Support world AIDS day with MAC

Show support with MAC - It doesnt just last one day

Mac make-up artists and Mac makeup fans are amongst the many followers showing and giving their support towards making the World more aware of HIV and combating the confusion against what HIV actually is and its effects. FREE makeovers were given in order to raise awareness in areas such as London, Dublin and Edinburgh.

MAC have always leant their support towards W.A.D since 1994. And as it was the second official Annual World AIDS day on the 2nd December 2010.
Their last act to raise awareness was the 'Tartan Tale Lipstick collection of color' and now MACS latest proceeds for the charity come from buying a lipstick or lipgloss from the Viva Glam range you can help not only raise awareness of AIDS/HIV but donate to help other with the disease.

£12.99 for a Perfect Pout and a Good Cause

Surviving Winter....

Winter couldn't of introduced itself more arrogantly than it already has! Whipping his sharp cold wind through hydrated hair and turning it into a frizzy mess is one thing, but planting its frosty flakes at random on skincare victims is another. ....Well its time to break out the Winter Beauty survival pack.
But what should you have in it?

For all us Beauty Addicts or Tress Tamers, winter fills us with dread....Dry skin, Chapped lips, Frizzy hair, Patchy Makeup, weak nails... the list is endless! And so are the products and their promises.

'So what exactly do we need to survive Winter? To give ourselves that healthy winter glow and  perfect plump pout?'

Skin
1. Johnsons Baby Oil - Perfect for rehydrating skin and lips.
2. Simple  moisturiser - Rated top moisturiser 2010.
3. Garnier Body Cocoon - My Favourite body moisturiser of all time.
4. Olay Definity moisturiser - One of Olays best products.
5. Palmers Cocoa Butter - Body moisturising goodness.

Lips
1. Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Tint - Lip color with staying power and no cracking!
2. Palmers Cocoa butter lipbalm - Rehydrates lips in an instant.
3. Mac Tinted lip conditioner - Lip moisturiser with a tinted color + staying power

Hair
1. Philip Kingsley Weatherproof Hairspray - Hairspray with staying power.
2. Frizz Ease Control Syrum. - Keeps hair looking sleek and frizz-free.
3. Frizz Ease conditioner spray - Leave in and let it do the work.

Nails
1. Sally Henson diamond shine - Healthy looking nails with added strength
2. Mavala Nail Harder - Proven to strengthen nails

Fearne Cottons Christmas Cosmetics!

We all relate our fashion fierce Fearne Cotton to having the Award winning wardrobe we all want, being spontaneously ahead of the next Trend than on it. But now Fearnes swayed her fashion savvy fingers into designing a little more than whats in her closet and more to whats in the mirror.

Together with Boots Beauty counter  "17".  Fearne's designed her own range of Cosmetics EXCLUSIVE for Christmas 2010. Reflecting her unique and versatile style she's said to of designed the packaging  on "all my loves combined: vintage prints, skulls and tattoos".

The vintage style cosmetics are perfect for generous gifts if you havent already opened them. One in particular i want to get my hands on is Fearne Cottons Hat Box. Flirty floral covered hat style boxed filled with equally trendy packaged beauty goodies.
To sum up the range its EVERYTHING a girl could want to change from gothic glam to pretty in pink.

Fearne added “Creating this range has completed a childhood dream. Make-up has played a big part in my life; from glamming up to gothing up, covering tears and getting ready for a big TV show - I couldn’t live without it. It’s been magical creating my dream line of make-up packaged to include my love of vintage, skulls and tattoos in a delicate way. I hope everyone loves it!"

Its definatley one to get your hands on this Christmas and quick!

Nail It this season !

Bling those fingers and get Arty with this seasons Trend.  Theres a greater way to get eye catching nails than just applying a splash of color or a flick of paint. Embellish your talons this Christmas with jewels, tattoo's, wraps and falsies!
 Now where to find these textile like nail ideas? Heres some great At Home nail art gifts.

