The beauty edit

The 20-year-old lipstick...

2012-01-12T21:06:00.009Z

A friend recently 'fessed up to using the same lipstick for the past 20 years, not just the same shade or brand, mind, but the same ACTUAL lipstick - talk about value for money! Hygiene of course is another matter. She said she kept looking for a replacement but nothing else was quite the right shade of browny-pink. I took a swatch, searched through my beauty stash and the nearest I could find was a Bourjois Sweet Kiss Naturel in Sienna Kiss - I'll let you know her verdict! In the meantime, any other 'vintage' make-up hoarders should head to Harvey Nichols London on January 19th, where to celebrate the launch of the new Stila make-up counter, there's a make-up amnesty - Stila Steal. They're giving away a free Lip Glaze in Kitten worth £15 when you trade in an old lipgloss, even if it's not a Stila one. What's the longest you've had a product in continuous use, so to speak?

Cute i-phone wallpaper

2011-10-01T14:52:00.001+01:00

By Green glasses Via Poolga

Insider's eye

2011-09-09T10:16:00.003+01:00

Check out this behind-the-scenes photodiary for a celeb's-eye-view of the Venice Film Festival. How intimidating must it be to be bombarded by photographers like that, then scrutinised by the world's press shortly after? Gywneth has been spotted at my local softplay in the past, which is somewhat lacking in glamour - the contrasts of a celebrity-mum's life must be pretty surreal.

Gywneth often gets a lot of stick for her Goop website, poysonally, I like it!

Officially an Icon

2011-09-07T15:07:00.003+01:00

Hairdresser Luke Hersheson scooped Hair Icon at Creative Head's Most Wanted awards this week. I've always liked his low-key approach - I have judged hairdressing competitions with him in the past and he somehow manages to be understated yet outspoken at the same time, with an unerring eye for what's cool. And one of the best haircuts I've had was from him. So congratulations to Luke (on the left). Who's that with an avuncular arm around him? Nick Irwin. He's a big cheese at Tigi now, we used to shoot together a lot, most memorably on a trip to the gorgeous Jake's resort in Jamaica, which has been on my must-go-back wishlist ever since. The model was the lovely Stacey. She and Nick got on well, so well that they are now married! Back to the Creative Head Awards - I was pleased to sit with two more hair legends - colour supremo Josh Wood, and the session maestro Johnny Sapong. Both of whom have new, intimate salon spaces - more on those soon.

NYC or Paris - which are you?

2011-01-19T11:37:00.003Z

Love this from the clever and cute blog that compares quintessential NY and Paris things. When it comes to beauty which would you choose? Dior, Chanel and YSL or Bobbi Brown, Kiehls and Clinique? I love French brands for their luxe feel, but I like the freshness and immediacy of US products. Hmm...The image is also available as a poster too.

Beauty for your home

2010-11-26T11:34:00.003Z

I'm liking these beauty-inspired home items from H&M, especially the in the oft-neglected shower-curtain and bathmat category! It seemed only Anthropologie was doing anything interesting there, and at pretty steep prices. H&M's collection is a lot more affordable...

Paper napkins, £1.99
Guest towel, £2.99 for 2
Shower curtain, £12.99
Shower curtain, £12.99
Shower Mat, £2.99
Bath mat, £6.99
Duvet cover set, £19.99

Astier de Villatte beauty

2010-11-15T18:43:00.005Z

I have long hankered after the quirky ceramics by Astier de Villatte, but always reasoned that I would probably break them, so resisted. But now they have these beautiful candles, and even a hand cream, soap and eau de cologne, any of which could be a safer way to own a bit of the brand. The descriptions of the candles on the website are so evocative - I think perfect for these misty Autumnal nights must be the 'Edimbourg' candle: "A haunted castle, an ancient city of ruins abandoned to ghosts. The aromatic vapours of a pure single malt, damp cedar wood, mossy stones and beeswax mingle with coolly mysterious mineral notes." Gorgeous.

Why can't we have our own Allure?

2010-11-08T09:43:00.000Z

Back in the day when readers letters arrived by the sackful, urgent info came on a fax and important office announcements were made via a paper memo that landed on your desk, there was one major source for cutting-edge beauty info, namely Allure magazine. In my first job on a magazine, I hungrily devoured every issue of the US beauty bible and it seemed a lifetime to wait until the next issue. That's a vintage one, above, from 1994. Now we don't have to wait more than a nanosecond for anything, but don't you think there's still a place for a specialist UK beauty title? That's not to say it hasn't been tried here - my first job was on Looks Magazine (I promise to dig out some back issues, hilarious); I used to freelance for the much-missed spin-off Marie Claire Health & Beauty; then there was Shine, and the fashion and beauty mag, Happy - all of which I loved. Sadly none of them survived.

Personally, I can do without the true-life stories, celeb features and sex tips that fill out many magazines - pure undiluted beauty is what I'm after. Do you think it could work, or are you all total web converts?

If Anthropologie did hair salons...

2010-11-01T16:05:00.002Z

...they might be something like this. I love hairdressers that break the mould of clinical, all-white spaces - just check out this amazing salon in New York's East Village - L'Atelier de Laurie, discovered via fab new beauty blog Into the Gloss. It appeals to my inner magpie.

Camel fingers...

2010-10-27T10:33:00.005+01:00

...and possibly er, toes? Nails Inc's new hue, Cadogan Square, £11, is a limited edition camel shade, designed to go with that camel coat we have all dutifully bought this season, haven't we? Could be a tricky colour to do, depending on your skintone, but that hasn't stopped it becoming their hottest seller, shifting more than 1000 units in just 24 hours. I like how it looks against the other limited shade, the turquoise Portobello Road.

ThisWorks and Kids Company

2010-10-07T21:20:00.012+01:00

SPONSORED POST

Kids Company is an amazing charity founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh, I've been lucky enough to hear her speak at an event and she's inspirational. This Christmas, you can help raise funds for Kids Company when you shop for Helping Hands by ThisWorks - £1.80 from each item sold will go towards Kids Company, for a cause that can't fail to move you - to provide 2,000 Christmas dinners for children who would otherwise be alone - and that's here, in the UK. The limited edition collection includes Wish, £14, a mini skincare set with Super Lips balm, Soothing Tired Eye Serum and Refreshing Quick Spritz. I love a good hand cream, and this one - Perfect Hands, £18 - sounds fab. It does all the things you'd expect of a supercharged face cream - provides lasting moisture, tightens, firms and reduces the appearance of dark spots, gives instant radiance, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's got coconut oil, glycerin and hyaluronic acid to make hands silky soft.

ThisWorks skincare was created by former Vogue beauty director Kathy Phillips and has a pretty impressive fundraising record so far, since 2008 they've raised nearly £80,000 for Kids Company. Wouldn't it be great to help them get to £100,000 this Christmas? Buy online at ThisWorks.

A peek at some palettes..

2010-09-27T13:53:00.001+01:00

Thought you might like a peek at these gorgeous palettes; called in to be shot for a glossy magazine gift guide, I could look but not touch - talk about beauty torture! I love the sleekness of the Le Metier de Beaute Marchesa palettes, and the way that the Trish McEvoy compact packs in so many useful shades to such a tiny, slim case. The Jemma Kidd is good value at £28 and has a nice big mirror. I would definately use all of the shades in the Becca Prairie Moon Palette. The Laura Mercier kit is comprehensive, including eyeliner and mascara as well as shadow, blush and lipgloss.

Above: Becca Palette in Prairie Moon, £55, with lipgloss, 3 shadows, and compact eyeliner.

Above: Jemma Kidd Make-up School Essential Smokey Kit, £28 with two glosses and four shimmer shadows and two matt shadow/liners.

