which may make it appeal less to men! It's a natural-seeming smell, though, and it's not strong enough to be offensive.

--Texture and consistency--

Smooth, soft, slightly waxy, and not at all irritating.

--Sensation--

Gives a slight tingling feeling, making your lips feel fresh and nourished.

--Effects on the lips--

Sends dry skin packing with ease, leaving lips smooth in the long and short term. It also has SPF15 in it, so you don't need to worry about being out in the sun. Nice one, Blistex.

--Value for money--

My favourite kind of product: utilitarian, luxurious, portable, and best of all, affordable. Would I buy again? DEFINITELY.

perfect partners

Intensive Moisturiser Lip Cream, £2.34

Tint & Shine, £2.59

Med Plus Cherry Berry Lip Balm, £2.34

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

2011-07-11T13:58:00.000+01:00

RRP: £7.65 for 200ml

--What does the promo say?--

"With West African shea butter, natural source vitamin E, shine-boosting apple and orange extracts plus naturally derived cleansers, our shampoo gently cleans without stripping to leave hair soft, shiny and smooth. Contains no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate. Naturally active ingredients include natural vitamin E, west african shea butter to moisturise plus apple and orange extracts boost shine. Specially formulated with meadowfoam and yangu oils, blue seakale and shine-boosting apple and orange extracts, our creamy, colour safe conditioner leaves normal hair glossy, hydrated and in perfect condition, ready to style. Naturally active ingredients include meadow foam oil to help condition, Kenyan yangu oil to smooth and soften plus apple and orange extracts to boost shine."

--Packaging--

The blue and white is perhaps a little too conventional in terms of the shampoo and conditioner market in general, but fits in well with the rest of the Liz Earle range. Even though the fact that they contain apple and orange extracts means that they probably could have gone for a pale green or orange colour scheme, I can appreciate that they didn't want things to look too wacky. The plastic tubes are shiny and the flip-top lid is secure; the grass-decoration banner is also successful in conjuring up the desired natural image and hinting at the product ingredients.

--Application--

"Wet hair thoroughly, massage into a rich lather from root to tip – a little shampoo goes a long way," says the Liz Earle website. It continues: "If needed, add water for more lather. Rinse and repeat if required. Massage [the conditioner] into clean, wet hair after using Botanical Shine Shampoo. Apply to mid lengths and ends. Rinse thoroughly." Nothing tricky about any of that.

--Appearance--

The shampoo is a runny, but not too runny, opaque off-white lotion that creates a fine white lather when mixed with water. The conditioner, however, is a stiff white lotion. Neither leaves any visible residue on the hair after rinsing.

--Smell--

If you sniff hard then you can smell the fruit extracts; however, it is not immediately obvious. Overall a fresh and clean scent suitable for both sexes.

--Texture and consistency--

The shampoo, as mentioned, is a runny lotion, while the conditioner is more like a stiff cream; both, though, are easy to spread and work through the hair. A smoothing and luxurious experience on both counts. I am also always amazed by how Liz Earle manages to create such a fine yet rich foam in the company's products without the use of traditional industry foamer SLS.

--Effects on the hair--

Makes hair smoother, cleaner, less frizzy, less tangled, and more manageable. However, as someone with hair that is quite quick to get greasy (although, simultaneously and frustratingly, when it has just been washed it is usually too dry!), I would be interested to try one of their other conditioners: there exists one for dry or damaged hair, as well as one for fine or oily hair.

--Value for money--

Gives a good salon effect with natural ingredients, so I'd say this is quite a good buy. Even though some may balk at the price, it is in the same bracket as the chemical-laden L'Oreal and Tigi, so at the end of the day, I suppose it depends on your priorities.

Botanical Shine Shampoo - for all hair types

Three types of conditioner available: for normal hair, for dry & damaged hair, and for fine & oily hair

All £7.65 for 200ml

Alpha H Triple Action Cleanser

2011-07-06T18:03:00.000+01:00

RRP: £21/200ml

--What does the promo say?--

"This light non-foaming cleansing gel that removes all traces of face and eye make-up whilst cooling the skin. Contains triclosan (a scientifically proven anti-bacterial which helps reduce acne breakouts), aloe vera, which hydrates, and cucumber, which calms and soothes. Recommended for normal, combination or oily skins; for adults and teenagers suffering from persistent breakouts, or for men to use prior to shaving. Gently removes eye make-up; retards the spread of acne bacteria, breaking the acne cycle; skin attains correct pH balance thanks to unique combination of ingredients; skin becomes more receptive to further treatment."

