Henry Holland and Elegant Touch

Although this week I have been sporting more sebduced nails, nail art is still a huge trend this season, and it looks like one that will be around for the foreseeable future!

Heartbreaker Nails

If you struggle creating designs yourself, and don't have a local salon you can turn to for those occasions that just scream out for a nail art talking point, then from next week you can turn to your local Boots or Superdrug store. 

Nail giant Elegant Touch have collaborated with British designer Henry Holland to create a range of false nails, each featuring a nail art design, inspired by House of Holland collections. 

You can choose from 9 designs, including the understated Classy Nude and Dotty or show shopping Geek Chic, Face Ache and Get Nailed.

My favourite is HeartBreaker, which features a deep nude base with rich red heart shaped tips, and four nails with a broken heart design. I think we can all use our imagine for which fingers in particular these are for!!

Costing under £10, this a great way to accessorise a simple outfit and embrace the latest nail art trend! 

The Henry Holland Elegant Touch Collection

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser

Wearing make-up on a daily basis, especially when working at QVC, leaves me desperate for make up free skin as soon as I get home.

So, I'm always looking for new cleansers to try for an indulgent at home facial, and the department store beauty halls are always full of things to try!

This week I've been using Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser, which they claim is a one stop formula which removes eye and face make up, whilst deeply cleansing and toning skin too. It's also won a heap of awards, which always intrigues me!


Philosophy say-

purity is natural. we come into this world with all the right instincts. we are innocent and perceive things as they should be, rather than how they are. our conscience is clear, our hands are clean and the world at large is truly beautiful. it is at this time we feel most blessed. to begin feeling young again, we must begin with the most basic step of all, the daily ritual of cleansing.

The rich, creamy cleanser smells absolutely divine, surprising since this is a fragrance free product! It massages easily into damp skin, foaming slightly after 30-60 seconds. I then remove with my staple, Liz Earle muslin cloth soaked in warm water, working in circular movements around my face to gently exfoliate my skin too. 

Afterwards my skin feels soft, supple and even moisturised. The perfect place to start my night, regime!

With a 90ml travel size available in Boots for only £9, or the bathroom cabinet sized, 471ml for £28.50, this is definitely one cleanser I will be purchasing again in future.

Festival favourites- Hair

Well now you have your Festival make-up and beauty sorted lets move onto hair!

From the early noughties when Kate Moss and Sienna Miller sported tousled bed-head locks, the words festival hair and boho have gone hand in hand. And when you don't have a mirror or plug socket in reach, relaxed hair is definitely the way forward!

So where to start?! Well, if your budget allows, I would highly recommend visiting your local salon for a wash and blow dry the day before. If not, use a deep cleansing shampoo twice, to ensure your hair is squeaky clean! After all its going to be a while before its washed again! 

Toni and Guy Cleanse Shampoo is fantastic on virgin and highlighted hair, however if like me, you regularly colour your hair be careful with detox shampoo's. Just make sure you give your hair a really good scrub! Finish with your usual conditioner.

If you are having your hair blown at a salon, discuss the option of having it blown curly. Hugely popular in our Liverpool salon, So Coco Rouge, this will leave your hair full of bounce and volume which will last for days- especially if you ask to have the curls pinned until you arrive at your camp site!

If you are styling your hair yourself, start by applying a volumising mousse to roots and blow dry straight. Next, take sections around 1 inch thick and wind around either a wand or tong. My favourites are Remington Pearl Curling Wand and Babyliss Glamour Tong. To keep your curls tighter for longer, roll each section back up and pin close to the scalp, leaving for as long as possible. Misting a flexible hold hairspray all over to finish.

Once you are unpacked, with tent set up and a cold cider waiting, un-pin your curls and brush through using your fingers or a soft bristle brush. For extra volume you could also add backcombing at the root and crown area.

Now its time to decorate! Floral crowns are always a popular choice at festivals, I love the range by Rock N Rose - well if it's good enough for Pixie Lott its good enough for me! These guys have a great selection to choose from- you could easily choose a different one for each day your there!

