Friday 29 January 2010

NARS MARC JACOBS























I love this look Francois Nars himself created for the Marc Jacobs show. The inspiration was of dancers with left over stage make up going out for an evening on the town with a white base, and NARS Pandora Duo eyeshadow on the eyelid and the new S/S shade D.Gorgeous eyeshadow in the crease and Nuit Blanches Eyeliner Stylo used to line the eye. I also love the lips, which were created using NARS Pop life Velvet Matte Lip Pencil with a really well defined cupid's bow and a more worn and faded bottom lip, which was supposed to look like the girls had taken a swipe at the stage make up before heading out. Very creative- very chic.

NARS THAKOON SHOW
























Here make up artist Diane Kendal for NARS cosmetics uses the Orgasm Illuminator at the Thakoon show in a samurai meets surfer inspired look.

NARS ORGASM ILLUMINATOR
























The illuminator was used backstage at lots of shows in NY S/S 10 fashion week

NARS ORGASM ILLUMINATOR






















I'm having a beauty moment, I am loving all things Narssssss. Yesterday I went to the launch of their S/S 10 colours and also the launch of wait for it – Orgasm Illuminator – a liquid orgasm. The product lives up to its name with the amount of owwws and ahhhs heard from the fellow beauty journalists. You know a product is amazing when a room full of beauty girls who have really seen it all are gagging to get their hands on it. There was lots of smearing on of the product and full make overs using the new collection.

The original Nars Orgasm powder blush is an iconic product and is loved by millions but like me, many of my friends with Asian, Iranian and darker skin tones find the powder blush a bit too orange. It makes me look like an angry African dictator’s wife in London for a spot of shopping with some embezzled US dollars.

However, I can report the new Orgasm Illuminator looks amazing on darker skin tones with more peach and golden tones, which makes you look really fresh faced and well rested like when you were 19 and could go clubbing all night and look hot the next day. It even has skin friendly ingredients like anti-aging Indian frankincense and raspberry and black currant, which are packed full of anti oxidants. The illuminator is very versatile, you can pat it on the cheeks as a blush, on cheekbones to highlight, under the eyebrow, mixed with your foundation or even just above the eye brows near your hairline to give yourself a brow lift. A little goes a long way so take it easy and remember to build up the illuminator a little bit at a time. At £21 the illuminator does feel expensive but I think it’s one of those products you will use everyday and it will take ages to get through, so like an fashion investment piece it actually works out quite economically. Grab your tube from Space NK, www.spacenk.co.uk from the 18th Feb where it will be launched exclusively until it rolls out nationwide from the 1st March.

What do you guys think? Will you be rushing to get yourself an Orgasm illuminator?

BACK TO BLACK























My lovely husband emailed me this image of a fresco of a Minoan lady (the Minoan culture flourished in the Bronze age in Crete) from around 1400 B.C. and she is also known as La Parisienne. We both studied History together at university and I love that he gets what I do beauty wise. This lady made me laugh because quite frankly she looks like Amy Winehouse with her black liner, red lips and beehive. This lady like Amy, was also worshipped and adored, as it seems she has a sacred knot worn at the back of the neck, which experts think means she was a priestess or goddess. What I love about history is that you quickly learn people really don’t change, just the outfits and even the make up stays the same! There will always be woman who are adored and worshipped for music or similarly as a priestess- a vessel that can take normal people away from their everyday lives.

It seems that in this era there were also special beautification areas (that’s a salon to you and me) in the palaces of Knossos, Zakros and Pylos. Any woman knows going to a salon for a fake tan, hair colour, mani/pedi and blow dry is like going to a temple where you will find gossip, fun and lots of chat and also confidants. Ask any hairdresser and they will tell you they are a deep pool full of secrets about affairs, secret plastic surgery, AWOL cheating husbands and much more. Salons are part of our ceremonal culture and are scared places to many women. Even putting on make up to go to a gig, party or just the office does take on a ritualised quality and La Parisienne shows us that it ain’t nothing new.

What do you guys think of La Parisienne???

Thursday 28 January 2010

GUERLAIN-SUPER AQUA-EYE























Apart from looking damn cool these eye patches are also really good. There is something very decadent and ‘Mommy Dearest’ I think about applying eye patches. I think of Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford lounging around perhaps with a medicinal bloody Mary in her hand. When you are having a diva moment, do it with these patches, which you can stick in the fridge for extra de puffing and cooling on tired eyes. The formula is loaded with skin plumping hyaluronic acid, anti- aging desert rose flower complex and decongesting Terminalia Sericea extract (a plant found in Africa), which will help fight dark circles and puffiness, whilst adding instant glamour while watching Eastenders. Fabulous darling.

