Thursday 31 March 2011

Kosmea Hydrating Rosewater Mist £7.95



You know there are some people who you see and they always look perfectly groomed, not a hair out of place, clothes perfectly ironed and perfect glowing skin. I have always wondered how they do that, I consider myself to be presentable but that freshly made look somehow has narrowly avoided me, until now. It was as the days started to heat up and I needed a way of cooling myself down in a stuffy office. I saw Kosmea hydrating rosewater mist in my collection and decided to give it a go. Every couple of hours I lightly spayed my face and hair to keep cool. When I went to look in the mirror I noticed that I had a lovely sheen to my skin and hair, there it was that, that perfectly groomed look. By keeping my skin hydrated all day I managed to look glowing from when I stepped out the house in the morning to when I returned. Not only did the fabulous smelling rose water cool me down, it left me looking refreshed and vibrant. 

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Nip + Fab, Lip + Nip Fab Fix £8.25


The past few weeks I have been cursed by incredibly sore lips. It started with dryness around the corners and at first I thought I was getting a cold sore but that never materialised. Then my skin started to split at the side where it was dry. This meant I couldn’t open my mouth to wide without pain and the skin ripping. This was particularly terrible for me, one because I am greedy and I couldn’t get enough food into my gob. Also it meant that smiling and laughing was painful, which is enough to make anyone miserable. I tried every lip balm in my arsenal, even nappy rash cream but nothing worked.

After a couple of weeks the sides eventually settled down, it was then that my top lip decided to crumble off. The skin became tight, flaky and sore and I felt very self conscious about it. Nothing seemed to be working and it started getting worse and the sore sides returned. I even resorted to putting butter on my lips in an attempt to make them better. I mean what where people going to think when I call myself a beauty expert and they see my lips looking like puff pastry?

 I had nearly given up hope of ever looking normal again and then I remembered about Nip + Fab, I had tried their face scrub and it was marvellous, maybe they could help me. As soon as I had applied the balm my lips felt better. They were instantly soothed and the dry skin felt like it was knitting back together. After only a day’s use my lips were practically back to normal. The rich thick formula coats the skin and envelops it in moisture so you only need to apply it a couple of times in the day. After two days I was back to my old self. Finally I could kiss my man friend without feeling horrible and sore. I could smile without any tightness and laugh without fear of pain. Lip + Nip Fix literally put the smile back on my face again. 

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Vajazzle Me


For those that haven't heard about the vajazzle let me enlighten you. Basically put it is the process of decorating your body with Swarovski crystals, most specifically on your intimate parts. Jennifer Love Hewitt was the first person to bring the craze to the attention of the masses. Alexandra Burke and Dancing on Ice were quick to follow suit but it really took off when they were featured on The Only Way Is Essex. Vajazzle is set to become summers biggest fashion trend with a male version in the pipe line, the Pejazzle. Sally, the UK largest supplier of hair and beauty products has four exclusive designs, a butterfly, heart, firework and star. I was lucky enough to be given a sneak preview and road test them if you will, all obviously for my lovely readers.

They don't have to go on your private parts, you can place them anywhere you desire on your body. First up I decide that my wrist looks a little dull these days and what better way to make it sparkle than a butterfly. The kits are very easy to put on and in no time at all I have a glittering butterfly on my wrist. I rather like it, it makes an alternative to a bracelet and looks really fun. It manages to stay on for four days and I am really happy with the result. Next up I go for one on my tummy, the firework I decide. Again I rather like the appearance and on a night out with a belly skimming top it flashes under the lights getting everyones attention. Feeling more confident I go for the heart and place it next to my bikini line. I walk around all day feeling somewhat naughty. Its not uncomfortable as I had first feared and I feel like I have this little secret I am keeping to myself. in a business meeting I keep grinning to myself. When I get home I show my partner, I thought his reaction might be one of laughter but he loves it. I would go into more detail but I will leave that to your imagination.


Monday 28 March 2011

Rimmel MAX Bold Curves £6.69


Rimmel have always been a great British brand bringing females the latest looks at reasonable prices. Their new mascara gives full volume lashes with a bold, deep black colour. You only need one coat if you are wearing it during the day and for a night time look load up several layers for fabulously fluttering lashes without clumps.

