Thursday, September 25, 2014

All that Jazz

I was lucky enough to receive a bee bar lotion sample at Olympia


In this little tin is a solid moisturiser, you can warm it in your hands to soften the block or just apply straight to dry areas ( heels, elbows etc...)

This can be a bit greasy if you apply too much but for those who love a natural product which you can chuck in your handbag it would become a staple essential. 
i have the hawain scent which is a little sickly for my personal liking buy not unbearable by any means.
the bar contains shea butter which on its own it a great moirsuriser, All that Jazz then add golden Joba and sweet almond oil and this bar is transformed into a jam packed moisturisation sensation!

The bar costs £14.99 but i imagine this will last a long time and you won't get any wastage as you don't have to squeeze any from a bottle. 

Bee bar lotion would make a lovely gift and can be added into anyones beauty bag, personally i enjoy applying my creams so this doesn't tick the box for me, but that said i will continue to use the bee bar and who knows i could end up becoming a fan.

So thank you All that jazz for my gift!

this weeks round up friday 25th September

Autum is here its official so whats going on this week!

well i have been talking hair with Stacey Johnson from Updoo on what is this seasons key essentials for hair ups.

"Wedding hair is all about accessories! Hair bands, bespoke hair clips and slides. Brides are edging away from the floral crowns and flowers in the hair now the weather is changing, and instead opting for more statement jewelled hair pieces. Plaits, Plaits and more plaits are still hugely popular! Not just for the brides but for a great party look too. Curls and softly side swept hair ups are still proving to be popular but almost 'messy' relaxed curls or up do's with much more texture seems to be the look at the moment. Almost 'undone' hair."


With this in mind i recommend you to check out some of stacey's work via link below (she's definitely going to be my hair stylist when i next go out!)
http://www.updoo.co.uk/weddings.html

Lipstick is back and with brands heading towards, the deep dark reds this season, with perfect skin thanks to the newly launched foundations ( as i touched on last week) and eye colour shades ranging from nudes to smokey eyes now is the time to update your make up bag. Im going to be bold and step outside my comfort zone and try adding a red lip to my make up bag. but you will have to come back to find out which brand i recommend.





Australian beauty Natalie Imbruglia, is launching her anti ageing skincare brand Iluka Skincare, it will be interesting to see what this range brings to the market as Australian skincare brands are few and far between and often lack the technology and science to really make a foot print in the skincare market. Maybe this is why Natalie decided to create the company?

    And finally i have been addicted to using my Neo face lift pro device with thanks to Neo Elegance, i don't want to get you all too excited yet, but i am having some fantastic results so keep your eye on my blog and also on Neo Elegance they are going to be making quite an impact. 

my much needed manicure

I definatly needed a manicure and i would have had to fight to get through the OPI stand at Olympia so today i finally got round to it.

i couldn't make my mind up as usual, so i went for something not like me

taupe less beach and for a bit of sparkle gaining mole mentum (I love the OPI names)
i have opted for the OPI gel as they last the full 2 weeks they claim and they don't damage your nails (and i don't have to touch my nails for 2 weeks), i did try and i have gone the whole summer without a manicure but i have got to admit i do like having my nails done. there i said it! nothing beats a salon manicure.


This photo doesn't do the colour justice it has a very slight mink tone. but heres the link for those who want to view its true colour!

Thanks to hollie at polished you've done a great job as usual

Id love to know whats your favourite OPI colours send me your pics!

Monday, September 22, 2014

My brilliant weekend at olympia

I don't even know where to begin. I've made so many notes and met some really great people.
But here's a taster of what to expect on the blog this week

Neo Elegance launched the bioswiss skincare range alongside the fabulous LED and skin needling devices. They packed me a bag full of goodies and I'm excited to be working with Farrah and her team at Neo Elegance.

The advanced beauty conference was brilliant I spent most of my day listening to talks from some of the industry's top Dr's and clinical professionals. This conference was spearheaded by the "Cosmetic coach" Antonia Mariconda who is the founder of the Safe in beauty campaign, (which i will write about over the next few weeks). Antonia managed to get together some great speakers and my note book is so full, its going to take me a good few days to write it all up! nose jobs, education and best practice, with the PRP Dracula facial talk my personal highlight of the advanced beauty conference.

Quick thank you to Maggie at Mii cosmetics who re applied my foundation at Olympia to ensure i still looked fresh faced and gorgeous. Thanks Maggie x

Opi did not fail as predicted and when i finally managed to get through the crowds to the front of the display i was impressed with this seasons range.