Above: Laura Mercier Fall Favourites Colour Collection, £75, exclusive to Harrods.
Above: Le Metier de Beaute Marchesa in La Soleil, £45 with two cream/gloss, two powders and a bronzer.

Above: Trish McEvoy Emergency Kit for Eyes, £30 with six shadows, eye definer and brow definer.

In defence of beauty editors...

2010-09-20T10:30:00.005+01:00

Magazine beauty editors come in for a bit of stick in the blogosphere, but spare a thought for the much-maligned beauty ed. There's more to the job than copious free products. Part guinea-pig, part biologist, part beauty therapist, part ambassador, she must represent her magazine at events that happen virtually all day, every day, as well as art-directing shoots with primadonna photographers and too-skinny models who won't smize, and deliver punchy, coverline-worthy copy. She treads a fine line between writing what she's passionate about and the constraints of writing for titles that are increasingly reliant for their revenue on a handful of all-powerful beauty companies. So no, you probably won't read a scathing review of a brand new big-budget supercream, often it's more a case of criticism by omission. Rivalry with competitive titles exists, but there's none of the blatant blanking treatment fashion eds dish out. In fact, a certain camararderie develops when you're on the third Eurostar trip of the week to go and listen to a simultaneous translation of a French scientist droning on about adipocytes and cellulite... plus it's hard to give someone the cold-shoulder when you've shared a hot-tub on a spa trip. And of course everyone pulls together when it's for a great cause, like this Thursday's Look Good Feel Better Beauty Editor's Day at Selfridges.

Love 'em or not, for a £20 booking fee that goes straight to the cancer-sufferers charity, you can get up close and personal with a beauty editor and quiz them on whatever you want to know. If that's not enough of a draw, there'll be goody bags and makeovers too. There are still slots available, so book on 0800 138 8140. Personally, I'm in the 'love em!' camp, but then, I used to be one!

I bet he can do Blue Steel...

2010-08-19T16:18:00.004+01:00

I'm a big Zoolander fan, it's right up there with Elf and You, Me and Dupree in the classic move stakes for me! (Highbrow, me?) So I love this video from Imedeen Management featuring the very good-looking Zeusus Royale...

Today I'm grateful for...

2010-08-09T12:43:00.007+01:00

...St Tropez Wash-Off Instant Glow Body Lotion, £12.

So I was very pleased with my pale blush shorts from Zara, until my mother pointed out that from a distance I looked like I had nothing on my lower half, since my legs are very much on the pale side of blush too. So I grabbed some St Tropez Wash-Off Instant Glow, smoothed it on in seconds, making my legs a slightly darker shade than my shorts. It's subtle and pretty foolproof, although I do recommend checking it in daylight as well as indoors to blend in any streaks as they seem to show up more outside. I've always been a fan of wash-off tans for those times when I haven't planned ahead to self-tan (past favourites include Benefit Jiffy Tan, the Guerlain Terracotta one, which I think is discontinued, even Rimmel Sunshimmer in a pinch!) and I've been a fan of St Tropez since way back when. A sadly-missed perk of working on a magazine was press appointments for a spray-tan from St Tropez's fabulous celebrity tanner Sophie. While the Instant Glow doesn't compare to her expert tans, I'm glad of anything to take the edge off my pale pins!

Make-up bag Monday

2010-07-19T11:38:00.007+01:00

The next best thing to new make-up is a lovely new make-up bag to put it in. I'm liking this slightly 60s-inspired trio...

Valerie Make-up Bag, £12 reduced from £18, Lisa Stickley

Heart cosmetics bag, comes with a mirror, By Graziela, £14

Sitting Ducks Large Purse, £6.50, Emily Pickle at Folksy

Adorable hair picture

2010-07-13T18:29:00.005+01:00

If I'm not trawling beauty blogs on the web, I can spend literally hours browsing stationary and illustration sites, they just speed by when I'm on Etsy or the UK equivalent, Folksy! An ad on the lovely Pikaland blog led me to this gorgeous little print, $19 by PetitReve, available on Etsy. I like the brunette with the hairband best....

Perfume posts

2010-06-15T09:30:00.002+01:00

If you're looking for fragrance inspiration, check out The Scent Critic, where legendary beauty journalist Jo Fairley dispenses pearls of perfume wisdom with informative reviews of perfumes old and new. I'm loving her take on old favourites, like 4711, and discovering lesser-known gems like Francis Kurkdjian's Lumiere Noir.

Hair appeal

2010-05-25T21:12:00.007+01:00

Two of my favourite salons, Hob and Daniel Hersheson, are among others joining forces with hairdressing legend John Frieda for the HAIRraising appeal to raise £1million for Great Ormond Street Hospital towards operating theatres that will be used to help children from all over the UK who require specialist neurosurgery. Ambitious yes, but if any industry has the drive and determination to achieve it, hairdressing is it. Until September, salons are asking clients to add an extra £1 to their bill towards the appeal (believe it or not, one receptionist confided to me that some clients refuse - shame on them!) as well as organising fundraising events in-salon. The Hob event, held across all their salons, raised over 25K. There's another fundraising day on Sunday 27^th June, and at the new HOB Salon in Ruislip, HAIRraising co-founder Akin Konizi (British Hairdresser of the Year) and the team will be offering half price haircuts.

You can also donate by texting the word HAIR to 81400 and £1.50 (minus text costs) will go directly to the appeal.

John Frieda says: “Having visited Great Ormond Street Hospital, I have seen firsthand how much our support is needed. The neurosurgery team does fantastic work but with our help could treat up to 20 per cent more children – that’s got to be worth aiming for.”

Essie Resort Collection

2010-05-05T16:10:00.006+01:00

Love these! My favourite is Turquoise & Caicos, a summery mint. Top to bottom: Turquoise & Caicos; Splash of Grenadine; Playa del Platinum; Lapis of Luxury, £8.95 each. Available from Nails by Mail, who are also stocking a cute mini set of all four for £15.94. And the high summer collection is gorgeous too - look out for Knockout Pout, a hot pink and Pretty Edgy, a grass green.

Help for spotty skin

2010-05-04T13:00:00.005+01:00

- DIGITORIAL CONTENT -

There are few things, beautywise, more demoralising than coping with breakouts, so a new premium foundation aimed at helping tackle blemish-prone skin is good news. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Make-up, £20, is the newest addition to the Anti-Blemish Solutions range. Acting as a bridge between your skincare and make-up, the foundation contains four blemish-fighting ingredients. Salicylic acid works as an exfoliant, keeping pores clear; sea-algae helps regulate sebum production; caffeine to reduce redness associated with blemishes; and hydroxydecanoic acid which helps control the spread of blemish-causing agents. It's a lightweight formula that comes in eight shades from very fair to deep. I found you need to blend it quite quickly before it sets, but for more on how to apply it for the best effect, I'll hand over to make-up artist Lizzy Court in this video where you can see it in action...

Tropical nails

2010-04-23T12:55:00.000+01:00

Much as I like baby blue (Essie's Lapis of Luxury, £8.95, out May 1st, is gorge) I think a mid-toned tropical blue, kind of halfway between last year's navy and this year's pastel blue, like the one at the Vena Cava show, below, and on Jessica Alba, will suit me better and look a bit less cadaverous on my pasty skin than a pastel. I'll try it out first with Collection 2000 Hot Looks Polish in Show Off, only £1.79.

Catwalk image: Go Runway

The best blowdrys

2010-04-15T18:05:00.000+01:00

Seems to have become Hair Week here at The Beauty Edit, not exactly planned, but lets just go with it shall we?

