5 Tips for Fighting the Frizz this Winter

Winter in the UK is approaching, fast. My hair more than anything suffers at this time of year. Cold temperatures, never ending rain, blustery winds and central heating mean my hair can be just a nightmare to tame. However, over the last year or so, I've found a few ways to manage the frizz (at any time of year) that I'd love to share with you.

REVIEW: Faith in Nature Shampoo & Conditioner

I love finding out about natural beauty products and have recently been doing some research into natural and organic skin care and want to try some different things out. Which is why I was so interested when I heard about Faith in Nature.   

REVIEW: Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara

My favourite high street mascara of all time is the Maybelline Great Lash mascara in "Blackest Black". Seeing as I've been using this non-stop for a while now I keen to try out the new Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara.

REVIEW: ORIGINS Clean Energy vs SUPER FACIALIST Skin Renew Cleansing Oil

There are plenty of cleansing face oils out there at the moment.

March Beauty Favourites

I always feel March is a really difficult month when it comes to skin care and beauty products. It's that time that's in between Winter & Summer when the weather is changing and we need to often update beauty products and routine in order to keep up...READ MORE

REVIEW: Nails inc. 3D Glitter Polish

As Christmas is upon us I've found myself reaching for sparkles in all directions, and especially for my nails. So as you can probably imagine I was uber excited when I saw this set of 3 Nails Inc polishes in TKMaxx for just £10 (RRP £33). I will do a review of the other 2 colours at some point but for this post I'm going to concentrate on this charcoal grey 3D glitter pictured above which is called "Sloane Square".

I was really impressed with the product the first time I used it. It's really good quality and for the photos above I didn't need to use a colour underneath the glitter. In fact I think it would be pointless even putting a colour underneath as it possibly wouldn't show through. I'm pretty sure I used 2 coats but to be honest 1 coat would have been enough. It's not a glitter that you would use to add to another colour as it's too thick and you wouldn't be able to use it for an accent nail either, unless you found an exact shade to match! 

It's not a bright, sparkly glitter. It is more a thick texture for the nails with a glittery quality to it. Personally I really like the colour as I like silver and grey tones in nail polish. I was very impressed with the quality of the product and I got lots of compliments when I wore it. 

The polish dries pretty quickly and lasts amazingly well without many chips. To be totally honest it's a bit of a nightmare to remove even after having soaked my nails in nail polish remover. However, I would really recommend this polish and it's definitely perfect for the festive season! 

Izzy x

Review: ORIGINS Clear Improvement Mask

I haven't bought a good mask in years! With winter upon us and as my dry, wind blustered skin calls out for some TLC I decided to splash out on a trio of masks from Origins. Each mask on it's own costs £22 for 100ml. However, at the moment, you can buy 3 different masks (all 75ml size), packaged prettily and branded as the Origins Mask Marvel Set. For just £25 which makes this set over double the amount of product for just £3 extra! The set contains Drink Up Overnight Mask, Drink Up 10 Minute Mask & Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. Not only is this a bargain no-brainer, this set would also make a lovely Christmas gift for a beauty loving friend. 

So far I have only tried the Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask but I plan to write a review of the others when I get a chance to try them. The 3 key ingredients in this mask are Active Charcoal, White China Clay & Lecithin which Origins claim to "draw out pore-cloggers", "absorb environmental toxins" & "dissolve impurities". All 3 naturally occurring substances are well known for their beneficial cosmetic properties. Clinical studies of Lecithin have shown it to benefit acne. White Clay has been used for centuries and is particularly good for sensitive skin because it is so mild. 

I have used this mask twice now and can already say I have seen some improvement to the congestion of my skin. My skin feels smooth and pores superficially clear. Obviously problematic areas and stubborn spots still remain but I would hope after consistent use these might be reduced quite substantially. As I find with all Origins products they last a long time, so once a week use should not be a problem.

