Cosmetics and Beauty News (January 2013)

Bejewelled, British style
I don't often post about jewellery and accessories on here - but in the interests of supporting a new British business, I thought I'd draw your attention to Heather and Grace's new range of stunning yet affordable jewellery. With pearl-effect bracelets priced at just £5, you can also get your mitts on other Accessorize-style bits and bobs, including brooches, earrings and badges. A perfect gift for any occasion - and you'll be supporting an independent business to boot. 

Brushing your way to beauty
We all know that we should brush our teeth regularly, and that many dentists recommend electric toothbrushes for the deepest possible clean. It therefore doesn't surprise me that a new market is now opening up for toothpastes that are designed to work with your electric toothbrush for an even brighter smile. Theramed Pro Electric is just one of these, offering three low-abrasive silica toothpaste types depending on your needs (whitening, active clean, and sensitive). This is all very well if these toothpastes genuinely do offer something different to conventional brands - but with a price point of around £2.99 (which is roughly the same as that of normal toothpaste), I'd hazard that electric toothbrush users have little to lose by trying Theramed's version. I'll definitely be trying to get my paws on some, given that my attempts to whiten my teeth are invariably a part of my daily routine in any case.

Everything fades away...
...so runs a song by Mariah Carey. With luck, her new OPI collection won't fade too fast! This leading nail brand has teamed up with the popstrel to create eight new nail shades. The new collection includes four new Sand Lacquers for a matte yet textured finish, with added reflective sparkle, and the sultry yet innovative colours available (black with red sparkles, anyone?) should mean there is something for everyone. The collection of four mini Sand Lacquer shades is also priced at an affordable £12.95, making for a cheerful treat come payday.

Nail trends of 2013
The nail world is changing all the time, and while in 2011 gels were all the rage, and in 2012 it was all about wraps, some exciting new concepts are coming to the fore for 2013. For instance, China Glaze has launched a nail lacquer called Tranzitions, which reacts when a clear top coat is applied, creating a new second colour. This allows all sorts of patterns to be created with just one swipe of the brush. Both possible shades are indicated on the neck of the bottle, so no surprises - making for a fabulously innovative follow-up to similar products (such as No7's Stay Perfect Matte Top Coat). 

Even more creative is the concept of nail varnish rental. This sounded a bit too wacky to work when I first heard about it, but the more I consider it, the more it makes sense. Lacquerous, which launched officially at the end of 2012, allows you to rent the latest designer nail colours for a fraction of their retail value. All bottles are hygienically cleaned and sterilised before loan, and you must send them back in good condition at the end of the loan period, or risk being charged the full RRP. Alternatively, should you wish to keep the varnish, you can choose to pay the full retail value anyway. To my mind this is brill: how many of us have got too many old varnishes languishing in drawers that we can't bear to throw out? This system helps to alleviate ennui, be on trend, eliminate waste, and provide the opportunity for purchase if liked. Lamentably, it's only available in the US at present, but I can see the concept taking off on these shores soon. A solution to a first-world problem if I ever saw one.

At-home skin rituals
It's normal to sit at home feeling rubbish during January: I've already been signed off work for two days thanks to a shocking cold/flu/plague type thing, and have just had a lovely night in the toilet due to food poisoning or possibly even gastroenteritis (if the pharmacist down the road is to be believed). But there's no need to pay silly money to go to a spa to make yourself feel better, as with BareMinerals you can do it for free. Facialist Abigail James, who has fifteen years' experience, is working with BareMinerals to provide tutorial videos that can be viewed from the comfort of your home. This has the added benefit of you being able to see what BareMinerals' new January products (Multi Wrinkle Repair Serum, Extra Firming Neck cream & Intensive Glow Pads Brightening Treatment) look like on before shelling out the requisite cash.

It's actually quite easy being green
Contrary to Kermit the Frog, being green has got ever easier over the past few years due to the proliferation of now-iconic brands such as Green People. They're also helping to look after us during the winter months thanks to their newest line of body products. Their £19.95 body butter contains a host of good things, including cranberry, rosehip and pomegranate oils; omega 3 and 6; and Fairtrade lemongrass and rosemary. All of this promises to improve elasticity, reduce scars, anti-age, and protect dry skin. Also available is their sugar scrub at the same price, which, as well as helping to slough away dead skin cells, also contains moisturising agents such as shea butter. Both are certified organic, too, getting you off to a great start in 2013. Vaseline's Intensive Rescue range is equally indispensable in winter: with prices kicking off at just £2.99, their range of body lotions, repair balms and hand creams come with a sun protection factor, which is just as important in the colder months.

Sunday Sanctuary
In spite of all the great at-home products listed above, there are also some excellent free options, such as the Sunday Sanctuarys at Bar Galante on Sloane Avenue. Ladies can come along every Sunday between 1pm and 3pm and be pampered gratis with products from Bliss Spa, as well as being treated to classic films, Champagne Bellinis, and Argentinian canapés. Slippers and dressing gowns will also be available for use. To book your place, email rsvp[at]bargalante[dot]com - if I lived in London, I'd be there in a heartbeat!

Saving sharks with Chantecaille
Chantecaille's makeup palettes are well-known for their philanthropic aspect, and their latest one is no exception: 5% of the sales of their Save The Shark eye and cheek palette will go to conservationist group BLOOM. Inspired by spring runway colours and the freshness of the ocean, the palette consists of four cool shades: Great White (beige), Grey Reef (sandy grey), Black Tip (ocean blue) and Sea Anemone (coral). 

You're beautiful
Should you be wishing to start dropping hints to loved ones on the approach of the next big occasion in your life (or simply 'just because'), look no further than the packages offered by Michaeljohn Salon and Medispa: available exclusively in February, all packages (starting price £100) include a shampoo, cut and finish, a manicure, and a pedicure. Those willing to splash out on the £200 package also receive a bikini wax, eyelash tint and eyebrow threading session in addition to this. For those who just want to stay in the spa, the £140 package provides a warm oil massage with a manicure and pedicure. For an extra £15, the massage is replaced by a revitalising facial. For £200, you get all four, along with an eyelash tint and brow shape. Finally, the £150 package combines the best of both with a manicure, pedicure, salon blow dry, and a professional makeup session. I can assure you that these packages are top value (based on the eye-watering price of treatments here...), and that you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.