Don't forget to pack the festival hair must have Batiste Dry Shampoo. As the days go on, this will not only absorb excess oil but add texture and volume too! Worried about loosing your curls? Try plaiting your hair overnight- this will help to eliminate frizz and keep your waves in place until you get home! 

Know that you will really struggle with your hair? Then head over to the Vanity Van!

Simply book your treatment online before you leave to avoid the queues!

Red Lips even in Summer?

As a girl who wears a matte pillarbox red lip on a daily basis, when it comes to Summer I am usually at a loss as which lip colour and texture to turn to.

Last year, for example, I rocked orange toned reds, such as MAC Vegas Volt and Lady Danger finished with a slick of MAC Lip Conditioner to protect my lips from the UK's mild sun.

The year before I even headed down the pink route, with my all time favourite MAC bright  Girl About Town, but this year I was really at a loss.

Left- Vegas Volt.                   Right- Lady Danger

That was until the team at No7 introduced me to their new BB Lips and High Shine Lip Crayon.

Both offer a sheer slick of my favourite 'real red' colour, perfect for the long hot summer we are all awaiting!

I must admit I was a little bit wary of BB Lips to begin- really yet another product spouting this 'BB' / 'CC' nonsense?!! (I'm a little concerned this will carry on until we reach 'ZZ' in 2038....)

But, one simple application later and I had quickly reversed my opinion. 

My initial reaction was to how pigmented my 'Berry Rose' shade was. I imagined it would be a very sheer tint, but it actually gave me the depth of colour I usually experience from a cream or moisturising lipstick. The angled plastic end makes for simple application, even when mirror-less. But as the colour is so strong, I would still advise taking a peek in your compact just to check its looking good and neat!

With such a glossy finish, you would usually expect a sticky, tacky texture- but surprisingly BB Lips feel smooth and  very comfortable to wear. Packed with rich emollients and anti-oxidents, as well as an SPF 15, its the ideal lip care product to wear all year round.

Now, onto my High Shine Lip Crayon, in which I chose the red toned shade (surprise, surprise) 'Berry'.

Shaped like a kids jumbo crayon, these glossy lip colours are perfect for a soft lip look. But, if like me you have an odd lip line, you may want to lightly line your lips in a matching shade, just to act as a guide line when applying.

One application leaves my lips with a slight hint of colour, but brilliantly, you can re-apply as many times as you wish to achieve as strong a colour as you wish! Like BB Lips, the finish is glossy, yet feels smooth and highly moisturising. 

Priced at only £8.50 and £9.00, and currently on a Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price offer, these are definitely two summer staples I won't be without!

OPI Nail Envy

Carrying heavy make-up kits, daily typing and the rubbish weather we have had this spring have definitely taken its toll on my poor nails.

Breaking, cracks and splits are a pain to most people- but when you work in the beauty industry it is even more important that your nails look good 24/7!

So, for me its OPI's hero product, award winner and best seller Nail Envy to the resuce!

Containing hydrolised wheat protein, (which is very similar to Keratin the protein our nails are made of!) calcium and vitamin E, this is one nail strengthener that packs a punch. 

Application is simple- clean your nails of all varnish using a non-acetone nail varnish remover and file nails down to a suitable length. I like mine just over the finger tip, perfect for when I am working around the delicate eye area!!
Nail file wise, I absolutely love the OPI crystal file, which enables you to file in any direction without the risk of causing splits. Be careful not to drop yours though- trust me, they do shatter when dropped on a tiled floor!!!!

1. Apply your first coat of nail envy, which acts as your base coat. 
2. Follow with two coats of your favourite OPI nail lacquer, if you wish
3. Apply a second coat of envy as your top coat
4. Apply another coat of envy every other day 
5.Remove on day 7 and start again!

OPI claim you will see visible results within 4-6 weeks- and they are not wrong!!

