Super Bathing Oil to the Rescue

If you're feeling down and need a good pick me up, take out a half an hour of your busy day, dip yourself in this little piece of luxury bathing oil and I promise this will do just the trick!
 

Only good things seem to come out of morocco these days and this Moroccan Rose Otto bath oil from Ren is certainly one of them.

One small cup full of this liquid gold and your bath is transformed into one soothing and relaxing oasis using only 100% natural ingredients. The precious steam distilled Rose Otto Oil combined with uplifting geranium oil and many other beneficial ingredients moisturises your skin and leaves it feeling super soft and rosy-without the unpleasant sticky feeling afterwards.

A 110ml bottle comes to around £30.00 and while it is more of a luxury treat and it is just all too tempting to slather it all over yourself I try to use it only every other week and the lusciously dreamy smell makes it perfect to use
for a special night in or before a big girls night out!

x

Super Oil

Still in the wake of “coconut oil gate” from late 2011 I’m slightly cautious but nevertheless curious to try out different varieties of oils to use as a moisturiser or treatments.

Last week while exchanging some left over unwanted Christmas gifts (not a big fan of gels as moisturisers – more of a scrumptiously thick cream kind of gal – my mommy should know that really) I was introduced to a newly revamped oil treatment from Clarins.

Face Treatment Oils from Clarins

 

The Clarins Face Treatment Oil contains 100 per cent pure plant extracts from only the most valuable plants like
Lotus, Blue Orchid or Sandalwood. Combined with a key ingredient that is Hazelwood oil, which contains lots of minerals, vitamins and beneficial Omega 9 fatty acids it becomes a super effective and nourishing formula that has no artificial colours, preservatives or fragrances added.

I was recommended the Lotus Face Treatment Oil for 'Combination and Oily Skin' and according to the description it “purifies, tightens pores and refines the skin texture. The Hazelnut oil; soothes and seals in moisture to prevent fine lines”.  It certainly delivers and you only need to use a teensy bit so it will last you a long time. It comes with a very handy “dropper” which means that drop by drop you can control how much you take - without having anything go to waste.

Even though it is classed as a Face treatment, I like using it every night without the need for additional moisturiser.  After thoroughly cleansing my face and giving it a hot wash I take around three to four drops, gently rub the formula to warm it up and apply it on face and downwards onto the neck. It makes for a nice new routine in the evening– especially when you wake up having your dull skin transformed into a super soft vision in the morning.  This is a first class treatment oil and seems to really deeply penetrate and work its wonders as your skin stays super soft and smooth, even after cleansing your face in the morning, unlike so many other oils.

The treatment comes in three variations, “Santal” Oil which is for dry to extra dry, “Blue Orchid” for dehydrated skin and the “Lotus” oil for combination to oily skin. 30ml is currently priced at £29.00 per bottle.

I would love to know your thoughts on these oils, are they working just as good for you or have you got any other oils that are working better for your type of skin? Let me know! x

Super Sparkly

A good manicure is something that’s always nice to look at and even more important, it can
perfect an outfit in, literally, a few strokes.

I always found myself to be a little hesitant to try unusual, experimental nail polishes and was perfectly happy with the usual frenchy or the occasional red glossing. I thought of glittery polish to be something only six year olds should wear and didn’t think it could be that fun and actually look that nice.


That’s until I discovered the “silver” shade from the Max Effect Mini nail polish range from Max Factor last week. It was just staring at me from the far and I could not resist. Its dark silver – anthracite really - super sparkly and super stylish! A fun version for us grownups – as far as you can call me a grown up anyway...


 So  I’ve got myself a lovely jubbly new addition to my all-time favourites, which is the lighter grey/beige from Revlon, called “Smokey Canvas”, the ultimate classic, a Chanel black and a sultry dark berry red from O.P.I.

Please bear with me - I'll come around to liking the crackling effect and all the other fun stuff some day...

Truly Scrumptious

         

Biotherm (alongside Clarins) is evolving to be one of my favourite brands for anything skincare related. Of course they are more towards the higher end of the price scale but they are definitely worth the extra pound (or two). Luscious textures, delicious smells, fast absorption and amazing results have made me fall in love with the products above.

The cleansing milk I have been using regularly for three months now but both the face cream and eye gel I got for Christmas and even though I have only been using them for a little while I was able to see a great difference.

If you do check out my blog every now and then you’ll find that last week I gave 100% natural coconut oil a try and while it works wonders on the rest of my body and even got rid of blotches that have been on my legs for years -my face didn’t seem to like it very much!

The first day after putting it on before going to bed, my face did look much more glowy and smooth but only after a few nights thereafter my face started breaking out.  At first I didn’t think that that it was coconut oil was the culprit but my face basically turned into one big dry rash (NOT very pretty!)