Fragrance news
The latest addition to Molton Brown's "Navigations Through Scent" series has just been announced, with Mahina taking inspiration from the sun-soaked lifestyle of Tahiti. Continuing with the concept of the unisex scent, Mahina uses tiare, vanilla and cedarwood to create a balanced fragrance for men and women. To celebrate the launch, Molton Brown has teamed up with Beach Tomato to offer lucky competition winners a 7-night trip to Tahiti, with goody bags for runners-up. Perfect for escaping the drizzle!

Other gorgeous-looking perfumes that have just hit the shelves include Guess Girl (raspberry nectar, melon, bergamot), Heidi Klum Surprise! (mandarin, pink pepper, benzoin), and Halle Berry Closer (waterlily, violet, cashmere musk).

Beating Botox parties
Worryingly little regulation exists regarding who can and cannot administer anti-ageing treatment Botox, leading to the existence of 'Botox parties' thanks to the proliferation of DIY kits for sale online. I've spoken before about my worries that people out there are actually stupid enough to consider injecting their own faces - and that web services are actually willing to facilitate this at-home idiocy. Thankfully, the Royal College of Surgeons agrees, and they too have spoken out against this lack of legislation. They call for a formal body to cover aesthetic practice and to see dermal fillers reclassified as medical devices, in order to ensure safety. In my view, the sooner this comes along, the better.

Cosmetics and Beauty News (October 2012)

Like mother, like daughter

NUDE skincare is set to see its first mother-daughter collaboration in preparation for the next generation of products, with co-founder Ali working with daughter Jordan. A sneak peek can be seen in Helena Christensen’s exclusive behind-the-scenes film, which provides insight into the mother-daughter working relationship and the products themselves, which include ingredients such as omega oils and n-probiotics. You can view the video here. 

Another good option to nourish skin this winter comes in the form of Environ RAD Lips, which contains UVA and SPF15 UVB filters, protecting against premature ageing, wind burn, and UV damage. The fragrance-free balm also utilises rosemary extract, shea butter and bees wax, as well as vitamins C and E, in order to nourish lips and protect against ageing. Priced at £9.95, Environ was created by South African cosmetic surgeon Dr Des Fernandes, who specialises in the use of topical vitamins to address the effects of the environment on skin. For more information, visit www.environ.co.za.

New London perfumery opened

East London has seen the opening of a new perfumery this month thanks to Angela Flanders’ shop at 4 Artillery Passage, which unlike her Columbia Road outlet will be open Monday to Saturday inclusive. Angela’s recent recognition for Best New Independent Perfume at the 2012 FiFi Awards for fragrance Precious One should have fans flocking to her shop in no time. This joins her Artillery Range, which promises six classic eaux de toilette. Firstly there’s a new version of Napoleon’s favourite, named Le Premiere, which is scented with bergamot, lemon, neroli, rosemary and mint. Eau de Lisbon carries flavours of bitter orange, cedarwood, pepper and rose, while Hungary Water uses melissa, lemon, mint and rose. Vetivert combines lavender, spice, and woods with vetiver, and a sandalwood fragrance is created by blending this with rose and cedarwood. Finally, Patchouli Spice uses cardamom, green spices and green ginger to create a fresh and unique scent for the 21^st century. Priced from £55 for 50ml, however, it’s arguably one for the wish list.  

Of course the onset of Christmas means that there’s a whole slew of fragrances out there for you to choose from – whether as a gift for a loved one or as a gift to yourself. Molton Brown’s Valbonne, for instance, is inspired by Provencal tanners, and as such contains overtones of leather, as well as containing orange, orris and mimosa, among other ingredients. Equally intriguing is the new range of fragrances by the White Company, which are affordably priced from £18 for 30ml of eau de toilette. The company’s debut fragrances are named Blanc and Noir, which contain blends of musk, juniper, and geranium; and orchid, amber and mandarin respectively. Body creams, hand creams, bath oils and scented candles are also available. Topman has also announced the introduction of its first fine fragrance, named Distil, which uses scents of petitgrain, blood orange, ginger, olibanum and cashmeran, to name just a few of the fragrance’s many layers. Distil will be available from November 5^th in two sizes on Topman.com, as well as across 20 selected stores.

 But perhaps the biggest fragrance news comes in the form of Chanel No 5’s Forever Feminine, which is marketed by Brad Pitt and promises to be “the most feminine fragrance of all time”. To have ladies made weak at the knees therefore seems part of its DNA! And speaking of which…
 
Test your anti-ageing DNA

Have you ever wanted to see how you really will age? Now the anti-ageing DNA test at the Organic Pharmacy makes this a reality, with geneONYX suitable for all age groups. Immediate results mean that data doesn’t need to be sent away for analysis, allowing you to choose a course of action most suited to your age and skin type. While I’m not sure I believe in any miracle cures in the combat against ageing, this may help young enthusiasts in particular to take preventative action.

In other anti-ageing news, one brand has harnessed the power of the often-overlooked Aloe ferox plant in a new capsule skincare range. Timeless Skin claims to use the power of nature with the power of science, creating a creamy cleanser, alcohol-free toner, day and night creams, a serum and a mask – all with the South African aloe ferox. Distinct from the much more famous aloe vera plant, aloe ferox also helps to moisturise skin and stimulate natural collagen production, while being twenty times stronger than aloe vera. The level of bitter anthraquinone is what helps to pack the punch, thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties. The range is aimed at women aged between 35 and 55, so arguably slightly out for me at age 26 – although one could say that it’s never too early to start anti-ageing. Exclusive to Natural Beauty Care, the products are sold from www.natural-beauty-care.co.uk . And who knows? Even if you’re not in this company’s target age bracket, I still reckon aloe ferox will be a top ingredient in 2013.

L’Oreal to sell Body Shop?

Many consumers were unhappy about The Body Shop selling out to L’Oreal some years ago due to apparent odds in the two’s ethical credentials. However, there are whispers on the wind of L’Oreal selling up thanks to incompatibility between The Body Shop and L’Oreal’s other brands. Lush is one of the beauty specialists rumoured to be taking The Body Shop on, with the latter’s fortunes failing over the past five years arguably because of cheap brands expanding their beauty lines and undercutting Anita Roddick’s pet project. Some consumers in the UK and abroad have also criticised The Body Shop for its slightly outmoded packaging and lack of change in its products. It’s clear that such criticisms are subjective; however, with the beauty market set to grow by 2.6% in 2013, the brand possibly has to change to compete.

