Estee Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee

Following on from my post recently regarding Estee Lauder Double Wear Powder which uses innovative technology to blend powder, gel and liquid, I discovered this new item from the same beauty house, using the same technology.

It looks really lovely...

This is a bronzer which is designed to be used all over the body, as well as your face. It has both brown and light tan/golden elements to it, and it has a pearlescent sheen to give your skin a warm, soft-focus look.

This will be ideal for Summer - I think a slight shimmer and a pearly palette looks great on Summer skin if it's not overdone. A shimmery highlight in the right places can really offset that warm, glowy Summer skin that we all covet.

Just like their other new powders, Estee Lauder have ensured this is moisturising and seamless by using their new powder blend which contains liquid and gel so you never get that cakey, dry make up look that a lot of powders create.

Estee Lauder are generally really good with their packaging and this is no different - very glamorous and chic, I definitely want this in my make up bag!

This is available now for £30.


xo

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Fine to Full Blow Out Spray Review

I got this blow dry spray a few weeks ago now and wanted to give it some proper testing before writing a review.

The spray is part of John Frieda's luxurious volume range and generally John Frieda is a brand that I trust. It's a high street brand that I think had performed really well over the years and although I would never say that all of their products have worked for me, there are a couple that stand out and this spray is one of them.

The blow dry spray is designed to be used in semi-wet hair before you blow dry. You're meant to towel dry your hair first, then spray this in and off you go.

I tend not to towel dry my hair too much as I find it roughs it up too much and it's bad for split ends, so instead when I have time I just wrap a towel around my hair and leave it like that for an hour or so whilst I go and do something else.

If you spray this in when your hair is too wet, it'll just dilute really quickly. If you're in a rush, blast your hair for a few minutes then spray this in before you finish off.

If you want a massive dose of volume, blow dry your hair upside down. Otherwise, this spray works great with any style of blow dry.

I find that this does make my hair bouncier and it also holds my style for longer without ever feeling sticky or greasy. I can tell I'm wearing the product as my hair feels different, but in a good way - it feels like it's got natural hold and like its got some real volume at the roots.

The spray is pretty cheap and you can get it on the high street at Boots. For the price, I think it's really good value and you don't have to use very much each time you style to get good results.

I'd recommend this product to anyone looking for bouncier hair or anyone who finds it difficult to get volume in their hair when they blow dry it.

Have any of you tried this? What do you think?

xo

Estee Lauder Double Wear Invisible Powder

Normally a powder isn't something beauty brands will release for Spring/Summer but this new powder by Estee Lauder promises to be so light and moisturising that it's perfect for balmy days.

Most importantly, this powder is completely oil free so for those of you who get oily skin and worry that Summer will make it worse, this product is great.

This powder promises a 'barely there' look which will be light and breathable on your skin. 

The powder itself is different to others on the market because it is actually a blend of powder, liquid and gel - this means it will look much more natural than a standard powder and won't dry your face out or sit on top of your skin like a mask. It's also talc-free which means you don't have to worry about that tell-tale powder texture on your face, as this will blend beautifully with your skin.

When we think about face powders, the older formulations that were cakey, overly-powdery and really unnatural looking can be a big put off, but the newest formulas are much more suited to real skin and, like this one, are designed to be almost undetectable apart from the fact that your skin will look much better and polished!

There's a great colour range available for this powder and Estee Lauder have catered well to darker-skinned ladies and the less common skin tones. There's 14 colours available at the moment.

The compact costs £29 and you can get this now from John Lewis online as well as a range of other suppliers.



xo

Nip + Fab 'Lip + Nip Fix' Review

I originally got this as part of a Nip + Fab box set and was so impressed that I bought an additional one of these - I didn't realise at the time that just on tube lasts months and months so between the two tubes I've probably got a years supply now!

Anyway... This balm is SO similar to Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream but for a fraction of the price. One tube of this Nip + Fab balm costs around £8.25 but if you keep a look out for the box sets, you can often catch them online for a reduced price. The box set I got in a sale costs £8.50 for 4 full-sized items including this!

Anyone who hasn't used Eight Hour Cream before may not understand the texture of this - both are thick, kind of sticky and don't just smooth on like a lip balm. The Nip + Fab one is so thick that it's sometimes hard to squeeze it out of the tube - the only downside to this product I've found so far!

A lot of people are put off by the texture but for both of these products, the texture is what makes them work really well. This balm stays on for absolutely ages and is really amazing at healing dry, burnt, chapped or damaged skin. I smother it on to my lips before bed and wake up with baby-soft lips in the morning, and it's also great for soothing burns or a rage of other skin ailments.

