Are men now spending more time grooming before a date than women?

Sometimes something lands in my inbox that makes me question my fellow human beings.  The new ‘date-onomics’ poll, conducted by MSN is a prime example.  This new poll consists of data gathered from two thousand participants (men and women) regarding their dating lives and the results, quite frankly, leave me wanting to gauge my eyes out. 

For instance, did you know (according to MSN) men are now spending more on grooming before a first night of passion than women are? Nope, neither did I.  Nor did I realise that before a red-hot date, men are now investing in new bed linen, Columbian waxes (I don’t even want to visualise this one) and facials.  Now, if you are a member of the male species and you do partake in this behaviour, fair enough.  But I am pretty sure this poll must have been conducted either in The City, Liverpool town centre, or perhaps Romford, as I am hella sure if I interviewed one thousand men in the Yorkshire Dales I would get somewhat different results.  I have no problem whatsoever with male grooming, in actual fact male-only salons are a burgeoning market. But if this poll has been devised to make me believe all men are behaving this way, then I must be in Lala land…or just dating the guys that wear really bad underwear.

My Attempts at Nailing the Nail Art Trend

Did you know that the nail industry is worth an estimated £50 million pounds these days?  Those little nails on the end of your toes and fingers have become as big a business almost as hairdressing and skin care.  Now, I’m not saying popping down to the salon for a lil’ mani pedi is a recent invention, but since 2012 the trend (and demand) for innovation in the nail biz has boomed.  With the likes of Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey, as well as designers such as Mary Katrantzou and friends demanding unique and trend led nail art for their shows and public appearances, it seems every make-up brand who serve up their own polish is attempting to outdo each other in the innovation stakes.  Take Barry M’s crackle effect for instance.  What nail brand doesn’t have a version now?  Essie’s concrete effect is set to be the next standard, as is the increasing desire for at home Shellac and such manicures, causing UV lamps to soar in popularity (although the jury is still out on whether LED lamps would be a less risky alternative). 

Having loved painting nails since I was little, I have recently started to get back in the saddle and invested in some nail art pens from Nails Supreme after visiting their stand at the Vitality Show.  apparently these are the pens of choice the Wah Nails team uses, so I was assured I was purchasing the best.  After watching quite a few you tube demonstrations on various techniques (seriously, what did we do before you tube?) I spent some of my Easter weekend attempting several various designs…

As far as first attempts go I am relatively pleased.  But as they say, practice makes perfect.  Now, can you guess what they all are?

Skincare for Spring

After experiencing a temperature that didn’t make us wince for one whole day the other week, a ripple of (ok, very short-lived) optimism could be felt throughout the city.  Yes, we’re still not booking pedicures to accommodate open-toed footwear but the end of winter is in sight.  Well done everyone for pulling through. 

Not needing too much of an excuse to stock up on more skin products, I justified that a few new power products might be the ticket to herald in British Summer Time.  I also turn 29 this month (*sobs*) so feel my skin needs something other than a wet wipe and dab of cold cream.

These are my top selections for springy skin:

Perricone MD Blue Plasma £78

‘A non-acidic daily peel for brightness and glow with Salmon Roe Enzyme and Copper’

Blinding me with cosmeceutical science, this aqua-tinted serum-type substance boasts a peeling property which only targets dead skin cells, avoiding redness and irritation often associated with traditional exfoliation. Not only does it sweep away old skin, it also somehow throws some hydration into the mix.  I’m as baffled by the science as you, but after a week of using it daily underneath my normal skincare products, by the end of a long day in an airless office, in winter….my skin looks perkier and brighter than usual.  I love the tip of adding a  few drops to your skin before a workout for an extra clear-out of pores.

Considering I have sensitive skin, a few drops each day has felt completely comfortable and it’s easy to slot into your regular skincare regime.  Now the tired, wintry skin layers have been slewn off, I’m switching to alternate-day use as it’s pricey and I want to keep my complexion bright and glowy well into the longer evenings.

 

Murad Essential-C Cleanser £34

‘Cleanse environmentally damaged skin by removing impurities and potential irritants, restoring moisture and preparing skin for repair’

 

 

Vitamin C has long been rated a skincare favorite and Murad do a really good ‘sun undone’ range which tackle pigmentation and sun-impacted skin.  Central to this is the vitamin C cleanser which feels light and summery and washes away pollution and other debris without irritating.