Florence and Fred moves forward

One brand that is adapting to the times is Tesco’s Florence and Fred, whose makeup brand (F&F Made Up) is now available online for the first time. Launched last year in Tesco Beauty Shops, the brand is now available to all at www.tesco.com/beauty. Priced from £5, it makes for an affordable way to glam up and a convenient way to shop for modern day looks – whether it’s in your weekly shopping trolley, or in your cart online.

Another new kid on the online block is Wild About Beauty, founded by Louise Redknapp and Kim Jacob, which has just been launched in the UK. International makeup artist Kim advised Louise after she developed skin pigmentation following the birth of her son, with natural, fresh and glowing looks made possible without heavy makeup. Their Divine Twilight palette for eyes has already earned a mention on this blog for its bewitching array of colours – and with luck I’ll have some reviews available for you soon.

Beauty comes from within

It’s often said that beauty comes from within, and it’s possible that Purifyne is about to prove it with its new Beautifyne Cleanse Plan. Similarly to Onça, which I road tested this May, Beautifyne is a juice that you take daily. It’s said to flush out toxins, balance your body’s pH level, and provide skin-beautifying vitamins and minerals, with the green juices used said to rejuvenate and stimulate cells, and to act as an antiseptic. Beautifyne promises to brighten and hydrate skin, and increase energy levels. However, Beautifyne is only within reach of the select few, as it’s even more expensive than Onça, at £395 for a five-day supply. You can find out more at the Purifyne website - www.purifyne.com – but I suspect that for many of us it won’t be a stocking filler in 2012.

Perhaps slightly more attainable is Laura Mercier’s signature 10-brush collection, which is being sold exclusively at Harrods. With its wooden handles and professional-grade bristles, it’s still £195 for the set, so I’d be more inclined to pin my hopes on a few other beauty bits and bobs that I’ve got my eye on, including Philosophy’s spiced pumpkin shower gel.

Sugar and spice and all things nice…

Assuming I can’t get hold of the Philosophy stuff (seeing as they don’t ship to the UK and stopped retailing in France not long ago), Ashleigh and Burwood could be offering a good alternative as far as sugar and spice goes. London’s master fragrance house offer conventional perfumes as well as fragrance lamps and scent diffusers, and are expanding their range for the festive season. The holiday scents promise to destroy harmful bacteria and eliminate unwanted odours, rather than just masking them, and Ashleigh and Burwood offer their fragrances in a range of colours to suit any home. As for the scents themselves, I’ve got my eye on “Mulled Wine”, “Festive Figs and Spiced Clementines”, and “White Ginger and Roasted Nutmeg”. What will you choose?

Leading cosmetic clinic advocates diet over surgery
Court House Clinics have finally confirmed what many of us have long suspected, by supporting findings that a ‘quick fix’ cosmetic treatment for weight loss just isn’t viable. The national cosmetic group has used a case study of their own to provide evidence for their statement. A Birmingham housewife weighed 15st and 2lbs when she approached Court House Clinics seeking advice on bariatric surgery. With a BMI of 42.8, she was advised to lose weight naturally first using their Alizonne diet programme, and in this way she dropped seven dress sizes in eight months. Dr Patrick Bowler, the clinic’s head consultant, explains: "These results cannot be achieved by surgery alone. Obese patients are put at risk by quick fix surgeries which do not have any long term health or medical benefits. Court House Clinics advise anyone thinking of undertaking a weight loss treatment to fully investigate the programme before investing money. Surgical solutions are only ever part of the solution, not the whole solution according to the group. Patient participation and commitment to treatment is a key factor in getting the desired results." It’s wonderful to finally see clinics and patients using treatments in a responsible way, and using surgery just as a last resort. If only others would follow their example.

(Lip)sticking to art

We all love lipstick, but artist Fabrice Hyber has taken his love of the stuff one step further by making it into a work out art. The “1m³ of beauty” sculpture is made entirely out of lipstick and is part of his Raw Materials (or “Matières Premières” for our froggy friends) show at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Hyber praises this unusual medium, describing it as “supple…especially in a large quantity. [It] permanently moves…[and] is never finished, …is always evolving. It’s a living oeuvre.” I’ll definitely be trying to make it there to see it before the exhibition closes on January 7th 2013, and hope you manage to as well.

Cosmetics & Beauty News September 2010

Protect your skin - all year round

A study conducted recently by the University College Hospital, Besancon, in conjunction with Boots' No7, finds that not only can skin damage occur when skin is exposed unprotected to sun through glass (such as through conservatory windows and car windows) and that 83% of women are unaware that they should be protecting their skin with an SPF product all year round - not just when on their usual annual summer holiday. Boots helps to combat this with their release of the first 5-star rated UVA daily moisturiser in the UK - No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream - which helps to protect skin from the sun as well as repair already existing signs of ageing.

And for sensitive skin too...

...there's Allergy UK-approved extreme tolerance skincare range, NATorigin. Approved also by the Vegetarian Society, packaging is fully recyclable, and the products themselves contain a minimum of 97% naturally-sourced ingredients - and the range, available from www.natorigin.co.uk, has also been nominated in three categories in the 2010 Pure Beauty Awards to prove it. With prices starting at £6.75, the range contains red seaweed and raspberry seed oil to nourish, hydrate and purify. Sounds good to me.

Think pink with Estée Lauder  

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, Estée Lauder is launching its Pink Ribbon Collection this October, comprising two snazzy new makeup sets complete with pink mock crocodile clutch bags. The Elizabeth Hurley Lip Collection gives you two double-ended lipgloss wands for a total of four gloss shades (Nude Rose, Rock Candy, Brazen Berry and Extravagant Pink) for £25, while the Evelyn Lauder Lip Collection offers three shades of Pure Colour Lipstick - Tiramisu, Candy, and Rubellite - for £25. To complete your look, there's the Estée Lauder Jewelled Pink Ribbon Pin, whose £10 retail price goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in its entirety. As for the makeup sets, £7.50 from each purchase also goes directly to the charity. Who could ask for more? Look good and support a charity at the same time.

Get Bobbi Brown in your stocking this Christmas

Bobbi Brown's new teen beauty book and palette are sure to feature on many a girl's wish list this December. In Beauty Rules, out now, Bobbi gives tips on everything to build beauty inside and out, including exercise, being a great friend, and of course plenty about makeup. The accompanying new website, www.BeautyRules.com, gives just a taster of what you can expect - and could even benefit us 20-somethings who are still teens inside.

