Lego and Louboutins

Aenea Epigenic Cosmeceuticals

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 10:51:00 +0000

On Monday I attended the launch of Aenea Skincare at the super-glam penthouse suite of the ME Hotel on The Strand. Aenea is a new cosmeceutical brand that aims to deliver a powerful cocktail of skin-strengthening ingredients.

The brand is a aimed squarely at those who are concerned with ageing/stress and environmental damage and who are in possession of a decent disposable income. It will be available exclusively in Harrods, which gives you a fair idea of their target demographic, though I think their offering may also be well placed in Cult Beauty's Hall of Fame.

Damien, whose brainchild the range is, developed the range after observing his 2 Aunts who live in Cyprus. Both have identical DNA but how it expressed itself was vastly different. He took inspiration from this to create a brand that would support your genetic makeup to express itself in the best way possible. He was determined to create products that are youth enhancing whilst being safe for sensitive skin.

Aenea's main aim is "to make your skin look younger, feel healthier, and glow with a natural radiance." They are hoping to achieve this by using super-active ingredients coupled with innovative delivery systems (read: fancy formulas). My first impression was how gorgeous the packaging is. It is the sort of detail that can turn skincare from a chore into a ritual. It's sleek, futuristic, clean and reassuringly heavy. When you dispense a pump of the product there is no stuttering, no over-shoot, just the right amount, delivered smoothly.

Looking at the ingredients list across the range I could see a wide range of active ingredients in residence. I was gifted the Anti-Pollution Guardian £150, it contains (amongst others) probiotics, milk thistle, blue agave, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. If this sounds like a lot in one formula, fear not... it feels as light as water on your skin so can be easily layered with heavy formulas to customise your skin care routine. I love using this as it is so lightweight and leaves no residue what so ever. It is great to know that your skin is being protected when you have a busy day in the city. As a side note the products are all PETA approved and vegan if this is a concern of yours.

Aenea also launched:

Modern Sheild -a one-stop skin protector with an inbuilt SPF 35
Anti-Stress Super Hero - a serum to help your skin deal with the effects of stress
Lifestyle Enhancer - protects skin from damage caused by oxidation

In conclusion, these are beautiful products both in packaging, ingredients and ethos and I would highly recommend. The price points are high, but not so high that it makes the products unavailable, more an indulgent luxury.

Samaya Ayurvedic Hydrating Cleanser Kapha Review

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:49:00 +0000

Hello My Lovelies,

Just a quick post today discussing a new cleanser I have been trialling. It is Samaya's Ayurvedic Skincare Hydrating Cleanser for Kaphas.

It is a totally new formula for me, as it is neither a solid balm cleaner nor an oil cleanser, rather it is more like a lotion when it is dispensed but feels like a balm when applied to the skin. The container is gorgeous thick opaque glass with a pump-top for hygiene ( a detail I love to see on products). The outer packaging it a beautiful cardboard cylinder from which you remove the glass bottle with a very satisfying suck/pop type noise.

I can't say I particularly care for the smell of the cleanser but I don't dislike it either. It is a marvellous blend of naturally derived oils and therefore it smells as they themselves do. As a quick overview it contains the following:

Almond Oil
Ashwaghandha Root Extract
Sandalwood Oil
Vetivert Root Oil
Frankincense Oil
Turmeric Root Oil
Rose Oil
Aloe Juice
Rosemary Oil
Sage Oil
Wheatgerm Oil
Grapeseed Oil
Safflower Oil
Vitamin E

You can see it's naturally derived credentials straight up front. They say:

"Samaya carefully curates the finest authentic elements of Ayurveda, marrying them with clinically proven active ingredients and anti-ageing compounds, to provide effective skincare through a relaxing, holistic experience."

I found this to be an excellent first cleanse to remove all my makeup. I apply a few pumps to my hands, rub it between the palms to get it going and then I massage it in to my skin to remove all my makeup and give a circulation boost to my skin.

It rinses off with ease, I use a flannel to aid exfoliation. Afterwards my skin is left feeling super-soft and looking scrupulously clean. I really love this cleanser especially being able to pump out a balm type cleanser as I am not a fan of scooping or pouring.

Overall I would give it a 9/10, the 1 point being lost due to the steep price point as it cost £69 for 100ml, which whilst reflected in the high quality ingredients, is still very pricey for a cleanser.

You can buy Samaya's products here and take their test to "discover your dosha" which helps you see what range of products is best suited to your skin.

Has anyone else tried any products from this range, I would love to hear your thoughts.

*I received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Back to the 90's with Urban Decay Vintage!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 15:50:00 +0000

VICE VINTAGE LIPSTICK CAPSULE COLLECTION

Just look at these beauties!

They look stunning in the tube but I expected them to be completely unwearable, luckily I was wrong!

My photos really don't do them justice with their colour shifts and classic vintage 90's styling (did I really just write vintage 90's.) Check out the swatches below to see the diffrence between them in the tube, on my arm and on the lips. If this doesn't teach you never to buy lipstick without colour swatching first, nothing will.

Don't they look gorgous in the tubes?

Each of the shades is an original cult shade from the 1990's specially re-launched for 2016 including the vintage packaging. The best bit is they are only £15 a pop, which although hardly a steal is definitely an affordable treat.

Asphyxia is a pale lilac lipstick with micro glitter and when on the lips adds a lovely clean, cool tone to your lips. I'm sorry to say that this one is already sold out on line!
Plague is a creamy deep purple that is ideal when you need something to create a bit of drama without looking like a cartoon character, It is so pretty on the lips.
Oil Slick is a sheer black with a green shift, sounds hideous but over the natural colour of your lips it is more of a colour increaser (that isn't a real word is it?) I found it just made my lips look better. This is the lipstick that suprised me the most as I was expecting it to be only suitable for halloween.
Frostbite a blue cream lipstick with plenty of glitter that wouldn't look out of place on Elsa's dressing tabel. I'm afraid it is not for me, but as it has already sold out online, so I imgaine it would look amazing on less red skin tones.
Bruise - This is the colour that defined the 90's a red purple plum. Candice from The Great British Bake Off would be all over this like a seven tier croquembouche. It is beautiful both as a lip stain, with a slick of sheer gloss over to give you a flushed look, or as a full on drama Christmas Day number.

Daylight

Artificial Lighting

What really impressed me was how soft they made my lips feel, these have a similar consistency to the Revlon Lip butters and so feel super comfortable to wear. Great to see a blast from the past still rocking it 20 years later, a bit like whenever I see Dana Skully.

Which one is your favourite? Mine is definitley Bruise, but I love Oil Slick too.

Available to buy here

* Press Sample

Balance Active Formula Dragon's Blood Review

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:42:00 +0000

Now as much as I, like any other female Game of Thrones fan I know, wish I was Daeneryes Stormborn. I must be 100% honest here. There is absolutely NO dragon's blood in these products. There is however, a sap from a plant called the Croton Lechleri (sounds like it comes from Jurassic Park) which is where the name comes from.

The products claim to lift and tighten the skin, I could definitely do with a bit of that! So to give them a good and honest test, I used them every day for my 3 week holiday in France. Obviously, I used other products too, seen as there is no cleanser nor any retinol nor an SPF, so I just used my standard go-to products alongside these three.

At the end of 3 weeks, I am delighted to report I LOVED them. I cannot believe how cheap they are for such high-quality products (you can pick up all 3 for a combined total of under £9 at Fragrance Direct at the moment). The packaging is really the only sign that they are not high-end products. The consistencies and the fragrance are fantastic. But most importantly of all they actually work if, like me, you could benefit from a little tightening to your skin, then I would whole heartedly recommend these. I honestly feel the skin around my eyes is tighter and looks smoother when I use these.

My favourite product is the lifting cream (I used it like moisturiser) it smells gorgeous is nice and light yet very moisturising and really seems to work. I must be clear the results are purely a cosmetic effect not an actual change in the structure of the skin. You can't buy over the counter products that do this, or they would be classified as drugs and your would need a prescription. But, if you want something to give you a youthful, tightened look, at a bargain price, I would reach for this every time. I am a big fan of the Balance brand, as I have used their hyaluronic serum before. I have just purchased their vitamin C serum now and can't wait to see the results.

What Can I do to Reverse Sun Damage?

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 06:25:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again, when no matter how scrupulous you are applying sunscreen, you end up getting some sort of sun damage.

It is impossible to treat sun damage completely, the sun exposure has irreversibly damaged your skin cells and it can’t be taken back, you can, however, treat the external signs of sun damage.

Check out my cunning use of dried out old bark as a metaphor!

Before I say anything else, and I KNOW it is has been said a million times before, but you MUST use Sunscreen from now on! If you want to up your daily protection make sure you're using Vitamin C. If there is one thing that can really help sun damage, this is it. It protects the skin from free radical damage which will help with the appearance of brown spots and boost collagen production to improve elasticity. It works best when labelled as ascorbic acid on the ingredients list, but anything with ascorbic or ascorbate is usually vitamin C and therefore great for sun damage. I use the fab La Roche Posay Redermic C10 which has 10% pure vitamin C (it is actually the second ingredient on the list.)

Now, let’s get tackling the visible signs of sun damage.

Age Spots (Senile Lentigo, snappy name!)

What used to be cute freckles, is now clearly age spots. Luckily this is one sign of sun damage that can be treated easily. What you are looking to do is inhibit or reverse the melanin production (the bit that created your tan) so your skin returns to it's previous even tone. First things first, start the sunscreen to stop it getting worse, the screening will stop the UV rays triggering the melanin production and preserve any gains you get from the ingredients below.

I currently use the Ultra Sun Anti Pigmentation SPF50+ £35 as it contains Vitamin C. You can still get a tan through this formula though, don't worry. It is the best SPF I know for reducing pigmentation and keeping it away. If you suffer from melasma then you must try this.

I would advise a combination of the following 2 methods;

1) Glycolic Acid, this will strip away the damaged older skin revealing fresher, even toned skin beneath - Pixi Glow Tonic or Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix would both be affordable solutions. If you want to know more, read up here. Which exfoliator is right for you?