 

Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream 50ml £92.50

 

 

Not only is this packed with grape goodness (proper terms include: Grapeseed Polyphenols, Resveratrol, Viniferine….), is designed to minimise signs of ageing and treat pigmentation,  it feels really light and buttery making it a pleasure to use.  My winter-beaten skin looks less terrified after a few pumps of this award-winning luxury treatment.

 

Phytokératine Serum £17

 

Not forgetting hair, after a few months of laziness, I finally booked in for a trim and hung my head in shame as the hairdresser gasped at my split ends and then watched in sheepish hesitancy as she chopped away fervently at my locks, attempting to recapture some shine and movement.  Vowing not to get another telling off I’ve started using a repairing serum to style my hair as well as reconstruct and seal/prevent split ends on a daily basis.  This is like a moisturiser for your hair:

 

Where There’s a Niche There’s a Way | The Perfect Lipstick to Wear with Your Double Denims?

Call me crazy, but when I was given a tube of Lipstick Queen’s ‘Jean Queen’ to test out following our night out at the Giles Deacon QVC Jewellery event on Monday, I did laugh out loud.  The beauty industry generates billions of pounds each year recycling the same products and blinding us with new packaging, new marketing tactics and new ‘scientific discoveries’ which will trick us in to handing over that Boots advantage points card.  Now, don’t get me wrong,  I am a beauty product junkie but I’m not naive about it.  I know what works for me and I know that there aren’t really crushed diamonds in my VO5.  But as long as you are aware of this, then what is the harm in having fun at the beauty counter?  

Despite my reservations and the brazen statements put forward by ‘Jean Queen’ founder Poppy King about this being the perfect shade for any skin tone to wear with your skinnies etc, I decided to not write it off straight away and have indeed been testing out the theory.

Whilst the lipstick claims to perfectly offset ‘the blue in the fabric and lights up your whole face’, as well as suit ALL ethnicities, ALL ages and ALL types of jeans (starting to sound a tad farfetched now, isn’t it?) it also promises to be extra moisturisng.  Now, I can’t say I have had any compliments about how much my lips draw out the hues in my levi’s jacket so far, but I must admit the colour is a dream and does (despite my attempts to prove it wrong) suit my complexion quite well.  Not only this but it stays true to its word on the nourishing side and hasn’t yet required a quick slick over with the gloss or lip balm.  Surprisingly, I find myself with vitally no complaints and actually applauding ‘Jean Queen’ even if it is just a nice shade and sits well.  At $18 (available online- ironically this is now sold out temporarily on QVC but you can read other reviews here) it isn’t far off the same price you would spend treating yourself to a decent ruby-red Chanel lipstick or a Dior lip glaze is it? Whether it does the rest of what it claims remains to be seen…

My new winter hobby | Long, hot baths

There’s no better feeling than staggering through the front door, tired from yet another day at work (I went yesterday, and the day before….), damp from Autumnal drizzle, then throwing off your coat and ouchy shoes… and immediately getting a bath going. 

 

Without looking through the mail, acknowledging your boyfriend or having the ‘what shall we have for tea’ chat, I reckon you can be through the door and in a bath within 5 minutes.

In summer there’s not the same satisfaction as you’re not as chilled or windswept and there’s normally better things to be doing on a balmy summer’s evening.  But in winter I’d happily cancel dinner dates to indulge in an extended bath R&R.

I’m not concerned with therapeutic sounds or ambient lighting.  Soothing music and fiddly candles add to preparation time but if you’ve had a particularly hectic day….throw in all the whale sounds and lavender candles you need.  I just need some simple bath oil and a book or magazine and I’m in heaven.  Plus, sweating is a known detoxifier so it’s basically like going for a run….sort of.

Bathing Essentials:

Not just for severely dry skin, this is rich and non-irritating if your skin needs a mega moisture boost:

Boots Pharmaceuticals Derma Care Emollient Bath Oil (250ml) £3.99

Clean & Lean diet and wellness guru James Duigan recommends a simple, cheap (and lazy) way to detoxify by adding Epsom salts to your bath.

The Eco Bath – Epsom Salt Bath Soak for Muscle & Joint Pain, £8.49

 

•  Balance out the detox with a glass of wine…

 

• Book/magazine – I’m reading Fingersmith for book club…

 

Shower cap if it’s not a hair-wash day.  No one said it was meant to be a glamorous activity….

 

 

•  Phone – relaxing can incorporate multi-tasking, just don’t send work e-mails after the wine.