--Packaging--

Very utilitarian and unisex in its black and white plastic tube. While functional is good, I would have perhaps liked something that told me a little more about the product's "personality".

--Application--

Spread the non-foaming gel over a wet face and then rinse off. Nothing difficult about that.

--Appearance--

A clear gel which, as mentioned is non-foaming. Leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--

Virtually scent-free; a tiny amount of aloe vera may be detectable, but it's certainly not strong enough to bother anyone.

--Texture and consistency--

As you would expect a gel to feel: not lumpy, not sticky. Just smooth. Easy to wash off.

--Effects on the skin--

Despite the generally boring-if-hunky-dory aspects of the product as detailed above, this is where I hit trouble, and where my view seems to differ to just about everyone else on the internet. I found that oil built up more quickly on my skin throughout the day while I was using this, and that if anything spots got worse and took longer to go away. Sucks to be me.

--Value for money--

Those for whom this product works probably find it's excellent value. But I don't - and find that £21 is pretty expensive in general. For something more effective, and cheaper, go for Clinique's Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Bar or Cleansing Foam (£13 each), or Neal's Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Facial Wash (£16). For something in the same price bracket - which provides a more effective and luxurious experience, go for Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish, which is exactly the same price at £21 for 200ml.

perfect partners

Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF50+, £25.50

Purifying Clay Mask with Vitamin A, £24

Cosmetics Contemplations: From one royal wedding to another

2011-07-04T16:45:00.002+01:00

As I mentioned at the beginning of May in my original royal wedding makeup post, eyes can be just as much on a celebrity bride's face as on their dress. With Kate Middleton, Lily Allen and Kate Moss having all gone for natural looks, it appears too that the new Princess Charlene of Monaco went for an equally classic look on Saturday:

Waterproof mascara was clearly a choice element for this teary bride. Her tan (natural, I'm guessing; if it's fake then whoever did it did an excellent job) is complemented by a highlighter (perhaps something akin to Benefit's High Beam) and a natural lip colour, such as those provided by Clinique's new Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm (Graped Up is a most agreeable shade). Some extra hold may have been needed for the lips, though, so perhaps the blushing bride's lips also had a base made from concealer or foundation, or from a specialist product intended for the purpose, such as products by Astor or Benefit. Max Factor also do a great double-ended product, the classic Lipfinity, that does both in one stick. I've heard, though, that Charlene's lip colour was actually applied by makeup artist Pablo Ardizzone, and created by him too - the shade 'Charlene' was mixed specially, in honour of the day.

The bride's eyeshadow, in timeless golden brown colours, is also given the thumbs up from over here - and, as some criticised Kate Middleton for, none of it is too heavy even from close up. The eyebrows are well-shaped too - although I don't imagine for a moment that the ex-Olympic swimmer did them herself.

The crowning glory, though, is definitely the new princess' hair: her highlights add natural extra dimensions without looking in the least bit tacky (although you'd expect that from someone with hundreds to spend on a hairdresser, wouldn't you?), and the hairpiece is elegant and a little bit glitzy without losing any of its classiness.

Funnily enough, the lack of jewellery, while it initially bothered me, does not in fact detract from the overall effect: the hairpiece, glittering details on the dress itself, and the other main features of the veil and train more than compensate. On seeing pictures, the wow-factor is there while still keeping Charlene looking chic and understated. We don't know what perfume Charlene wore, but the aptly-named Marry Me! by Lanvin would fit the bill for any bride; alternatively, she could have followed in Kate Middleton's footsteps and plumped for the Duchess of Cambridge's choice - White Gardenia Petals, by the House of Illuminium.

Another brand that may have been a port of call for the new princess may have been Giorgio Armani: after all, he did design the dress, and the makeup brand that bears his name also gets the thumbs up from several beauty industry pros. Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel designer, was also present among the guests; could Charlene have taken some beauty guidance from him?

Overall, a successful and very lovely wedding look; let's just hope the marriage of the newest entrant to the House of Grimaldi is just as successful.

DIY!

