This Works
Showing posts with label This Works. Show all posts
Charlotte Tilbury
Clarins
Guinot
Invisibobble
Josh Wood
Marks and Spencer
Michael Kors
Nivea
Philip Kingsley
REN skincare
Slip
This Works
Tom Ford
Vita Coco
April Beauty Buys
Suddenly it’s the last week of April and I realised that what with the day job being (excitedly) hectic, the regular features on the blog have been a little neglected. This week I’ve escaped the Big Smoke in exchange for Dubai and whilst packing I put together April’s beauty post. I hope these posts help you work out what to invest in this summer, there are so many products being shoved in our faces at this time of year…
from top to borrow (left to right) nivea lip balm / michael kors Coral perfume / guinot Mincer Rapide lotion / tom ford contouring compact / tom ford Soleil Blanc perfume / invisibobble hair ties / vita coco coconut oil / tom ford eye cream pot / josh wood at marks and spencer shampoo and conditioner / philip kingsley hair elasticises / this works deep sleep night oil (as part of set) / KMS humidity block / REN skincare 1 minute facial / clarins factor 50 miniature / charlotte tilbury 5 minute compact / slip sleep mask
Last week I had a facial at the new Guinot spa at The Metropolitan in London. It’s the perfect “skin audit” as we go into Spring; my face felt really dusty and in need of good, deep cleanse which is exactly what I got from the treatment. I’ve worked with the brand for years now, and the girls reminded me about their Minceur Rapide. If you are planning on getting the legs out anytime soon, let this be part of your daily moisturizing routine. When they told me I’d feel firmer and less dimply in a fortnight I laughed out loud. But more fool me as the stuff really does work…
I’d never have thought I’d buy into the idea that your beauty regime has seasonal trends, but I’ve found myself leaning towards lighter, summery fragrances recently. I met with the Estee Lauder girls this month and thanks to them am huge fans of both TomFord’s Soleil Blanc (actually smells like holidays; suncream and sand) and Michael Kors’ Coral (grapefruits and elderflowers).
Make up wise, summer continues as the theme. I was sent the new Tom Ford Soleil compacts to try, and really want to stress how good the Contouring Case is. As a complete and utter novice to the concept, I’ve found this great to very (very, very, very) easily shape your cheeks whilst giving a bronzed glow. Equally the Charlotte Tilbury 5Minute Box is the perfect “keep in your handbag” set. I only got mine a week ago and the brightening shadows are pretty worn down…
For my hair, I’ve been working really hard to keep mine in check. I’ve got a lot of new hair coming through following my treatment last year, and its all at a very awkward 2 inches long. Anything that’ll blend it in to the rest of my locks, or disguise it, is welcome. I’ve been swearing by treating my scalp to Philip Kingsley’sElasticiser this month (put it through your hair 10/15 minutes before showering) and the results are incredible. My usually fine-but-thick hair has turned much more bouncy, full, and feels much softer (without going all fly away). I’ve also used Josh Wood’s shampoo and conditioner to help blend in my natural colours with my blonde highlights as I haven’t had time to get them done – worked a treat! Lastly, I’ve been using Vita Coconut Oil on my ends to reduce splitting which has actually really worked.
Last but not least; sleeping. My patterns have gone a little bit haywire recently as I’ve been changing various medications and going through a bit of a stress period. Whenever I’m not 100%, my sleep is the first thing that takes a hit. The Net A Porter team sent me over a “sleep kit” with two genuinely life changing products. The first was This Works’ Deep Sleep Oil. I use a couple of pumps each evening and spread it across my forehead/temples and the soles of my feet. Bliss. Secondly; Skin’s sleepmask. I’ve never owned one before as I thought I’d feel claustrophobic, but no. Instead I find getting to sleep simpler and the silk fabric has had a notable impact on the softness of my own skin. I kid you not, treat yourself and try it here (would make a wonderful gift too).
Benefit
Birchbox
Davines
Maria Nila
Perricone MD
REN skincare
Rosie Huntington Whiteley
This Works
Tom Ford
Trilogy
Vita Liberata
Weleda
Skin
Skin wise, a few products to mention. The first one is something I received in a Birchbox last year, but only recently started using. Trilogy "everything balm" is the kind of thing every girl should have in her handbag, because it really does do everything. I've been using it on dry patches, cracked lips, hands, mixing in with lip colour (makes it last ten times longer) and as a cold-air skin protector. It's absolutely brilliant and even though I've been using it a lot it looks barely touched, get it here.