2) Niacinamide (Vit B3)
I get my niacinamide from our trusty friend - La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, which really is a power house for the price. It's being thrown in every other formulation at the moment though, so you may find you already have some in a product already in your arsenal, go check your ingredient lists.

You will hear a great deal about Hydraquinone for treating age spots, please don't go there. It has such a patchy safety record it's illegal in the UK for good reason.

Rough, dry skin

Hyaluronic acid - A true friend to ageing skin, see a more thorough post here; Everything you wanted to know about hyaluronic acid but were too afraid to ask. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which means it traps moisture and plumps the skin. It is only a cosmetic effect, but one which can make a massive difference to the appearance of parched skin. I thoroughly recommend Madara SOS Hydra Repair Intensive Serum - £37 as it is a great mix of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic acid, Antioxidants and essential oils. It is also beautifully packaged and organic. This is a great product to hit most bases if your serious about re-hydrating your skin.

If you want a product that can be left on overnight to leave you with softened, hydrated skin the next morning, then I thoroughly recommend Avon Anew Hydra Recovery Mask £20. I have been trialing this for a month or so and it makes a massive difference. If, like me, you have oily skin, you will be amazed how light this feels on and how good it makes your skin look. It contains both sizes of hyaluronic acid, urea and phosholipids, that trap moisture and help other products penetrate. Well done Avon for producing such an affordable high-tech product. It looks really cool in the jar too.

Fine Lines

Retinol - Again, what is left to be said. There is nothing better for repairing damaged skin, it isn't a miracle cure but its the nearest thing. I won't venture into Retinol land again, check out this post if you want further reading. I will say that the Exuviance, Super Retinol Concentrate is a super-star in this over-crowded arena. When I first trialled it, I was very impressed, I even got some minor peeling after my first use, see my full review here. The only downside is that I can't switch back now and this one costs £50!

Exuviance Coverblend Review

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 10:45:00 +0000

They specialise in scientific formulations with solid research to back up their claims (I know, crazy huh!) Exuviance was created by the partners who discovered the beneficial effect of AHAs on skin so they really know their apples from their pears. I've tried the Super Retinol Concentrate (it's always about the retinol!) and I was stupidly impressed, which is lucky considering this retails for around £50 for 30ml. I was delighted to get some minor peeling after my first use. This may sound bad to most people, but as a habitual retinol user, it NEVER happens as my skin, as it has become so accustomed to it. This showed me that the retinol in this product is either stronger or better formulated than my usual offerings. The only downside is that I can't switch back now and the price is nearly double what I would usually pay.

Another product I find myself reaching for from this line is their CoverBlend. This is formulated to be both a light weight foundation and a skin treatment. It contains AHA's, antioxidants, sunscreen and moisturisers alongside a light reflecting foundation. This is the perfect product to reach for when you have just had a facial treatment and want some coverage to hide the redness but don't want to ruin all the good work. I use this on no-makeup-days (ha ha, what are those!, I should more honestly call them, minimal makeup days). It provides light to medium coverage and feels super comfortable on your face. It's absolutely ideal for Summer when your skin looks good and you want to keep it that way. The finish is dewy but if you like it a little more matte, just apply with a buffing brush and buff in well. What I love about this is that you can be safe in the knowledge that your skin is being pampered while you rush around. I will be using this every day on holiday!

I also tried a sample of their Vespera Bionic Serum, which is absolutely sublime. I am definitely going to have to buy a full sized bottle as it feels lush on the skin and gives you such a lovely healthy glow. It is filled with antioxidants and AHA to give you skin real boost. I'm not usually a fan of oil based serums, and I usually opt for gels but this looks gorgeous on your skin and sinks in well. I wouldn't use this before wearing a long stay foundation as any kind of oil will obviously just melt it away, but I would love to use it before bed for a super dose of all the goodies while my skin takes a rest.

Is anyone else using this brand, I would love to hear some recommendations as I am so impressed with the quality.

The Superbrand You've Probably Never Heard About

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:48:00 +0000

The one thing that always amazes me is how many great beauty brands there are out there that I have never heard of before. They may get a cursory mention in a beauty book or a footnote in a glossy, but to everyday folk they are practically unheard of. This is such a shame, as some of my absolute favourite products come from these under-the-radar super brands. Neo-Strata is one such brand. It is so highly regarded in the industry yet barely heard of outside of the press and blogs.

They speciialise in scientific formulations with solid research to back up their claims (I know, crazy huh!) Neo Strata was created by the partners who discovered the beneficial effect of AHAs on skin so they really know their apples from their pears. I've tried the Super Retinol Concentrate (it's always about the retinol!) and I was very impressed, which is lucky considering this selld for around £50 for 30ml. This may sounds bad to most people, but as a habitual retinol user, I was delighted to get some minor peeling after my first use. This NEVER happens as my skin is so used to it, it just expects to have retinol. This showed me that the retinol in this product is either stronger or better formulated than my usual offerings.The only downside is that I can't switch back now.
Another product I find myself reaching for from this line is the CoverBlend. This is formulated to be both a light weight foundation and a skin treatment. It contains AHA's, Sunscreen and moisturisers alongside a light reflecting foundation. This is the perfect product to reach for when you have just had a facial treatment and want some covergae to hide the redness but don't want to ruin all the good work. I use this on no-makeup-days (ha ha, what are those!) I should moe honestly call them , minimal make up days. It provides light to medium covergae and feels super comfotable on your face. It's absolutely ideal for Summer when your skin looks good and you want to keep it that way.

Sjal - The Skincare Brand for Russian Oligarchs

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:28:00 +0000

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I was slightly amused/intrigued when the lovely people from Sjal inquired whether I would be interested in trying their opulent brand. It's billed as being charged with precious materials including, gold, silver, platinum, diamond and ruby, and I REALLY wanted to see what it would be like. The brand has many famous advocates of likes of Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Watts, Jessica Biel and Uma Thurman.

I genuinely wanted to not like it, mainly because it’s hardly a bargain buy, but unfortunately for me and many investment banker husbands, it’s lush!

I tried the Balans Deep Pore Cleanser which is a gel-like cleanser designed to reduce pores, increase oxygenation, soften and sooth. I found it hopeless at removing eye makeup but fantastic as a second deep cleanse after the first oil based cleanse to remove makeup. It leaves your skin feeling super clean but not at all stripped. I tried it on both damp and dry skin, and found it worked markedly better on dry skin. You don’t need a massive amount, perhaps a 20p worth and it smooths on easily allowing you to massage it in easily. I can’t say I am a fan of the packaging but I don’t really care much for packaging anyway. My favourite result from the cleanser is the immediate reduction in pore size, which as I get older is the bane of my life. If you are struggling with open enlarged pores this may well be worth a try.

I also tried the Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic which is very much in the vane of a Korean Essence. It hopes to lock in moisture alongside healing and protecting your skins barrier. It uses hyaluronic acid as the main moisture retention ingredient along with a plethora of “natural” extracts which, to be frank, I haven’t the slightest clue what they do. This left my skin feeling divinely refreshed and again no tightening due to the moisture imparting ingredients. I was pretty gutted when this finished mainly due to the price for replacement.

At £47 for 150ml of toner, I can’t say I will be rushing out to repurchase, but if I could buy it on offer or as a gift I would be very interested.

What are your feelings on top end skincare? Do you subscribe to the mantra that "you get what you pay for"?

Get Ready for Summer, in 1 hour!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:23:00 +0000

It’s here, no it’s not, it's here, nope gone again!

With the constantly changing British weather, it is no suprise our beauty routines don't know which way is up. Here is my super quick "Get Ready for Summer with Me" for when you've been invited to a BBQ and the weather is actually going to be summery

Here goes!

First get everything ready (5 mins) You best put some Summer songs on to get you in the mood.
In The Shower

Exfoliator
Razors

In The bathroom

Crispy Towels
Fake Tan & Mitt

In The Bedroom

Foot File
Foot Butter
Acetone & Cotton Pads
Nail Polish
Cuticle Oil
Body Moisturiser
Nail Strengther
Facial SPF

Let's start with a shower,

Step 1 - 2 mins Exfoliate like a MoFo, I adore Soap and Glory’s Pulp Friction for this as the grains are quite fine, and it smells gorgeous. Alternatively do as the Korean's do and buy an Italy Towel, they're just a couple of pounds on Ebay and make light work of dull flaky skin. Now lets get depilating.

Step 2 - 5 mins -Now lets get smooth, I'm really not one for waxing as you have to wait for it to grow back (urgghh!) Don’t worry my fellow blade lovers, I have found a new razor every bit as good as your man's top end Gilette for a fraction of the price and in a nice turquoise/jewel design. The Bic Soliel Bella, is only around the £5 mark for 3 instead of the £10 plus you would pay for the cartridges from Gillette. Every Razor has 4 blades each, a swivel head, a moisturising strip and most importantly they shave SUPER close, result!. I'm a fan of using "whatever is hanging around" as a shaving gel, I'll happily use, any shower gel or conditioner, to be honest, if it slips, it'll do.

Step 3 - 1 min - Now you're done in the shower towel off with a good crispy towel (one you dried outside or on the radiator, not a fabric conditioned/tumble dried thing.) We need the extra exfoliation here to give your skin a glow and remove and dull skin.

DON'T MOISTURISE YET! (it'll ruin your fake tan)

Step 4 - 10 mins (of which 5 is drying) Now let's get some colour going on. Because we didn't moisturise earlier (it can change the colour of your tan) you will need to go steady on your knees, elbows and ankles to avoid over-saturation, I recommend either Garnier Summer Body Gradual Tan, if you're a bit of a tanning scardy cat, or for a more convincing instant colour, break the big guns out and get yourself some Vita Liberata on. I use a mitt with both for the most smooth even application. The Vita Liberta gives the MOST realistic tan I have ever had, plus it goes on a dream. The best bit is it fades naturally without that pixelated effect you get from most tans as they break down. If you're feeling a bit brassic, then go for the Garnier Summer Skin it's only £2.50 at Boots at the moment. It smells of Apricots (well for the first hour or so anyway) and gives a lovely even colour. Both dry really quickly so you can be slipping into your dressing gown within 5 minutes. But before you go on take the time to swipe a bit of facial tanner on. I will happily use the Vita Liberata on my face, but for a better more tailored result I love the James Reed Facial Tanner, it works really fast and a little goes a stupidly long way.