And the winner is...

Thanks to our good friends at Purity Organic Skincare, I have been able to give away five full sets of the range this month. The five winners are:

Rachel Barnes, Maidenhead

Jessica Collier, Brighton

Sarah Long, Woking

Mary Richardson, Hull

Sabrina Stadler, Glasgow

Enjoy your products - they should be with you soon :)  Happy October, everyone!

Cosmetics & Beauty News June 2010

Bianca's Beauty Blog giveaway!
www.goodyhair.co.uk has kindly agreed to team up with my little website to give away a box of hair goodies to one of you lovely lot. We have three-step routines for our skin and nails, but not for our hair - until now. If you win, you'll receive one of their Start hairbrushes, one of their Style brushes, and one of their Finish brushes, which offer different tools for everything from detangling to adding shine. Along with that, you'll also receive some pretty hairclips that are perfect for summer. To win, please email soprano[UNDERSCORE]seraph[AT]hotmail[DOT]com with your name, address, and your reason for wanting to fix up your hair for the summer. The deadline for entries is 10am French time on July 10th, with the winner being announced the same day. Good luck :)

Beauty with a conscience
Over time, beauty companies have got more of a conscience, thinking more about the effects of their actions and behaviour on the world around us as well as on our own bodies. Thankfully, this doesn't seem to be something that's on the wane: Palmer's (of cocoa butter fame) will be supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October 2010, reintroducing the pink bottle of cocoa butter to this effect. Their Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks will also be available in a pink bottle for the first time, with 25p from the sale of each of the two bottles going to Breast Cancer Care. Simple is also running the race for life by supporting Macmillan Cancer Support - by going to www.simple.co.uk, you can choose from any of their three packs by selecting the one most appropriate to your skin type. From your £10, a hefty £2 will go directly to charity. There's never been a better excuse to get spending.

Get ready for the launch
Lots of new beauty launches coming soon, so let's start at the top end of retail. Harvey Nichols is now home to Functionalab, which produces science-based beauty supplements such as liquid energy tonics and skin supplements, promoting beauty from the perspective of health. While several of the supplements retail at a wallet-busting £85, there are still plenty of affordable options, such as their £16 Zen, Energy and Beauty Tonics, and their £25 Hair, Skin and Nails Supplement.

Naturally Upper Canada is also coming soon to most major department stores, gift stores, and garden centres. After 40 years of success in the Americas, Asia, and of course Canada itself, it's finally coming here, and with nine unique products, each available in four divine-sounding fragrances (sweet vanilla fig, pressed olive avocado, cranberry moro orange, and warm honey nectar), it's surely set to be a hit in the UK too. It's 97% natural, super-affordable (with prices starting at only £2.50), has a range for babies, and includes everything from lip butter and nappy cream to salt scrubs and massage oils. What's not to like?!

Finally, also coming to the UK is the slightly strangely-named Snap-On-Smile. From the same company that brought us the Lumineers (which I think I may have mentioned before), the Snap-on-Smile is made of very thin but extremely specialised resin that resists staining and can be fitted onto your teeth in only 40 minutes' worth of dentist visits. Non-invasive (no drills or injections, yay!) and affordable, it should offer hope to many...although as the name suggests, they are snap-on only (read: you can't wear them all the time) and in no way pose a real challenge to more permanent solutions. Blast.

Here comes the sun
It's certainly been quite the scorcher lately, so it's important to take care of yourself. Among the many usual suncare brands vying for your attention in pharmacies and supermarkets, many established not-specifically-suncare brands and new ones alike are launching ways to protect yourself in the sun. Korres, for example, is bringing out SPF30 watermelon suncream for your face, as well as sweet orange cream for your face and body in a spray format (SPF25). Yoghurt cooling gel is also on their list to keep you fresh - and not burnt - this summer. Perhaps a bit further down the price ladder is Simple, with their SPF50 lotion for adults, £8 for 150ml, and their SPF30 spray for kids (£8 for 200ml). Cult French brand Melvita, which is now available in the UK, is also bringing out its ProSUN range this summer, which is unsurprisingly all organic and brings you tanning preparation milk, SPF30 suncream, tanning oil, and aftersun, from £16. Finally, there is Apicare, whose 4-in-1 care I trialled before. They are releasing a Manuka honey lip balm which has protection of SPF15. Containing honey, beeswax, and oils of almond, tea tree and sesame, and priced at £5, it's great not just for summer but all year round too.

A whisper on the wind...
The perfume market's gone pretty quiet as summer approaches, but there is one new release at least: Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani. If you have an especially obsessive nose, the iPhone AppStore has also just launched iPerfumer, an app from Givaudan that promises to offer tailored advice on how to choose perfume. You can use it to create a profile, view or shortlist favourites, and have the app make recommendations for you based on what you've already looked at. I'll also soon be publishing a version of Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style over at Nieuwe stijloefeningen in a way that's designed to centre wholly on perfumery and olfactory senses (I'll be their first contributor to be writing in English). Watch this space for both!

Tech-tastic
So since we're speaking of apps, it seems like a good time to mention L'Oréal's new one. It offers a store locator and makeup tutorial videos, and uses hair and eye colour to make product recommendations, as well as an interactive barcode scanner which allows you to get tips and advice relating to a specific product while in store. It's free and everything :)
On the weirder side of things, a new website has launched to help you to get the lowdown on all your hair removal needs: the Ministry of Waxing uses digital orangutans as virtual guides to help you around the site, which introduces you to the Ministry's 27 salons in 9 countries and tells you all you need to know about hair removal. So go forth and let the orangutans tell you how to go from muff to buff. Yeppity yep.

Scrub up for summer
Arbonne is hot on the heels of its new cosmetics range with a new strawberry cleansing range - just in time for Wimbledon, too. The body cleanser (£19.50 for nearly 300ml) is packed with good stuff - not just strawberries but also lemon, rose, shea butter, wheat, oat, and vitamins A & E to help keep skin soft. Their two-in-one cleanser/toners (£18.50 each for 118ml; purifying for oily skin and hydrating for normal/dry) are equally innovative and luscious, containing strawberries, witch hazel, mallow, watercress, ivy and rosemary for the oily-skinned, and strawberries, rose, lemon, jojoba oil, shea butter, safflower oil, and vitamins A, C and E.