1. Nail Tattoo Chains - £1.99 - Superdrug
Initially these chavvy chains look alittle Cher Lloyd than Catwalk queen. But dont be fooled! Once applied these little beauties look girlie punk on those black painted fingers.

2. Nail Jewels - £2.50 - Bodycare
Small, square, circle and large. These little gems come in a range of shapes and sizes to dazzle those babies!

3. Dazzling False Nails - Julien Macdonald - £8 - Debenhams
Pre- designed glitter falsies, perfect for Christmas! Perfect fit and peel off at the end of the night!

4. Designer Nail Wraps - £6.50 - Superdrug
Remove that polish and prep those nails and grab a hair dryer. Fantastic professional looking nail art. Katy Perry style wraps for 1/4 the price.

5. Nail Art Pen by Models Own - £6 - Boots
A super fine rich black polish pen for a steady hand. Create super cute looking art work and use your nails as your canvas.

(Got more time? Nip into your local Craft Store and seek a pack of creative gems from the Card Designing section. From cute bows to mini figurines. You could also use lace, paper and buttons. So get creative!!!)

Top 10 for Him Top 10 for her. Xmas Beauty Buys.

With the BIG December event creeping nearer by the day. Stores are getting in there early, bundling and excitedly wrapping single products into packages and throwing on a christmas logo. But this is a great time to grab a bargain on your favourite beauty products that are all grouped into one with a cheaper price tag than if you bought singulary . And of course being able to afford a great Beauty Buy gift  for that favourite person. But how to single out the Tacky Cheap to the Beauty Bargain and whats on top of his/her Christmas list. Vanity.

Top Ten Gifts For Her:

1. Smashbox - wish for the perfect pallette £69 Debenhams

This colorful palette set by Smashbox contains: 49 Eye Shadows, 10 Cream Eye Liners, 6 Brow Powders, 1 Brow Wax, 8 Lip Glosses, 2 Blush, 1 Bronzer, 1 Highlighter, 4 Mini Brushes Ê Eye Shadow, Cream Eye Liner, Angled Brow & Lip brush.

2. Soap And Glory - all around her £35 Boots

A big, beautiful bag stuffed with five fantastic Soap & Glory classic formulas. Includes: The Righteous Butter Body Butter, Clean On Me, Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel, The Scrub Of Your Life, Body Buffing Scrub, Scented Body Moisturizing Mist and Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath. Perfect pamper package!

3. Clinique - Pretty Day into Night Makeup Gift Set £38 Boots
Gift Set includes Clinique's must have party favourites including: High Impact Mascara in black, Round Compact with 4 Eyeshadows and 2 blushers, Double-Ended Lipstick/Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 - Promo size, Cream Shaper for Eyes and a gorgeous Clinique pink makeup bag. All packed in a gorgeous Clinique gift box. Just what we all want!

4. Benefit – In the fab lane £44.50 Debenhams

Quick! Grab this stunning In the Fab Lane Christmas Set, starring three full size Benefit beauty classics, while you can! Benefit- In the Fab Lane Christmas Set contains: Coralista Blush (Number one favourite color), That Gal Brightening Primer and Benefits best Bad Gal Lash Mascara!

5. Marc Jacobs – Solid perfume ring £30 Selfridges

The Daisy ring is back and bigger than ever....Marc Jacobs introduces the new daisy solid perfume dome ring, a modern twist on the beloved original. A playful fragrance accessory with a charming vintage feel, this modern ring is sure to make a statement this fall!

6. Nars – Medium lipgloss set £35 Debenhams
Let her get her pout on with these winter beauties. Lip glosses to take you through this season from a rosy–glow workday to a sophisticated night–time celebration. Bold enough to be worn alone but compact enough to be carried together.