 

Follow me @joanna_knowles

 

Beauty basics | Winter skin remedies

Is it just me or has the change in seasons caused more skin-angst than normal?  Mine is behaving quite badly; breaking out yet dehydrated.  In short, it appears to hate me.

Maybe it’s the increased wine drinking to keep warm, the occasional flicking on of the central heating or the fact that I’m no longer wearing maxi dresses so don’t care if my limbs shimmer….who knows.  What I do know is that this year (in a sort of new season resolution) I’m going to prevent scaly extremities and protect my face from high winds and unremitting drizzle.

Think how nice it’ll be to burst out of our cocoon when Spring finally rolls around not having to unleash industrial-grade exfoliants on wintery legs.  We just need to get the routines in motion now (ish)….

First off, all that summer body polishing isn’t going to work in a 48 hour pre-holiday panic.  Along with dry brushing (boring but works with cumulative effort) and a firming cream over a few months is bound to result in a more refined result if it’s a long-term endeavour:

Hands typically get a beating so exfoliate and keep a hand & nail cream er…handy. I love this almond oil for cuticles too:

In a bid to prevent colds and flu, antibacterial gel is an excellent little invention, however you are cleansing your hands not the toilet floor so go for these less-brutal versions:

A facial serum holds moisture for longer and provides a secondary layer to protect.

DHC  is Japan’s No.1 online skincare company and fuses natural ingredients such as olive oil with traditional beauty practices:

Cut down on drinking vino and apply the grapes to your skin instead:

Finally for hard-core winter protection, i.e. snow days or skiing holidays these will create a physical barrier between you and the freezing air.

Beauty basics | Handbag essentials

I wish I was one of those people that could carry a chic clutch as a day bag containing just lippy, a credit card and a house key, but I’m not equipped to leave the house without a level of preparedness comparable to that of military personnel. But if I had to whittle my belongings down to absolute bare minimum, these are the beauty essentials that would survive the cull.

1. Fresh breath spray or natural mints. Essential for impromptu meetings, post work catch-ups or just if you have a burrito at lunch. Peppersmith Fresh Mints, £1.38, are made with real mint and contain no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or aspartame:

Alternatively a quick spritz of Swissdent Extreme Mouth Spray, £7.75, oxidizes bacteria that causes bad breath:

2. Facial Spray. Spritz throughout the day to retain moisture levels and keep make-up looking fresh and dewy. Re-energise with L’Occitane Verbena Sorbet Fresh Mist, £10. The gentle formula intensely refreshes face, body and hair whilst maintaining hydration levels. The mist is infused with a delicate perfume containing summery notes of citrus and mint.

To calm stressed skin keep Dermalogica Ultraclaming mist, £26.50,on your desk or the 50ml travel size in your bag. It soothes aggravated skin; perfect for complexions prone to redness or sensitivity.

3. Concealer. Rather than haul an extensive make-up kit around, stick to minimal must-haves that will take you from grey to groomed. Crème de la Mer The Radiance Concealer SPF25, £45, is a portable compact complete with teeny brush. A luxury complexion fixer which blurs blemishes and dark circles after a long day of screen-staring.

4. Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets x50, £2.99. These handy sheets provide an efficient and discreet way of blotting excess shine caused by oil that builds up on your skin during the day.

5. Lipbalm. Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour SPF15 is a richly moisturizing, non-sticky lip balm with ultra-pure grade lanolin and a hint of colour.

6. Eye spray. Optrex Actimist Eye Spray, £12.89 is a quick and hygienic way to relieve dry eyes. Unlike traditional drops, the spray application means you don’t look like you’re crying at your desk, it’s suitable for contact lens wearers and can be used over eye make-up.

Beauty Basics: Summer Hair Rescue

Jo’s just returned from two heady-hot weeks in the tropics for her honeymoon (congrats Mrs Knowles!) Ever the blogaholic, she telegraphed this post over from her beach lounger…

After a fortnight in Thailand I’ve got a hint of a tan but having grown up in Australia, one would be rugby-tackled to the ground if found recklessly wandering minus an SPF 50 epidermis, so I can never casually sunbathe. I’ve avoided a post-holiday paunch thanks to the Thai rice and vegetable diet, but my hair…oh god.