Step 5 -5 mins - Let's sort our feet out now, Dinosaur feet be gone. I love the Scholl Velvet Smooth Wet & Dry Foot File, it really is the ultimate re-chargeable foot grinder. It's crazy fast to use and leaves your feet velvet soft (like the name) I reckon I can do both feet in 2 minutes, but I'll give you 5.

Step 6 - 1 min -Next slather your feet in the strongest, greasiest foot lotion you have. You need to do this before you remove your old nail polish or the oils will make your nail polish go all blobby and weird. The most intense foot cream I have ever used comes from English brand called SBC it's their Honey Body Butter and when they say butter they mean it. This stuff is awful to get out of the massive tub but is so moisturising it’s ridiculous. You could ice skate across your bathroom floor with this on so be extra careful to only apply to the tops and sides of your feet.

Step 7 - 3 mins Now remove your old nail varnish, you need to get rid of every last bit. There really is nothing like Acetone for this. I don’t care how moisturising some varnish removers say they are, they just don’t cut it on dark nail polish. Use a cotton bud to get every last bit from your cuticles for a perfect finish.

Step 8 - 10 mins - Now your nails with a vivid bright colour. Something that looks awesome with a tan, think neon pink or fuschia. Orly has developed a 2 step gel nail polish (Epix FX) that is actually neon, like a highlighter pen, it's called "Put The Top Down"! You will need 2 coats of the polish and then one of the top coat, if you're looking for the ultimate summer toes then this is your baby. It should last a good 3 weeks too, result!

Step 9 - 3 mins -While your tootsies dry let's moisturise our bodies. If you want some extra help evening out your skin tone go grab a bottle of Palmer's Anti-Ageing Smoothing Lotion with AHA's, or if you prefer something to get you in the mood for sun, just use your favourite low factor sun lotion. I find the smell of Hawaiian Tropic is so divine that I happily use it as a moisturiser.
You're nearly there now.

Step 10 - 5 mins - I tend to wear just a Nail Strengthener like OPI Nail Envy in Summer. Allowing your nails to get sunlight helps them grow long and strong so don’t hide them under dark varnish, just coat with a super shiny layer of this and let them speak for themselves. No fiddly/perfect painting needed just a quick slick and a couple of minutes to dry.

Step 11 - 1 min - Last but not least, get a really good high factor sun screen on your face. You can really reduce the amount of damage, skin texture change and sun spotting by applying a top quality sun screen. I am currently loving Ultrasun’s Anti-Ageing SPF 50+, which is tinted and leaves a nice matte yet healthy finish. It is pretty thick but even with my oil-slick skin, all is well. I have found spritzing on an oil reducing toner like Serozinc before helps keep the shine at bay.

Step 12- 1 min -Last Step, now those toes are dry, paint a little OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil on your cuticles to give a lovely softened look.

And that my lovely ladies, is It. Total Time 52 minutes

You are now ready to go share your lovely self with the world.

Miller Harris - Perfume for the discerning

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 14:07:00 +0000

If you're a little bored of celebrity fragrances and generic designer scents then perhaps it's time to try something a little more special. I was delighted to spend some time perusing the shelves at Miller Harris' Mayfair store on Bruton Street as it is a such a special treat. When you enter it is so serene, after the hustle of Berkeley Square. It feels like a chinese tea room or a library, it is somewhere you would go to appreciate carefully curated items.

Miller Harris is British brand which was created by Lyn Harris and named after her father. Harris trained for 5 years in Paris before relocating to Grasse (the world famous home of fragrance) to train for a further 5 years. She has an amazing "nose" an can identify 1000 different fragrances by smell alone. Miller Harris has grown quickly since it first came on the scene and has become known for it's grown up fragrances. The perfumiers is a favourite of Kristen Scott-Thomas, Madonna and Sophia Copolla.

Miller Harris started with just a core collection of 4 fragrances but has since expanded to over 30. There is something for everyone and each is tied to a story such as an afternoon in Southern France or a morning cup of tea, if you read the description of each perfume on the website you can learn what inspired each fragrance.

Miller Harris works hard to ensure they only gets the most premium ingredients for their perfumes and wait months for just the right batch. The perfumes aren't cheap but neither are they especially expensive at around £60 per 50ml of Eau de Parfum. I was pleased to learn that they don't do Eau de Toilette, which I think is fantastic because who wants a watered down perfume, what's the point?

We were there to sample the new fragrance called Vetiver Insolent which is a bold fragrance for either men or women. It is a truly distinctive smell and goes beautifully with so many of my other fragrances. I use it as a long lasting base note upon which to layer more sweet and sharp top notes. It smells of Vetiver, Lavender, Amber and Cardamon. For anyone who is as clueless as me, vetiver is the root of an exotic grass and has a distinctive smell often found in high-end male fragrances. It is a smoky, woody, incense like smell, but also a little like mown grass and patchouli, that 70's hippy fave. Vetiver Insolent is the creation of Perfumer Mathieu Nardin and I was delighted to learn that all 3 of the fragrances I liked best were his creations.

We were lucky enough to smell the myriad of fragrances on offer and my absolute favorites were Tea Tonique

Like hearing a captivating story for the first time, Tea Tonique’s energy infuses your surroundings without overwhelming them. Beguiling and cultured, it engages its audience with musical tones and an unpredictable nature. With an infusion of Italian Bergamot suggesting smoky birch tar, it is equally at home in the English countryside or a London café, rejoicing in the many-layered characteristics of an aromatic tea.

and Rose Silence.

The week is gone, the room is your own. A beam of light streams in through the curtains and you wake slowly, breathing the scent of a fresh white pillow. An unexpected embrace: faint, fresh rose with undertones of sandalwood and patchouli, untouchable yet crisp, possessing an intoxicating magic. An intimate, thrilling moment.

The one things all the bloggers noticed was just how different the perfumes smelled on each of us. Our personal PH, the food we had eaten and the level of oils in our skin, changed the smell of the perfume on each of us dramatically. Never again will I just buy a perfume by smelling a tester strip.

I loved the personal hand engraved bottles we each received, it is such a beautiful touch.

Miller Harris fragrances can be bought online here, but I would definitely visit the store if you live near by so you can try the fragrances on and get a real sense of what works for you. It feels like such a treat visiting them store in person and everyone we met was insanely knowledgeable about fragrance.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 12:58:00 +0000

How cute are these!

I don't know about you but I'm the laziest Mum ever when it comes to name labelling my children's school clothes. With 3 children, it is pretty much laundry marker all the way for me, that is till I found these adorable name tags, that require NO sewing, NO ironing and stick to most anything. I have heard of My Nametags before, but never gotten around to ordering anything from them. These arrived within 1 day of placing the order which is fantastic if you're in a rush.

I've put mine on lunch boxes, shoes, pencils, clothes, coats and even Kindle's. I waited for a few washes to see if they stood up to the wear and tear of real life use and I'm glad to report they do, they even survived the dishwasher!

I think these would be ideal for nursery or reception children who struggle to read their name, as they are so easily recognisable for them. My daughter is 9 and still loves these though, so defiantly not just for little ones. My only slight gripe is that you can peel them off if you want to, which could be good if you are handing down clothes to friends, but is a pain when unscrupulous mum's pull the tag out of items of uniform then just re-label it as their's, grrrr!

See them here, they are just £14.95 for 56 which should do even the largest uniform and still have plenty left over.

*sample provided for review purposes.

Face Camp Before and After Review

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 15:09:00 +0000

I'm sure you'll remember that I started a course at treatments at Face Camp with Face Gym at Selfridges the week before last see original post here. I promised to keep you updated as to how it went and here are the shots.

Can you see any difference?

Both taken first thing before applying any makeup - arggghh!

I'll let you decide whether my skin looks any better as I try to be as objective as possible. The "work" I had done was on my jawline, with the main aim of reducing puffiness. I also was hoping for a more even skin tone. It was ridiculously hard to get 2 identical pictures as the light has changed since 2 weeks ago and also I have re-highlighted my hair, even pulling the same face was really hard!

I have worn a lot less foundation since I started the treatment, really only using concealer under the eyes and around my nose. I feel that my jawline has definitely improved. I think this is something you would need to get done regularly for the results to be maintained though. Here is a makeup shot so you can see what I looked like after the treatments (I wear makeup most days)

What were the food suggestions like?

I was given a detailed plan of food and drinks to consume between appointments and I am sorry to say I mostly failed on this. The main guidelines were to avoid gluten, dairy, caffeine and alcohol which I think is too tall an order for a dedicated french style eater like me. I love all things bread, cheese, coffee and wine, so I was pretty much going to fail no matter what. I did however manage to triple the amount of fruit and veg I consumed. Here are a few of the lunches I ate, please excuse the photography, I am not a food blogger for good reason.

Ha Ha! luckily this feta, courgette & mint frittata tasted a lot better than it looked.

Ultra-predicatble avo on toast with egg & pink pickled onions (look at my very un-instagram friendly bread)

Roasted Butternut Squash, Sunblush Tomatoes, Red onion, Avocado, Feta and Rocket Salad.

Overall I liked the recipes in provided, but I really wasn't a fan of the smoothies and juices as I only really drink water, coffee and wine in my "normal" life, so anything sloppy and sweet are not my thing. It all reminds me too much of baby food so I stuck to the eating my vege's and fruits whole as nature intended. I must also mention the no alcohol was a complete fail.

Would I go back for more treatment, and which would you choose?

I would definitely return if I had a big event coming up. I left the treatment without any redness and so it's ideal as it can be done on the same day as an important event. I think the Radio Frequency has the biggest effect on my skin and so I would go mainly for that and the massage, I would also try something new just to see what it's like. I would probably go for the Front Row Face as it includes a super deep cleanse and a peel, I like that it's only £120 too.

