Kiss And Makeup

The Bag Lady's Makeup Bag of the Week

AbiSilvester — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:35:17 GMT

I didn't have a clue how to pronounce their name at the time (I've since learned that it's "ax-en-tee-oo"), but I fell a little bit in love with Afxentiou when I spotted their handmade washbags and other accessories at Clothes Show Live at the end of last year. You know those times when you see something that would make a great present for a friend, buy it as a completely altruistic gesture then realise when you come to wrap it that there's no way you could bear to give it away? That was me with my Afxentiou cosmetic bag in December. We just couldn't be parted.

Chanel channels tattoos: Stylish ways to decorate yourself through the decades

Zara Rabinowicz — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:32:33 GMT

Tattoos have existed thousands of years, dating back to the Inca civilizations when one would use ink under the skin as a method of healing the body or warding off demons. Today this art has evolved to be more decorative than protective, but certain markings still denote clans and tribes, from Asian sub cultures to soldier's sleeves. Different tattoos can mark someone as part of an era, and it's interesting to look at what symbols evoke in popular culture. Chanel is joining the fray by creating temporary tattoos, which will be available from March in boutiques. They've chosen to create a design which is ultra feminine with a delicate floral and bead design. Their £49 tattoo transfer is destined to be a sell out, but what other tattoos have existed that have marked certain stages in human culturet?

The Purifyne Programme Detox Diaries: Days 3, 4, and 5

Zara Rabinowicz — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:12:03 GMT

I'm trialling out the Purifyne juice detox diet on a quest to get clearer skin and more energy. Read on for news of how I'm finding the programme! Day 3 I work up with a distinctly furry tongue and a severe lack of energy. I'm not normally a morning person so this was nothing particularly unusual but the fact that brushing my teeth made my tongue still feel like it had an extra growth was unpleasant. I'd run out of chamomile teabags so the morning enema was put off to the night, and I proceeded to swallow my mountain full of pills and supplements. I'm encouraged to have long baths and exercise but I was so tired a bath was all I could cope with. I swigged my coconut water like a lifeline as the flavour really helped boost my flagging energy, and much of the morning was spent lolling in front of the TV watching bad shows. I had another chat with Irina, who was worried at my lack of energy, but we put it down to my sluggish metabolism and the cold, so she arranged for me to make some vegetable broth and ginger tea to invigorate me. My daily bath was very pleasant and I religiously brushed my skin with the loofah provided to make it glow. My eyes look really bright in the mirror and my stomach is definitely concave- I just wish I had more energy to appreciate it. Day 4 I woke up today with a slight spring in my step, feeling better than I had all week. Am I finally on the road to more energy and alertness as promised by Irina? I think so! Glug down all my vitamins automatically, without even wincing at the bentonite clay mix, and spend the most productive four hours at my computer. Annoyingly I was so productive I forgot to drink so am desperate for something by lunchtime and swig down my juice like it's manna from heaven. Out and about, I'm starting to learn what coffee shops and pubs have a good selection of tea and which look at you like you're some crazed hippie when you ask for their options. I manage a quick forty minute run and sauna, and spend another half hour admiring my clear looking skin and eyes. I'm really loving the array of juices on offer, as today I've noticed plum as an ingredient, and though I was way- I find it really sweet. The variety of juices really helps you stick to the plan and I'm expanding my food group as well. Knowing I'm at the halfway mark really helps, and thinking about what my new slimline figure will be like is very inspiring. Day 5 I feel incredibly alive and more sensitive to my surroundings. The air feel sharper, colors look more vibrant, and food, unfortunately, smells incredibly inviting. Having made it five days without cheating, today I give in slightly and eat half an apple. Yes, that's right- half an apple. Once I would have felt virtuous and pleased at having some of my five a day, now I feel guilt-ridden and terrible. I try to make it up by taking an extra long walk outside and punish myself by meeting a friend for coffee. Well, coffee and cake for her, green tea and hunger for me. Mid afternoon and my energy high has abated somewhat so I start nursing vegetable broth and shivering. The bad weather hasn't aided this programme as i can't help but feel the plan would be a lot more doable in summertime (Note to self: Next detox in summer).