Bronzer: Agnès B b. Sunny! Poudre de Soleil

Mascara: Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara

Highlighter: ELF Shimmering Facial Whip

Lips: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm; Benefit Lip Plump

Eyeshadow: MAC Pigments in Chocolate Brown, Tan and Copper Sparkle

Perfume: Marry Me! by Lanvin

Beauty Byte: On the Fashion Photography Circuit

2011-07-04T15:01:00.000+01:00

Vodafone has set world-class racing drivers Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton a tough challenge: can they style, direct and photograph a high-end British fashion shoot?

Assisted by stylist Valentine Fillol-Cordier, they are tasked to style the models, choose props, and then take photographs. It must have been a partial success at least, with model Charlotte W describing the shoot as "hilarious" and "completely different to any shoot I've ever been on". Click on the video above to see for yourself!

The film is just one element of Vodafone VIP, which gives customers access to the best of British festival, fashion and Formula 1™ events. Whether it’s the 2011 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX, music festivals or exclusive front row seats at London Fashion Week shows, Vodafone will be supplying customers with the hottest tickets and money can’t buy experiences. All Vodafone customers can register for Vodafone VIP by going online.

Cosmetics & Beauty News June 2011

2011-06-30T20:33:00.002+01:00

Tan-tastic

With all of the negative coverage about sunbeds and even about the sun itself (although don't forget that everyone needs some sun each day unshielded from sunscreen for their daily dose of vitamin D), it can sometimes seem like the only way forward is via fake tanning - especially since some dermatologists, such as Dr Amy Taub, are even getting high schoolers to sign 'no-tanning' pledges. Tan Solutions UK truly does offer a solution for everyone with its extensive range of at-home self tans for different skin tones, including those of us who normally get no further than the pale and interesting look. At over £15 it's in Fake Bake and St Tropez territory, but with delivery free over £20, a discount code of 20% on your first order (type in OPEN at the checkout), and Paypal accepted too, it's looking like one of the hottest new options on the market today.

In the same price bracket, try Crazy Angel Duo Packs - the same fake tan supplying programmes such as Made In Chelsea. Rich in bearberry, shea butter and sesame, it too caters for light and dark skin tones.

You can also fill out YouTravel.com's fun survey on tanning here: http://www.youtravel.com/tanning.htm Have the TOWIE girls succeeded in bringing back the creosote fake bake? How much is too much?

Grow, hair, grow!

If, like me, you're fed up of hair THAT JUST WON'T SEEM TO GROW GODDAMMIT (I've been stuck at shoulder length for years), then Lee Stafford new hair growth shampoo and conditioner range could fit the bill perfectly. Following on from the existing Hair Growth Treatment comes the shampoo and conditioner to help 'fertilise your follicules and help hair grow to its maximum potential length'. They contain a cocktail of yummy-sounding (and smelling!) stuff, including apple and lemon extracts, green tea, and wheat protein. At £6.99 each for salon-standard styling, they're affordable too.

Celebrating all things beauty

Television shopping channel QVC's Beauty Month launches tomorrow (July 1st) - and trust me, there's loads to look forward to in the way of exclusive launches, great guests, and special offers. Discover new premium bronzers, nail care items and fabulous gift sets from brands such as Elemis, New CID, Bliss, OPI, and Perfect Formula - and perhaps even start on a little super-organised Christmas shopping from the comfort of your own home :) Shiseido has also launched on QVC this week, so start looking out for exclusive info and promotions on that front too.

All acne? All natural? No problem

When looking for solutions for acneic skin it can seem that all the products on the shelves are loaded with chemicals. Chart-topping television programme Embarrassing Bodies: Live From The Clinic has, however, perhaps found a product for those who prefer to care for their skin more naturally. Voted best product on the show recently, Antiac Skin Therapy Spray by Salcura supposedly "stop[s] shine and [gets] right down deep into the pores to banish blemishes" and provides an aromatherapeutic experience at home too, containing tea tree, sandalwood, manuka and nerolina oils, which not only smell nice but also combat the bacteria that cause acne with their anti-fungal and anti-septic actions. It also has aloe vera and sea buckthorn in the ingredients list to treat inflammation and promote healing. It's available in a spray format, allowing for more economical use and deeper, quicker penetration of the product into the skin. Interested? You should be. I know I am.

Health vs beauty

You'd think that health would win out in this battle, right? WRONG - British women apparently spend more than £100 more on beauty than on health each year, spending around £336 per annum on beauty enhancement products compared to £228 a year on vitamins, gym membership and health care. The survey of 3000 women aged 18-65, commissioned by the Benenden Healthcare Society, shows that British women also use 880 gallons of foundation per year, and enough lipstick each year between them to draw a line from London to New York. Don't forget to look after your inner health too!

