Cosmetics & Beauty News: May 2010

S-s-s-slither into s-s-s-summer
Makeup and skincare companies are always trying to outdo each other with weirder and more wonderful products to tempt their clientele, and Rodial may just have done it with their newest innovation of Glamoxy Snake Serum. The neuropeptides it contains mimic snake venom to allegedly incite stunning anti-ageing results. At £125 for 25ml, however, it certainly isn't cheap. For those with money to burn only.

Topshop makeup hits the shelves
With fashion outlets H&M and ASOS already offering makeup ranges, it's perhaps surprising that Topshop is so far behind on this trend. It's about time they caught up, so let's hope that their first makeup range is worth the wait. Featuring dazzling and contemporary colours at affordable prices, they're sure to have young afficionados flocking. I'd personally be wary of the skin products, as at present they only offer three or four shades, but the glittering colours and zebra-print style packaging available across the range should still prove attractive to most.

Burt's Bees Goes To Brazil
To celebrate the new launch of its Açai Berry lip balm, Burt's Bees is giving away a trip to Brazil in its competition. Enter from now until the end of 2010 to win such delights as a $250-value Burt's Bees gift basket as well as an all expenses paid luxury trip to Brazil. So, if you're a US reader, go here to enter: http://burtsbees.promo.eprize.com/acai/?affiliate_id=homepage

Celebrity faces
As well as Lancôme signing Penelope Cruz as the face of fragrance Trésor, Pur Minerals has also just signed Jackie Gomez (Beyoncé's favourite makeup artist) as official makeup artist. Welcome one and all :)

And speaking of fragrances...
Stella McCartney has just brought out the latest variant of her classic Stella scent, Sheer Stella. Developed exclusively for this year, the designer has reworked her rose-based perfume by making it organic. The limited-edition bottle is also a work of art in itself, having been designed by renowned British artist Philip Jones.


Here comes the sun
With summer coming, and with National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month just coming to an end, it's more important than ever to make sure you're protected from the sun's harmful rays, whether with clothes (such as sunglasses, T-shirts and hats), accessories (umbrellas) or sunblock. With so many brands out there offering undeniably hip products that are also effective, there's really no excuse. Check out Vichy, Surv-Vival, Liz Earle's mineral sunblock, and Smart Girls Who Surf, for products to suit you.

Touch-ups on the go with Arbonne
Just because summer is on its way it doesn't mean we're any less busy. Travel products are a booming business and companies are catching on to marketing products that are easy to use on the move. One such example is present in Arbonne's 30th Anniversary Lipstick Ring: priced at £22, also has a handy mirror along with the lipstick (shade: Satin) encased in a chunky pearl design. I personally think it looks mighty fine; if having lipstick right at your fingertips doesn't keep you looking fabulous all day long then I don't know what will.

Simplicity with the Stars
Sometimes it's nice to know that not all of the stars are going for wallet-busting products that can only serve as the fabric of our dreams for most of us. So it was a relief to hear Kylie Minogue say recently that she has used Botox in the past, but no longer does, turning instead to the classic and affordable Pond's Cold Cream. We can only hope that she wasn't just paid to say that, but knowing how effective this stuff really is, I can only say that even if it isn't true, it darn well should be.

Keep your skin Crystal Clear this festival season
All that mud and all those communal toilets can sometimes get in the way of you looking your best during the festival season. While Marks & Spencer is filling its shelves with festival essentials from tents to suncream, Crystal Clear has also got the skincare side covered, from its Revitalising Tonic to its classic Protect and Repair, which comes packed with a whopping SPF40. Available from www.crystalclear.co.uk.