KAREN ALDER TRUST LIPSTICK...SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE

Fancy treating yourself to a new lipstick? Why not support a fantastic cause in the process :)

Created by celebrity makeup artist, Karen Alder, TRUST is a fabulous limited edition classic red lippie where 100% of the sales profits go towards The Prince’s Trust, a youth charity which helps change young lives for the better.

The lipstick is priced £8.00 and will be sold exclusively through QVC UK from 2nd April onwards. 

For more information about the Princes Trust visit the website here 

GETTING RID OF BLEMISHES - PRODUCTS THAT WORK

Tonight’s post is about blemishes...also commonly known as spots...or even worse...zits.

I use to suffer horribly when I was a teenager but thankfully these days they are pretty non existent. However, recently I developed a rather nasty little demon on my cheek.  It just erupted over night and typically just when I had to go to Bologna and do lots of meet and greets for work (don’t you hate it when that happens?!). Not only was it one of those large under the skin type bad boys, it was also itchy so perhaps I had been bitten by something. Either way...it was a bump and a rather nasty one at that.

Thankfully I keep a few products on hand for these occasions with the first being Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. An unassuming little bottle containing calamine and salicylic acid, this lotion soothes and heals spots like no other. It really does live up to its spot killing hype. I use this as an overnight treatment (splodgy spot lotion all over your face is highly unattractive!) and the next day spots are considerably less obvious.

Another product I really love is Liz Earle’s “spot on”. I’ve had this product for ages and it’s fab for chucking in your bag for use throughout the day. The handy rollerball makes for easy application too. Contains Melissa and Tea Tree oil so it’s got quite a strong herbally scent but again works very well indeed. Perfect not just for spots but for cuts, grazes and insect bites etc due to its antibacterial properties combined with the soothing essential oils of Lavender. Really quite fab!

So did the spot die? Damn right it did! HA!

What are your favourite spot treatments? Leave a comment and let me know!

p.s Mario Badescu is a bit of a difficult brand to hunt down in the UK. I bought mine from HQhair, visiting their London store which is just off Regents Street.

Liz Earle you can find in John Lewis or from their website: www.lizearle.com

BEAUTY BLOG LINK LOVE!

Miss Beauty Nerd dishes on Asia's hottest and most coveted product - BB Creams!!

Jellyminx shares a Jessie J inspired makeup tutorial.

K from Beautifully Addicted To gives us a look at ELF Mineral Glosses.

Anita over at Pleasureflush sorts through her stash of mascaras to find out which ones are keepers and which ones are heading for the bin!

Fee at Makeup Savvy takes on this year's Spring/Summer key fashion trends with a series of inspired nail art tutorials!

Phyrra's Indie Spotlight for March is Epically Epic Soap Co. Learn all about Allison!

Getting downright swatches spring blushes and tries to decide between Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent!

Ooh, shatter! Musicalhouses shows you an awesome black and silver shatter NOTD with Barry M Instant Nail Effects!

Krasey Beauty hobnobs with makeup royalty, and learns of new beauty releases, while she's at it!

Beauty's Bad Habit shares her favourite eyeshadow bases and primers for vivid, 'life proof' eye make-up that lasts.

Checked outELF's black bottles yet? Queen of Turquoise has!

Welcome to your new addiction - Alyson reviews the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams at The Gloss Menagerie.

Tracy at Beauty Reflections gets a 70s makeup vibe with Rimmel Glam'eyes Quad Eye Shadow that fits right in with the 70s fashion trend!

The Pink Sith won't be able to kill your lemming for this new Armani Beauty Eyes To Kill Intense Silk Eyeshadow in # 4 Pulp Fiction.

Who said neutrals can't be dramatic, Madame B Fatale shows you how!

Kimberly takes the Dare To Wear Charity Challenge: For Japan Are you up for the challenge?

Hop in the car for a roadtrip with My Lips But Better and OPI's Fall 2011 collection, Touring America.

Are you a Kate or a Vanessa? You'll find the answer at Musing on Beauty, by comparing Chanel Rouge Coco Shine and Dior Addict lipsticks.

The Chantecaille Sea Turtle palette came swimming into Cindy's life, see if she thinks it's worth the $79 price tag.