I discovered the wonder of a salon blowdry when I'd got a new job at a magazine and suddenly had so many events to go to, my wardrobe couldn't keep up. Not being a sample size, raiding the fashion cupboard (the shady ploy of many a well-dressed editor) was not an option. But I soon realised that it didn't really matter what I wore as long as my hair looked good, saving me from many rushed last-minute outfit purchases. A great blowdry made me feel more polished and 'done' and made my haircolour look refreshed. I learnt how to last out a blowdry for a few days (the less products used to begin with, the better; don't get it wet or touch it too much; when it starts to get a bit lank go over with GHDs; the last resort, dry shampoo, by then it's time to wash it again!).

Not every blowdry was a success; once a PR arranged the ultimate luxury for me, a stylist to come to my hotel room during the New York shows, what a treat. He got to work with the hot rollers and I came out looking the double of Karen from Will and Grace. Not exactly the New York vibe I was hoping to channel! But I've never had a duff blowdry at Daniel Hersheson in London. Stylists there seem to instinctively understand what makes a look cool, and they never get too 'hairdressery'.

So it's no wonder their Blow Dry Bars have been such a hit. Hershesons Blow Dry Bar in Topshop Oxford Circus is now a standalone salon and they've added three new looks to the menu (which all cost £22) - the Rick Rack Jack, a very editorial frizzed look; The Big and Brushed - bouncy with lots of movement; and The Marcel, a fabulous 40s wave. The only problem is deciding which to have.

Top to bottom: Rick Rack Jack, Marcel, Big and Brushed, Wavy Gravy, Super Straight, Classic, B52, Bardot.

Long hair looks

2010-04-14T09:58:00.000+01:00

No excuse for my scraped-back pony any more, here the lovely hairdresser Kerry Warn shows 15 ways with long hair, John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum and Moisture Barrier Hairspray for an Antoni and Alison campaign. Which is your favourite?

Cool crop

2010-04-13T14:07:00.001+01:00

Carey Mulligan looks cool on the cover of Interview. Seems that we all like her crop better than she does. "Don't get the Carey Mulligan haircut, I'm trying to grow this out" she said recently. She bleached it for a small part in the Johnny Depp film Public Enemies, it turned to straw and she had to lop it off. But with the feline liner and lashes in this shoot it looks fab.

Milly for Clinique

2010-04-06T16:29:00.000+01:00

Harrods is a bit of a trek from the well-pounded pavements of W1, but it's worth making the trip for their exclusive Clinque/Milly Bonus Time which is up for grabs from the 8th-24th April, free with any two purchases, one to be skincare. For a start the bag's lovely, a sizeable foldover design in a tropical pattern. Inside, for skin, there's a small Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Refiner, small pot of Superdefense SPF 25, a 60ml Rinse Off Make-up Solvent and the Turnaround Body Smoothing Cream is a substantial 75ml, easily enough to last a holiday. Make-up-wise, there's a rose pink shimmery lipstick, black High Impact mascara, and Strawberry Fudge Colour Surge Eyeshadow duo. And if you can't get to Harrods in person, you can order by phone to receive the gift.

Lots more Lete

2010-03-29T21:46:00.000+01:00

Did you love the Bourjois/Natalie Lete packaging as much as I did? It sparked a bit of a Natalie Lete obsession for me, so imagine my delight when I found Lapin and Me's website has a whole section devoted to her designs! It includes this adorable make-up bag, £14; Chaperon Rouge mirror, £5.95 and even tattoos, £4.50!

Got any good greiges?

2010-03-26T15:15:00.000Z

Just back from a quick trawl of the nearest Superdrug, hoping to find a Particuliere doppelganger for less than a fiver... but no luck.
There are tons of great brights, even some pastel greens, and a couple of fab nudes, like Rimmel Lycra Pro in Beige Style and Mini Bourjois Nail Polish in Emplettes a New York, but not a good greige in sight.
Personally, I'm averse to shimmer in nail polish (unless it's completely full-on) so I'm looking for a nice creamy-taupey-greyish-brown.
But the good news is No7 Speed Dry Nail Colour in Beanie, £6.25, went on counter this week - I suggest you snap it up, it's a great mushroomy griege with good staying power. Also still loving OPI You Don't Know Jacques, and Essie Chinchilly. You got any good greiges?

Straightforward serums

2010-03-23T19:09:00.000Z

Yesterday I met Dr Rafaella Gregoris, the brains behind Bakel, the high-end Italian skincare brand. She developed the range of six serums, available at Space NK and Harvey Nichols. She explained that in her previous work, developing products for other companies, she found that many of the ingredients in a moisturising cream were added not to benefit the skin, but to improve the texture, smell or look of the formula - like adding dimethicone, a silicone, to give a cream a slippy, spreadable texture. She has taken the opposite approach to brands that try to blind us with science, by stripping back each product to the purest form she could - coming up with the strapline 'zero useless substances, 100% active principles'. So the Jaluronic serum, for example, contains only sodium hyaluronate and water. The simplicity of the formulas mean that she uses the best possible quality raw materials with no preservatives and no animal-derived ingredients, and they're housed in airtight pumps. Nearly all of them can be used on eyes, lips, neck and face - as she points out, the aging mechanism is the same all over the body, just the thickness of the skin is different. A tiny amount goes a long way and can be used morning and night. You can layer the serums if you need more than one benefit. Such quality comes at a price, from £85 - £95. She points out that the cost of certain ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, can vary from 70 to 3,500 euros per kilo. I guess it's like comparing wine or olive oil, where standards - and prices - can vary hugely. I like the simplicity of the approach and I think if you have particular skin concerns like sensitivity or dryness that you haven't been able to sort out, these could be for you. Dr Gregoris is developing a sunscreen and cleansers, but until they are available, recommends a rinse-off cleanser so that no residue is left that could interfere with the performance of products you put on afterwards.

I think it's a fascinating concept that turns a lot of thinking on skincare upside down. By spotlighting these key ingredients she is demystifying skincare and educating us on what different ingredients do. Her straightforward, educated approach kind of reminded me of the early days of Cosmetics To Go (anyone?) a brand which was always very clear about their ingredients, where they came from and what they could achieve. That company eventually evolved into Lush, who again are transparent about their products, one of the many reasons I've always been a fan.

March Minerals

2010-03-22T17:12:00.000Z

Expect to hear a lot more from Bare Escentuals this year. They've opened a flagship shop in 'make-up mile' Neal Street, Covent Garden and they're launching a ton of new products in the next couple of months. But central to all of their activity is the core product, the BareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, £22. This month they're urging us to Rethink our Foundation. It does take a bit of a leap of faith to begin with to think that this sheer loose powder could take the place of a trusty liquid foundation, but having used it myself for a couple of years, I'm a convert. Created in the 70s by the fabulously-named Leslie Blodgett (but remember, it's Swirl, Tap, Buff - don't blodge-it) the foundation is a loose mineral powder that comes in 15 shades. I use a combination of Medium, Medium Beige and Fairly Light. I only need the tiniest amount and a selection of brushes to blur blemishes, tone down redness and get a more polished, finished look that still seems natural. It's slightly sheeny so it's really flattering. I've heard good reports from sensitive-skinned friends who suffer breakouts who find the zinc oxide content healing; and I've recommended it to foundation-phobic friends. I could go on at length, but Leslie explains clearly how it's done in this video. So, are you ready to rethink your foundation?

Picture this...

2010-03-15T08:37:00.000Z

As a sucker for packaging I love the trend for favourite products getting all dressed up by artists. A few months ago, Natalie Lete gave Bourjois eyeshadows and blushers a Paris twist, and now the much-loved Kiehls Creme de Corps is adorned with the typographical art of Kate Moross (see Cherie City's post for more about her) and Lancome Juicy Tubes are decorated with adorable motifs by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama for their 10th anniversary. The line-up, from left to right: Dot Apricot, Pop Art Hazlenut, Rose Blossom, Swing Pink, Crazy Raspberry, Happy Honey. The shades are pretty subtle, but the flavours are decidedly tasty. They're exclusive to Debenhams from April 1st.

