best of the best teas

I am a bit of a tea lover. Especially anything herbal. As geeky as it sounds, it’s something I bonded with my now husband about on our first date. Our love of herbal tea and how big our stash was in our respective cupboards.

I have honed in on some of my favourites over the years, each for different occasions. Here is the shortlist:

•          I LOVE Dragonfly teas anyway. Their Moroccan Mint is absolutely divine and so deliciously minty – but not synthetically so. This particular one, Vanilla Rooibos is my current ‘all-rounder’. It is quite strong, so you don’t need to leave the tea bag in for long – but as rooibos is already quite a sweet tea leaf, the vanilla makes the tea taste almost honey-laced. Lovely in the morning or before bed – it’s caffeine free. From £2.00
• Darjeeling tea is known as the champagne of teas. This Pure Darjeeling from Dammann is light, aromatic and best served without milk. I do like it with lemon though. This is one for mid-morning or early afternoon. €15.00
• Greenfield tea is a bit of a renegade as I only ever get it in Russia. It’s a really popular variety there and this Ceylon tea is bold, brash and flavoursome. This is great with lemon, (milk if you like it) and some honey. Perfect afternoon tea.  
• As a family, we are partial to Pukka teas. They do some great mixtures – and this Revitalise variety with cinnamon, cardamom and ginger is lovely for autumn and winter. It is super warming and smells like pudding in a cup. Lovely for both first thing in the morning and post-dinner. From £2.00
• I have recently discovered Rituals tea selection – what don’t they do well. This one is called Emperor’s Dream – its hero ingredients are Staranise and Licorice, however, it is also really minty and has a decent dose of fennel. This is perfect during a cleanse/detox. I find it calming post dinner or as a mid-morning hunger-pang treat. £4.50 per box

The tea cupboard needs an extra shelf I think…

mama beauty: emily button

The next in my Insider Mama Beauty interviews is Emily Button, who is one one half of gorgeous children's online boutique Lil Beans . I met Emily at a jumble sale over a year ago and I actually secretly wanted to buy everything on her table. Plus, her beautiful daughter Lucie is one of the coolest little chicks on Instagram. You can spot her effortless, American-chic style from a mile away...

What is your daily beauty routine? 

Unfortunately I was blessed with the greasiest hair known to man. My day starts with a quick shower and blow dry followed by a beauty routine I've practised almost since I was 17. I've always been one for moisturising followed by a few light touch ups, can't do without a bit of blush, mascara, and a touch of bronzer. I like to save eye shadow for special occasions and wish I was skilled at putting on eye liner. I love to add a pop of red lipstick to brighten my look. I've never been a product junkie and have always felt that once you find a product you like you become reliant on it. I try not to buy little extras to keep the makeup bag light!

What makes you feel beautiful?

My sweet baby! I feel as though she's rocketed my confidence and made me feel like I can do anything. People always are shocked when they find out I have a two year old and I'm happy to promote that just because you have a child in no way means you're supposed to dress or look a certain way.

Do you manage to squeeze in any pamper time in between the chaos of children?

In all honesty, I haven't had my hair cut in two years (screaming emoji). I usually take care of my pampering on my lunch breaks. I'll run out to get my eye brows threaded, and I love going to Cowshed for a pre holiday wax. They are the best!!! In the states getting mani/pedi's (on the cheap) are a weekly norm and this is one of the things I miss most. When I go back now this is the first thing on my agenda!

What is your can’t-live-without product?

I've been addicted to Bobbi Brown's Bronzer for over 10 years. It goes on very naturally and gives a wonderful glow year round. I'm lucky enough to have close friends at Aesop and am slowly becoming a junkie for their products. When I had Lucie, they loaded me up with one of the best bags of toiletries Whitechapel Hospital has ever seen.

Do you have any beauty tips for fellow mamas?

Just be you! The more comfortable you feel the more confident you'll be and that's important to shine through for our little people.

