Tuesday 31 July 2007

A Few of My Favourite Things... Moisturisers and Serums

I'm absolutely going to have to get done with my favourite things by the end of this week because I so have new favourite things coming in every day... Traumatic, I know.

Today I'm looking at your beauty bread and butter and I make no apologies for telling you to SPEND SOME MONEY here because you absolutely have to unless you're a) ridiculously genetically blessed and then I hate you or b) you don't mind looking like a cheap leather handbag by the age of forty.

Serums are a relatively new thing to me but I'm totally on board as I've had amazing results, amazingly quickly. Packed full of potent ingredients, these skin savers can save your skin from the elements, repair environmental damage and even resurface your visage all without you even noticing!

My favourites (in no particular order) are Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum which enhances your skin's ability to repair itself while you sleep. And it comes with a wicked pipette delivery bottle. Love love love this. Seriously, you could not spend your money more wisely.

Also loving Estee Lauder Idealist Skin Refinisher which might not class itself as a serum but it goes on under moisturiser and in a few silky drops, gives you gorgeous, glowing soft skin with teeny weeny pores. I also like the eye serum on this baby. Sadly, it does not have pipette action.

And props are going out to Prescriptives Super Line Preventor Extreme - with pipette action! This is a lovely serum that protects skin from lines and wrinkles via a super charged cocktail of anti-oxidants. Clever stuff.

For moisturisers, there were thousands that I wanted to write about, Ren Frankincense & Boswellia Clinique Anti Oxidant, Taer 24 Hour cream and even my lovely Olay beauty fluid but do you know what? There's only one daddy that's ever going to win this battle... Creme de la Mer. No really, it might be pricey but it's bleeding good. Really, really, really bloody good. And even though it's not a L'Oreal product, do you know what?
You're worth it.

Monday 30 July 2007

What's in the Bag Lizzie Ryley?

Today's beautiful bag lady is Miss Lizzie Ryley, cat lover and beautista in equal measures...


What's your signature make-up product and how does using it affect your mood?
L’Oreal Telescopic mascara – no clumping, easy to apply or remove, and transforms me from little miss sleepy eyes to wide awake in an instant.

A beautiful boy is on the approach and you only have time to apply one product - what is it?
Benefit California Kissin’ lipgloss - not only does it sparkle, but it’s minty fresh too.

Out of every product you've ever had, current or sob, discontinued, what would be your favourite beauty product ever?
Bodyshop Cheek and Lip Stain was a revelation before the days of Benetint.

And the bag?
L’Oreal Telescopic mascara
Carmex lipbalm
17 All Day Wear eyeshadow in Thunderbolt
No 7 Blush Tint in Rosebud
Boots Colourings eye pencil in Cocoa Bean
Sexy Mother Pucker lip gloss/Benefit California Kissin’ lipgloss
Maybelline Wonder Finish make up in Nude
17 pressed powder in Delicate Beige
Vital Eyes Brightener eye drops
Tweezers

Why can’t I be listing MAC products…

Oh Miss Ryley, we all feel your pain! But this is a lovely lovely list.
I have tried the California Kissin; lipgloss - it looks/smells/tastes a bit like Colgate Blue Minty Gel but don't let that put you off, it's really quite yummy.

Thursday 26 July 2007

Unforgivable Woman: Ain't no party like a Sean John party...

As a member of the esteemed beauty press (ahem) I was recently invited to the launch of Sean John Unforgivable Woman perfume. Despite a no show from the grate (purposeful typo, peeps, can't stand his tunes but I seemed to be alone in that sentiment. My BeautyMecca buddies love him) man himself, it was a bloody good party.

Hiding away in a cool new private member club in London, the cocktails and champagne were flowing, the music was fab and the lights were dim.
What more could a girl ask for? More canapes?
Hush your mouth and don't be so ungrateful.
We're beauty-types, not feeders.

