A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

A few of you asked what nail polish I was wearing in this post, so I thought I’d put up a proper NOTD post to show it properly.

Following conversations with some of you U.S. girls, I’m thinking that this particular line of L’oreal polishes might not be available over the pond.

Maroon Sorbet is such an odd name for something so dark and vampy… sorbet always makes me think of summer!  The shade itself is a blackened purple with ‘hidden’ shimmer.  You may be able to make out a speck of the shimmer on my middle fingernail but it’s really quite subtle which is a shame as a little more visibility would have given this shade the lift it needs.

No complaints here about wear or application – it’s a solid high street polish that won’t break the bank!

L’oreal Resist & Shine Titanium Nail Polish in Maroon Sorbet is priced at around £6 and available at most L’Oreal stockists including Boots.

A pretty mixture of bold brights and pretty pastels make up the new Leighton Denny Spring/Summer collection.

I was sent Berry Nice and Sundae Girl…

Sundae Girl is a mod-pink with blue undertones that pops nicely against my skintone without looking stark or particularly harsh.

The formula was thick yet a little sheer, a slightly strange combination and for a perfect finish it could have done with three coats which I didn’t want to give it because of the thick formula.  Nothing worse than a nail polish that looks like it’s been applied with a trowel.

Having said that, it lasted fantastically well.. 4 solid days before starting to show signs of getting a bit tired and no chipping whatsoever.

Berry Nice is a muted fuchsia and a one-coat wonder!  The down side to only applying one coat would be the visible nail ridges but that’s easily sorted with a quality base coat.

This is a great summer shade for tips or toes and anything that delivers great, glossy creme coverage in a single coat has to be a Summer holiday essential.  Wear was average but probably pretty good considering the single coat – it needed replacing on the 3rd day.

Leighton Denny Expert Nails colours are priced at £11.00 each and available online or instore at  John Lewis & selected Selfridges stores.

Are you liking the look of any of the shades from the Leighton Denny Spring/Summer Gelato Collection?

At the LMS Spotlights launch I attended last month, I had the opportunity for a little chat with Lucie Jones: 2009 X-Factor contestant, model, West-End star and current ‘face’ for LMS Spotlights.

Hi Lucie, Can you name 3 of your makeup bag essentials?

Cleanser is my top priority.  I think that no matter what makeup you wear, it’s so important to take it off properly.  Especially because I work in theatre I wear quite a lot of heavy makeup and when I get home, no matter how tired I am… I make sure to cleanse and tone properly.

No face wipes then?

Well if you’re ‘on the go’ then I think, fine… and for your eye makeup? Maybe… but for me and my career, it’s so important to keep my skin clean and clear.

What else… I think that a moisturiser, maybe a tinted moisturiser is always a nice thing to have (in your bag) and the third thing? Genuinely, my little LMS Spotlight ‘cos it’s so good.  It looks like a little lipstick – it’s quick and it really does work.  Three times a day, no side effects.  Swear by it!

So if you had to pick just one, which one product could you not leave the house without?

If I was to go out for a date and I could only apply one piece of makeup on my face… I think it would be mascara.  Generally, my skin is alright… I get the odd bad spot but “zap, zap” (she holds the LMS Spotlight to her face)… I don’t wear lipstick normally and I’m just back from holiday so have a bit of natural colour.  Mascara would be the one!

You released your first modelling shots last year… do you find yourself more conscious of your physical appearance since entering the public eye?

You know, I really don’t!  And specifically since I’ve started modelling I’ve become more confident.  You have to be, you can’t stand there and feel like a fool because you think you look stupid.  If you go in being confident, the ‘bad’ things about you won’t seem so bad.  Do you know what I mean?  Also, the agency that I work with are just lovely, really caring… so they would never let me feel like that.

Ok, that moves us on quite nicely to my next question… What are your top tips for feigning confidence when you feel you’re not looking your best?

Smile and wave!  Smile and wave… In the words of Madagascar!  But seriously, if you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable about something, just forget about it and focus on something good about yourself!  If you’ve had a bad ‘eating’ day and your belly’s bloated, focus on… your legs! Or do a nice face and makeup.  Concentrate on the things that you’re feeling happy about and the things that you’re feeling unhappy about will blow away!