I like to use the Original formula, which has a high gloss, but the Matte formula is perfect as the base coat as it ensures your nail lacquer adheres well for a long lasting chip free finish.

The Matte formula is also a favourite amongst men, children and those of us who work in catering or care industries. My mum for instance works for the NHS and the alcohol hygiene gels they constantly use causes havoc with her nails. Using Matte envy protects her nails and creates a healthy looking nail, but it's completely undetectable. Win win!

If like me, you are a fan of gel polish like OPI Gel Colour or Shellac, its important give our nails some extra TLC in-between appointments. I like to give my nails a break one week a month, treating them to some Nail Envy love, to prepare them for the next gel application. The beauty being I can still wear my favourite red polish whilst treating them!


OPI is available from most UK salons, Boots, John Lewis.
But, for a real bargain, tune into QVC on Sunday 16th June at 12 noon where you will find a fantastic OPI offer to celebrate their latest nomination at this years QVC Customer Beauty Awards!

If like me, you already love Nail Envy, then you can place your vote here!

Benefit They're Real Mascara

There is nothing I like more than receiving a freebie with my monthly glossy- and this month I was one happy girl indeed when the postie dropped Elle through my letter box!

Not only did the cover star a sexy yet androgynous looking Miley Cyrus, hiding in the bottom corner was a tasty little treat for us make-up junkies.

The UK's Number 1 selling mascara, Benefit 'They're Real'.

Image- Benefit Cosmetics

I have been tempted to use this mascara since it was launched, but after not being 100% happy with the result of Benefits famous mascara 'Bad Girl Lash' back in 2005 I was wary. At £19.50 it isn't a majorly expensive purchase in comparison to some brands, but when the Max Factor mascara I know and trust is half the price, its hard to break free!

So, lucky for me, Elle has granted me a week long trial before I commit to making it a more permanent fixture in my daily routine!

What does this mascara offer our lashes then?

Try lengthening, volumizing, lifting, curling and separation for starters.

Add a unique domed brush head, complete with plastic bristles and a long lasting, smudge proof formula and there you have the recipe for luscious lashes all night long.

Following my daily technique- wiggling the brush from side to side as I comb the mascara from root to tip and grabbing the corner lashes with the tip of the brush- my first observation was to how wet the brush was. Usually this would indicate an overload of product, but my lashes stayed surprisingly clump free. 

My short lashes definitely appeared longer, lifted and more defined. But thicker?
Not as much as my sparse lashes need. In fact, I was even tempted to sneak my Max Factor fave out of my bag and add a coat to bulk them out a touch.

Two Coats of They're Real mascara

And I can hand on heart say it most certainly is. 


 The final claim that Benefit make is that this mascara is long lasting and smudge free.
How do I know?

Well, I was a very naughty girl and after 11 hours of beautifying the whole of Liverpool in So Coco Rouge, followed by a friends Birthday BBQ, I collapsed in a sober heap, full face of make-up in place.

Waking 8 hours later, I discovered that not only was my floral pillowcase make-up free (this is usually not the case on a Sunday morning) I, for once, did not resemble a panda. 

24 hours later....

So, most importantly- will I be making the purchase? 

YES!

Probably not for day to day use, as I definitely need a bit more thickness to my lashes, but for holidays and long work days, I will most certainly be pulling this little gem out of the bag.

PS...

The eyeliner I am still rocking 24hours later is No7 Stay Perfect, but we'll talk more about this soon!

150th Birthday of Bourjois

Do you remember what was stashed in your teenage self's make-up bag?

As I make-up addict, I can remember mine vividly! But rather than a bag, I dedicated an entire drawer (and this was no small drawer, think wardrobe sized!) to hundreds of brightly coloured eye shadows, lipsticks and blushers. Brand wise, my pocket money would only stretch to what is now known as 'drugstore' brands, meaning every Saturday I could be found lurking down the Boots self selection aisle, my arms covered in a variety of product swatches.