The vibe was total minxishness. Everyone (almost, tut) had adhered to the all black dress code, various hotties were wandering round spritzing the scent, passing out drinks and canapes, a short film of Diddy doing the nasty with a sultry brunette played on plasma screens and there was an entertaining 'readers' wives' tape playing on a loop in the toilets... Also, we were all supposed to give up our Unforgivable moment - weirdest confessional I've ever been to - and I put my hand up now. It was BeautyLover that put 'looking at the waiters' bottoms'.
I was drinking and they were at eye level...
Dirty P Diddy.

Anyway, I know you're all dying to hear about the perfume so here goes...
After a complete flood of celebrity endorsed perfumes from the sublime to the ridiculous (Shilpa Shetty? Colleen McLoughlin? JADE GOODY?) this one is actually a bit of a relief.

Gorgeously simple bottle and a really deep, sophisticated scent, there's actually a whiff of class about it rather than a perfume that reeks of a cash-in. Apparently it is 'A breathtaking combination of creamy, floral, warm and luscious notes' with a special emphasis on Pina Colada. Well, there was definitely emphasis on the Pina Coladas we were all knocking back on the night.

No doubt, it's very much a sexy nighttime statement scent but I kind of like it. As a rule, most perfumes smell a little bit like wee on me (acidic skin ph, 'mare) and the top notes on this weren't great for me but on my buddy, and everyone else in the club, it smelled divine.

Word of advice, let it warm up for a while or so before you leave the house, the base notes are really where the money is or should I say, where the Benjamins are.
No, probably not.

Unforgivable Woman goes on sale across the country in September.
SRP £35 for 75ml and £48 for 125ml.

Wednesday 25 July 2007

MAC Attack

You know how I feel about MAC, right?
Same way most women feel about the idea of a half nekkid Brad Pitt and a pile of slowly melting Ben&Jerry's. Sorry, lost my train of thought for a moment.

Anyways, MAC have team up with Eve to do some quite frankly, frickin amazing make up for her new video.

The C-Shock collection is limited edition and on counters now. Please for the love of God, go, play and see how fab you can look in colour. If there's anywhere to find that out what colours suit you, it's at the MAC counter.

They say:
Voraciously vivid.
Brazenly bright.
Clearly colourful.
A collection designed specifically for the bold, the bad, the wildly daring.
Create a palette: pick three to add dash, two to clash…or select just one!
See how it electrifies your look. With colour this hyped, there is no room for fashion wimps, style-wusses or the tine-timid. High-energy, shade-power unlimited in lipsticks, lipgelees, and eye shadows.
If colour is your thing, don’t be shy.


I say:
Style-Wusses? Style-WUSSES?

I'm literally fighting my way to the MAC counter to defend my cred with some of these amazing shades, particularly the eye colours. I have a warm tingly feeling about the Wondergrass (Intense kiwi green), Big T (Intense aqua with green pearl) and Bang On Blue (Royal blue with pink pearl) and all for a tenner each!

See you there?

Tuesday 24 July 2007

A Few of My Favourite Things... Hair

I don't like to repeat myself often (makes me grumpy) but the importance of a good haircut CANNOT be under appreciated. Would you buy a cheap crappy coat that made you feel like poop? No, you would not. Would you cut costs on jeans even if they made your bum look like Jabba the Hut? No. So can someone please explain to me why people seem so keen to cut corners on haircuts when you where your hair on your head - your head! - every single day?

I've always tried to be faithful to my hairdressers having a good relationship and trusting each other is the only way you're really going to get what you want out of your mop. Getting my hair cut is one of my absolute favourite things in the world but a bad haircut can be incredibly traumatic so recommendation from someone you trust is essential.
What, you trust me?
Why, I'm oh so flattered... and always ready to give an opinion!