The balm even has the same sort of smell as Eight Hour Cream. A lot of people really don't like this smell so make sure you don't mind it before you buy! I personally don't have a problem with the smell and it's not something that anyone else can smell on you anyway.

The beauty of this balm is that it is ideal to keep in your handbag in emergencies. During winter, it's been a real saviour for dry lips and it's so handy to keep it nearby in case you notice some dry skin or need to add a little sheen to something. A little goes a long way and you can use it anywhere on your body that you think could benefit from some deep moisturisation. Just be careful that you don't get in on your clothes because it's really sticky!!

You can get this now from a range of stockists including Debenhams and ASOS.


xo

Dior Nail Art at Harrods

This has to be the ultimate combination of nail art and high end fashion..! If you're a fan of pretty, graphic, bold or patterened nails  - of if you're a fan of Dior - you'll definitely appreciate the the nail 'menu' at Harrods, inspired by Dior's Spring/Summer 2013 collection.

Gorgeous, right? But which one to choose...

The nail patterns are directly inspired by different outfits and patterns that walked down the Dior catwalk, so you're not only buying into a beautiful manicure, but a really on-fashion look without the usual Dior price tag.

The nail art has been created by Sophie Harris Greenslade,  AKA 'The Illustrated Nail'. Sophie is an amazing nail technician, if you haven't checked her out already make sure you do - @TheIllustratedNail 

You can book in to receive on of these very special manicures up to 14th April at Harrods in London. Sophie herself will be carrying out Dior manicures on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays if you fancy a session with the woman herself. 

This is only available for a short while and is bound to be very booked-up so if you're after one of these get your booking in pronto!

xo

Tria Rejuvinating Laser

Would you trust yourself to zap your own face with a laser...?

The Rejuvinating Laser from Tria is now available to buy so you can administer your own laser treatment at home. Tria claim that this product can give you salon-worthy results from the comfort of your own home - I think a lot of people are generally skeptical when it comes to salon treatments at home. How good can it be if a certified beautician isn't doing it, right?

However, so far it's received really strong reviews and has built up a celebrity following with the likes of Kate Moss and Kim Kardashian zapping their own faces. 

There's also a lot of professional research behind this product. The handheld device uses fractional laser technology (the same as they use in clinics) to blast away fine lines and wrinkles, as well as help with discolouration and skin texture. 

Skin lasers work by creating light energy, which stimulates collagen production - and we call know collagen is a powerhouse when it comes to skin plumpness and elasticity.

Tria say this is really easy to use at home and rather than going for one heavy laser treatment at a clinic and then having a few weeks break, this laser is designed to be used for a few minutes every single day over an eight week period. 

I won't be trying this out - I'm 23 so wrinkles are not really an issue, but I'd definitely be intrigued to give it a go in a few years time.

The laser costs £450, which seems expensive but when you think just one salon treatment could cost you that amount, it suddenly seems like much better value. The people who will get the most benefit out of this are those who either already go for laser treatments at clinics, or anyone who is thinking about doing so. If you're happy to hand over £450 you might as well get something physical in return that you can keep using...

You can buy this now from Selfridges or the Tria website.

xo

LBD vs LWD - Fashion Face Off

The Little Black Dress is a girl's wardrobe staple and can be worn any time of year, day or night. But the Little White Dress has slowly become a Spring/Summer staple, seen all over thew catwalks as well as on many celebrities.

I chose my current favourite LBD and LWD. Two very similar shape dresses but with different colours and a very different price tag.

Which is your favourite?

 First up is this 60s style lace panel dress by Topshop. I love the detailing on this dress - the very subtle trim and the lace pattern makes it so girly and sweet. A black dress can sometimes look a little heavy in Spring/Summer but the light fabric and the lace panel across the middle makes this a perfect pick for warmer days. I think this would look so chic worn with some metallic sandals and a great tan. This dress costs £46 .

This cutie is from Issa at Net-A-Porter and costs a pricey £795. White dresses look really gorgeous against tanned skin and this dress, with it's colourful embellished neckline will look perfect on a warm Summer day when you need something a little more dressy. I'd keep this simple with some white or nude sandals and let the neckline do the talking. 

Which dress is your favourite? Are you an LBD or LWD girl? Leave a comment below!



xo

Micropedi Review

I actually got this for Christmas so I've been using it for a few months now and thought I'd write a review. This isn't the most glamorous of products but it is something that really works and can quickly become an essential item.