I was overall very impressed with the treatments and the 2 ladies who provided them It was a lovely relaxing experience and it helped me raise my game with regards to what I eat and thinking about it in terms of my skin not just my health and waist. I am very happy with results and will be bearing it in mind for when I next need a pick me up. I really liked the convenience of it and that it was non invasive.

Which Exfoliator is Right For You? A Guide to Acids.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 14:22:00 +0000

If there is one step in your skincare routine that makes the biggest difference, then it's exfoliation.

The regular removal of dead skin cells makes skin look brighter and more fresh. It helps keep spots at bay by keeping our pores clear and can also help absorption of creams & serums. I'm a convert as you can tell, and now that there are so many ways to effectivly remove those dead skin cells, there is a good option for most budgets and skin types. The only word of caution would be those with very sensitive skin or who have severe acne who should consult a GP or derm before starting using exfoliators.

If you're a Exfoliator Virgin you should start with the gentlest formulations and a lower frequency, say every other day or on nights only. This gives your skin time to adjust and should stop any adverse reactions.

There is such a wealth of exfoliators available now that it can be slightly overwhelming, there are primarily two types,

BHA also called Beta Hydroxy Acid and there is only one of them called Salicylic Acid which is a derivative of Aspirin.
AHA's or Alpha Hydroxy Acid's, the most talked about are Glycolic acid and Lactic acid.

BHA's are best at removing trapped dirt deep down in the pores, as it has a smaller molecular size. They are great for blemish prone and oily skin. AHA's are best at improving brightness as they work on the upper layers. They work by dissolving the binding agent in your skin which releases the top layer of dead skin more quickly that it would naturally, which reveals the brighter skin beneath. The skin takes this as an "attack" and therefore produces more collagen which helps thicken & protect the skin making it look younger.

So basically BHA's for spots and oil, and AHA's for ageing.

This still leaves an enormous section out there, so here are a few I have personally used and can recommend.

Beginner Acid Exfoliators

The safest ones to start with are staples such as Pixi Glow Tonic £18.00 or Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix £6.45 on offer. These can be used from your twenties onwards and are gentle enough for using both morning or night. Both of these are based around glycolic acids and are good for brightening up your complexion and increasing cell turnover. They are also both under £20 so ideal if you just want to dip in your toes.

Intermediate Acid Exfoliators

You can then up the game to something a little stronger like Nip+Fab Extreme Glycolic Fix £7.45 on offer or Skinceuticals Resurfacing Activator £35.00. The Nip+Fab Extreme contains Glycolic and Salicylic acids which make it a perfect choice for those of us prone to breakouts and clogged pores. The Skinceuticals Resurfacing serum is a unique formula using hydroxyethyl urea which is an excellent exfoliator and humectant (traps moisture) it also contains hyaluronic acid to further promote moisture retention in the skin. I really like that the Skinceutical's formula can be used both day and night, it sinks straight in and makeup can be applied immediately.

For a complete bargain a super cheap and easy exfoliating mask can be made using 2 dispersible aspirin dissolved in a tbsp of water and smoothed into the skin. You leave it for 5 mins and voila! A bright, fresh complexion for about 10p.

Masters Acid Exfoliators

For those who have been using exfoliations for a while or need something stronger to slough away their skin I would recommend Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength £57. These are a 2 step process and you can feel them working straight away. As the name suggests, they contains both AHA's and BHA's. I keep these for the day before special occasions, so that my skin gets maximum effect. For those willing to go the extra mile then Biologique Recherché P50 is the undisputed queen of exfoliators but is only available through salon stockists as they like to know people are using it correctly and at the right strength for their personal needs. This sounds like a bit too much to be honest, just a few lines on the box about proper use would do.

Hopefully this has helped you feel more confident about giving acid's a go, or if your already use them about upping your exfoliating game.

Does anyone have any other acid's to recommend? I am coming to the end of the Dennis Gross which I will definitely will repurchase and would like to try something similar so recommendation definitely appreciated.

Spa Review - Face Camp by Spa Junkie

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:36:00 +0000

What is Face Camp, it sounds painful?

I must say this was my first thought when I heard about it, I envisaged a Barry's Bootcamp style face pummelling and I was a little scared, but fear not. Face Camp is a series of treatments along with dietary advice with the aim to make a noticeable change to your face in 1 week.

Face camp was invented by Inge Theron who used to write for the FT's, How To Spend It supplement under the pseudonym Spa Junkie She traveled the world trialling spas and reviewing them, so she knows juts a little about what works and what doesn't. She then wisely decided to use her knowledge of such a vast array of treatments to set up her own service, offering skincare without the injectables, fillers and botox.

What does it involve?

There are 5 different Face Camps on offer, aimed at targeting some of the common complaints that we have about our skin. I originally opted to try the Sugar Face, as I'm not well known for being a teetotaller but when I asked the therapists advice, she recommended the Fat Face (how rude, yet completely accurate) This diagnosis of my facial worries includes jowls and puffy skin and was just what I needed. The other options are Frow Face (tired, wrinkly) Phone Face (double chin, forehead creases and tension) and Winter Face (dark circles, creepy skin.)

Where can I get it?

Face Gym is exclusively available in the truly stunning and innovative Beauty Workshop area of Selfridges. They are the first UK service to offer this completely unique treatment. The Beauty Workshop also offer a Daniel Hersheson's 15 min Blow Dry's, Nail's Inc manicures, Blink eyebrow shaping and St Tropez tans.

Photo courtesy of Uxus who designed this beautiful space

What can I expect from my first treatment?

I will get straight in there and say, it isn't painful. There are definitely some weird sensations particularly the Pure Lift which uses electrical waves to stimulate the muscles, but none of it hurt.

As with all treatments I was asked a series of health questions to start with and also whether I use botox (hell no!) or Retinol (hell yes!) I was also given a glass of water to help keep my hydrated. The lovely Ana took a photo of my face before any treatments began so that I could see the changes after. I would share this with you, but under those harsh lights I think it's best not to.

Firstly I was given a thorough cleanse with the most divine of cleansers by Royal Fern which was then towelled off. This left my skin feeling fresh and not at all tight.

Next an oil was applied ( a lot of oil!) which is used alongside the Radio Frequency unit. The RF unit heats your skin, which in turn turns on the mechanism to restructure the elastin and collagen, resulting in tighter more even skin. I was warned it may feel rather hot, but to be honest it was just really nice, soothing and relaxing, the heat is akin to a warm bath.

Next was a the Pure Lift electrical muscle stimulation. This is a wand like instrument that emits a micro current which activates the muscles beneath your skin and help them tighten in areas that are difficult to exercise yourself. This felt kind of like a massive magnet pulling your face and was a very odd sensation, though not painful. Think of it as you would a Slendertone for the face, you must remember those stomach tightening machine from the 80's where an electrical current made your stomach do a mini crunch, but less intense.

I promise you that is a face massager!

After this it was onto the impact part. My lovely facialist Ana (who is also a Sports Masseuse and has had the joy of massage Luis Figo no less!) applied coconut oil and then started about massaging my face to further promote muscle tone. There was definitely some strange moves but all in all it was still super-relaxing.

After the massage came the rollers. The first was a gold derma roller (insert pic) which was bumpy and is designed to stimulate blood flow to the skin, the second was a jade roller which helps cool the skin. These both felt great, though I did sit there wondering whether you could apply foundation with the jade one, similar to painting your walls with emulsion. I decided that this would not be a wise plan and may result in a look closer to Jordan than Audrey Hepburn.

Lastly my under eye are was treated with Dr Levy Intense Eye Booster serum, which uses plant stem cells. This was impacted (driven deep into the epidermis) with a ultrasonic device that sounded like what I imagine bats hear when they are having a party, a little like when your phone scrambles. It was a very odd noise but a perfectly relaxing sensation.

How long did it take?

All in all I was with Ana for 90 mins, though it flew by and left me feeling very relaxed. Another photo was taken at the end so I could compare the results of the treatment and there were some obvious instant results. The most clear difference was that my skin had a glow that it had been sadly lacking. I could also see a reduction in my jowls and less dark circles! The next morning my skin tone looked much more even and my chin area was more defined, Hurrah! I will post the before and after pictures once I have finished the full treatment plan.

What comes next?

I was given some recipes and food ideas which I need to try follow over the following week and then I return for the same treatment in one weeks time. Stay posted for updates as I intend to write about the food (no alcohol, sugar, dairy, gluten or caffeine!!!!) and the eventual results.

*This treatment package was offered to me for the purposes of a review, the opinions expressed remain unbiased.

New Year - New Skincare Routine - Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 11:11:00 +0000

What better way to start the new year than with a giveaway?
Is one of your new years resolutions to start a new skincare regime? Then this is the giveaway for you.
Over £70 of great products to help get your skincare routine back on target.

To Cleanse:

Nip & Fab Clean Fix Gel - 120ml -£10.25

This is a double whammy of a deep cleanser and mild exfoliator with glycol acid. It makes light work of makeup and leaves you skin feel fresh & comfortable

To Tone:

La Roche Posay Serozinc 150ml £8.50*

The cult beauty mist from La Roche Posay - Ideal on oily or spot prone skin to keep blemishes at bay. It is also amazing at setting makeup.

To Exfoliate:

Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix Pads £12.99

These contain glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and leave fresher looking skin, salicylic acid to unclog pores and hyaluronic acid to help plump your skin.

Serum

Prai - Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum - £19.99 exclusive to QVC*

This is the daddy of peptide serums, great for wrinkle busting & boosting collagen. It leaves skin looking glowing and super smooth.

To Moisturise:

Avene - Physiolift Smoothing Day Cream £25*

Smooths, moisturises and tightens using hylauronic acid and pre-tocopheryl ( a powerful antioxidant.) This a serious day cream for keeping your skin looking plump and keeping free radicals at bay.

This is worth more than £70! And should contain something for every type of skin.

If this looks like at the skincare bundle for you then enter using the rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck! xxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway contains some press samples and some things bought with my own money because they are just good products.

