GIVENCHY GLOSS POETIQUE

This fabulous limited edition gel textured lip gloss has had pride of place in my handbag for some months now. As part of the A/W collection this black lacquer chic compact houses a clear lip gloss, which magically reacts to the PH in your lips meaning you get the perfect pink for your skin tone. One of my beauty bugbears is finding a deep and pigmented pink for my skin tone, which doesn’t look wishy washy on my lips. Givenchy has delivered on this product so grab it for your personal ultimate pink shade, which can also be used on cheeks!

SPANDAU BALLET

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited to see Spandau Ballet’s last concert at the 02 with the lovely ladies from the Elizabeth Arden press office to celebrate the launch of their limited edition 80s inspired Eight Hour Cream skin protectant and Lip Protectant stick. The 02 was packed with women who all still had crushes and the boys didn’t disappoint. They gave it some welly and I was so impressed and shocked they actually played their own instruments. I am so used to not expecting pop stars to be able to actually sing and I counted Steve Norman the blonde sax playing one played 5 instruments!

As a child of the the 80s its fab to see this era has come back in a major way with Cheryl Cole’s new video 'Fight for this love' referencing the hard core blush applied on the temples to Rihanna’s updated Grace Jones high top hair and Balmain’s shoulder pads, which put Joan Collins to shame. Last night was a lovely nostalgic 80s trip when more is more.

ESTEE LAUDER

Like this Sunday night’s X factor with Whitney Houston - Estee Lauder has just launched a revamped version of an old classic with their New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex. The original Advanced Night Repair in 1982 was revolutionary as it recognised and aided the skins own natural repair system. ANR has been used by legions of loyal fans who have also found it works wonders on burns and cuts. Today the new and improved version has used new research, which has discovered that each skin cell contains clock genes which helps the cell maximise its own DNA repair. When used every night the lightweight serum helps to repair damage from smoke, pollution, UV light and even emotional stress with a potent cocktail of anti-oxidants and skin plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Grab a bottle now!

SKIN SAVERS

As the weather is getting colder and scarves and opaque tights are being whipped out, your skin might be feeling more sensitized and raw at the moment. I don't have sensitive skin on my face but I can get a bit over excited with exfoliation or after a dodgy facial my skin does feel sore and in need of some TLC. To help soothe my skin I always turn to Dermalogica's Ultra Calming Cleanser, which after a few days makes my skin feel back to normal and cushioned if I have abused it. Estelle told me in the back of an Addison Lee people carrier she is also a huge fan. Masks are also a must for calming sensitized skin and I always have Khiel’s Soothing Gel Masque in my bathroom and Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask packed with skin brightening vitamin C and Eve Lom's Rescue Mask is also good if your skin is playing up. Good quality oils on skin at night is also really healing I love Liz Earle's Superskin Concentrate with its healing argan oil and vitamin E and Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules feel like cashmere on dry, angry skin.

COWSHED MASSAGE

I’m a huge Cowshed fan as the delicious products are really good quality and suit any mood from relaxation to uplifting a weary spirit. Cowshed has recently opened a new spa with treatment rooms in the heart of London in Carnaby Street. I love a good old massage and had a fantastic one in the new Cowshed treatment rooms. Their spa menu also includes mani/pedis, threading, waxing and facials if you need a quick beauty pit stop when in central London. The décor of warm woods and the gentle sound of birdsong playing in the background made me feel like I was in the middle of the countryside instead of the hustle and bustle of central London. I was slathered in Cowshed's Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath and Massage oil, which is laced with unwinding lavender and eucalyptus and I left feeling balanced and chilled out.

THE BODY SHOP

How much do I love The Body Shop! They have had the genius idea of bringing back some iconic products from yester year such as Fuzzy Peach and Green Apple body wash. One whiff and it sent me straight back to my school days. They have also brought back their Passion Fruit Cleansing Gel. I first met my husband when we were 19 at University. I remember spying a bottle of this cleansing gel in his room and being impressed and thinking I can work with this guy- he has a skincare regime. The rest was history. You can vote for which product stays permanently out of the collection. Vote now!