Luxury Liz Earle facial

2010-03-09T17:08:00.000Z

When I worked on a magazine, any press release about Mother's Day went straight in the 'circular file', our readers were shopping for themselves first and foremost. But we're a more caring, sharing lot here in the blogosphere, aren't we? and I don't know what Ma wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of a Liz Earle gift. I've used and loved her products in the past (Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash and Superbalm are two faves) but had yet to try out a treatment. Liz, a former beauty editor herself, has built a skincare empire which she masterminds from the Isle of Wight (really), published a ton of books and brought up a family - so you know that anything she puts her name to is going to deliver, and her Signature Facial at her flagship King's Road store didn't disappoint. All the details have been well thought-through, from the superwide, super-comfy heated treatment bed in the subtly-lit room to the pertinent questions on pre-treatment form. Victoria, the delightful therapist, explained everything clearly (including what to leave on and take off) then chatted about what I'd like from the treatment. She decided to include some extraction, lots of lymphatic drainage and nourishing creams. What I really liked - that it included steaming and extraction, so much massage (including feet - bliss!) a bit of high-tech gadgetry in the form of a high-frequency tool to deliver anti-bacterial ozone to stop blemishes in their tracks, and a mini vacuuming gadget. My skin felt softer, plumper and my jawline definitely looked more taut thanks to all the lymphatic drainage. It's £85 for an hour and a half. If your mum can't make it to London, they have these products on offer for Mother's Day.

Multi-talented Marion

2010-03-06T10:38:00.000Z

Dior are getting great value from Marion Cotillard, who shows she's more than just a 'face', singing The Eyes of Mars with Franz Ferdinand for Lady Rouge and totally carrying it off.

As the latest signing to Lancome, Julia Roberts says she has tons of ideas for new products; SJP hosts intimate brunches and teas for the press to speak eloquently about the products she fronts - it seems like the days of simply appearing in the print ads for products are long gone for these multi-tasking brand ambassadors.

To the rescue...

2010-02-26T09:48:00.000Z

...Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser. Peter Gray may want to challenge our notions of what good hair looks like, but I wasn't ready to break any barriers going backstage to the shows with no time to wash it. After a weekend in wet and windy Whitstable (alliterative and true) I could barely get a comb through. I rifled through my drawer of products and gratefully grabbed this one. And it works a treat! I tipped my head upside down, sprayed it into the roots, stood up, lifted up some sections of hair and spritzed underneath, then ran my hands through to distribute. To get a bit of root lift, I rub my fingers in little circles over my scalp and I'm ready to go. It smoothed the frizzy bits, gave it a bit of shine and smelt nice too. Result.

Luke and Lisa at Osman

2010-02-24T15:52:00.000Z

Hairdresser Luke Hersheson's assistant helpfully put all the how-to's for this look up on a board, so it was left to Luke to explain where the look was coming from. He referenced early 90s minimalism mixed with Catherine Deneuve in Belle du Jour. "Her hair was always back off her face in that movie with a bit of a wave. We toughened it up with lots of Tec Ni Art Airfix hairspray at the front." The result, a gorgeous, dropped-out wave that went perfectly with the high collars in the collection.

Lisa Eldridge used Suqqu to create the understated, sheeny make-up with Pre Make Emulsion as the base; Blend Eyeshadow in 04 Shunboku, a beautiful shimmery mushroomy-taupe shadow swept over the sockets and a little bit underneath, concealer to mute the lips and a strong defined brow drawn with Eyebrow Liquid Pen.

Backstage confidential

2010-02-24T13:28:00.001Z

If you've ever wondered what it's like to go backstage at fashion week (or even if it's never crossed your mind!) I recommend you check out this post on Beauty Insider, Ateh's fab blog. She really sums the whole experience...good and bad.

Wild hair at Westwood

2010-02-23T14:05:00.000Z

It was all about light and shadow when it came to the make-up at Vivienne Westwood Red Label. Mac's Gordon Espinet played with creating shadows and highlighting parts of the face to mimic light hitting the face from one side. His trick to get the luminous skin was to mix Face and Body in white with equal parts of C1 or C2 and Strobe highlighter. Hairdresser Peter Gray talked through the polaroid board, explaining how the look evolved. He was all about the texture - he wanted to get hair the texture of mohair, challenging the idea that only smooth, silky hair is desirable. So after prepping with Tec Ni Art Volume Architect at the roots and Playball Texture Tonic through the midlengths, hair was messily backcombed ('like a client would do it," he said!) and curled without brushing it through then tucked up into exaggerated shapes. But it still felt soft like mohair. Out front, everyone had to budge up to accommodate Janet Jackson, but like a game of fashion musical chairs, that left Ke$ha and pal without a seat, so they stormed out. But a PR chased after them, swapped a few seats around and everyone could sit down and admire Gordon and Peter's expert work. Oh, and the clothes of course!

Model image: vogue.co.uk

Discount at lookfantastic.com

2010-02-22T18:13:00.000Z

Get £5 off all orders over £50, and £2 off all other orders at lookfantastic.com until Friday.

Enter code STEP1 at checkout to receive £2 off or if you spend over £50, enter code STEP2 at checkout to receive £5 off your order.

Alex Box & Lyndell Mansfield at Hannah Marshall.

2010-02-21T21:12:00.001Z

Backstage at Hannah Marshall's London show was pretty cramped and hectic as you can see from these pictures, but that didn't stop Alex Box and hairdresser Lyndell Mansfield coming up with this stunning look. The theme was based around cult 80s director Jean Paul Goude with a Grace Jones influence, so Lyndell came up with using wig nets to create a flat-top, square shape to the top of the hair (Grace Jones' trademark) combined with a soft, textured ponytail that would move as the models walked - I'm no runway photographer, but I think this shot gives you an idea of how that worked. She explained that the ponytail by itself is something you could do yourself. She backcombed the hair, then clamped down on it, using L'Oreal Professionel Tec Ni Art Hot Style Constructor to create a mass of soft, static hair. For the make-up, Alex Box created a dramatic lip by using Mac Pro Lip Mix in Blue blended with Lip Mix in Black to reflect the velvety textures of the clothes. She cleverly changed the contours of the face, extending taupe shadow up over the brows and out at the sides, sculpting their cheeks and adding silvery highlighter, making the models look ethereal and otherworldly. Not exactly a look for down the pub, but a fantastic showcase of her skills.

Fashion nails

2010-02-16T15:40:00.000Z

Sneak backstage on shoots and shows via editorial nail pro Sophy Robson's new blog. Her current favourite colour is Pepto Bismol pink, as seen in this fab image from her blog, and you can see her work on the Alexa Chung cover of British Vogue this month.

Also check out Lipglossiping, for this video of Nonie Creme, the manicurist behind Butter London, discussing the nail look for the Jen Kao show in New York. I love how the guys are singularly uninterested, and I think the designer stifles a yawn at one point. However Nonie is a great presenter and it's a good little video. (They opt for a sandy-taupey shade, for a clean, buffed look in the end).

No7 Decades

2010-02-16T14:36:00.000Z

No 7 is 75! And so they've created the limited No7 Decades Collection, out in May, with seven looks to represent each decade they've existed. There's a three-colour eyeshadow, lip gloss and nail polish for each era and they've plundered the archive to reintroduce the starry silver logo. That's the 1950s nail colour above, Bobby Socks, a really nice superbright corally-pink. My other picks - Dusty, the 60s, a very pale pink lip gloss, and the Electric 80s Anniversary Eye Trio which has turquoise, coral and lime green shadows. Nice to see No7 doing something a bit different.