Everything you wanted to know about Hyaluronic Acid but were too afraid to ask.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:47:00 +0000

What is Hyalronic Acid and why on earth would I want to apply it to my skin?

Our skin is acidic by nature with a PH of 5.5. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in your skin and helps it retain moisture and look plumped. As we age, our ability to produce more hylauronic acid readily for use in our skin and body decreases. This decrease can be seen in less firm skin that looks drier.

Hylauronic acid's secondary function is to help protect your skin by improving it's barrier. Your skins barrier is like it's protection and can help protect from sun damage and other environmental damage like free radicals.

That sounds great! How can I get some of that?

There are 2 prongs of atatck that can be taken. You can either apply it topically to your skin or take an oral supplement.

The most common way it is used is in lightweight serums that can be applied morning or night before your moisturiser. The main thing to be careful to look for is the molecule size. Hylauronic acid can be formulated in several different molecular sizes and they have different functions. The larger molecules sit on the skin and help keep moisture locked in, the smaller molecules (listed as Sodium Hyaluronate) are absorbed deeper and plump the skin from within so can help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

I've listsed a few of my personal favorite formulas that give good results whatever the budget.

Budget
Balance - Hylauronic Acid

This is super cheap and feels just like water on your skin. The applicator is just a dropper that you dispense a couple of drops from and rub into the skin. You then apply your normal moisturiser as usual. It is a really easy and cheap way to add the benefits of hylauronic acid to your routine and is a great entry level product.

Mid Range
La Roche Posay - Hydraphase Intense Serum - £18 here (bargain)

This is a very lightweight serum that you can feel the benefit from immediately. It provides small molecule hyaluronic acid that penetrates the skin to provide plumping of fine lines and day long moisture control. I really like this as it is great for those of us with oily skin, as it can be worn under makeup without making your skin too slippy. The packaging is gorgeous, it is a sleek metal cylinder with a pump that lets you dispense just the right amount. This feels much more high-end than the price suggests and I will definitely be repurchasing.

Avene Physiolift Night Smoothing Regenrating Balm - £19.50 here usually £26

This is a super moisturising very intense cream. It feels like it is doing good even as your apply it. I only use it every other day as it is too rich for nightly use on my skin, but for those of you with dry skin, it's a godsend. It contains retinol and antioxidants (vitamin E) along with a host of other moisturising ingredients. The whole Physiolift range (day, night & eye cream along with wrinkle filler) is really good if you suffer with sensitive skin as they are formulated by pharmacists to avoid irritation.

Top End
Fillerina - Night Cream - Grade 2 - £69 here

Fillerina is marketed as the no surgery alternative to dermal fillers. It obviously can't provide the exact same level of results as real fillers or it would then be subject to pharamceutical controls, but the results are still pretty impressive. Fillerina contains 6 different forms of hyaluronic acid at a variety of molecular weights, that means that you get the full spectrum of benefits. The packaging is very medical and reminds me of the creams I get for my psoriasis, but I don't mind as this is the real deal when it comes to hyaluronic action. I really like this cream, it is very rich so I just use it on my eyes and forehead and at night only. It gives a lovely sheen and really lasts all day. It's also a whopping 50ml which is 60% more than the standard 30ml offering you get from most serums, which makes the £69 price tag more reasonable. This also comes in a grade 3 version for those wanting hardcore plumping and smoothing.

Supplements

Solgar Hyaluronic Acid Complex £10 here - usually £29

Hyaluronic acid supplements are well know to benefit people with joint problems as it helps keep moisture in your joints. I am not aware of any studies proving the efficacy of supplements for increasing the presence of HA in the skin, but I take a daily dose of Hylauronic acid complex as I suffer with back pain cause by degenerated discs, so I figure that it can't do me any harm. Since I have been taking these I have noticed a definate improvement in my skin, but then again, I have also been using the Fillerina too.

Have you tried any hyaluronic acid products yet, how did you find them?

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation Review

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 14:16:00 +0000

Vichy Dermablend _£18 *

So everyone's favourite budget longwear foundation, Revlon Colorstay, has had it's formulation changed. You could stump up the cash and swap to Estee Lauder Doublewear or you could try something new. That is what I did. A makeup artist used this on me recently and the finish was perfect. I liked it straight away but what I liked more was that 6 hours later it looked barely any different.

I can find that many long wear formulas can be a little too matte and leave you looking slightly chalky (which I find preferable to greasy so I have always put up with.) It is very hard to find good foundations that last when you have oily skin. The natural oils that your skin produces have the same effect as makeup remover oil, and can dissolve your base well before you are ready to go makeup free. I have found using Effaclar Duo and Serozinc really reduces my oil production but I still need something with a bit more oomph if I want my makeup to last.

Any beauty addict has heard of Dermablend, it is well known for using to cover severe scarring or tattoos. What I wasn't aware of was how natural it looks on and it's staying power. I had always assumed that it would be too heavy coverage for everyday wear and that it would feel heavy on the skin. I'm glad to say I was wrong. I use the foundation with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and buff it iinto my skin to help blend the foundation into my fine lines and also to sheer it out a bit.

This photo was taken in Rome with my Husband, and is just shade 35

It's priced mid-way between Colorstay & Doublewear and at £18 I think it's good value and can be found on 3 for 2's at Boots pretty regularly. The finish is more dewy looking that Colorstay, which I like as I find the end result of of both Colorstay and Double wear to be too one dimensional. It also glides on much more easily too, you have more time to work the foundation in and so can get a flawless look more easily. The shade selection has also been increased, so that now even those of us with pale and darker skin will find a shade to suit. It has an SPF of 35 which I love as it allows me to forgo sunscreen in winter entirely when I'm using this.

Ooooo Look, I'm wearing it again, in fact I'm wearing it in every picture of me since September! This is shade 25 with the setting powder also.

I originally had this foundation in shade #25 but it was just too light for me. Regardless I still wore it most days but I had to darken down my face to match my neck with bronzer. Luckily Vichy sent me my correct shade which is #35 Sand and it's a just perfect on. It is more yellow toned than 25 which I like as I have pink tones to my skin that I like to cancel out. I was also sent the Dermablend setting powder to try. I was a bit dubious at first as it is a white loose powder in the container and I was concerned that it would lighten up the foundation when applied. I shouldn't have been. This powder leaves absolutely no trace except a matting down of the foundation on the areas you choose to apply it to. It is super lightweight and a little goes a really long way, but most importantly it increases the staying power. This is a great alternative to the Makeup Forever HD setting powder and is only £15 compared to £22.

Overall - I'm in love. I have worn this everday since I got it as it's very buildable and so you can adjust the look you are going for. I think it good value for money for such a high end product. The only slight downside is the lack of a pump applicator. This shouldn't be a problem with good hygiene practises, but I always prefer a pump where possible.

Has anyone else tried Dermablend?

This post contains PR Samples.

What to buy in Kiko

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 21:22:00 +0000

If you ever happen to find yourself in a Kiko store and you're not sure what to buy, then this is the post for you.

I recently found myself staying right next to a Kiko store in Rome and hadn't a clue what were the best products to get. I knew they have a cult following and can be hard to get hold of, or expensive in the UK, so I had a good old trawl around the beauty blogs and found the products with the most mentions. I then went in armed with my uber-list and bought it all! It was only £30 for all 9 products (it would be more like £50 in the UK)

Ultra Tech Curve Mascara - £7.90

This was a steal. It really does curl the lashes and gives some decent length and volume too. The wand is a small plastic curved affair and works perfectly. You need a few strokes of the wand to get the kind of coverage I like. It was on offer when bought it, and was only 3.90 euros, which is less that £3 so I bought 4!

Double Glam Eyeliner £6.90

This was recommend as a dupe for the Urban Decay 24/7 liners that are reknowned for their stay-put-ability. I swatched this shade on my hand and the blue glittery end is just beautiful, it is such a deep blue and has a jewel tone to it. Both ends are equally smooth and glide without any drag. I do find the black end to be a little soft and so is better for a full on smoky eye rather than a daytime look. Both ends have some serious staying power, I just swatched them in the shop end then had a shower and washed my hands twice, it still didn't budge. I ended up having to use eye makeup remover to get it off my hand.

Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow - £6.90

I bought these in 2 shades as I couldn't make up my mind. The first one is a bronze golden shadow (06 Golden Brown) and the second a shimmery navy (17 Midnight Blue.) Both are a stick format and are super pigmented. I apply them to the lid and then blend them out with a brush as they are too dark for my eyes on their own. I would use them a s a thick eyeliner without smudging. These again have great staying power. The bronze is definitely my favourite. It gives a nice sheen and some depth. I like the navy, but it is a shade too dark and so looks more grey on application.

From Top - blue eyeliner, navy eyeshadow stick, golden eyeshadow stick and purple super colour liner

Mixing Solution

I have been trying to get one of these for a years, but I refuse to spend £15+ for the privilege of MAC's offering. When I saw this for £3ish, I jumped at the chance. It is designed to be used with a loose eyeshadow like MAC Paint Pots or Barry M Dazzle Dust as it gives the powder something to adhere too and makes the colours more vibrant. The main reason I bought it was for intensifying eyeshadows to use as smudgy lines. I have been using saline drops so far, which works well, but I wanted to know what the proper version would be like. I must say, so far so good. I don't think it is necessarily much different than using saline, but it does add a little more staying power and the dropper is handy.

Velvet Touch Creamy Stick Blush £7.90

I have always wanted a NARS multiple but the price has put me off. What happens if I spend £30 and the shade isn't quite right! I decided to try one of these as they are often touted as a good dupe. I really like the blend ability of these, You just dot the colour on and you can either rub it in with your finger or a buff in with a blending brush. I went for the shade 06 Geranium as it has a more dusky colour to it. It is a dark, peachy rose, if that makes sense, and is super natural on my skin. It has no shimmer at all, which is exactly as I wanted it. There is however other shades with a sheen if that is what you are looking for. I have enough highlighting products at the moment so stared away from the glitter, and they can be a bit tough to get right on older skin.