Micropedi is a handheld electric device, with a micro-mineral roller which basically gets rid of any dry, cracked or hard skin on your feet it a matter of minutes.

When you buy the Micropedi, you get a roller with it but you can also buy the rollers separately when yours starts to lose it's texture. There are two roller types, one normal and one extra coarse. I've only used the normal roller and it's SO effective, I'd only recommend going for the extra coarse roller if you really need it.

The device itself is actually really light and easy to hold. It's battery operated so you don't have to worry about plugging it in or annoying cords getting in your way. The battery power seems to last really well in this, too, considering how much power you're getting out of it.

It couldn't be easier to use the Micropedi - you literally just switch it on and hold it so the roller is against the sole of your feet. Problems areas would typically be heels and the ball of your foot, but this works all over your foot (although I wouldn't recommend trying it on the top of your foot!).

The roller gets rids of any hard or dry skin in a flash - you only need to do this maybe once a week max, and to do both feet probably takes maximum 10-15 minutes, so you don't have to commit very much time to it at all.

The effect is really impressive. Anyone who regularly wears heels, or trainers (or really any shoes!) will undoubtedly have some hard skin on their feet that could be smoothed away. 

If you get a pedicure done in a salon, they'll rub away at the soles of your feet with a pumice stone or something similar for ages, and you'll never get the same effect as you will using this. I honestly think there isn't a better gadget out there for smoothing your feet and the biggest plus is that it's so quick, easy and efficient.

In the run up to Summer we'll soon be baring our feet in sandals and flip flops so having this to hand to make sure your feet are always smooth and presentable is really handy.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants smooth and soft feet. The Micropedi costs around £40 but it's often discounted in various places so it's worth shopping around. 

Have any of your tried this? Would you recommend it too?


xo

Givenchy Mister Radiant Made To Measure Glow

Givenchy originally released Mister Radiant in Summer 2011 to rave reviews but they have recently relaunched it with a slight packaging change (the bottle used to be translucent and is now transparent). Other than the bottle, I don't think the product formula has changed very much at all.

Mister Radiant is a lightweight, clear gel which you apply to your face for a really delicate, healthy glow. 

The concept of this product is that the gel is full of tiny little bronzing beads in a variety of colours, which burst as you rub the gel into your skin and leave you with a very light tan  - the idea is that you look radiant and healthy after using this.

This is quite a versatile product and will be really useful in the run up to Summer when you need a little extra colour on your cheeks but a full-on tan looks too unnatural. The lightweight texture means it can easily be worn under foundation if you're not ready to go bare-skinned. 

If you are lucky enough to not need to wear a foundation or base, you can just rub a dose of this into your skin for a little glowy, warm look and off you go. 

If you have pale skin, you can go a little heavier and layer it up for more of a tan - the shades it produces are so natural and really sit well on the skin, with no tan line or orange tint!

You can get this now for £25.50 at a variety of outlets and at Harrods online. I think this is quite good value for the quality of the product and considering how useful it will be between now and he end of Summer! I'm definitely going to use this to warm up my skin before the sun arrives, and throughout Summer as a light, glowy base.



xo

Givenchy La Rouge Lipsticks

These limited edition lipsticks are a brand new offering from Givenchy which you can snap up for £24 each at Harrods right now.

The La Rouge lipsticks have a semi-matte formula, which is long lasting and wears really well.

Givenchy La Rouge Lipsticks in (from left): Fuschia and Coral

These lipsticks are very pigmented and give great colour payoff - just one swipe is plenty and you get a really bold, lasting colour on your lips.

My personal favourite is the Coral shade which I think would really brighten up any complexion. I love the Fuschia shade too, but it's so purple I don't think this will suit as many people and it's definitely not an everyday colour for Spring/Summer. It might be a pretty shade for Summer evenings, though.

As always, I'm a sucker for the packaging and these babies come with white leather detailed cases - if you look closely you can see the white leather parts down the side of the lid.

Givenchy are releasing some really good quality products at the moment (I'll feature a few more of these shortly!) and these lipsticks are no exception - powerful, feminine colours with a really nice texture for the lips.


Will you be buying one of these? Which colour is your favourite?


xo

Foods for Healthy Hair

'You are what you eat' is a very true saying - I'm a strong advocate of eating a healthy, balanced diet because everything you put into your body has an impact on your outer self.

Many of us are guilty of buying into or overloading on expensive products in the never-ending search for perfect skin and hair, forgetting that focusing on what we're eating can help us achieve these goals naturally.

