My Travelling Companions

I am off on some travels again. I am often asked what I take with me (if only i could take the contents of my entire bathroom). I always try to collect deluxe samples and travel sizes of my favourite products to save room in my suitcase. Some of my top picks at the moment:-
- Sisley always do gorgeous samples. I reccommend anything from here, of course.
- The Organic Pharmacy - I have the Double Rose Rejuvinating Cream and the Antioxidant Face Firming Serum. Both beautiful smells and textures. And the deluxe samples very generous.
- Anne Semonin - a new brand I am discovering. The sachets are generous (at least two applications) and Extreme Comfort Cream very nourishing.
- Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion - great size, delicious smell.
- Sally Hansen Maximum Growth nail strengthener. I have had this for years and it doesnt run out!! I got in in New York and try to keep with me at all times.
- Dermalogica - they do some great travel sets with the basic essentials. All worth it. (You can see the cleanser has really been around the block withe me).
- Aromatherapy Associates Moisturising Lip Balm - to keep my dry lips in check, this blend of cocao butter and vanilla is almost good enough to eat.
I hope this gives you some travel-beauty tips too! Bon voyage...

The Caring Side

 
After my bicycle accident a few months ago now, I feel much more conscious about the 'healing powers' of certain products. Although a lot of products claim to heal the skin, I find that few can live up to it. And having spoken with a specialist from Darphin a little while ago, discovered that actually very few products can really penetrate below the top layer of the skin.
Their serums, for example, go quite deep. But their oils, they go even deeper. And that's why they are such a powerful primer for serum and moisturiser on top.
I have been using the Tangerine oil for first signs of ageing for nearly a month now and can reveal a more bouncy and youthful skin. Plus, they smell so incredible that they will energise you when you apply too.
This aromatic care is indeed very caring for your skin.
Darphin Tangerine Aromatic Care, £40.00

Look a Million Dollars

I am going to the theatre again tonight. Well, a musical to be precise called Million Dollar Quartet. As the subject is pretty colourful (jazz and rock and roll) I decided to jazz up my appearance too. The perfect opportunity to embrace the red trend and catch a little scarlet fever. Two rules to this trend: red nails and red lips.

Leighton Denny is a favourite of mine, so Caught Red Handed is the best devil red with a subtle pearl. Then, By Terry’s Terrybly Lipstick is almost too beautiful to use, but too wonderful not to. Funky ruby is a bright pillarbox red, showstopper style. It will volumise and firm your lips as you wear it and is scented with founder’s Terry de Gunzberg’s favourite scent: rose. It also comes in the most adorable theatre-appropriate string bag that I only wish it was big enough to house my glasses too.

Everyone needs a little scarlet fever as we approach autumn.

Leighton Denny Nail Polish, £11.00 each

By Terry Terrybly Lipstick in Funky Ruby, £30.50

Just The Ticket

I am off to the theatre tonight. To keep things simple, I have gone for a natural, dewy look, nothing too overdone. I have found myself reaching for the same products all summer for makeup actually: something gold for the eyelids and something shiny on my nails. Tonight, bareMinerals Prime Time Brightening Eye Primer is my sister saviour. You can use this on its own or with shadow on top. Either way, you’ll end up with crease-free luminous lids. Then it’s a glossy sheer pink pearly nail. I love the Natural Collection polishes. They are so affordable and surprisingly long-lasting.

Finally, it’s some big fat earrings, my grandmother’s clutch, lots and lots of mascara and my theatre ticket.

Little Miss Gorgeous (Collection)

I love a good collaboration. And to be honest, makeup ones are always the best. When you can actually sense the personality of the partnership.
Now, when I first came to england, I learnt English via Enid Blyton and Mr Men books. When I found out Mr Men were diong a collaboration with Nails Inc, naturally, I got a little excited.
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Mr Men, they are releasing some limited edition shades named after our favourite characters. Nails Inc are the perfect brand to capture the fun of Mr Men, don't you agree?
My favourite, Little Miss Naughty is a baby grape colour. But Little Miss Sunshine is a lovely, nude, peachy colour, whilst Little Miss Splendid is an irridescent turquoise. So cute, I might have to paint one nail in each colour.
Out in August 2011, priced £12 each.

Birthday Beach

So for my birthday this year, I actually caught a glimpse of sunshine. Ok, I will be honest, actually it was a mini-heatwave of a weekend. I went to Hastings for a bbq on the beach and packed Avene Sunscreen for the body and Ole Henriksen SPF 50 for the face. I am secretly hoping that all those Imedeen Tan Optimiser tablets are going to help me come back golden brown though…