Makeup for the beach

At this time of year, the Western world is assaulted by ads for fake tan products, limited edition summer makeup palettes, and, of course, waterproof makeup for the beach. But some waterproof makeup products don't just stop you from looking like a panda - if you think about it, rubbing makeup into your eyes by accident or crying just after you've done your makeup can lead to a host of eye infections. Scrummy, I think you'll agree. So it could actually be pretty important to have a mascara like Blinc's Kiss Me Mascara on your side, since it claims to never run, clump, smuidge or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes. The most searched-for mascara on the internet, it is sometimes even recommended by ophthalmologists for those who have recently undergone laser eye surgery or to patients who have sensitive eyes or use contact lenses. It can even be removed with warm water alone, and given that it's available in black, brown, and even green, there's no need to compromise on your usual look either. Depending on where you look (Google Shopping is a good place to start), it can even be found for as little as £10.

And speaking of beach makeup - a full face isn't cool. It just looks odd and may clog up your skin even more in the sun. Moisture is key due to the sun and salt water, so get a good moisturiser (why not a tinted one?), and of course, a good sunscreen. Use powder-based products to combat shine, rather than liquids or creams that may smudge; cheek stains are good for long-lasting colour; and don't forget there are plenty of waterproof eyeshadows and eyeliners out there too.

There's also an article from ChangeOfAddress.org on keeping your feet beach beautiful that is good to check out: http://www.changeofaddress.org/blog/2011/10-tips-for-keeping-your-feet-beautiful-during-sandal-season/

Dove meets Nails Inc

From now until July 12th, you can get a free limited edition Nails Inc nail polish created by Dove especially whenever you buy any two Dove deodorants at Boots. Taking their names from colourful Latino cities (including Havana), the Dove Beauty Collection nail polishes bring the vibes from these cities straight to your fingertips. This perfect finishing touch is worth £11 and is a great celebration of Dove's newest deodorant, Beauty Finish. Make sure you don't miss out!

There's an app for that

Of course, when it comes to looking prettyful it's sometimes not enough to paint and powder ourselves to within an inch of our lives. That's why it's important to keep fit and healthy too - and yep, you guessed it, there's even an app for that. From timing contractions to launching birds at pigs, it seems that iPhone apps can do anything these days, including keeping tabs on your fitness and diet. The main problem for most (including myself) is motivation and willpower, which Christine Chiu's new app (as yet unnamed) hopes to counter by turning your health goals into series of small, winnable games. Users can earn points, level up, and unlock badges whenever they do something good, such as adding a piece of fruit to the food diary or completing a workout, as well as consulting charts and graphs to follow their progress. And best of all, you'll be able to use it even if you don't have a smartphone, as there'll be a web version too. Stay tuned for further info!

Jergens has also recently created their Fantastic-O-Meter - a fun and handy tool that helps you to identify the areas of your life where you may need a little injection of Fantastic, by asking you to rate six key areas: Fun & Recreation, Finance, Family, Friends, Love Life, and Health & Wellbeing. You can try it here: http://www.facebook.com/Jergensnaturals?sk=app_218075944886006

Save the bees!

Following yesterday's Bee Lovely Bee Symposium, hosted by Neal's Yard in association with activist Sam Roddick, the beauty brand is now reaching out to ordinary consumers to help save these precious pollinators. From now until October, you can sign the petition to help raise awareness of the plight of bees and to ban neonics (powerful pesticides) that pose a threat to them. The Neal's Yard Winni-bee-go van will also be zooming around London on July 5th and 6th, where you can pick up a free Save The Bees book and get a massage with Bee Lovely Hand Cream. In August the book and hand cream will be launched officially nationwide, with the cream including organic honey and orange essential oil.

Now that's what I call multi-tasking...

Renowned psychologist Linda Papadopoulos has just released LP Skin Therapy - a skincare line that takes multi-tasking to new heights by using psychodermatology (how the mind can affect the skin). Treat your mind and your skin at the same time with these products, which are sold by Harrods and QVC and contain known mood regulators, such as periwinkle extract, tyrosine and Vitacell. Starting at £15 means they aren't cheap, but not exactly out of reach either - and it could be worth it to balance your entire wellbeing.

