Plaits & Ponytails....

I would never think of plaiting my hair....it always feels a little Laura Ingalls to me.... 

(not that there's anything wrong with Laura Ingalls of course, I read & re-read those books when I was younger) 

but I keep seeing images everywhere of fabulously stylish plaits & ponytails & I absolutely love them.

I don't have super long hair, it's shoulder length right now - long enough for a ponytail, not sure it would work for a plait though.

It would seem the key is to have a slightly messy plait, it needs to stay intact but still look as though you've slept in it. Effortless chic....as always.

As for the ponytail....again, it needs to look as though you've created it & almost forgotten about it, more this-took-me-twenty-seconds-and-not-a-second-longer as opposed to this-took-me-hours-and-even-then-i-needed-a-friend-to-assist.

It seems the "high pony" is often the style of choice...and with the right style, you can apparently wear this at any age, it's not just for the under-12s.

My daughter wants to try out both a French plait or a fishtail plait - neither of which I can do - so I took a look around for a good hair tutorial....it would appear the internet is full of them!

Joanna over at A Cup of Jo has some great hair ideas/tutorials and Nikki who writes the fabulous beauty blog Bella Mumma has lots of super-helpful hair style posts....

love this beautifully chic & easy half-up-half-down style

Blake Lively's tri-ponytail 

mastering the "messy" ponytail

the two-second-hair trick

and finally, a very straightforward tutorial from a lovely young lady who made me want to be young, cute with super long hair again....isn't she gorgeous?

Would you wear any of these?  

all images via Pinterest

Slipped down a couple of stairs at school today, managing to narrowly avoid splitting the knees of my brand new jeans & squashing a couple of small children and & still hold on to the box of cupcakes that I was delivering to school!!

Could I have claimed it as a "work injury" or even a vaguely work related one as I had made them on behalf of the class rep ;) 

Crisis narrowly averted....last day of term, how terrible would that have been?!!

Beauty : Amie Skincare

Amie is a skincare brand that I only recently discovered...

happily for me since I have really enjoyed using their products so far....

I've been using the Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturiser (£4.95) & the Spring Clean Cooling Clay Mask (£4.95).

Founded by ex-Estee Lauder executive Fiona Parkhouse, Amie was originally conceived as an ideal skincare range for the young skin of her teenage daughter.

However, she found that the products - which had been designed for sensitive skin - also benefited her own combination skin.

The range in fact works for all ages.

The Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturiser is a gorgeously light daily moisturiser with a beautifully uplifting & fresh fragrance.

I love the scent of it so much that I found myself rubbing a little on my hand the other day whilst I was writing!!

   

I've been using it with and without make-up and it works perfectly both ways, my skin does seem to look very clear & I have none of the dryness I am prone to....no mean feat in this super-hot weather!

I've been using the Spring Clean Cooling Mask at least twice a week for the last month....

it's light, easy to apply & remove and has left my skin feeling wonderfully smooth.

I would recommend both products & would definitely buy more from their range....

their price points are extremely competitive and very good value.  

The entire Amie range is free from parabens, sulphates, mineral oils & animal extracts, is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and contains 95% natural fruit & plant extracts.

"Originally created for young skin, Amie’s gentle, natural formulas have proved a hit with ladies of all ages.  So many of us suffer from sensitive skin but are also prone to oiliness and breakouts as well as dryness and redness from time to time !  Hormonal changes, whether during the teenage years or later in life can all lead to increased oiliness, spots and acne rosacea.

Stressed skin is also more sensitive and the pollution in our environment and the fast-pace at which we live nowadays all have a detrimental effect on our skin.

Amie has been created to help keep your skin in perfect balance:  oiliness and spots are controlled and moisture and hydration are given where they’re needed.   Our products are on average made from 95% natural ingredients and are pH balanced and dermatologically tested.

Amie is also ideal for people who want an affordable, effective cleansing and moisturising regime using natural ingredients and no harsh or irritating chemicals."

Beauty : Viridian Nutrition - Nails & Tea

I wrote last month about the Viridian Nutrition beauty supplements I had been taking....

All Viridian products are natural, healthful, pure & contain 100% live ingredients and I was very impressed with their great product range

This month I have been trying out their Ultimate Beauty Tea and their Ultimate Beauty Organic Nail and Cuticle Oil.

