April Rules: Lee Stafford Dehumidifier

I'm really trying to be okay with the comedy of April Showers, I really, really am. Unfortunately, I'm trying to time my next haircut to fit in with my upcoming jaunts (work trips!) to the Us in May and June so I'm the first to admit I'm a little bit frizzy...

And just to make matters a little bit more frizz-tastic, London has decided to go completely schizo on me. I get up, wash my hair, head out into crisp cold weather. Which then turns really sunny. Which then turns into a thunder storm. Which then turns sunny. Which then goes a bit windy. At which point I put on a hat.

But, ahhh, the wonder that is Lee Stafford has saved me from hat hair. He has saved us all I tell you! Now, instead of freaking out, I just spray my luverly Lee Stafford Poker Straight Dehumidifier prod onto my locks for frizz free shine and a stable style. Seriously, I debuted it yesterday and while my curly-inclined friend had to pop on her (very, very cute) beret when tousled tresses took a turn for the worse* I marched on.
And I did not frizz.



Bonus, it also does away with those irritating flyaways that you can't get rid of when you're in need of a trim.
And double Boots bonus, it's only £4.99.
Rock on over at lunch and say 'Pah! I do not fear you April showers!' loudly at the sky.
But only while no one is listening.

*note to curly girls in hats. This is a very cute look but not all of us are as gifted in the prettylicious department as my friend, who just looked like you wanted to pat her head and put her in your pocket with her rain-induced curly locks. Grrr.

April Rules! Origins Lip Balm with Tumeric

I know you're all well aware of my lip balm obsession but I am trying to recover.
I can only account for four different balms right now, isn't that progress?

Unfortunately, Origins aren't helping. They have just released a totally fabu new balm which is completely different to any of my existing faves...

They say:
NEW! Conditioning Lip Balm with Turmeric
Enjoy the benefits of this highly emollient lip balm that rapidly restores softness and smoothness to parched lips. Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Jojoba, Organic Beeswax and Murumuru hydrate and soften lips while Mango Seed Butter and Rice Bran Oil provide antioxidant protection. The bright colour and aromatic scent of Turmeric, along with the essential oils of Organic Sweet Ginger, Lime and Magnasweet make applying this protective and softening lip balm a pleasure.
Turmeric, a potent spice, has long been used in Eastern and Ayurvedic traditions and is a staple of Asian diets. It is used in American mustards, exotic curries and the people of Okinawa regularly partake in a soothing Turmeric tea. Dr. Weil has long recommended a diet rich in Turmeric as part of his philosophy for healthier living. As part of Origins mission to promote beauty and wellness, this new lip balm is rich with Turmeric in addition to lip protectors, moisturisers, and other antioxidants.

And more importantly, the tube and balm is oval shaped which makes it lovely to hold in your pocket. Yes, I know I have an issue.

April Rules! Advanced Night Repair

I love it when a product does exactly what it says on the tin.
Or beautiful brown glass bottle in this case...
My skin has been going through some very late teenage tantrums since Christmas but I can always, always rely on one product to sort it out sooner rather than later.

Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair serum is an absolute godsend.
I'm sure you've seen a lot of press about the little brown bottle in the last few months as ANR has had a big birthday (ah to be 25 again... she says at 27) and I'm sure you've thought about it, you might have even tried a sample, or played with the pipette at the counter but I'm fairly certain a big old chunk of you decided against purchasing. Let's face it, serums are a pricey addition to a skincare regime if you're not already rocking one and you're expected to commit for a good couple of months before you see a benefit. Sigh.
Can't be bothered, right? It's £40 you could spend in TopShop and see the results right away?


Well, put down the Baxter skinny jeans, yes I know they're very flattering, and get your arse back over to the Estee Lauder counter. Honestly, ANR has revolutionised my skincare regime and I don't know how I would get by without it. Seriously, I've used it when my skin has had a little too much sun and woken up the next day glowing like a goddess (and remember I'm the world's palest paley). I've used it when very, very drunk and woken up with rosy pink glow, not a blotchy red glare. I've used it when I'm spotty and hormonal and woken up fresh as a baby's, well, I don't think baby's bums are that fresh but you get where I'm coming from?

And to make matters worse, I'm really sorry but I'm going to recommend you get the Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Complex too. Unlike ANR which you use every evening to keep Father Time at bay, the concentrate complex is a separate routine that you use for just 21 nights and then go back to the original. I try and fit it in every three months or so and my skin never, ever looks better than when I'm rocking this bad boy. I also tend to favour the concentrate when I'm super hungover. It's like an apology to my skin.

So yes, I know I just asked you to part with the best part of £100 on things to add to your skincare regime but seriously, call me up in twenty years and thank me. I'll be the one sat at the bar knocking back champers with the skin of a twenty year old.
Make sure it's me and not Madonna though, I'm guessing by the time she's seventy she might just about look twenty.
Scary, scary ageless Madonna...

April Rules! Spring Clean with Astral

Now, I always start out my new relationships with the BEST intentions.
First I get all hot and bothered, then completely gushy and rubbish and for the first few weeks, first few months if it's really special, I am like a goddess - nothing is too much bother and the upmost care and attention is given. But after a while, you get a little bit sloppy, you start forgetting it was special once and maybe, god forbid, you start getting all hot and bothered over new handbags.

Oh, did I not say this was about handbags?
Please, totally more exciting than boys.
I really am the worst. My BEAUTIFUL Marc Jacobs Jazz bag that I love with all my heart has even suffered the odd empty Polo wrapper and I'm sure there's more than one old tube ticket in there. I don't mean to be a skank but hey, I get busy.

Well, the helpful people at Astral have given us some top handbag spring cleaning tips...