So face cream wise the coconut oil was a complete let down.

Somehow I had to get rid of the sheer massacre that had been brought on to my face and that fast.

The Skin Vivo Fundamental Cream has done the trick for me and transformed my skin into the smooth, even, spot-less and rash-less version it was before within only a few days of wearing it.

It really helps keep my skin moisturized and plush looking all day long without making it feel greasy or uncomfortable. And yes, it is Anti-Aging but we are all the age now where it’s best to start using creams like that as simple prevention measurements! You also better add the Vivo Eye cream to your basket because just like the face cream this is a little wonder worker in a tube.

Last but not least the Biosource Cleansing Milk for Dry Skin is none the less amazing than both the cream and gel but also a great time saver. Admittedly I can – sometimes – be a little lazy with my cleansing routine but this little bottle takes it all away within seconds, even the water resistant mascara. It leaves your skin feeling moisturized and not at all dry like so many other cleansing milks do.

If you are a little hesitant in spending all your hard earned monies, feel free to ask for a sample at your local  Biotherm consultancy. Try them and I guarantee you will love them!

Cleansing Milk                                      

Eye Gel                                        

Face Cream

Going Au Naturel

I am not particularly much of a "health freak" – I don’t think anyone would actually think of that word in connection to me but even I cannot resist something if it has such good reviews – Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is what I have discovered this week. After reading various reviews online I simply had to get a tub and try out for myself.

It’s of firm consistence in the tub but once you go to take it out it literally melts in your hand. It actually feels nice for it being oil; it absorbs fast and of course smells delicious!

Last night I put a first layer on just before bedtime – after thoroughly cleansing and exfoliating first. So far I am really impressed, my skin is glowing, very smooth and looks totally flawless. I shall keep you posted! x

Daytime Dreaming

You may call me crazy, you may call me mad but I just couldn't resist the beauty that is Annick Goutal. Its surreal, like you've never smelt anything better all your life, the voluptuous Vanilla and Jasmin, the peach, the pear the musky rose, it covers you like a comforting white fluffy cloud, the beauty that is Songes et Petite Cherie


Eau de Parfum, 50ml around £60.00 - £90.00

What A Clever Bean This Is



Can you imagine a world without a nice hot cuppa coffee in the early hours? Certainly not me! Admittedly its not for everyone but I would strongly suggest that you might want to reconsider because you don't actually need to like the taste of it to reap all its beautiful benefits.

A little guilty pleasure of mine is to use the warm grounded coffee that's left after brewing the coffee as a really amazing natural body and face scrub! Simply take a little bit, add a few drops of water should it already be too dry and gently rub it all over your face and body! Should there be any of the actual - drinking - coffee left, I like to mix that into the warm water in the tub as this seems to really do the trick with my skin and hair and leave it ultra smooth and soft.
As you can imagine, especially in the morning, the strong coffee smell will take the rest of any sleepiness that's left in you right out and you'll feel fresh and ready to fight the day!

ATTENTION I do recommend doing this only when you are taking a bath as you will very likely end up with a huuuge mess around the house... And also apply the grounded coffee to exfoliate your skin only at the end of the bathing session as otherwise it will all end up in your hair and is a nightmare to get out (I know what I´m talking about....) !

Hypnotise me!

I must admit I seem to have gone into somewhat of a perfume frenzy and just added another little bottle to my drastically growing and growing arsenal of fragrances. It's nothing new and I actually went into the shop having an all together different perfume on my mind but I simply could not resist trying such a pretty little bottle. My new perfume of choice is Hypnotic Poison by Christian Dior!



I have never had a perfume from Dior before and was actually very surprised with this purchase as I usually go for light, fruity scents compared to the heavy, headache causing versions. Also I clearly remember trying this a couple of years ago and didn't like it at all. Now on the other hand it is exactly what I was looking for. I love the vanilla combined with tuberose and a hint of coconut, its heavy but it's a sexy, warm and comforting heavy. Perfect for the day but just as good for a crazy night on the town. It's actually that good that I would count it into my All Time Favourite selection of perfumes!
 I say thumbs up for Christian Dior!

Get your own little apple here

I'd love to know: If you can chose one perfume for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? x

One Deep Cleanse Please!

If you read my blog frequently you'll know how obsessed I was with the Argan Oil product from Lee Stafford and that when using this product you will need nothing else, not even a good shampoo..?

Yes, well I will have to detract this statement. I've been using it very frequently for a couple of months and my hair started to feel really oily, heavy and rough - almost straw like and it was nothing like when I first started using it. Last week my hairdresser recommended to try a deep cleansing shampoo, like Shampoo Two by Paul Mitchell.  It is especially made to remove any residue and to deep cleanse and brighten up your hair. IT WORKS! It's got a lovely lemony smell and a really soft luscious texture that starts bubbling up as soon as you start massaging it into your hair. You only need to use a teensy bit of shampoo and I can see that my 500ml bottle which was around £11 will last me for quite a while. 

