A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Following the British brand’s scoop of Best Online Shop at the 2011 Which? Awards, Liz Earle are further developing their popular website with a new video channel.

Liz Earle TV includes video features on some of the brand’s greatest selling products and ranges, aswell as a comprehensive look at the brand’s back-story.  The clips include useful knowledge from some of the brand’s in-house experts including: Jennifer Hirsch (Botanist,), Jo Givens (Treatments Expert), Ian Denson (Hair Specialist), and Jane Bradley (MakeUp Artist).

I’m really hoping the brand also uses this new portal to share a real insider’s look at the workings of a beauty brand.  Anything that makes a brand more accessible to fans is a good thing and I think something like that would fit really well with the brand’s customer-led ethos.

I’d love to see sneak peeks into the distribution process, manufacturing, how the botanicals are sourced, etc. etc.

OH GOD YES!!  A slow-mo video of how to wrap things beautifully in time for Christmas!

Liz Earle TV is available to watch 24/7 from the Liz Earle website.

I’m usually fairly decisive about nail polish but I really can’t make up my mind whether or not I love or loathe this one from Leighton Denny’s Autumn/Winter Atmospheric collection.

Astronaughty is beautiful.  Let’s get that out of the way first… I’m not denying that it holds that special something to elevate it above the ordinary.  It’s described as an intense plum with sizzling red shimmer – and I have to say that I don’t ‘get’ that.  To my eye, it’s more complicated.

Firstly, it’s not intense.  The above shows three fairly thick coats and although not instantly apparent in the photo… there’s a whisper of sheerness that will remain for at least another coat.  Not that there’s anything wrong with this, but it gives a more smokey effect than the wham, bam intensity you’d expect from the description.

The red shimmer is also quite copper-y red which leans a touch yellow on my already yellowed nails — something that makes this polish really intriguing but ultimately not massively flattering on my nails.

I’ve experienced a bit of tip wear with this one but no chipping.  Ngggh, I just don’t know about this one!

Leighton Denny Astronaughty is available to buy online priced at £11.00

* press sample

I’m not a great self-tanner. I mean that in both senses of the word — I don’t do it very often and when I do, I’m pretty shit at it. The historical exception to this rule is with Sally Hansen’s old Airbrush Legs… you can still buy it, but the formula is a little different now and they’ve ditched my shade. I used to love it and would go through cans of the stuff when the weather called for a bit of leg-display.

So, when St. Tropez’s new Perfect Legs Spray landed on my desk, I had barely opened the envelope before I was prising off the lid and putting it to work, ever-hopeful that I might find my pasty-leg saviour.

Look how stained my hand is!! I’ll tell you more about that in a minute…

The new St. Tropez Perfect Legs Spray promises an instant, natural bronzing effect combined with a longer-lasting self tan. The aerosol can contains 75ml of product, which isn’t a lot — about enough to do your legs twice/three times at most. The product is fairly reasonably priced at £10, making it a cost-effective choice for special events or big nights out. Don’t forget that as-well as the instant bronzer, you’re also benefiting from a normal self-tan at the same time. Although, I’d obviously like to see more for my money, I think the price is reasonable for special occasions when compared to alternative options.

Unlike my old Sally Hansen cans, this isn’t like makeup for your legs. It won’t conceal veins, freckles or give you a massively airbrushed effect but it excels at what it does deliver: healthy-looking, bronzed pins.

It’s ridiculously easy to use and dispenses a very fine mist. Any slightly larger droplets that appear from holding it a little too close blend easily into the skin for a completely streak-free finish. I blended one leg with my hands and the other with a mit. Use the mit, this stuff sets faster than an 80s perm and despite rushing to the basin mere minutes after my first blend – my hand is perma-tanned. Looking on the bright side, this is obviously great news for my legs as it didn’t transfer once touch-dry.

Product doesn’t leak/drip from the nozzle during operation and the spray works regardless of the contorted angles you put the can through. It may just be, that as a novice, I’m having a hallelujah moment with tans in a can but I simply didn’t run into any problems with this one.