Hybrid cheek colour

2010-02-15T15:50:00.000Z

I'm all for multi-tasking products but unfortunately, for me Cargo Cheek Activator, £18 (from Boots from April) doesn't really deliver. It's a hybrid skin-adapting cream cheek colour that purports to lift, plump and sculpt your cheeks, which I think is a bit much to expect one product to do. It goes on a bit like a greyish PVA glue - a tiny bit goes a long way - which adapts colour with the warmth of your skin, on me the Rose Flush shade became a rather unexpected terracotta-coral. Trouble is, I think cream colour demands a light and sparing touch, but to get the lifting benefits you need to spread it over a bigger area than you'd want to put blusher on, if you see what I mean. Has anyone else tried this yet and had a better result?

Holiday shopping

2010-02-11T11:51:00.000Z

A post on Lipglossiping about Hei Poa Monoi Oil got me thinking about the products that I love to stockpile when I'm away. Even though you can probably source most of them here, products seem all the more alluring when you discover them abroad. I remember visiting virtually every pharmacy in Milan with a fashion ed colleague, intent on tracking down a new RoC retinol product. When she found out Boots stocked it, she promptly lost interest. In Italy, I look for Marvis toothpaste, particularly the pink one, (Liberty sell it now, but at the inflated price of £5.95), I figure if my other half is always going to leave the toothpaste out, then it may as well be in a lovely-to-look-at tube. In New York, I go for the Duane Reade drugstore staples, like the biggest size of Cetaphil, a super-mild rinse-off cleanser. Hei Poa, the gorgeously-scented multi-purpose oil (which I love mainly for the packaging!) you find in French department stores and pharmacies, as well as online here. I also like Le Petit Marseillais liquid soap. Do you pick up products abroad, or stick to online shopping instead?

Coralicious at Bourjois

2010-01-27T14:51:00.000Z

Spring has sprung in makeup-land and the colour du jour at Bourjois is coral. Here's a sneak peek at what's coming out in March, the deliciously sunny shade of Sweet Kiss Shine lipstick in Juicy Tangerine, applied here by make-up artist Cassie Lomas. Put it on and you can't help but smile. There's also a So Laque Ultra Shine nail polish in Tangerine Fatal.

New cut

2010-01-27T14:05:00.001Z

Just back from HOB in Camden Lock where Sean Dawson gave me an ace new cut - a masterclass in subtle layering. I'm usually dubious about letting anyone near my hair after scissorhappy stylists have taken out too much weight, leaving me with uncontrollable frizz, but Sean explained what he was doing each step of the way, reassuring me that the length would be virtually the same, but with added volume, shape and movement. Plus I get to hear all the local Camden goss about Pete and Amy. He also reminded me to use my SP Alchemy treatment for at least 20 minutes once a week to get it into peak condition. The salon is on a winning streak lately, scooping up awards right, left and centre, so check it out!

Switching Shampoos

2010-01-20T21:35:00.000Z

I just switched shampoos, from supermarket to superluxe, and the difference in my hair is amazing! I have a feeling the supermarket variant I was using was probably too rich for my hair; making it a bit lacklustre. Conversely, Phyto Phytoprogenium Intelligent Shampoo combined with Phytobaume Conditioner leaves my hair feeling light, manageable and it makes the colour look really refreshed. Years ago, I met Patrick Ales, the founder of Phyto. He dressed a bit like a priest and we had lunch at a gorgeous restaurant on the banks of the Seine. Their products have always been a favourite with session stylists, but they're a bit more low-key about it than other brands. One of the star products which I also love is Phyto 7, a conditioning finishing balm that you can smooth through the ends of dry hair for a little bit of definition and shine.

We pay a lot of attention to styling tools and straighteners, but sometimes overlook hairdryers - I think the hairdryer I use makes a difference to the final effect - I'm using the BaByliss Eco Dry which dries my hair really quickly and leaves it silkier than other dryers.

Lacy looks

2010-01-12T18:44:00.000Z

Here's the St Trinian's actress Tamsin Egerton sporting the Shu Uemura lace lashes for a shoot for Company magazine that I did with her a couple of years ago. She was a pleasure to work with, and happy to try all the out-there make-up looks we came up with, in fact she kept the make-up on after the shoot to go out that night. Athena Skouvakis did the gorgeous make-up. Since then, we're still discovering new ways to wear lace, from American Apparel bodysuits (er, no thanks) to this idea for a DIY lace manicure (hmm, maybe...). Then there are the Chanel body transfers, Les Trompe L'Oeil de Chanel, £49 (yes please!). They're a set of 55 individual tattoos, available exclusively from Selfridges from 1st March. Desperado to have them? Wait-list orders can be taken at Selfridges on 0800 123 400.

Shoot stories - behind the scenes of a beauty shoot

2010-01-06T09:41:00.000Z

Sometimes the best pictures happen by chance, in the most random locations. This is another of my favourites, shot in the back of a New York taxi on a sunny September day with the meter running! I love the light coming through the window. It also helped that the model, the gorgeous Barbara Stoyanoff, is a good actress, so she made the 'getting ready in a hurry' shoot look convincing. I loved the hair and make-up for this story, a classic smokey eye, pale lip and bedhead combo, a look I'll never tire of.

Kiss It Better and Clinique

2010-01-04T15:05:00.000Z

One of my treasured possessions is this gorgeous print by Natasha Law, which I won in a raffle for Kiss It Better. Not only does it look wonderful on the wall, but it also serves as a reminder to be grateful for all the things in my life that can easily be taken for granted. Carmel Allen, a lovely lady and former beauty editor, set up Kiss It Better after her daughter Josephine was treated for neuroblastoma, a type of cancer, at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital. If you're into beauty you might have heard of it already.

After many months spent at the hospital, Carmel decided that she wanted to help and devised the Kiss It Better appeal."The premise was really simple, Kiss it Better is something every parent says and does when their child is sick or injured. I wanted to turn Josephine's experience into something positive and to help make a difference to the lives of children with cancer everywhere," says Carmel. She asked the beauty industry she worked in for support and found a wealth of goodwill towards her cause. For the third year running, Clinique is helping raise funds for Kiss It Better, with a new Long Last Glosswear SPF15 in ‘I ♥ Kisses’ shade, £13. This long-lasting, high-shine gloss will be sold exclusively in House of Fraser during February, with £2 going to Kiss It better. You can also buy it online throughout February. This £2 donation will also apply to all Clinique lipstick or lipgloss sold at House of Fraser stores nationwide during February. (£1 will be donated by Clinique and £1 will be donated by House of Fraser).

What's on your Christmas beauty wishlist?

2009-12-16T21:43:00.000Z

A Chanel fragrance would be a good place to start...Or a Nars eyeshadow to recreate this gilded eye. (The gold nails were improvised with gold loose pigment topped with clear polish!)

Moisturiser + make-up

2009-12-02T14:55:00.000Z

If you want to find a good moisturiser that works well under make-up, it's a good idea to ask a make-up artist, since they demand moisturisers that instantly refresh and won't affect the products they put on afterwards. Mel Arter, who's made up Eva Green, Florence Welch and Beth Ditto among others, says: "My absolute must-have is a moisturiser with spa water in it. Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Gel Essence is a great all-rounder for everyone. I used it on the girls at the shows and it really calms their skin. I find a lot of others too heavy. People go on about these really rich creams, but I find all they do is sit on the surface of the skin. I also love Givenchy Hydra Sparkling First Step Luminessence Moisturising Lotion. I always use a water spray too." Two to check out then!

SP SP System Professional Sneak Preview

2009-12-01T10:13:00.000Z

Here I am with the lovely Ken Picton, at his gorgeous salon in Cardiff, having just had the new salon treatment from Wella Professionals called SP Hair Alchemy Treatment. This is a personalised service where you can choose the two conditioning benefits you want for your hair, which can then be done with one treatment. From the five SP Infusions, I chose shine + colour save. The 20-minute, salon-only service is being launched in January, along with a revamp of the whole System Professional product range. But if you fancy a preview of the treatment at a special discount rate, log on to the SP website. The first 100 people to register will qualify for the discount, and will receive a free SP Personalised Hair Perfection Set.