While I've only been to Jonny at Lee Stafford, Soho twice, I already feel like I've known him forever. Two fun visits, two fab haircuts and several hours of giggling in, I can't imagine entrusting my hair to anyone else. A good stylist (and Jonny is an amazing stylist!) works in two ways, either taking your ideas and turning them into something fab that really suits you, or, if you really don't know what you want, their 'stylist sense' kicks in. It's a slightly sneaky way of listening to your waffle and then creating a haircut based on your personality and needs.
It's a bit like Spidey Sense except you come out of it with lovely hair rather than a web.

I really can't say enough nice things about Jonny or the lovely Lee Stafford so if you're in London, Brighton or Oslo (no, really) you could do so much worse than popping your head round the door and finding out what they could do for you.

Sod it, make a day of it and come to London. Topshop Oxford Circus is nary ten minutes away!

Monday 23 July 2007

What's in the hen night bag Beauty Lover?

Morning peeps,

Because I know (for a fact) that you're just as nosey as I am, I thought you might like to know what slap accompanied me on this weekend's Hen Night jaunt to, gulp, Blackpool...

Like any committed hen, there was a lot of glitter going on. I make no apologies (except to the landlady of the Cheers Hotel. She's going to be washing that out of the bedding for weeks) it was a hen night and hen nights need glitter, but that did mean the rest of the make up needed to be relatively subtle. Well, that's what I thought before I went out. Once I'd been exposed to Blackpool's masses, I sort of realised subtlety was off the cards.

Foundation: In an attempt to forestall the inevitable knackeredness (six hour train ride, ew) I opted for Rimmel Recover Foundation. Good coverage, nice sheen, fake healthy. Plus, plastic bottle is easy to transport and it's perfect for the morning after...

Concealer: I never go ANYWHERE without my BeneFit It Stick. Love. It.

Eyebase: It was a big night out so I eye primed up with F.Y. Eye... I know what you're thinking, 'BeneFit addict' but hey, these are genuinely the best products I've ever tried. And I have tried many...

Eyes: So I'm trying something new and will be posting properly about it soon. Having passed my driving test (yay me!) the only practical skill (aside from not being a bitch) I have to master is liquid eyeliner. I rocked me some Estee Lauder Double Wear eyeliner, topped with Stila eyeshadow in Shore for a simple but defined look. Topped all this off with lashings of id bare Minerals waterproof mascara. It really, really doesn't shift.

Cheeks: I went simple with Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera, combined with lashings of High Beam.

Lips: Stila Plumping Lip Glaze in Berrymint. Yum.

And that was it! All masked by Claire's Accessories glitter spray within three seconds of walking by a fellow bridesmaid.
Cow.

P.S. you'll be pleased to know I had to scrape all that eye make up of with wipes at the end of the night. It really, really wasn't moving. I think I've found the holy grail of no budge products.

Friday 20 July 2007

A Few of My Favourite Things...

Today we're looking at facial cleansers.
To tell you the truth, this is one of the few areas where I'm in a dedicated relationship. I've tried a whole lot of cleansers and have never had such great skin as I have now, so you know what? I'm sticking to this baby.



It's the really rather fabulous REN Mayblossom and Blue Cypress Facial Wash and I can't live without it. The delicate gel cleanser gently washes and balances my skin without upsetting it or causing redness and it's keeping me on a relatively even keel throughout most of the month, if you know what I mean. Seriously, I flit around products and even skincare like a, well, a me in a candy store, but this baby - can't convince me to let go.

I've had heaps of friends with different skintypes try it and except for those with very dry skin, they all loved it and several even bought it.
Really, I live to give.

Have a peepo at REN's really rather fab range here:
http://www.renskincare.com/default.asp?gclid=CJjUoJ6Pto0CFRc6XgodkxYAIQ

Thursday 19 July 2007

A Few of My Favourite Things... Tanners and Sparkle

Given that the sun us refusing to play this year, tanners have been super important to everyone. Well, everyone except me but hey, I know you want to know more about them...

The best gradual tanner I have ever tried (and ever had feedback on) is the Olay Everyday Sunshine body lotion in light. It doesn't smell like death and it's genuinely a light, easy to apply, realistic looking tanner. And hurrah, it's cheap.