And as for my legs? Oh god, hold on to your breakfasts…

It works well right?  My left leg (right as you look at it) was tanned with the St. Tropez and it doesn’t look remotely orange or streaky!  Honestly, if I can use it… a total fool can use it and make it look good in under 5 minutes. I’m so pleased to be able to recommend this to ultra-pale girls who suck at applying fake tan like me. I’m so jealous of wimmen to whom this stuff comes naturally. It’s a bleedin’ art-form to get it right I tell ya!

St. Tropez Perfect Legs Spray simply takes the hard work out of bronzing. Definite repurchase for those times when tights just won’t do.

St. TropezPerfect Legs Spray is priced at £10.00 and available from the usual stockists.

* press sample

You’re more than likely familiar with the name Illuminum thanks to the Duchess of Cambridge’s decision to wear the brand’s White Gardenia Petals on her wedding day earlier this year, causing a mass sell out of the floral fragrance.

Following this runaway success, the British-based fragrance house are opening what is thought to be the largest independent perfumery in the world right here, in the heart of London.

‘Fume heads everywhere will be delighted to hear that the concept behind the boutique revolves around the idea that luxury fine fragrance should not be about rushing, tills and counters.  The space has been designed to invite customers to sit, have a cup of coffee and take their time over the all-important business of scenting!

I want to create an oasis of fragrance in the heart of the city.  There will be no rushing at The Fragrance
Lounge, you can sit and enjoy an espresso or a glass of champagne and take you time – selecting from my scents should be a joyous experience and there are 32 to choose from! — Michael Boadi (creator)

From bespoke offerings to the Haute Perfume Collection comprising of 16 newly launched scents, there should be something for everyone to admire, though with prices starting from £70 for the classic collection and ranging up to £7,500 for a uniquely bespoke creation — it won’t be for everyone.  I quite fancy going in there for a Pretty Woman moment, anyone wanna be my Richard Gere?

The Illuminum Fragrance Lounge will open at 41/42, Dover Street, Mayfair, London.

I’m currently compiling a list of my top Autumn fragrances which naturally involves a little bit of pruning and today, I thought I’d show you one that just missed the billing.

Demeter Whiskey Tobacco is a fairly recent acquisition that caught me by surprise late one night as I was browsing some fragrance sites.  I love warm scents, so naturally, this time of year is like nectar to me.  I can douse myself in all my boozy ambers with the kind of abandon that hasn’t been witnessed since… oooh… March?

Demeter is a brand well-known for their fragrance library which encompasses many well-loved scents that would have passed under your nose at some point in time.  From Apple Pie to Laundromat, Mushroom(!) to Wet Garden – the range is exhaustive AND exhausting!

I couldn’t resist picking up a bottle of Whiskey Tobacco when I read the description…

We think this blend of Whiskey and Tobacco Smoke is a great masculine scent. And sometime it’s nice to be reminded of your Dad.

My father used to smoke a pipe and I was sure that if anyone were to capture that sweet, resinous scent unaltered and unapologetically, Demeter would probably be the ones to do it.  I love tobacco scents in general and was hoping this one wouldn’t disappoint!

Whiskey Tobacco, as you might imagine, is a full-on scent which I would (rubbishly) describe as less about ‘being in a smokey, boozy environment’ and more ‘alternating sticking your snout in a jar of whiskey / pouch of honeyed-tobacco’.  This distinction will obviously make you less repulsive-smelling to people around you who might not share your tastes for boozy/smoky scents but I will admit to missing the actual smokiness in this one.

Longevity is pretty poor, I get around 40 minutes tops before all traces have vanished into the ether.  However, whilst it does linger, sillage is brilliant.

Overall, it’s one to conjure memories and spritz randomly when you want a touch of (southern) comfort.  Priced at around $20 it’s cheap but not super-easy to get hold of in the UK.  E-scentialbeauty.com will ship internationally and also offer sample sizes on all Demeter scents so that you can try before you buy.