Directions say to first open pores with a warm, moist towel, however, I just had a long soak in a hot bath which is hopefully good enough. I have found I need a couple of layers of product in order to cover the whole face as it spreads quite thinly. It has the texture of something like acrylic paint rather than a thick clay which surprised me but isn't unpleasant.  It has a fresh, clean, light and distinctly "Origins" smell with a slight clay-like after note. Very pleasant.

It takes about 5-10 minutes to dry and I wash it off as soon as it has dried with help from a muslin cloth. It dries with quite a soft & smooth texture, not like the usual flakey and cracking texture of a charcoal or clay mask. I have quite dry skin, especially in winter months, so I feel tightness immediately after I have washed it off and have to run straight to my room to moisturise. I notice my skin looks quite red after using the mask which I think is to do with the properties of the White China Clay that stimulate circulation. The redness goes down pretty quickly and the biggest difference I notice in my skin is even tone and a smoother complexion. 

Despite the pretty hefty price tag I would really recommend this product and in fact all Origins products are really worth the bucks for their natural & pure ingredients. 

Hope you enjoyed this review. Let me know your thoughts about this product if you have tried it in the comments below.

Izzy x

EOS Lip Balm

 

I'm some-what late to the party in discovering these eye-catching lip balms after seeing them around the blogosphere for several years. Intrigued by the shape & the claims of super-soft lips, when I came across the tubs of coloured EOS eggs in the Selfridges beauty hall I knew that I had to try one.

After a quick sniff of the testers I went for  the 'Sweet Mint' Tiffany-blue option. It's a cooling (slightly lip-tingling) minty balm with a subtle, sweet scent. To me it smells like Christmas. At £5.99 they aren't extortionate & you get heaps of product for your money. The smooth spherical packaging & balm is a different spin on the usual pots/tubes/sticks of lip-balm found on the market.

In terms of lip moisturising abilities they fare pretty well, not the best lip balm I've ever tried but it keeps your lips nicely soft & hydrated for a couple of hours. They contain 100% natural ingredients, paraben-free & packed full of vitamin E & shea butter. The sweet minty flavour is even sweetened with Stevia(a no-nasties natural sweetener)! 

Seeing as Christmas is right round the corner, I think that these would make a fun stocking-filler or secret santa gift for any beauty-junkie you might know. Find them here (with free delivery) or if you're based in London I recommend checking them out in the treasure trove of Selfridges Beauty Halls.

Harriet x

Loving Winter

Things that are making me happy this November;

1. Flowers

I normally think of flowers as a summer treat, this probably has a lot to do with my obsession with peonies, bluebells and forget-me-nots. Out of my pastel comfort-zone, I have discovered some very pretty winter blooms that have been brightening up my house recentlty. An in-expensive bunch of flowers is one of those simple pleasures that always puts a smile on my face.

2. Dog Walks

Sometimes having such a big energetic dog can be hard work, rain or shine he needs roughly three hours of walks a day. All the crisp, sunny weather we've been having recently has been perfect for lovely long dog walks. I've been really enjoying layering up with lots of knitwear and a cosy scarf, discovering new walks with him. Coming back home with rosy cheeks, slightly numb hands feels satisfying and all the fresh air makes you feel so good in what can be quite a depressing month with the newly shortened days.

3. Cosy Pyjamas 

 

I love pulling on a pair of pyjama bottoms like these when I'm just around the house or in for the evening. This tartan pair happen to be from Primark and cost just £4! They are so soft and cosy, and for the price I didn't feel guilty buying a few different designs.

4. Red Cups

I don't know why but the red Christmas cups at Starbucks make me so happy! I know I'm not alone either judging by the pictures/tweets flooding my social media ever since the infamous red cups arrived. My winter drink of choice is a peppermint mocha, far from sin-free but less sickly sweet than some of the other seasonal options. I discovered them last year right around Christmas-time so they bring back very festive happy memories. Heaven in a cup.