Sound advice, so what’s next for you this year?

Lucie:  Well, I’m in Les Mis until June.  I will be auditioning for other musicals in the West End, I’ll be doing TV castings and trying to get into acting a little bit more.  I’m writing my own music and have been working with song-writers and producers so we’ll see how all that goes really and I’ll carry on doing modelling aswell…

A bit busy then?

*laughs* yeah, just a bit!

With all that in mind, what advice would you give young girls who hope to follow in your footsteps?

Career-wise, I would say to someone… just be yourself, don’t try and feign that you’re someone else.  If you think that someone will like you more if you act in a certain way, they’re obviously not the right person to be around or to be working with.  There’s always a team of people out there that you should be working with and you should be happy with the people around you.

Remember yourself, remember who you are and don’t change.  You are the only person who can get you to where you want to be, so why become someone else?

LMS Spotlights is a new skin care range that uses red light therapy, a natural skin treatment that’s clinically proven to help clear spots fast.  Available online at www.lmsspotlights.com and at Harrods.

I’ll be putting the device through it’s paces over the next month and will report back on whether it lives up to the hype!

A NOTD from December, back when my nails were shorter… does anyone else always feel the grass is greener?  Whenever my nails are short… I crave long, finger-elongating talons.  And when they’re long, I feel all witchy-poo and want neat, sweetie-esque nails!

I’m never happy!

L’Oreal Resist & Shine Titanium* in Sorbet is a very pretty raspberry red with a hint of gold.  The metallic finish promises long-wear of up to 7 days.  I haven’t found it particularly long-lasting from the two nail outings I’ve given it so far.  I get around 3 days from it before tip wear begins to be noticeable enough to ensure a swift removal.

I’m most impressed with the brush though… a slightly-flattened brush which delivers wide, easy strokes.  A definite winner.

L’Oreal Resist & Shine Titanium in Sorbet is priced at around £6 and available at most L’Oreal stockists including Boots.

*Press Sample

Yum. Oh.

I’m a long-standing fan of Lush’s Honey I Washed the Kids soap. It’s got no whizz-bang exciting things going for it but it’s comforting. Like an old-favourite jumper washed many times over, I’ve been repurchasing it once or twice a year since my early twenties.

Which is why I was excited to see the scent launched into a new Limited Edition shower gel that goes by the name of: It’s Raining Men. Alongside the other limited edition launches for Valentine’s Day, It’s Raining Men will only be around for a short while… so I suggest you go sniff it out tout de suite!

It foams REALLY well… and to be quite blunt, when a shower gel (that doesn’t claim to contain magical properties) costs nearly £8 for 250ml, that’s an important thing to know about it.  It means that I can see this bottle lasting me for a good long time.  Judging by my usage of the sample I was sent, I’d estimate that it’ll still be going in 3 months time.  You really only need a drop on a bath lily to work up a huge lather.

As for the scent?  To me it’s a little sweeter than my HIWTK soap… just a touch.

It’s Raining Men is a saccharine feast for the shower that bubbles up beautifully and leaves my skin with a delicate honey-ed scent.  I like it and I’m purchasing a backup at the weekend in preparation for it leaving the shelves for good.

Lush – It’s Raining Men limited edition Shower Gel is available online or instore at LUSH

This Valentine’s day, why not share a bath with someone you love?  Just make sure that you don’t get the tap end.

LUSH have released some new delights and brought back some old favourites in celebration of the mushy occasion!

New to the LUSH party this year are…

1. Be Mine (£26.95) … A sexy selection of six scrumptious treats that’s sure to make the one you love ‘be yours’ this Valentine’s Day. Inspire someone to melt into a marshmallow bath, let it rain men in the shower and get up close and personal with a Soft Coeur massage. A gift to ensure they’ll stay yours as well! Contents: Melting Marshmallow Moment bath melt, The Frog Prince bath ballistic, It’s Raining Men shower gel (100g), Sex Bomb bath ballistic, Sugar Babe sugar scrub, Soft Coeur massage bar, Lust solid perfume.