Half way through it was ready to pack up and get a flight back on its own. It looked beachy and tousled from some angles but felt like a ready salted crisp with eczema. Being a beauty-bore I was armed with a UV hair spritz (which I’d offer up to fellow bathers  like a first-aider handing out plasters at a festival) however the harsh salt and humidity had a stronger team. Luckily these rehab-hair treatments have calmed the frizz and twiglet texture:

Philip Kinglsey Elasticizer Extreme, £26.25

Originally created for Audrey Hepburn to remedy the ills of over-styling . This pre -shampoo treatment repairs extremely dry, porous hair to restore elasticity, shine and moisture. If its good enough for Audrey…

Ojon Dry Recovery Revitalising Moisture Mist,  £20

L’Oreal EverPure Colour Care & Moisture Conditioner, £5.99

Sulphate free and a bargain to boot.

Beauty Basics: Lip Balm

Some people say if you start using lip balm, you’ll become addicted.  I have to admit, I do get panicky when I’m not within arms reach of a lip moisturising hit and some days ‘use’ bi-hourly. I manage my dependency with multiple fixes (or rather, fixers) scattered throughout my bag, desk and flat. That’s why I’m devoting this week’s beauty basics to that most essential of all lip products.

Lips need to have a good surface area to provide a base for colour.  No one wants crumbly, chapped lipstick.  Regularly exfoliating will keep your lips supple and stop you peeling the dry skin when bored in meetings. So try Clarins Extra-Firming Lip & Contour Gentle Exfoliator, £19. This is only a recent discovery of mine and it is incredible.  Micro-sugar crystals smooth-away dry, flaky cells and impurities which may sound harsh on such a delicate area but the scrub is silky, gentle and is so darn good it leaves you feeling like you’ve got a brand new mouth.

 

Facial features which ‘stick out’ from your profile (namely nose/lips/tops of ears) need extra sun protection.  Think zinc-tinted aussie cricketers if you need a visual reminder.

Day lip products should therefore provide medium-high UVA/UVA protection.  For a less sport-fiendish look go for these versions which go on clear and smooth, like Piz Buin In Sun Sun Lipstick SPF20, £5.99

 

Murad’s solution cleverly combines moisture with an exfoliating component which is great on the go.  As a bonus the consistency is that of a luxury lip gloss making it doubly addictive. Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF15, £11.70

 

At night go all-out and slather on enough to last you eight hours.  These are my trusted lip repairers:

Blistex relief cream, £2.38

Eve Lom Kiss Mix not ony has a super-cute name but contains refreshing menthol to cool and freshen along with beeswax to seal in moisture. It can be used alone or over lipstick making it great for date night too. Eve Lom Kiss Mix 7ml, £16

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Tin 8.5g, £3.70

 

 

Seville a l’Aube|What happens when a perfume lover turns muse?

Have you ever wished that you were someone’s muse? That you inspired a great work of art or maybe a really amazing dress? Writer Denyse Beaulieu got to do just that, when her memories of a night of passion Spain inspired a perfume.

It all came about when Beaulieu encountered acclaimed perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour, who had read one of Beaulieu’s fragrance reviews online, at a trade fair. The two got to talking and Beaulieu began describing a vivid olfactory memory of a night in Seville.

‘I tell him about this very fragrant, beautiful night I’d had during Holy Week, under an orange tree in full blossom, in the arms of a beautiful Spanish boy with the processions passing through with the incense, and the crowd wafting these very fresh Spanish colognes that they have, and the beeswax candles burning.’ Duchaufour got rather excited: ‘He stares at me like a kid who’s listening to a fairy tale and he says “that would make a very good perfume. All the notes are there.”‘

So began the 18 month process that lead to Séville à l’Aube, the limited edition eau de parfum created for Parisian perfume house L’Artisan Parfumeur.

I learned all of this last Wednesday lunch time when I visited L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Covent Garden store to hear the pair tell the assembled press and bloggers how the perfume came about. After Beaulieu’s introduction, Duchaufour told us (in his wonderfully strong Gallic accent) about the three main ingredients of the formula: orange blossom, incense and lavender. He handed out samples of the those three scents, which all smelled pretty good to me. But it wasn’t job done as soon as the key notes were chosen.

‘It was a failure – it was a mess at the beginning,’ Beaulieu explained.

‘Denyse helped me,’ Duchaufour continued. ‘She gave me ideas, like what she was wearing at the time…but it was not enough.’ The solution came with the discovery that Andalusian lavender was what they needed, a scent, as I smelled for myself, that differs greatly from your regular purple lavender. ‘It became the perfect link.’ The result is a dramatically dark and heavy fragrance.

During the creative process, Beaulieu was working on a project of her own, a manuscript she called a ‘personal history of scent.’ Her partnership with Duchaufour wove it’s way in to her writing and the book, The Perfume Lover, became the story of Seville a l’Aube.