The "Beautea" contains hibiscus, camomile, rose, licorice, calendula and calendula.

I have bought "healthy" teas many times before & they've always sat in my cupboards gathering dust....this tea is absolutely delicious, so refreshing....I cannot get enough of it!

I have it during the day & at night and love it, I've already finished one jar & had to order another!.

I really noticed a difference in my nails when I took supplements last month & as I wanted to maintain the improvements, I was keen to try this Nail and Cuticle Oil....

once again, it has been a great success, these products really work.

I've never used a cuticle cream or oil before and although I use hand cream throughout the day, I am convinced that using this wonderful oil - which includes an organic mix of essential oils - at night before I go to bed has been really beneficial for my nails.

You'll have to take my word that my nail are looking lovely, I tried taking photos of them....but there's clearly a skill to doing that which I do not have!!

Viridian Nutrition products can be ordered online or check their website to find your nearest stockist.

Beauty : Make Up

It probably won't surprise you to learn that I currently have a few "organisation" projects going on around my home....

These new projects are inspired though by a book recommended to me recently (more of which soon....)

one of my projects is my beauty drawer....or should I say drawers plus shelf.

I am fortunate enough to be sent lots of gorgeous beauty products for review....

I love a good product and very happily try every single one, whatever brand it is.

I am definitely all about skincare and the importance of it....

I vowed last year to "CTM" (cleanse, tone, moisturise) every single night (instead of just when I was feeling extra virtuous or had time) and I have stuck to that.

I also love make-up....I wear it every day, not a lot of it necessarily but always some.

I don't feel I need it, I just enjoy wearing it.

Some of the products that I wear are products that I've been sent and I mix and match brands all the time.

My skin has changed as I've got older....

products that suited me when I was 23 don't suit me anymore.

I love a make-up counter and like most people have probably been seduced and dazzled by the pretty colours & tones...and the beautiful assistants!

On the other hand, these days I tend to go to a beauty counter knowing precisely what I am going to buy....

I don't usually browse and I am often replacing something that I have used before.

I must admit to finding beauty counters fairly intimidating though....

I don't think I've ever walked away with something that I didn't need but I'm sure many people have. 

Buying make-up is quite a challenge....it can also be fairly expensive so in many ways it's easy to stick to something you know works....possibly a reason why so many of us get stuck in a beauty rut. I'd like to try a new foundation but don't really want to purchase something that looked okay in the store but when I got home - or out into daylight - was totally wrong for me.

I haven't had one of those in-store makeovers for years....

I had one just before I got married, the consultant (Lancome I think it was) made me look so beautiful that I literally bought everything he had used on me....

and then of course didn't quite manage to re-create it myself!!

Thankfully I had a professional make-up artist friend do my wedding day make-up.

A great idea is to do a make-up course. There are lots of makeup courses in London or the UKto choose from & they're a really useful way of getting some wonderful tips & ideas - and trying out new styles & products.

For those looking to get into the world of beauty, you might also want to think about studying a beauty course to help brush up on your beauty skills.

While a department store make-up artist or assistant is obviously going to recommend their brand....a professional make-up artist/a course tutor will allow you to try out lots of different products to see which suits you best.

I feel some new purchases coming on....off to clear out those drawers right now! 

Beauty : Viridian Nutrition

When I was asked recently by the lovely people at Viridian Nutrition if I would like to try out some of their fabulous beauty supplements, I said yes immediately.

I haven't been taking as much care of myself or exercising this year as I should do & I'm definitely feeling it.

Viridian products are ethical, healthful, pure and contain 100% active ingredients....

they suggested that I should start with two products.....

* Ultimate Beauty Oil

&

* Ultimate Beauty Complex

I've been taking both of these now for a month and can most definitely see improvement....my skin feels less dry (always a sign that I am under par), my hair feels softer & my nails have grown like crazy!!

I will be continuing to take the supplements....whilst I aim to eat heathily each day, sometimes life (and cake) gets in the way and I don't always succeed. 

I do feel reassured that by taking these supplements, my body & my skin are being cared for and getting at least some of the nutrients they need.