If you're wanting to go the whole hog, I would really only look at St Tropez. Sure, if you're dab hand at it or you already have a darker skin tone, you can risk the orangey-hue of EVERY OTHER TANNER I'VE EVER TRIED but I wouldn't.

If you're not up for a tan and (like me) are determined to rock the English rose (so that everyone in your office feels bad that you can't afford a holiday in the sun) then you can always try a hint of shimmer in the evening. I ALWAYS go for BeneFit's Body So Fine, a gorgeous, lightly sparkly balm that leaves your skin soft, scented and beautiful.

Sigh, now I'm all grumpy thinking about tans again...

Wednesday 18 July 2007

A Few of My Favourite Things... Body Moisturisers

So you've got rid of the elephant skin (good) and now you need to moisturise to make sure it doesn't come back in the night when you're not looking.

I'm sure you already know but hey, I'm nothing if not a nag so please moisturise after every shower or bath, preferably morning and evening. I do get dry skin so maybe I'm going overboard but who doesn't like to be silky smooth?

My favourite moisturisers change regularly and I'm a real believer in layering scent so I'm often rocking Chanel Cpco Madamoiselle body lotion, Angel Innocent fizzing moisture gel (that stuff ROCKS) or if I'm feeling minxish, Agent Provocateur Sauce. Grrr.

But when I need a hit of moisture, I reach for these two products every time. For a daytime, I love Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream. It comes in a big old pump dispenser and contains gorgeous lemongrass and rosemary oils that smell divine plus hydroxy acids from sugar cane and apple to relieve skin dryness. Bundle all that up with green tea, lavender, tea tree and chamomile oils soothe and soften the skin, while essential oils of sandalwood, orange, clary sage, patchouli and rosemary help to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture. Mmm. Make me hungry just reading the bottle.
http://www.dermalogica.co.uk/default2.asp?region=A&location=UK


When my skin is feeling particularly stressed out, I like to treat it to a slathering of Spiezia Organics Restoring Body Balm... This stuff sends me into complete rapture and I LOVE to slap it on before bed, knowing that I'll wake up soft and smooth. Treat your rough patches to a smattering and see yourself transformed, honestly.
Totally organic and totally beautifully packaged, the restorative balm is full of fab things like coconut , extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, yarrow, horsetail, lemon, wheatgerm oil, rose petals and my guilty secret favourite, lavender.
Yarrow again... we're seeing a whole lot of yarrow coming through.
http://www.spieziaorganics.com/acatalog/Spiezia_Organics_Spiezia_Woman_2.html#a24


mmm, smooth enough to slide past Brad Pitt's security guards...

Tuesday 17 July 2007

A Few of My Favourite Things... Body Scrubs

I am very impatient and can't wait for the annual round ups of all the best products out there so over the next week or so, I'm going to share some of the top products we've sampled together over the last six months.
Am I a giver, or what?

I'm starting with body scrubs because, well, they're a pretty good place to start. No point have pretty hair and sexy make up if your body feels like an elephant's jacksy, now is there?

I was really torn on this one as there are so many scrubs I love. The Soap and Glory body scrub is delicious but really quite granular. I do like it on my feet but it's a bit harsh on more delicate areas. The other products getting an honourable mention are the Dermalogica Scrub I reviewed a couple of weeks ago which is fantastic for legs but has been a wee bit much for my arms and the Clinique Sparkle Skin exfoliator which I like but is almost too lovely for constant use. Would make a gorgeous gift though.

Our winner actually comes in two parts - Bliss' Hot Salt Scrub for some real hardcore, prevention is better than the cure, genuine dead skin scrubbing bliss. This stuff is not for every day but for a once a week, rub me down until I'm soft as a baby's bum bum, I CANNOT beat this. It smells divine, all rosemary and eucalyptus and it looks gorgeous on the shelf. Most importantly, it works.
Now, for regular scrubbing, I've fallen completely in love with the Bliss Magnolia Body Scrub. It's delicately scented (and not of M&S Magnolia in case you're scared of smelling like nan), it foams up softly so it's safe to use all over and it's just as moisturising as it is super soft skin revealing.