Be spa struck

If you can afford it, you can also take yourself off to Wales' highest-rated hotel - the 4* Vale Resort - which has just unveiled its brand new spa. With three unique relaxation zones - chill-out, water, and sleep - you're bound to find the perfect experience among the plethora of shimmering lanterns and water features, and, in addition, the Thermae Suite is designed to treat your body to heat experiences that soothe, relax and detoxify, such as saunas, body brushing with birch, hot and cold rainforest showers with chromatherapy lighting, and ice rooms. It's also the only spa in Wales to offer luxury beauty brand Sundari, created by model Christy Turlington.

And while you're splashing the cash, why not pay a visit to Claudia Louch, the Harley Street-based skincare and nutrition expert? All of her skincare treatments and products are created bespoke for each individual patient, and all are 100% plant-based. Sounds worth the consultation fee to me. If struggling with acne, eczema, rashes or psoriasis she could be a good pit stop.

Bright and beautiful eyes

To soothe eyes that have been irritated by sunlight, sea water, chlorine or hay fever, Liz Earle's Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion could just transport you to a calmer place too. Just for summer, the company is running a bright and beautiful eyes offer: for £25, you can receive a tube each of Daily Eye Repair and Smoothing Line Serum and a bottle of Eyebright - saving you £9.70 until August 31st. What's more, these three products provide all you need for the eye mask that's part of the signature facial at Liz Earle's London Treatment Rooms. To do a facial eye treatment in the comfort of your own home, simply soak two cotton wool pads of our Eyebright and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then apply Soothing Line Serum around the eye contour (gently patting with the ring finger) and finally apply the two chilled pads for 15minutes and relax. This will help decongest and hydrate the eye area, leaving eyes looking bright and beautiful.

Bianca's Beauty Blog

Caudalie Vinotherapie Vine Peach Shower Gel

No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream (Normal/Oily)

Give your lips the red hot look with the one million lipsticks giveaway

JML Pedi Pro Deluxe

Aura-Soma AEOS Cleansing Oil Dé-Maq

Aura-Soma Pegasus Perfume 58 (Aquatic Flowers)

RRP: £79

--What does the promo say?--

--Packaging--

--Application--Just spritz wherever you want to smell good, and you're away! Aura-Soma's shower gels and body lotions make a good accompaniment.

--Appearance--

Pale yellow fluid in the bottle, as mentioned; invisible on the skin.

--Scent--

--Longevity--

Again, this fared no better than commercial perfumes, wearing off within a few hours.

--Value for money--

Myleene Klass Nails for JML

Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Shower Gel

Cosmetics & Beauty News October/November 2011

Cosmetics Contemplations: Christmas Collections 2011

Murine Bright and Moist Eye Drops

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

Dainty Doll Hot Pour Concealer

GlossyBox

Green People Vita Min Fix

Kleenex Eye Make-Up Removal Wipes Sensitive

Aquafresh Ultimate + Whitening

Radox Bath Smoothies

Bath and Body Works Plum Potion Body Lotion

Kleenex Extra Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes

Kleenex Cotton Touch Facial Cloths

Blistex Lip Brilliance

Beauty Book Review: Branded Beauty (Mark Tungate)

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF15

Cosmetics & Beauty News (September 2011)

Beauty Byte: The Big Suitcase

Beauty Byte: Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable

Garnier Miracle Perfector All-in-One BB Cream

Illamasqua Concealer

Beauty Byte: Flower Girl

Beauty Byte: Sudocrem Beauty Blogger of the Month

Cosmetics Contemplations: A Girl's Best Friend?

Montagne Jeunesse Weather Screen Lip Balm

Salcura Skin Therapy Spray

Body Shop Mango Bath Shower Gel

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Cream Wash

Cosmetics Contemplations: Can you fully trust a brand that only sells online?

Cosmetics & Beauty News August 2011

Akileine Regenerating Cream for Very Dry Feet

Bath and Body Works Into The Wild Body Lotion

Ex-smokers to be captured by famous photographer Rankin

Beauty Byte: Free Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Lip Balm

Nanocosmetics: a bright future, or clouded with doubt?

Cosmetics & Beauty News July 2011

Blistex Lip Massage

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

Alpha H Triple Action Cleanser

Cosmetics Contemplations: From one royal wedding to another

Beauty Byte: On the Fashion Photography Circuit

Cosmetics & Beauty News June 2011

--Application--
Just spritz wherever you want to smell good, and you're away! Aura-Soma's shower gels and body lotions make a good accompaniment.