2. It’s Raining Men shower gel (£4.25 for 110g / £7.95 for 260g / £14.25 for 510g) … hallelujah! A divine shower gel scented with our best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids fragrance … amen! Shower with this luxurious honey and tropical flower gel and your skin will be left deliciously soft, scented like crème brule and extremely lickable!

3. The Frog Prince bath ballistic (£2.75) … kiss this cute little character (on his bright red, pursed pout), throw him in a tub of warm water and, as the fairytale goes, marvel as he dissolves in front of your eyes to reveal your very own Prince Charming … or in this case, a sticker of one of our charming compounders from the Lush factory! And as you would expect for royalty, he has his own, exquisite, sultry brand new fragrance – a majestic blend of jasmine, sandalwood, rose and neroli.

4. Love Birds soap (£3.00 for 100g) … something for all those lovers out there, this gorgeous new soap is scented with some beautiful aphrodisiac essential oils to make Valentine’s Day that extra bit special! It’s the Keep It Fluffy fragrance, which includes sensual jasmine and vanilla for a romantic soap that will soften and moisturise skin, while leaving it delicately scented.

5. P.S. I Love You (£13.95) … say it with Lush and tell that special someone what you’ve been meaning to say for ages. This cute little gift is a foursome of romantic products to leave your special someone feeling in no doubt of your feelings. All wrapped up with love birds and heart embossed paper. Contents: The Joy of Jelly shower jelly (100g), Strawberry Feels massage bar (mini), Love Birds soap, Sex in the Shower emotibomb.

1. Truly Scrumptious (£27.25) … a delectable collection of Lush’s sweetest treats, what better way to tell someone you’re sweet on them?! Contains Lush’s best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids soap, a chocolately Whipstick lip balm, Space Girl and Butterball bath ballistics, Vanilla Dee-lite body lotion, Creamy Candy bubble bar and a Melting Marshmallow Moment bath melt. All in all, it’s exactly what it says on the tag!

2. Ex Factor bath ballistic (£1.99) … a gingerman shaped little friend to join those Valentine-less folk in the bathtub, who may be feeling a little blue at this time of the year and fed up with all the lovey dovey paraphernalia wherever they look! He dissolves in the warm water in a swirl of ylang ylang and vanilla to reveal a small pink candy heart. The delectable mix of essential oils is the same as our best-selling Butterball bath ballistic, so will leave you feeling happy, relaxed and ready to meet someone else!

3. Magic Mushroom bubble bar (£2.30) … a fun-guy to share Valentine’s Day with, this charming toadstool is a frothy strawberries and cream scented wonder for your bath. The fragrance is a blend of Lush’s best-selling Vanillary and the popular strawberry-sundae Yummy Yummy Yummy. Crumble under running water for masses of skin softening strawberry and vanilla scented bubbles.

4. Hello Gorgeous (£17.90) … it’s always good to tell people they’re gorgeous and what better way than with a selection of Lush’s most gorgeous products. There’s a Japanese influence, with a cherry blossom design on the outside and the mimosa scented Sakura bath ballistic on the inside. Also contains a small tin of Gorgeous, our extra special orange blossom moisturiser; Helping Hands hand cream; cherry and mimosa Rub Rub Rub shower scrub (100g) and a lovely pink luxury bath melt made with marshmallows.

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I haven’t decided if I’m falling in line with the marketing this year or going all-out I HATE HEARTS AND FLOWERS.

Are you a Valentine’s celebrator?  However I’m feeling about all that love stuff, I never fail to use the occasion as a magnificent excuse to do things that I couldn’t get away with on an ‘ordinary’ day… hello Chinese takeaway, self-indulgent baths and leftover Quality Street.  Love yourself I say!

I was given this by PR a few months ago and from first use, I wanted to jump on here and exclaim my love for it… but I didn’t.  I’ve spent good money on glass nail files before, fallen in love with them and then watched them become ineffective after a month or so.

Leighton Denny’s Crystal Nail File is different.  It’s made from lead crystal that’s been treated to create a filing surface that is literally guaranteed to last a lifetime (the guarantee is in the box!).

This is the 135mm ‘model’ that comes in an aluminium case and I really recommend getting one that comes protected like this.  Whilst the filing surface should last indefinitely, they’re still delicate tools and prone to breakage if dropped or carried around in handbags.