Next is an old faithful, Weleda Skin Food. When I'm unwell my skin gets so dry and dull - I pop a small amount of this (it's quite oily) on the really bad bits after a shower and it's instantly fixed. It's only £8.95 - a total bargain. Get it here. I also have been using REN Skincare's Instant Brightening Beauty Shot (in fact you can watch me was lyrical about it here) each morning as it's brings the puffiness down (which I get a lot, and really noticeably when I'm not feeling good). Get it here.
Once my skin is nice and nourished I do like to put on a little bit of a tan/tint. I used to be a St Tropez obsessive, but since I've discovered Vita Liberata I've thrown it all in the bin. You only need a 20p size blob to do your whole upper body and once dried (takes 5/10 minutes) you're set!
Lastly, a product which I would be tempted to claim as possessing medicinal qualities. I've been so lethargic recently, and when This Works' skin oil "energy bank body makeover" arrived I was sceptical; How can a product wake you up?! However, after use you most definitely feel revived and more "with it." At £32 it's more of an investment, but whole heartedly worth it. Get it here.
Hair
I'm really quite into my hair at the moment. I've got quite a lot of regrowth coming through (from being unwell last year) meaning I am becoming a super pro at finding products that stop the shorter hairs showing along my parting. It's really tricky as my hair is fine and needs help with volume, so I don't want to be adding heavy products as it'll flatten my whole head! Two things have really helped recently.
Firstly, Maria Nila's Structure and Repair Leave In Cream has been magnificent. I put a couple of pumps throughout my towel dry hair and once dried my locks feel rich, shiny and bouncy - without feeling weighty. For the fly away bits I've tried a lot of things but so far the winner is Davines' Pliable Hair Paste. I discovered it in the changing rooms at the South Kensington Club and couldn't believe how good the hold is. You only need the teeniest amount and it holds everything in place, unnoticeably, all day. Get it here.
Make Up
Recently my motto has been "light and bright." By "bright" I don't mean very colourful (although Rosie Huntington Whiteley's lip pencil has made the cut as it's incredible, here) but more "uplifting." When you're poorly, or just when you feel it's too cold to leave the house, you need your make up to encourage you out of the door. That said if anything takes more than 5 minutes to do, I'm over it.
Benefit is a brand that I feel I grew up with, their mascaras and lipsticks were some of my first. I've been using their Hello Flawless as a really good primer/foundation. It covers well but you still look naked (is that the right expression? I mean you can't see it!) Get it here. Next, I have been using Sun Beam for years as a "quick fix" skin brightener. I put a swipe of it on each cheek (over the top of my Perricone MD bronzer which is the best in the business - people always think I've been on holiday, get it here) and quickly rub it in et voila. Get it here.
But the next product I almost want to make the font size 1000 and put in flashing red text. It's incredible. For anyone who has dark circles, Lemon Aid is for you. Use in place of a concealer, the bright yellow balm (stay with me...) neutralises your darker bits and makes them actually disappear. I'm fighting over ownership of this one with my mother at the moment, and friends who have watched me put it on have tried to pinch it too... If you buy one thing, its this here.
Finally, I think Rosie Huntington Whiteley needs a real pat on the back for her new make up range (find the full collection at Marks and Spencer here). I was given a few bits to try and the two pieces that stand out for me are the eyeshadow palette here (perfect for my usually olive complexion and dark hair) and the aforementioned lip crayon here, which has been perfect for a bit of a boost on weekdays. It's bright but not too bright... Love it!
Scent
Anyone who has read the blog for a while will know I'm obsessed with Tom Ford scents. At the beginning of the year I was treated to dinner with friends by the power house, and this Jasmin Rouge was in our little takeaway bag. It's more floral than my usual choices, but I've been wearing it religiously and it get's so many compliments. You only need a little, so it will last a lifetime, Get it here.
March Beauty Buys
I haven't really been putting myself in front of the camera that much recently as I haven't been all that well. I've been so tired and have definitely noticed my skin has taken a hit. So, I used it as a bit of an excuse to invest some time in my skincare regime... As you might already know I didn't have a routine of any sort before the blog but as I've got older I've really begun to feel the need - and can see the benefits. I'm extremely impatient so if it's on here it really does mean it works... Here is a round up of products I've tried and tested recently, and some of them are really rather good...
top row: this works energy bank oil / tom ford, jasmine rouge / rosie eyeshadow palette / perricone MD bronzer / trilogy everything balm / weleda skin food middle row: REN skincare instant beauty shot serum / benefit lemon aid
bottom row: benefit hello flawless tinted primer / maria nila structure repair cream / benefit sun beam / rosie huntington whiteley lip crayon / tom ford mascara / vita liberata tanning lotion / davines pliable hair paste
Skin
Skin wise, a few products to mention. The first one is something I received in a Birchbox last year, but only recently started using. Trilogy "everything balm" is the kind of thing every girl should have in her handbag, because it really does do everything. I've been using it on dry patches, cracked lips, hands, mixing in with lip colour (makes it last ten times longer) and as a cold-air skin protector. It's absolutely brilliant and even though I've been using it a lot it looks barely touched, get it here.