Lookfantastic Christmas

2009-11-30T16:44:00.000Z

Stop by lookfantastic.com before December 11th for Christmas offers and savings that you won't find anywhere else. I'm tempted by the free Juicy Tube in Peche when you buy a Kerastase shampoo and conditioner or masque, and the Balance Me Super Set for £25, saving £11. Stocks are limited, though. If you do leave your Xmas shopping til the last minute, you can order everything else until December 23rd. And with this code LFBLOG09 you'll get £2 when you spend £20 or over.

Chanel catwalk spy

2009-11-26T13:51:00.000Z

Found this amazing video via fab blog Hair on the Brain where a spy camera is hidden in a girls hair to give a models-eye-view of the catwalk at Chanel's S/S show. It actually made me feel a bit nervous watching it. As well as negotiating a spiral staircase to get to the catwalk, models also had to navigate haystacks and wooden pillars. When I've been to shows, I find watching models struggle not to trip up in impossible heels excruciating. But then I remind myself they are being paid a fortune and don't feel quite so bad for them. Also noticed how tiny the 'real' people are next to the models; true, the camera is on top of her head, but if I hid a camera on my head, it would still be about level with these girls cleavage (if they had any, that is). I've heard of nanny-cams and dogcams - what next - celebcams? I'd love to get a celeb perspective of a red carpet moment. WDYT - could be the new Twitter?

Meet a Beauty Director...

2009-11-25T17:06:00.001Z

...at Selfridges in Manchester and Birmingham tomorrow evening. I can personally vouch that they are all lovely! So if you're in the area, get down there and give them a grilling about all things beauty! Nicola Moulton from Vogue will be at Exchange Square, Manchester from 6 til 9pm. Lisa Durrant from InStyle will be at Selfridges Trafford from 6 until 11pm and Annabel Jones, Grazia's Beauty Director will be at the Bullring Selfridges from 6 until 11pm.
You'll be given a glass of bubbly, and a chance to have complimentary treatments, make-overs and win prizes. And everyone gets a goodie bag. There's a £10 charge redeemable against products bought on the night.

How adorable...

2009-11-24T21:13:00.000Z

...is this Happy Days Soap Sack by Nostalgia Organics available this week at Content. The craft-corner types among you can upcycle the bag into something new, using the pattern on the label. Or just admire its prettiness as it is.

Glitter grows up

2009-11-18T11:20:00.000Z

British Vogue has just done a story on 'grown-up' glitter which gives me the perfect excuse to post another image from the glitter story that I shot for Company a little while ago! So here it is...I think the make-up artist judged it perfectly, combining fresh skin with packed-on shimmer. The secret trick here is adding the carbon-black liner on the inner lid which makes the models eyes look brighter and 'anchors' the colour, creating definition that glitter alone can't do.

2009-11-17T16:28:00.000Z

If all the talk of Chanel Jade nail colour has opened your eyes to green polish, here are two more to consider. While Jade is a pretty, Laduree macaroon of a colour, these two are altogether more Wicked and witchy. L'Oreal Paris Resist and Shine Titanium no 736 is part of their new Black Gloss collection, made with a carbon black pigment base shot through with metallic colour. This one is called Black Turquoise, it comes out as a dark, seaweedy green with a hint of shimmer and a high shine finish. Simple to apply and lasts well. No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Totally Teal is a cream formula and a lovely bluey-mid-green. Needs a bit more care to put on to get a good finish. My bedroom used to be painted that colour, perhaps that's why I'm drawn to it! Have you found any other great greens?

Lotions, Potions and Me Bag Spy

2009-11-16T16:57:00.000Z

Got a minute? Pop over to Lotions, Potions and Me - I am delighted to be today's Bag Spy, where I reveal exactly what's clunking around in my make-up bag!

Size zero vs Plus size...

2009-11-16T10:47:00.000Z

It's the fat v thin debate, but this time we're talking mascara wands. Revlon Double Twist has a chunky, retro-looking brush, although its double-helix shape is all-new technology. Clinique High Lengths has a spindly, bendy brush of supermodel proportions - skinny, that is. They're calling it a willow wand - slim but strong and flexible. It doesn't look like this skimpy brush could achieve much, but it makes getting to those tiny inner lashes simple, lifts from the roots and coats each lash for a defined, separated, natural look -making it a great everyday mascara. The Revlon brush on the other hand, deposits lots of deep black to the lashes, thickening at the roots and giving a full, feathery, perfect-for-night effect in one swoop. Hmm, I think you're going to want them both! Double Twist on counter December; for High Lengths you're going to have to wait until February.

Vintage Moustaches

2009-11-11T13:49:00.000Z

Just in case your man needs some inspiration for Movember (see previous post) a selection of vintage mos from the classic 1977 tome 'Looking Good - A Guide for Men' by Charles Hix, (look for it on Amazon) and shot by Bruce Weber. I think they've stood the test of time!

One for the fellas

2009-11-11T12:53:00.000Z

It's not too late to grow a mo. Movember - formally known as the month of November - is a charity event held throughout November to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity. Known as Mo Bros, all participants register at the start of November with a clean-shaven face, then grow and groom their moustache throughout November, raising as much money and awareness about male health issues as possible.

Wilkinson Sword has taken over the Dermologica Store in Kensington opening Mo's Emporium - a grooming parlour open exclusively throughout Movember. At Mo's Emporium three professional Wilkinson Sword barbers are on hand to give free moustache maintenance to anyone growing a moustache for Movember, using Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium precision razors. All donations made at Mo's Emporium will go directly to The Prostate Cancer Charity and free appointments can be booked through Wilkinson Sword's official Movember website www.lovethemo.co.uk. Get your man to give it a...grow.

Threading at Boots

2009-11-10T09:43:00.000Z

I posted on threading not long ago, and now Boots is offering the service -but only at its High Street Kensington, Birmingham and Glasgow stores, in association with Jannat – The Brow Studio, including "Jannat’s bespoke three step eye brow renaissance therapy, offering intensive treatment and consultation to rejuvenate neglected eye brows." 5% of all sales will be donated to Children in Need. I haven't tried it yet, if you do, let me know how it goes!

A new Tom for Lauder

2009-11-09T15:47:00.000Z

News from Estee Lauder via Fashionista, that make-up guru Tom Pecheux is signed to the brand. Which can only be great news. Above are some of my favourite looks he's created for French Vogue, Gucci and Chloe. I've been lucky enough to meet him at the shows and he's never been less than totally charming, a calm oasis in the mayhem that is backstage. His trademarks - fresh skin and painterly shades. If he can create products for Lauder that make that glow available to us all, it's going to be a winning collaboration.

Un petit peu de Paris

2009-11-09T15:31:00.000Z

Available from today exclusively on asos.com, these adorable Paris-themed pots from Bourjois. The limited edition collection is called Rendez-vous á Paris, eight of their best-selling Little Round Pot Eyeshadows and Blushers adorned with designs by Parisian illustrator Nathalie Lété, celebrating famous Parisian landmarks. As lovely as a box of Laduree macaroons and will last a lot longer.

It's a grey day

2009-10-26T14:42:00.000Z

It's not a new trend, but I just tried grey nails for the first time this week and I love, love, love them! It probably helped that my chosen shade - Chinchilly by Essie - was expertly applied by the lovely Maureen at John Frieda salon on Aldford Street. Another grey I hear good things about is ASOS Paint by Ciate in Kate. These Mavala greys on Lipglossiping look cool too.

Dazzle Dust animation

2009-10-25T21:52:00.000Z

This animation of Barry M Dazzle Dust is so sweet and inventive. Check out Because magazine for more not-still still-life shots!

