Give Me a Mane!

I have always had fine hair. Hairdressers always tell me it is as soft as a baby’s. But that is perhaps not so cute when you are in your late 20s. I love multi-tasking products that will turn my baby fuzz in to somewhat of a lions mane. Ok, make it a baby lion’s mane.

I find that Morrocanoil is the closest to a little miracle in a bottle. It transforms hair – whatever type it is, dry, brittle, damaged, lacklustre, in to rich and shiny tresses. It is worth the money and a little goes a very long way.

The other little magic wand I use to give my hair some volume is Philip Kingley’s Maximiser. It helps when you are blow-drying your hair and don’t want to make it flat as a pancake.

Yay I say to clever  beauty innovations that let us practically cheat our way to lovely hair we were almost born with.


Moroccanoil Original Oil Treatment, 25ml £12.85 from Lookfantastic
Philip Kingsley Mazimiser, £12.80

Cinnamon Scent-sation

A lovely scented home is a real treat. It makes such a difference to your mood and well being. I actually found some old notes from a lecture I went to about fragrance where I was told that fragrance can even increase alertness and therefore productivity in the work place. When it comes to fragrance for the home, especially candles, it is hard to find one that is not too overpowering and actually smells like the ingredients within. Floris candles and scents are ones we would have most likely grown up with or at least be familiar with. I had never tried a Floris candle before, so I was blown away by the Cinnamon and Tangerine variety that was totally sweet with exotic fruity tones.

Each candle is hand-poured and blended with pure fragrance oil. This ensures an all-enveloping aroma that actually smells like it says on the tin. Plus, it comes with a super dinky little lid and cork mat to complete the experience. With a minimum of burning time of 35 hours, that's a lot of delicious cinnamon to enjoy.

Floris Cinnamon and Tangerine Scented Candle, £40.00

The Facial Love of My Life

In your life, you have probably had a facial or two. And like dates, you know when you have had one that is REALLY special. That is how I felt when I had the Sisley Facial in Harrods a few weeks ago. And I feel that my skin is still reaping the rewards…

I was so relaxed under that big duvet that I could have fallen asleep whilst the lovely beautician massaged my face, arms and even feet! At a time when with all the travels, I really felt that I needed that boost, Sisley has always been my go-to for beauty rescue remedies.

I especially fell head over heels for the Gentle Buffing Cream. This product deserves a standing ovation. It is applied like an exfoliating cream, however, it is then left on the face until it is bone dry and you then rubbed off to reveal brighter, smoother looking skin. Genius. Then the Flower Gel Mask will lock in the moisture and rejuvinate the skin in only 5 minutes. I love that.

The bottom line is: it made me love Sisley even more than before, if that’s even possible.  

Take your pick, you can’t go wrong. From £100.

A Birthday Wish

Don’t you hate it when you forget a best friend’s birthday? That’s how I felt when I heard that it was Korres’ 15^th birthday in September. A belated birthday card to one of my absolute favourite brands. To celebrate, I want to share my top three products from Korres (although, I use everything in my Korres collection until I have to recycle the packaging):

-          Absinthe Shaving Cream: My boyfriend’s favourite but I also love love love this. It is so conditioning, smells delicious and feels so much more delicate on the skin than chemical-laden shaving foams.

-          Cherry Lipgloss: The scent is so sweet, I defy anyone not to develop a lip-licking habit. This shade, Light Pink, is perfect for the 60s babydoll pout.

-          Coconut Milk Body Milk: I love all the Korres body milks and body butters, but this Coconut one is not overpowering but the lovely coconut smell still lingers.

Happy Birthday my lovely Korres and let’s for a moment forget Greek financial woes.

http://www.korres.com/CountrySelect.aspx

Vintage Russian Beauty

Whilst in Russia, one of my favourite activities is to raid my grandmother’s old photographs, magazines and records. I found this incredible book from 1971 for women in Russia packed full of tips on how to wear makeup and hair in modern fashion. LOVE IT.

Now that we are having a 70s revival in fashion and makeup, it is all the more relevant.

For hair, there are pages of tips for styles to suit different face shapes. The basic rules are:

-          Square faces should wear fringes – either soft, blunt or side-swept

-          Triangular faces should try soft styles that will balance their face shape. Side-swept fringes work well too

-          Longer faces should try short styles as this will also balance the shape and soft curls work well too

-          And anyone with a heavier jaw should try a bob – with layers around the neck and jawline

For makeup – the classic 70s look of pale green or baby blue eyeshadow, eyeliner and peachy lipstick. Just add fringing, suede and floppy hat. You are a dancing queen!

Back Safe and Sound

Having just come back from Russia, after yet another trip abroad, I feel in dire need of some relaxation. Moscow is a hectic melting pot of people, history and dust, so after two weeks in the metropolis, although feeling inspired, I am also feeling overwhelmed. Aromatherapy Associates is my fairy-godmother of beauty products and really soothes any ailment I have ever had. In this case, too many thoughts and of course, dreams. De-Stress Mind Bath oil will be in help me to focus. Wild camomile, petitgrain and frankincense will help me drift away to the days I spent in the countryside outside of Moscow with my grandparents.

And guess what? The pollution is no picnic for the skin either. So Aromatherapy Associates to the rescue again with their wonderful Revitalising Face Oil which contains that magic borage oil, which instantly hydrates even the driest of skins. Somehow, Moscow managed to dry out my skin, even in wet and damp conditions.

Oh well. Back to work. Back from Russia with love.

Revitalising Face Oil £37.00

De-Stress Mind Bath Oil £37.00