You can also carry on getting ready for the summer festivals with Johnson's Baby Skincare Wipes - perfect for staying fresh-faced even in the muddiest of conditions, they are espoused by celebrities such as Fearne Cotton and Victoria Beckham. At £2.69 for 64 wipes, they're a bargain too.
Win stuff!
With school and university holidays already starting, and people dreaming of, booking, and jetting off on trips away, most of us are already near-apopleptic with all the lovely excitement. But there's more! Yes, really! As well as entering my giveaway at the top of this entry, you can also have a stab at bidding on a Smashbox makeup set that contains £300 worth of stuff and is signed by Hollywood stars such as Amy Ryan, Gilles Marini and Sherri Shepherd. With proceeds benefiting the Hollywood Arts charity, bidding starts on July 8th and ends on July 10th here. You can also win tickets to see Breakfast at Tiffany's on the big screen on the 6th July by clicking here. Plus, as a bonus, you'll be entered into a prize draw to win the ultimate girls' night in - think hair and beauty products galore!

Cosmetics & Beauty News February 2010

Keeping beauty safe
Even despite the various medical advances that abound in our world today, you could argue that we are unhealthier as people are either too fat or too thin, consuming more of the wrong things, and interacting in increasingly polluted environments. The Safe Beauty Association takes this to another level, wanting consumers to be more aware of health issues in beauty, whether at the makeup counter or in professional salons, and encouraging a desire to decrease cross-contamination and diseases such as conjunctivitis. Launched in December, the programme is already gathering momentum and offers both individual and corporate membership as well as training and accreditation, bringing this issue deservedly into the spotlight. Find it at www.safebeautyassociation.com

Going your own Wei
With the arrival of Wei Beauty at SpaceNK, your skincare regime can truly be allowed to go its own way through the use of traditional Chinese skincare methods, there being four categories of product so that you're sure to find something to suit your skin. Choose the Chi range to purify with Chinese rose cleanser and pomegranate buffing beads; elect to energise with the Yang range, which contains jujube and goji berries to revitalise; replenish with Yin, which uses mulberry, safflower and lotus to nourish; and, for those of you with acneic skin, bring a sense of Zen to your bathroom with the range that uses lychee and chrysanthemum to correct, balance and restore congested skin. Available from Space NK now, starting at £15.

Incanto the Sixth
Salvatore Ferragamo is launching the latest addition to the Incanto perfume series this month, entitled Incanto Bloom. With so many floral undertones - freesia, champaca, grapefruit flowers, and tea roses - it's bound to attract the girly girls, but the added cashmere wood and musk make it more unusual and intriguing. And, starting at £29.50 for 30ml of EDT at Escentual.com, it's affordable too.

Scorsese's scorching Chanel project
Start thinking ahead Christmas, or perhaps get this one for your boyfriend or fiancé "just because": Chanel's new fragrance for men is sure to provide an edge to the world of aftershave, with its adverts being directed by Martin Scorsese and starring the suave French actor, Gaspard Ulliel. The only disadvantage is that it doesn't break until August 2010, just missing Fathers' Day. No further details about the fragrance are available yet, but with these two involved, it's likely to be simultaneously classic and on trend.

Stella's solid scent soars into stores
Following Jean-Paul Gaultier's solid perfume-cum-necklace last January, you can now team it with (or compensate for, if you didn't buy it) Stella McCartney's effort, the solid version of Stella, which is now available for $49 in the US, and is true to the original Stella, retaining its notes of mandarin, rose, peony and amber. In the UK, it's yours for free in Debenhams when you purchase any 50ml fragrance from the designer. I'd say that sounds like a bargain of the first order. A stylish and classic addition to any outfit!

Cosmetics & Beauty News December 2009

Jurlique discount just for you
To celebrate the rejuvenation of its website (www.jurlique.com), Australian natural beauty company Jurlique is offering you a 15% discount on its bestselling Rose Hand Cream (available in both full and travel size) until December 31st. As well as rose, it contains loads of other lovely stuff too, such as calendula, sweet violet and echinacea. Enter the code ROSEHAND15 in order to benefit.

Fragrance news
Luxury lifestyle brand Bottega Veneta is partnering with Coty for an exclusive fragrance, and while it's not coming out until 2011, the brand's director, Tomas Maier, certainly seems to have some good ideas already, calling the project "an exciting challenge", which is sure to incorporate the elegance and sophistication for which the brand is already known.

New year, new faces
Lancôme has signed Julia Roberts to be one of its new faces of the brand as we roll into 2010. Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper will also be crossing the generational divide to front MAC's AIDS Fund campaign, and Diane Kruger has been signed to L'Oréal as its latest spokesperson, to represent hair colour, hair care, and makeup. Limited edition Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper lipsticks will also consequently appear in MAC's range in March.

This ought to straighten things out...
VO5 has just released a new and affordable new set of straighteners, with ceramic plates that heat to 230°. At a mere £30, this sounds like a sure competitor against other popular straighteners. REF's Get It Straight styling cream, £12.25, will also protect your hair from heat damage.
Cupid & Grace (www.cupidandgrace.com) also offers a wide variety of straighteners and straightening-related brands and products this Christmas, including its £85 Christmas Gift Box for straightening, which contains the FHI Platform Straightener, a heat mat, a paddle brush, and a thermal protector for your hair. For curls, they even have a £49 Gift Box For Curls, containing the Babyliss Pro Conical Wand, heat mat, Pink Head Jog 79 Brush, and Indola Curl Spritz to keep that hair in place.


Mixing it up
While the Christmas offers from Bond No 9 and companies like them are simply oozing with style and sparkle, their jaw-dropping price tags mean that many are excluded. Melange Perfume (www.melangeperfume.com), however, offers a still beautiful and yet affordable option, with its solid perfumes retailing at $15 and its roll-on perfumes selling for $18. The website is stacked full of personalisable options, making this a truly creative gift at any time of year.

The best-kept beauty secret
Most makeup moguls love preening in front of the mirror or camera lens (ahem). But the Casio EX-S12 seems set to take this to a whole new level: it's not only small enough to fit into your pocket, but also has a special 'makeup mode' to make you look flawless every time, adding a professional finish to your photographs. Retailing at £200, it's not exactly cheap, but if it eliminates all embarrassing photo moments, maybe it's a small price to pay...!