 Do you have any favourite Demeter scents?

I’m not a big fan of nail wraps but wanted to give a shout out to these rather cute dotty ones from Nail Rock which are currently available to buy in Boots priced at £6.65

If I don’t like them, why the mention?  Well… a very decent 25% (£1.66) from each purchase will go directly to BBC’s Children in Need and help disadvantaged kids across the UK.  Now as charitable as I aspire to be, I’m not one for bathing in tins of beans or sponsored beard shaves (what?) – this is far more my cuppa tea.

Having said that, if you prefer to donate directly — you can find out all you need to know about donating right here.

I wonder if my body ever gets jealous of my face?

I mean… I spend a fortune on trying to make my face look good, and if you discount x amount of moolah that I’ve spent on dieting over the years… my body is like the poor relation.  The hand-me-down kid.  At least it has my hair to keep it company, I neglect that too.

I haven’t gone mental… (in case you’re wondering).

You see, British brand, Elemis have just released a body version of their incredibly covetable Pro Collagen Marine cream.  It’s specifically designed to target anti-ageing and combat the loss of elasticity allover our *cough* vital areas.

It contains mystical-sounding ingredients such as Castanha Oil, Laminaria Brown Seaweed, Babassu Oil, Bilberry Oil and that ever-intriguing marine extract Padina Pavonica.  It even promises to help breakdown fatty deposits.

AND…

Let’s face it, once we hit 30, everything starts to head South faster than a pair of migrating blue tits.  Yeah, you totally saw what I did there.

But back to my original point.  I love Elemis’ original Pro Collagen Marine formula and it’s one of my very few top-end luxuries (the other being perfume I can ill-afford) and I’d slather it all over my body if I could afford to (oh hello cheaper body version!)…

BUT…

I’m just too lazy you know.

Do you guys make use of the wonderful technologies in your face creams and put them to use on your bodies?  Am I a bit weird for blatantly and completely ignoring what is (in fairness), the largest proportion of skin on my body in favour of this much smaller *circles face* bit right here?

Perhaps it’s more of an upkeep thing?  If I had the body of a goddess… I’d be more willing to put the effort in to keep it that way?  Hell, to get the bits below my neck reach any kind of level worthy of a bikini, I’d need about £20k in surgery and KFC/McDonalds/KrispyKreme wiped off the face of the Earth.  Minimum.

Which leads me to something that’s going to keep me awake tonight.  Do really, really ugly people not bother with face cream?

Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cream is priced at £49.00 for 200ml and available on counter and online from www.timetospa.co.uk

I’ve heard SO much about this eyeliner over the past couple of years and following my semi-disappointment with my Illamasqua Precision Ink, I was in the market for trying out something new.  Combine this with a late night mooch around eBay, and the rest (as they say…) is history.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner is the finest-tipped eyeliner pen I’ve used.  It’s a brush tip rather than a felt tip and the bristles hold together tightly to provide a very tight line.

I find the formula to be quite watery and it can bleed a little but thankfully dries very quickly.  For a very dark line, you’d need to make a couple of passes which is a shame.

I paid around £10 for mine (inc. shipping) which brings it well under high-end prices but toward the top end of high street.  It does fade throughout the day and I’m not going to give this holygrail status simply because I’m not completely sold on the formula.  The precision brush though?  Well, it’s an absolute dream for winging out.

The above photo shows one pass and you can see that it could do with a second swipe, there’s a hint of feathering but check out that sharp wing!

Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner is available to buy on eBay (prices vary).

What’s your favourite eyeliner at the moment?

You may remember my post of tips I put together regarding the cleansing of dry skin… well, I’m back with a follow-up on how to treat dry, reactive skin types.

Allow me to copy in a little from the previous post to remind you of the background…

What do I mean by dry skin?  Well, for me… my combo/dry skin is largely self-inflicted.  I know I don’t drink enough water (and always see a marked improvement when I do), I refuse to give up my cleansing oil addiction and although I’m leaning more toward kinder organic cleansing balms, I refuse to just ‘get rid’ of some of my more drying oils until they’re finished.  Waste not, want not as my Mum would say.

