Beauty Byte: Make Up Not War

Ever since its inception, Ellis Faas has supported renowned charity War Child via the proceeds from its makeup sales. So why not make a splash while making up this summer?

Make Up Not War is Ellis Faas' microsite, which showcases all of the good work that it is helping War Child to do (one Ellis Faas auction this month raised a cool €4k).

Its latest campaign is called Share A Kiss, which seeks to harness the power of Instagram in encouraging people to Make Up Not War. Kiss into the camera (perhaps using an Ellis Faas lipstick!), blow a kiss, or pass the kiss on however you like, using the hashtags #kisstomakeupnotwar, #MUNWChallenge, #ellisfaas and #warchild. You could even win a book showcasing Ellis Faas' work, signed especially for you!

As mentioned, you could use an Ellis Faas lipstick to participate in this challenge - perhaps their limited edition Hot Lip (which is cruelty-free and vegan) might suffice? The sale of each lipstick also enables War Child to keep one child from a war zone safe from harm for three months. Pick yours up here.

But if lipstick's not your thing, there's also the Ellis Faas t-shirt, from which the proceeds support a vulnerable child for six weeks. (Buy yours here!) Or failing that - donate direct.

There are lots of great causes out there, and this one's definitely up there in terms of being worthy of your consideration.

Big kiss!

Beauty Byte: Lily Lolo Nail Polish

I've long been a fan of Lily Lolo for their natural, lightweight foundations and concealers that still offer great coverage. However, good news for eco beauty fans: they're now bringing out nail polish! Available in six shades (see left), it promises to say no to many of the nasty chemicals found in traditional varnishes, including toluene and formaldehyde. And at £6.99 a bottle, it's affordable too. My money's on Soft Coral, which looks like it would go with everything, affording you a stylish look every day with minimum fuss. But with my favourite colour being purple, you might just see me sporting the Temptress shade as well. Out on May 17th 2016, just remember that you heard it here first :)

Beauty Byte: Massive £700 beauty giveaway!

In celebration of her birthday, renowned beauty blogger Michelle is giving away beauty products worth £700 on her blog, Thou Shalt Not Covet. You can enter here: http://thoushaltnotcovet.net/2015/06/12/my-big-birthday-giveaway-2015.

I have massive respect (and slight envy!) for people like Michelle who can actually make a living out of blogging, out of sheer passion and talent. Being a beauty journalist was always my dream, but I guess I just didn't have what it takes, or I was just unlucky. While I now gain massive fulfilment from another profession I love, it's great to know that there's still plenty of people out there willing to read and write quality content, especially as journalism (print in particular) continues its steady decline.

So get over to Michelle's blog, not only to have a chance of winning shedloads of amazing stuff, but also to keep the cause of quality journalism going.

Beauty Byte: Umberto Giannini Advent Calendar

Fancy winning some gorgeous hair goodies this Christmas? Look no further than Umberto Giannini's generous advent calendar, located here. Their generous haircare gifts up for grabs include shampoo and conditioner duos, hair accessories, and much much more. The prizes are only set to get bigger as the month goes on, but check in each day for your chance to win. Have a hair-raising Christmas!

Beauty Byte: The Big Suitcase

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A beautiful woman has been shopping in Bicester Village. She finds too many beauty bargains, buys a lot, and ends up with a big suitcase packed with her goodies. The gag is when she tries to hail a taxi and takes this big suitcase with her. The taxi driver is not aware that a video is being shot while he tries to accommodate the lady's bag in his car. 

Ladies - it is a dream come true. You know you have had a good day shopping when you have to hide the bags from partners, flat mates, friends or family. Imagine a suitcase!

Viral video by ebuzzing

Beauty Byte: Flower Girl

Flowers are definitely great birthday gifts. But for beauty-based floral gift ideas for women, there is certainly no shortage of ideas on the web or in department stores.

In my series on different perfumes, I looked at all aspects of the fragrance wheel, from fruity to fougère. I also naturally looked to floral scents for inspiration, naming such examples as Cacharel's Anaïs Anaïs, Yves St Laurent's Paris, and Daisy by Marc Jacobs, which utilise floral essences from all around the world, including rose, lily, jasmine and mimosa. All of these would make superb gifts at any time of year - the Cacharel classic in particular is one of my favourites.

But what if the person you're buying for isn't into perfume? (Believe me, it is possible. Some women see putting perfume on in the morning as being as much a part of their routine as brushing their teeth, while others barely think to put it on.) Molton Brown's Ziao Jao hair wash is floral and botanical without being sickly, while Logona is another brand famed for its use of herbal extracts and floral distillates in its makeup. Garnier's Vital Restore Daily Beauty Serum also smells beautifully of orchids - while other brands have not really capitalised on the orchid craze beyond their packaging, Garnier has really used it to its advantage.

Or why not combine the two concepts, building up thank you gifts into a cornucopia of fresh flowers, solid scents (such as Clinique's Aromatics Elixir Solid Perfume, which is convenient for travel, smells of camomile and rose, and has a beautiful floral design engraved on its compact lid), and other beauty products (body lotions and shower gels, such as those by Bath and Body Works, also offer a comprehensive range of flowery-smelling choices)? It's really easier than you think to create a gift that'll never be forgotten and thank someone with garden scents that they can use and enjoy all year round.

Beauty Byte: Sudocrem Beauty Blogger of the Month

Yep, you've guessed it - it's me!

http://www.sudocremtube.co.uk/blog/sudocrem-beauty-blogger-of-the-month/

Sudocrem have named me their Beauty Blogger of the Month for September. Thanks! Good choice guys :p

Beauty Byte: On the Fashion Photography Circuit

Viral video by ebuzzing

Vodafone has set world-class racing drivers Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton a tough challenge: can they style, direct and photograph a high-end British fashion shoot?

Assisted by stylist Valentine Fillol-Cordier, they are tasked to style the models, choose props, and then take photographs. It must have been a partial success at least, with model Charlotte W describing the shoot as "hilarious" and "completely different to any shoot I've ever been on". Click on the video above to see for yourself!

The film is just one element of Vodafone VIP, which gives customers access to the best of British festival, fashion and Formula 1™ events. Whether it’s the 2011 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX, music festivals or exclusive front row seats at London Fashion Week shows, Vodafone will be supplying customers with the hottest tickets and money can’t buy experiences. All Vodafone customers can register for Vodafone VIP by going online.

Beauty Byte: VIP Summer Shopping Event @ The Organic Pharmacy

This weekend (June 25th/26th), The Organic Pharmacy is hosting a special VIP Summer Shopping event on its website as well as in store. Use the code SUMMERVIP11 at the online checkout to get 20% off. Why not take full advantage of this offer and stock up on summer essentials, such as the After Sun Cream or the Tan Accelerator? Just go to www.theorganicpharmacy.com :)

Beauty Byte: Claire's for Comic Relief

Looking to spice up your life this March - and help raise money for Red Nose Day? Pop into Claire's at 488 Oxford Street (London W1) at any time between 10.00 and 18.00 not only tomorrow (March 5th) but also on Red Nose Day itself (March 18th) for a manicure using Claire's exclusive WAH nail varnish in bright scarlet; the manicure is free with any purchase of a Red Nose Day product (of which 30p goes to the Red Nose Day charity) at Claire's. Now that's what I call painting the town red.