5. Christmas Lights

In the last couple of weeks most of the Christmas lights have gone up around London and our city looks so pretty. My favourite lights are the ones around Sloane Square where subtle twinkling snowflakes adorn every tree, and Covent Garden, which I mentioned here and is so Christmasy it could be re-named Christmas Town.

6. Berry Nails

I have always preferred darker nail polishes, especially of the deep berry/plum/red variety. La Moss by Butter London has made a welcome appearance on my nails this week, I'm so impressed with the colour pay-off and consistency that I can see it being my go-to shade for the rest of the winter season. The application is so smooth and easy, pretty much opaque after one coat (almost black after two) it is a perfect vampy red. With a Seche Vite topcoat I haven't had a single chip in four days.

.

Let me know if you're enjoying winter & feeling festive already!

Harriet x

Winter Skin Cleansing

I've been really enjoying Autumn this year. Getting up most days to crisp sunny weather, wrapping up in big tartan scarves & sipping hot chocolate on long dog walks. Unfortunately a downside to the dropping temperature is often that our skin gets quite abused & products that were fine for summer are no longer keeping up.

 

I have definitely noticed this in the last couple of weeks with my skin getting pretty dry on my forehead & cheeks. Taking this as my cue I have begun updating my skincare routine, making the transition into the winter months with richer more hydrating products.

First up; cleansers! I find using a rich cleansing cream or balm to be the most effective step in maintaining good winter skin. It preps your skin with a good amount of moisture & removes any dead skin or flakes that can make applying makeup later-on a nightmare!

So far I've picked up two new cleansers the illustrious Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm & the Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser from Superdrug. So far I've been using the purse-friendly Superdrug option, anticipating the more potent Emma Hardie will be better served for when the temperature truly plummets.

So far I've been so impressed with the £5.99 Superdrug find. I've used (& loved) Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish in the past & think that this holds its own against the multi-award winner. 

A thick, rich textured cream with a natural botanical scent it leaves skin feeling baby soft, clean & nourished. I don't ask much more from a cleanser!

It's also worth noting that I have pretty sensitive, combination skin, prone to redness & irritation. This doesn't aggravate my skin in anyway & actually feels calming & soothing. A big thumbs up from me, I'm very happy to find such an affordable & effective product!

I'll let you know how I get on with this in the coming months & also the results of the EH cleansing balm. 

What are your winter skincare must-haves?

Harriet x

NARS One Night Stand Cheek Palette

Its been a long time since I've been really excited about a new beauty purchase. So enamoured with this release I made a slight detour to my nearest Space NK the day it came out & got my hands on one before they even had them out on display. I've been pretty restrained with makeup purchases this year so I happily handed over the £45 without guilt.

I've always wanted to try NARS 'Orgasm' & 'Deep Throat' blushes, so to have them both in one palette, plus a bronzer, highlight & two bonus blush shades it was an easy sell for me. Each shade is right up my street, very natural & perfect for giving you a little helping hand creating that glowing healthy complexion.

(top left-right) Devotee highlight, Mistinguette blush, Orgasm blush

(bottom left-right) Laguna bronzer, Deep Throat blush, Goulue blush

Devotee is a warm champagne highlight with quite a glossy finish, it would double up as a fantastic brightening eyeshadow. Mistinguette the bright pink is a lot like MAC's 'Well Dressed', a cool toned pink that is far more subtle on than it looks in the pan, incidentally I've worn the MAC dupe almost every day for the last two years. Orgasm is the peachy pink shade with golden shimmer. On the bottom row there’s the famous Laguna bronzer which I've never actually owned having purchased the darker shade 'Casino' years ago during a tanned period. Deep Throat the paler peachier take on 'Orgasm' is my favourite so far, easy to wear & very flattering. Finally Goulue the berry pink is the most pigmented of the bunch & will be great for creating a rosy Winter glow.

The palette is a Space NK exclusive & judging by previous NARS limited editions it's sure to sell out pretty fast. Find it here & take care of your blush purchases for the next couple of years!