Séville a l’Aube limited edition eau de parfum is now available to buy from L’Artisan Parfumeur boutiques and online.

Beauty Basics | Cleanser

As I’ve harped on about previously, I’m a self-confessed beauty product-bore. On a sliding scale this is one up from a boyfriend-bore but two down from a baby-bore. Following on from my recent Skincare Steals piece, here’s the next weekly installment brought to you from my digital soapbox to impart my nuggets of wisdom. This week we’re starting with beauty basics: Cleanser.

Cleanser removes dirt, pollution and impurities (also known as dirt) from your face so serums and moisturisers work their self-proclaimed magic when applied to the skin.

I’m not a huge fan of harsh exfoliants or astringents and a regular cleansing routine may negate the need for intermittent skin-stripping treatments. Using a cleanser containing salicylic acid, natural scrublets (I made that word up) or a slightly abrasive face cloth will diminish dead cells gradually whilst keeping skin balanced. Ensuring a thorough routine at night means a splash of water or a sweep of toner will suffice in the morning.

As tempting as it is to rub a disposable wipe sleepily across both eyes before rolling into bed, a consistent approach will get results. Being lazy is fine one day out of every calendar month…the rest of the time, be strict.

1.       Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £14.25

A cleansing classic, Cleanse & Polish is a worldwide best seller. The starter kit comes complete with a muslin cloth and offers a no-fuss daily routine suitable for all age-groups and skin types. With a cult following and more awards than any mantelpiece could hold, it’s definitely worth a try.

2.       Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil-Free facial wash, £4.49

At the bargain end of the scale, Neutrogena excels in effective cleansers, catering for all skin types. Suitable for problem skin, this soap and alcohol free wash is a facial staple.

3.       LUSH Angel on Bare Skin Fresh Facial Cleanser, £6.25

This solid formula turns to a cleansing milk when mixed with water. The 100% natural ingredient list includes ground sweet almonds which lightly exfoliate while the selected essential oils balance and tone the skin.  It takes a while to get the application right and can be a bit messy but is great with continued use, especially on combination, sensitive or uneven skin.

 

4.       Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, £34

If you prefer to throw some science at the problem, dermatologist brand Murad does a high-performance exfoliating cleanser which you only need to use twice a week to see results. Exfoliation is boosted via a complex of salicylic, lactic and glycolic acid encouraging clarity and brightness by dissolving skin cell build-up. Perfect for older skin, the formula is gentle and simultaneously hydrates, multitasking its way into my favourites.

5.       Olay Daily Facials cloths, £4.09

These might remind you of your Gran and are harder to get hold of now but unlike newer facial wipes, these offer a much deeper clean. Just add water and get a proper foam face wash.  Brilliant for travelling (super light to pack) and a swift all-in-one solution for low-maintenance types.

There you have it, five clever cleansers to get you started. Next week I’ll be looking at the innovative world of skincare gadgets.

Skincare Steals|Hero beauty buys under a fiver

The best beauty buys aren’t always the most expensive. Here Joanna shares some of her favourite money-saving products.

Ever since the ‘bad years’ have been upon us, magazines have embraced recession-busting features on how to shop smarter and spend less.  However, sometimes ’50 under £50′ doesn’t always ring bargain bells in my ears. I’m your typical paycheque to paycheque sort of a creature and frequently endure pre-payday pinch.  However my one vice, which usually pushes me into the depths of my overdraft, is my obsession with beauty buys. I am an avid ‘product’ enthusiast; my dining room table is no longer a social eating space but a high-tech testing lab for the myriad of tinctures and tonics I’ve amassed. Here, I’ve whittled down a few of my favourite purchases that don’t have to wait until payday:

Firstly, don’t write-off basic or unbranded products.  The key is to go for cheaper ranges of larger umbrella brands as ultimately the extensive R&D trickles down to lower-end ranges.  The newly launched Simply Pure range by Superdrug has been well reviewed and as serums are usually costlier skincare items, this version is a bargain: Simply Pure Aqua Hydrating Serum, £4.99.  Brands like Nivea who offer a huge spectrum of skincare also do basics really well:  Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Oil Free Moisturising Day Cream SPF 8 50ml, £3.99

           

Another hint is to be creative and multi-task your products.  For example Vaseline Lip Therapy with Aloe Vera, £1.99 works perfectly as a soothing under eye night cream. Additionally, Tesco Baby Newborn Wipes, £1.36 can substitute more expensive facial cleansing wipes.  They’re designed for teeny babies so chances are they won’t irritate your skin.