Cosmetics & Beauty News November 2009

Bianca's Beauty Blog's first giveaway
Skin MD Natural have kindly offered to give away a full size bottle of their Shielding Lotion, which I have also been sent and will be reviewing soon. It promises to serve as a makeup base and all-over face and body moisturiser to soothe skin conditions and send dry skin packing. Full of good stuff like arnica and camomile, it should moisturise and heal without irritation, especially since it is also free of parabens and is hypoallergenic. And you can win it for free just in time for the harshest winter months :)

To win, go to the Skin MD Naturals website (www.skinmdnaturals.com) and have a look around, and then email me 50 words on why you deserve to win and how this product will benefit you, along with your name and address and with "Skin MD Natural Giveaway" in the subject line. Entries close on December 15th 2009. Good luck!

Be a winter warmer
Following its launch in the UK earlier this year, Jergens is now searching for a Winterless Weather Forecaster. By logging onto www.jergens.com, and following their 'enter today' link, you can win daily prizes as well as being in with a chance to win a cash prize when entries close in January. Just upload a video explaining your tips to help keep skin looking soft, beautiful and 'winterless' throughout the year.

Happy Birthday to Nars
Makeup brand Nars is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a celebrity portrait book, entitled 15x15. Available exclusively at www.15x15project.com until December 15 as a limited edition, François Nars has made up, styled and photographed 15 celebrity subjects including Marc Jacobs and Naomi Campbell, and is donating all of the book's $80-price-tag proceedings to charities chosen by the celebrities.

Strange and beautiful
Liberty is launching a new nail varnish collection in time for Christmas, inspired by a spectrum as varied as Oscar Wilde and dark purple ink. Sold in collections of eight at £45 a collection, this should make a great value present this holiday season.

Cosmetics & Beauty News October 2009

Another month, another closure
Following the announcement of the closure of Prescriptives last month, B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful is the next victim of the crunch. While they haven't gone bust, Lush has taken the decision to close, citing a sheer inability to make a profit, and will be absorbing the business. This strikes me as being a sensible pre-emptive decision which looks and sounds an awful lot better than having to call in administrators. But unlike Prescriptives' closure, this piece of news is much less surprising: the combination of a lack of catchy brand name, and the fact that the brand always did play second fiddle to Lush (especially given its similar philosophy, branding and products), means that this move is perhaps for the best.

Liz Earle guest edits Top Santé
November's issue of Top Santé is the Beautiful Skin issue, so it seems more than fitting to have Liz Earle, a former beauty journalist and now pillar of the eponymous skincare company, return as guest editor for the issue to offer skincare tips and advice. Liz Earle is also releasing the brand's first fragrance this month, with top notes of orange bigarade and cardamom, heart notes of lavender and nutmeg, and with base notes of cedarwood, patchouli, and tonka bean absolute.



Fragrance news
As Christmas approaches, and boys the world over panic about what to get for their wives and girlfriends, many new fragrances are landing on the market to exploit this little male weakness, with many brands taking to the perfume scene for the first time in anticipation. At the most affordable end of the spectrum comes Accessorize, which is releasing its debut scent in celebration of the brand's 25th birthday (£17.50), and Avon, who is teaming up with the Black Eyed Peas' Fergie for its latest blend (although this one's not out until August 2010). L'Occitane is also rolling out its winter fragrances, and for those with satisyfingly deep wallets, Jimmy Choo has just signed a 12-year-fragrance deal. There's also Dolce & Gabbana's new fragrance Rose The One (containing traces of lychee, rose, Madonna lily, ambrette seed, and many other flowers, it starts from £32 for 30ml), and Helena Rubinstein's All You've Ever Wanted, inspired and launched by Demi Moore. Plenty of choice, then...so no excuses :p

Chanel presents Vanessa Paradis
Another range sure to be on many women's 2010 wish lists this year is Chanel's new lipstick line, created with Vanessa Paradis and entitled Rouge Coco de Chanel. If, however, you can't wait that long, and want to get your greasy mitts on something just as expert, you could always buy Alex Box's book, which celebrates her work as a leading makeup artist (she has collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld and Alexander McQueen, among others) and is published by Turnaround. At £50 it's still quite expensive, though (even if you buy it on Amazon.co.uk, it's still £40 for the hardback), but there's always the exhibition of the same name instead, which is running at the Annroy Gallery, 110-114 Grafton Road, Kentish Town, from the 23rd Oct – 22nd Dec.

Be squeaky clean in time for Christmas
As well as Sex & The City's Chris Noth being lately unveiled as the new spokesperson for Biotherm Homme, there are plenty of other skincare companies currently on the offensive to make sure you're looking your best. Neutrogena's new Deep Moisture range, for example, starts at a mere £4.99, and with its two body lotions (one for dry and one for sensitive skins) and its multi-use Comfort Balm, it promises to keep skin soft and supple for 24 hours with just one application. Soap and Glory tries to get the men on board with its new range, which comes in retro red and with its trademark tongue-in-cheek names (such as Dry Hard deodorant and the Man O'Phwoar gift set), and is also kind to the wallet with starting prices of just £3.49. But those of you looking for something a little more unusual also won't be dissatisfied: Green & Spring has just brought out its first range of skincare too, including face masks, skin refiners and lip balms as well as the more traditional cleansers, toners and moisturisers (though prices are a little more steep, the lip balm is just £7.50 and so would make a delightful stocking filler).

















In the media
Being launched on November 6th, Absolute Cosmetics was launched as the first ever free consumer magazine to be produced by professionals in the cosmetics industry. Aimed at giving real insight into the industry, the quarterly will offer product news and real life stories, and will deal with cosmetic and beauty myths and misconceptions. Equally exciting is the creation of new website The Skinny, which plays on the new sample sales craze (of which Gilt Groupe and RueLaLa are examples), takes the concept, and applies it to skincare, giving site users the chance to get the high-end skincare treatments they love at a fraction of the cost. The site, located at www.shoptheskinny.com, also provides video tutorials and personalised recommendations - sounds good to me.

National Skincare Month
November is National Skincare Month, so it seems like a good time to stand back, take stock, and make sure you're doing everything right for your skin. This includes drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of sleep, not smoking, eating well, not getting too much sun (and definitely NO SUNBEDS!), removing makeup thoroughly each night, having a few makeup-free days per week, and having a good solid skincare routine, using products that are right for your skin, remembering to account for any changes in your skin condition as you go through life. Have a happy and healthy November :)

Cosmetics and Beauty News September 2009

Lots of news this month...and not all of it good...