I finally felt the push to bite the bullet and upload this review for one particular reason…

I developed a horizontal split in my thumbnail after dropping something very heavy on it a month ago… it reaches very nearly halfway across the nail bed and I’ve been nursing it in the hope that I can keep the nail intact until it grows out.  With a fragile nail like this, I didn’t think I would be able to go near it with a nail file… but I was wrong.  The Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File is so gentle that I can carry on like nothing has happened.

The file glides, it never catches… it turns the nail to dust right before my eyes and I’d liken it to a hot knife slicing through butter.  It’s like kryptonite to the ragged edges of my nails.

At £12, it’s one of those purchases that you wouldn’t appreciate until you started using it.  I wouldn’t be without mine and when Leila got hold of it a couple of days ago, I panicked… turning into a jump negotiator as she waved the crystal wand around in her chubby little hands (perilously close to the table edge).

“Come to Mama lovely… want a chocolate?  No… don’t swing your arms baby… one more step… *grab*”

I’m completely in love with this Crystal Nail File and would happily rate it as a beauty must-have.

Leighton Denny’s Small Crystal Nail File is available online and instore at Boots (priced at an even more bargainous £11!)

What do you use to file your nails?

…this year are two great homegrown brands.  Both The Body Shop and LUSH have commissioned their own festive videos for interwebz consumption.

If you haven’t seen them already, you can check out their festive video offerings below:

But which is your favourite Christmas video?

In the words of Harry Hill’s TV Burp… The Body Shop vs. Lush?  FIGHT!

Leighton Denny’s Embellish Me is a dark, inky purple that’s perfect for Autumn/Winter.  A smooth creme, it’s not the most exciting or original shade out there but what it may lack in imagination, it more than makes up for in opacity.

I get frustrated by these dark, vampy shades that apply all thin and streaky.  This, thankfully isn’t one of those shades.  Practically opaque in a single coat, it only took a light 2nd coat to top off and even out my application.

The above photo shows two coats with no top coat.  Drying time was also impressive on this Leighton Denny.  This is a perfect polish for people in a hurry.  Two quick coats, minimal drying time.  No fuss application.

Wear has been average… but remember this is without the added protection of a top coat.

I’m impressed!

Embellish Me (£11.00) is a limited shade from his Autumn/Winter Opulence nail collection and is available instore at John Lewis or online at QVC, Beauty Bay and other selected retailers.

Easily my most expensive bottle ml for ml… Le Metier de Beaute’s Magic at Dusk was released alongside their autumn/fall collection this year and I couldn’t resist picking it up.

It’s an exquisite mix of blue and purple that looks positively electric on the nails but for all that… I don’t have a huge amount of love for this polish.

It’s a 3/4 coater and for this depth of colour… we should be able to achieve opacity in 2 coats.

You also only get 4ml of product for £10, so I’m estimating that the manicure shown above has cost me at least a quid.  It’s a very fast drying polish but the tiny brush is difficult to wield with any grace which resulted in drag marks across the nail bed and the need for a 4th coat.

I pretty much dislike everything about this polish except for the colour.

Happy Monday morning you lovely lot!

Stop dragging your knuckles on the floor.  I know you’ve only had time for 8 mugs of double espresso so far but look lively ‘cos I’ve got a treat for you today!

Jo Givens, the infinitely wise Treatments Development Manager at Liz Earle’s London flagship store has agreed to share some of her best tips to prepare your skin for whatever Winter has to throw at it!

L-R: Jo Givens -Treatments Development Manager at Liz Earle, Liz Earle Flagship London Store

Dear Lipglossiping readers!

I’m so honoured that I have been invited to share my seasonal skin tips with you all!

As the summer has sadly come to an end, I begrudgingly pack away my summer wardrobe as my ‘tan’ starts to fade along with the sunshine.  Autumn is here and winter is on its way.  The air feels cooler and the leaves on the trees have started to transform into a beautiful sea of orange and gold.  I find that this is the time my skin starts to feel in need of hydration, as the central heating resumes once more and sucks away skin moisture, and signs of damage from the harsh UV rays of the summer start to be revealed.

