BritishBeautyBlogger

D&G My Collection

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:28:00 +0000

D&G's good looking fragrance anthology also comes in this mini-set - all five glass bottled scents within a D&G branded white pouch. I can't quite believe that this only costs £35 or as a GWP with purchase of a full-size Anthology fragrance - also £35. My favourite is the intensely floral La Roue de La Fortune (apparantly wearers are intrepid, experimental and players of life's game...ooh-err) with a heart of Tuberose, Gardenia and Jasmine. Nice.

What Lady Gaga Smells Like...

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:46:00 +0000

..Dragon's blood resin, blonde patchouli, jasmine and vanilla...seriously. She's apparantly fallen for Boadicea The Victorious 'Passionate' and also 'Provocative'. Beautiful, Dirty, Rich sums them all up nicely I think.

We’ve Got A Ticket To Ride,Too

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:35:00 +0000

I had an inkling that this was about to happen a while ago, but last week was manic with lots of PR meets and launches, and the message that is coming over loud and clear right now is that magazines are irked by the beauty blogs. In fact, it seems several PRs looking after high profile brands have been asked not to show products to beauty bloggers ahead of time, feeling that beauty exclusives should be for magazines, particularly weeklies and supplements, as tradition has dictated.

Although it’s being done more discretely than the obvious fashion journalists’ distress at their LFW being ruined by ‘liggers with laptops’ (their words, not mine), nonetheless, the message is still there.

As ever, I put this to the blogosphere for their words of wisdom, but my views are as follows:

Beauty blogging isn’t going away – if anything, it is going to get stronger, with more and more amazing beauty blogs jumping on this highspeed, driverless train;

The World Wide Web does exactly what it says on tin: information is so much more accessible to everyone and no amount of complaining is going to change that: if it’s out there, it’s ours;

Beauty consumers who read beauty blogs do so exactly for up to the minute information and unbiased reviews – beauty blogs feed a need and desire for instant knowledge and there isn’t a way to compete with that on paper;

Long after the copy of your magazine has made its way to recycling, blog news and reviews are there forever. For anyone to see, at any time – present or future.

Beauty blogs listen – and provide a place for beauty fans and consumers to talk.

The reach of beauty blogs is infinite.

This list could run on for pages really, but it is my view that insisting on exclusives in this ‘now’ world doesn’t do the brands and products justice – it’s a one shot, disposable hit that may bring short-term dividends, but long term, I don’t think so. I’ve said before that the last thing in the world I want to see is a ‘them’ and ‘us’ situation, but then bloggers aren’t insisting on exclusives and pettily refusing to feature at all if conditions aren’t met.

Ultimately, everything’s different now. Get used to it.

Shiseido Spring/Summer 2010

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:54:00 +0000

Loving this image of the whole darn lot of Shiseido's Spring/Summer 2010 make up range. Stand outs are the Perfect Rouge Glowing Matte Lipsticks (£19 each) that 'fill' in lip lines with spheres of Smoothing Matte Powder and a water friendly oil that gives lips a soft look and feel.

Rococo Nail Apparel Limited Edition Colours

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:12:00 +0000

Launching into SpaceNK this week are these beauties from Rococo Nail Apparel. The collection is named The New Romantics. Shown on the pic from left to right are:

Runway, Black Perle, China Doll, Jaded and Stone Cold Karma.

I'm feeling for Stone Cold Karma and Runway myself; you?

Vivienne Westwood: Ladies, Will You Wear The New Moustache?

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:44:00 +0000

Vivienne Westwood's Paris show for A/W2010/11 included models with drawn-on moustaches. Along with no eyebrows, pipecleaners cut up and stuck on as eyebrows, clown mouths and cadaverous no-make up make up, I'd say it's dangerous times to be a model. And just before we all start kohl-ing rakish lines over our upper lips, like all the other 'looks', I'd say this one won't 'translate to high street' either. Anyway, Frieda Kahlo did it years ago. Screams.

Pic Source: AP.

TokyoMilk: Toooo Pretty!