Now, I'm not saying that eating certain foods will give you great hair no matter what, and I definitely think there are many products out there which can improve your hair. If you mistreat your hair, overstyle it or use heated appliances all the time, eating well won't have the same effect because your hair is being neglected from the outside.

But, teaming a good diet with good haircare can help you achieve heavenly hair much quicker.

Below, I list some of the top foods for healthy hair....


1. Fruit and vegetables

I know, I know...This one is obvious! But it's also one of the most important food groups for your hair. Leafy, dark green veggies (think spinach and broccoli) are high in iron and calcium and fruits that are high in vitamins A and C are essential for the production of sebum - an oil which your hair follicle generates to keep your hair conditioned and shiny. Fruits which are high in these vitamins include strawberries, oranges and kiwis - and they're great for keeping a cold at bay too!

2. Nuts

Not only are nuts a great, easy snack for mid-afternoon hunger pangs, but they're really good for you and provide a big dose of zinc which keeps your hair strong and prevents shedding. Brazil nuts are especially good for scalp health, whilst walnuts, almonds, cashews and pecans all provide healthy hair minerals.

3. Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are amazing at rejuvenating both hair and skin and help your hair get that enviable, mirror-like shine. The best source for these is fish - so stock up on salmon, mackerel and sardines for the best impact.

4. Low fat dairy

Your hair needs calcium if you want it to grow and the best source for this is low fat dairy products such as skimmed milk and yoghurt. Yoghurt in particular is not only a great source of calcium but also protein which helps your hair stay strong and resilient.

5. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and are loaded with other hair heroes such as iron, zinc and sulfur which makes them a great all-rounder for a happy head.

6. Sweet potatoes

Swap out your normal potato for a sweet potato and you'll be helping yourself to a higher intake of vitamin A. Low vitamin A levels can lead to an unhealthy scalp which inhibits hair growth and makes your hair dull so filling up on sweet potatoes is a great way to ensure your scalp is in top condition.

7. Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the best fruits you can eat for your hair because they are loaded with Vitamin C which prevents hair breakage. Mix some blueberries into low fat greek yoghurt and you've got a yummy, hair friendly snack.

8. Poultry

White meat, such as chicken, contains high levels of protein as well as zinc, iron and B vitamins. Poultry is also rich in cysteine - an amino acid promotes hair growth by helping to increase the thickness of each strand of hair. Cysteine can also be found in eggs, garlic, broccoli and red peppers.

9. Grains

Great for a hit of iron and zinc. Whole what bread also provides essential B vitamins which help carry oxygen to your hair, increasing growth rate. 

10. Beans

A lot of people don't realise how good beans are for your hair and skin. Kidney beans and lentils contain high levels of protein to stimulate hair growth, and beans also contain lots of zinc and biotin - perfect for preventing breakage.

What are your top tips for healthy hair? Share your ideas in the comments box below.



xo

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

These polishes from Sally Hansen are really impressive. I've tried out one of the darker shades - called 'Midnight in NY', shown below - and I was really pleased with the consistency and lasting power.

These polishes contain 'vita-care' technology which, in a nutshell, gives you the look and feel of a complete manicure in one step. Having tried it for myself, I can safely say that this polish gives you that manicured look in just one coat - even better with two coats.

In 1 bottle you get a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, colour and top coat all in one.

This polish creates a really shiny, perfect looking nail with only one step and it lasts really well.

I wore the polish for about 5 days before I noticed a tiny chip. That's pretty good going for me - usually I end up with chips in my nails after one day!

There are some really gorgeous colours available in this collection, as well as 23 brand new shades which all look lovely. There are some pearlescent and glitter polishes too, if that's your thing.

These polishes come with a great rectangular brush which fans out as your apply the polish to your nail, so you can coat your entire nail really quickly and easily.

You can pick these up from various outlets or from the Sally Hansen website for £6.99.


xo

Guerlain Colour Lacquer Nail Polish

Following on from my previous post, I wanted to show you the new Guerlain colour polish range.

The very first thing I like about these is the packaging. In true Guerlain style these are very stylish.

There are 10 colours in total, and I've picked out my top 3 in the image above. The nude shade 'la petite robe noir' is a really nice grey-tinted nude, very muted and chic, easy to wear with any outfit.

I have a real soft spot for the dark wine colour 'Vega' - it's one of my favourite shades of polish in general and this one is a really deep, rich shade that I think will look beautful next Autumn/Winter!

 'A la parisienne' is a bright, bold pink - it's almost neon but has a really lovely richness to the colour that makes it much more wearable.