I don’t suffer too badly in the Summer, but come the end of October, my skin loses its glow and the biggest problem I have to battle are those dreaded flakies that make any foundation look like crap.

I’m breaking the tips into a couple of posts:  cleansing, treating, moisturising & makeup.  Please remember that I’m in no way an expert, I’ve just bumbled through a lot of trial and errors to find what works well for me.  So without further ado…

Treating

1.  Think about supplementing your diet with additional vitamins or minerals to keep your skin in top shape.  Either go for a general multivitamin to give a beauty boost or look for something more specific containing zinc and a good balance of vitamins A, E & C.  Also aim to eat more foods rich in high-quality fatty acids such as Omega-3.

Suggested products: Neals Yard Beauty Boost with Frankincense, Cosmetofruit: Face Anti-Aging Defense, Functionalab Radiance Formula, Oskia Pure MSM, Viridian Hyaluronic Acid 50mg

2.  One of my most-frequently repurchased beauty items are cans of pH-balanced water.  To many, that will sound like a horrible waste of money but I became addicted after my laser hair removal last year, when nothing else worked to cool and hydrate my skin as quickly.  I keep a can in the car and one by my computer, they mist lightly and instantly give a boost of hydration when needed.

Suggested products: Avene Eau Thermale, La Roche Posay Thermal Spa Water, Evian Facial Spray, Uriage Thermal Water

3.  Exfoliating is critical for those of us with dry skin but as our skin is often quite sensitive, we have to be careful to choose the right kind of exfoliator.  If you prefer the feeling of a mechanical exfoliator, make sure the granules are fine enough not to cause any micro-tearing to your skin.  Alternatively, opt for a chemical exfoliator that harnesses the power of fruit enzymes, glycolic acids and BHAs.  As to how often you should exfoliate, that varies and the best way to find out is to see what your skin will tolerate.

Suggested products: Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream with Microbeads, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Origins Brighter by Nature Peel Pads, No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator, Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask

4.  Get specific to your skin’s needs with a high-intensity serum, oil or concentrate that contains hydration-boosting or skin-repairing ingredients.  Incorporate this into your bedtime routine to give your skin optimum time to repair itself while you sleep.  Look for products that combine well with your favourite night creams to quench the thirst!

Suggested products: Dermalogica Ultra-Calming Serum Concentrate, Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules, SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel, Medik8 Hydr8 B5, REN Max Moisture Concentrate

5.  Lie back, put your feet up and treat your skin to a regular mask treatment.  Because I still get an oily nose, I tend to use two different types of mask simultaneously — on my cheeks, chin and forehead I use something deeply nourishing whilst my nose gets blasted with a good old dose of something clay-based to draw out the impurities.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match, it’s all about tailoring your skincare to find the best results for your skin type.

Suggested products: Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream, Dermalogica Skin Refining Masque (t-zone), Dr. Hauschka Rejuvenating Mask, Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Cream Mask, Korres Thyme Honey Mask

.

Whilst you’re treating a flare up, avoid products that foam and make sure that when you bathe or shower, the water isn’t too hot.  Turn down the central heating just a touch (yeah, I know) and if Winter causes annual issues, think about investing in a humidifier for the room you spend the most time in.  Most “normal” dry skin conditions can be treated with a little know-how and a lot of dedication to pinning down what works for you but if in doubt, always consult your doctor.

Do feel free to add any TREATMENT tips you’ve discovered for dealing with dry skin, I’d love to hear them.  I’ll be covering general moisturising tips later.

* disclosure: in the above picture, the SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective, Neals Yard Beauty Boost and Dermalogica Skin Refining Masque were press samples

Question of the Week: – Eyelash curlers: necessity or luxury?

Answer: I never curl my lashes… never.

