Tag Archives: The Body Shop

Get the glow in January!

I’m sitting here looking out of my office window and it is GREY! In fact almost dark. There is a Nor’easter heading towards us. Fortunately, I think, we are only going to get pummeled by rain as our temperatures are rising. In weather like this I always love wearing my darker greys and blacks, but when it comes to makeup I want my skin to glow with health! I am drinking a lot of water which helps – but you can’t beat some good moisturizer and makeup products at this time of year! I love treating myself to some little ‘feel good’ cosmetics to beat the January blues.

Here are my favorites which I am using constantly at the moment!

Hourglass have become one of my go to cosmetic brands. Not cheap, but their products last forever and do what they say on the tin. So many people have mentioned recently how good my skin looks and I attribute it to this palette. You can use the powder to highlight and apply it intensely on the cheek bones, or apply it more liberally to give an overall glow.

ambient lighting pallette

Buxom lip cream is a favorite of mine. It has an amazing tingly sensation when you apply it which apparently helps to plump your lips. I adore White Russian – it’s a lovely nude gloss that brightens your face.

Buxom lip polish

Recently I’ve gone what I consider to be ‘old skool’ with my skin care. I’ve tried more expensive options but believe me they ain’t worth it. The good old Body Shop comes out tops in my book time and time again. Especially with their Drops of Youth and Oils of Life skincare ranges. I apply this essence every morning after washing and before I put any serum or moisturizer on. It kind of prepares your skin to absorb the moisture.

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This serum is lush. I apply it in the morning and before bed. Super hydrating and it smells divine.

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I also love the gel cream from the same range. I love the texture – it’s not greasy at all and absorbs in an instant ready for you to apply foundation.

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The body shop Vitamin C range has always been a go to line for me – especially when traveling. Nothing gives you a better boost than applying some of this in flight (I often decant into smaller pots for travel). This one really does make me giggle because it is perfect for ‘grumpy skin’!

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I’ve just reordered this (if you join the Body Shop rewards program it gives you a 10% discount off each purchase.) I love this and use it each day, with or without makeup.

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I don’t wear a lot of foundation – sometimes I just apply a little concealer on after the above glow enhancer. When I do wear it Hourglass is my brand of choice – I love their Illusion skin tint – it is a little heavier in consistency than the name suggests and you only need a tiny amount for a flawless finish.

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Most important to me at this time of year is a fab, fab lip color! I am wearing Mac Pink Pigeon today, and my favorite nude color from them MAC at the moment is Kinda Sexy.

Mac matte lipstick

I doubt I will ever wear another blusher than this – NARS orgasm – it’s just the perfect hue for a glow winter or summer.

Nars blusher

A new discovery this season, for me at least, is the NARS multiple stick. I’ve always been a tad scared about application. I run Copacabana gently along my cheek bone and then Portofino in a line slightly below it, BEFORE applying my blush on the apples of my cheeks. I use a firm angled brush to gently blend the multiple and it leaves a gorgeous dewy sheen.

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And that folks is how I get my glow on this winter! Along with buckets of water!

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What are your favorite products this winter? A great hand cream is always a necessity and I am still searching for the perfect hydrating, non greasy formula!

Finally here are a couple of outfits from the past couple of days. It’s been pretty chilly here!

ASOS coatCoat – ASOS on sale // Jumper – H&M on sale // Jeans – Zara (old) // Boots – Isabel Marant by H&M (old) // Bag – Mulberry Bayswater

Leopard print coatCoat – Mango on sale // Boots – Stuart Weitzman 5050s // Jeans – Zara (old) // Jumper – Everlane // Scarf – Asos (similar here) // Bag – Mulberry Bayswater

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My neck is starting to look like my labia

Yup it’s happening. 25 years of drinking, smoking and sun is finally taking it’s toll. Chicken waddle, neck labia or loose skin under your jawline – whatever you care to call it – it is happening to me. A ‘friend’ told me it only happens to ‘old people’ – thanks. I have tried Strivectin neck cream in the past but to be honest it was a total waste of time and money.