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Did you hear? BarryM may come to Canada!! To celebrate Spiced Beauty is giving away a huge 5-piece prize pack.

Want to win 2 NARS blushes + other goodies? All you have to do is be a follower of StealMyHeartLovee's blog for a chance to win.

Music and Makeup has been going for 2 years! Jo celebrates with a giveaway of some of her favourite products.

theNotice is giving away a ridiculously glittery Honeycat Cosmetics lipgloss. Whether you're a cat lover or a glitter girl, you *need* to check it out!

WHATS IN MY BAG?

There's something about these posts that always intrigue me...perhaps it's the curious side of my nature but like a cat I am drawn to the "What's In My Bag?" posts. 
My friend at work is the same, so this post is in homage to her and our shared love of being nosey parkers!

1) My bag - a vintage Chanel given to me from my mum (LOVE YOU!). She is a huge bag lover and slowly but surely has been handing down several of her much cherished bags to me...

2) Anya Hindmarch studded purse - I bought this half price in a Selfridges sale last year. I had been looking for the perfect purse for months, nigh on a year I reckon. When I saw this it was love.

 

Vivienne Westwood Oyster card holder - again Selfridges sale, think it was something like £30? Patent leather.

Tom Ford sunglasses - These were a gift...super glamorous!

3)Clockwise: Contacts, mints, Essie nail file, tissues, pain killers and antibacterial hand gel (bf is ocd...)

4) Boots vouchers (what to get?!), exhibition passes, business cards and hotel info...

5) Pink leatger Gant gloves, keys (paddington bear was a present from the bf, Pugsley Children in Need charity bear, London bike card), headphones

6) RMK eyeshadow, Liz Earle spot on, Stila convertible colour, lanolips lip balm in Rubarb, Mac Paint Pot in Constructivist and Balenciaga fragrance (LOVE IT!)

7) I love scarves...I get this trait from my mum who has a drawer FULL of silk scarves. This Alexander McQueen scarf was given to me at Xmas from my lovely bf. He has fantastic taste no?

 

8) Cath Kidston make up bag (dog looks like my parents dog, hence why I bought it!)

The stuff inside it: Mac red lippy, clinique all about eyes serum, Benefit Miss popularity highlighter, Urban Decay primer potion, Benefit Magic Ink eyeliner, Illamasqua Precision "glister" eyeliner, Bourjois healthy mix concealer, Majolica Majorca lash primer, New CID i-groom brow pencil, Topshop "coal" eyeliner, Mac pro longwear lipstain marker "runway ripened", Revlon lip liner "red rouge", Mac Venomous Villians Innocence, Beware! lipstick, Talika heated eyelash curler.

Plus other electricals including iphone & blackerry, but they are boring so no point in taking a photo!

That's my bag, whats in yours? 

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE APPEAL - PLEASE HELP

Hello.

Today's post isn't about beauty but a post to ask you if you could please help. My friends have just released a new single with ALL profits going to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake Appeal. Some of you, especially if you are in the UK will know the band Feeder.
 
My good friend Taka is Japanese so this appeal and single is very personal and important to him. Please show your support and purchase the single.

Watch the video for "Side by Side" here:

Visit the Feeder website to purchase the single: www.Feederweb.com

Donate to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake appeal here

INTRODUCING THE CHANEL MADEMOISELLE CINEMA...

Quick post to let you know that there is a giant bottle of Chanel Mademoiselle in the Selfridges London beauty hall! Step into the bottle to discover a cinema where you can view the new Chanel Mademoiselle advert featuring Keira Knightley.

There is also the chance to win some luxurious Chanel souvenirs including a miniature music box if you’re super lucky...all you have to do is give the correct answers to the questions about Chanel founder, Gabrielle Chanel. I’d be hopeless at this but hope someone out there reading this wins something!

A limited edition Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum 200ml will be sold exclusively at Selfridges London from 22nd to 30th March (cinema also available for viewing till then too!)
If you can't get down to the store you can view the full advert here:

 

NOTD: ILLAMASQUA TOXIC NATURE GAMMA

I have been getting so many compliments for this shade of polish!
Taken from the new Illamasqua "Toxic Nature" collection, Gamma is a neon orange acid bright polish. 

