A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

We’ve christened my tub of Moroccan Black Soap “The Blob”.  Well, Mr. L did… I wouldn’t have been so stupid.  Everybody knows “The Blob” was pink.

I’m not entirely sure why I own this, I was at a Moroccan restaurant the week before last and when I went to the bathroom to wash my hands… I happened upon this earthenware bowl of black slime.  Being a country girl, I was a bit confused until I read the little sign positioned helpfully above the bowl informing me that the ‘goo’ was infact Moroccan Black Soap.  Anti-bacterial, moisturising and all that good stuff.

I went a bit Veruca Salt after this and decided that I absolutely must have some of my own black goo and thus did some googling when I got home.

Et Voila.  Goo.

Goo!

It only requires a small amount to build a bit of lather… it doesn’t lather quite in the traditional way, it’s more of a creamy texture with a good amount of slip.  It smells delightfully clean thanks to the Eucalyptus oil and pairs masterfully with a steamy, hot shower.  I can imagine this being a delight if you’ve got a bit of a cold or stuffy nose.

It washes well and leaves my skin feeling clean and conditioned.  Not enough to forego moisturiser but I don’t find it drying.  I should mention that I don’t use this on my face though.

I purchased my Moroccan Black Soap from AromaVille on eBay.  Admit it.  You want some goo now too.

I was so excited by the idea that Escentual.com were introducing sampler sets yesterday that I immediately jumped on Twitter to whoop!  What’s so cool about it?  Well, I do a ton of online shopping… and there ain’t many UK retailers will let you buy sample sets of ANYTHING, let alone posh fragrances and skincare!

Usually, I buy frag samples from LuckyScent.com in the U.S. (who are aweseome btw) but already I’m being hugely tempted by the COSTUME NATIONAL sampler set on Escentual.com.  If I’m honest, the La Roche Posay one is also drawing me in… have you seen how much of the range they’ve squeezed in to that set?

I’m rubbish at asking for samples when I buy stuff and this takes the lucky dip aspect out of the equation when ordering online.  I’m really delighted to see Escentual.com fulfill a niche like this in the U.K and hope they keep on top of updating, restocking and encouraging great brands to allow themselves to be sampled in this way.  There’s nothing like being given the opportunity to discover something marvellous at a lower price point.

You can view the sample sets available by visiting escentual.com/try

Are you keen to see sample sachets and vials used in this way or do you worry that once companies realise that money is to be made from them, you’ll see less and freebies tucked into your order?

~ At Musing on Beauty, Mariella tries the Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman brushes and tells you everything about them.

~ Ever wonder how to airbrush your own makeup photos? Well, now you can – check out theNotice’s basic Photoshop tutorial for your exclusive look behind the scenes of a beauty blog!

~ Now that summer’s in the air, Musicalhouses shows you a Summer Eye Look and a Summer Lip Look for cheap!

~ Need melt proof makeup? Check out the new Summer collections from Tarte. Gouldylox has the swatches and details.

~ Madame B Fatale shows you how to use a conical wand!

~ Tired of eyeshadow and blush pots taking up too much space? Try de-potting them using Kajal Couture’s de-potting tutorial and place them in palettes.

~ Phyrra’s Independent Spotlight for June is with Belén from Lost in Makeupland!

~ Addicted to Beauty gets serious tween envy when she spies the Happy Faces hair salon. Who wouldn’t want to get their hair done whilst sitting in a pink chevrolet?

~ Amy Antoinette shares her top tips for dealing with Keratosis Pilaris.

~ Lovelaughlauren tells us her favourite products from the last few months.

~ Prime Beauty discovered Burberry’s newest lipstick formula, Lip Mists and has some insider info for you!

~ At Eyelining Obsessions Claire finds her perfect pink bluch while trying some ELF Barginous Blushes.

~ Rachel McAdams sends Lydia from Perfectly Imperfect running to the NARS counter. Find out why!