Super Colour Eyeliner in 110 Pearly Regal Purple - £6.90

Love, Love, Love this. It has the nicest wand and the colour is just sublime, it a vibrant deep purple and is shot through with fine glitter. It is great to add some shine to your eyes and looks perfect with hazel eyes. I would just as happily use this on the school run as for a Christmas Party. The applicator is excellent as it has just the right amount of give and so is a doddle to get a nice tight line along the lashes.

Nail Varnishes

I bought 2 of these as they were about £1.40 each! These are just their standard formula. Both are great neutral rose colours that you could wear all week and they would go with whatever you choose to wear. I got 486 Tea Rose and 375 Bois de Rose. They have good coverage, a decent high shine finish and last as long as any other nail varnish does on me. I found the brush wide enough to coat the nail in one go, which is my standard test for ease of application. They don't necessarily need 2 coats either. Result!

If you fancy trying any of the above, Kiko now offer free delivery in the UK. It can take about 7 days to arrive, as it comes from Italy. But for those of you not lucky enough to live near Westfield or Oxford Street, it 's ideal. The prices in the UK are identical to Italy's Euro price which means that you pay a slight premium as the fx rate is around 1.4 euros to our pound at present. It is still great value for money though and easily on parr with brands such as Bourgeois and Revlon.

Omniya Knightsbridge - 30+ Blogger Event

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 19:45:00 +0000

Question. What's better than a cult beauty store?

Answer. A cult beauty store that does facials, botox and toothpaste!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I was invited to visit Omniya's new flagship store right across the road from Harrods. I had heard that they stock some truly exclusive products and deliver some of the most exceptional treatments, so they had a lot to live up to in a world of Sephora and Space NK. Luckily they didn't disappoint. This is a one stop shop for anything health and beauty. You can get skincare, vitamins, dietary advice, have a facial and even get life coaching.

The exterior is a blend of french pharmacy and space age clinic. The location is truly A1 and must have a been a nightmare to secure, I would hate to have to pay the rent! As you walk you in you instantly feel calmer (which is difficult to achieve when packed with beauty bloggers and PR's) it's a lovely respite from bustling Knightbridge. It feels spacious and the "Genius Bar" in the middle (think fancy kitchen island) is a great place to get advice, try products and chat.

Fillerina - botox for the needle shy

Oooooo french pharmacy brands galore.

The brands on offer are world leaders and their skincare selection is exceptional with ranges from ZO Skin Health, Skinceuticals, Dermalogica, La Roche Posay, Mario Badescu, Avene, Fillerina & Bioderma. They also stock Jane Iredale makeup, OPI nail polishes and Macadamia Haircare. The list goes on and on and is heaven on earth for beauty bloggers.

Roger & Gallet's beautiful Sorbet Body Lotions with Laduree Macarons

How gorgeous are these flowers by Bloomon

We were incredibly spoilt with our goodie bags. Hayley from London Beauty Queen did a stellar job working with the brands, we were lucky enough to get a selection of some of the best anti-ageing products they have on offer.

Most Excellent Goody Bag!

Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep £26.50 (ideal for new mums)
Vichy Liftactiv £31 (loving this everyday cream with optical blur)
Fillerina Night Grade 2 £69 (super hyaluronic acid boost)
La Roche Posay Redermic R £30 (retinol cream)
La Roche Posay Redermic C10 £30 ( vitamin C & hyaluronic acid)
Skinceuticals Metacell Renewal B3 £96 (bags of niacinamide and peptides)
Skinceuticals Retexturising Activator £42 (daily chemical exfoliator)
ZO Skin Health Hydrating Cleanser £30 (cell renewal with moisture)
Hyaluronic Acid Complex £25 (moisturises from within)
Roger & Gallet Christmas Cracker £6 (cute stocking filler)

All available from Omniya obviously!

Vichy Liftactiv Supreme (loving this so far!) Skinceuticals Metacell Renewal B3 & Retexturising Activator (read exfoliator)

La Roche Posay's Anti Ageing offering - top notch quality ingredients at affordable prices as always!
Fillerina - the new buzz beauty product, so excited to try this

Who doesn't need a handbag sized hand cream that smells lush, especially when coupled with a mini perfume!

I have already started using the Skinceuticals and the Vichy Liftactiv and I will report back in 6 weeks when they have had time to show any results.

I was really impressed with the list of treatments they have on offer from their star facialists and aestheticians Dr Sarah Tonks and Natali Kelly. Here are just some of the massive list of treatments you could indulge in;

Botox (not my thing, but never say never)
Nefrititi Lift - non surgical jowl tightener using botox & fillers
Juvederm - dermal fillers- lip plumping, cheeks
Thread Lift - non surgical facelift
Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (increase collagen)
Chemical Peels (restores radiance)
Microdermabrasion
Microneedling
Telomere Testing - find out your biological age (how intriguing)

I was pretty impressed with the prices considering the practitioners have real medical degrees and the product used are all gold standard, you can get these treatments cheaper, but why would you risk it when it's your face? I can't wait to try one of their facials.

I want to thank Hayley Carr, all the lovely PR's and the team at Omniya for a wonderful evening. It was great to attend an event with like minded (and similarly aged) bloggers.

Watch this space for more skincare reviews.

Joules Design A Welly Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:27:00 +0000

For all you budding artists who would like a chance to see your creative designs on a welly. This competition is for you! You can submit up to 5 designs per email address.

The 1st prize is a Luxury Break worth £5000 and there are 10 runners up prizes of £250 Joules Vouchers.

The winning welly design will go on sale at joules.com.

Submit a design and enter the competition here - http://getcreative.joules.com/

All proceeds from the sale of the limited edition winning welly will be donated to our charity partners via CHARITABLY JOULES.

Good Luck.

5 Fantastic Cleansers For Over 30's Under £20!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 10:17:00 +0000

Everyone loves a good cleanser, but some of the prices stun me. £35 to wash your face, are you mental? Seriously, I know it's important to get all the days dirt and makeup off your face, but considering it is only on for 2 minutes max then there seems to be little point spending a packet on it.

These are all budget friendly, very effective and PH 6 or lower to maintain the precious acid mantle that defends your skin.

Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel £11 for 200ml or £7 on Boots 3 for 2 *

I assumed this was going to be a gel cleanser, which it kind of is, but it foams when even the tiniest bit of water is added. I love a good foaming cleanser and this one has a low PH unlike most soap based foamers. The smell is lovely and fresh and the pump is always a welcome addition. You get a decent amount too. I keep this in the shower for quick cleansing after a more thorough go over with a balm or after running just to freshen up. I like that it has salycylic acid to help unclog pores yet your skin doesn't feel stripped after using it.

Fake Bake Skin D Luxe Cleansing Balm Melt £22 for 113ml (okay this is just over £20!) *

This is on the top end of the price bracket and contains mineral oil, which can be an issue for some, though Eve Lom, the original cleansing balm inventor, also includes it in her offering so how bad can it be. It is a balm cleanser and so needs massaging in and then removing with a damp cloth.
This has a solid texture in the pot yet turns into a lovely smooth thick oil when it warms on your skin. I love using this when I have a full face of makeup on as it melts away almost everything in just one pass. The smell is pleasant though not particularly strong I assume it's the moringa oil. The packaging is okay, though I would have preferred glass for eco reasons. It also has peptides though I doubt they have much time to do anything substantial.

Soap & Glory The Ultimelt £10 for 100ml or £6.66 on 3 for 2

This was so highly recommended I had to try it for myself. The texture is very bizarre and the tube makes it feel like your squeezing toothpaste out into your hands. It's not my favourite as it is too heavy on the essential oils. It does a decent job of removing makeup though and it can be picked up very cheaply. I think if you like Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (which I also don't) then you'll love this, it very similar yet cheaper and more readily available. One for those of you with drier skin. Please not that this has half as much product as the others for the money and so isn't quite a s good a deal.

The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil £11 for 200ml

I bought this when they had one of those 40% off events online so I got it for just £6. I like the smell of this and the texture is spot on. The pump makes it easy to get the right amount, 3 pumps in case you're wondering. The oil is lovely and smooth and ideal for a facial massage. You the remove with a damp cloth and the moment the oil meets water it emulsifies into a silky liquid and glides away with no oily residue left. I will definitely be repurchasing this though you have to make sure your face and hands are dry before you start or it just instantly emulsifies and does nada!

La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel £12 for 200ml or £8 on Boots 3 for 2

I've saved the best till last. This is my absolute favourite, a complete Holy Grail. It can be used to remove a full face of makeup or for a quick freshen up. It never feels stripping and is gentle enough to use on even sunburnt skin. The smell is divine and the texture spot on. I need to have this cleanser available at all times. My beloved.

I hope some of these work as well for you as they do for me. I always have a selection of cleansers on the go together for different types of days and I can honestly say these are all stars in their own right.

* PR Sample

August Favourites

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:33:00 +0000

August has been a great month for finding some real stand out products, here are those which made me smile.

A Heat Protectant You Can Spray on Dry Hair

Get Heated Repair Thermal Protect Mist £9 *

Like many people, I don't use heat protectant every day as I don't use heat on my hair everyday. I air dry whenever I can and it is only when I wake up the next morning that I decide that I want to curl the ends/straighten a kink out etc... This is when I need a heat protector I can spray directly onto dry hair and that takes a minimal time to dry.
It can also be used to add moisture to the ends, smooth through dry hair to make it look more sleek and obviously for it's intended purpose of applying on wet hair after washing as a protectant.

The spray nozzles leaves a fine mist and the product is easily combed through the hair, it dries super quickly so you can start work within seconds. It barely has any grip when dry which is great as you can run the straighteners through without it catching. The other stand out feature was the smell, it smells lovely and fresh, which is ideal for a mid day freshen up. All in all a fantastic product and at a really good price, it's only £9.