Product Review: Garnier Caffeine Anti-Dark Circles

AbiSilvester — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:05:57 GMT

There's a big trend for putting ingredients we normally put in our mouths into our cosmetic products, and the thinking behind Garnier's Caffeine-infused tinted concealer is that it wakes up and refreshes your eyes in much the same way that a nice strong cup of coffee revives you in the morning.

Purifyne Juice fast Detox: The Detox Diaries

Zara Rabinowicz — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:11:35 GMT

With less than a week to go till Valentine's day, some of you may be starting to stress about fitting into that trusty LBD. Well, never fear, there's a way to look glowing and ravishing on the night that...

DynaShape- Treatment Review at the Face and Body Clinic

Zara Rabinowicz — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:05:50 GMT

I have a soft spot in my heart for the Face & Body Clinic, as I had session of Ultratone with its lovely owner Shenaz Shariff last year. If anyone can make donning paper panties and lying supine on a table a comfortable experience it is she, so when I heard that her salon was now offering the DynaShape treatment I was quick to volunteer my porky abdomen to her soft fingers. DynaShape is a relatively new treatment to hit the UK and sells itself as being a nonsurgical way of sculpting the body. This is done by using a Swiss produced machine that performs an endocermic massage on the areas you'd like slimmed down. For the non initiated this means that various interchangeable heads are used to activate the cell membranes in the tissue, and act as an intensive lymphatic drainage treatment with major skin tightening results as an outcome. OK, the science is all very well, but I don't want to bore you with data or studies, or even the fact that this is a temporary treatment- as it's non invasive, unless you maintain your new shape with diet and exercise you'll quickly see an end to the benefits. A general sceptic when it comes to treatments that proclaim they are the answer we've been looking for, I lay on the table thoroughly prepared to dismiss the whole thing as a psychological trick. To start with I underwent a very through Q&A with Shenaz about my medical history. ',any people omit things because they don't think they're important', she said. They don't realize that the littlest thing might have an impact!' Then we decided that the area I'd like to focus on m=would be my stomach. I lay on the bed and she placed a blue ultrasonic light over the area. It felt slightly warming, and I was then left to my own devices for around forty minutes whilst it worked its magic on my insides- this was a preliminary step to the actual treatment. After the right amount of time had elapsed, Shenaz came back and applied a viscous like gel to my abdomen. She then selected a head for the machine- the probes differ in size depending on the area treated, and mine was relatively small. For the next forty odd minutes she vigorously rolled it across my stomach in sweeping circles. It wasn't an unpleasant experience as it felt like being gently prodded by a teddy bear, and the cream wasn't cold at all. When we finished the treatment Shenaz removed the excess cream and I stared at my profile in the mirror.

Les Bulles d'Agathe; the 'first opus of perfumed bubbles'

Andrea Thatcher — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:16:42 GMT

While lots of bubbles are scented, Maison Francis Kurkdjian is the first to create a high-end fragrance in the form of bubbles. Les Bulles d'Agathe translates to Agatha's Bubbles. Yes, we're talking childhood-obsession bubbles you blow with a wand...

Gallery: Behind the scenes of MAC's Spring Colour Forecast Shoot

Andrea Thatcher — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:13:40 GMT

I love looking at pretty beauty photos almost as much as I love playing with pretty makeup. If you do too then hopefully this gallery from the MAC Spring Colour Forecast photos shoot will be a real treat. Find more...