Estée Lauder to shut down Prescriptives
This is probably the worst cosmetics and beauty news that I've heard this year - if, indeed, ever. They've essentially decided to concentrate on more profitable Estée Lauder companies, and they're winding up sales of Prescriptives as of now (once stocks are gone they presumably won't be renewed), with sales expected to cease entirely in January or February. While I'm sad (it's a great brand that provides something really unique to consumers), I'm also baffled by the brand managers' general stupidity: does marketing mean nothing to these people? Not only does the brand never advertise, they also don't really sell in mainstream outlets (the principal one is probably House of Fraser), so not everyone is even able to get to a counter. If they just upped the ante with their advertising, and started selling in Debenhams, maybe they would be able to save the brand - but they're probably not going to. Sad times :(

Bare Escentuals opens first UK store
In better news, popular mineral makeup brand Bare Escentuals has just opened its first stand-alone boutique (having traded up to now only at department store counters and via QVC). Allowing prospective buyers to test products and seek advice from beauty consultants, this is arguably a key moment for the mineral makeup industry: many only retail as franchises or online, rather than having their own store. Sounds to me like a great way to move forward. The shop is located at 40 Neal Street, London WC2H 9PS.

On the quest for best-price beautyThis month, Bright Light Station is launching Beauty Quest - the first ever comparison site dedicated to health and beauty. This is great news for bargain hunters like me - I'm always trying to get the latest limited-edition compact at the best possible price. The site will also contain makeup and beauty tips, video tutorials, an online community, a news section and a special offers section. I am so there when this goes live. Makeup artist Tricia Woolston has also unveiled her new website at www.triciawoolston.com - a site which looks extremely professional, slick and easy to use, as well as featuring some gorgeous photography.

Bourjois makes skincare debut
On a more affordable level, Bourjois is now finally taking its skincare range across the Channel and into Britain. Having been available on the continent for some time, the Bourjois skincare range includes cleansing wipes for when you're on the go as well as normal cleansing and makeup-removing products. All products are priced at under £5 each, too, and are available now - just in time for half-term travels.

Natural help for feet this Christmas
After all the Christmas shopping and partying, your tired, worn and suffering feet are sure to be in need of a little TLC. The limited edition Pampermint gift set from Arbonne is the perfect gift or self indulgence and will cool and repair feet and relax and reinvigorate you. You can start with the fresh foot work foot scrub, and finish off with creamy solemate foot cream and delightful cosy socks. You’ll have your toes back in shape in no time. Beautifully packaged gift sets are a cool £31 each, and can be ordered via www.arbonneinternational.co.uk.

Losing our breaths
The celebrity fragrance market is quite obviously already gearing up for the Christmas rush, and for those who don't fancy some of the fragrance industry's other new arrivals, such as YSL's Parisienne and La Perla's J'aime La Nuit, Beyoncé is bringing out her first scent in association with Coty. There aren't really many details yet (she had wanted to call it Sasha Fierce, but was promptly threatened with legal action by Abercrombie, who want to protect their Fierce fragrance), but I bet she'll be trying her best to outdo J-Lo's hugely successful Glow. “For me, fragrance reflects a woman’s attitude and unique sense of style,” said Beyoncé. “While I love various perfumes, I haven’t found a scent that truly personifies me as a woman. Working with Coty, I was able to turn my ideal fragrance into a reality by creating an alluring and sophisticated fragrance; one that’s reflective of my inner power. It’s a true privilege to be working with Coty and I can’t wait to share this personal side of me with fans all across the world.”

NuBo launches first men's skincare range
The men's skincare market just keeps growing and growing, and now that NuBo wants a piece of the action, it seems that it's getting more and more luxurious too. Exclusive to Harrods, the brand has just brought out three new men's products: an SPF20 moisturiser intended for after shaving, a serum called The Essence, and Perfectionist (to mattify skin; basically a cooler-looking version of the women's product without the foundation additive). And DAMN does that packaging look fine. Sadly, the price tag also matches it, with prices starting at £80 and soaring as high as £200.
Do not fear, though: men who want to come back down to earth and still take care of their skin can also content themselves with Molton Brown's range for men, which has just relaunched.

From girl power to berry power
Harnessing the power of all those superfoods that Gillian McKeith always talks about, you can rub goji berries, acai berries, bilberries and blueberries directly into your skin with Neal's Yard's new Power Berry range. Prices start at just £13, and you can take your pick from face washes, face masks, and moisturisers. Sounds delicious to me.


This is not just any beauty range...this is a Tess Daly beauty range
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly is launching her first beauty range in Marks and Spencer this October. With the Daly Body range including shimmering body lotions and bath soaks that contain jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood scents, and with a makeup range to follow, it's sure to be a heady hit this Christmas. Available from October 19th.

Mama Mio Boob Tube supports Breast Cancer Awareness
Mama Mio's bust firming cream not only promises to do what it says on the tin, but also offers an even more valuable service - women are encouraged during use to examine their breasts, allowing them to detect any changes more quickly. And, especially for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, £1 from every tube sold at www.mamamio.com will go to a cancer research charity. Containing evening primrose oil and shea butter, it already boasts celebrity fans such as Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Alba, and is priced at £28.50.

Stand up for science - stand up for research
On September 26th, L'Oreal launched their new Young Scientist Centre in London so that state school pupils could make their science lessons more hands-on and get more interested in scientific research. Students will participate in activities such as making their own shampoo and extracting their DNA, and if this serves to make science more interesting and relevant to them, and brings the world more scientific researchers, this can only be a good thing.

All things bright and beautiful
TotalBeauty has recently launched a new application to bring beauty to the interested at all times of day via Yahoo's new homepage. All Things Beauty will enable users to identify the latest and best beauty samples and deals available, discover the most buzzed beauty products that everyone’s talking about, and get beauty tips and how-tos. The All Things Beauty app can be found at http://my.yahoo.com/atm?yapid=q7FleV32.

Win an A-list weekend
Genuinely. Thanks to John Frieda, we all have a chance to win a weekend of pampering, including a haircut from Nicola Clarke, dinner at a Michelin star restaurant, accommodation in a five-star London hotel, two hours of shopping with a personal stylist (and £1000 to blow to boot), and after all of that shopping, afternoon tea at another exclusive hotel. I'm already otherwise engaged on the weekend of the prize (October 24th-25th), so there's not much point in me entering (sob), but that doesn't mean you can't. Sit back, relax, enter your details at www.johnfriedacompetition.co.uk, and watch this lovely video :) Enjoy!