#nextbigbeautything so clean and so fresh

I have noticed a beautiful new trend over the last few months that is literally blossoming. A number of forward-thinking brands are using their windows, the visual gate, the optical invitation, to display their products in a raw and wholesome way. I am talking about glass jars, bottles, carafes and even scientific flasks. The contents are the natural, real ingredients that go in to making the product they are representing. I am in love with this trend. I think more than ever, we want to know what the ingredients are of the products that we are putting on our faces and in to our bodies and what better way to see the ingredients? Forget reading the list on the box, bottle or leaflet inside – this is visual merchandising at its most powerful.

Penhaligon's recently teamed up with young architecture practice Al-Jawad Pike, as part of the Regent’s Street windows project, which is in partnership with the RIBA. They created a window based on the science and history of perfumery and took inspiration from the raw ingredients that go in to making some of Penhaligon’s signature scents. The results were stunning. There is barely a moment when a passer-by is not photographing this installation.

At Good Hood, the wonderful design-led fashion and home store in Shoreditch, they have just unveiled an incredibly comprehensive beauty department. Apart from featuring an amazing edit of cult and hard-to-find beauty brands, I noticed their approach of pared-back, lab-like, serene merchandising. Topped off with fresh, green plants. The whole space is calm but inviting.

Finally, Sheridan and Co have just created a window for Marylebone cold-pressed juice bar Roots and Bulbs. It featured a giant factice of one of their juice bottles with a real eco-system growing inside. The scale was striking, the idea was clever and it really brought home the message of the freshness of the ingredients used in Roots and Bulb’s produce.

This trend in one word? Fresh. 

new insider: mama beauty

I have always been obsessed with reading about the beauty routines of influential, amazing women – not just celebrities, but ‘real’ women. Since becoming a mum myself, I still never cease to be amazed when I see a beautiful mother, who manages to look polished, happy rested and wear co-ordinating shoes. On some days with my dynamic two year old, I am surprised that I manage to get dressed at all. So in a new series of Insider interviews with mamas, I am excited to learn some beauty tips and a life lesson or two from some really inspiring women.

I am proud to announce that the first Insider Beauty Mama interview is with the beautiful owner and Creative Director of my favourite children’s boutique, La Coqueta, Celia Muñoz. With five children (yes, five!), she manages to balance work and home life with enviable ease.

I first fell in love with La Coqueta when Valentina was tiny and have since bought all her shoes from here religiously. I love it even more knowing it’s the fruit of another mama’s labour. Here’s a glimpse of how Celia still manages to look so elegant.

What’s your daily beauty routine?

My daily beauty routine is very simple and uncomplicated as I rather enjoy those few extra minutes after the alarm clock goes off and stay in bed. I wake up at 6.55 after 7 hours of sleep and ensure I am fully ready before I wake up my children. I apply  YSL hydrating cream, Guerlain’s Terracotta Cream Foundation and then my most loved lipstick from Nars in Dragon Girl. I try to exercise three times a week and eat healthily during the week...unfortunately the weekend I don't quite follow that rule. My husband is an excellent cook but I wouldn't say his recipes are particularly light ;-)    

What makes you feel beautiful? 

When my husband tells me I am beautiful (I am lucky as he does daily ;-) and when my daughter Flavia asks me to keep the outfit I'm wearing for her when she is 18 (she's currently 6). I love wearing nice accessories (in particular earrings and bracelets) and beautiful shoes... mainly flats from Charlotte Olympia who in my opinion does the most incredible shoes. I instantly feel beautiful when I have lipstick on...I just cannot live without it!

Do you manage to squeeze in any pamper time in between the chaos of children? 

I would love to say yes but I would be lying. I rarely go to the hairdresser (which I should) and get a manicure once a year for Christmas which is when I get a bit more time for myself and have my mum forcing me to take time for myself. In Summer I would get a pedicure once a week as I cannot bear to see my toes without nail polish. I am determined in the New Year to dedicate a bit of time every week to pamper myself... Sorry! I wish I could add more but I just don't have the time.

What is your can’t-live-without product? 

My lipstick Dragon Girl and my perfumes. I recently discovered Eau de Parfum Lumineuse from Lancome and the one I have been using since I was 16 years old, Yvresse from Yves Saint Laurent. 