Dazzle Dust is a Barry M classic, and Mel Arter, the make-up artist I've posted about lately, says she's never without them in her kit. She even uses them pressed onto lips in place of lipstick.

Behind-the-scenes with Tavi

2009-10-23T21:12:00.000+01:00

A few months ago I told my friend Mel Arter, a make-up artist, that I was thinking about starting a blog. She said 'I just shot Tavi for Pop magazine, you have to see her blog!' That was the first I heard of her, but clearly not the last! "Working with Tavi was strange at first – she’s a 13-year-old, so I was really conscious of her age," Mel told me recently. "She’s quite amazing and knows exactly what she wants, she didn’t want a lot of make-up and rightly so. So it was just about bringing a bit of dewiness to her skin, delicately and subtly." I think that's exactly what she achieved and the pictures are stunning. Coming from 'old media' myself, magazines that is, one of the things I love about the web is that so many different voices and opinions can be shared. It would be pretty hard for anyone, let alone a teenager, to launch a magazine, but there are no barriers to entry on the net. And thanks to that we all get to share Tavi's unique perspective.

Luxury laundry

2009-10-14T13:37:00.000+01:00

One of my favourite indulgences is Tocca Laundry - because anything that makes the task of handwashing clothes pleasurable is worth it. Looks like I may have another expensive habit developing with this. Luxury perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has come up with his own Laundry Washing Liquid with scented with his Aqua Universalis. I met him a while back for the launch of JPG Fragile, in a room filled with fresh tuberose flowers imported from India. I'm pleased that the brains behind so many classic scents has turned his attention to the humble hand wash!

Want to be...a make-up artist?

2009-10-14T12:01:00.000+01:00

Mel Arter is a super-talented make-up artist - she can make any look instantly cool, edgy yet deceptively simple, like for this eyes story we shot together a while ago. Recently she did the make-up for girl of the year, Style Rookie Tavi, for Pop magazine - more on that later!

These are some shots from her amazing portfolio.

I met up with Mel this week to get her insider info on the industry, trends and her favourite products. First up - how to become a make-up artist:

Do a short course. “Things have changed massively since I trained 13 years ago. Now it’s unrealistic to pay a lot of money for a course – there are good two-week or starter courses where you’ll learn the basics. Really when you do a longer course, you’re paying just to practice - I practised at home by copying looks from magazines. So there’s no need to break the bank on your training."

Become an assistant: "Next, assist a make-up artist. It sounds scary if you don’t know anyone, but the truth is make-up artists are always looking for assistants – and like to train you up from nothing. I look for people with little or no experience! They learn quicker that way. Email the make-up artists agencies and get a list of names. Or there might be someone you really admire – just write to them."

Be passionate about it: "The key thing is to be absolutely passionate and dedicated – forget your social life! You need to be motivated and to set yourself targets every single week – if you don’t you’ll never get on. There’s no structure to this industry – it’s not like you can get a job on reception and work your way up – but that can be a good thing, since you can go in at any level. I just couldn’t help myself – my mum used to bring home Vogue for me and I would rush to my room and copy the looks."

Thanks for that great advice, Mel.

Beauty A-ha moments

2009-10-12T19:06:00.000+01:00

I liked the feature on Beauty Aha! moments in October's Red Magazine, and it got me thinking about what revelatory beauty moments I've had. The biggest has to be Yuko hair straightening - I first had it done when it came to the UK five years ago. With trepidation, I went to the Yuko flagship salon for a consultation, and was put at ease by the fact that the staff were clearly so conscientious. It turned out to be ideal for my not-quite-curly, not-quite-straight, fine-but-lots-of-it hair. I didn't have noticeable regrowth and it lasted for ages. I had it done again a year or so later. Then I went wavy for a few years, but last year I was tempted by the Shiseido Senscience hair straightening at Billi Currie salon in Chiltern Street. It's like thermal hair straightening 2.o, giving a less poker-straight finish. Again it revolutionised my hair - drying time cut from 45 minutes to five minutes, and now I could have a fringe and choppy layers without them going bushy. It's grown out now, but I'd definately have it done again. What are your beauty aha moments?

Magic moodboards

2009-10-08T08:08:00.000+01:00

Seen The September Issue yet? I can't wait - beauty editor friends that have say it's great and made them smile because even on US Vogue the planning meeting seems pretty similar to any other magazine - beauty editor tries to convince disinterested editor-in-chief that her idea for a story is the best ever...

Fashion shoots are all about showing the clothes, but when you come up with an idea for a beauty shoot, you're trying to put across a concept or just something you have in your mind's eye, and trying to describe that to a sceptical editor can be tough. That's why I wish I'd had a resource like Boubou Teatime. Her collages are always gorgeous and inspiring, a visual feast. But then you might think, why spend thousands of pounds on photoshoot at all, just use the collage...!

Shoot stories: Gorgeous glitter

2009-10-06T16:39:00.000+01:00

This is one of my favourite shots from my portfolio that I styled for Company magazine. The story was about glitter and the make-up artist came up with this amazing peacock-like eye. She used Pixi Fairy Dust to do it. I love the contrast of the zing of colour against the palest pink lip and nude-looking skin.

Backstage, before and after

2009-10-04T18:45:00.000+01:00

Going backstage at shows is always a thrill, and seeing make-up artists transform models from looking like fresh-faced college students to whatever vision the show demands is something to behold. And here you can see them transform before your very eyes with this amazing tool on the New York Times The Moment blog.

Just browsing

2009-10-02T21:07:00.000+01:00

I normally associate trips to John Lewis with shopping for saucepans, but I'm a recent convert to their Blink brow bar - so convenient. The only downside, curious passers-by - usually men -peering at you while it's done, since it's in a busy spot on the ground floor - and I guess threading does look odd if you've never seen it done before. I've been a threading fan since the queen of threading, Vaishaly, first did mine years ago. At Blink yesterday, my therapist consulted me every step of the way, and as well as tidying up the above the brow, pointed out that removing 'those four hairs' at the inner corner below my brow would improve their shape. She was right, and just sharpening that line of my brow gave my whole face a fresher look. £17 well spent.
[Clearly, that's not me with my new brows in the pic, it's from a shoot I did for Company magazine with the lovely Italian photographer, Michele Civelli]

New Bourjois polish shade

2009-09-29T10:55:00.000+01:00

When I worked full-time on a magazine, one of the conversations I'd have regularly with my colleague was which products we would ACTUALLY BUY! if we weren't supplied with enough free products to last a lifetime. Max Factor mascara, we both agreed on. Bourjois was always high up on my list. Ever since I first clapped eyes on those dinky domed shadows in gorgeous candy colours in a tempting display in Boots when I was about 14, I've loved the brand. It's great quality, affordable, the colours are always spot-on and it's constantly evolving. From the A/W look, out in October, I'm loving 1 Seconde Nail Enamel in Bronze, a purply-greyish-brown which goes with everything and is more wearable than the flat grey polishes around at the moment. And the wide brush means you can paint each nail with one stroke.

Clinique Bonus Time

2009-09-23T17:19:00.000+01:00

Ardent Clinique fans will probably already know it's 'Bonus Time'; and if you're new to the brand, now is a great time to check it out. You get all of these goodies AND the make-up bag - I like the colourful Palm Springs vibe - when you buy a skincare product and one other. It's by the the US designer Milly, and she chose the products that come with it.

At Selfridges (London, Manchester and Birmingham) from Saturday until 6th October 2009 and Brown Thomas Dublin from today until 10th October 2009.

