Romantic Mathematics

 
Ahh, the joy of preparing for Valentine's Day. Although I am not a commercial sucker (but I am a girl at heart) I still want romance. One indulgence of mine is scented candles. There is few things more unromantic than the lingering smell of last night's fish supper.

Davina Peace makes the most stunning scented candles. This one, Memory No. 3 is a warming mix of mulled spices, cinnamon and ginger. My god, it sounds like my favourite dessert. Plus, I am adding her Hand Cream to my already extensive 'hand cream wardrobe'. The Green Tea extract and organic Aloe Vera Leaf should sort of out chapping mitts.

Soft hands + heavenly smell in the home = ROMANCE.

Davina Peace Candles, from £29

Davina Peace Hand Cream, £28

Another Beautiful Competition!

 

It is one of my all-time favourite pharmacy brands and they have come up trumps again.
 

I find their products so affordable, so trustworthy and basically, pretty fabulous. The Extremely Rich Compensating Cream is a winter saviour. Like Captain Moisture to the rescue. Therefore, I want to share the love. I am going to be giving away a £50 set of Avene skincare, which will keep your skin in check throughout winter.

 
Just let me know your winter beauty secret by posting a comment below for your chance to win!(Be sure to like Avene's Facebook page too).

Plus follow me on Twitter to hear more beauty gossip! www.twitter.com/beauty_mole

Closing date will be Friday 4 February. I will contact the winner by Monday 7 February. Good luck! x 

Skin Treasure

 
Is winter skin getting you down? (I am nodding). Tried everything?? (Uh huh!). Tried serum, facial oil and moisture masks? (Still nodding). Well, of course all of these help, but I have found a treasure product that will perk up your skin in five seconds flat (or I will eat my own hat).

I have hidden my treasure away and almost don't want to share it, but I will. It is Radiant Immediate Lift by Sisley, which coats the skin with a pearly burst of moisture and luminosity. You'll your skin looking as if you've just had a few extra hours sleep. Lemon extracts tone and the prickly pear boosts your cell renewal. Super versatile, sheer and will do what it promises. Add before or after your makeup. This beauty gem is worth its price tag.

I am already guarding my treasure like Gollum. 
Sisley, Radiant Immediate Lift £123 from Harrods

Sharing My Food Secret

Having lunch in Soho is like a mini adventure. But I always relish the opportunity to visit my favourite cafe Food Secret. With the yummiest, scrummiest food, I always end up with something super healthy. Plus, the labels give you all the helpful stats of carbs vs proteins, fats, sugars and detailed ingredient breakdown. AND hardly anything costs over £5. YUM. 

Check out their website with helpful hints and tips on what to eat to look your best and fun recipes with unusual ingredients. 

Food Secret, Broadwick Street, London
 

Brighten Up

I am continuing to stage a boycott against the dullness and greyness of winter. I used to be sceptical of articles that promised to 'brighten your complexion' in one easy stroke, BUT, that was before I tried some of the products. Of course, some brightening products are basically shimmer. And unless I plan on looking like a spaceman who has just dipped her face in glitter, what I am looking for is 'that glow'. Not just shimmer.

 One of my absolute favourite brands, Omorovicza (who may as well be credited in the tag line for this blog, I love it that much) has a most wonderful Complexion Brightener. You can add it after your moisturiser (or use instead of) and before your foundation. Although it looks alarmingly white when you first pump it, it blends beautifully. The apricot seed oil will also help to protect and hydrate skin.

It will leave you with 'that glow'.

The first step though, is exfoliation. Omorovicza comes up trump again with Gentle Buffing Cleanser. The soft Diathomaceous earth exfoliating granules will slough away dead skin to reveal a brighter layer underneath.
 Finally, I have become quite addicted to Nettle Tea. It has a list of health-boosting properties. Plus, use it as a rinse for your hair to make it stronger and super-shiny. Trust me. You'll be glowing all over.
 
Omorovicza Complexion Brightener SPF20, £82
Omorovicza Gentle Buffing Cleanser, £43
Neal's Yard Nettle Tea, Cheap as chips

Sweet Kinetic Heat

I have been wanting to embrace the New Year with a sweet new signature scent. It's funny how a perfume can lift your mood, give you confidence and make you feel completely positive. I have found one that does all three.

Two words: Jimmy Choo. The empire is in no danger of winding down. Quite the contrary in fact. And far far from jumping on the fragrance bandwagon with a mediocre creation. this debut offering has legs. It starts off fresh and innocent with top notes of pear nectar and sweet Italian Orange. (It already sounds like a beautiful dessert from Patisserie Valierie). Then, the Tiger Orchid, and Indonesian Patchouli kick in. I strongly recommend to try it. And I defy anyone (albeit with a sweet tooth) to walk away not wanting it.

Jimmy Choo Fragrance, available from The Perfume Shop from 29 January, from £39.00

Treat After Treat

Tomorrow I am going to a spa. A really rare treat. And a really welcome one too. And, speaking of treats, I have extended my detox month to include some of my favourite 'treats'.

First, Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque is one of the best I have tried in a long time. My hair is so soft, it's starting to dangerously resemble dandelion spores. This could be a good thing and I can start to channel that 70s boho-flyaway-hair look.

Then for complexion, if you get one brightener to fit all, Oskia's Renaissance Mask is a hero product. It's super-thick (reassuringly so rather than sticky and gloopy) and has a mix of potent ingredients you don't want to mess with. Papaya Enzymes will exfoliate and boost cell renewal plus a vibrant mix of beauty-boosting goodies to revive tired skin.

BUT, best until last, my grandmother packed me off in Moscow with homemade strawberry jam. You don't get any more 'treat' than that and I feel rejuvenated with every spoonful. Is there such a thing as 'Homemade Jam Diet'?

Oskia Renaissance Mask, £48.50
Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque, £27.50