In your face

 It's no good denying it, the dreaded 'W' is on it's way (Winter). Even the very word makes my bones shudder as they imagine the cold to come. The good news however - apart from the fact that pink is this seasons hottest shade ....yay! - is that dry, dull, wintery skin need never be no more!

 

Thanks to a friend who I have now dubbed my 'Skin Saviour,' I have discovered the sheer super powers of Marks and Spencer's Daily Care Extra Rich Moisturiser for the face. Free from those pesky Parabens, Fragrance and colour, this little tube promises to leave the skin feeling moisturised and supple and is suitable even for sensitive skin. I can certainly vouch for the latter too, having suffered terribly with eczema all my life. This year it has been particularly bad and I have struggled to find (A) A cream that stops dryness and (B) A cream that doesn't react badly on my skin. Daily Care Moisturiser ticks off all of my boxes and what's more it's an absolute steal at just £4 per tube.  

Fat hair without the calories!!!

My hair likes to be flat - it fights against back combing , hair spray , hair mouse .... Absolutely everything . The only way I can get any volume is to hang upside down - not exactly practical for day to life !!!

Then I discovered Samy Fat Hair in Superdrug . I'm like a regular Cheryl Cole now ( who once claimed the bigger the hair, the closer to heaven!!!). 

Nail Porn

So it turns out that not all porn involves busty blondes screeching like cats that have had their tails trodden on. The particular porn I stumbled across on t'internet did have me 'oohing' and 'aahhing' in pure ecstasy though.

I have long heard the name Nail Porn batted about in glossy mags and so decided - as I am one who loves a little embellishment or two on the old fingertips - to have a scout around and see what I could find for inspiration. Oh my God the site is like girly heaven! From short to seriously skyscraper nails, there's designs out there for all and many are simple enough to have a go yourself.

Porn just got good!! Visit http://thisisnailporn.tumblr.com/ !!!








                                      
* All images taken from http://thisisnailporn.tumblr.com/

Glamping!

Hot looks for a little festi-fun! God bless summer!!

                             

Black Dip Dye Fringe Crop Top £12.99
www.newlook.com

                           £18
                                                                            www.dontfeedthebears.co.uk

Emily Aztec Print Bandeau Playsuit

£12.00 Boohoo.com

 

         

                        Black Maxi dress £50                                           Gold dip dye feather earrings

                             www.loela.co.uk                                            £10 www.riverisland.com

  

 

  Hair decoration           

 £7.99 www.handm.com

multi

UK Size

 

 

Look good feel great

I suffer very badly with red, itchy, dry skin on my face and I have tried everything to get rid of it - even steroid creams and prescription moisturisers. Some days I don't even want to leave the house and when I do, I find myself trying to avert eye contact with people ( because for some reason I think that if I don't look at them then they won't see my scaley face!....madness). Just by accident today whilst I was spending my wages in Superdrug, I happened upon Palmers Daily Calming Facial Lotion with Chamomile and Aloe Vera.

I already use Palmers Fragrance Free Cocoa Butter on my body and love it to bits, so I decided that it wouldn't hurt to give this little tube a go and by God, I'm glad I did. There was an almost instant improval on my rough skin and the redness seemed to fade. It appears I have stumbled upon a miracle!!!

GET THE LOOK FOR LESS

It’s March and it’s snowing again! I’m fed up of wet dog look hair and ice ravaged skin, but fear not, this years spring/ summer collection is guaranteed to brighten up the dullest grey sky day. With a nod to styles from minimalist creations, to Asian and reptilian inspired designs - there’s something for every taste and I can’t wait to hit the shops to re-vamp my wardrobe.

                                                                                            

Work the androgynous look with unapologetic simplistic 80s style minimalism. Whether it’s black, white or neutral, keep it simple, fresh and clean and add a touch of elegance with structured tailoring.

Or rebel and go the total opposite with a little Far Eastern influence.

Be bold with big, bright prints and funky accessories guaranteed to bring the sunshine out and swathe yourself in silk for that touch of luxury.

Ordinarily I’d warn to leave the past in the past, but when it comes to clothes the past is where it’s at this year. Make like Bridget Bardot and Grace Kelly and work the fifties look with pastel twin sets, nipped in at the waist for a contemporary/retro feel. Add boxy jackets, tailored trousers and chunky jewellery for a truly modern look. The 80’s have been revived too, from the power suit jackets with shoulder pads in the style of Grace Jones, to a more Madonna-esque style incorporating the rocky/ gothic style used in her ‘Like a Virgin’ video, complete with wild curly hair, clipped up with giant bows.

By far my favourite era of fashion to make a re-appearance however, simply has to be the sixties – a big look for 2013. Think bold stripes, squares and sexy doe eyes, coupled with big hair. Someone pass me the VO5 dry backcomb spray!

The scariest look for the new season is however of course, reptilian print. But don’t be put off by a bit of snakeskin (fake obvs!!), it doesn’t all have to scream Kat Slater! Accessorise with gorgeous bags, belts and purses or splash out on this gorgeous little number from River Island for an instant touch of class.    

With all of these lush looks up for grabs this season, suddenly the snow and sludge doesn’t seem all that bad!