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:04:00 +0000

TokyoMilk Lip Balm in Opera Mint

TokyoMilk Your Kiss Is On My Lips Kissing Kit

TokyoMilk Solid Fragrance in Lotus Sake

I found these gorgeous TokyoMilk beauty bits out shopping today - the solid fragrances come in vintage inspired, decorative boxes and inside snuggling next to the pot of scent are five tiny (fairy sized) cards, each with a different, beautiful image. I've taken some snaps of the cards in the shop. At the same time, I discovered TokyoMilk do several lipsticks - each in a bullet with the bottom section imprinted with vintage imagery, and some gorgeous, gorgeous lipbalms. The solid fragrances are £22 but I got so carried away with the prettiness I actually forgot to smell them. Oops.

I found them at www.sistersanddaughters.co.uk

Something For The Weekend: Little Red Dress

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:50:00 +0000

When Dior's summer make up collection hits the stores on 19th May, my prediction for best selling colour is Little Red Dress, seen above. It's part of the Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss range. It's non sticky (I tried it) and full of shine complex to give it va-va-voom glossiness. Split into three parts based on Dior fashion collections, the 18 Couture shades breakdown into Glow, Pearl and Flash. Needless to say, Little Red Dress is part of Flash!

Bobbi Brown Orchid Colour Strip

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:59:00 +0000

BB Limited Edition Colour Strips have all the usual wearability of her signature muted tones, but each Strip contains one bright to liven things up. My money's on Orchid with a splash of bright violet being the favourite. A usual, just when I thought I'd found my favourite ever BB palette (Cabana Corals), along comes something else that's totally irrisistible. Not sure when these launch here, but they are already available in the US.

Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Red Door Scented Candle

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:06:00 +0000

Out in May from John Lewis, here's www.stylejunkee.com's excellent snap of the limited edition Elizabeth Arden goodies including the porcelein held candle depicting stylish New York ladies outside the EA building in New York. I spy a collectable!

Michael Kors Hollywood Gold vs Revlon Grey Suede

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:55:00 +0000

I posted an image of Revlon Grey Suede the other day, but in fact the colour has come out looking much whiter than it actually is. In order to give you a more accurate idea of shade, I've painted one hand in Grey Suede and the other in MK Hollywood Gold. At a glance, it is hard to tell any difference whatsoever, but there are subtle tonal and textural differences.

This is Revlon Grey Suede, launching in June. It is has slightly more yellowish nude tones than MK and a slight golden sparkle. The texture is more fluid than MK.

This is Michael Kors for Estee Lauder in Hollywood Gold - a very flat (i.e. not a hint of shimmer) nude colour.

Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Red Door Lipstick For Look Good, Feel Better

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:06:00 +0000

Oh, a lush limited edition always puts a smile on my face! This lipstick from Elizabeth Arden is a bright, bright red and sold in aid of the charity Look Good, Feel Better that helps raise self esteem in women with cancer. Not sure when it is out here, and there is a beautiful scented candle as well, but can't think of a better thing to spend my cash on.

Image: www.spoiledpretty.blogspot.com

Jun Takahashi & Comme des Garcons

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:25:00 +0000

I'm a little bit taken with the concept Jun Takahashi's fragrances for Commes des Garcons - mostly Holygrapie (there are two: the other is Holygrace) because it is said to smell of 'babies, kindness and sensuality'. How nice. On pre-order at Colette.fr

KissMyFace Cold & Flu For Bath & Shower

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:02:00 +0000

Well, I wish I'd discovered this way back when it was January and I was shivering my limbs off....I can't find a UK stockist for KissMyFace but it's a mystery to me why it isn't readily available in the UK. Luckily, the site I found it on, www.rickysnyc.com will ship. I'd say this is one for the bathroom shelf just in case one of those spiky spring colds makes an appearance. It's a blast of eucalyptus, fennel and the curious sounding horehound (often used in cough drops) that you pour into the bath (or wash with in the shower) that should have you decongested, invirgorated and singing 'Tuuuunes'.