~ The coveted Asylum by Sugarpill is back in stock and in the Christina the Glitterholic’s hands!

~ Looking for an affordable gel eye liner? Be sure to check out this fabulous Gel Eye Liner by Essence at Makeup, Beauty & More.

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~ Handmade Reviews is hosting a Sigma Summer Giveaway with over $300 in prizes and winners every month.

~ Beauty Crazed is giving away 5 Lancome Desert Rose Blushes – they still think they are too pretty to use but maybe you aren’t that squeamish so enter to win one!

I first gave Ciate Starlet a blog outing in 2009 but it was in the depths of Winter and I couldn’t get the light to demonstrate the beautiful beetle-wings effect this lovely shade gives.

LOOK!

Pretty no?

Any excuse to show off a pretty polish (even the second time around) and I’m there!

Can we begin the weekend countdown now?

I’m sure I was a peeping tom in a past life because I love to see what other people have in their baskets when I’m in Boots.  Please, please tell me I’m not the only one who has a sneaky peek when the person infront is getting their basket emptied by the sales assistant.

Infact, I don’t just do this in Boots… I do it in Asda… and I judge other people’s shopping habits while I’m at it.  Not that I’m in a position to judge you understand, the only fruit that transfers to the conveyer belt from my trolley is for L but it always makes me look good while I try and hide the jelly tots and pork pies under the toilet rolls.

Anyway, here’s a peek at my lunchtime shopping basket as I zipped between Boots, Body Shop, Superdrug, Wilkinsons, Greggs… yano, the essentials.

Check out the ugly duvet cover, I think it’s vintage 1998.

So, what did I buy? (this is the lamest of lame posts… apologies, it seemed like a good idea for 5 seconds back when I started writing it).

Pantene Pro-V Style Volume & Body Hairspray (£3.36)

I don’t like hairspray… but my hair struggles to hold curls for longer than 10 minutes so this is my current hairspray of choice for when I’m wearing my hair down but ‘styled’.  I’m not a hairspray connosieur but this one doesn’t add any additional weight to my fine hair, gives a good hold and doesn’t cost a bomb.

Boots Pharmaceuticals Re-Energise Tablets Berry Flavour (£4.07)

While I was browsing the supplement aisle, a man leaned across me and picked up THREE mega packs of Berocca (they’re on 3for2) costing him £30, in one swoop… man, he must be knackered.  Me?  I’m only mildly exhausted, so whilst the simple answer would be to get more sleep and eat properly, I’d rather find solace in a £4.07 tube of fizziness than do the right thing for now.  Not that I know what these are like, they may well be unbearable.

Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Scrub (£6.64)

Yinka keeps bloody going on about this scrub and I thought it was about time I see what the fuss is about.  If I don’t come out of the shower shining like a new penny, I’ll be having words.

Sanctuary Salt Scrub Bar (£4.85)

I picked this up to fulfil the 3for2 that’s currently on in Boots and Mr. L has his beady eye on it already.  Anyone tried it?  Do I need to rescue it back to my side of the bathroom?

The Body Shop Rose Oud EDP (£6.00 in the sale)

This is LOVELY and I almost missed it.  I spritzed it without paying much attention and it was only when I’d left the store that I actually noticed it.  It’s a dirty rose trailing with sweet wood.  The warm, resinous qualities combine with a hint of spice… but to my (uneducated) nose it smells quite, quite unsynthetic, which coming from The Body Shop is a shocker.  If you’re passing a store, do pop in and check it out!

Wilkos Nail Polish Remover sans Acetone (£can’t remember)

Dull but essential, dunno if this one is any good… but it was cheap.

Good Works Good Invigorating Shower Gel (£2.05 in the sale)

On the Boots clearance stand… not much to say about this other than when I read the word ‘ginger’ it went in my basket.

Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream (£4.85)

I’ve been reading good things about this hand cream recently and thought I’d give it a go.  You get a heap of product for not much money but only time will tell whether it’s worth the purchase.  Smells nice though!