Ps. If you need some help justifying the £45 price tag, just tell yourself/ partner/ Mum that it works out at £7.50 per blush. That's much less scary isn't it :)

Harriet x

Autumn Fragrance- Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay

I love changing my perfume with the seasons & when the weather starts getting colder I'm always drawn to warmer cosier scents.

This week as it has well & truly felt like Autumn (hello central heating, crisp mornings & snuggly winter scarves) I retired my summer fragrance & brought out the gorgeous Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay I purchased a few weeks ago.

This is Jo Malone's inspiration for the perfume;

"Childhood memories of blackberry picking...

stained lips, sticky palms. a burst of deep,

tart blackberry juice and sparkling grapefruit,

blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay.

Softened with delicate flowers. Resting on 

a brambly base of vetiver and cedarwood.

Vibrant and verdant."

How beautiful does that sound? It smells just as beautiful too, fresh & fruity with a soft depth coming from the vetiver & cedarwood. 

It is perfect for this time of year & instantly reminds me of chilly country walks wrapped up in a big winter coat followed by afternoon tea by the fire. In fact it's so lovely I'm tempted to get the candle from the collection too, & fill my whole house with the delicious scent of blackberry juice & brambly woods!

Prices for Jo Malone Cologne start at £39 for 30ml.

Do you change your fragrance according to the season?

Harriet x

The Ultimate Pedicure at Cowshed Spa

After working flat-out last week & over the whole bank holiday weekend I thought I'd treat myself to a mini spa day. I'd heard great things about the Cowshed treatments at Babington House in Somerset, so yesterday in search of an urban retreat I headed off to the Cowshed spa at Clarendon Cross (nestled in the leafy area of Holland Park) to give my toes some love & care.

I went for the Ultimate Cowshed Pedicure. Which sounded like an amazing 75 minutes of pure relaxation & indulgence.

Beginning the treatment was akin to being cocooned in a cosy white fluffy towel. You are sat in the biggest squishiest armchair you can imagine with a huge v-shaped cushion settled around your lap. There really is no need to move from your soft towelling cloud & you immediately become glad that you need do no such thing for the next 75 minutes. The cushion is a great idea as it makes it so easy for you to read a magazine or book whilst lying back having your feet preened & prepped. 

I opted for the bright selection of polishes & was in Essie heaven when presented with the basket of gleaming bottles to choose from.

As if this scenario couldn't get better the little farmhouse cafe in the corner of the salon rustled me up a perfect cappuccino. My edit of polishes were all shades of orange/organey-red, suitable for the last pedi of summer.

Whilst the the treatment began to send me into a state of deep relaxation I sipped my coffee & watched old episodes of Friends on the little vintage TV set that Cowshed have positioned in front of each chair.

Pretty much my idea of heaven.

My final colour selection was "Meet me at Sunset". I'll never get tired of cute nail polish names! The treatment itself was fantastic, all the usual bits you expect from a pedicure but with an amazing leg & foot massage with hydrating mask (where your feet are covered in Cowshed's luxury products & wrapped up in hot flannels & yet more fluffy towels to allow the mask to really get to work) completed with a head & shoulder massage using lavender essential oil that very nearly sent me to sleep. When it was finished I felt completely unwound, pampered & already planning my next treatment.

I loved how there was absolutely no rush to move on when the treatment was over. I was given the option of continuing to relax in the treatment area (as there wasn't a client booked in straight after me), or sitting down at the lovely rustic cafe a few paces away whilst my nails dried. 

Cowshed really have nailed the art of relaxation I can't recommend visiting them enough! They have a few spa's & shops dotted about London (& a few other places in the UK), find them here.

*Sidenote* In keeping with the relaxing retreat-like atmosphere you're not supposed to use phones in Cowshed spas. I hope they will forgive me for taking a few subtle snaps in the name of sharing the experience with you all!

What is your favourite spa treat in London?