    

"Viridian’s 100% Organic Ultimate Beauty Oil offers an exclusive combination of the most promising nutritional oils to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boosting suppleness and hydration. These oils also help improve and maintain the appearance of hair and nails. This 100% organic beauty oil is a blend of super-food seed oils gently extracted from Flax, Hemp, Pumpkin, Avocado and Evening Primrose, supplying the necessary essential fatty acids to support the underlying structures of healthy skin, hair and nails."

"The synergistic combination of vitamins, minerals and plant-based phytonutrients within this (Ultimate) beauty complex support the underlying structures of healthy skin, hair and nails. Take daily alongside Viridian's 100% Organic Ultimate Beauty Oil for the ultimate in hair, skin and nails.Taking a good quality daily multivitamin designed for hair, skin and nails can make a real difference to the speed at which your skin ages. Nutrients offer daily protection to fight against ageing by free radical-induced oxidative stress and can help recycle the vitamins your skin needs."

Review : Sebamed Skincare

I've recently been trying out the Sebamed Anti-Dry range of products....

Daily Shampoo, Derma Soft Wash Emulsion, Hydrating Body Lotion, Day Defence Cream & Night Intensive Cream.

I liked the hair & shower products, I really liked the day & night creams.

Sebamed is a leading medicinal brand of skincare & all products are made with high quality ingredients designed to counteract dehydration and to cleanse and nourish the skin without destroying its natural balance.

I don't have sensitive skin but with the water in London being rather hard, I am prone to dry skin and am constantly moisturising....the Anti-Dry range is designed for both sensitive & dry skin.

The Hydrating Body Lotion takes some time to absorb but it made my skin noticeably soft, the day cream absorbed very quickly & was great under make-up & the night cream was lovely to use, it was probably my favourite product.

To see more about the Sebamed range, see here....

products c/o Sebamed, all words/opinions my own

When I wrote my "life list" on my blog last year, one of the things on my to-do list was to actually remember to do my daily "cleanse, tone, moisturise".

It might not sound like a big "to-do" but I am fortunate to have experienced few, if any, issues with my skin and so I have got away with not looking after it as well as I could have done.

I have certainly been guilty of falling into bed still wearing my make-up at the end of a long day more times than I care to admit.

Since I wrote my life list a year and a week ago, I have religiously and without fail, cleansed my face every night. And my skin feels better for it.

You all know that I absolutely love a beauty product and I test different products all the time, changing my routine frequently.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of my recent new beauty product finds and talking about some new beauty routines I've come across, amongst them hair removal methods.

Beauty : Baylis & Harding

Last week I had the pleasure of being invited to the Worcestershire head office of beauty brand Baylis & Harding.

I spent a wonderful day meeting with Tania Fossey & Adrian Slater, the current driving force behind the brand, and the children of the brand's founders, Marcia Simmons & David Slater....as well as viewing their current ranges & products for 2013.

Friendly, open, inspirational and clearly possessed of great vision, it was fascinating to hear about the story of Baylis & Harding - past, present & future.

"Baylis and Harding" were their grandmothers names and it was clear throughout the day that family values are so important to this business, it is very proudly a family run British brand.

The company believes passionately in good value for their customers....

they produce and create high quality products....
products which, I think,  define "affordable luxury".

They have signature scents - such as their gorgeous "sweet mandarin & grapefruit" & "french lavender & cassis"....but they also have product seasons, creating different ranges throughout the year.

They are possibly best known for their bathroom products but they also have a great children's range,  a hair care range "Great Hair", a Fair Trade range & an extensive Skin Spa range of products.

Everything about their ethos appealed to me....

they are clearly very connected to their products, everything is very well thought through.

Just like fashion, they think of their products in terms of "seasons".

I also just love that they are a British & family run company - simply because there are just not enough of those around.

They believe in their products, they create fabulous & very appealing fragrances and they keep their customer as their number one focus.

One of the most telling moments of my day though was during a conversation with the very lovely taxi driver who drove me to the train station at the end of the day....

he was an older man who clearly knew the family well and he couldn't say enough nice things about them....

"they're good people....they do things the right way...."

I don't think you can get a better endorsement than that.
This is the kind of company I want to support.

I have a fantastic selection of products from several of their ranges to give away to
one lucky winner....

Closing date will be this Thursday so that I can try to mail the goodies to the winner before Christmas.