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Have you picked up any lunchtime treats today?

I know I’ve got a few ladies who like to hear the latest deals at Liberty so thought I’d share what’s happening this month with Hungarian skincare brand, Omorovicza.

Hailing from Budapest, the luxury brand (who centres their products around the health benefits of Hungary’s thermal waters) have sent their head therapists, Beata and Dominika to the UK for 10 days.  Until the 25th June, they’re available on counter in Liberty where they’re teaching Omorovicza facial massage techniques and providing personalised product recommendations.

In addition to this and in celebration of the refurbishment of the beauty hall at Liberty, you can take advantage of the following special offer.  Purchase any Omorovicza three product combination, and you’ll receive a free full size moisturizer of your choice and a travel size Queen of Hungary Mist.

If you’re interested, call 0207 573 9402 to book your free 30 minute one-to-one appointment with Beata or Dominika.

Starting this Sunday, News of the World’s Fabulous magazine will be bringing a little sunshine to what is turning out to be a rained off Summer!

Cut out and keep three differently numbered tokens over the next four weeks starting this Sunday from inside your NOTW’s Fabulous Magazine to get your mitts on this vibrant duo from Nails Inc.

Atomic and OMP! (that’s Oh My Pink!) are a pair of vibrant Summer-loving shades, guaranteed to bring out the sunglasses!

Once you’ve collected your three tokens, simply take them along to any participating Tesco Extra or Tesco supermarket to claim your freebie nail polish duo anytime between July 3-11.

Will you be collecting your first coupon this Sunday?

A few weeks ago, I braved thunder, lightning and a healthy dose of hail to head down the Kings Road and snap some pictures of the new Gina Conway Aveda Salon in Chelsea.  By the time I arrived (sans umbrella), I closely resembled something that had been pulled out of a plughole.

To the team’s credit and my utmost appreciation, they sat me down and gave me an impromptu blow-dry to warm me up before I slunk away hiding behind my camera pretending to be a serious photographer.

Gina Conway Salons work in partnership with Aveda and currently operate out of four locations (Notting Hill, Wimbledon and Fulham) with Chelsea’s opening heralding the newest addition to the group.

Her Salons and Spas are unique in their focus on Eco-Awareness, even employing a dedicated “Eco-Angel” whose job it is to ensure that all salons are consistently upholding their promises to resource conservation, recycling and water management in their day to day activities!

The Salons and Spas offer a complete range of holistic hair and beauty services including specialist colour work, hair design, makeup and ayurvedic treatments with prices starting from a reasonable £36 for an Indian Head Massage.

The ground level is dedicated to the Salon side of things with the Beauty and Spa treatments taking place on the lower level, well away from the hustle and bustle of the hair-dryers and chatter of a busy salon.  Downstairs is tranquil and softly lit, a real haven of peace to offset the buzz of the Kings Road just outside the front door.

It was lovely to have the chance to talk to Gina herself about her empire, though the conversation rapidly turned to toddlers and babies – Gina has two more than me, and quite frankly, I don’t know how she manages to leave the house every morning let alone run four successful businesses across London!

Visit www.ginaconway.co.uk for more information on the Gina Conway Aveda Salon and Spas, book your next appointment or learn more about the group’s eco-commitments and links with Aveda.

You may have noticed that I’m not a prolific MAC buyer… it’s not some conscious decision to avoid MAC, I just don’t have access to the brand in Southampton.  My nearest MAC store is a good 45 minute drive away and so I generally only pick up bits and bobs when I’m in London.

Last time I was in the MAC store in Covent Garden, I was enjoying the company of Katie from My Lips But Better and she pointed out this MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder to me.  Well, actually… she kinda dragged me to the pot and insisted that I HAD to play with it.  It was love at first touch… a liquid/powder/uber cool thing?  Get. In. My. Bag.