A Peptide Packed Super Light Moisturiser for Under Makeup

Fake Bake Beauty at Home Skin D-luxe Moisturiser £17.50 *

Who knew Fake Bake did skincare, or for that matter makeup and bath products? They are also really good. I tried a few of their new offerings ( a lovely cleaning balm, yummy smelling coconut bodyscrub which will be can be bought directly from their website or at parties thrown by consultants (good at home business idea for busy Mums.)
I particularly liked the moisturiser though as it sinks in so quickly, is not at all greasy, has a ton of great ingredients like Matrixyl 3000 which is a peptide combo that helps plump, improve skin tone and reduce wrinkles. It also has a pump top, Yay my favourite.

Long Lasting Non Cakey Foundation Spray

Urban Decay De-Slick - Travel Size £8.10 (full size out of stock everywhere!)

I am sure I have mentioned this before on the blog as I use it to make my makeup last as long as possible, but I have found another use for it. Wayne Goss (who in my opinion is the best makeup artist and most lovely of guys) did a post about a hydration spray that Jane Iredale has launched which you use to take a the powdery look off your skin once you have applied a full face of makeup. It looks lovely but I have enough makeup and skincare to kit out all the Kardashian's at the moment so I had a play with my Serozinc and then this. I figured that this would work just as well as I often find myself giving my face a mist with it to give me a slightly more dewy/less matte look. I am pleased to report that this works perfectly and can still help extend the life of your makeup too. I have the old style bottle, the new one is a bit nicer looking.

Sleep in a Jar

Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep only £19.87 for now at Escentual or 3 for 2 at Boots *

I mentioned this in my holiday skincare post (see link) I used this every other day whilst on holiday. I was in the sun most days and my normally oily skin can become a bit parched and wrinkled. Whilst it didn't make me look completely recovered by morning, my skin looked substantially less thirsty and dried out. I was concerned that the cream would be too heavy for me and break me out but luckily the gel balm consistency just quenched my poor skin and left me blemish free. My only slight disappointment is the packaging, I don't like jars, I find them unhygienic and difficult to use with slippy hands. I nice pump wouldn't have gone amiss, however I do have some small plastic spatulas that I use for skin creams that help keep the contents of the jars hygienic so I will have to use those. I fully recommend this cream for those of you with normally dry skin as I feel it would be perfect. It contains hyaluronic acid (to lock moisture in,) salicylic acid (to keep pores clear) and niacinamide which helps even your skin tone. To round up I would say this is a great everyday capture all moisturiser that most people could benefit from adding into their routine.

3D Lip Gloss for luscious lips

Fake Bake Scream & Pout Shine On Glo Gloss in Sunset £12 *

I posted an Instagram picture of me wearing this a few weeks ago and it honestly does it no justice. The tube looks a little lack lustre but the product is gorgeous. It's silky smooth, has a lovely fruity scent and the gloss itself is clear enough to wear over most stains or lipliners and just gives a lovely 3D look to your lips. I really like this product and have found myself wearing it most days recently.

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush Dupe

Makeup Revolution Vivid Blush Laquer - £3

I have a couple of the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Fluid Blushers already but wanted something a bit more corally. I decided on a whim that I would give this a go as it was only £3. The consistency is less watery than the Daniel Sandler ones, but the staying power and blendablity are still there. It takes only a fraction of a pump of the cute bottle to get enough blush for your face and so will probably last me forever. The colour is a mid tone coral more on the pink than the orange side. It has really high end packaging with a pump and a lovely matte lid with a satisfying click. It comes in 3 shades, Bloom, Heart & Desire of which I have Heart. You could buy all 3 though and still have change from one Daniel Sander.

*Sample received for review purposes

11 Products You Need To Take On Holiday With You

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:20:00 +0000

Holidays require completely different makeup products than usual Most of my everyday products won’t stand up to the rigors of heat and water, nor do I want to wear a full face of makeup when spending my day by the pool.

A lot of products that advertise themselves as being waterproof or long wear really don’t live up to the claims. Very few products last 12 hours even in normal English conditions, so they don’t even stand a hope in 35 degree heat and constant dunkings in the water. I am not one of those women who sits next to the pool with perfect hair and makeup, I dive in head first and then spend the rest of the day alternating between drying off and jumping in. This means that I need products that are genuinely waterproof.

When I'm applying makeup to go down to the pool, I just usually wear a sunscreen, a bit of under eye concealer and a heap of mascara and that's it. I don't like the look of lots of makeup nor the feel. When you're wearing so few clothes, wearing a ton of makeup seems silly.

I try to concentrate on getting the evenest skin tone for both face and body rather than smoky eyes or dramatic lips.

I don’t use foundation on holiday as it feels too heavy over a high SPF facial sunscreens. I usually just take a few longwear concealers in varying shades to cover any dark circles and calm down any post-sun redness. The 3 (yes I bought 3!) that made it in to my bag this year are;

Clarins Instant Concealer - £21.50

This is a new addition to my makeup bag and it lights up the undereye area beautifully and doesn’t crease ever. This is great news when you are starting to get fine lines under your eyes and are under no intention of accentuating them. I have this concealer in the shade, 02 medium which is my summer colour but still too light for my holiday colour so this is being used for just the first few days. The only thing that stops this being my holy grail concealer is the packaging, it is in a tube and you have to squeeze it out which can result in you being left with more than you needed.

Collection Lasting Perfection - £4.19

This beauty blogger favourite is always in my makeup collection and because it is so cheap, around £4, you can buy it in your darkest shade and not mind that it will only be used for a few weeks. It can crease and definitely will wear off over the day but it is yellow toned so is good for muting sun frazzled skin and the wand applicator makes it quick to apply. I have it in the shade Dark 4 for holiday use and in 2 and 3 for usual use.

Maybelline The Eraser – Instant Anti Age £7.99

The best concealer for ease of application, it has sponge like head that you click product into by turning the base and then you just dot it where needed. Again this is yellow toned, I use the nude shade (the light shade is more pink toned) and is very light on the skin, it feels like you have nothing on and gives good buildable coverage.

L’Oreal Telescopic Waterproof- £10.99

I looked online to buy this for the holiday recently and found out it has been discontinued! The good side of this was that I could get it for £6 on eBay instead of £10 as usual, but it also means that I am now of the look out for a lengthening waterproof mascara that actually works, I've heard the L'oreal Shocking Extensions is exactly the same just rebranded. This has a slim plastic wand which is great for detail work, the lower lashes which can be a pain to coat are covered easily with this. It is a full on waterproof mascara and so needs a full strength oil-based eye makeup remover to get it off, but it really lasts, all day if needs be, and it never smears. I have oily skin and this even stay put on me. Because it is so “strong” it can cause breakage if you try to rub it off or pull at it, so fingers off whilst your wearing it.

2True Effortless Eye Liner - £1.99

I first bought this after a back-of-the-hand test in Superdrug, I went up and down the makeup stands swatching liquid liners on the back of my hand and then wiped them all at the same time to see which one stayed on. Bizarrely it was this cheapy number that refused to budge. I prefer a flexible fine tip brush applicator on a liquid eyeliner whereas this has a felt tip end but it has some serious staying power. I buy it in brown as the black looks too harsh against my skin.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey - £7.99

I can't imagine there is anything left to be said about these, in case your late to the party they are easy to apply, super moisturising and this particular variation seems to be universally flattering.

These Chubby Stick dupes has a knock off from every major brand, from top end to bargain basement, but the Revlon ones I feel give the most bang for their buck, there's no need for a separate lip balm.

Clinique Pore Minimiser -£20.00

This was supposed to be a primer, and my intention was to use it to stop oil break through on an everyday basis. It unfortunately is a shade too dark for wearing at home, and it is nothing special when it comes to oil production either. What it can do though is blur lines and pores well. It's powdery silicone formula glides over your skin and feel completely weightless, it provides air brushing without the heavy layers needed. It doesn't last amazingly but it is enough when you just want a light touch.

Anastasia Brow Wiz -£15.50

I cannot recommend this highly enough, it is the easiest way ever to get natural looking filled in brows. It isn't cheap, but I got mine from my Mum for my Birthday back in February and 6 months later it's still going strong. It is a waxy, very fine pointed, dial up pencil. It doesn't need to be sharpened and the wax remains solid in the heat so it can be used whatever the weather.

I like that you can draw in individual hairs or just stroke it though to increase the volume in sparse areas. The colour choice is great too, I have ash brown which is a nice ashy medium brown and a near perfect match for my eyebrows, I want to get another shade that is a tad lighter to be able to achieve a bit more dimension, but it may have to wait till Christmas as I have spent enough recently.

Fake Bake Pout Glo Gloss in Sunset - £12.00

I got this in a blogger goody bag recently and it is absolutely perfect for holidays. The colour is a bronzey coral with a gorgeous shimmer, I layer it over a pinky base such as the Revlon one above and it gives the most beautiful effect. I tried to capture it on camera but the sheen doesn't show up well. It doesn't look that promising in the tube, but when you open it up the wand applicator and lovely summery smell win you over. It glides on beautifully and is not at all sticky, so it feels very comfortable. It doesn’t last that well though, which is normal in a gloss, but that is a minor issue.

Urban Decay Naked Palette- £38.00

The original and in my opinion the best, what more can be said about this, it's a classic for a reason. I like the bronzey, goldy colours for evening as they look really pretty against a tan. My favourite colours are Half-baked (a true gold) and Smog (a dirty bronzey colour heavy on the sheen) I use the mattes to smooth the lids first then just a slick of a glitter over the lids and into the crease with a Real Techniques Shadow brush. Then I finish by rubbing some of Darkhorse (a grungey deep brown) through the lash line with my Laura Mercier smudge brush.

Sleek Face Form - £9.99

This is always in my makeup kit as I have the world's roundest face coupled with podgy cheeks so I need definition. I don't contour per se, more like just rub a little of the darker shade into what small amount of hollow I have beneath my cheekbones to give some attempt at bone structure to my face. I also use the high sheen blush as a highlighter and rub it from along the top of my cheekbones and back to the hair line to gibe a pretty flushed sheen. I also like the big mirror on this.

