Saturday 29 January 2011

Pop-up at Cult Beauty in Selfridges



If you find yourself in the vicinity of 400 Oxford Street (hell, crazier stuff has happened!) be sure to pay a visit to the Cult Beauty Pop-up Shop in the beauty hall at Selfridges. Running through to Monday 31 January, Cult Beauty founders Alexia Inge and Jessica DeLuca Moore are hosting a special event to showcase some of their most exclusive brands, such as Face Atelier, Rahua, Immupure and Ginvera. You might also run into special guests such as supermodel sis Olivia Inge or hairstylist of the moment James Corbett.

Monday 17 January 2011

Stuff I Want (That I Can't Have)

SO FAR, SO CHIC
D&G leotard from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection; as worn oh-so-well by Beyonce in her Why Don't You Love Me? video

Sold out AllSaints Alexi Scarf as seen on the cosy neck of Kara Tointon

Sunday 16 January 2011

Has Kim Kardashian had a Nose Job?


Keeping Up with the Kardashians has made Kim Kardashian and her family into household names; their lives an open book. Except Kim's keeping one thing to herself and it's as plain as the nose on your face.

Kim's always been a gorgeous girl but Hollywood's a strange place where even beautiful women are vulnerable to the lure of the plastic surgeon if time and money allow. Kim has frequently denied having any work done besides botox but her nose has changed from slightly elongated with a droopy tip to a perky all-American 'nose job' nose.

It's very subtle work, which has no doubt made Kim more photogenic for her multiple, multiple campaigns. She's lost the sneery look she could sometimes have. Still, I don't think she needed it done in the first place. Her old nose was reminiscent of a smaller version of her late father Robert Kardashian's nose.

If you're interested, plastic surgeon Dr Rawnsley has a 'forensic analysis' of Kim's surgery with explanation and accompanying photo. I'm fascinated by cosmetic surgery even though I believe it often causes more problems than it solves. It's our differences, both physical and emotional than make us individuals. Womenkind aren't meant to look like one homogenised, big-titted, perky-nosed, blonde-haired master race. But maybe that's easy for me to say because that's the mould I happened to be born into. Embrace your individuality!
Dr Rawnsley's forensic analysis

Saturday 15 January 2011

Testing Collection 2000 Extreme Liner


Here's the makeup I wore for my date last week, as inspired by Lisa Eldridge's makeup for Glamour Magazine (December 2010). I hardly want to put these images side-by-side, the model looks so unutterably gorgeous. I had to tone down the eyeliner as I didn't want the guy sitting across from me at dinner thinking 'how much makeup is she wearing?!'. I'll definitely try it another time. I completely ran out of time to deal with my hair and had four seconds to take these photos.

Glamour Magazine (December)
My Eyeko liner has died on me so I splashed out £2.50 on a Collection Extreme 24-Hour Felt Tip Liner. It's really easy to use and creates a perfect opaque black line. Having used felt-tip liners from Max Factor, Bourjois, 17, Eyeko and Collection 2000 I can tell you they're all pretty similar and all dry out just as quickly as one another. You can't go wrong with this one for under three quid; it didn't budge an inch.

I somehow found the nerve to wear false lashes. That's how confident I am in my Duo Eyelash Adhesive! I used Girls with Attitude 'classic' lashes, which are quick to apply and provide fabulous yet subtle definition and length. I find that thick liner makes my lashes look short so falsies make a big difference. MAC lipstick in Vegas Volt on my lips, smudged in and topped with a pale pink Benefit lipgloss.

What's your favourite liquid liner? Do you prefer felt-tip or ink pot?

Free Models Own Makeup Kit



Don't forget to get hold of tomorrow's News of the World newspaper: collect two tokens from 'Fabulous' magazine to claim this free Models Own makeup kit. The handy set includes mascara, liquid eyeliner, eyeshadow duo, eyelash curlers and tweezers. Tokens are appearing in this week's magazine and again next Sunday, 23 January. Simply collect two tokens and take to your nearest Tesco store to claim the kit.

Monday 10 January 2011

If I Was a Rich Girl



It's ironic that I need a new wallet but don't have the money to buy one. Really, I'm laughing on the inside. However, should I find myself with cash to spare I would certainly consider investing in either this ChloĆ© offering or a classic Mulberry. Metal hardware makes leather accessories sing to me. As it stands, even this little ASOS number is beyond my means. Oh to be rich and unencumbered by shopping guilt!