Think I will highlight again that it is BRIGHT. As in UBER bright! I painted my nails on Sunday night, not realising just how fluro this shade was. It was only when I woke up the following morning to day glo finger tips did I realise just how eye catching this new polish really is.

Thankfully my work place doesn't mind what polish I waltz into work with, in fact I was greeted to lots of Ooos and ahhhhs *smirks*

I usually find Illamasqua polishes to be an absolute breeze to apply, however with Gamma I found that it was a tad streaky. Maybe they used a different formulation, who knows, just wasn't the usual smooth operator as I'm use to.


That being said it's a beautiful shade which the photos above really don't do it enough justice!


Click here to visit the illamasqua website


(PR sample, no affiliate links)

COSMOPROF BOLOGNA 2011 - BEEN THERE...DIDN'T SEE MUCH!

Hello! How was everyones weekend?

Mine was MUCH needed and I shall tell you why!
Last Thursday saw a super early start for me with a wickedly mean 3am start...it didn't help that I went to bed at midnight either!
My working day kicked off under the cloak of darkness as I made my way to Bologna, Italy to supervise the building of a stand. Unfortunately there are only morning and evening flights to this city so a 6.30am flight had my name on it.


Cosmoprof is HUGE. Absolutely HUGE. There I was thinking it to be a relatively big exhibition for packaging and cosmetic fillers, but no one told me (and I was too ignorant to do my homework!) that it was also a hair, nails and make up exhibition! It was only due to the fact that I did get slightly lost that I stumbled upon the other stalls being set up.


On Friday, when the exhibition officially kicked off, I managed to take a quick half hour break from my work stand and very briefly check out the nail exhibits...

Oh how I wish I had some time to just go around the show properly!
Did you attend Cosmoprof? Oh the torture to see so many excitable girls laden with bags full of beauty goodies... 

SHOP AT NEALS YARD THIS WEEKEND - 20% PROFITS FOR JAPAN EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

Quick post tonight to let you know that Neals Yard will be donating 20% of sales from UK stores, online and mail order to help with the relief effort in Japan following the devastating earthquake last week.

Visit the Neals Yard website for more info

NOTD: ST PATRICKS DAY!

Today is St Patricks day and I thought I'd do my NOTD in homage to it!

I opted for a Good Luck clover and polka dots :)

Happy St Patricks day!

DEBATE: THE FIRST UNRETOUCHED BEAUTY AD?

Don't know if anyone has seen the latest Make Up Forver ad? Those in the UK probably most certainly not as we don't have this brand about!

Anyway, the brand are claiming first dibs at the first ever non photoshopped advert.

It's for their infamous HD foundation (which is really rather good), and features a model about to take her own cam photo...tag line reads:


"you're looking at the first unretouched make up ad"

Interesting that in this day and age it's actually a BIG THING to proclaim that you didn't photoshop your ad campaign to within an inch of it's life...

Hmmm *ponders*

What are your thoughts on this ad campaign? Leave a comment and let me know!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...HELLCANDY, LIZ EARLE & QVC!

Today was a super special day for me as this morning I got to attend a fantastic Liz Earle blogger event!
Held at QVC's London headquarters, myself and three lucky bloggers got the chance to see exactly how the shopping channel operates with an exclusive backstage tour of the office and studios, visiting various sets and seeing Liz Earle herself (!) in action, live on air!

Here I am with the lovely Beautywowza at QVC HQ

It's funny as the first Liz Earle products I ever bought were from QVC and that was way over 10 years ago now. I use to watch the shopping channel round my boyfriends house as his mum was a huge QVC addict. Back then Liz Earle wasn't available to buy in many places and QVC always had (and still do have!) fabulous bargains on her beautiful products.


The tour was huge amounts of fun and the general vibe around the studios was an immensely fun and buzzing one...so much going on from food preparation for the kitchen features, model sourcing for fashion shows to witnessing presenters prepping themselves for their allotted air time.


It's amazing how the channel works. Presenters are given no scripts to work from, with all research being carried out beforehand. To give us a real flavour of what it's actually like to present on QVC we were each given the opportunity to do a mock audition, complete with studio, film crew, presenter and cameras...EEEPPP!

We each had 5 minutes to talk about Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish and after an initial scared rabbit moment I settled into my little role and yappered away!