Nouveau Cheap – Wet n Wild jumps back into the baked eyeshadow pool and it’s a perfect swan dive (as opposed to a belly flop). Check out the Limited Edition Holiday 2011 Coloricon Baked Eyeshadow Palettes and you be the judge.

Pink Sith – is charmed by Mikey Castillo, Director of Makeup from Le Metier de Beaute while she gets her makeover and a bronzer called Sunkissed for herself!

Prime Beauty – is drooling over the holiday mini nail lacquer sets from Le Métier de Beauté. Another sucessful collaboration with genius Ken Downing. These will make wonderful gifts but me first!

Phyrra – shares her Hacks! Cheats for blending eye shadows.

Vampy Varnish – I think you will want at least half of the China Glaze Holiday 2011 Let It Snow Collection!

we heart this – joined Glam’s Beauty Board and reviews fall’s six hottest makeup trends. See as Stef defies the trend gods and wears all six at once. Gasp!

Beauty Junkies Unite – Check out a few pieces from the limited edition, L’Oreal Project Runway Collection, Colors Take Flight!

Gouldylox Reviews – Crackle polish never really worked for me. Magnetic polish, on the other hand, is worth checking out.

Krasey Beauty – Looking for an awesome new place to visit in New York? Here’s the scoop on the brand new Benefit Boutique in NYC!

Lipglossiping – takes a look at Soap & Glory’s first foray into makeup to see if the brand’s soapy charm translates well into blusher!

No, my nails aren’t this long anymore – this was back in the day when I hadn’t abused them to within a millimetre of their poor, peeling lives.  Although looking at that length now, I think I’ve gone off it a bit… funny how our tastes change constantly isn’t it?

My tastes haven’t changed for Butter London’s beautiful Artful Dodger though.  When I was a little girl, I distinctly remember wanting to be the Artful Dodger… it’s not that I had a penchant for petty theft, I just thought it was a cool name.  Still do.

Artful Dodger is a super-pretty blue that feels a little different to my other squillion blues in my blue drawer.  Yes, I have a blue drawer.  What of it?  It manages to feel light, airy, a little frosty but somehow calming and mediterranean at the same time.  Plus, the beautiful BL cream formula is a dream to apply, something that of course, always helps.

Butter London Artful Dodger is priced at £11.95 and available to buy online at PowderRooms.

Fusing grand design, eco-credentials and quality home-scenting comes a partnership between new beauty and lifestyle brand: DP London and brit designer Pearl Lowe.  A limited edition candle collection which includes a re-release of three iconic fragrances from the original Davina Peace lineup contrasted with the new design flourish at the hands of Pearl Lowe.

Pearl Lowe was said to have fallen in love with the original scents and her collaboration with the brand makes perfect use of her design abilities and keen eye for beautiful things.

“For me scent is quite simply the ultimate home accessory.  I love transforming the mood with these candles and find candlelight so decadent.  They envelop a room with scent that lingers for hours, and create complete calm in my home.  The travel candles are also amazing as they help me to take a little home comfort with me and also work equally well in a guest room at home”  Pearl Lowe.

The limited edition range includes:

Pearl Lowe for DP London Spiced Punch (100% natural wax) £30 for 190g

and

Pearl Lowe for DP London Candle Trio (100% natural wax) £30 for 3x 50g (Spiced Punch, White Flowers, Citrus Fruits)

All candles are made containing a sustainable beeswax and EcoSoya blend with an organic fragrance.  The range contains no palm oil (a product that contributes to heavy deforestation) and also no paraffin (the mining of which is unsustainable).

Spiced Punch* is a hearty scent, perfect for the upcoming festive holidays.  A warming combination of bergamot, orange, cedar and cinnamon with a seasonal sprinkling of clove, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla that ensures your surroundings are evocatively fragranced for the dark nights ahead.

The DP London Body Care and Home range is available to buy online (www.dplondon.com) whilst the Limited Edition Pearl Lowe for DP London Candle Collection is available exclusively from ASOS.com and Selfridges.

* press sample