I have been using this as my regular shampoo for around one week and I can honestly say my hair is back to it's "old glory". I am still using the Argan Oil and it's now super light, soft and shiny again.

Hooray to Paul Mitchell for saving my hair!

Shampoo Two by Paul Mitchell

A few of my favourite things...: Fragrance Must-Haves for Summer/Fall 2011

Elie Saab Le Perfum - £55.00 (50ml)

Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille - £65.50 (50ml)

Marc Jacobs Oh Lola! - £47.00 (50ml)

I'm going coconuts!

Why spend hundreds of pounds on expensive designer hair care when you can save a fortune opting for these super amazing hair savers!? The Pure Coconut Oil range from Inecto is not only super affordable and will leave your hair with a delicious hint of coconut, super smooth and moisturized!  For around £2.00 each for a 500ml Shampoo and Conditioner bottle it’s not only cheaper than a cup of coffee but is an absolute no-brainer! It’ll last you at least a good month if you like in my case use it every to every other day and won’t leave a big regrettable hole in your wallet! 

I don’t think say Boots or Superdrug actually stock this brand, have never seen it there myself so if you do, please let me know but for now you can get them at most Savers shops and at all good pharmacies - not all stock the whole range so keep an eye out at your next shopping trip! x

Oh my sweet hand-saviour!

This is one for all us hard working ladies out there. The Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Crème from Burt’s Bees is of a super sweet smelling and creamy thick texture and leaves not only your hands but any rough area soft and moisturized within seconds.

For your everyday usage you only need to rub a teensy bit in and you’ll be good to go for hours.
To achieve a deeper penetration what I like to do is apply a little bit more of the crème, just before bedtime, then put on some gloves and leave it to sink in during the night. That way not only my hands but also the cuticles will be well moisturized and I’m ready to fight whatever comes my way the next day J

Another added bonus is that it is a 100% natural, no added synthetic preservatives, nothing artificial and for around £9.00 it’s one bargain that is not to be missed!

To find out more and get your own little pot go to
             

burtsbees.co.uk

Find the goddess in you!

This is certainly not a new line but I am absolutely in love with the super delicious smell of the Bronze Goddess products by Estee Lauder. With hints of coconut and caramel combined with jasmine, magnolia and orange flower to name just a few, this is the perfect smell to make even the sunniest summer day even sweeter. My favourite is the Body Oil as it doesn't only make you smell like a goddess but with all the glow you will certainly look like one too!

Get yours here

Getting ready for the Festival Season!

HAIRPRODUCTS: TO SAVE OR SPLURGE THAT IS THE QUESTION

With all those promising looking Shampoo and Conditioner bottles out there, how are you supposed to know what actually does the trick and what is a totally unnecessary spend that instead could go in the little piggy bank for the oh-so long awaited holiday that you really do need!?!?

And yes, I have to admit it, I was one of those desperate women out there who thought that spending £20.00 on a bottle of Frederic Fekkai Shampoo would transform my hair and ultimately my life into this glamorous super-sphere of pure glossiness.

Even though it is one of the best shampoos I have ever used, is it really necessary to spend all that money on a single bottle of shampoo?

Not according to my hairstylist! Here's a lowdown on what to spend on and when to save.

SAVE

ON SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS

There is no need to spend hundreds of Pounds on Salon products, a simple Loreal, Pantene or (my personal all time favourite) Inecto Coconut Shampoo, Conditioner and Mask will do the job just as good!

SPLURGE

ON BLOW DRYERS AND STYLING UTENSILS

Not only can a good blow dryer or hair styler save you very precious time but also can it be much more healthier for your hair. Of course spending more money does not always mean better quality even though you would assume so. It's always best to do a little bit of research about the product that you're intersted in before purchasing. Just to see what other people think of it and whether it really is worth the dosh and all the gossip! Better materials plus less heat and less time spent on the actual hair styling ultimately equals to less damage to your hair which then equals to us being a very happy bunny - even if you did spend 20 quid more than you  actually wanted to... Am I right?  x

Red Lippy for Everyone!

Choosing the perfect shade of red that elevates you into looking super glam instead of giving the clown a run for his money can be pretty tough. It’s not rocket science but red is a strong colour and can be hard to pull off. So it’s very important to carefully choose the right shade that doesn’t overpower you and will work with your skin tone and hair colour. 


Firstly you need to know your skin tone. For women with a light rosy, pink complexion cool shades that are blue-based are the most flattering.
Think berry Reds, blackberry Reds, brick Reds and plum tones.

If you have a peachy, golden or tanned look you should go for orange based, warmer shades like tomato reds, golden reds, brown based reds and tawny reds.