If you do feel so inclined to treat yourself, get it all from the Bliss website and pick up the Magnolia Body Mousse while you're there. Oh, and some Lemon&Sage Soapy Sap for your non-scrubbing days. I LOVE that stuff! Wake me up in a bottle.

Monday 16 July 2007

What's in the bag Emma Bradshaw?

Oooh, today's beautista has a bag full of enviable goodies - and she's pretty.
Damn it.


What's your signature make-up product and how does using it affect your mood?
It's a tough one, but I think it would have to be No. 7 concealer and (if I may have two, cos let's face it, one doesn't work without the other) No. 7 translucent pressed powder. It makes me feel human and able to walk around in public as though I were a normal human 20 something year old gal rather than the blemished beast that I am. It also doesn't break the bank and I get Boots points. Hurrah! Am I allowed to sing the praises of specific high street retailers? Lovin' your work Boots.

A beautiful boy is on the approach and you only have time to apply one product - what is it?
Well, assuming I am already prepped with stunning night on the tiles smoky eye make up (Yves Saint Laurent black mascara and eyeliner with the trusty No. 7 eyeshadow in one of their many beautiful shades of green or blue) it would have to be the old Pamplemousse Juicy Tube. It's not an original idea I know, but it works. Trust me.

Out of every product you've ever had, current or sob, discontinued, what would be your favourite beauty product ever?

Ooooh an opportunity to express my outrage at not being able to get my mits on Oxygen any more. I can't remember the full name, but it was like super strength, paint stripper stylee astringent and worked a treat on the old pimples (yes we're back to the spots again). They seemed to repackage the whole range, so it disappeared for a bit and when it came back they replaced my beloved Oxygen with some other not so super strong cleanser. Grr. But it was okay, because I could rely on my St Ives Apricot scrub. Only to find a few months later that that too has vanished! If by any chance I have been mislead and these products are still nestled on the shelves of some pharmacy or other somewhere, someone please tell me!! Alas, though, I fear that the many branches of Superdrug and Boots that I have trawled on my search reflect the sad truth that is they are gorn. Lost forever. Sniff sniff.


So, the make up bag...

Well, on a daily basis I am afraid to confess it is just the lip gloss. Yes, I never leave home without a juicy tube. If I have somehow found space in my oh so crowded bag for more you would find the afore mentioned NO. 7 powder and concealer, touche eclat - vital for avoiding looking nocturnal, Bobbi Brown rouge type stuff (though I'm now keen to try this pinch your cheeks business as dear old Bobbi is a bit of a challenge to use without achieving the toy doll look), Yves Saint Laurent black mascara and eyeliner - essential for opening up piggy eyes, a touch of No. 7 eyeshadow - I have more shades than I can mention, but something neutral for the day time and most importantly - Eyebrow gel from The Body Shop.
Absolutely essential for keeping those fluffy bad boys under control.

Isn't it the best when you read a What's in the Bag and agree with everything? And what ever did happen to Oxy? I used to burn layers of skin off with that stuff.
Ace.

Wednesday 11 July 2007

Summer On Your Toes

Last night I finally broke the last rule I was holding firm to this 'summer'.
I wore boots.
That's so crap, isn't it?
It's July and I'm rocking black opaques and knee boots.

But what the world didn't see last night, were my spectacular loking tootsies, freshly bedecked in Zoya polish. As you might already know, my hard work beauty levels drop from head to toe. Haircut by Lee Stafford, make up by Emmy Award winning Stila make up artist (and NYC hottie) Roberto Carey, wax by random lady in Worcester Park, pedicure by, well, me.