I think the most important tip we were given prior to filming was to be theatrical, as general every day talk can come across as slightly monotoned on film. Basically if we didn't feel like we were almost in a panto then we needed to up our game a bit ;)


We were all given a DVD of our performances and I'm in two minds as to whether I should upload it to my blog...slightly self conscious!

All in all it was definitely one of my favourite beauty blogging events so far..so much fun and with such lovely QVC and Liz Earle (who looks amazing) and her wonderful staff on hand to really make us feel welcome! Huge thanks to everyone :)


Last but not least, it wouldn't be right if I didn't give you my top Liz Earle deal on QVC eh? SOO..here it is:

Liz Earle 5 Piece Ultimate Superskin Collection - £58.50
This set contains all my favourite products from Liz Earle, featuring the cult classic Cleanse & Polish cleanser, the deliciously scented Instand Boost Skin Tonic, to the divine Superskin moisturiser and body cream which have been an absolute GODSEND for my skin this Winter. You also get a trial size vial of the Superskin concentrate where a little bit goes a very long way ;)

NOTD: NAIL ROCK BLACK & WHITE STRIPES!

Nail wraps are fast becoming the latest nail trend.
Already readily available in US drugstores, here in the UK we are slowly but surely jumping on the bandwagon with magazines documenting various celebs sporting elaborate and intricate manicures.

I was recently sent some of the newest Nail Rock wraps to try and immediately was drawn to the black and white stripes:

 

 Click here to read my post on how to apply them.

The finished look is definitely a bold look! Love the mono stripes!

It takes bit of practice to get them on properly and make sure you buff your nails BEFORE you apply them. Otherwise they won't adhere to your nails properly.

The one thing I did struggle with was the fact that none of the wraps matched my nail size so I had to trim all of them to fit, and I didn't do a very good job of it! If you have more patience than me am sure your results will look much better than mine :)

Visit the Nail Rock website to view the full range and order online: www.nailrock.com

(pr sample, no affiliate links)

Beauty blog link love

Want the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara but don't like the price? Come over to Jeweled Thumb to learn how to make your own for free!

Kelly from Gouldylox Reviews loves peach colored makeup. After lots of searching, here are three perfect peaches for spring.

Krasey Beauty visits the International Beauty Show in NYC, and takes you along for the ride!

Does Victoria's Secret Sparkling Lip Gloss light up Makeup Morsels' life? Read to find out!

The Pink Sith Pontificates on the Perfect Peach Pigmented Pucker Provided by Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Sweet Nectar. Quite Possibly the Prettiest Peach in Perpetuity!

Kim Porter takes you inside of QVC's Beauty Breakfast showcasing QVC's top-selling beauty and hair products.

Kimmie at KimmieKarmaLove plays catch up with three brand new looks that are different for her. What do you think?

Mariella at Musing on Beauty falls in love (yet again) with a new foundation, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua and tells you everything about it.

Daily Polish thinks she's found the red polish to top all others in A-England's Perceval, take a look and see if you agree (and fall in love with this Cult English Lacquer company!)

Rae swatches and reviews the new Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm at theNotice. Find out if it's bee-utiful, or just a bee-rate product!

Who says you can't wear a smokey eye in Spring? Musicalhouses shows you the perfect forest green smokey eye that's great for any weather!

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed tests out lip colours looking to bring some coral into her spring lip wardrobe!

Retrodiva has been searching for the perfect oud fragrance - find out if Tom Ford's Oud Wood is the one.

Phyrra raves about a must-have makeup brush! You need this one, and it's a steal at $3.

Beautywoome divulges the new 'forever' beauty products she found in 2010.

AOYV is mighty impressed with Guerlain's Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner.

Get ready for summer with these bright MAC Cremeblend Blushes on My Lips But Better!

Brighten up your look by following this spring purple and pink makeup tutorial by Socialite Dreams.

Audrey Dao drops by Inglot to check out their Freedom Palettes. Find out what she thought!

Tracy at BeautyReflections is craving Spring and Annabelle Smudgeliner in Limetteis helping to satisfy!

Jenn over at Spiced beauty conquers her fear of falsies and rocks a pair of MAC 38 lashes in her newest FOTD!

Jo at Music & Makeup shows us swatches of her favourite blushes.