Here is a little Colour Guide:

Light Skin with Light Hair


Think celebrities like Nicole Kidman or Kirsten Dunst

Light skin with Dark Hair

Think Angelina Jolie or Michelle Trachtenberg

Warmer Skin with Light Hair

Celebrities like Nicole Richie or Jennifer Aniston

Warmer Skin with Dark Hair

Think Mila Kunis or Cheryl Cole

Medium Skin with Dark Hair

Kim Kardashian or Frankie Sandford

Dark Skin with Dark Hair

Think Thandie Newton or Jada Pinkett-Smith

Something to look out for is the right light when you are trying on a new colour! Some shop lights can be very misleading, if possible always try it in natural light near a window. What's also good to know is that a lipstick with a hint of blue will make your teeth look whiter!

Now go get lippy!

x

Win a Clinique Make Up Goodie Bag!

Together with Elle, Clinique are offering you the chance to win a goodie bag filled with gorgeous beauty items like the new Spring Make-up palette and the brand new Bottom Lash Mascara!


Click here to enter

Cover-up!

Unifiance Corrective Fine Film Make-up from La Roche-Posay is the ultimate concealer / camouflage make up for everyone that is looking to hide away anything from small imperfections like uneven skin and spots to birthmarks and scars. Its super fine, weightless formula is long lasting, oil- and fragrance free and therefor won't irritate your skin or cause break outs. Something else which I find to be a very big bonus point is that it's waterproof!

I have a fairly normal light complexion and am using number 11 Emulsion in Beige Champagne.
I have been using it for about three years and it is my go-to product whenever I want that bit more coverage or when my skin is uneven or playing up.


What I have noticed is that the price seems to have gone up very noticeably in the last few years.
It is now available for around £20.00 in various online stores like this one or from larger Boots stores.

The Miracle Worker that is Argan Oil

Argan Oil seems to be getting a more and more positive press on it’s miraculous powers as of lately. Argan Oil is not one of the latest concoctions out of a research lab but pretty much a good few thousands of years old. It’s an extract of the kernels of the argan tree which almost exclusively grows in Morocco (that is where the famous counterpart has got it’s name from). Women there have known its powers for decades and have been using it not only as a condiment for food but also on their skin and hair! It is naturally rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids like Omega 9 which actively helps to strengthen, moisturize and smoothen your skin and hair and reduce breakage.

It doesn’t leave your hair oily or greasy which is one of Argan oils big plus points and especially now in the sunnier time of year its protective agents act as a layer of protection and prevent harmful elements like UV rays, pollutants and various other chemicals from penetrating your hair.

I have been using Argan Oil on my hair for about two months now and it’s grown to be one of my all-time favourite hair products. As every girl I have gone through my fair share of products, spent my last pennies on that hailed new product that was supposed to save my day. And boy have I been disappointed, uncountable amounts of time…  But not this time!

Not only does it save you from spending your hard earned money on expensive designer products, (any cheap old shampoo will do) but it also reduces the drying time drastically and you get a few more minutes in bed every morning! It is that good! It gives salon-like, super smooth, shiny and manageable hair every single time! I only use about two to three pumps every time after I washed my hair and work it from the ends up. If I do blow dry and curl or straighten my hair I do however use another layer of heat protectant – just to be sure. One bottle will last you a very long time and it really is worth the money! 

Now down to the nitty gritty;

 

 

Moroccan Oil is probably the most famous version that is available at the moment. Used by many hairstylists and loved by celebrities world-wide.  The normal Moroccan Oil is available for around £30.00 in selected stores here in London or online.

Lee Stafford however has just recently brought out his very own line of Argan Oil products.
His is available at most Boots stores and is actually on promotion right now. It’s yours for only £7.99, down from £11.99.

I have used both products and have to say that Lee Stafford’s version will do the job just fine and I personally cannot see a difference when using either one.  

Now, go! Run and don’t miss out on this one! x





Blushing!

Over the past few months Bobbi Brown's blusher in Pale Pink has become my absolute favourite. I have to admit that I would have never gone for that shade but at my last beauty session the assistant was cheeky enough to apply it without showing it to me first and I've been in love with it ever since.

It is a really strong pink in the compact but once applied it turns into a matt and softy, well, pale sort of pink. The super light texture glides effortlessly onto the skin and most importantly stays in place all day. It brightens up your face and it looks healthier and fresher in an instant.

Pale Pink

With a blusher like this all you really need to wear is some light foundation, a little eyeliner, mascara and you're ready to go!

Of course it comes in many many other shades and choosing your perfect colour really depends on your complexion but for me the Pale Pink is the ultimate must have for this Spring!

To find out what your perfect shade is visit your local Bobbi Brown Studio and maybe even book in your very own personal make up lesson! x