L'OCATTAINE bloggers event

Happy humpday beauties, once again we are going over that mid-week hump, hurrah! Although tomorrow is my Friday, so technically I’m already over the hump *grins*.

Have you all got lovely plans for the weekend?

I’m heading down to my hometown (makes me want to belt out Adele style when I say this, tehe) in Devon to see my bestest pal and attend a christening (I’m the Godmother… eeeek).

So, last night I was lucky enough to be invited to the L'ocittane bloggers event with Jo Fairley in Covent Garden. How exciting, thanks ModusPR ladies for the invite :)

(Unfortunately I broke my camera a couple of weeks ago...sob.

I still took a few snaps, but the quality isn’t so good... Sorry about that. You get the idea though.)

On arrival I was checked off the guest list, and led down the spiral stairs to join about 15 other bloggers.

We were greeted with champagne, giant macaroons and beautiful cupcakes. Gorgeous & delicious. The room was also decorated with the immortelle flower (the extracts for their products come from this flower). Everything looked and smelt beautiful.

The lovely Jo Fairley introduced herself...

Those of you who aren't familiar with her, she are a famous magazine editor and widely published journalist. She was the youngest ever women editor (also co founder of Green and Blacks chocolate). Pretty impressive woman right beauties?!

I have to say I was a little star-struck by her. Although, saying that, she was completely down to earth and approachable, I really liked that about her.

Jo gave us a little inspirational talk, and told us that her book (co-written with Sarah Stacey)

“The Anti-Aging Beauty Bible: the only steps you’ll need to look and feel gorgeous forever”, is one of the biggest selling beauty books in the world… WOW.

She says' it's "essential reading, we’d like to think, for any woman who wants to look great for her age, whatever her age… “, and with 50 years experience in the business, I believe her.

Jo went on to tell us that there are thousands of women who tested age-defying prodcust for this book, 2400 to be exact. 2,400 women can’t be wrong can they?! I wouldn't mind becoming a tester myself in the future, what fun! 

Apparently for the first couple of weeks, the testers have been asked to try products on only one side of their faces. This may sound crazy, but it actually makes a lot of sense. At least they will be able to see a clear difference in their skin if the product is actually working. Genius.

I guess these product testers all have what we like to call “Beauty editor skin”, I’m sure you other beauty bloggers out there know all know about that little joy?!

There is even an Iphone app Beauty Bible App, a shopping guide to “steer women through the beauty jungle” and help them choose products that really do work.  

Jo Fairley, signing my book! eeek.


At the end of the book signing and personal question time we were all given a goody bag with Immortelle Precious Eye Balm (15ml retails and £28), and Imortelle Divine Cream (30ml retails at £65). Not forgetting our very own copy of "The Anti-Aging Beauty Bible" too. Very Generous, thank you!

Over all, a wonderful evening, I would like to thank everyone at ModusPr Company, and L'ocattaine, thanks ladies!

xX

p.s I just want to say good on you Jo, for doing book signings when you’ve got a broken wrist, poor lady! Hope it heals soon!

Things I love Friday

Morning beauties... just a few snaps of things I love today, enjoy :)

All images sourced from pinterest and Google :)

Topshop felt pen eyeliner review, and a spot of baking

Hello my gorgeous little beauties, I'm on a blogging role today, can you tell? 3rd post in as many hours tehe *grins*

This weekend, I'm refusing to make any plans. I'm tired. I want to stay at home aaaaall weekend and get some R&R in, possibly catch up with some products I've been sent to review!
The only thing I'm really planning on doing apart from watching copious amounts of reality TV, and baking some muffins. And then eating them all. Nom Nom.


Carrot cake muffins with the cream frosting on the inside...AMAZE!!

I'm not quite sure mine will turn out as lovely as this, but I can only hope!

Now, let's get down to beauty. A couple of weeks ago, the lovely team for Topshop PR send me a few make-up bits to try, thanks Topshop lovlies :)

One of the products I've been using nearly every day to achieve perfect peepers, is the Topshop felt pen eyeliner in Jet .

  

Believe it or not I had actually never used a 'felt pen' style eyeliner before, but I love it! It's kind of bizare, I felt like a child using my felt tips on my face. Only good things to say though...

This kind of applicator is super soft (I find sometimes pencils can drag the skin on my eye lid).
It's great for when you want a really precise and controlled application. It gives the most precise line ever! Really good news for those of you who like to do 'flicks' from the corners of your eyes.