I used the tip of a pen to pop some holes through the sticker covering the sifter but it doesn’t actually work that well as the powder is reluctant to dispense without a lot of tapping.  I think you’d be better off peeling back about a quarter of the sticker and snipping the excess.

So, what is this Magically Cool Liquid Powder thing all about anyway?  I’ll let MAC explain…

An alchemical fusion that charms water droplets into a loose powder while remaining over 50 percent H2O.

This feather-light silky powder goes on with the refreshing impact of an ocean mist.
What’s more, this magical melange contains just enough optical blurring via its light-diffusing pigments to render skin’s surface into line-softened, natural luminosity.

How magical is that?

Magical indeed… I’ve swatched it heavily below so you can see the shade.

I bought the palest shade of the three available, Truth & Light.  At the time of purchasing, I thought I was buying it as a highlighter… but I’m delighted to be able to wear it as a setting powder.  I think of it in the same way I think of my Guerlain Metorites.  A light dusting for an added dimension of luminosity.

A significant difference with the MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder though is in its longevity.  The swatch above needed to be washed off, rubbing with my hand wouldn’t budge it!  This makes for an excellent setting powder but some tricky application issues.

I initially applied this with a normal powder brush and it transferred way too much product to my face.  If you apply too much, it balls up and will not blend, not to mention it sits there caked on your face looking pretty awful.  I’ve since started using my Sonia Kashuk stippling brush which deposits the perfect amount of product and delivers a wonderful cooling sensation!

Horrible photo but hopefully you can make out a bit of sheen (NO SPARKLE!) where the light hits my cheeks.

I’m really pleased with my purchase, one of my favourites MAC buys in a very long time!

MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder is available on counter and online priced at £23.50 for 28g of product.

Seeing as I’m embarking on the sun protection series, it would be remiss of me not to mention that throughout the month of June, Cover FX will be making donations to Skcin, The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity in the UK.

But we can get them to donate MOAR!  Check it out…

If you’re looking for new Summer skin protection and like the look of their wares… Cover FX will rightly donate more on purchases of Cover FX SkinTint FX (SPF 30) and Cover FX BritePrep FX (SPF 50).

And here’s something we can all do to get them coughing up with no spends on our behalf…

Click “Like” on the Cover FX Facebook Page to ensure a 25¢ donation to skin cancer research.

Cover FX products are available from select Harvey Nichols, Harveynichols.com, House Of Fraser and houseoffraser.co.uk.  You can follow their efforts via the #saveface hash tag on Twitter.

I know you shouldn’t love something for the packaging.  It’s shallow, meaningless and downright silly.  But I do love these SpaRitual polishes in particular for their packaging.  The rubberised handles with built-in grips, curvacious bottles that kinda remind me of ancient urns or something.

Inconsequential in the grand scheme of things but I guess it’s those little touches to a brand that set them apart from the rest.  That and the fact that these aren’t shatter top coats right? 😉

Pebble is a beautiful grey with just a hint of brown.  Not enough to make it a taupe… but enough to warm it up a touch.  The above swatch shows three coats but you could get away with two thicker coats as the coverage is more than acceptable as was the application.

L-R: Native Rock, Sacred Sands, Pebble, Moss, Driftwood, Twig

It’s a very laid-back Summer offering with no brights in sight but the Driftwood and Moss look particularly interesting.

I was also sent Native Rock from the new collection which I’ll show you later in the week. Are any of the shades from the new Summer collection catching your eye?

SpaRitual nail polishes (£8.50) are available to purchase directly from the SpaRitual website and spas/salons.

With the pitiful summer we’ve been experiencing so far, we could do with some extra help in the body-beautiful department and I may have just the thing!

Dove Spa are offering a tan-tastic deal on a St. Tropez spray tan.  You have until the 9th July to try the treatment for just £10 (normal RRP £25).

Check here for Dove Spa locations (they’re not just in London!) and you can give them a ring on 0844 875 1575 to book an appointment.