GUERLAIN- SUPER AQUA-DAY























I love Guerlain skincare because it’s works and gives you that butterflies in the stomach feeling with the packaging, which always looks like a precious jewel and makes you feel like a grown up woman. Guerlain have just launched 4 new products part of the Super Aqua range for dry, thirsty skin coming out on the 27th Feb, but I love these 2! I love the new Super Aqua- Day Triple Protective Shield, SPF 30, £45, a day cream with a pump (so much more hygienic and less messy than a jar I think), which is really hydrating but not sticky. Even with a high SPF, it doesn’t leave a white or bluish film on the skin, which is really annoying especially for darker skin tones like me. The fluid texture leaves a soft, comforting feeling on the skin but you can put your make up on straight away, nice. If you have an oily or combination skin, I don’t think this is for you but our drier skin type sisters will love it.

Sunday 24 January 2010

PITT STOP PART DEUX
















Last week, I predicted Brad Pitt’s beard appeared to be the window to his soul in that he and Angelina may be on the outs. He first grew his rather scary beard just before leaving Jennifer Aniston and now the beard has returned, as headlines all over the world are claiming it may be the end of Brangelina. The Daily Mail have even alleged that Brad and Angie are on the verge of signing a £205 million pound settlement as well as allegedly settling for joint custody. As soon as Brad signs on the dotted line, I predict a swift exit for the beard as he shaves off his emotional baggage. What do you guys think????

Monday 18 January 2010

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010 RED CRAPET






















Nicole Kidman also looked soft and romantic in this lingerie inspired gown by Nina Ricci

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010 RED CRAPET






















Emily Blunt also rocked the blush palette with this Dolce & Gabbana dress and Ferragamo clutch

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010 RED CRAPET






















Christina Hendricks from 'Mad Men' looked like a goddess in Christian Siriano.

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010 RED CRAPET




















Mo'nique from 'Precious' looked chic in Gold

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010 RED CRAPET























Olivia Wilde from 'House' shimmered in this gunmetal Gucci gown.

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010 RED CRAPET






















Marion Cotillard looks amazing in Dior and Jimmy Choos.

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010 RED CRAPET






















Penelope Cruz oozed old school glamour in Giorgio Armani Prive.

GOLDEN GLOBES 2010






















I love film and TV in equal measures and was so excited when the Golden Globes was on last night. My husband is also a director/producer so we settled in for a long night watching the red carpet and live ceremony until 4.30am! The first shock of the night was the rain in LA! The red carpet was covered in umbrellas it was very surreal it felt like we were watching the BAFTAS in London! I have to admit I thought it was funny all the celebs on the red carpet saying they were scared of getting frizzy hair- I thought how real –bless.

I loved the blush palette that was seen on Drew Barrymore, Emily Blunt and Nicole Kidman as well as the soft romantic updos, which were seen on the red carpet. Updos looked great on Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard and ‘Precious’ winner Mo’nique. Penelope Cruz and George Clooney also reminded everyone to help Haiti and Penelope said, “tonight can’t just be about the movies”, which I thought was very cool of her. Sandra Bullock won Best Actress in a drama award for ‘The Blind Side’ and Drew Barrymore won best actress for a TV mini series for her work in ‘Grey Gardens’- it was a night celebrating great talent.

Sunday 17 January 2010

HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL







I can’t imagine how the people of Haiti are dealing with their devastating losses and utter chaos. It’s a time for us all to come together and remember we are all brothers and sisters and need to look out for each other. Please make a donation to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

http://www.dec.org.uk/

Wednesday 13 January 2010

NUDE NAILS

















I am loving the milky nude nails shades which are set for Spring/ Summer this season. I think the new Estee Lauder Michael Kors Very Hollywood nail colour in Hollywood Gold is very fabulous in a Faye Dunaway in ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ sort of way. I also L.O.V.E Chanel’s nail polish in Particuliere, which was seen on the models gracing the Chanel S/S catwalk and on Lily Allen herself. Don’t be scared of this grey meets beige nail colour, it’s really chic on and I think looks really good on darker skin tones as well. It’s so hard to be original when it comes to nail colour but I think Chanel have done it again with this one. Get your claws out and grab a bottle as it will fly off the shelves.

PITT STOP
















You can always tell a woman’s state of mind by her hair. I haven’t met a woman yet who hasn’t chopped her hair post break up. One friend of mine years ago was dumped, chopped her hair off the next day to try and make herself feel sassy and liberated - only to cry for 2 hours and then spend £200 having hair extensions put in the next day. Women also fiddle with their hair after having babies, getting married or just before a break up. I know a girl who wanted to feel more conservative after her marriage and dyed her blonde locks brown like Jessica Simpson. Jessica had seemed to try and smarten herself up with brunette hair when she was dating that serial love machine John Mayer. It’s also no surprise that Nicole Richie has gone darker after the birth of her second baby and her new shiny dark do has helped her shake off her old party girl image.

When it comes to men I think hair and in the case of Brad Pitt, his facial hair is also a relationship barometer. I noticed in the dying days of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston (bless), he grew the most ridiculous looking beard ever. Needless to say a few months later his marriage was over. Now as rumours of a split with Miss Jolie are circling the beard has returned. I think perhaps it’s his subconscious way of physically creating a block between him and his waning love interest. Watch this space and his beard to see what happens next…….