7. Topshop - Boxed Set of 4 Nail Polishes £15 Topshop
Paint the town or her nails with these fabulous on trend colors of varnish. Contains Daredevil, Beyond The Sea, Paint It On and limited edition Adornment

8. Mark Hill - Snow Leopard Pro-Magic Curling Wand (half price at £29.99) Boots
Perfect winter looking electrical accessory for hair. Create sexy loose curls and waves Mark Hill RAW Snow Leopard Pro-Magic Curling Wand. Packed with all the latest professional technology, creating beautiful natural looking curls and waves has never been easier.

9. Benefit - Her Name Is Glowla £29.50 House of Fraser
A must-have kit containing all the party-season essentials you need for creating a luminous complexion. Contains: CORALista cheek powder with brush, High Beam, Moon Beam, Five-Shade Eyeshadow Palette, BADgal Lash Mascara, Lip Gloss in Life On The A List, Fluff Shadow/Hard Angle Brush and step-by-step instructions. What more could a girl want?

10. The Body Shop - Big Box Of Joy Gift Pack £40
Worth £80 this beautiful boxed gift set features the very best of our beauty favourites. Indulge in top-to-toe pampering with products for bath, body, face and hair.
It contains: Shea Body Butter, Olive Shower Gel, Shea Lip Butter, Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow & Body Mist,  Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream, Vitamin E Moisture Serum, Hemp Hand Protector, Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion, Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover, Rainforest Shine Shampoo and Rainforest Shine Conditioner.

Top Ten Gifts For Him

1. Lab - series Deluxe shaving gift set £35 Boots
Gift set includes: Lab Series Invigorating Face Scrub is an energising gel scrub for smoother, clearer skin and closer shaves Which actively exfoliates to smooth skin's texture; unclogs pores. Preps face for shaving. Lab Series Maximum Comfort Shave Cream is a dense, rich shave cream softens and preps beard to help prevent irritation and redness. Lab Series Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF15 is a all-day moisturization and enviromental defense for fresher, smoother, healthier-looking skin


2. Menscience - Daily Face Kit £79 Mankind
Daily Face - Removes impurities and organic residues without drying skin. Spares your face the harsh chemicals used in bar soaps for a super-clean and smooth face. Microfine Face Scrub - Deep cleans and smoothes your complexion while preparing it for shaving. Advanced Face Lotion - Hydrates, nourishes, smoothes and supports cell renewal with advanced ingredients.Thoroughly cleans and exfoliates, preparing for shaving and combating ingrown hairs.

3. TAYLOR OF OLD BOND STREET –  Shaving  set in gift box £69.95 Selfridges
Gift Set: Contains Shaving brush, razor, cream, Brush hair Badger, Stand material 100% nickel Care Do not boil brush, lather lightly without pressure, rinse thoroughly and remove excess moisture, leave in open to dry

4. Clinique - Better Basics For Men Gift Set £27 House of Fraser Face Buff Brush -
This set includes some of Clinique's bestselling Skin Supplies for Men products. This set includes Age Defense Hydrator 50ml, Face Scrub 15ml, Liquid Face Wash 40ml, all packed in a Clinique for Men wash bag.


5. Edwin Jagger - Chatsworth Chrome Fusion Razor £87 – Gentlemens Shop
This razor is impressively weighty and,combined with the Fusion blade system gives a very close shave.The traditional style will look fabulous in any bathroom.
Presented gift boxed.


6. Malin+Goetz Mojito - Soap Set £22 Selfridges
Individual, pure vegetable-based soaps of natural Peppermint, Lime EDT and Rum EDT boxed in our iconic graphic packaging ? a refreshing Mojito ensemble. Like all of our products, this pairing is a symbolic balance between natural and technological ingredients!

7. Absolution La Creme De L'Homme - For Men £52.95 House of Fraser
a complete organic anti-aging skincare high in antioxidants, regenerating and firming active principles.  Perfect to face your day without worry! To obtain your bespoke skin care, adapted to your skin’s mood, you just have to add one drop of La Solution + of your choice to target and reinforce its efficiency.