Top Ten Red Nail Varnishes for Valentine's Day

Zara Rabinowicz — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:46:27 GMT

Nothing promotes the idea of a powerful sexy woman more than bold and bright red nails. Valentine's day is the perfect time to express your sexuality, whether you're single or coupled up, and we've rounded up the best red varnishes on the market. Each colour gives a glorious finish, and will provide your fingers with some much needed pizazz. CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO START THE GALLERY

Get 25% off £20 purchases at Prezzybox

Zara Rabinowicz — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:00:57 GMT

Save money whilst shopping for pretty, sparkly things? Don't mind if I do! Get £5 off a £20 spend at Prezzybox by simply putting the code : kissandmakeup into the check out box. They have lots of lovely beauty buys from Naughty but Nice lip glosses to comfy slippers and funky magnets. Best of all, they even have a 'under £20 section, so you can start saving straightaway.

Minx Pedicure at Nails Inc : Treatment Review

Zara Rabinowicz — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:26:24 GMT

There has been a lot of furore over MInx nails recently, and always intrigued by buzz (and attracted to pretty shiny things) I headed down to my local Nails Inc salon to try it out. I was going on holiday for three weeks and wanted something that would provide along lasting result, as chipping and flaking wasn't an option when I'd be hopping from beach to bar on a regular basis. My lovely manicurist assured me that I was in good hands as she said that an average Minx nails application lasted anywhere from 2-4 weeks. So what is Minx exactly, and does it deserve all the buzz?

OPI Hong Kong collection gives nails Eastern appeal

Zara Rabinowicz — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:46:12 GMT

I'm a big fan of OPI nail colours as they always come up trumps with striking shades that are long lasting and have beautiful iridescent pigments inside them. We're all salivating over their recently released Alice In Wonderland collection, but their Hong Kong range is equally desirable.

Product review: Givenchy Photo'Perfexion Fluid Foundation SPF 20

Zara Rabinowicz — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:37:19 GMT

Choosing the right foundation is a monumental task, as what looks good in the store may look absolutely awful when you step into natural light. Then there's the issues of photographs to deal with- no one wants a foundation...

Lauren Luke creates five BAFTA beauty styles for the Orange Rising Star Award Category

Zara Rabinowicz — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:50:16 GMT

The BAFTA's were founded in 1947, and since then they've gone from strength to strength, awarding accolades to actors every year for sterling performances. For the past five years they've joined forces with Orange to create a BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award, and this year the winners for this category will be announced on the 21st February- and you get to decide who wins by voting here! Lauren Luke, the much loved Internet star of the panacea81 YouTube channel has joined forces with Orange to create a selection of how to tutorials on recreating the BAFTA looks. She has created 5 tutorials to celebrate the five years Orange has been involved with the BAFTA's and we have her Sienna Miller video below for you to enjoy!,

Industry Interview: Duffy, Clairol Creative Colour Director

Zara Rabinowicz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:10:12 GMT

When it's cold and gloomy outside many women reach for the hair dye as a way of lightening up their life and their hair. Be wary though, as what seems like a good idea when you're bored may be...

The Botox Diaries: Results from the Courthouse Clinic

Zara Rabinowicz — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:36:51 GMT

When I first started my exploration into Botox I was a nervous mouse, worried about so many things. Was I too young to be injecting my face? Would I turn into a waxen Danni Minogue clone? Would I look normal smiling? Would it hurt? Some time has now passed and I can fully answer all the above questions, thankfully in a positive manner. The original lumps in the face caused by injecting water solution with the Botox dissipated as promised (within 4 hours) as the water got absorbed into my skin. My worries of looking like FrankenZara were over, but it was strange sensation nonetheless. As the first week with Botox took place, I noticed the slow freezing of my forehead muscles and the fact that when I tried to wrinkle my forehead nothing whatsoever happened. The after pictures look rather off in that respect as my forehead became truly immoveable, a slight shrug of the eyebrow being all that was possible.

Alice in Wonderland is new makeup muse

AbiSilvester — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:14:43 GMT

The new Alice in Wonderland movie is having a huge impact on fashion, and the beauty biz is fast following suit with a whole range of limited edition products cropping up featuring girly, Alice-related motifs.