Sunday 27 March 2011

Ahava Deadsea Algae Light Foundation £18.75


Foundations can be very heavy to wear and after a couple of hours turn chalky which ruins the finish. Ahava's Deadsea algae light foundation  is an amazingly light feeling foundation which provides a medium covering. I was really impressed with how it gilded onto my skin and evened out my skin tone. As I have freckles I find it really hard to find foundation that doesn't cover them up, whilst still giving my face an even finish. Well now I have. This foundation lasted all day, gave a great coverage and felt like I wasn't even wearing a foundation. It didn't rub off onto clothes and I found it surprisingly water resistant, I got slashed with water and where normally foundation would be washed away leaving tale tale lines running down your face this one stayed perfectly in place.

Saturday 26 March 2011

Jonathan Aston Fishnet Backseam Hold Ups £9.99


If you had to say what are the sexiest qualities you can get in tights it would have to be fishnets, hold ups and a backseam. Jonathan Aston has combined all these qualities into the most sexy pair of tights around, they are practically dangerous. It is no surprise that they are the official tights for the film Burlesque. The gold backseam is a touch of genius and adds a touch of glamour to any outfit, I especially like wearing these hold ups with my little black dress and sky high heels. If your man has been partially good to you then I suggest donning these with some lacy black underwear. Not only will your man be your willing slave for the night but you will feel super sexy. Go and get a pair to find your inner sex kitten with a touch of Burlesque from the lovely people at Tights Please.

Friday 25 March 2011

Skin Glow Body Cream £13.99



My skin is very fair and prone to burning easily, if I want even a hint of a tan I have to fake it. The problem is that fake tan can be messy and time consuming and I normally end up with stained hands and an orange glow. Evolve has come along and helped all girls like me with their daily glow body cream. First off a little about Evolve as a brand as you know me I am always keen on natural products. It's ethical credentials are astounding, its organic, eco friendly as all products are produced in the UK and the sleek packaging is recycled. The cream its self is a real star, its feels sublime as you apply it and gradually builds into a light and natural tan. Use it all summer long for a healthy golden skin that will get everyone thinking you have had a weekend away in paradise.

Thursday 24 March 2011

Henri Lloyd Skin Protection

My partner has been going on for a few weeks now that he wants to try some new products as he doesn't really do anything as part of a skincare regime apart from wash his face. He has seen some great results on me with the products I use and I think he was feeling a bit left out. When I got the press release for Henri Lloyd new range of skin protection I though it would be the perfect opportunity to initiate him into  the world of skin care.

First up was the ocean mineral shower cream (£12.25) It smells fantastic and it made the whole bathroom smell like it was right by the ocean. My man came out the shower throughly cleaned and refreshed and it got a nod of approval from him.

Next up was the ocean mineral sun defence cream SPF 30 (£10.20) again it smells great and absorbs super quickly into the skin. He used it before going for his morning run and after a week you could see a huge improvement in the tone of his skin, he just looked healthier and more radiant. It has now become a  regular feature in his morning routine.

The ocean mineral hand protection cream SPF 6 (£10.50) was a revolution to him, having never used hand cream he was amazed at how much nicer his hands felt. It also benefited me as his hands were so much softer as it is much nicer to have your face stroked by soft hands.

The last product took a bit of convincing as he wasn't sure about the ocean mineral tinted moisturiser with SPF 15 (£19.00). After I had assured him that he wouldn't look orange or like a girl he was happy to try it. He was surprisingly pleased with it as it only has a very soft sheen to it which just gave his skin a nudge in the right direction.

If your man has yet to discover the fabulous world of skincare then this is the brand to get them heading in the right direction. I also found myself sneaking over to his side of the bathroom to use the products they were that nice.

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Payot Hydration 24 Protection £37.35



Payot is another brand that I am swiftly falling in love with, all the products I have used have been incredible. I already reviewed the Hydration 24 for the body and found it to be sumptuous. With SPF 10 this hydrating emulsion is perfect for daytime use as even when the sun is behind clouds wearing SPF is vital. It glides on so easily and you can almost feel it instantly hydrating your face. It has a slight smell of sun tan lotion that I loved as it reminds me of holidays and happy memories. I used it everyday for a week and even in that sort space of time my face looked healthier and there was no hint of dryness. Normally I get a dry patch under my eyebrows but this cream completely stopped that.

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Miners Nail Varnish £2.99


The summer is slowly creeping up on us and soon everything will look better.When the sun is shining people are happier and everything just seems to be better with the world. Miners have come up with the perfect colours to celebrate summer in all its glory. 


Moroccan Mint - Already a hit among celebs such as Leona Lewis, Nicole Scherzinger and Sienna Miller, spearmint and turquoise are the 'it' nail colours throughout the Spring/Summer season.