8. Paco Rabanne - 1 Million Eau de Toilette Gift Set £32.99 John Lewis
Get your man smelling so great you will want to steal it! Gift set contains Body Lotion and Eau de toilette.

9. Braun - Pocket Go Gift Set (save £5) £24.99 Superdrug
Through its unique foil patterns, the Smart Foil captures hairs growing in different directions.  The extra wide and thin ultra flexing foil adjusts to the facial contours, providing you an extra close and comfortable shave.  Fully washable under running water so you don't lose any time cleaning your shaver, when you shape up your shave. Comes with a twist cap which not only protects the foil when not in use, but also acts as a handle extension for a comfortable grip - allowing the shave to be more comfortable and precise!

10.  Phillips - Electrical Shaver HQ7390 £42.99 Superdrug
Usually £100! Passion for perfection & Shaves even the shortest hairs "My life is a race every day, and I need the best support team I can find - my pit crew at work and my Philips shaver at home. It ensures I am in pole position every morning." - Nico Rosberg, Formula One

Top Ten moisturising lipsticks with staying power.

Lipsticks can be one of the hardest makeup buys to find. Spending hours pondering over what will best suit your skin tone, match that new outfit or stand out the best. But most of all, which will stay put all day and not make your lips look like dried out prunes! Ive done the hard work and narrowed it down to the top ten of the best moisturising and colour stay products on the market.

1. Elizabeth Arden- Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture SFP 30:
SPF in any lipstick should immedietly scream MOISTURE and ANTI-AGEING. Thumbs up for any brand who adds this little ingredient into its power pouting lipsticks. 'Ceramide Plump' conceals the lines on your lips and makes them appear fuller.  So for those who want to add volume to their lips or are a little more mature in age, this is perfect for you.

2. Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick:
 Quench your lips with Maybellines moistourising lipstick. It cannot go unnoticed that your lips will look rehydrated in an instant in this winter weather. Get hold of a Maybelline wine or rose shade of moisture rich lipstick to be right on trend this season.

3. Almost By Clinique
InStyle Magazine had rated Almost as the Best Lipstick for this season. Its been created to have a 2 in 1 formular of lipstick and gloss. The deadly combination makes lips not only appear super plump but it also has a lock-in color secret for staying power . Could it get any better?

4. MAC Lip Conditioner:
Macs lip conditioner is a color and moisture all in one. It is a blend of shea butter, wheat germ oil, almond oil, avocado extracts and Vitamins A and E. Its like a coat of armour against the winter enemy. You can also wear it under your lipstick if your wanting a color thats more daring this season.

5. L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour in Raspberries:
This season its all about the berry shades tha are just too hot to resist. Highlight and soften yor lips with L'oreals colour riche lipcolour. It has perfect staying power claiming to stay put for over 6 hours of torturous drinking, eating and talking.

6. Lancome-Aqua Fusion Levres SPF 8:
A glossy lip balm that combines ideal hydration with the melting freshness of a shimmering texture. On application, its watermelon fragrance and its lightly menthol tang refresh the lips in one cool thrill. Long lasting moisture for those pouters and an instant plump when applied.

7. RIMMELS Lasting Finish Vintage:Available in 4 delishious berry shades, New Lasting Finish “Vintage Collection” has an authentic touch in long wearing & classic colour … Non Stop vintage colour that last for up to 8 hours The velvet soft lipsticks glide on smoothly and offer stay -true colour all day long. Perfect for any occasion and all lip types.

8. GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick:
Asuper soft lip product that has a moisturizing, softening and nurturing effect on the lips. It is available in seductive and sensual colours that leave the lips soft and super sexy. The colours are partially transparent with a hint of mother-of-pearl and with a mild taste of vanilla. The design is slim and lasts over 6hours.

