CHRISTMAS 'SOS' GIFT GUIDE | BEAUTY EDIT

1: Body Cleanser £20 Grown Alchemist / 2: Contour Brushes £20 Morphe /

3: Shampoo £14.05 Momo / 4: Plumping Lip Primer £16 Stila /

 5: Coconut Balm £10 Dr Jackson / 6: Nail Illuminator £14 Nails Inc /

 7: Hand Cream £14 Grown Alchemist / 8: Bath Oil £19 Susanne Kaufmann /

 9: About Face Book £14.99 Amazon / 10: Kiss Me Lip Balm Eve Lom /

 11: Shimmering Spice Candle £15 Space NK 

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From lotions and potions to brushes and balms, it's not too late to indulge a product junkie's Christmas wishes, with these cult beauty gift ideas under £20....Thank you Santa!

SAVE THE SUMMER GLOW

Image via Pinterest

 In terms of summer make up I tend to wear a lot less when the warmer weather kicks in. I'm a big advocate of keeping my face out of the sun, but I really love a healthy sun kissed glow. These days it's so easy to achieve that perfect shade of golden without a ray of sun in sight, and with a myriad of products on the market, here are a pick of my personal bunch of favourites.

FACIAL SELF TANNERS.

I've tried a lot, and without doubt the one that comes out tops for me is Chanel Soleil Identite. It is expensive, but you only need a dot, and like a lot of other facial tanners it doesn't cling to imperfections, dry your skin out or go into your pores. 

SOLEIL IDENTITE 

CHANEL £30

Less expensive, but still gives a natural even looking light glow, is the Clarins Eau-Lactee Auto-Bronzante self tanning milk. Specially formulated for the face and decollete, so it's a very light, and also has the gorgeous Clarins skincare fragrance. Plus you get a whopping 125mls which will last you the whole summer.

EAU LACTEE AUTO-BRONZANTE

 CLARINS. £20

TINTED MOISTURIZERS.

Foundation in the summer really doesn't work for me, but I'm a big fan of tinted moisturisers. The one I can't without, and have used for years is by Laura Mercier, it has an SPF of 20, and put simply it is the best.

TINTED MOISTURIZER 

LAURA MERCIER £34

Bobbi Brown always does natural so well. Her Tinted Moisturising Balm with an SPF of 25 has the lightest coverage I have ever found. It feels like it's doing your skin good, smells divine, and is perfect for my dehydrated summer skin.  

TINTED MOISTURIZING BALM

 BOBBI BROWN £36.50

ILLUMINATORS AND BRONZERS.

When I haven't had enough sleep, and my skin looks a little under par, I always reach for Nars illuminator in orgasm. It's a cult favourite for all the right reasons, and a little goes a long way. I've tried using something less expensive, but it's not nearly as good.....Any suggestions welcome?

ORGASM ILLUMINATOR £23 NARS

This product was a new discovery for me this year, after reading so many amazing reviews. It's unlike traditional bronzers, (which can make you look as if you have fallen in a glitter pot) it's virtually undetectable on your skin, and does exactly what Hourglass say......'Radiant light is a sun-kissed golden beige powder that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth, and extends a summer glow'. I gulped when I handed over my credit card to the girl in Liberty's for this one, but now I'm converted.

AMBIENT LIGHTING POWDER IN RADIANT LIGHT £38

HOURGLASS

In summer when I don't wear much make up, but want to 

look half decent, a swoosh of bronzer really helps. Without doubt,

 Bobbi Browns are hard to beat.

BRONZING POWDER £28.50 BOBBI BROWN

SHIMMERING OIL.

I have used this Nuxe dry oil since I can't remember, and I dare you not to love it too?....The fragrance is pure South of France in a bottle. Lot's of alternatives on the market, but for me there is nothing like this gorgeous golden original. It's a true summer multi tasker, I mix a little in with my tinted moisturizer when I want to up the glam, and you can even use it on your hair as well!

HUILE PRODIGIEUSE FROM £17

 NUXE

 Finally one of my favourite discoveries over the past year has been beauty guru industry insider Caroline Hirons amazingly informative skincare blog. In fact I would go so far as to say, it has completely revolutionised my skincare regime (sounds like another post coming up?) If I'm honest when I first started reading her advice I was a bit of a cynic, but even after a few basic changes (i.e. bin the make-up wipes and double cleanse properly) my skin has really changed, and looks glowy and looks fresh again, even when I'm knackered! If you haven't found 'Queen Caroline' yet, waste no time, apart from her wealth of knowledge she is also hugely entertaining on her You Tube channel. It will change the way you think about looking after your skin forever.....I promise!