It is important to remember that we need to adapt our skincare routine during these coming months, along with good nutrition to keep skin looking and feeling its best whilst maintaining flagging energy levels.

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Problem: Skin breakouts during changing seasons

Solution: Plummeting temperatures and central heating can wreak havoc with your skin- symptoms of this can be breakouts (spots or pimples), due to inflammation, bacteria and a build up of dead skin cells and excess oils.  Use a clay mask which is rich in minerals to absorb excess oils.  I would recommend using this 2-3 x a week all over your face, or just on specific areas as a spot treatment overnight.  I firmly believe in supplements for the skin and garlic tablets are perfect as an anti-inflammatory treatment for the skin – always consult your doctor before taking anything internal.

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Problem: Dull and tired skin

Solution: Exfoliate skin as once stubborn skin cells are removed your skin will instantly look clearer and brighter. Also, I always recommend exoliating your skin before using a facial mask, as this can literally double the effects of any mask.  Try to do at least 10 minutes of exercise a day – this will boost the circulation to the skin and keep it looking fresh and hydrated.

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Problem: Parched, dry skin

Solution: As your skin can feel drier in the winter months, double up with a hydrating facial oil at night underneath your existing moisturiser.  Try a facial oil that is made up of 100% plant oils packed with skin loving ingredients such as argan oil and organic rosehip oil.  Also, try using a richer moisturiser at night that will provide super hydration whilst you sleep.  Focus on massaging your skin with gentle caring sweeps for at least 2 minutes every night as this will boost circulation and keep skin supple.

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Problem: How to Survive the Christmas Preparations?

Solution: After a warm bath, pat skin dry and lavish skin with a rich luxurious body cream.  Burn a natural Lavender soy candle for 10 minutes in your bedroom before you sleep to scent the room-this will aid relaxation

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Problem: Low Energy Levels during Dark Mornings and Evenings

Solution: I would always advise to start your day with a dry skin body brush. On dry skin, brush upwards using long sweeping strokes towards the heart – this boosts a sluggish system.  Once you have body brushed, massage a body scrub over damp skin – this will remove dead skin cells and bring oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells.

Banish tiredness by not eating sugary foods at night- these energy foods can disturb sleep.  A daily supplement of milk thistle is great during the winter months to boost the liver energy which will help the body to eliminate waste and maintain vitality.  Also keep up your daily water intake as dehydration can have a negative effect on the skin and body.

Interior of Liz Earle’s flagship London store

Thanks so much to Jo for taking the time to share your great tips and solutions with us!

I’ve already contemplated introducing some dry skin body brushing into my daily routine and I love treating my skin to Superskin Concentrate as an overnight dry-skin quencher whenever I feel it rebelling against the elements.  It’s a bit heavy for daytime use… but my goodness does it sort me out while I sleep!

Also, one of my favourite bath-time relaxers comes in the form of the Vital Oils for the Bath… the site recommends 1/2 capfuls per bath but this stuff is SO potent that a couple of drops does it for me!

However, if you really want to get your skin Winter-ready, you can’t beat a visit to The Treatment Rooms in the London store to indulge in one of Liz Earle facials or skin tutorials with an expert therapist like Jo.

What are your main skincare concerns for the upcoming Winter?  Dryness?  Dullness? Something else?

If it weren’t for those pesky prematurely dark evenings… Autumn would be my favourite season by far.

The excitement at dragging our lovely knitwear out from storage, discovering warming new recipes for the slow cooker, 100 denier tights and nature’s most vibrant display of colour.  It all combines to fill me with that pre-Christmas thrill.

For me, Autumn is the season of scents… crushed leaves underfoot, cordite in the air and hearty stews on the stove.

Here’s my take on some of the nicest Autumn scents that money can buy.

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Ancienne Ambiance Scented Candle Collection – Romana (£28)

Brainchild of Adriana Carlucci, Ancienne Ambiance offer luxury goods inspired by Antiquity.   When you burn an Ancienne Ambiance candle, you’re burning more than just a beautifully blended scent.

Romana is like a portal to another age.  Described as: A powder-like scent with sensual & comforting effects..particularly good when desiring a calm ambience.

Comforting is exactly right… it’s soft and evocative.  The amber tones are rich, earthy and overwhelmingly Autumnal.  Perfect for warming up these dark evenings.