The collection is largely based around pinks/reds and there are some really gorgeous shades which are definitely worth checking out.

Just like Guerlain's Gel Top Coat, these are high shine and come with the unique brush allowing you to apply one coat to the whole nail in just one sweep - very easy, chic, manicured nails.

You can pick these up now for £18 each.



xo

Guerlain Gel Top Coat

A few brands are bringing out gel effect top coats, including this new release from Guerlain.

It's designed to work with their own colour polishes, but in reality it works over any polish.

The gel top coat gives the nail a thick, transparent coating which is ultra high shine - all key to achieving the look of gel nails.

This top coat protects your colour just like any other top coat would, but maybe a bit better because it's a little extra thick. 

The best thing about this offering from Guerlain is that the brush has been custom-designed for the prupose. It is extra wide and flat, designed to fit the shape of the nail perfectly so you can sweep on just the right amount in one go. This actually really helps with the gel effect because you get one, uniform coat which looks quite superficial (just like gel polish)!


This is available now for £18.

Do you like real gel nails or will you be trying this out?


xo

Tuesday 10: Nail care Tips

Your nails are an important part of your every day look, whether you keep them polished, patterned or just beautifully bare. Below I share some of my tips for easy, every day nail care to ensure your talons are always in shape.

Let your nails breathe: As much as I love a well-manicured and polished nail, it’s important to let your nails breathe sometimes with no polish on them. Whilst nail polish shouldn’t actually stop your nails growing, nail polish remover is quite drying for the nail and can cause nails to flake. Constant polish can also stain your nails a nasty yellow/orange shade, so it’s best to leave the nail bare for a week every now and then. If you really can’t go without a polish, try a clear top coat for some high shine.

Banish stains:  If you wear dark colours, you’re more likely to suffer with stains, although constant use of any colour can eventually give your nails a yellow tinge.  Combat this by wearing a base coat beneath your nail polish and periodically allow your nails to ‘breathe’ with nothing on them. If you have already got that tell-tale yellow tinge, fear not – a great tip is to apply some whitening toothpaste to each nail and leave it on for 5-10 minutes and voila - no more stains!

One direction: Using a nail file in a ‘sawing’ back and forth motion can cause your nails to weaken and split. File in one direction only to keep the tips smooth and prevent breakage.

Get buff!: Buffing your nails is a great way to add natural shine and help polish stay in place. A really good buffer that I’ve tried is the Revlon Crazy Shine Buffer, which allows you to achieve super shiny nails in a flash.

 

You are what you eat: If you find that not matter what you do to your nails, they never seem to grow past a certain length, you might need to change your diet. Nails and hair are dead tissue, so they are the last part of your body to receive nutrients if you’re eating a poor diet. Load up on protein for the best impact (white meat, eggs, fish, dairy products) and avoid any extreme or fad diets which can deplete your body of much needed nutrients such as iron, zinc and biotin.

Cuticle care: Your cuticles are a vital part of your nail. They sit on top of your nails’ growth matrix and protect this part of the nail to ensure that they grow long and strong. It’s important to take care of your cuticles if you want healthy nails. Never cut them – not only can this easily cause infection but it can also cause ridges, white spots and hamper the growth of your nails. Keep cuticles moisturised with a good quality cuticle oil and if you must touch them, only use a gentle wooden orange stick. 

Keep your polish fresh: Nail polishes last longer, apply easier and dry quicker if you keep them in a cool place. If you have space, put some in your fridge, or just keep the ones your use regularly in there. If you are revisiting an old polish and find that it’s turned gloopy since you last used it, don’t throw it out – a good tip is to place the entire bottle into some freshly boiled water for a few minutes. The polish will be good as new again!

Seal the tips : When painting your nails, run the brush along the tip of the nail. This will coat the ends of the nail and ‘seal’ your nail polish, making it less likely to chip and keeping your polish in place for longer.

Keep ‘em clean!: It sounds obvious, but keeping your nails clean (particularly if you are wearing no polish or a clear top coat) is a vital step to ensuring your nails look good. Looking at someone’s dirty nails is so off putting, and it’s the easiest thing to correct. Regularly clean underneath your nails either with a manicure stick, file or a nail brush – this is something the men out there should do too!

Take care: The most beautiful nail look can be quickly spoilt by dry, cracked hands or feet. Keep a handcream in your bag to ensure your can moisturise your hands whenever they need it and regularly exfoliate and moisturise both your hands and feet to keep them in great condition.
What are your top tips for nail care?


xo