BODY OILS

I have crazy dry skin on my body and need to slather on body oils everyday to keep my skin feeling soft and supple. Oils are great for dry skin as it’s easily absorbs by the skin and helps soothe and nourish. Some of my favourites include this Lavender Body Oil by Ole Henriksen, which is laced with soothing lavender and skin softening sesame oil and sweet almond oil. I also love Dermalogica’s Stress Relief Treatment Oil, which has a relaxing blend of ylang ylang, lemon, sandalwood and lavender.

If you too suffer with dry sensitive skin try and avoid oils with artificial fragrance and colour, which can aggravate your skin condition. Other good quality body oils which I love using are Clarins Relax Treatment Oil, as it has a blend of essential oils with geranium, chamomile and skin softening hazelnut oil. Also check out Origins as they have great oils such as Ginger Gloss smoothing Body oil, Calm to your senses body oil with Lavender and Vanilla and also Peace of Mind Relaxing massage oil, this minty oil is great for quickly calming down itchy sensitive skin.

CHANEL JADE NAIL POLISH IN ACTION

Jade was first seen at the Chanel A/W 09 show

CHANEL JADE NAIL POLISH

Listen up ladies! It’s time to sharpen your claws and get yourself ready to grab a bottle of Chanel’s Limited Edition Jade nail polish, which is launching 9th October. A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to have a Jade manicure done with Celebrity Nail Expert Sophy Robson at Chanel HQ on Bond Street. The green is really flattering on all skin tones from pale to darker skin tones. The green is deliciously milky and art deco in feeling and reminded me of Sally Bowles in Cabaret. After I walked out of Chanel with my Jade nails I was stopped 3 times by women asking me about my nails and who made the polish. Chic Chanel does it again!

AA BEAUTY RESCUE

Anyone who doubts the healing power of essential oils should discover Aromatherapy Associates founded by Geraldine Howard. I really like and respect Geraldine, she is an intelligent and deeply soulful and passionate person. Her passion pours into her powerful and beautiful products, which really do touch your spirit and gives you a hug from the inside out. As I mentioned I love Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil. I also adore their body oils and love the Enrich Massage and Body Oil with vanilla and Ylang Ylang as well as Support Breathe Essence, which is packed full of anti bacterial tree tea oil and head clearing Eucalyptus, peppermint and pine. This rescue essence is great for the upcoming cold and flu season or brilliant when flying or when you are stuck on a rather ripe tube. The De -Stress Frankincense Pure Essential oil is also really special for grounding you, especially if you are in the middle of a hectic day. The skincare oils are also really potent and I use the Rose and Sandalwood Facial Oil at night. Not only is the aroma really restful before bed but it also keeps my skin, soft, supple and bright. The quality of all the products is staggering and the bath oils fill your whole house with fragrance which makes your flat feel like a spa….fabulous.

CHILLAX

A few weeks ago I took a trip to the country to visit one if my closest most soulful friends. Seeing hedges, trees, fields and deafening peaceful quiet made me realise what a stressed out city mouse I was. In these credit crunchy times we are living on double time. Everywhere I turn I see more and more exhausted people doing the work of three people and no one can afford to scrimp on good quality beauty products to help them CHILLAX.

Some of my favourite beauty products such as Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil really do soothe the soul. Comforting chamomile, sandalwood and sleep induing vertiver in this bath oil will knock you out faster than you can say Valium. I also love using candles to relax and am loving COWSHED’s appropriately named Knackered cow candle, which is laced with calming Lavender and mind clearing Eucalyptus. L’Occitane’s Lavender candle also deserves a shout out for putting me straight to bed and putting me in a good mood. My husband and I both love Diptyque’s Feu de Bois candle which scents the room with firewood. Close your eyes and it feels like you are sipping mulled wine in a country pub beside a roaring fire, which is a perfect tonic for a very urban lifestyle. Women are so bad at looking after themselves and topping up depleted energy reserves. Just remember a savvy investment in high quality relaxing beauty products are cheaper than a trip to the Priory!