The quality in this candle is evident with a flame which burned evenly throughout the many hours of enjoyment I’ve had thus far.  The scent remains true and consistent from the first time you light it through to the moment it extinguishes itself.

The Ancienne Ambiance Scented Candle Collection is available to buy online and instore at Fenwick of Bond Street.

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OCCO  Motovun no3 Bath & Body Wash (£18)

Croatian-inspired OCCO are a new to the UK, natural brand with a wide range of luxury products.

The Motovun no3 range combines essences of Cypress Leaf, Labdanum, Oak, Cedar Leaf, Vetiver and Black Pepper, to create an earthy and woody selection.

They say:

Oil of cypress tree fuses with gentle oat-based cleansers with anti-oxidant properties, to help restore elasticity and cleanse your skin. Natural extracts of pine and oak calm and centre your mood.

With an impressive list of active ingredients including: Pine Oil, Cypress Oil and Sage Oil Grape Extract, OCCO’s Motovun No3 promises to be a moisturising experience.  Something that our skins definitely crave this time of year.

All OCCO products contain a minimum of 95% natural ingredients and 100% natural fragrance blended from absolutes, extracts and oils to reveal subtle top, heart and base notes. All products are free from parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals and synthetic colours.

The brand are set to open a central London boutique this Autumn but for now, you can purchase online and instore from Harrods and John Lewis.

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Haus of Gloi Parkin Bubbling Scrub ($9)

My latest Haus of Gloi order turned up yesterday morning and amongst it was the newly released Parkin Bubbling Scrub.

Heavy in black treacle, ginger and roasted chestnuts… the initial ginger sweetness morphs into a richer, darker base that lingers on the skin for hours.  Synonymous with Bonfire Night, I was delighted to scrub myself silly with this yesterday morning to mark the historic date.

Now, if only I had some real sticky Parkin to go with it *nom*

Parkin Bubbling Scrub is available online from Haus of Gloi (for a limited time).

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LUSH / Gorilla Perfumes – Tuca Tuca (from £2.50)

I wanted to include an out and out fragrance in this selection but I found myself struggling to choose.  Sure, there are many amber and woody offerings…. even heady orientals that would fit with the theme but as I was exploring my stash of lovely things, I remembered Tuca Tuca.

It’s a love it/hate it pick.  Mr. L hates it, I love it.  Not quite as much as I love some of LUSH’s other new fragrance offerings (I’m looking at you Lust and The Smell of Freedom) but by Jove it reminds me of Halloween!

Tuca Tuca is an explosion in a Parma Violet Factory… and in this house, Parma Violets are king… or yano… queen… whatever, I ain’t discriminating.  Even better if we can find the jumbo ones… am not fattist either.  It’s playful, girly and comforting all at the same time.  But most of all?  It’s impish… mischievous and defiantly bold.

A pied piper of fragrances.

Tuca Tuca is available instore at LUSH or online.

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Neals Yard Remedies Lip Gloss with Organic Orange Oil (£9)

Neals Yard Remedies are new to cosmetics and I’m finding it hard to decide if this is a gloss, a balm or maybe just a bit of both!

Advertised as a gloss, it does indeed leave a lovely (if subtle) sheen behind.  It’s non sticky and wears just as well under a lipstick as it does over it!

But the real beauty is in it’s scent!

I have literally spent an entire car journey with the end stuffed up my nostril.  Well, not *up* my nostril… that would just be dangerous, imagine if we had to brake?

Let me explain…

As a child, around this time of year… I used to make orange pomanders and use them to scent drawers and wardrobes around the house.  The organic orange oil is an acute reminder of those days.

It’s got enough tartness to it to steer it away from being sickly, but enough softness to stop it from smelling like a kitchen cleaner.  Fragrance blenders… I have so much respect for the delicate balancing act you do!

No parabens, no silicones and no carmine.  Neals Yard Remedies offers the first collection to include Soil Association certified cosmetics.  But I’m still all about that orange!

Neals Yard Remedies Lip Gloss with Organic Orange Oil is available to buy instore and online.

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What are some of your loveliest Autumnal scents?  And which season is your favourite?