Festival Must Haves

This weekend I braved my first festival in four years and I can’t actually believe I did it. The last time I went to a music festival (Reading, 2007) someone threw a bottle of wee at my head on the way into the arena on the first day and on the second night, someone came into our tent to ask if we had something I could use as drumsticks. At four in the morning. He got a kick in the face for his trouble. And I got my tent weed on in retaliation.

But alas, alack, I returned to the festival circuit but this time as an actual act! Someone people allegedly want to see! I don’t know that it’s true but someone at Latitude apparently believed it was. Still, at least I was better prepared than I was in 2007... Disposable contact lenses and pop-up tents can change your life.

As well as the wee-themed 2007 trip to Reading, I’ve got a few other festivals under my belt and I’m well aware of their beauty shortcomings. In fact, who are we kidding, beauty? I’m well aware of their hygiene shortcoming. I consider myself lucky not to have home stinking and diseased. As I was trying to carry as little as possible and yet achieve some sort of ‘I’m not a skank, honest’ effect*, this is what I had in my (shudder) backpack.

- Neutrogena Face Wipes

- Elemis Lavender Toner

- La Mer SPF 30 Fluid

- Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

- Crappy shower gel from Duane Reade

- Neutrogena SPF 100 Spray

- Avon SSS Bug Spray

- Nars The Multiple mini in Orgasm

- Estee Lauder Double Wear Mascara in Black

- MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

- Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill in Noka

- Dior Lip Glow

- Jurlique Anti-Bacterial Gel

I’ve always been a big fan of big, dark eyes at festivals. If ever there was a place where you can get away with the ‘yeah, I slept in my eyeliner and it looks awesome’ look, it’s at a festival. Of course, while slept in is a good look, it’s not an ideal scenario for your skin so the wipes are essential. Granted I think the shower gel is a bit of a stretch, in ten years I haven’t seen running water at a festival that hasn’t reduced me to tears. This year wasn't that different. So. Much. Mud.

*I was supposed to be reading with Helen Fielding. She didn't show. I think that's because Bridget v. v. hates camping. It's not a mini break, is it?

Elemis Fresh Skin + Signed Book Giveaway Take 2

It's been an odd old Saturday so here's some good news.
The winner of our second Elemis Fresh Skin giveaway and signed book (as pulled out of a hat by our cat*) is...

Lindsay Rogers!

Back to proper blogging next week. It's too hot to live right now. Well, not live but you know what what I mean. Wah, wah, etc, etc.

*I'm thinking Riddley needs her own column - she is very particular in her make up preferences and only chews on my best brushes. The cow.

Colour Xtreme Summer Hair Winner

Hurrah! We have a winner! What a lovely way (for me because I'm lazy) to start a Tuesday!

The winner, as pulled out of an Urban Outfitters straw trilby I bought in TExas and never wore because it look awful is... CATH BORE!
Congrats, Cath, I'll email for your details.

Sorry if you didn't win, don't be sad, lots more competitions to come.
Might just try to finish this book first...

Elemis Fresh Skin + Signed Book Giveaway

So, you remember when we did the Elemis Fresh Skin giveaway a couple of weeks ago?
Well, to celebrate the 4th of July weekend here in the US and Canada Day in my beloved Canadialand, we're doing the SAME THING AGAIN but here in North America!



So email me at lindsey@lindseykelk.com with the subject 'I want awesome skin' for your chance to win a full set of Elemis Fresh Skin goodies and a signed copy of The Single Girl's To-Do List.

I managed to sneak ten minutes into my London trip to have a look at the new Elemis ranges that are coming up and sweet Jebus, they're delicious. Am obsessed with the new Revive shower gel but I'll tell you all abut that later...

Colour Xtreme Summer Hair + Giveaway

Well, Glasto is almost over except because it's Glasto, we're waiting for Beyonce, not the fat lady, to sing. Much more glamorous. If you, like me, would rather cut off your right arm than hole up in a filthy mud hole for nigh on a week, just to get a glimpse of Bono being, well, Bono (or another word that also has four letters but starts with a 'c') there's a way to experience festival chic* without leaving the comfort of your own home.