9. Bloom Lipstick:Bloom’s luxurious lipsticks have been individually developed in several unique formulations to unsure the most flattering finish has been used to suit each shade. The lipsticks contain Vanilla and Mandarin oils so soften the lips and never dry out. Available in 24 colors too!

10. Estee Lauder Pure Colour Gloss Stick:
This lipstick wonder has won: U Magazine Awards 2010 - Winner of Best Luxury Lipstick. Prismatic pearls and the light reflection ingredients make lips look plump, rich and velvety soft. The formular melts onto lips with rich conditioners and provides an instant release of hydration and colour - lips look shinier and fuller immediately. 4 weeks worth of continous use!


 

Three fuzz fighters, Whats best?

"The weather's getting colder and we're pulling out our winter wardrobe, which usually means covering up in our thickest tights and cosiest jeans! But for most of us that doesn't mean neglecting our on-growing community of stubbly bodies.
Britain's best way of fighting the fuzz is (drum-roll)....shaving. Yes, its pretty quick, cheap and painless but it doesn't last a day before the hair is fighting its way back out and our legs begin to dry up and start to look like a road map. So here is 3 top ways of getting rid of unwanted hair, including the positives and negatives of use."

1.Waxing - Okay, it isn't the cheapest option but its not pocket scraping! It lasts around a month depending on the persons hair growth and is a little painful but nothing to uncomfortable and doesn't last long a simple quick pain, relax, quick pain, relax. Doing it yourself is a bad idea in the bikini area, you can cause bruising so its best to go to a salon where they can do it pretty quickly and less painful. Advantages? Lasting around 30minutes is pretty fast for a 4 fuzz free weeks. No ingrowing hairs. You can choose a designer landing strip. Cleaner. Disadvantages? Little more costly than shaving but would it add up to the amount of new blades bought in a month? Its a little painful compared to the pain free shaving but it lasts more than 13x the amount of waxing. And last of all, its not really a DIY at home kinda thing, best to leave it to the professionals.

2.Epilation - Epilation is a mechanical method of plucking hairs. Devices today cost anything between £25-£100 depending on the brand and power. Although it looks quite costly you never have to replace it unless of course it breaks. Its more painful than waxing and shaving as it is made up of tweezers that you roll up the leg in which they then pull out the hair. This is the least used hair removal device used. Advantages? Could be cheaper than waxing once the cost is added  up. It can be done at home and is an easy device to find in the shops. Lasts the same amount of time as waxing. Disadvantages? More painful than shaving and waxing. It is likely you could miss an area of hair growth. Time consuming.

3.Shaving - The popular way of removing fuzz. Advantages: Its cheap depending on what product you buy. It is a DIY product. Its painless. It removes hair quickly so isn't time consuming and can be done in the shower or bath. Disadvantages: Lasts only 1-2 days before regrowth and stubble which can cause a rash or discomfort. It can dry the skin out pulling the razor upwards. And can cause ingrowing hairs.

Which is best for you? 

Remove your FAKE TAN disasters.....

Fake Tan. Whether its tinted or non tinted, expensive or cheap, light or dark, applied with latex gloves or a mitt it can still go Orange/Patchy/Streaky. We have all experienced the dreaded 'dirty tan' and we hate to use them 3 words before a night out or a date...especially a date! Who wants to be asked "Has your shower broke?" or "Did you go for a walk in the woods before you came?".

But what if everything you needed to perfect that tan or start again was in your kitchen cupboard? Heres 10 tips to get rid of orange hands and streaky legs!