What I'm not taking on Holiday

Tinted Moisturiser

Hate this stuff, what's the point? If I want coverage I use foundation, if I want moisture, I use moisturiser. I find that having the two pre-blended means that neither is ever quite at the right level. Seen as I have oily skin anyway, moisturiser is never at the top of products that I turn too, I tend to find my serum or sunscreen provide enough protection and slip to make my skin feel comfortable so tinted moisturiser is a waste of time for me.

Foundation

When your away you want to look sun-kissed and fresh, like you've just stepped off the yacht rather than heavy and try-hard like a TOWIE extra. Rosie from The Londoner, does this look best. She has freckles which she shows in all their glory whilst still looking picture perfect and the image of health.

What do you take on holiday? Is there any tricks I'm missing?

Looking After Your Skin on Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:41:00 +0000

Only a few days to go till I fly off into the sun and so I merrily started my cosmetics packing today. I imagine I am not alone in enjoying the process way too much! I had a good search around in my drawers for all my current skincare faves and then combined them with a few more specific products to deal with sun exposure and dryness which inevitably come with 3 weeks abroad. Here is what I am packing...

Serozinc - £8.50 here

I am taking this with me as a cooling spray that should hopefully help keep breakouts at bay too. It is lovely and cooling and sometimes the change in climate and products mean I can breakout so I am hoping this will help a bit. The mist on this is super fine and it also doubles as a toner keeping my vanity case weight down (it needs all the help it can get!) Another bonus is that it can be used to help heel minor cuts, bites etc.. a zinc is used in hospitals to speed up heeling time.

Effaclar Duo - £15.50 here

I use this at least once a day as a serum anyway as it is great for pigmentation which isalways an increased issue for me when in the sun. It is so lightweight yet packed with a plethora of treats for the skin, such as ceramides, salicylic acid, niacinamide and LHA. I love this product and can never be without it.

Lancome Eau Micellaire - This is actually Garnier Micellar water in disguise (shhhh) £1.99 here

For removing the copious amounts of waterproof mascara I shall be wearing.

Indeed Labs - Retinol Reface - £14.99 here (bargain)

A must for sun damaged skin, I use this on my neck and decollete too to try slow down any damage done by the sun. I am not the biggest fan of the silcones in this as I find them a bit unnerving texture wise, but the pump dispenser makes this perfect for travel.

La Roche Posay - Anthelios XL Ultralight* - £16.50 here

I received a sample of this at a La Roche Posay event at Christmas and I have used it every day since, I am still on the same bottle and I have about a quarter left. This is the bomb when it comes to facial sun screen, it sinks in so well with no white residue. It's tiny ,so easy to pack, it's SPF 50+ so nothing is getting through this baby and it's cheap for such a high quality product. I have already bought a back up, in case I am ever without it. I have heard that they do a matte SPF 30 version that I can't wait to try.

Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix - £12.99 here

These pads are a cheaper version of the First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads, I think I paid around £5 for them when they were half price at Superdrug. I really like these as they are more portable than the Pixi Glow Tonic (which is another excellent chemical exfoliator.) I need a good exfoliatior more than usual on holiday as the elements tend to make my skin more rougher than normal and so any help I can get in removing dead skin cells is greatly appreciated. I am not a fan of physical scrubs at the best of times but particularly not when when I have been out in the sun all day (ouch!!)

Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep * £26.50 here

I am pretty new to this product, but so far so good. I use this after retinol before bed and it is an excellent moisturiser for thirsty skin. It's aim is to counter the effects of sun, poor nights sleep and bad nutrition choices (which is a pretty steep claim tbh) but it does leave my skin feeling baby soft and the pigmentation more even. I think this will be the perfect things to combat the late nights, excess alcohol intake and sun that I am certain to encounter on holiday.

Body Skin Care

The most obvious concern when on holiday is sun damage, I use to not take this very seriously as I tan easily and aging seemed forever away. Now I'm 36, I use full precautions. I sit in the shade anyway, as I like to read on holiday and the glare is too annoying. I have recently found some amazing sun screens that feel feather-light on the skin, and even improve the look of it, without that greasy gloopy white smeary mess you used to get.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Comfort Protective Oil SPF50+ £18.00 here

The original and the best, comes in the very distinct clear pump bottle. The smell is divine and I challenge anyone not to be in the holiday mood after catching a whiff of this. The texture is similar to a serum or oil and it sinks in very quickly leaving a lovely skin enhancing sheen behind. The slight colour means that it also enhances your natural colouring too. It's not cheap but it works every time.

Reiman P20 SPF50+ £24.99 here

This is for our eldest not me. She burns so easily in the sun but as she's getting older she hates having sun cream applied to her but isn't diligent enough to make sure she has done a good job herself. P20 is applied just once a day and is fully waterproof. You need to wait a bit for it to dry but it really works. No burn no matter how long you're in the sun for. This is also great if you accidentally got burnt the day before as it stops any more sun damage in it's tracks.

Malibu Continuous Spray Dry Oil SPF's 15 and 10 £3 here

This comes as a lotion and an oil spray, I don't like the lotion one as it is white and needs quite a bit of rubbing in. This however is glorious, you just mist yourself all over and you're left with a lovely sheen and light sun protection. This is for the end of the holiday only, as it's SPF is pretty low, though you can get it in a SPF 30 but I couldn't find any this year. This is a real bargain too, you can regularly pick it up for £4.

Dove Summer Glow in Fair to Medium £2.62 here

This is a summer staple and I have been using it for years. I love the classic dove smell, it's very moisturising but more importantly it helps even out a patchy tan. I use this on strap marks, paler-than-the-rest-of-me-legs and as a tan prolonger. My husband is the biggest fan of this, even though I have to buy it. I think I got this for £2 in Beauty Savers.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Scrub - £8 here

Great texture, not too grainy nor too smooth. The smell is divine, like key lime pie (which I am sure is too teenagery for most but I love it.)I will be using this on my upper arms and shins to get lovely smooth limbs. I like all the Soap & Glory scrubs so any would have done.

Body Shop Vanilla Sugar Body Butter - no longer available online

Again, like the scrub, this could be any body butter from the Body Shop as I love them all equally. Basically this was the only one I had left in a travel size. Lovely vanillery scent coupled with heavy duty moisture for parched dried out skin. I imagine this will be used on my feet most days as all that flip flop wearing takes it toll.

Seems like a lot, doesn't it? But it is only part of the cosmetics collection that I am taking with me. There are obvious multiple bottles of the sun creams, as there are 5 of us and 17 days. I will try and post my holiday makeup and hair kits, but with only a few days to go and a gazillion jobs still waiting in the wings, I'm not sure when I will get the time.

What are your must-have Summer Savers?

*PR Sample received for review purposes

Summer Brights with Fatface

noreply@blogger.com (Donna Coppack) — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 14:38:00 +0000

When I was approached by Fatface to style a look from their South Coast Brights collection, I was so pleased. I love their relaxed chic look, it is so easy to wear and I have always found the quality to be excellent. I used to be into the surf scene when I was growing up in a English Seaside Town, hence the wave tattoo I have around my right hand ring finger. Fatface was, and still is, a store I go and have a look through for holiday clothes each year.

Cardigan - Annie by Fatface, Cropped Chinos by Fatface, Striped Top by H&M, Navy Vest by La Redoute, Lets not talk about the shoes.

I opted for some classic navy chinos and a pretty corla cardigan to set the look off.

I need to mention how happy I am with the Navy Crop Chinos. They are gorgeous, the fabric feels so soft. I got them one size up from my usual size (so a 16 instead of my usual 14) as I read they can come in a little small, and I wanted a more slouchy look. The fabric is excellent quality, it is a super soft cotton twill and the colour is a lovely deep navy (take note Very, they is what navy should be!) These will be perfect for plane journeys, where you want to look tidy but still be comfy. They will also allow me to not freeze whilst I get to the airport here, nor boil when I get to my destination.

The trousers have 2 side pockets which manage to do the impossible and be functional without adding bulk. The cut is very flattering for those of us with big hips and smaller waist ,as the tailoring is spot-on and the waist fits beautifully (thank you, who ever designed these, I won't need a belt for once)

The general advice for those of us with large hips is to not wear cropped trousers, as they can make you look wider by cutting off your legs half way down. I have to add a caveat to this, which is if you are tall and have long legs and a short body, then it can help lengthen your torso which is a good thing. I need to wear a top of a similar colour or one that finish past my widest point or they really do like me look very pear shaped, but overall, I find capri's to be a much safer option than shorts, which could not look worse on me ( I still have nightmares about wearing them in PE.)

I love the Neon trend but my skin is a little too pink to be able to wear very warm pinks. The Annie Cardigan in Corabelle is a pretty bright coral which bizarrely is a cool coral and so suits those of us with pink undertones. It is so pretty, and a great way to add some femininity and a pop of colour to your look. I like the pointelle detail (apparently that is what the patterns of holes is called) as it stops it from being just another cardie and makes it more delicate. It's 100% cotton so ideal on hot summer days when you want to hide your arms but not get too hot and sticky. Another point I must note is that the v-neck is well designed to not expose to much or make you feel too grandmotherly.

I paired the outfit with a pair of seriously old tan wedges that frankly have seen better days. I am finding it such a struggle to find a pair of tan wedges in my size that aren't too high so I can wear them on a daily basis. I painted my nails in a very unwise navy nail polish with a gold tips, this will be a real pain to remove as glitter polish is always hard and dark blue will stain. Anyway enough of the bad, I think coral, navy and gold is such a classic colour combination and I will be wearing a lot more of it.

Navy Top by La Redoute, Navy Chinos by Fatface, Nail varnish Betty Blues by No7 & Revlon Sequins

I will get so much wear out of both these pieces. The cardie can be worn with an all black outfit to give it a lift or with a white sun dress. The crop chinos are such a summer staple that I will probably wear them far more than is judicious.

I am really happy with both of these items and will definitely be making a stop in Fatface at Gatwick on my next holiday to check out some more of their items. If you, like me, live quite far from the nearest shop here is their new arrivals page.

N.B. I must mention that writing this post make me laugh as I have notoriously chubby cheeks and so the irony of doing a post for Fatface is not lost on me :)

*Sample provided by Fatface for review purposes