                

Traditional skincare is often over-looked in favour of modern alternatives, however sometimes it hasn’t been fixed because it ain’t broke.  Boots Traditional Glycerin and Rosewater, £2.32 is simple, contains just a handful of ingredients and feels like a toner and lightweight serum in one. Similarly The Body Shop Cucumber Cleansing Milk, £4 is another excellent basic. Ignore the bland packaging and get stockpiling.

                            

Sleep deprived eyes don’t always need a miracle cream.  Eye drops can instantly brighten eyes and wake you up at the same time, Sainsbury’s Dry Eyes Drops, £2.60.

For problem skin Tea Tree Toner Water, £3.95 by Lush is a gentle spritz that balances oily skin without drama. Perfect for travel, the handbag sized spray has antibacterial properties which refreshes skin during a long flight or in hot weather.

Finally, save on cotton pads by switching to face-cloth cleansing.  Once associated with childhood bath times, flannels are back.  Buy a few and rotate, throwing one in the washing machine after each day.  These are lovely and as they are reusable, are definitely in my top 5 under £5: Organic Pharmacy Muslin Cloth £3.80

Share your own skincare steals in a comment below.

Celebrating The Vintage Cosmetic Company’s 1st Birthday in style

Last month Katie and I were lucky enough to be invited to the Vintage Cosmetic Company’s first birthday party, held at London’s swanky pants Soho Sanctum hotel.  Now, I will admit, I had only ever heard of The Vintage Cosmetic Company in passing, but can admit they put on a mighty fine soiree and managed to convert me to a devotee.  I discovered at the party that the beauty label originated from Chelmsford in Essex, just down the road from moi.  Apparently it IS a small world, after all.  

After being greeted by jealously inducing BABES in vintage style swimwear, we were treated to a nail wrap manicure by the lady who actually owns Nail Rock.  That’s right, owns it.  Talk about women doing it for themselves.  This manicure, consisting of stick-on nail art, took only around 5 minutes for her to obviously expertly apply (maybe add half an hour if its your first try) and lasted realistically around 5 days.  definitely worth it for special occasions, seeing as I couldn’t take my eyes of the amazing patterns for days!

We also partied with our gorgeous friend Lauren, from The Beauty Habit (below, right) and left feeling somewhat more glamorous and vintage-y.  We were lucky enough to come away with some amazing goodie bags too, and am currently in the process of testing the products included, so watch out for another Vintage Cosmetic Company product review very soon.

Top Tanning tips: Fake it the Smart Price Way

When it comes to overtly girly practices, like fake eyelashes, weekly mani-pedis and weekend trips to the Spa, I must say, I am somewhat of a late bloomer.  At Uni I descended so far down the ‘grunge’ path I was once mistaken by a train worker for a boy.  But since I began working in our nation’s capital, and becoming smothered with exceptionally well-groomed and well-heeled contemporaries every day, somehow the whole billion pound generating beauty business started to suck me in.  The baggy jeans went and the fake tan came out.  

Now, I’m sure I am not the only one who finds this particular beauty regime an absolute minefield.  And I am eternally grateful to certain friends who have done the St. Tropez to L’Oreal leg work for me, and tried and tested every type of tanning products out there.  Process of elimination has thus meant I have fared rather well these past couple of years with the best Boots has to offer, despite the occasional application mishap-in-a-hurry.  So I was intrigued when I received an email asking to road test the latest fake tan solutions Asda (yes, Asda’s own) had to offer.  Being a firm believer in you get what you pay for, I was somewhat apprehensive to see if the range would leave me and my lucky fellow road testers with a gorgeous sun-kissed glow, else end up looking like Patricia Krentcil (you know, the American ‘Tanning mom’).

However, I must say, myself and my guinea-pig friends were all really shocked by not only the price (prices start at £3.50) but the absolute ease of not only applying the tan (alway use a mitt people!) but how streak free and natural it leaves the skin looking.  One big problem I usually find, despite loving that digestive biscuity smell myself, is that many people shy away from fake tan due to the tell-tale smell.  Yet  this range appears to only carry a faint whiff on the biscuit jar, and thus most definitely won’t give you away.

So seeing as it looks like Summer is going to be a wash out anyway, and if like me you can’t get away this year (but want to act like you have) just take a holiday to the beauty isle in Asda, else shop online here.