To enter, be a follower of my blog & simply leave me a comment.

To see more from Baylis & Harding, click here

Beauty News : L'Apothecary Serum & Oil

Earlier this year my friend Lou launched L'Apothecary.

In her own words :

"Frustrated with the chemical content of so many beauty and skin care products, L'Apothecary sought to formulate blends which were indulgent, 100% natural and crucially, would hold their own against other synthetically-enhanced counterparts.

Utilising the principles of a traditional apothecary, we blend in Sussex, Great Britain. All of our products are made from natural ingredients and contain no lauryl sulfates, laureth sulfates, parabens, artificial preservatives, colours or fragrances."

L'Apothecary launched with a range of facial oils : hand blended oils made with gorgeous ingredients.

I tested both the British Blend & the Original Facial Oil and thought they were fabulous.

I buy and am very fortunate to be given a number of beauty products....
I have many.

I loved the British Blend so much that I actually finished it...which is unheard of for me!

I tend to use different products depending on what I feel my skin needs at that particular time....
but the oil was so lovely, I simply stuck with it.  

The oils feel luxurious but also have a very appealing purity & goodness to them which was noticeable almost overnight on my skin.

I am very excited that L'Apothecary has today launched a second range of products....

Quench Facial Serum & Calmer Bath Oil

All products are available on the L'Apothecary website & all purchases arrive beautifully packed, they make wonderful gifts, I honestly cannot recommend them enough.

Beauty News : Lanolips

I have to confess to not having heard of Lanolips before this week. 

But what a great find it has been....perfect timing for the cold weather London is having right now.

Lanolips was the inspiration of creator Kirsten Carriol who spent her childhood growing up on a sheep farm in South Australia. 

She set out to create a totally natural ultra-pure lanolin lip ointment - lanolin being the natural substance taken from freshly shorn sheep's wool.

She wanted something that gave great moisturisation with a glossy finish but still remained natural.

And so Lanolips was born.

I have been trying out their "101 Ointment" - £10.99

a "multi-purpose" ointment, according to their website, which can be used on lips, nails or dry skin.

It's a beautifully smooth ointment or balm which when applied in the morning still kept my lips feeling soft until at least the afternoon.

I also tried their Rose Balm Intense for Very Dry Hands & Nails - £8.99

This is a very rich & intensive hand cream which also contains shea butter, cocoa seed butter, rose oil, Vitamin E and antioxidants.

I have to say first of all that rose is not usually my first choice of scent BUT this hand cream is fantastic, I honestly can't stop applying it! 

The rose scent is delicate and warm, it's just lovely.

My hands are often very dry and particularly so this time of year....

I always carry hand cream with me but pretty much resign myself to dry hands during the winter.

There is something very comforting about this intensive cream....

I've been using it during the day & at night ie, all the time! 

After just a few days, my hands are definitely softer.

Like the ointment above, it can also be used on dry skin anywhere.

Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour - £7.99 

Lanolips has a range of body, hand & nail and lip products, all of which can be seen here .

All products contain the world's finest lanolin, are dermatalogically tested & are animal cruelty free.

In the UK, Lanolips products are available from Victoria Health stores and selected Boots & Waitrose stores.

All products are available worldwide from their website.

Beauty : Liz Earle

I mention Liz Earle's beauty products pretty frequently on my blog, I am a huge fan.

I use many of her products myself and am always recommending them to friends - of all ages & skin types.

They are very reasonably priced &super-effective.....they also always feel like such pure & clean products.

Liz Earle is available in many department stores & online and they recently launched into six Boots stores around the country - not before time!!

This week-end they are celebrating the opening of their counters at Boots....

visit any of the six stores and you can chat with their expert advisors, have a complimentary hand and arm massage or skincare consultation and also receive a sample of their fabulous Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.

Oh, and there's free champagne too!!

Liz Earle launched a fabulous new make-up range earlier this year - Liz Earle Colour - and as was on the hunt for a new foundation, I thought I'd try their new Signature Foundation.

It's suitable for all skin types (mine is normal to dry) and comes in nine different shades.

It gives a very even coverage, lasts all day & applies very easily over moisturiser.

I wear make-up every day and I love this, I'll definitely be buying it again.