And The Girls Wore Greige

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:13:00 +0000

Love this selection from Jessica used on the models at the William Tempest show during LFW. Seen here are Creamy Caramel, Sweet Tooth and Guilty Pleasures, and those of you who can bear the wait might want to add to the pretty-putty arsenal in June when Revlon's Grey Suede launches (not really at all grey). Apparantly, Florence Welch wore it at the Brits.

You Pays Your Money: Beauty Vending Machines

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:49:00 +0000

The Sephora Vending Machines selling 15 Euro bottles of CK One in the Paris Metro stations are a great hit apparantly - certainly they've had plenty of press exposure. But this is not a new idea: Sephora have already trialled the beauty vending machine concept in the states previously. There's a Nivea vending machine in Berlin (selling small tins of Nivea for 50c a shot)and I've mentioned before - last year - the Utique vending machine that caused a stir at Fred Segal, but don't think I've talked about what I think is the best one of all, Beautiful Vending's Straightener vending machine - pay your money and get a go with heated straighteners to re-perfect your do half way through the evening..or day. If I knew where and if these were located in London, I would definitely nip in for a quick sleek down - especially on a hideous frizz day, which we are having so many of lately. Can anyone provide a Central London Map flagging up the straightener locations....I'd like this in the back of my diary instead of the tube map which I don't understand anyway.

Armani Face Fabric Radiance - Scoop!

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:43:00 +0000

I'm a big fan of Armani foundations, but have been slightly out of the loop of late. However, I'm completely loving their latest venture into the skin radiance arena. Face Fabric, £29, which launches in June, gives skin an ethereal glow - kind of silvery shot with pink - and totally keys into chiffon-y nude looks. It's supposed to give a pale glow - the opposite of what most glow-makers do: bronze glow, golden glow et al, so is a trend maker on its own. Like it. Out in June.

Speed Reviews: Bobbi Brown Johnson & Johnson, Biotherm, Estee Lauder, Jemma Kidd, Frederic Fekkai

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:20:00 +0000

Johnson & Johnson 24 Hour Moisturiser Extra Rich Body Lotion
I've been SO lazy all winter about applying body moisturiser so when I went to the launch of this, it was a good reminder to start dealing with dry skin. Although I like luxier products, I was impressed with this in terms of non-stickiness, hydration and smell....it doesn't over power fragrance or any other scented products you might like to use (a real gripe of mine is over-fragrancing body lotions so the smell clashes with everything else...I never want to smell too much of melons etc) and a wake-up to me was the price - £2.99. That's a lot of moisturising for a very little bit of cash. I've also included a couple of pics of the launch - nice cakes!

Biotherm Huile de Gommage Oil Therapy and Biotherm Aqua Source Skin Perfection
I'm delighted to have a re-introduction to Biotherm, but it is something of a tale of two halves. On the plus, Biotherm Aqua Source Skin Perfection, £27, ticks every moisturiser box in the book for boosting hydration levels and making skin feel and look ultra-comfortable - and concetrating the equivalent of 5,000 litres of thermal spring water, it manages to keep skin hydrated literally all day. On the minus, the Gommage Oil Therapy (not yet in shops) didn't really give the surge of hydration that I was expecting. It absorbs easily, smells beautiful (containing oils of Passion Flower, Rose Mosqueta and Apricot) but still left my skin feeling a bit dry. It doesn't profess to be a body butter, so maybe I'm used to a different formulation (it comes out of the tube like orange jelly), but was disappointed none the less.

Frederic Fekkai Glossing Shampoo & Conditioner
Not a great deal to say on this duo other than at £18 each, you really need it to deliver. It does. It makes my naturally-curly-but-subjected-to-torture-under-straighteners hair shine, shine, shine like nothing else ever has.

Estee Lauder Nautical Matte Eye Shadow (launching end March)
I'm a little bit smitten with this flat navy shade. I always need to use a primer (UD Shadow Potion) with it because nothing looks worse than dark and dusky shades that are creasing and wearing away (lighter shades are far more forgiving) and it doesn't quite last the day on its own, but it is gorgeous worn on it's own with a bit of black mascara and liner for really sultry eyes. As you'll see I've been attending the School of Rubbish Photography again...sorry!