Zoya polishes are perfect for me. The latest summer range is chock full of fun eighties colours that make your toesies pop, Creamy is fun fluro yellow, Tart is a wild electric blue and Tangy is the coolest metallic lime green you will ever see. Plus you get fab thick coverage with true colour in just one coat.
Wicked.
Ahem.
And so today I braved the crappy weather in flipflops because it just wasn't fair to keep gorgeous feetsies like mine hidden and lo and behold, the sun is shining! Tomorrow I'm going to do my fingernails too and see if I can't pick a winning lottery ticket.

Get back to the eighties at nailcareclub.com and don't forget to browse all the other fun colours. I recognise metallic lime green isn't for everyone.
Wimps.

Tuesday 10 July 2007

Pinch Your Cheeks

Now I won't start many posts this way but this weekend, I spent some time ogling a very cute baby. Babies and I traditionally do not get along. They don't like me, I don't like them, everyone's happier if we just stay away from each other. I like them in theory, it's just that in practise, there's always some unpleasant hair pulling or code brown situation that upsets the applecart.

Not this baby, she was beautiful and wee and perfect and I think the fact that all I could think about was 'how do they keep their skin so clear?' speaks alot about me as a person. I mean, that baby is not using the high end products I am forking out for and yet, bugger me, she looked great.

While a lifetime of excess and sun damage can't be undone to give you baby soft, baby clear skin, you can cheat your way to that ridiculously cute glow that babies have. I have a new favourite everyday blusher (fickle, I know).


Origins Pinch Your Cheeks has been around for a while but for some reason, I've never given in. Which is madness because it's a) great and b) in a lovely pocketable tube. Yum. The product comes out looking terrifyingly dark but actually blends into a sheer wash of baby glow blush and you you can keep layering all day until you get the right depth for you without ever looking like you've over done it. Healthy glow in a tube... And even babies could tell you gel in tube is safer than liquid stain in glass bottle (BeneTint, I'm looking at you).

There's nothing we like more here at BeautyMecca, than something that gives the lovely, lovely illusion of health even if we're as hungover as drunk dogs and got three hours sleep the night before.
Which is probably why we're less keen on babies, come to think of it...

£11.00 at Origins.co.uk or all Origins stockists.

Friday 6 July 2007

What's in the Bag Thomas McGlashan?

Today marks a momentous BeautyMecca What's in the Bag moment... Our very first boy!
The lovely Thomas McGlashan has opened up his beauty bag/drawer/cupboard and let us peep inside... and oh, what wonders!



What is your signature product and how does using is affect your mood?
I have a few lotions and potions that I use religiously but my favourite product that use when things become desperate is Touche Eclat - I know, I know, there are better/cheaper versions but I think its a psychological thing to be honest!! Its normally the product of choice when I'm feeling rough as... Too much though can be lethal!! We've all seen examples of 'Lush in the flesh' but 'White Circle-eyed in flash photos' where Touch Eclat Overload has been the application of choice!!

A beautiful boy is on the approach and you’ve only got time to do one thing (beauty-wise!) What is it?

My obvious answer would be suck in my (ever) increasing belly and cheeks for Slimming Effect without SlimFast!! Being serious, I think it would have to be a quick application of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream onto my lips to distract from the current cracked-effect!! Again, not too much though or I could end up looking a little too lady-like! Not a good look for a boy.

What product existing or (sob!) discontinued could you not live without?
There are a few - hence the drawers of 'previously used but now forgotten about' products! I'm a complete sucker for marketing campaigns that promise "younger-looking" skin, which is a bit worrying at 23! I'm also a sucker for bargains too - is that because I'm a student AGAIN or because I'm Scottish, I don't know?! Both of these little obsessions can be ticked off by the purchase of Superdrug Vitamin E Eye Gel which costs about £2.50 or something ridiculous and lasts for ages. Its great for everyday use and if kept in the fridge, its great for hangover eyes too. I've also just started using the No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum that was sold out for ages (proof of my marketing whore vice!!). Not sure if its doing what it says as yet but do feel naughty if I've not put it on before going to bed at night! I was a lovely son and bought my dear mother some too (it was 3 for 2!!) and she really likes it.