Liz Earle's "Gorgeous Skin Gift", just £16.00 

The brand also has some beautiful gifts for Christmas, all with gorgeous packaging, you can find it all on their website.

   

Tough Nails

Above, my nails with a caviar effect.   I decided to do it only on two fingers, each on one hand to try for the first time.  I loved them!  Long gone are the days of plain and discrete traditional French manicure so are the days when bravery and boldness were only proven by the first explorers climbing Matchu Pitchu.  Leave it to the nails to show your inner adventure.  One of the things that caught my eyes in the runways lately were the decorative nails all over.  I can't wait to try the reverse manicure, fist image below, top left.  Enjoy!

Clockwise from top left, reverse manicure, geometric nails done with Nail Art Pen by Sally Hansen, Adele's nails with some glitter and caviar nails by Ciate can be purchased at Sephora.

Clockwise from top left, striped nails can be done with nail wraps by Nail Rock or Sally Hansen art pen, Kate Spade polka-dot nails, colorful French manicure and the latest one, velvet nails by Ciate.

Product Review : Mediterranean Essentials

Live, Love, Laugh longer with MASQUELIER’s®

Mediterranean diet is good for the brain as well as well as the body. 

It has long been thought to improve heart health.

Whilst it’s pleasant to imagine enjoying long leisurely lunches of home grown and home cooked ingredients, eating freshly caught fish and sipping red wine, for many of us, it’s just not possible outside of holidays and special occasions. 

The reality of our everyday lives is busy days and rushed meals!

Scientists worldwide have been studying the traditional Mediterranean lifestyle to understand why their life expectancy was so high and people aged so well. 

Apart from the sunshine and siesta’s that are common in the Mediterranean region, their diet is widely believed to be key - high in ‘Omega’ unsaturated fatty acids from oily fish, antioxidants from virgin olive oil and specific flavanols found in red wine.

The traditional Mediterranean diet can be the key to a healthier, longer life.

MASQUELIER's® Mediterranean Essentials has harnessed three of the essential ingredients of the traditional Mediterranean diet in an easy-to-take capsule so you can enjoy some of the benefits too.

The super-antioxidants of virgin olive oil

Omega fatty acids of fresh fish

Specific oligomeric proanthocyandins (OPCs) of good red wine.

I have been trying the Mediterranean Essentials out for the past two months and definitely plan to continue taking them. 

I am a big fan of the typical Mediterranean diet and during my summers in France - apart from the benefits of sunshine - my diet is always healthier & I feel better within days of being there.

Mediterranean Essentials are available online here and cost £19.95 for 30 tablets. 

Summer Beauty : Palmer's Cocoa Butter

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Original Solid Formula £3.67 /100g

The original, classic moisturiser, this unique solid formula contains the highest concentration of Cocoa Butter, making it the perfect choice to soften, soothe and relieve rough, dry skin after the cold winter months. Ideal for overnight deep moisturisation, the emollient base is especially effective for drier, rougher areas of the body such as elbows, knees and cracked heels.

Massage Cream for Stretch Marks £5.09 / 125ml

This concentrated cream is ideal for stubborn areas such as thighs, hips, bust and can also be used on the tummy area. The non-greasy formula helps to improve skin elasticity and moisture levels. We recommend using this cream at least three times a day on affected areas. Ideal for use on the go, the convenient tube fits perfectly in your handbag. For best results use in conjunction with the Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks.

I've written before about being a fan of Palmer's and their products.

To me, they are an established reliable, tried & tested brand - an immediate go-to for a product that I know will work. Buying a new beauty product can be a gamble and I like the fact that with Palmer's, the products are straightforward, effective and have a great price point.

I've been using both of the above products for the last month and am more than happy with them.

The solid formula Cocoa Butter is a gorgeous creamy moisturiser, lovely to use at night before going to bed and particularly to use on your feet - ideal for the summer months when your feet are exposed  and free in sandals and summer shoes.

The massage cream for stretch marks is, I think, a great lasting moisturiser whether you have stretch marks or not. Very easy to use, it feels lovely and lasts beautifully.

My next Palmer's purchases will be the Cocoa Body Scrub , perfect for pre-tanning exfoliation and the Olive Butter Formula Cream Oil which I've heard is great as a moisturiser.