Bobbi Brown Cabana Coral Lip & Eye Palette
I am really enjoying using this palette which is perfect for my preference for neutrals with a kick. Six eye shades and four lip shades in the coral spectrum make a gorgeous natural look that you can rev up or down depending upon how you like it (although correctly speaking, I'm not sure you can 'rev down'!! Two colours are stand-out - Bermuda Pink - a shimmery coral pink, and golden Bonfire. The only thing missing is a creme blush, which I think would have been a better option than four lip shades - three would be plenty and a creme blush to complement the look would have made it more functional palette. £48.

Jemma Kidd Make Up School Blushwear in Pawpaw
Because I wasn't a fan of Mineral Veil, I was a little bit sceptical about trying other items from the range...however, so glad I got over myself because I love this cream blush thats infused with skin loving vitamins. The colour is a perfect peach that goes on skin with milky backdrop - and the lightest touch. I like the buildability of this, as well as the blendability. All in all, a great buy if you're doing the coral trend. £13.

So Now What Do I Do? The Answer is Nothing.

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Thanks to all the amazing and thought-through comments that have really helped to put a sense of balance on this. The journalist in me wants a story at any cost, the blogger in me says it just isn't worth it for a million and one reasons outlined by the comments. It's make-up, and we'll all get to hear about it in the end...the medium maybe doesn't matter. But, social media issues are bound to keep cropping up till it becomes more accepted. I'll always stand up for blogs and bloggers as a brilliant resource for those looking for a different and very frank form of writing about beauty, and I'll keep looking for new stories in the belief that it does bring something different and exciting to my blog, but now I know where my line is drawn. Thank you again. x

So Now What Do I Do?

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:55:00 +0000

I'd love input on this, because I am in a true dilemma.

A few days ago a new cosmetic range was launched to the press. But not beauty bloggers. I'm deducing that a magazine has asked for exclusivity on the range especially as I know that press were asked to sign a form agreeing to abide by an embargo until nearer launch date and that generally only happens when an exclusivity agreement has been made. On the whole, I hate embargos - I don't like the manipulative factor from brands that say 'we'd like you to plug our brand, but on our terms'...that's just not what blogging is about. I like to think that my blog isn't prey to playing along on such terms - I've got no vested advertising interest and no money coming in from the blog so I feel I can be freer about what I'm saying and doing in a way that print media simply can't. But, if magazines are getting edgy about what beauty blogs are doing, I feel despairing. I thought we'd avoided the whole fashion week knock on where fashion writers and fashion bloggers were slugging it out and haven't seen any indication of that between beauty editors and bloggers. I'd say it is a whole different audience in any case. So, sitting on my laptop is a picture of the said range sourced from contacts - if I publish it, I run the risk of literally wrecking the PR's entire relationship with their client and the magazine - and it is the client's choice, not the PR's, as to how they'd like to run a campaign. I really don't want to do it. In fact, I feel literally sick. The knock on for the PR involved could be so catastrophic it could cost them the client. That's a big responsibility. And yet, what about the responsibility to pioneering a new beauty media, the hours and hours of research into finding new products and exciting industry news and bringing it to an audience of loyal blog readers to whom it would be genuinely fascinating? This is a truly horrible situation because what ever I do, I'm letting someone down...not least myself for not being 'hard' enough to publish it anyway.

H&M Go A Little Bit Organic

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:53:00 +0000

This whole organics thing is a bugbear of many bloggers - and beauty writers - because the area is so woolly. Global brand H&M have announced the arrival of what they call 'a skin care range with organic ingredients'. Well, uhh, that's not the same thing at all as an 'organic' brand. I really struggle to see the point of chucking in a few organic ingredients in order to jump on the organic bandwagon. What H&M are hoping of course, is that we'll see the word 'organic' and immediately think of the skincare range as a wholesome, good-for-you product at a very reasonable price. What I see are the words 'organic ingredients' and that is a whole other thing entirely. On the H&M website, their announcement is highlighted in red 'Organic Ingredients'. But what they don't say really is how organic this makes the products. There are no statistics telling us something is say, 80% organic or 75% organic. I don't think you can be a little bit organic. Here's a portion of what the webite says:

'Nature gives us the best ingredients, which is why it makes so much sense to work with organic and natural ingredients in this new range of everyday essentials from H&M. Shower gel contains the juice of organic apples, while organic apple juice and apricot seeds are key ingredients in the body scrub. Organic apple juice and oils from sunflower seeds make up an essential part of the body lotion, while the hand cream has organic apple juice and oils from organic almond seeds. The lip-balm has the key organic ingredients of jojoba and beeswax, and all of the products are scented with natural perfumes derived from essential oils, sold in recyclable packaging. All the products are available at H&M’s affordable prices, while also meeting the requirements of Ecocert. Ecocert is Europe’s biggest certification body for organic and natural cosmetics.

'The introduction of skincare products with certified organic ingredients comes at a time when sustainability is even more central to H&M’s work, with a commitment to increase the use of organic cotton by 50% each year until 2013, while projects like H&M’s Garden Collection for Spring 2010 show how organic and sustainable materials can take their place at the very heart of fashion.'

And yet, this is the same company that was flagged up in the Guardian (via The New York Times) in January for shredding unsold clothes instead of donating to the homeless or those in need (and somewhat shockingly, leaving bags of slashed clothing only feet away from a sleeping homeless person). They've since, for the record, apologised wholeheartedly. Although H&M have had an ethical clothing policy since 2007, and score reasonably highly in ethical rankings I'm feeling it isn't all that ethical to be putting beauty products on the shelves that, if you are truly organically minded, tick very few boxes. Citing a 'strong demand from consumers for organics' as the reason for the range, and with a predominantly young consumer base, an entry level price point for their products is going to make it an attractive prospect for eco-youth thinking they're making an ethical and more healthy choice. And yet, a few organic ingredients does not make an organic product. As far as it 'meeting the requirements of Eco Cert', it would be helpful to know what those requirements are.

It would be so much better if the website announcement didn't feel quite so vague - I feel what it doesn't say speaks louder, and while H&M might be trying to work more eco-consciously and ethically, fluffing around with a few natural or organic ingredients, albeit in recyclable packaging, doesn't send a loud enough message to me. I've also done a quick scout of Google to see if anyone else is asking questions about this range, and it seems that nobody really is. Come on H&M, let's have some proper stats and real clarity on exactly how organic the skin care range is.

Image: www.bellasugar.com.au

Shu Uemura UV Underbase

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:32:00 +0000

Hmmm, not sure if these have launched here yet...I'm guessing not, but these new underbases come in a watery texture and are infused with Shu's famous Depsea water and SPF20 to protect from the sun. It's designed to even out the complexion and provide a perfect, flawless canvas for foundation.

The Balm For Keeps Watercolour Lipstains

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:49:00 +0000

Loving the look of these lip palettes that launch at Harvey Nichols in the first week of March. Apparantly, they are the first ever lipstains to start as a powder colour - you need to add water to activate, meaning more control over coverage and intensity. They're £19 each, and you can pick from Petunia Pink/Raspberry Red or Plum Berry/Brown Sugar.

Summer Sneaking Out: Dior Summer Beauty Collection

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:23:00 +0000

Addicted To Dior Limited Edition Gloss

Golden Spotlight Eye Shadow

Dior Nude Glow Complexion Enhancer

The summer beauty ranges are starting to make an appearance on the beautyweb, with Dior a front-runner for stand-out range. They've got some gorgeous quads too - shimmery, peachy looking things that are just divine.

Source: www.lushiousbeauty.nl

Kate Garey Make Up Bag: Spring/Summer 2010

britishbeautyblogger@gmail.com (britishbeautyblogger) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:17:00 +0000

A very British summer time collection from Kate this time around with lots of 1950's inspired bathing belles, strawberries and birds. This one's my favourite, made with eco-friendly dyes and recycled cotton. £14.99, www.kategarey.com.