FEELING BEACHY.....BACK TO BLACK.

1: Sunglasses Jeepers Peepers / 2: Hat Zara / 3: Swimsuit Topshop /

 4: Body Glow Nars / 5: Sandals Steve Madden

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Stand out from the neon clad this summer, and join 
the cool crowd, in Black on the Beach.

1: Hat Paul Smith / 2: Sunglasses H&M / 3: Longline Bikini Top Topshop / 

4: Monoi Body Glow Nars / 5: High Waisted Bikini Bottom Topshop /

 6: Sandals Next  

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Wherever your destination, start building your perfect jet set wardrobe with chic and sleek statement black pieces. Besides magically doing amazing things for your figure, black always looks and feels more expensive (even if it isn't!) To look seriously stylish throw on a oversized white shirt as a cover up, and from beach to bar, polish off your look with a maxi skirt.

Thinking neon? Think again. Sunshine style doesn't

 come much cooler than this.

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And finally, a little dream come true......

 I am really excited to announce the launch of my new 

Personal Styling consultation service.

It's called THE STYLE CLINIC

If you are interested in any way, please get in touch. I would 

love to hear from you.

Thank you,

Love,

Helen x

THE JANE BIRKIN EFFECT.

I'm getting the tiniest bit bored with my hair again. 

 Maybe it's because the sun's shining, or just because I feel the need to try something different, but I am ready to have some much needed inches off.

The winter weather, central heating etc, has played havoc with my naturally frizz prone wavy hair, coupled with ombre grown out highlights with ends that resemble straw, the time has definitely come.

But recently I felt the need for a bigger change.....For a fringe/bangs, whatever you call it, I can't get this idea out of my head (or hair) right now.

Now, this may not sound particularly drastic to you, but for me it conjures up haunting memories of the night before going back to school, sitting on the kitchen stool, with a scissor wielding Mum ready to 'cut' the hair out of my eyes, saying 'you will be able to see the blackboard so much better' dear? 
What was wrong with a hair clip, or alice band I will never know, and the inches were lopped off until a suitably loony fringe was cut to last the term!

So putting my childhood scars aside, and channeling the seventies and some french girl chic, a la Jane Birkin's famous fringe, the Pinterest pages have been scoured for some healing inspiration.

Boho is big this season and a fringe is a sure fire way to get an instant hair update for a cool seventies vibe.

 Are you thinking of a hair change right now? Would you consider a fringe? Let me know, and I'll let you know if I have been brave enough too....But, not with the kitchen scissors this time!

SUMMER BEAUTY EDIT............

BARE 

ESSENTIALS

I wanted to show you my favorite beauty products

 that I have been using this summer.

Image via


POLISH THAT BODY.....


It all starts with a good body brush. I work in long sweeping motions from the feet upwards. It's said to help eliminate toxins, by stimulating your circulation.
 I definitely feel by doing this most morning's before my shower,
that it gives you smoother, glowing, brighter skin.




Aromatherapy Associates Body Brush £15.00



SCRUB UP.....


Exfoliation is the key to getting smooth all over summer skin, 
and a gorgeous even tan. 
But I find a lot of products are just too harsh. However, I have always loved Kiehls products and this gentle scrub by them, exfoliates without drying, plus it smells divine, and leaves my skin feeling super soft.





Kiehls Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish  £22.50


SKIN DRINKS.....

The sun can very quickly zap the moisture out of your skin, 
and as I have a tendency to dry skin anyway, I always moisturize really well.

So whilst my skin is still damp from the shower, I rub in body cream or lotion. One of my favourites, and one that always makes my skin feel extra nourished is Eau Thermale Avene Cold cream. 

Kept in the fridge It also makes a great aftersun product, 
instantly cooling, hydrating, and soothing.

Avene products are excellent for anyone with sensitive skin too.




Avene Cold Cream Body Lotion  £20


PURE OLIVE OIL.....

Whenever my skin needs a big dollop of extra moisture, 
I use organic olive oil. 

 Now it may not have the luxury factor of expensive beauty products, but Mediterranean women have been using it for centuries, and I promise you it really does restore dry skin. 

This natural product contains among other great health and skin boosting properties, vitamin E, omega 9 fatty acids, and squalene (an organic compound found in human sebum).

I tend to use this after a bath, and about an hour before bed, to give it a chance to really soak in. 






NIP + FAB.....