Cosmetics & Beauty News: August 2009

Survive summer skin with Elizabeth's Daughter
Just because the summer months are drawing to a close, it doesn't mean that the sun's on its way out. Your skin needs protecting and hydrating all year round, and one way of doing this is with products from Elizabeth's Daughter. Their daily moisturiser, £24, contains SPF15 as well as fresh pumpkin, shea butter, vitamin E, and oils from rice bran and sesame seeds, and for a little light refreshment, the skin spritz (£18) contains lots of lovely stuff from rose water and aloe vera to mountain balm and strawberries. The best of the lot, however, is probably their multi-purpose soothing and glossing balm (also £18), which contains apricot butter and meadowfoam, and can be used on any area of the body that needs TLC, from lips to heels. While the fact that the brand was originally designed for young girls makes the price tags seem a little surprising, this translates into an affordable treat for adults. Stockist details available at www.elizabethsdaughter.co.uk .

Keep your hair radiant too
Summer often has a delightful side effect of making already blonde hair blonder and making skin more radiant. I reckon that the above on Elizabeth's Daughter already has the latter part covered, but for the former, I've just been sent John Frieda's delightful Sheer Blonde Go Blonder, which allows hair to keep that sunkissed look all year round. Having used John Frieda's stuff before, I already know that things are probably going to go well.

Calling all Gok Wan fans!
I'm sure that all fans of the beauty guru will forgive my returning to skincare for a moment, because following his past collaboration with Dorothy Perkins (to make stylish clothes for normal-sized girls), Gok is teaming up with Boots to create his own skincare range. You can bet it'll be just as affordable and attractive as his clothes lines, and featuring everything from body scrubs to hand creams, the Gorgeous range is rolling out in larger Boots stores from September 14. Sounds good to me.

Be a VIP with Beauty VIP
October sees the launch of Beauty VIP - a beauty membership club offering access to exclusive discounts and treats. Unlike most VIP clubs, however, it seems both simple and affordable: you buy the Beauty VIP book for £30 from your nearest bookshop, which not only comes chock-full of reviews, interviews and tips, but also entitles you to receive a membership card which gives you access to more than 250 discounts at a variety of beauty hot spots, ranging from hair salons to luxury spas, as well as a year's worth of other beauty savings. Not to be missed!

Do it yourself
Well, with a little help from Josie Maran too. See in the below video how to make lavender and argan mist, using ingredients from your own garden. Credit-crunching AND naturally good. Josie's Argan Moisturising Stick - a multi-use treatment for dry areas - has also recently launched at Sephora for lucky US and mainland Europe buyers.


Snuggle into autumn
Essie's new autumn collection not only draws on the warm berry shades that we know and love, but also incorporates happy brights, and more formal greys and browns. The nail colour names are also a welcome change from the usual territory of 'blush' and 'orgasm', taking their inspiration instead from our autumn and winter wardrobes. So pull on your angora cardi, and for the first time deck your nails in it too.
If you fancy something with a little more of a megawatt shine, though, you could always try Rimmel's 60-second nail varnish, which comes with a patented Pro-Cision brush to make application just that little bit easier.
*UK buyers can purchase Essie nail colours from www.perfectnails.uk.com

Celebrate Organic Fortnight
I've already reviewed the fairly snazzy Purity range from Superdrug, and it's now getting involved with Organic Fortnight (September 5-20), by offering discounts on the Purity range as of yesterday (August 30) and free Purity samples for anyone who orders from the Superdrug website between now and October. Superdrug is also offering free updates on the range from www.dare-magazine.co.uk and from www.purityorganicskincare.com , but even more excitingly, the first 30 people to place orders with their fashion affiliate, www.peopletree.co.uk, will receive a Purity gift basket worth £50, to celebrate sustainability and Fair Trade.
Korres is also participating, with its new Materia Herba range centre stage. Adhering to strict ECOCERT standards, it offers cleansing, moisturising and anti-ageing products for all skin types, starting at just £20. Available September 2009 from Liberty and from November 2009 at Harvey Nichols. Beautiful!

Travel-tastic
The summer holidays may already be over, but looking ahead to half-term travels this October, there are plenty of fabulous travel kits on the market, such as Dr Hauschka's new offering. For a mere twenty-four of your English pounds, you can grab yourself a cleanser, two toners, a day cream, a hand cream, an eye cream, and a lip salve, containing all kinds of delicious stuff from carnauba wax to candelilla. So what are you waiting for?!

This works
Or at least, let's hope it does. It sounds good on paper if nothing else: This Works combines effective skincare with aromatherapy to create its newest additions. Fresh Skin, £20, is an alcohol-free toner containing malachite and oak bark to harmonise, balance, soothe and calm skin, while Perfect Hands, £18, contains various elements of loveliness from coconut oil to musk mallow. Available now from www.thisworks.com .

Happy 10th Birthday Pixi!
Makeup brand Pixi celebrates its 10th birthday this year with the release of its Wake Up Kit for eyes, created by Petra Strand, the progenitor of the brand. Designed to help you create smoky eyes flawlessly, Strand says that the colours are inspired by autumn in her native Sweden, mimicking nature and seeming to have appeared organically on the face. Available soon from www.pixibeauty.com, I think that creating the smoky eye look just got easier, even for beginners with makeup, and perhaps even better, the West London store also offers affordable makeovers from just £15.

Getting the most out of your skin
www.myskin.com not only recommends products based on your skin condition and skin type, but will also take the lead from you by taking account of the products you already use, and recommends products based on what others with your skin type are using too. You can use this to form a 'virtual shelf' of products, as well as checking out blogs, creating your own 'skin profile' and chatting in the website's forum. Use the invite code exclusive to this blog - Bianca - so that you can join up for free.

Wishing you a romantic autumn
Pinks are contrasted by grey, beige and gold in Givenchy's stunning new autumn palette, and the autumn look is completed by uber-glossy lips, available in Gloss Poétique Rose, Rouge Interdit Poétique Iris, and Rouge Interdit Poétique Camellia. With the eye palette priced at $53, it is undeniably expensive...but oh so worth it. Je vous souhaite donc un automne poétique...