Sunday 10 January 2010

BODY PAINT





















I just read a really interesting article about scientists who have discovered that Neanderthals in Spain 50,000 years ago used body paint as cosmetics with shells found, which are thought to be make-up containers. This discovery goes a long way to prove they weren’t as dumb, as up for it football hooligans at a cup final. Remains of recipes found were made up of yellow pigments, which is thought to have been used as a foundation (nothing changed there then especially amongst some teenage girls) and red powder mixed with a reflective black mineral – sounds like a party to me? The archaeologists at Bristol University believe this is a conclusive sign they used cosmetics, which proves they could think in a sophisticated symbolic and ritualised way.

I love the fact that body paint and cosmetics is the proof that our ancestors were more developed than we thought. There has never been a time in history or any culture that hasn’t used cosmetics to celebrate life or death such as Native Americans painting their bodies and their horses before going to war. The ritual of painting your body before going into battle or for decoration meets a fundamental human need of ceremony. Today we have lost a lot of ritualism as religion has declined. In our busy modern lives for most of us having a jaffa cake and cup of tea ready at 7.30pm sharp when Corrie starts is often the closest we come to high ceremony. Last night I saw the classic 80s film ‘Predator’ with Arnie, which is one of my favourite films. I love the fact the hunter becomes the hunted and find it a really powerful metaphor for not hiding and running away from anything, even if all your friends are dead in a South American jungle and you need to open a can of intergalactic alien whoop ass. My favourite scene is when Arnie figures out the man hunting alien from space can’t see him if he smothers his body in body temperature cooling mud. Just before he sets a trap and is about to confront his worst nightmare in the alien, Arnie silently smears mud all over his body. I love the ritualism, the attitude and the heightened emotions involved with simple body paint here being used as a weapon.

This time of year we need weapons of our own as we are all fighting fatigue, the snow and toxins. I love the ceremony of bathing and using body masks such as Rituals Himalaya Clay, pure detox body clay with its de-stressing Holy Basil and circulation boosting and reviving black pepper. The clay doesn’t smell weird but goes on smoothly when massaged onto dry skin. The minerals in the mud and ingredients help to draw out toxins from the body and you can rinse it off after 5 mins in the shower. The Body Shop’s Simply Purify Clarifying Clay Mask is also really creamy and even heats up as you slather it on, which helps to open your pores and get rid of toxins. The dead sea mud in this body mask is laced with stimulating and purifying rosemary, pine and lemon to help your skin look radiant and refreshed. So the next time you smear on any type of mask or make up get primal and know you are doing something our ancestors from all over the world have been doing for thousands of years.

Friday 8 January 2010

MAD FOR IT!






















I’ve always been a huge fan of Johnny Depp and had his poster on my wall years ago when he was in 21 Jump Street. Since the 80s he has only gotten better with age and I can’t wait to see him in Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ as the Mad Hatter. Until his screen debut as the Hatter, I’m loving all things Alice with OPI’s latest range, which has been inspired by Burton’s new film. I love this Mad as a Hatter shade, as it’s really grown up bling for nails. Also unlike some cheaper glitter nail polishes, this OPI one glides onto the nail really densely and will add a touch of magic and glamour to your hands. Take a trip down the rabbit hole and grab a bottle.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

SNOW DAY!






















Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a great Christmas and a good rest. I’m looking out of the window at the moment and the whole of London looks so peaceful and silent with a blanket of white snow on it. However, the reality of a snow day no matter how pretty and like a Working Title movie it looks like (I’m thinking Love Actually and Bridget Jones the London that only exists in movies) snow spells chaos on the tube and buses. My husband battled the snow this morning and went out in hiking boots with supplies of water and snacks just in case he gets stuck on a tube or in his office.

Forget about getting stuck on the tube, crazy weather often equals crazy skin. I recently discovered a great new facialist Annee de Mamiel, www.demamiel.com, who after a health scare in 1998 turned to Chinese medicine to heal herself. I had a fantastic facial with her at the new Method Spa at Home House and really liked her. Annee has pure good energy and is a wealth of information and she gave me acupuncture while giving me a facial, which left me feeling really balanced and chilled out. I really recommend trying acupuncture, I used to be a complete scaredy cat over the needles but have had it a few times and can say I did feel a difference in my sense of well being. The needles don’t hurt as they go in and it makes your body feel relaxed and a bit heavy. I’ve been told in the past by another acupuncturist I take the needle well, which I don’t know if that was a compliment or a bit dodgy?

Anyway, Annee has a new limited edition seasonal facial oil called the De Mamiel Winter Oil for the Face. As you all know I love a good facial oil and this one has been blended to help support the needs of the skin during this chilly season. This oil is perfect for this harsh snowy weather. Skin protecting and confidence boosting frankincense oil is blended with the a plethora of spiritually nurturing and skin rejuvenating oils such as sandalwood, myrrh, argan oil and grounding green hay. Give your skin and soul a beauty hug during these snow days with this wonderful oil.
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