Anti-perfume scent shop

2009-09-23T15:50:00.000+01:00

Pounding the pavements in the backstreets of Brooklyn (Williamsburg, to be precise) last week, stumbled upon this intriguing store with the poster outside declaring 'I hate perfume'. Turns out it's the flagship store of Christopher Brosius who learnt his craft at Kiehls, in the days before it belonged to L'Oreal. I didn't have time to check out the store properly, so was pleased to find his website had all the info I could have wanted. It's great to find alternative voices in a market that's often all too corporate. Would his scent-as-art concept work in the UK?

Having a black and white ball

2009-09-09T11:27:00.000+01:00

It wasn't part of the dress code, but black and white seemed to be the theme for lots of us at the Creative Head Most Wanted Awards. Clockwise from left: Henry Holland and friend; me with Linda Evans of Tigi; Zoe Irwin from Hari's and Lisa Snowden; Sasha Mascolo-Tarbuck with her award.

2009-09-08T12:54:00.000+01:00

Expect some wobbly scissors in top salons across Britain today, as stylists recover from last night's Creative Head Magazine Most-Wanted Awards.

Highlights: winner of the Icon award, Sasha Mascolo-Tarbuck of Toni & Guy, wearing the new statement shoulder like no-one else could. The Art team from my newly-adopted salon, Hob, picking up an award. Bumping into my friend Nadine Baggott - better known as the PentaPeptide Lady - always a great source of industry gossip. Oh, and host Jimmy Carr's deadpan one-liners. Sample: "I saw a homeless man getting off the bus. How did he know it was his stop?"

Less than a week until...

2009-09-01T13:12:00.000+01:00

the Creative Head Magazine Most-Wanted hair awards. I can't wait to see who scoops the top prize, and who wins the category I judged, Salon Team. Sponsored by Wella Professionals, it's bound to be a big night out - I'm trying not to obsess about what to wear, I have learnt from experience that whatever I wear I'll be positively underdressed next to a roomful of hairdressers.
Years ago my husband and I went to a ball as a guest of Wella. On the coach to the venue, my husband had a last-minute outfit crisis when he realised he was wearing a tie and not a dickie bow. Really, don't worry, I assured him, hairdressers will interpret the 'black tie' dress code very liberally. At that moment, Mark Hill stepped onto the coach, clad top-to-toe in leather, including a waistcoat with nothing under it! And we all had a great time, bow tie or not.

SHOOT STORIES...behind the scenes of a beauty shoot

2009-08-19T14:43:00.000+01:00

These shots of model Viola bring back some amazing memories. It was shot in Rajasthan, India. It was eerily calm and hot by the lake and as we shot an enormous bird of prey hovered just above and swooped in to take a closer look. Helen Walsh's amazing hair and make-up really set the tone for the story (it involved an awful lot of Mac Face & Body Foundation used from top to toe) giving Viola a sort of Raquel Welch vibe. We had planned to shoot with flash, but when we saw how great the hard sun looked with the hair and make-up we used the natural light instead. We stayed at the spectacular Devi Gahr hotel - I dream of going back one day.

Love this...

2009-08-19T13:51:00.001+01:00

Clinique Most-Wanted Colour Palette which is out now. Loving the sleek silver zipped case, and the e-nor-mous mirror inside it. With three suits-everyone eyeshadows and a universal blusher, it comes in Most-Wanted Nudes (above), Most-Wanted Berries and Most-Wanted Deeps, which are more pigmented, shimmery versions of the shades above. Also loving that the High Impact Curling Mascara just comes off with water, as you know I can't stand taking off mascara, it seems such a waste of time. Not that I leave it on overnight, or anything....

Eye do...and don't

2009-08-18T14:48:00.000+01:00

Prep for the eye area, from make-up artist Helen Walsh. "Even if you have dry skin avoid over-moisturising under your eyes, the drainage system is different in different parts of your face and the eye area can start to feel clogged if you overdo it. More is not better, just because you are using an expensive cream. Stick to the minimum. Most people are only dry at the outer corners of their eyes so that's the only place you'll need it. Use a good UV protection sunscreen around your eyes too."

FAQ/MAKE-UP...What's the best concealer?

2009-08-18T10:39:00.000+01:00

This is something that I'm always asked, and little wonder. It's one product that used right, can really transform your face. I asked make-up pro Helen Walsh, who's worked with Anna Friel, Kristin Scott Thomas and Denise Van Outen (and this fab shoot for me, above!) which products she rates.

"Becca do a double concealer in a palette which is really good for heavy dark shadows. It's not cheap at £30, but then you are getting two shades for that price. You can use it to cover marks on the body as well as your face. It's got great sticking power so it really stays on."

"Pixi do a palette with green and other colour corrective shades for disguising any bits of high colour in a nice light consistency so it's not too opaque or heavy."

"Chanel's concealer is great for older skin, it's lifting and light-reflecting." The secret to a great concealer is to find the right texture for your skin type. Much as we all love YSL's Touche Eclat, it's not right for everyone because it's not going to change the colour of your skin. Helen's trick is to use the concealer that matches your skin first, then add a pop of light-reflecting one like Touche Eclat on top. Coming up in a future post, Helen's concealer how-to.

All-time favourites - products I've actually finished...

2009-08-11T13:12:00.000+01:00

As a beauty journalist, I'm inundated with products to try and a bulging bathroom cabinet is an occupational hazard (a great one, obviously!) so it's rare to actually finish a product before starting a new one. But there are a few trusted classics that I come back to time and again, and find myself ekeing out the last dregs! Step forward ...

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream - I love the smell, the texture, the instant softening effect.

By Terry Soleil de Rose Freshtone Hydra-Reviver - a barely-there, rose-scented tint, perfect for no-make-up days.

Laura Mercier Lip Balm - the ideal not-too-thin, not-too-thick consistency.

Blinc Mascara - my pet hate is taking off mascara, so I love the way this one just dissolves with water. Plus it stays on through anything.

LiLo launches tan

2009-08-05T10:54:00.000+01:00

This month, Selfridges are stocking Lilo's self-tanning mist, Sevin Nyne. She's developed it with a airbrush tanning expert, and as a pale redhead herself, she's bound to know a thing or two about fake tanning.

Outdoorsy beauty

2009-08-05T10:00:00.000+01:00

Just got back from Der Schwarzwald (that's the Black Forest to you and me) and I'm already missing the fresh air, dense trees and acres of grapevines. So here's a trio of Black-Forest-inspired products to recreate that healthy feel.

Kneipp mini Spruce Herbal Bath oil. Spruce is uplifting and energising, and great for tired muscles.

Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask. Part of the signature spa treatment, this mask perks up sallow skin thanks to Vitamin C and oxygen.

Caudalie Vinexpert Radiance Day Fluid SPF10. Caudalie pioneered research into the skincare benefits of grapeseed and grapevine polyphenols -they're packed with skin-boosting antioxidants.

Some of my favourite shoots

2009-07-15T16:05:00.000+01:00

Some of my favourite shoots from when I was the beauty director at Company magazine. Being able to do amazing photoshoots was definately one of the best parts of the job.
I'll introduce you to some of the talented hairdressers and make-up artists that created these gorgeous looks in future posts.

Cool new colour

2009-07-15T15:07:00.000+01:00

My summery highlights were starting to look a bit jaded, so the call from Wella Professionals with the offer to visit HOB salon in Camden Lock was perfectly timed.
So yesterday I was lucky to have a consultation with technical expert Christel Lundqvist, award-winning colourist. Some salons barely give your existing look a cursory glance before they whip out the foils, but Christel quizzed me about my favourite colours, what I wear, whether I go for brights or patterns and scrutinised my eye colour and skin tone. Her verdict on what would work for me: a cool, oaky brown that she said would bring out my eye colour. I was surprised to see her bring out a Laura Ashley catalogue instead of a colour chart; but flicking to the page of different woods, from ash to mahogany, was actually a great way to help me envisage what she was describing.
I loved the finished look, the coppery streaks were all gone replaced by a deep, almost bluey brown.