And the bag...
My 'beauty bag' is actually numerous drawers and shelves of my bathroom cabinet so I'll spare you every detail but the lotions and potions that I'm actually using just now...

Gillette Fusion razor - newly purchased and quite liking it due to the closeness and the side burn trimmer too!

Eye gel(s) - either that little Superdrug one or Clinique All About Eyes if I'm feeling flush - which I'm currently not!!

My No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - for lips, hands, nails, brows, dry patches, burns... and also any shaving rashes or irritations too! How manly...

Hand cream - which I actually need to buy soon as the crappy one I have now is about to run out - any recommendations, Miss Beautylover??

CCS Footcare Cream - very serious looking and sounding and I love it!! Keeps 'Dinosaur Feet' at bay.

How exciting! I love it when a boy wants to talk moisturisers...
For the hand cream, I had a brief flirtation with L'Occitane lavender hand cream but it was really more about the scent than the actual product. I love Soap and Glory's hand cream, that's pretty good and available from Boots but to be honest, I would always go for the Dove Hand Balm which I keep on my desk. It's refreshing, absorbs quickly and smells nice - what else can a girl/boy ask for?

Loving the anti-dinosaur feet cream. We should all start a facebook group...

Estee Lauder Azuree Collection

I'm a total sucker for a limited edition collection, not to mention pretty pretty things, so Estee Lauder's collaborations with Tom Ford always make me go a bit gooey inside.

This summer's Azuree Soiree and Azuree Bronzee (damn blogger's inability to add accents - I'm not a skank who can't spell) are super beautiful, all old Hollywood glamour in turquoise and gold. Beautiful. Choose from Bronzee, an entire collection inspired by sparkling skin on a warm beach, very golden, very pretty and very easy or Soiree, taken from rich red wine on a Mediterranean summer's evening. Preferably sipped on balcony of George Clooney's Lake Como villa.
So beautiful.
The colours, not George.
Well, you know what I mean.

And the products are bad either. I've had a pop at the Soiree Lipgloss which is a beautiful rich berry shade that looks gorgeous against a tan on but is really stunning against a pale skin if you're brave enough. If you do feel like you need a top up of colour, pop on a drop of the Soiree Face Glow which sits elegantly on my nightstand next to my Hello Kitty alarm clock.
It really does make a mockery of me.

But hey, it's aspirational. There's a touch of Sophia Loren and Katharine Hepburn in all of us if you are:
a) prepared to groom endlessly, wear very high heels every day and generally adopt an air of elegance that can't be taught, bought or trained...
or
b) happy to purchase these beautiful lovely things of wonder.

I'm just going to pop down to Selfridges...

Thursday 5 July 2007

Stila my favourite

I know my Stila addiction is an unrequited love affair but I can't stop buying the damn stuff. Will someone give me the name of their PR?

Following my most recent fling in New York, I've become totally addicted to Convertible Colour in Fuchsia. Now, it looks terrifying in the packaging. And on your finger tips. And sometimes on your face but hear me out - this is a real less is more.


For the porcelain skinned amongst us, this is a life saver. Given that a) we don't tan and b) there's nothing to tan under this summer anyway, the Fuchsia Convertible Colour gives a beautiful Barbie flush look when stippled on to your cheeks with the Stila number 19 retractable brush. Aim for the tops of the apples of your cheeks, just on the edge of your cheekbones. If you use too much (easy mistake-a to make-a) just rub your hands together and press them onto your face. The warm skin will lift the excess colour without rubbing it away.

I team this with Fuchsia subtly dabbed on the lips, layered with Fig lipglaze


and Cloud eyeshadow.