I've always been a massive fan of colouring my hair and have sported many, many different hues in my day. Including pink. At the moment, I'm having kittens over the fact that my fiery red locks won't allow for the awesomeness that is ombre hair. You know all those super cool girls whose hair looks like it's been dip-dyed? Yeah, that. In fact, my amazingly hip hairdresser has her hair like it, a mid-brown fading down into sun-kissed blonde. In fact, half of Williamsburg has their hair like it. And so did half of Glasto.

Happily, thanks to the awesomeness of Colour Xtreme colour sprays, you don't have to a) commit to a very strong look that you might go off after a few days or b) the expense of a very strong look you might go off after a few days. For less than a fiver you can get yourself down to Boots, buy a can of Colour Extreme and do it yourself. Either buy a darker shade and spray into your roots to darken the top or buy a fun colour and dip dye the ends. Blonde hair looks very summery with pink tips... Just spray in, let it settle then brush it through. When you're bored, wash it out. Amaze. For some actual useful tips, they've got a Facebook page. Have a look.

And because the people at Colour Xtreme know we like to try new things, they've given me a FULL SET of colour sprays to give away. Email me at lindsey@lindseykelk.com and say I WANT AWESOME HAIR to be entered into the draw. You've got ONE WEEK!

*let's be honest, who looks chic after a festival? Disgusting. Just get the Colour Xtreme and don't worry about the rest of it.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara

I'm a bad BeautyLover.
Miss Keren sent me this an age ago and I forgot to post. Because I'm shit. Anyway, not shit, is Clinique's Lash Power mascara. I've long been a fan (see?) but here's a reminder as to why it's awesome:

Seeing as BeautyMecca is all about lashes this week, I have another mascara to throw into the mix. I got a press sample of Clinique’s Lash Power a few weeks ago and I am seriously loving it. It lengthens and separates without any clumps, for very pretty lashes.

BUT the best bit... it does NOT budge... at all. Until you want it to, that is. You don't need eye make-up remover to take it off. Just a little bit of warm water, some gentle massaging and it comes off, without panda eyes. It is just brilliant.



I have tried the Blinc mascara that has the same removable qualities and I loved that too, but sorry Blinc, Clinique has bettered your wand – it is just a better size and shape for lengthening.

When this sample has run out I will be off to Clinique for another. And as I generally change my mascara brand every time I buy a new mascara, this is a big compliment. And it’s only £15.

They say: Vows to look pretty for 24 hours without a smudge or smear. One stroke and these pretty lashes last through rain, sweat, humidity, tears. Yet the formula removes easily with warm water. Unique brush reaches and beautifully lengthens even the tiniest of lashes. Ophthalmologist tested, too.

I'm all over Clinique at the moment. Between the Chubby Sticks and the Long Last Glosswear (in Juicy Apple in case you were wondering) I'm having a bit of a love in.

What are you wearing right now?

Elemis FreshSkin Competition + TSGTDL Giveaway!

My love of Elemis is well documented here and so you can imagine how bloody excited I was to hear that they were launching a line for younger skins. It's a brilliant range for skins that have graduated from the teen skincare lines but aren't quite ready for the regular Elemis line... plus it's a more affordable way to get into the range. And the packaging is pink, which is nice.


The products are all formulated with active raw ingredients like elderflower, rosehip seed oil, goji berry and apple specially chosen to care for young skin. I've been a devotee of the big sister range for the longest time but I've given several of the products a run out and I'm impressed. I forgot my Collagen Marine cream on my last trip to London and the lovely ladies at Elemis gave me the FreshSkin moisturiser to try and bugger me, if my skin wasn't just as soft and glowing as ever. I also loved the lip balm and as much as I detest cleansing wipe, the FreshSkin wipes did a bloody good job of trying to change my mind. There wasn't that nasty residue you often get with them and I'll be packing them for my festival appearances this summer. Check out the rest of the line here.

To celebrate the FreshSkin launch, we have a full set of products PLUS a signed copy of my new book, The Single Girl's To-Do List to give away - it's Monday, we need cheering up... To enter, just leave a comment on this post. You can just say hi or ask a question or just say something lovely. My roommate's cat will be picking a winner on the 16th. YAY!