Pretty fly for Superdry? Breaking in to the Beauty bracket

Style & Then Some have been reporting on the growing trend for nail art a lot so far this year.  And there’s a reason for this.  Nails have become big, fat juicy business once again.  And I’m not talking ‘Footballer’s Wives’ style (can anyone else remember Tanya’s claws?) but rather emerging innovative products such as minx, nail wraps and crackle paint have completely swept through Boots et al.  You will be hard pressed to find a beauty brand who don’t have their own version of Barry M’s crackle varnish this season.

And although we are all familiar with our favorite designers tapping in to the beauty arena as soon as they join the Gucci Group or LVMH (naturally a way for them to reach a wider audience who may otherwise not be able to afford to buy in to their brand) it seems all our favourite high street chains want in on the action too.  Take Superdry for example.  They have recently launched a range of nail polish for SS12, and naturally the colours are bang on trend.

For example, I test drove the Pink Rose and Jade shades and for a quick fix to match your outfit on the cheap (or to colour coordinate with your Superdry hoodie!) this range is great.  My only qualm was it didn’t go on as easy as other more well-known brands, and as it is quite thick, you can’t do two coats, but hey, for a first attempt these are a positive offering from the brand.  At £6 quid a pot, it’s not braking the bank, and the Pink rose shade seems to complement a nice, albeit fake, tan rather well!

An education in exfoliation plus some arts and crafts fun with St Ives

To celebrate the relaunch of their iconic Apricot Facial Scrub, St Ives invited a select group of bloggers to the Hospital Club last week for an evening of informative beauty advice and some arty fun too.

It was basically like a grown-up bloggers crèche. On arrival at the beautiful Forest Room (check out that wicked woody wallpaper) Helen and I were offered a delicious martini cocktail, apricot flavoured of course, and we mingled with fellow bloggers as we nibbled on canapés including dried apricots filled with cream cheese – are you noticing a theme emerging here?

For the first educational portion of the evening we sat down along with Lauren of The Beauty Habit blog to listen to Pedro Mendez, a Technical Manager from St Ives parent company Unilever, who was well versed in all thing exfoliant. Pedro demonstrated the power of St Ives Apricot Scrub by using a little electronic tool to measure the moisture levels on the back of Lauren’s hand. Needless to say, after a gentle scrubbing with a dollop of the apricot good stuff Lauren’s skin had vastly improved in both texture and moistness. Pedro explained (in his adorable Spanish accent) that St Ives scrubs use apricot, walnut and ground corn as their all-important exfoliating ingredients.

Next, Emine Ali Rushton, Beauty Director at Psychologies magazine, gave a fascinating talk about the history of exfoliation. Check this out: crocodile dung, camel urine and nightingale droppings have all been used as exfoliants throughout the ages. Pretty gross, right? I think I’m gonna stick to apricots and walnuts myself.

Finally, we were given the chance to get arty – and a bit competitive. We were presented with a wig block (you know, one of those polystyrene heads they keep wigs on) and told to paint it in a way that we thought represented natural beauty. Despite being totally on brand, with a delicate sunset-coloured floral motif that included actual apricots and everything, we didn’t win the incredible chocolate and marzipan apricot tree sculpture. Clearly, we were robbed. Just kidding, the wig block winner was totally deserved.

The new look St Ives scrubs come in three varieties: invigorating, blemish fighting, and renew and firm, available now at all the usual places. Visit the St Ives Facebook page.

Check out all my photos from the event in the gallery below. Click on the images to enlarge.

Is it a Bong? Is it a Sex Toy? Why, no, its the new MTherapy Beauty Pod!

Last week Katie and myself were invited to road test a new, innovative skincare system being launched by MTherapy, at the Savoy Hotel. Despite our initial reservations when we were confronted with what appeared to be something usually hidden in the back room of Coco De Mer, The ‘Beauty Pod’ as it is known, actually wasn’t as terrifying once it was explained.  

Publicised as the first of its kind, this at home device aims to ‘harness steam power to propel moisture, essential oils and compounds directly in to the skin’.  Now, you may be like me and that kind of beauty guff goes in one lug hole and out the other, so it was great to see this modern-day beauty Dalek first hand.

For the sake of our (soon to be) award-winning journalism, Katie was kind enough to let me submit photos for this article whilst she was literally having hot steam blown on her face.  The small strange-looking egg type objects you can see below are known as ‘podlets’ which  contain all the magic ingredients which the Pod then blows on to your face…Just imagine a futuristic take on the age-old boiling water and flannel over your face in the sink malarkey and you can get the idea of what we were dealing with here.  Although Katie agreed she did instantly feel refreshed, with 4 ‘podlets’ retailing at £60 and the Pod itself at £269, it is definitely more of an investment than a new flannel.  But what a talking piece it could make at your next party!