1. Lemon Juice - (Not just for pancake day) Squeeze a lemon onto a sponge or kitchen roll and rub over the area you wish to retan.
2 Washing powder - Yes! Besure to moisturise heavily afterwards though. But take a tablet or the powder and use as an exfoliator. It washes stains out clothes so why not your skin?
3. Vinegar - There are two ways to use vinegar. Either pour some into a bowl of hot water, soak hands then exfoliate. Or dab onto your hands, wait a couple minutes and exfoliate off.
4. Nail varnish Remover - Pour onto a cotton wool pad and rub over the area then exfoliate.
5. Shaving - If your pins are a little streaky shave and exfoliate then reapply the tan.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide - It can bleach you hair right? Put a little into some warm water, Bathe your hands then exfoliate - always remember to moisturise afterwards!!!
7. Baby oil - Softens the skin and so makes it easier to scrub off that fake tan.
8. Bleach - Pour a couple drops of kitchen bleach into some warm water, soak hands and exfoliate. Once exfoliated wash hands with shampoo to get rid of the bleach smell and moisturise.
9. Face toner - Toner gets rid of any oils, dryng out the tan and making it easy to scrub off.
10. Oily Makeup Remover - Again like baby oil it softens the skin and tan so makes it that much more easier to remove it!

Remember to always moisturise before appliying the Fake Tan as the area will be drier than normal!
But with these quick fix times, you'll look more beach babe than dirty doll!

Piz Buin - Twist and Tan

Its Autumn, And Tan is on the low this season. So i wanted to try a tanning lotion which would give me a light glow for the Autumn days and something that i could easily darken by adding another layer for those nights out. 

Walking into Boots im looking up and down the shelves crammed with so many products wondering which would give me that day-night glow. Most ive already used to get that light glow such as 'St Tropez Gradual Tan' - which doesnt last me long for the price and is either too light or too dark and 'Fake Bake Gradual Tan' - again a small tube that doesnt go too far and i have to spend time reapplying.


This is where i spotted 'Piz Buin Self Tanning Lotion + Colour Dial'. Its a tanning lotion that allows you to pick and choose between 5 colour shades from fare to dark to suit your skin, perfect! You literally twist  the dial to the shade you require and vuala! I for one never know which shade to get (light-medium) or (medium- dark) in other tanners and usually end up buying both which isnt good on the pocket. With this new tanner you can twist, once or twice for a light sunkissed glow, 3-4 for a medium tint  or 5 for a dark beach babe tan. 3 tanners in one bottle for a price of £17.99 or off Amazon for £12.09 is a bargain in my eyes!

Advantages; Summary scent,
Non-streaking,
Water-resistant,
5 shades in one bottle,
Natural brown glow,
Affordable and the bottle last longer!

Disadvantages:
Non-tinted lotion (i use a little st tropez so i can see where im applying)

No1 Anti-ageing Cream for just £3.49 from ALDI

This budget saving serum won first place in 'Intensive anti-ageing serums' category of a beauty survey, beating popular brands such as; Olay, No7 and Avon.

One Thousand women tested the Two thousand creams in non-labelled, white containers. They were asked what was their favourite 'tub' of cream and if there was a noticable difference. Aldi's own branded skincare product 'Lacura Anti-Ageing Cream' was named the best cream with the top noticable results. It also came in joint place with Lancomes £51 Luxary Night Cream in Channel Fours "How To Look Good Naked".

So I would usually do a little research into the product to see if its worth purchasing to review. But seen as its only an affordable £3.49 i thought id just go straight to Aldi to purchase it and read up reviews later. All the reviews ive seen have said they noticed a difference after about a week. So going by that figure i decided to give it ago.

The product itself contains: Shea butter, Macadamia Nut Oil and vitamins. Some products have said to contain some type of 'chemical from snake venom'.

The application of the product is pretty simple - smooth from forehead to the bottom of the neck. The consistancy is pretty thick so it doesnt run down the face.
I used the cream in the morning and at night for a week now and can tell you this definatley deserved 1st place. For £3.49 its definatley a powerful little thing. I myself dont have many wrinkles but i prefer to keep it that way by 'starting early'. The product made a great difference to my skin by banishing my dry skin, making it look tighter, plumper and feel the smoothest ive ever felt it. I also felt it made my face have a slight glow and its great as a foundation primer!

Id grab a crate before they realise its being sold so cheap!