Harriet x

Summer 2013 Beauty Favourites

There are 42 days left of summer today! Make sure you enjoy every sun filled day we have left, drive to the beach, make a picnic, take your workouts outside & eat breakfast in the morning sunshine.

One of my favourite things about summer is that you can get away with wearing almost no make-up & letting your hair dry naturally. In winter this would be a strictly at home Sunday look but with a light tan & some natural highlights it suddenly looks fresh & healthy. I love the freckles I get with a bit of a tan & leaving my wavy hair naturally tousled & beachy. As my summer look is pretty natural my beauty regime is somewhat streamlined compared to the amount of products I wear once it gets colder (I'll be bringing the foundation out again come Autumn).

So for the next 42 days these are the products I won't be without. 

Stella 'Summer' I LOVE this, I used to wear to original 'Stella' when I was about 16 & the base notes bring back good memories of this perfume but with a fresh summery update. Its top notes are frozen lemon, green apple & peony. On a shallow note I love the bottle & the bright bold colours make me happy before I've even sprayed the fragrance.

Garnier Miracle Skin B.B. Cream in 'Medium' I swear by this BB cream, (I wear the light shade on low key days in winter) it gives me the perfect amount of coverage to even out imperfections whilst leaving my freckles exposed, it feels comfortable & lasts on the skin on even the hottest days.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler If its really hot & I'm not working I don't normally wear eye makeup, this eyelash curler opens up my eyes & makes them look less naked without the need of a mascara wand.

Maybelline Baby Lips I just discovered these a few weeks ago, perfect for summer they are very hydrating & add a natural flush of colour.

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eye Shadow Crayon in 'Bad Girl Bronze' I have been loving this for a quick metallic summer smokey eye, its a fraction of the price of other eye crayons I've tried & doesn't budge once its on (I've even worn it to the pool & its still been there at the end of the day).

Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Polish in 'Cocktail Passion' My go to nail colour this year is this bright coral pink, it looks great with a tan & it lasts almost a week with no top coat!

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturiser This was released earlier in the summer & I have been absolutely loving it, its perfect for someone like me who finds moisturising a chore or hates the sticky feeling that comes even with lightweight creams. It disperses a fine mist of lotion that dries almost immediately after you've rubbed it in, without compromising the hydrating results of the original formula.
Dove Summer Glow in 'Medium/ Dark' I haven't used this gradual bronzing lotion in years but after picking it up on a whim in the supermarket I don't know why I stopped using it! Such a natural colour & a nice scent, it has been perfect for maintaining my tan since my last holiday. I use this a few times a week before I go to bed & it never gets patchy or built up.
Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Gental Daily Micro Polish Wash Another new find this summer, this face wash is probably my favourite discovery. Its amazing for such a reasonable price, I use it every day & it hasn't been drying whatsoever on my skin. I credit this product with the clear skin & lack of breakouts I have at the moment. I want to try the Vitamin C+ cleansing oil next as an evening cleanser.

John Frieda Full Repair Flyaway Tamer When I'm out & about in London during the summer I normally tie my hair back or my long (& very thick) hair makes me far too hot. But I hate the flyaway baby hairs I have around my hairline that become more noticeable & harder to tame when I wear it up. When I saw this product I practically grabbed it off the shelf. Its essentially a big mascara wand with a smoothing hair product enriched with oil, its so easy to use on the go & keeps you looking polished & your hair shiny.
Widetooth Hairbrushes & Combs If I'm not using heat on my hair & just leave it alone in the sun it dries naturally in long loose waves that I love. However if I even attempt to brush it the waves & curls become less defined & it gets way too much volume. My no frizz summer solution is to brush through it with a widetoothed brush or comb when its still wet to get rid of tangles, then only use an afro comb to maintain it once dry.
Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious shampoo This smells AMAZING (to me a bit like Chanel Bleu) & does a great job at hydrating my hair & helping my waves take shape with no frizz.

I'd love to hear what have been your go-to beauty products this summer. Enjoy your sunny Sunday!

Harriet x