Laguna Love - Laguna Love is a juicy lilac colour, designed to add a touch of sunshine to an everyday office look that will also look fabulous and flirty at the beach!

Bermuda Blue - Dont let first impressions fool you, Bermuda Blue may look like its for the more daring among us, however this fab ocean blue hue will add a splash of wild summer to any feminine look.



Coral Cutie - A subtle pink that is flirty and feminine and the perfect shade for some fun in the sun!


Marshmallow - A beautiful baby pink that is as cute as cupid. 


Wear the colours separately or for a funky twist have one colour on each nail. 

Monday 21 March 2011

Simple Vital Vitamin Foaming Cleanser £4.49


Cleansing your skin will help to get rid of any traces of make up or dirt collected on your skin throughout the day or night. Simple has this great foaming cleanser that contains vitamins and nutrients that skin loves. Pro vitamin B5 actively smoothes, softens and restores while Geranium conditions and regenerates. It is lovely and refreshing first thing in the morning and helps your skin look young and glowing. It is kind to even the most sensitive of skins and as it is packed with vitamins it will nourish your skin. 

Sunday 20 March 2011

Angela Langford Scrub Up £15.80


Angela Langford is another brand that I want to try all of the products on offer. Everything I have sampled so far is simply wonderful and scrub up is no exception. With Jojoba oil, cypress water, papaya extract and rose petals it rids the skin of dirt, grime, dead cells and unclogs pores, leaving your skin glowing, gorgeous and glittering. It smells fabulous and not only helps you scrub up but also to wake up. My skin looked more awake, more radiant and more healthy after use. It is gentle enough to use for even the most sensitive of souls whilst still being hard working enough to really make a difference you can instantly see. A must have product for clean, bright and gorgeous skin and one of my favourite beauty buys. Like all Angela Langford's products it is made with the highest quality natural and organic ingredients and not tested on animals. No nasty petrochemicals, parabens or synthetic fragrances just 100% lovingly crafted goodness to treat your skin with the respect it deserves.

Saturday 19 March 2011

Cocorose Sydney Elegance £45

I want to introduce you to a innovative pair of shoes that are not only going to save your feet from heel destruction but are also so gorgeous you will lust after them in their own right. Let me paint the all to familiar scene for you. You go out on a Friday night with your girlies to a swanky bar. You have your high heels on and we all know that after a few hours your feet get sore, not only that but the walk home or to a taxi is so painful (or wobbly) all you want to do is take your shoes off. Now you can with these ingenious fold up shoes. They come in a small purse that fits into your bag when you are out. When you want to take off your heels you can place them in the mini foldable satin shoulder bag and slip on the gorgeous ballet pumps. The pumps have padded cushions exactly where you need them after heel wearing so your feet feel cared for. The soles are thick enough to stop your feet getting cold on the hard pavement or any pain when walking on a cobbled street.  As well as being practical they are also extremely beautiful, two words that don't normally go together as far as shoes are concerned. It took me all day to decide which style I wanted as all of them were just so exquisite. After only a few weeks there are so many occasions where having them has been really useful, I now always carry them in my bag. With the British weather being somewhat unpredictable they become saviours when it turns sunny and I can slip off my heavy boots and slip on some ballet pumps. When shopping, work, eating out or just being me has taken a toll on my feet they are always there like a beautiful bundle of liberation.

Friday 18 March 2011

Jumping Juniper £4.85



You must think I am on a personal mission to try everyone of my favourite brands products and you would be right. Lush is definitely one of those companies that I get excited about when I try a new product and I won't rest until I have sampled all they have to offer.

So far I hadn't got round to their solid shampoo bars, I don't know what took me so long. I started off with Jumping Juniper  a refreshing mix of lavender, juniper, lemon and lime. To put it through its toughest test I decided it was time to take it to a festival. First up it was brilliant to carry around as I didn't have to worry about shampoo explosions and it saves space in your bag, you can just pop it into a little tin. I didn't end up getting a shower the whole weekend, too much having fun! I did use it as a soap on my face and found it worked really well, especially at night getting off all the grease, grime and sun tan lotion. When I got back the first thing I did was rush upstairs and have a shower, my hair was limp, lifeless and practically begging me to be washed. The bar lathered up so quickly into thick, creamy bubbles that penetrated right to my scalp. After only one was my hair was squeaky clean and I was shocked at how quickly it had cleaned up my hair. My bathroom was also left with a lovely zesty smell that made me feel totally refreshed. I will certainly be trying the rest of Lush's solid shampoo range now.