DKNY to launch limited edition Delicious Candy Apples Collection

Zara Rabinowicz — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:07:11 GMT

I'm a big fan of sweet sugary scents and the new combinations on offer promise so much more than Jordan-esque solutions of sticky vanilla and cream. DKNY is releasing three new fragrances for its spring line up, which fall into the field of tasty treats. The Delicious Candy Apples fragrances each represent a member of the confectionery family and sound like they'll be tasty as well as sweet smelling. This is what DKNY have given me as the product description;- Sweet Caramel opens with candy apple, pear and marshmallow notes, which blend into a heart of jasmine, muguet and violet leaves and a drydown of caramel and vanilla.

The Snow White myth: The Eastern Perception of skintone

Zara Rabinowicz — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:47:36 GMT

The sun must have been at least 25 degrees and I lathered on the lotion to prevent my pale skin from blistering under the strong Thai sun. Gulping down water I prepared to get back on my bicycle, as my Thai guide started pulling out a sweater. Sweltering I stared bemused as she proceeded to layer herself up in extra clothes, covering her arms neck, and the bottom half of her face.

Industry Interview: Dom, Creative Stylist for Sebastian Professional

Zara Rabinowicz — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:25:06 GMT

We were lucky enough to get some face time with Dom, on eof the ig names in the styling world.he shared with us his tip son what to look for in spring colour and how to create easy to wear on trend styles. Q. What changes do you foresee in women's styling? The great thing about women's styling is that there has been so many influences and looks to choose from. I feel that with all the styling tools and products that are available women can become more adventurous and experimental with their image. Q. How do you pull off wearing bright colours in the hair?

Industry Interview: Stephen Way, hair maestro

Zara Rabinowicz — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:08:01 GMT

Stephen Way is an old hand at hairdressing, having worked in the industry since 1969. His original aim was to provide clients with a designer style they could manage at home, and his success in the business proves that he managed to create a loyal clientele. Based in Bond Street he has won numerous awards for his skill with the scissors and was kind enough to share his views on the changing world of hair with us. Q. What colours will be on trend this year? The colours that I think will be trendy this year will be copper blonde highlights and a mixture of lights and darker roots with light blonde ends. Q. What trends do you predict for Spring 2010? More and more colours, vivid colours and more shine in all lengths of hair.

Gabby Sidibe's Bobbi Brown makeup look for the Golden Globes

Andrea Thatcher — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:11:00 GMT

All throughout the afternoon on Sunday, Bobbi Brown was updating her Facebook page all afternoon with the progress of Precious star Gabourey Sidibe's beauty look. "At Gabby's hotel doing her makeup for the red carpet later this afternoon. She's...

Cindy Crawford creates the Meaningful Beauty skincare line

Zara Rabinowicz — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:15:41 GMT

Cindy Crawford has amazing skin. Come to think of it, she has a pretty amazing everything, from lustrous hair to a figure that would have many a twenty year old green in the face, Not bad for a 43...

New Braun Silk-Epil promises less pain and more pluck

AbiSilvester — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:43:40 GMT

If electronic epilation is your chosen method of depilation (try saying THAT before you've had a coffee!) then you'll be aware that technology is getting better all the time at reducing both the ouch-factor and the length of hair it's possible to remove. And Braun's Silk-Epil range has now produced a gadget that they claim will do both these jobs particularly well.

The Monday Five: Top new beauty to put on your radar

Zara Rabinowicz — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:12:41 GMT

January is here and with it a wide range of beauty products are being released onto your shelves.So what should you choose to replenish your makeup cabinet with? We reveal the loveliest options. CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO START THE GALLERY Benefit Stay Don't Stray This primer sits on the eyes, allowing the eyeshadow to really stay put. It should be a great way of maximizing their Lust Dusters as well- they always flake on me. $24 from Sephora