 

Relaxed Boy Fit Cropped Jeans £24 Next

Silver Ethnic Chandelier Earrings £7.99 New Look 

Alberto VO5 Plump It Up Dry Backcomb Spray 200ml £3.69 Superdrug

                                                                                                                                                         

 

Everything's gonna be all white

If neon isn't for you this spring and summer and snake print makes you shudder, then why not work with fresh white - another of the trends set to hit the highstreet this season.
                                             
Parisian White Floral Lace Backless Dress£24.99
www.newlook.com
                                                                                                       

White studded gladiator sandals

£30.00

www.riverisland.com



Izabel London Scarf cardigan

Now£ 10.00

Was£ 24.00

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Izabel+London+Scarf+cardigan/176141621,default,pd.html

Lace Insert Pleat Shoulder Top
£35.00

www.warehouse.co.uk

 

Bargain beauty buys

I've just fallen in love with Rimmel's Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow stick.
Currently on offer at Boots, I got change from a fiver, the stick goes on smoothly and lasts for ages, giving a real punch of colour to boot. Lush!

All in the eyes

I love experimenting with eye-makeup and this year there's plenty of looks about to play with.......

Feeling Blue

Neon brights with pale lips are the hottest look to go for this season and blue should be your neon of choice.
Not for the faint hearted, the look is all about fun and accessorising with whatever comes to hand, be it feathers, rhinestones or a touch of liquid eyeliner.

 

Au Natural

If neon isn't for you then why not work with what you've got and simply add a touch of mascara to glossy lips and lightly sweeped cheeks for that natural goddess feel.



Swinging sixties

Fashion loves to revisit the past, mixing up the old and new and this season is no exception. The Swinging Sixties are back and with it comes smugdy lines and perfect brows.

The body beautiful

 Ice Ice Baby
If you're anything like me you probably spend a good three quarters of your life doing everything to get your nail varnish to dry.....you wave your hands about like sparrow on acid, you sizzle your fingertips under the hairdryer and you blow on those pesky nails until black spots start dancing in front of your eyes and you think you might pass out. Then, just when you think you might be safe, you go to the loo and catch that last tacky thumb nail on your bloody zipper!

Well I learnt myself a pretty handy tip this week......get it....handy??!!......never mind....

Simply paint your nails and dunk your hands into water as cold as you can bear for as long as you feel you can keep them there before your fingers drop off! Works a treat. The varnish dries pretty much straight away and you can pee freely : ) .

  How to pull off snake print without looking like a Mcqueen !!!
Of all the big trends to hit the high street this year, snake print is gonna be a big one, but how do you pull it off without coming over all Jacqui Mcqueen of Hollyoaks?
Like this......

Kate Black Patent Snake Print Platform Heels

£12.00 Was £25.00 www.boohoo.co.uk

 

 

Red snake boxy blazer

£45.00 www.riverisland.com

* ** I LOVE THIS ONE!!!!!!! * * * * *

                                                 Oatmeal Snake Print Structured Clutch                                                             £14.99 www.newlook.com

 Selected Ghita Snake Print Shirt
£50 www.asos.co.uk

The Body Beautiful

A hug a day.........

A hug always feels nice at the best of times, particularly with someone you love, but did you know that it can actually reduce the risk of osteoporosis? Clever hey?

Women who suffered with the disease were found to be severely lacking in Oxytocin - the hormone that's released into the body during nookie or when having a good old cuddle. So arms out and pucker up!!!!

Success at last!

Woop woop! This week celebrates the success of a long and exhausting campaign by The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International to stop animals being used in the testing of beauty products!

From March people selling, or wishing to sell cosmetics in the EU are banned from testing their products on animals and this includes all toiletries such as toothpaste and soap. About time too!

"This is truly an historic event and the culmination of over 20 years of campaigning. Now we will apply our determination and vision on a global stage to ensure that the rest of the world follows this lead," said Michelle Thew, Cruelty Free International's chief executive.

Check out the Body Shop's best sellers........

This rich night cream replenishes moisture levels while you sleep.

• Intensively hydrates
• Works when skin is at its most receptive
• Leaves skin soft and smooth

Now £5.50 online at www.bodyshop.co.uk

This mild cleansing gel is oil and soap-free. It helps rebalance moisture and sebum levels as it cleanses.

• Removes make-up, impurities and excess oil
• Leaves skin feeling refreshed
• Gives a shine-free, matte finish

£8

This soft-textured eyeliner gives intense colour. It is easy to apply and smudge-resistant.

• Soft texture
• Smudge-resistant
• Dermatologically tested
• Ophthalmologically tested


£8

Best-selling Hemp Hand Protector helps soften and protect hands. It is dermatologically tested for very dry skin and contains Community Trade hemp seed oil.

• Relieves very dry skin
• Restores moisture and suppleness

£5

Get the look for less

*Sigh! The Golden Globes, The Oscars, The NTA's. Tis the season of award shows and all that glitz and glamour has got my little green eyed monster all worked up. The good news is that nomal folks like you and me don't have to miss out on the fun of the frivolry! So grab yourself a gown, rip up a pair of red curtains and enter your living room in style before a night in front of all that is showbiz.

 

 Love Label One Shoulder Dress

Was £39.00 Now £9.00 Save £30.00

www.very.co.uk

 

 

Mermaid One-Shoulder Court Train Charmeuse Evening Dresses With Ruffle Beading (017002536)

£73.44

www.jjshouse.com

 

 

  Sequin Sleeve Maxi Dress in the Style of Jennifer Lopez
£45.00  www.goddiva.co.uk

 

Mloda Sequin Waistband Maxi In Cream Cream £29.99

www.missguided.co.uk