This is the second summer I have used some of their great products. This skin and body care range was brought out by Maria Hatzistefanis who founded the luxury 'Rodial' range.

 Nip + fab has been designed to target specific areas of the face and body, but at affordable prices. With a celebrity following including Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston, and reportedly Kelly Rowland, using their Sheer Make Up Fix, it's a brand worth trying.

P.S. I did my Ocado grocery shop last night, and to my surprise all Nip + Fab is half price on there at the moment.......So hurry!
Ocado Nip + Fab


My favorite products that really work for me are the Upper Arm Fix.........Now don't expect overnight miracles?

 I did have to get through two tubes to see some results, but after applying twice daily for about six weeks, I could see my skin was firmer and more toned, I always exercise, but arms especially the flabby underneath bit is always the hardest to target, but using this product has really made a difference to my upper arms!





Nip + Fab Upper Arm Fix  £12.95


Also I love their Glycolic Fix exfoliating face pads, especially when it's been really hot and sticky, and I want to get a deep cleanse.
  My skin definitely looks brighter after using these.







Glycolic Fix Pads £12.95



HAIR.....

Now I like my hair beachy in summer, but a lot of the sea salt sprays make my hair feel a bit too crispy?
 But this Sea Mist by John Masters, gives a subtle day at the beach look, rather than a looking like a brush hasn't been near your hair in weeks, and you have never heard of conditioner! 

 It's organic formula contains lavender, which prevents the hair from drying out, plus it's safe to use on color treated hair, which is great as I have highlights, that can literally frizzle up in the sun!



John Masters Organics Sea Salt Mist £11.65


SELF TAN FOR FACE.....

As I try not to get too much or any sun on my face, I always need a little extra color, and this is truly the best facial tanner I have ever used (and I have tried a lot)!
 It glides on beautifully, no after smell, and whilst expensive, you literally only use a pea size amount. There are two shades, and although I have a light to medium skin tone, I was advised to go for the darker bronze shade. 
I love it, and it's the nearest thing to a week in the sun!






CHANEL SOLEIL IDENTITE
 Perfect color face self tanner £30


NAILED.....

As much as I love all the bright summer nail polishes, I prefer to wear something deep and dark.

So lastly the color I am currently wearing and loving is by Chanel. It's a beautiful dark grey/navy shade from their A/W 14 collection, that is super creamy, and dries to a high shine. 

There are lots of similar more affordable alternatives out there, but I do find Chanel nail polishes go on so well, and last for ages!




CHANEL 'Orage' Nail Polish £18

 I am going away again later this month, and these are the products that I have been using in the run up to my holiday. 

We all want to step out on the beach feeling happy and confident, and using some of these products a few weeks before you hit the beach will definitely help. And if you are not going away, you can still extend that summer vibe at home by enjoying them, and looking your very best!

"I would love to know if you have any summer beauty buys and tips to share?"


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JESSICA ALBA....... started it!

GOING FOR THE

 CHOP......

Image via
Jessica Alba

No,I'm not sending my other half (VHM) for a surgical procedure! It's just that for a while now I have had it in my head to get my locks chopped a bit shorter. 

'The Lob' Aka..... Long bob, does hold a lot of appeal. Firstly it's low maintenance, I either straighten my naturally wavy hair, or tie it up, and secondly the condition through constant heat abuse, does mean that it's probably time to say goodbye to a few inches.

My (VHM visibly winces!)

I'm not that good at the whole beauty thing, I always admire girls who have whole afternoons to pamper and preen themselves, sadly I am not that type. I always leave it until my hair is almost at breaking point before getting to the salon, until I saw this picture of 

Jessica Alba's messy,wavy long bobbed hair?

The 'Lob' I thought, could be just edgy enough for me? I'd say it's on the warm side of cool.....If you get my drift? And, because my hair after washing does tend to resemble a troll on a good day, until I sort it out with lots of products and time (which of course I never have enough of.)  So, letting my hair air dry naturally and then just running an oil or serum through really, appeals.

Image via

I have recently found an amazing hairdresser who has done wonders for the color on my hair, a mixture of a balayage technique, and a few carefully placed high and low lights, means my naturally mousy locks, (color wise) look pretty good these days!

But it's the chop I need. So this Friday It's 'C' day, or possibly 'D'...... for disaster day if I don't like it! Although I have such great confidence in my fabulous hairdresser, that I am sure I will absolutely love it!

Fern Cotton

 Image via

I am taking along a few pictures of the 'beautiful' people

 for inspiration. 

Tell me what do you think?

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