Eyes need to be neutral to hold all the cheek and lip colour but they do want some attention - the Fuchsia really makes them pop right out!

Damn it Stila, I wish I knew how to quit you...

Wednesday 4 July 2007

Tan a Sac

As you know, I'm not a tanner but how good is this?

They say... NEW innovation from Janela comes the problem solver for all fake tan lovers. Founder Jennie Pepper has created every woman's solution to avoid getting that tangoed look on your bed sheets after having applied fake tan.

Tan A Sac is a cotton bed bag that fits on top of your existing bed covers that you slip into. You don't even have to remove your existing bed linen, so you can simply whip it off in the morning.
For an all year round tan that doesn't create a mess in your bed simply get tanning and jump in your Tan A Sac!

I say... hee! At least you can keep your St Tropez off your 300 count Egyptian cotton bedding!

www.tanasac.com

Tuesday 3 July 2007

Give me Moa

Every so often I get sent something to try*, start using it, love it, add it to my make up bag and completely forget to tell you about it. Today we celebrate one such unsung hero.

This slightly random little product became a handbag staple while I was in New York and was routinely cutting my legs shaving, getting hideous blisters and suffering from too-hot-for-shoes, too-professional-for-flip-flop situations.


Moa is a 100% natural balm, created in Iceland and used to heal, well, just about anything! I find it helpful on sore spots on my footsies but also on dry cuticles, grazes and even burns (I am a very clumsy person. The iron is not my friend). You can even use it as a cleanser or as a sore throat treatment... I think we're well into 'what can't it do?' territory.

It contains Yarrow, tea tree oil and various other 'super herbs' that have been grown in Iceland's bitterly cold temperatures. Basically, if it's hard enough to cope in Iceland, it's in here somewhere.

Plus the pot is very cute.

Find out lots more about this miracle balm and where to buy here!
http://www.thegreenbalm.com/index.htm

*btw, I don't get sent enough stuff.
Please send more.
beautymecca@gmail.com
And like, good stuff please.

Monday 2 July 2007

Where there's smoke, there's wrinkles

As I'm sure you all know, smoking is neither:

a) big
b) clever
c) legal in public places anymore

And unlike swearing, this more or less remains true, even when drunk or showing off for boys.
But the happy news is, the less you smoke the less you, and all the rest of us, will suffer from wrinkles!

But if you have suffered (and let's be honest, we all have one way or another) why not treat your super new smoke free skin with a little boost with Perscriptives Super Line Preventor Xtreme! That's right, it's Xtreme!


I can't possibly explain to you what wonders are in this magic potion (it's totally witchcraft, just like my beloved Magic Powder) so here it is, straight from the warlock's mouth...

They say... Charged with a “super cocktail” of powerful antioxidants to help defend skin against both types of free radicals, SLP-X’s new and improved formulation is designed with Prescriptives’ proprietary Super Antioxidant System (SAS) to not only help protect against environmental assaults but also improve the look of visible lines and wrinkles and help prevent visible long-term damage. Prescriptives has taken free radical research a step further by focusing on seven major free radical species: Singlet Oxygen, Peroxynitrite, Hydrogen Peroxide, Halogenated Oxidant, Superoxide, Hydroxyl Radical and Lipid Peroxide. The antioxidants in SAS work synergistically to help protect against all these different types of free radical species on the skin, helping neutralize these free radicals.

I say... It comes in a darling pearlescent bottle and has a cool pipette in the screw top that makes me feel like I'm playing Weird Science at bed time but most importantly, it's good. My skin lapped it up in New York where it was exposed to all sorts of nasties and if you live in the city or are even just around traffic pollution, this baby could be the miracle worker for you. Pop it on under your regular moisturiser and wait for the lines to, well, never appear! Call 0870 034 2566 for stockist deets.

Super Line Preventor Xtreme is just £35 for 30ml and £49 for 50ml, so what, seven packets of fags for the same price as gorgeous skin? Let me get my commonsense calculator out...

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