Do you have any beauty tips for fellow mamas?

I don't as every woman is different but I found that what worked for me is to be yourself and try to wear daily what makes you feel beautiful and is appropriate to the occasion. I think of all the beauty recipes the most important one is happiness which translates into a beautiful smile and positive energy, in my opinion, the best accessory at any age.

http://lacoquetakids.com 

More Mama Beauty coming very soon!

#nextbigbeautything fashionable skincare

In the last few years, we’ve seen more and more beauty brands jumping on the ‘Fashion Week’ express train. They are sponsoring shows, doing makeup for the catwalk models, giving away samples and even offering press makeovers in-between hectic show schedules. What’s interesting, however, is seeing brands which are predominantly skincare branch out in to this arena too.

At London Fashion Week SS15 for example, at Shrimps, the new cult fashion brand on the block (and my new favourite obsession) makeup artist Lauren Parsons created radiant complexions with the help of Caudalie. Using the Mattifying and Perfecting fluids, plus layering the Beauty Elixir before makeup ensured a perfect base.

Shrimps, SS15

Whilst, at Temperley, makeup maestro Lisa Eldridge used Liz Earle to create a ‘fresh-faced’ look, whilst their Global Treatment Ambassador Abigail James was on hand to prep and nourish the model’s skin. The Instant Boost Skin Tonic, which formed part of the prep line up is surely a fashionista-favourite in the making? 

Both examples show that the lines between skincare and makeup continue to blur. I am looking forward to more skincare brands giving the makeup big boys a run for their money.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, £32
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, £13.25
Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser, £19.25

wonder woman

It seems as if the summer might never end, but with the thunder storms over the last couple of days the winds of change may be upon us (pardon the pun). My street is covered in conkers, much to the delight of my daughter. But this hot/humid/windy/foggy couple of weeks is wreaking havoc with my beauty routine. It still feels summery in the afternoons with bright, blazing sunshine. But it feels cold, almost frosty in the early mornings. But there is one product that I became obsessed with in the lead up to my wedding that is my go-to at the moment, rain or shine. 

Becca’s Shimmering SkinPerfector is an actual wonder product. I know that phrase gets  thrown around all too often, but it actually does wonders. Honest. It comes in several shades – I have Opal, which is a pinky, skin coloured tone which is a universal colour. Used on tops of cheekbones, eyebrow bone, on the nose, cupid’s bow and a little on chin gives the face more definition and ‘hugs’ all the right curved and grooves. You can also mix a little with your moisutirser for a subtle all-over glow. I will do that more often when it really gets gloomy. The pigment is so fine, not chalky and looks beyond luminous. Tick, tick, tick.  

I cannot recommend this cult product enough and I can’t believe it took me so long to find it. 

Becca’s Shimmering SkinPerfector, £33 from Space NK

#nextbigbeautything time for tea

Upon visiting some of my favourite beauty boutiques recently, I couldn't help but notice they all had one particular trend in common. It was particularly helpful on this weird sunny, windy, warm yet chilly day that each boutique served some sort of refreshment - I was parched. That's right, it's no longer acceptable to browse makeup/skincare/haircare without quenching your thirst first. At Neal's Yard, I sampled some of their delicious warm detox tea. At Aesop and Khiels', it was old faithful water. Even Liz Earle and L'Occitane were jumping on the herbal tea bandwagon - much to my delight. These brands are savvy enough to realise we will linger longer with a cup of brew in hand (especially if it's tongue-scorchingly hot). And this shamelessness is not even a bad thing. It's actually win win. 
PS: watch out for more #nextbigbeautything trends coming soon

the best is yet to come

Since entering the world of motherhood, the juggling act of trying to do it all is that bit harder. Quite a bit harder in fact. BUT, now it feels like things are falling in to place. This summer has been a busy one: my baby actually turned two, I got married and I also got the fire back in my belly. There are some exciting things coming soon to Beauty Mole - more for mams and just as much for everyone else. 
Keep your eyes peeled.