Top to bottom: 

Friday 7 January 2011

Lauren Conrad Gives Good Hair (and Accessories)


Since lopping off her off extensions Lauren Conrad has been keeping a low profile filming her new show for MTV. This pleases me not. How am I meant to see what she's wearing? Luckily Lauren popped up at the CoverGirl 50th Anniversary Party this week where she showcased a new darker hair colour with warm brown highlights. She paired her honeyed locks with a (slightly dishcloth-esque) nude silk dress from Urban Outfitters, beautiful Jimmy Choo ember sandals with a hint of snakeskin and a Chanel bag. Lauren wore her usual peachy makeup, grey polish on her fingers and delicate gold and diamond jewellery.




Thursday 6 January 2011

Review: Balenciaga Paris Perfume


A while ago the fabulous My Perfume Life offered to suggest new perfumes to people based on three things: their favourite food, favourite film and favourite season. Being a classy sort of bird I said Jamie's Italian [restaurant's] mushroom ravioli, Private Benjamin and summer. Her recommendations for me were Prada Infusion d’Iris, which I've smelt in the past and not been overwhelmed by, and Balenciaga Paris, which I'd never smelt and which comes in this delicious bottle.

As with the Jennifer Aniston perfume I reviewed recently, Paris also has a distinct element of violet, but it's not as stark as the Aniston offering. Instead it's tempered with a host of musky florals and a tiny hint of spicy pepper. It really is a delightful and unusual smell. I find the eau de parfum lasts beautifully and is suitable to wear day or evening.

The lovely people at Escentual.com sent me this perfume but when I contacted them to say I'd be blogging about it they told me the news: it has been discontinued! Balenciaga Paris is no more. If you think it sounds like a fragrance you might like I suggest you track down a bottle sooner rather than later. Prices are sure to inflate as stock depletes.

It's a shame that such an elegant, charming perfume isn't popular enough to survive in the current marketplace, while glorified 'celeb' body sprays sell by the gallon. The list of recent celeb launches reads like a who's who of nobodies the majority of us neither care about or aspire to imitate. 'Tease' by Paris Hilton anyone? She smells like wine, fags and bins! I guess there really is no accounting for taste.

Monday 3 January 2011

Time Flies When You're Having Fun



Today's the first birthday of my blog and I want to say a big thank you to every person who's read my ramblings and especially if you've taken the time to follow or leave a comment. I really appreciate your support. I thought why not celebrate by posting millions of pictures of myself?! Here are a few makeup looks I've tried out recently. Thoughts?

I tried this makeup after seeing a picture of Taylor Swift with bright red lips and double flicks of black eyeliner. The red I used is the same as for my Minnie Mouse makeup! You can see the colour a lot more clearly on that post too. It's an amazing product from Lancome called Laque Fever. The colour is 110. It applies with a wand like a gloss but has the depth of colour of a lipstick. You get beautiful shine and staying power but it does transfer to everything and stain your mouth pink! The colour is perfect for people like me who look revolting in blue-reds. I never wear bright lipstick and it still shocks me to see it on myself!

This purple eye was just something I did quickly on New Year's eve. I used the Avon Luxe Lace True Colour Eyeshadow Quad in lace electric. Lovely soft, blendable colours; not as vivid as they look in the pan but buildable. I didn't use any primer and they did fade a bit by the time 2011 rolled around but you can't complain for £4.00! I look as if I'm wearing loads of liner but it's actually some short falsies from Girls with Attitude in 'classic'. Another Savers bargain! I thought it was nice to see a smile for once but what the hell are those wrinkles!? The blog's not the only one getting on a bit. Someone recommend an eye cream, stat!

I have loads of different berets and just shoved this one on quickly before going out as I thought it might go with this lipstick. Another Avon product (I'm not sponsored) – Luxe Lace Ultra Colour Rich Lipstick in instant mocha. Dunno why it's called that because it's not remotely brown or coffee-coloured. Conjures images of Rimmel's heather shimmer... Anyway, fantastic colour pay-off, lovely smell, smooth and moisturising. Lasted through a long walk where I probably ground my teeth I was that angry. Think it's a bit too pink for my skin tone but it gave a good 'Snow White' bitten lip effect.

Thanks so much for reading, dolls. Here's to another fun year!

Saturday 1 January 2011