With their fun advertisements, innovative products and pretty packaging, Bourjois, was one of my favourite brands, with Coup De Theatre mascara being my most regular purchase. This dual ended product contained a primer packed with silicone fibres on one side, which you applied prior to the regular black mascara found on the other, to create thicker, longer lashes. 

A first of it's kind when it was launched back in 2001.

This year the cult beauty brand are celebrating their 150th birthday!

Not many of you will be aware that Bourjois was originally started in the Parisian theatre district by actor Joseph Albert Ponsin, before being taken over by Alexandre- Napoleon Bourjois in 1863.

Like fellow make-up mastermind Max Factor, Bourjois first product, waxy lipsticks, were created especially for theatre actors. 

Image- Bourjois

By the time the first world war started in 1914, their now famed Little Round Pot, which was a pink blush called Cendre de Roses, was a favourite amongst women.

 Today, the shade 'Cendre de Roses' is still one of Bourjois' bestsellers- proof that you can't go wrong with a classic!

On May 15th four new blusher shades will be released to celebrate the anniversary. 

This cream to powder formula adds a pretty fresh flush to cheeks, are easily blendable and offer the longevity of a powder. 

Image - Bourjois

Image- Daily Mail.

Over the years Bourjois constantly launched innovative products, including beautifully packaged gift boxes and practical handbag sized make-up kits. This is a brand who are always evolving.

Today, Bourjois is a brand favoured by top make-up artists as well everyday beauty consumers. Products such as the improved Coup De Theatre 2 in 1 mascara, Healthy Mix foundation and Queen Attitude Khol Kajal often grace the pages of the glossies and are recommended by both beauty editors and bloggers alike.

One thing is for sure, with a price point that won't break the bank, pretty, feminine packaging and professional quality products, Bourjois is one brand that will no doubt be around for another 150 years. 

Happy Birthday Bourjois!

Boots No7 Project

My first project as a cosmetics expert has come through pretty quickly, thanks to my brilliant agents, Red24Management at the stunning Hospital Club near Covent Garden (If we lived closer, Robyn and I would kill to have our HQ here!!! One day!)

It's a great project that takes me right back to me roots- my first ever job- at my local Boots store, working on the fragrance counter and drooling at the No7 counter that was opposite me. 

At every given chance I'd jump on there and help the customers with their product enquiries, which luckily lead to the opportunity to cover counters during low staff and taking me down the make-up route I so desperately wanted to explore.

So getting the phone call from Joanna, at Red24, sharing the news that Boots themselves had chosen me, and a top make-up artist and blogger, Kath Gould for their latest product launch was a dream come true! After many conference calls, hundreds of emails and countless sleepless nights, myself and Kath were announced as the Cosmetics Experts and Social Media Managers for their innovative Foundation Match Made Service.

The Match Made Service, in case you haven't heard (and you should of- it really it the word on every women's lips) is a revolutionary device No7 have spent 3 years researching an developing. The small hand held device has a 8 LED and 1 UV light, which enter the skin at a variety of angles. The device then takes a number of photographic images of your skin to match you with your correct foundation shade from their extensive range. The range incidentally is vast. No7 have tested 2000 UK women's skin tone to develop 17 skin true shades, which are available across all 7 formulation types. Phew!

I was lucky enough to pop into mu local store and old workplace to enjoy the service on launch morning, where counter manager Kelly matched my shade to Deeply Ivory. After a thorough analysis of my skin type and amount of coverage/look I required, Kelly suggested I try Stay Perfect or Beautifully Matte, depending on my look that day. But I couldn't leave without some to try in work, so I ended up with 6....well they were on 3 for 2 after all!

I can honestly say I love them both, and I'm really impressed with the shade chosen by the device. if only I could have one of these in my kit for emergencies- I'd make life on a dark set so much easier!

One week into my project for No7, and I love it. Answering women's queries and seeing their excitement for the product and new range on Facebook is infectious. Its great to hear their relief at finally having the stress taken out of choosing that all important base!

Take a look at the page I work on here- www.facebook.com/no7