And finally a big thank you to Olympia and my press bag of goodies, i will be looking for product testers over the next few weeks so keep your eyes on the blog! i can't test all these products myself!

Wow what a weekend have a good week, i know i will xx





Thursday, September 18, 2014

This weeks round up

This week lots of new things have been going on in the world of cosmetics.

Big name brands have hit back with there foundations, featuring on many of the models faces at London fashion week. Over the last few years BB and CC creams have had been in the limelight but now foundations are back and ready to make an impact again. I will of course be testing these over the next few weeks.

Spa at home a (party at home company), have launched their winter range which includes some great gadgets to help improve your complexion so it seems everyone is jumping on board with technology and great to see a party plan company finally take the step!

Olympia beauty is this weekend, which is an event for professionals to see all the new products on the market and meet with others who share the same passion and interests. I'm excited as they are launching their advanced skincare and cosmetics conference which gives me a chance to get my hands on some amazing goodies and find out what's coming next in advanced skin care. (also a much needed day off from my little ones, I love them but am really looking forward to adult conversation).

And finally
I will have a great feature for your next week about winter party hair but I don't want to give to much away..........






Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Do gadgets and technology have a place in our facials?


As i have mentioned in my previous posts, advanced skincare and cosmetics are making their mark, but its not all lotions and potions?

Medical devices have also managed to get involved, and quickly progressed from sizeable machines to portable and easy to use equipment.

Skin needling

1995 was when Dr Orentreich first played with the idea of piercing scars, he reported some improvements on the treated areas,  it was then in 1997 plastic surgeon Dr Andre Camirand trialed using a tattoo gun with skin coloured pigments, patients reported that well after the colour pigment  had gone the scars looked better with a smoother texture. it was the puncturing or wounding of the skin that had improved the scars. subsequently this was then the dermal roller started to evolve, finally coming to the medical forefront in 2006 by Dr Desmond Fernandes.

Scar tissue and the layers below all become tangled, uneven, and raised, essentially by piercing the skin you are breaking the tangles and allowing them room to rejuvenate, collagen is then produced this plumps and firms the skin giving it a smoother more even finish.
The needles sizes vary from 0.25mm- 4mm but only the later end can be used by medically trained staff. Repeated treatments are required to achieve optimum results, home devices are also available but it is always best to seek profession advice before purchasing and attempting needling. 


Medik8 dermaroller via effortlessskin.com 

I am fascinated and can't wait to find out more and how the concept of skin needling is still evolving........





Friday, September 12, 2014

Olympia beauty what I'm excited about!

I am really excited to be going to Olympia beauty next sunday, its a way for professionals to look at what products and brands are available and to get a look into up and coming trends in the beauty industry.
So i have scanned through the exhibition guide and heres who and what i am looking forward to seeing.


Neo Elegance will be launching Neo skin rejuvenator this is a costly device at £225, however with 5 functions I'm keen to see this gadget. I have used devices like this before and found them very helpful and so easy to use.


    "A revolutionary device that combines LED, Ultrasonic, Massage and Ion Therapy to uncover beautifully perfected skin. The amalgamation of these therapies combats leading skin problems in one experience".

    Picture and description from Olympiabeauty.co.uk
    I also think there LED derma roller looks interesting and maybe i will get to experience a skin needling session....... if your reading Farrah Allarakha - Managing Director of Neo Elegance.

     Cherry blooms are an Australian company, who have created a brush on fibre for eyelashes without glue, this 2 step product is an alternative to mascara or extensions, i will definatly be visiting Cherry blooms at Olympia, as i love extensions but hate the up keep. 

    Picture from cherryblooms.com.au

    Opi will be launching their Nordic collection, i am a big fan of there nail varnishes as they are extremely long lasting, easy to apply and they have some great shades especially the glitter ones, i do like a bit of sparkle! 



    CACI- international  non surgical lifting and contouring face and body systems, has been established for 2 decades, many celebs are known for having CACI facials, I'm fascinated by non surgical devices and treatments so this ticks all the boxes and i look forward to learning more about how the system works and what treatments are available.


    image caci-international.co.uk

    And finally
    Mii make up, I have first hand experience of Mii as a consultant for Spaathome, they exclusively sell Mii which is otherwise only sold through spas and salons. I enjoyed the few products i have used but it will be nice to speak to the team and hopefully they will give me some tricks and tips i can share with you all! (i love the mineral foundation). 

    So next week i will be preparing for London: facial, nails, tan and hair heres hoping the kids let me get on and i don't get any tan on them!