Like eyeliner? Like colour? Claire has found some rather lovely GOSH Velvet Touch Liners that fit the bill nicely.

***

Win a huge £300 Boots voucher by commenting here in The Beauty Slice competition.

Anti-ageing eyeshadow? Finally! Cindy at Prime Beauty learns all about the new technology in Anastasia's Illumi8 Eye Shadow Palettes and is giving away one for you to try!


- Posted from my iPhone

NATIONAL BEAUTY BLOGGING EVENT 2011

Last week I was one of many UK beauty bloggers to attended the "National Beauty Blogging Event" held at London's Excel.
I don't often get the chance to attend many events held during the day due to work but I made an exception with this on as it was a fab opportunity to attend lots of seminars from beauty industry experts such as Daniel Sandler, Decleor and celebrity & TV MUAs.

The first presentation was held by Daniel Sandler who talked us through how to achieve a fresh and bright complexion. In his makeover Daniel favoured the Clarisonic, Collin resultime moisturiser, Daniel Sandler primer & water based foundation and cream blusher to achieve this look.

We also learnt some tips from clebrity makeup artists, Jackie Tyson who created a "rock chick" look with some key mac products such as construstivist and blackground paint pots complete with some reflects glitter, Jemma Kidd dewy glow and topped it off with red gloss...

There were also presentations given by Carol Churchill (Emmerdale's makeup designer) who talked us through the complications that can arise working on one of the UK's most popular soaps, and Decleor's Fiona Brackenbury who is the brands expert in Aromatherapy.

We also got the chance to meet lots of fantastic brands such as RMK, Naturabisse, Art Deco and Monu to name a few. I came home with a goody bag full of products to try, many of which I am super impressed with and will be reviewing very soon!


The event was held in conjunction with the Professional Beauty 2011 with the chance to visit the exhibition where there were literally hundreds of stands selling all kinds of beauty paraphernalia. It was absolutely heaving, so much so that beautywowza and myself couldn't bear the masses and I only ended up buying one Nubar polish!

 

The amount of people I saw with paraffin wax melting pots....geez! Seemed like every other person had bought one. 

In hindsight I almost wish I had stayed to have a good look around as I heard there were fab bargains to be had like half price clarisonics (got one already!) and Crown Brushes but the crowds were just too much for me!

All in all it was a fab day out and was lovely to be invited to an event where so many brands were on hand to take the time out to get to know us :) 

Did you attend? What were your highlights? Leave a comment and let me know! 

NOTD: TOPSHOP DELUSION NAIL POLISH

I wore this polish a few weeks ago and had SO many people admiring it!
I love the Topshop nail polish as the formulation applies well, without any streaks and two coats is usually enough for even, opaque coverage.

"Delusion" is one of those taupy purple cream shades, but a tad lighter than your usual grim and miserable types, making it perfect for this season that's not quite Winter, not yet Spring!

 

SUPER COLOURFUL HAIR STRAIGHTENERS FROM STYLERUSH - AS GOOD AS GHDs!

Last week I was kindly sent a pair of super pretty straighteners from Stylerush.

New to the UK market, Stylerush straighteners are hugely popular with hair conscious lasses in the Asian market, with manufacturing and design done in Korea.
Available in two sizes, standard and super cute mini size, what I love the most about these straighteners is the colour choice! There is the bog standard black but why choose this one when you have three vibrant choices to choose from? Lime green, sassy orange and flirty pink...all of them so girly!

The straighteners I received were the standard full size ones with pink ceramic plates. Unfortunately you can't see it in the photos but the white of the straighteners has a lovely pearl finish to it:

Click to enlarge image:

Heating up takes next to no time and they glide through my hair with ease. It's super quick to straighten and there is no need to go over the same area more than once as they do a fab job!

I would have loved it if there was a temperature control on them but it does come with nifty accessories such as a heat guard to place over them as they cool down and a travel pouch to keep them neat and tidy. 

Am also loving the super long cord as I can finally style my hair close to my mirror for a change!


Priced at £79.99 they are a great alternative to the popular GHDs of which I also own. The Stylerush straightener feels well made and of great quality and do just as good a job as GHDs and for a better price.


For more information visit the Stylerush website here: www.stylerush.co.uk


(pr sample no affiliate links)
Huge thanks to Beautywowza for the recommendation