The MTherapy Beauty Pod and podlets are exclusively distributed through www.mymtherapy.com.

Fun and frolics at the Batiste Dry Shampoo launch

Last Wednesday me, Katie and our good friend Olivia (from tellusfashion.com) were lucky enough to attend a very plush affair hosted by Batiste Dry Shampoo.  To celebrate the launch of ‘Lace’, the latest edition to the ever-growing dry shampoo range, we were treated to a variety of girly treatments; think grown-up slumber party style, with mandatory champagne!

Already being a dry shampoo fanatic (I carry an emergency can of Batiste’s ‘a hint of colour’ at all times darling) this was an event I wasn’t going to pass up on.  With the venue being decked out with manicure stations, a photo shoot area, a make-up room AND a mini hair salon, it was every girl’s dream. Oh and did I mention the insane cakes on offer topped off with edible mini Batiste cans?!  Katie made a bee line to get her hair ‘did’ (and no, she didn’t choose this look for herself!) while myself and Olivia received incredible manicures.  And don’t you just love Olivia’s nail polish colour?  An unusual mix between grey and purple…grurple perhaps?

We were even lucky enough to receive amazing goodie bags, obviously with a courtesy can of ‘Lace’!  Being dubbed as the ‘grown-up’ of the range, ‘Lace’ takes inspiration from vintage embroidery and romantic elegance (two massive recurrent trends at the moment, for which we are still thanking Kate Middleton’s wedding dress a year on!).  Oh and yes before you ask, it smells DIVINE.  Lace, and the rest of the Batiste collection, is available from Superdrug and Boots stores nationwide for £2.99.  With a price tag that appealing, no wonder they have been going strong for the last 30 years.  So whether you need a refresh in-between washes, or do what I do and use it volume too, why not give ‘Lace’ a test run?

I thought I just liked grey nail varnish, but apparently I’m a product of the recession

Recently I’ve really got back into nail varnish.

When I say got back into it I mean that after several years of only lacquering up with bright red polish probably once a year, I suddenly find myself wanting to wear it all the time. I found an old purple Nails inc shade that I love and picked up a Rimmel dark grey (it’s a new one called Man Overboard) from the freebies box at the Press Association where I’m doing work experience at the moment and all of a sudden I find myself reapplying on a daily basis.

It got me thinking, is this purely a personal thing – I happened to find a couple of shades I like? Or I am part of one of those trends supposedly brought on by the recession, like that claim that lipstick sales go up, while hemlines drop, when the stock market is in peril? I had also noticed a lot more creative nail art around, like HelloGiggles.com’s adorable nails of the day feature which always pops up in my Facebook feed with intricate nail illustrations and cutesy cartoons.

I got my answer by way of a New York Times article that I saw on the Business of Fashion daily digest (a mailing list you should definitely be signed up to) yesterday. The article said that department store nail polish sales in the US rose by 67% in 2011 and that shades and patterns beyond the usual pinks and reds are become more popular – things like cracked polish effects, multicoloured French manicures, shiny metallics and all kinds of glitter. The theory goes that with when our shopping budgets are under threat we look for cheaper ways to get a quick aesthetic fix. With nail varnish, you can try out something novel and get an instant, fashionable fingertip transformation for less than a fiver. It’s more noticeable than, say, a new mascara or foundation, but if it doesn’t elicit the compliments you were expecting, don’t worry, you can get rid just as fast. Contrast that with an £80 dress that you might not like once you get it home from the shop and the appeal is obvious. It’s low risk, high return. Actually, isn’t that the perfect equation for stock market success too?

So is it just me or are you trying out different nail colours and patterns recently? Would you go as far as Angry Bird nail art? What are you favourites? Leave me a comment with your recommendations.

And the winner is…

Congratulations to Emma, who won the online part of our beauty giveaway – the other winner was Jess, at the Tweet Up. Emma sent us this photo when she received her bag full of makeup, shampoos, shower gels, perfume, face creams and other smellies and sent us this message:

Wowza, so many goodies. How many other fashion blogs would give away their beauty samples? I’m most excited about the anti-ageing products! Thanks Style & Then Some.”

You’re welcome Emma! Look out for more giveaways coming soon.