What to bin…multiple make-up products What to buy… multi-purpose moisturiser

Why carry around hand lotion, body moisturiser and face cream when one product will do? In its handy 50ml pot, Astral acts as a multi-purpose moisturiser for the entire body, doubling up as make-up remover and after-sun. As for your face, leave it free to take in some much-needed sunshine. Just 10 minutes of outdoor light a day can help your body process vitamin D, helping to keep bones strong and healthy. Remember to apply suntan lotion.

What to bin…chocolate bar What to buy…bottle of water

There’s nothing more comforting than a delicious bar of chocolate to brighten up dull winter days. But now that spring is here, throw out your hoard of sweets and invest in a single bottle of water to make you feel refreshed and revitalised. If your eyes are prone to puffiness, this suggests that toxins have accumulated in this area and water will help flush them out. Combined with a good moisturiser, like Astral, your skin will dazzle in the spring sunshine.

What to bin…stationery What to buy (keep)…mobile phone

If you carry a diary, phone book and more pens that you know what to do with – bin them. You can record all important dates and phone numbers in most mobile phones and replace your pen with your thumb!

It all makes a special kind of sense, doesn't it? Except I don't think I'm totally okay with ditching my chocolate for water.
But Astral is totally retro-tastic and sigh, I think they might be right as well as pretty.

April Rules! What's in the Bag?

I just realised it's been forever since we did a What's in the Bag and so I thought I'd kick us off with what I'm hauling around town with me at the moment.

Base
I always carry my travel size Prescriptives Colour Match foundation. Perfect for night-time touch ups and (God forbid) the morning after.
For concealer, I've got my trusty BeneFit It Stick (somethings never change!) and my new obsession, Touche Eclat in number 1. Seriously, it's changed my life.
Powder-wise, I've gone back onto BeneFit Get Even. Anyone got any suggestions for a good pressed powder in a pretty compact that's non-sparkly and good for fair skin?
My carry-around blush is Prescriptives Thai Orchid at the mo. Such a pretty flush.

Eyes
Clinique Lash Power has found a very safe place in my make up bag. It's non-clumping and that mofo isn't going to budge until you get the hot, wet cotton wool pads on it. Even over night if you really must be that lazy. LOVE it.
For colours, I'm still rocking Stila Cloud most days but have updated my palette with Diamond Lil, a really pretty shade that you can smoke out easily. I've also got my trusty MAC Prunella pencil and my Stila silver kajal pencil.

Lips
You know I'm a crazy gloss girl... I'm currently toting Juicy Tubes in Marshmallow, MAC lipsticks in Overrich and Sweet&Single (because I am, waaaaah), Jo Malone and Creme de la Mer lip balms, Stila Lipglaze in Fig and a recent find, Ruby&Millie lip colour in Pink 435c which is a really pretty shade. It's almost a Barbie pink but it gives a really pretty stain when pressed in lightly with your finger and layers up to an amazing block finish. Definitely a statement Friday night colour.

Multi-Tasking
I'm trying to slim down my bag at the moment as my back is killing me... But I do have the fab new Stila Cherry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain which I picked up in Sephora in NYC. It's great if you're having 'one of those mornings' and need a speedy face. Touche Eclat, stain, mascara, go.

I'm also loving Bobbi Brown's Pink Shimmer Brick which I'm using as a lovely Springy alternative to blusher on my pale, pale, pre-summer skin.

Ta da!

April Rules! The Sanctuary Hot Cloth Cleanser

So today is apparently the warmest day of the year so far.
This is good news and only slightly hampered by the bad news that this weekend is going to be shite. All this changeable weather is no good for my skin and in an attempt to placate it , I've started using the Perfectly Polished Hot Cloth Cleanser from The Sanctuary.

I lurved The Sanctuary products when they first launched and used to have teenage fantasies about hovering around the spa on that swing they made so much noise about at the time. It was a long and glamorous way from South Yorkshire FYI. But for some reason I'd drifted away from their products, even the lovely Mande Luar scrub thing in that sexy glass jar so I came to this, the first of their face care products I'd tried, with a fairly open, if not ever so slightly cynical mind.

The hot cloth cleansing system isn't that new, Eve Lom and Liz Earle make bucket-loads of cash from their versions but obviously they're not available from Boots for under a tenner. Having avoided creamy cleansers for an age, I was so pleasantly surprised. My skin felt ridiculously soft after cleansing and the muslin cloth left it exfoliated but not scrubbed. Okay, so I don't exactly look like a rosy cheeked cherub just yet but it has only been a week and I'm sticking with it. I will update you as to when we move from Silky Soft to Perfectly Polished...

Not that they are words that have ever been used to describe me before.

April Rules! Heatherette for MAC

Can it be true?
Is it really April?
And have MAC done it again?



To celebrate it not being March anymore, MAC have decided to brighten my Tuesday by releasing their super cool, super swank Heatherette collection today, in Selfridges. And man ALIVE it is pretty.

The amazing pink holofoil packaging aside, the products are amazing.
I adore the two eye shadow palettes, the dual ended eye pencils and the beautiful fucshia pink Hollywood Nights lipstick and Style Minx lipglass. Not to mention the silver foil nail polish.

In case you're not uber familiar with Heatherette, they are super-cool design duo Richie Rich and Traver Rains, based in the city of my dreams, NYC. As you might imagine, practicality is not their modus operandi but their MAC collection is surprisingly wearable. Yes, the very pale pinks can be tricky to pull off but the lilacy eyeshadows and gorgeous Beauty Powders should be in every girl's make up bag. And quite frankly, MAC + Limited Edition + Beautiful packaging + Very Close to Payday= Mega BeautyLover purchase.

I'm off to Selfridges right now, fight you, I mean, see you at the counter!