Its super long wearing, it doesn't budge. At all. Infact It's actually pretty hard to get off. I loved this, most of you will know I have issues with eyeliner heading south, or giving me watery eyes. This does neither of those things, woop.

Best of all, this fantastic liner is only £6.50. Complete flippin' bargin in my opinion, HELL YEAH!! One for the make-up bag beauties :)

Xx

Vogue Fashion Night and Illamasqua event

So beauties, hands up whos heading to Vogue Fashion Night 2011 tonight? London Vogue is teaming up with a whopping 281 designers and retailers to create a dedicated night to celebrate the art form that is shopping, happy days!

I have a work meeting at 7, boo, but most certainly will be having a look around before and after that, yipee.

If you're in central London tonight, make sure you don't miss out, it's going to be one hell of an evening!
Take note, this is not a VIP event, although there will undoubtably be lots of VIP’s! Everyone is welcome to join in the fun, ain't that great?
 And don't forget you've gotta dress to impress ladies, never know who you may bump into...

There are sooooo many awesome fashion and beauty events, discounts, drinks and free treatments. I can't list them all but here are a few I am going to try to attend...

# The Vogue Beauty Team will be in the Topshop Make-Up section of the Oxford Street store at 6pm talking you through tips and trends

# In Selfridges the ladies at Mac Cosmetics will be doing 'Mac Me Overs' to get you glammed up for the night ahead.

# Mulberry will be getting into the carnival spirt with a live celebrity DJ, nail painting, prize draws every 30 minutes, a fortune teller, Clarins goody bags and a photo booth area (this is quite possibly my fav of all the events).

# French Connection and All Saints will be offering 20% off their collection.

# Champagne and canapes at stores like Prada, Miu Miu, and Alexander McQueen  on Bond Street.

# The big St. Martin's Courtyard and Seven Dials events in Covent Garden.

 #Visit any Benefit department store counter and the first 50 customers will receive a free skincare gift.


#Gwyneth Paltrow appears at the new Coach store.


# Peaches Geldof and Leah Weller DJ at Vivienne Westwood.

I could literally go on and on...
The event is expected to be so big, that for the first time EVER Bond Street will be completely closed off to traffic… wowee! Shops will be open until around 11pm.





Also happening tonight
Illamasqua in Beak Street Soho are celebrating their 1st birthday and the launch of the AW11 Theatre of the Nameless collection.



All day 30 minute 'Weimar' complimentary transformations are available, and they are also offering a 20% discount on their basic line products (excluding products from the new AW collection). Wonderful, if any of you can get there, I highly recommend their cream blushers, and with discount like this, why not treat yourselves?!


Do you dare to enter The Theatre of the Nameless?!

Are any of you going to any of the events tonight? Let me know!

Tata for now beauties Xx

Tan Solutions review- Part 1

Morning Beauties, how were your evenings?

It gets dark so quickly now doesn't it? I'd say winter is well on it's way. Time to whip out the coat yet?!

I had my foodshop delivered last night and Tescos very kindly decided to send me 3 extra lettuces and 3 extra bags of rocket salad...random huh? I guess this week I'll be eating so much salad it'll be coming out of my ears.


I also got home to a lovely package from the people at  Tan Solutions UK(@tansolutionsuk). Thanks guys :)




We all know faking it is the best way to go,skin damage and wrinkles...no thank you. So as a beauty blogger it is my quest to find the best value, and most realistic!

I used Tan solutions tanning mousse last night for the very first time (I couldn't wait to try as I've heard such good things) and must say so far it's a VERY big thumbs up from me.
Here's a quick summary of what I think so far...

# It smelt wonderful, possibly the least offensive and nicest smelling fake tan I've come across (and I've tried a fair few).
# Application with the mitt was clean, simple and so easy to get even.
# Drys quickly, but not too quickly that you have to rush.
# Lovely natural colour, not orange in the slightest.

I even think this could be a real contender for St Tropez... and that's saying something coming from me!

I want to try it for a little while before I write you guys a proper detailed review, obviously I want it to be accurate and give you my best opinion. At the moment I don't know how long the tan will last, how it will look after a shower etc. But my first impressions are A*. I'll also fill you in on the company when I write the proper review :)
So watch this space.