After surveying many said ‘friends’ the majority (all younger than me) have suggested a good moisturizer is all you need. Well there are plenty of moisturizers out there to try and if you read any beauty blogs, like I do you, will only end up as confused as I am. I have decided to take a very random, yet brand focused approach. It’s a bit like clothes shopping there is JUST TOO MUCH OUT THERE. Making a choice by reviews is almost impossible – as you may have guessed there are lovers and haters of every brand out there. I decided to pick 2 beauty bloggers that I trust for their honesty. I also love how concise and to the point they are. Having said that I have never met them in person and I am only going on what they say online so go judge for yourselves and visit ViviannaDoesMakeup and CarolineHirons.com. I have to say I also love them as there is nothing better some days than listening to a good English gal chat away.

OK so first up the brand – Peter Thomas Roth. Anna first mentioned this brand after her recent visit to NYC. She bought the pumpkin mask. Even though my skin has few wrinkles it feels loose and dull – as I mentioned especially around my neck and jawline. This mask and the way she describes it sounds like the perfect antidote.

PTR pumpkin

So I ordered it. While I was online at Sephora I decided to take a peek at the rest of his line. All, I hasten to add, are highly rated on Sephora. I was particularly interested in serums. I really believe that these products are the solution to many a skin crisis, and can easily enhance the effectiveness of a much cheaper drugstore moisturizer when applied before you moisturize. I have ordered these – the VIZ-1000™ 75 percent Hyaluronic Acid Complex for it’s ability to hydrate the skin, and the Glycolic acid gel for it’s ability to turnover cells and diminish the signs of aging. I plan to apply both, on alternate days, under my regular moisturizer and makeup primer.

hydralonic glycolic acid

Caroline is a big fan of hydrating spritzers. I have used The Body Shop Vitamin C energizing spray for years on and off, especially when flying, but I have never considered using it daily. Today I ordered The Body Shop Vitamin E spray along with the Vitamin E serum to try – both highly rated and they have been around for years. I take that to be a good sign.

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Moving into Spring false tanners caught my eye too. I have read a lot about the God of self tanning, James Read. After researching on Sephora I discovered that his products are available tax free on NAP – no Rouge points, but tax free trumps points in my eyes! I have ordered the sleep mask to try – I cannot wait after reading the great reviews. Even Marks and Spencers stock it! If this works I plan to try the body version.

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So do you have a solution I need to try, or even better a problem area you need to share? 😉

 

A night out, a day off and off out shopping

It’s MLK Day here on Monday so we have a lovely long weekend. I wasn’t looking forward to it earlier in the week as it was so cold and lashing it down with freezing rain. Now though I am thrilled as the skies are blue, the sun is shining and my windows are open. Spring is taunting us.

On Thursday night I had a lovely dinner with an old friend from my corporate days. It was so much fun to catch up especially as she has got married and is now in the process of changing jobs – my stories felt comparatively dull!

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Boots – AllSaints Alba (on sale and now reduced even further) // Leather trousers – J.Brand (old but the same here) // Jumper – Everlane cashmere tunic

Yesterday was my day off and after completing another grueling work out (I will be 20lbs lighter by the summer!) I was lucky enough to have the afternoon with my Husband chatting and walking the dogs in the sunshine.

DSC_0307Sneakers – Stan Smiths in navy // Trousers – J.Crew drapey wool trousers in navy // Jumper – Everlane cashmere v-neck

These Stan Smiths are pretty awesome – yup if you’re counting that’s another new pair.

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Today I took Poppy to the mall. It’s always so much fun to treat her after a good week at school and right now her favorite store is The Body Shop and who am I to discourage cleanliness and personal grooming!?

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Jumpsuit – OAK (on sale) // Shoes – Nine West // Jacket – Helmut Lang (on sale)

And I got to take my new baby out. Really? Who for one moment thought I wouldn’t buy it? I am in love.

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After hitting The Body Shop, where of course we had to buy the limited edition Smoky Poppy product line, we headed to Sephora where I bought the travel sized Hourglass Veil Primer to try. I’ve heard amazing things about this stuff. Lets see if it delivers.

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Tomorrow is my Blogversary – 3 whole years! I still love this little creative outlet as much as ever and my world would be empty without all the amazing friends I have met through it. What will year 4 bring?