Saturday 12 March 2011

Glow Job £8.17

Now that summer is slowing approaching I am finding myself shying away from a heavy foundation and relying just on moisturisers to give me a healthy glow. Soap and Glory's Glow Job is perfect for days when you want a splash of colour but want to leave behind heavy formulas. Its light and contains micro beads of colour that burst on application leaving your skin looking healthy no matter your shade.  

Friday 11 March 2011

Shan Rahimkhan True Volume 32 EUR

My hair does have a tendency to be limp and lifeless which means it spends much of its time tied up in a messy ponytail. It has been that way for years and I am getting quite used to it. I would love to walk down the street with bouncy, glowing hair but getting it that way has so far taken me ages to create.

When Shan Rahimkhan landed on my desk the first thing I noticed was the simply amazing packaging. Stylish, classy, sophisticated and elegant, I couldn't wait to try it out. I started of with just the True Volume Double Phase Leave in Treatment I gave it probably one of the hardest work outs possible. After washing my hair I lightly sprayed it on and went to bed. When I woke up in the morning I was astonished at the results. Not only did my hair look like I had just received a professional blow dry I had volume galore. I literally bounced into work that day, swishing my hair and it obviously made such a difference as people where telling me how fabulous my hair was.

Thursday 10 March 2011

Daily Detox Facial Wash £10.99


Again I must stress that if you can get products that are eco friendly you should always try and use these over eco unfriendly. Evolve has come up with a range of products that are all eco certified, fair trade, natural, not tested on animals and all the packaging is recycled. You can't get more ethical than that. Whats more the packaging is adorable, its slick, stylish and fun.

First up for me to try is the daily detox facial wash. We almost forget the sheer amount of dirt, chemicals, grime and greasy that our face gets exposed to on a daily basis. A good face wash will strip your face of all nasties and leave it clean and refreshed. Evolve's facial wash is packed full of moringa seeds, an African superfood used to purify water. Organic goji berry soothes and protects whilst coconut and organic aloe vera leave skin clean and calm. The result is a facial wash that smells divine and will leave your skin gloriously fresh.

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Ocean Salt £6.45

Firstly whoever hacked Lush's website is a bad bad person, you deserve never to enjoy the wonderful world of Lush products. Right now that is over with I want to introduce you to your first step in glowing skin. Ocean Salt is labelled as a facial scrub but don't be afraid to use it anywhere on your body, especially any areas where you have dry flakey skin.  It is particularly good on oily skin as it helps to dry out spots. I use it once a week as the first step in getting glowing, gorgeous skin.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Olay Regenerist Eye Derma Pod £30.63

I got given a couple of these derma pods to try by a friend who had been using them for a couple of months. I was a little put back by the price as you don't even get a full months worth in the pack. I have never been one to shy away from expensive products if they do a decent job. I thought the concept of them was great and they had a good novelty value but over all I wasn't left sold on the idea. They were nice for an occasional eye treat but I am not certain that I would want to use them everyday.

Monday 7 March 2011

Bliss Fatgirlslim £28.60

If I asked my friends 99% would say that they aren't happy with their derriere. As us girls get older our youthful skin takes a bit of a battering on our rear end and almost all of us are left with cellulite and skin that we would like to be firmer. There are many products that claim to do what fatgirlslim does but fall short in the results department. I can tell you till I'm blue in the face how great this product was. After only a week I was running around in my pants showing my butt to everyone that would look. Ok that was a slight exaggeration, it was just my man friend but I did feel like showing everyone else! If my word isn't strong enough for you then clinical tests have proved how great this cream is. 


• 87% saw a firming effect
• 85% felt a slimming effect
• 73% noticed a reduction in the appearance of cellulite
*Results reported from an independent clinical study conducted over a 28 day period.

It's slowing coming up to bikini weather so you have plenty of time to get some fatgirlslim and get a rear end you are proud of! 

Sunday 6 March 2011

Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream $19.95


When I first came across sea buckthorn it was in relation to how nice an accompaniment it was to fish. I knew the berries were a glorious bright orange but up until a few weeks ago I never knew it was included in beauty products. 

I was delighted to find out the there was a cosmetics company that used sea buckthorn exclusively in all its products, step forward Sibu. The first product I tested was from the facial cream and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. First off it has a lovely citrus scent that is lovely and refreshing in the morning. The formula is light weight and non greasy making it perfect for morning application as you don't need to wait very long for it to absorb before you put your makeup on. Its free from parabens and cruelty free making it not only lovely for your skin but also for the environment. 