If you want to try this yourselves, you can order online at www.tansolutions-uk.com. You'll get free postage on orders over £20 and 20% off your first purchase too, aren't they generous?!

Tata Xx

Perfect Messy Bun/topknot tutorial

Hey Beauties, how are we all today?

Call me crazy, but I actually kind of enjoy this rainy windy weather we're having here in LDN. Autumn makes me feel cosey, I love it.

Autumn makes me want to curl up with some slippers, a big knitted blanket, cuppa and a good book. It also means the plants in my garden may actually survive, I'm terrible at forgetting to water the poor things!

Anyhoo...

I know I've only recently written about messy buns, but I found this great picture tutorial that's super helpful if you don't have the knack just yet. Seeing as it's super hard to take pictures of myself doing this, (has anyone ever tried this? Or am I the only numpty out there...) I thought I'd share this one with you.
Take a peek...


It looks easy, huh?

#1. Don't use clean hair, start with hair that is a little greasey. This makes your hair heaps easier to work with. If your hair is squeeky clean, spray in some sea salt water (you can buy this from boots, also great for tousseled beach waves).

#2. Pull all you hair together and hold in straight up on top of your head.

#3. Twist your hair down so it sits on top of your head.

#4. wrap it around so it forms a loose bun.

#5. Pin it all secure with "kirby grips", but not too tightly, you still want it to look "effortless".

#6. Pull some little strands of hair out from around your face and the nap of your neck, to make it look worn :)

et Voila :) Simples, right?!

Lovely results too...


Hope you beauties are getting cosey tonight :) I'm off to Chris Lilleys signing in HMV Oxford Street tonight, super duper excited, that man seriously cracks me up. For those of you who don't know him, watch "Summer Hieghts High" or "Angry Boys", both equally hilarious!

Xx

Can't a girl change her mind?!

This summerises my day :)

Hello beauties, another tuesday seems to have rolled round again hey?!


I hope you've all had a delightful couple of weeks? I've been jam packed, hence no blogging time (bad blogger). I was going to do my couple of weeks in pictures for you, but on Saturday night I rather stupidly had a teeeeensy bit too much to drink. As a result, I seem to have (somehow) broken the memory card on my camera. SOOOOO GUTTED 'cos I took so many fun snaps that night and also had pics I hadn't backed up yet. Boo.

 So, here's my 2 weeks in a nutshell for you...
6 hour train trip to Falmouth to see Aunty Carol. Dinner on the beach and country walking. Cadgwith fishing village. Glamping in a "pod" in the middle-of-nowhere. More countryside walking. Winchester. Back to London. Bestest pal came to visit (beautiful girly).Girls night in. Wine consumption. Spot of shopping on Oxford street. Night out in Proud at Camden. More
woodland walks(p.s the conkers are about now, LOVE autumn).

Few. I can honestly say I feel happier than I have in a long, long time *grins*.


Tonight I'm cooking a new recipe for the boy, fingers crossed it goes okay... risotto with bacon, asparagus, mushroom pea and red onion ...nom-nom. Im also going to bake breakfast muffins with pumkin seeds and rasions at somepoint this week. Oh how I wish I could be a housewife 24/7 *sighs*.


Make up time...
I'm sure I've reviewed Cliniques' "High Length" mascara before, and I believe I absolutely slated it. I HATED it.


BUT, every girl has the right to change her mind... right ladies?!


Well, I've come crawling back to it with my tail between my legs. I can't seem to get around to buying a new one at the moment. So I've been plodding on with this one, and now, I heart it <3 HEART IIIIIT!!!!



This mascara only gets better with age, odd right? Normally they get clumpier and less usable.
When I first started using it I found it was a little too liquidy. I know this doesn't make any sense really, but I found it quite hard to build up as it took a little while to dry. I also found the wand extremly tricky to get used to as it is so small, rounded and rubber.


BUT once you get the knack (it may take a couple of weeks to get it exacly how you want if you're used to using a normal wand) it gives a lovely effect. I normally put about 2 or 3 coats on and use the tip of the wand to define the outer corner lashes (I like these to look a little longer). lovely jubly. Please buy and see for yourselves, at £15 for a high end brand, it hardly breaks the bank!

What mascara do you use? Does anyone know a good bargin mascara?

p.s im super-duper poor this month so expect lots of blogging!

Xx