Next is an old faithful, Weleda Skin Food. When I'm unwell my skin gets so dry and dull - I pop a small amount of this (it's quite oily) on the really bad bits after a shower and it's instantly fixed. It's only £8.95 - a total bargain. Get it here. I also have been using REN Skincare's Instant Brightening Beauty Shot (in fact you can watch me was lyrical about it here) each morning as it's brings the puffiness down (which I get a lot, and really noticeably when I'm not feeling good). Get it here.
Once my skin is nice and nourished I do like to put on a little bit of a tan/tint. I used to be a St Tropez obsessive, but since I've discovered Vita Liberata I've thrown it all in the bin. You only need a 20p size blob to do your whole upper body and once dried (takes 5/10 minutes) you're set!
Lastly, a product which I would be tempted to claim as possessing medicinal qualities. I've been so lethargic recently, and when This Works' skin oil "energy bank body makeover" arrived I was sceptical; How can a product wake you up?! However, after use you most definitely feel revived and more "with it." At £32 it's more of an investment, but whole heartedly worth it. Get it here.
Hair
I'm really quite into my hair at the moment. I've got quite a lot of regrowth coming through (from being unwell last year) meaning I am becoming a super pro at finding products that stop the shorter hairs showing along my parting. It's really tricky as my hair is fine and needs help with volume, so I don't want to be adding heavy products as it'll flatten my whole head! Two things have really helped recently.
Firstly, Maria Nila's Structure and Repair Leave In Cream has been magnificent. I put a couple of pumps throughout my towel dry hair and once dried my locks feel rich, shiny and bouncy - without feeling weighty. For the fly away bits I've tried a lot of things but so far the winner is Davines' Pliable Hair Paste. I discovered it in the changing rooms at the South Kensington Club and couldn't believe how good the hold is. You only need the teeniest amount and it holds everything in place, unnoticeably, all day. Get it here.
Make Up
Recently my motto has been "light and bright." By "bright" I don't mean very colourful (although Rosie Huntington Whiteley's lip pencil has made the cut as it's incredible, here) but more "uplifting." When you're poorly, or just when you feel it's too cold to leave the house, you need your make up to encourage you out of the door. That said if anything takes more than 5 minutes to do, I'm over it.
Benefit is a brand that I feel I grew up with, their mascaras and lipsticks were some of my first. I've been using their Hello Flawless as a really good primer/foundation. It covers well but you still look naked (is that the right expression? I mean you can't see it!) Get it here. Next, I have been using Sun Beam for years as a "quick fix" skin brightener. I put a swipe of it on each cheek (over the top of my Perricone MD bronzer which is the best in the business - people always think I've been on holiday, get it here) and quickly rub it in et voila. Get it here.
But the next product I almost want to make the font size 1000 and put in flashing red text. It's incredible. For anyone who has dark circles, Lemon Aid is for you. Use in place of a concealer, the bright yellow balm (stay with me...) neutralises your darker bits and makes them actually disappear. I'm fighting over ownership of this one with my mother at the moment, and friends who have watched me put it on have tried to pinch it too... If you buy one thing, its this here.
Finally, I think Rosie Huntington Whiteley needs a real pat on the back for her new make up range (find the full collection at Marks and Spencer here). I was given a few bits to try and the two pieces that stand out for me are the eyeshadow palette here (perfect for my usually olive complexion and dark hair) and the aforementioned lip crayon here, which has been perfect for a bit of a boost on weekdays. It's bright but not too bright... Love it!
Scent
Anyone who has read the blog for a while will know I'm obsessed with Tom Ford scents. At the beginning of the year I was treated to dinner with friends by the power house, and this Jasmin Rouge was in our little takeaway bag. It's more floral than my usual choices, but I've been wearing it religiously and it get's so many compliments. You only need a little, so it will last a lifetime, Get it here.
*disclaimer: some of these products were received as gifts from brands and PRs, but none have been promised content, only if I actually like the item - you should see the pile that didn't make it (!!)*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)