Saturday 5 March 2011

Some Like It Hot £7.92


Soap and Glory have put a little bit of magic into their body scrub to create 'some like it hot'. As you rub it into your skin it heats up making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It has a good gritty texture to leave your skin feeling lovely and soft and like a snake that has just shedded its skin.

I love getting into the bath after a hard day and rubbing this all over me when it is cold outside. It does mange to create quite a heat so best not used on your most delicate of areas!

Friday 4 March 2011

Eye Rescue £25.50



I was lucky enough to be taken to stay in a posh hotel the other week. In the evening they came and did a 'turn down' service. Normally they leave a little chocolate on the pillow but this time I got a little tube of Molton Brown's eye rescue. I mean how treated can one person get!

I didn't sleep well that night, which is becoming a growing problem but could be so much worse. In the morning when the alarm went I was not looking forward to getting out of bed. I smoothed some of the eye rescue onto my eyes and it had a lovely cooling effect making my eyes feel much more awake.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Paul Mitchell Colour Care


It's only been in the last year that I have gone from being a life long blonde (well ish) to a dark brunette. Within weeks I could feel the difference in my hair. It felt drier, thiner and rougher. A friend suggested that I use Paul Mitchell colour care. Not only is it specially formulated to smooth and condition coloured hair but it also helps dyed hair hold its colour for much longer.


After my latest dye I started using it to see if I could notice any difference. Instantly I noticed that my hair felt better, stronger and softer. It took a couple of weeks to see how it affected the colour. Normally at three weeks after a dye I start to notice that the colour has faded and not looking as vibrant as it was. It has now been three weeks since I last hut the bottle and my hair still looks as great as it did when it was first coloured. I am now completely hooked and it is going to become a staple in my hair routine.

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Cetuem Nail Enamel £9.50



To match the warmth and blue skies of the spring and summer seasons Cetuem has adopted baby blues, shimmering shades of royal blue complemented with smokey greys and shades of mushroom brown.

No 27 a soft crème baby blue to make you dream of blue skies and match the pastel colours you'll be wearing during the warm seasons
No 29 a metallic royal blue for a funkier spring/summer look
No 44 a shimmery smokey grey for a touch of adventurous glamour
No 275 a crème mushroom brown perfect with those nudes and neutrals as seen on the catwalks or


It was the first time I had tried Cetuem nail enamels and I am so pleased with the results. It took a couple of coats to get the desired colour and coverage and I was a little worried as when you do that with regular nail varnish it has a tendency to chip off really easily. Cetuem just felt really strong on my nails, smooth and resistant. I had a colour on for a whole week without the slightest bit of chipping or flaking. I have been so impressed by the wearability of them. What is also great is that they are so easy to take off, just the gentlest wipes with some remover and the colour just slid off. The dark colour didn't stain my nails so an added bonus. The have an amazing array of colours it might be hard to pick which one is your favourite! 





Tuesday 1 March 2011

The scent thats got me bewitched


Nina Ricci are proud to present the first Ricci Ricci limited edition fragrance, Dancing Ribbon; a modern, mischevious and audacious scent. The House of Nina Ricci has been behind some of the most successful fragrances of the last century, including L’Air Du Temps (1948), Fille D’Eve (1952), Capricci (1961), Farounche (1974) and Nina (2006). Ricci Ricci is the latest fragrance in this historic perfume range.

The fragrance was developed by two perfumers, Aurélien Guichard and Jacques Huclier, the noses that created the original Ricci Ricci fragrance. The delicious top notes of raspberry, rhubarb and ginger add a spicy mood. The heart note is provided by the sumptuous Beauty of the Night, a flower that releases its perfume only when it blooms after dark and which is already represented as the central note of Ricci Ricci. Voluptuous tuberose and the Centifolia rose accompany the heart of the scent. And to emphasise this disturbing sensuality, the bewitching base notes of patchouli and sandalwood.

A perfume is a work of art, and the object that contains it must be a masterpiece” Robert Ricci.

The limited edition Ricci Ricci Dancing Ribbon draws its inspiration from the archives of the House of Ricci, and pays tribute to its three facets; fashion, art and perfume. The ribbon, no longer pink but flame red, adorns both the bottle and its box, a colour that was important in Madame Ricci’s fashion sketches. Inspired by pop art, reminiscent of Bert Stern’s famous photo session with Marilyn Monroe, The Last Sitting, this poppy-red ribbon lends its signature to the limited edition visual, like a dash of fluorescent highlighter.