Beauty Treats for Valentine's Day

Hearts, flowers, chocolates, cheesey greetings cards... yep, Valentine's Day is filled with predictable clichés. But why not treat yourself or a friend to a gift this year? Here are a few of our favourite beauty treats....

Clockwise from top left:
• Project Sukuroi Gold Smoothing Balm £30
• Beauty Blender in Red Carpet £16
• Aerin travel gold-tone comb £25
• Nars semi-matte lipstick in Jungle Red £21
• Burberry First Kiss lip balm in No.03 £23
• Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer in The Warning £23
• Bella Freud Loving Tuberose and Sandalwood Candle £40

All items available from www.net-a-porter.com

Nars Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

This product has become my favourite primer. Don't get me wrong, Urban Decay's Primer Potions are great, especially Eden, as it neutralises the colour of the lid. However, this Nars primer keeps eyeliner in place all day and night and quite possibly, the next day!

THE INFO:
'A polymer and mineral-powder blend establishes a firm grip on color ensuring hours and hours of gorgeous wear. Fortified with a special deep-sea extract and an antioxidant rice extract, the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base dries on contact and keeps the delicate eyelid smooth and prepared for color application.'

THE PROS:

• Prevents creasing, smudging and caking. 

• Prolongs winged eyeliner (ensure that the product is applied to the edge of the eye too).

• Easy application.

• Works with any type of eyeshadow product (cream, powder, shadow stick etc.).

• Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested (i.e, skin and eye tested). 

• It lasts a long time. I have used it daily since July and I am only now going to need to re-purchase at some point soon. A little goes a long way. 

• £19.50 for 0.28oz, which lasts 5-6 months of daily use. 

• Fragrance free.

• Holds up in hot, humid weather and the rain. 

• You can use half the product from the applicator on one eye lid and half on the other. This is why it lasts for so long.

THE CONS:

• The doe foot applicator means that it often gets makeup on it and can get quite dirty.

• The packaging is prone (especially the lid) to attracting makeup, moisturiser, hand cream and anything else! Be prepared for it to look like you've had the product for years, after a week! 

• Once the product has been applied, you need to blend eye shadows quickly. Otherwise, you end up pulling at the lid because once the primer has dried, the colour is locked on! This isn't really a bad thing, considering that the product is doing what it says. It just means that you need to apply it as you are doing your eyeshadow and not when doing skin prep.
 

Overall, I think it's a very good product and I will continue to purchase it. 

www.narscosmetics.co.uk 

NARS x Steven Klein 'Fantascene' Holiday Collection

I do love a good makeup collaboration, especially when it is with a fashion photographer. I'm a sucker for packaging and there is no doubt that the makeup sitting on your dresser becomes even more appealing when it is adorned with beautiful photography. So naturally I was very excited when Nars announced that it was teaming up with the one and only Steven Klein for its Fantascene holiday collection.

For those of you who are not familiar with Klein, he is an American photographer with a taste for the subversive. You have probably seen his shoots (such as the iconic 1999 images of Brad Pitt in his role for Fight Club) or even his music videos (directing credits include Lady Gaga's Alejandro).

Knowing his conceptual and often highly sexualized style, this was always going to be a fun collaboration. The collection comprises 23 pieces, most of which are entirely new shades/formulas. Individual products include a range of new lip colours and single eyeshadows, while for palette junkies highlights include the Dead of Summer eyeshadow palette (below) and Despair cheek palette.

All items in the collection are limited so if you are interested you'll need to move fast!
Available now, prices start at $19. Find the full collection here: www.narscosmetics.com/steven-klein

Space NK Apothecary

Having said in a previous post that I wanted a Sephora near to my front door, I realised how lucky us Brits are to have Space NK. Even if we are nowhere near a store, their website is thoroughly stocked and even though there are many expensive products listed, there are some great deals and products. Brands such as Emma Hardie – that you assume would cost the earth – are actually pretty reasonably priced.

Now, in times of tightening our financial belts, I love the fact that I can pop to Boots and buy a makeup remover for £2.99 but it is nice to have a fancier option, without the feeling that you are being pressurised to buy the whole shop.

The employees are very knowledgeable about the products and seem to have a genuine interest in skincare and beauty. I don't know how, but I almost feel like it's a calming experience! Maybe it's the decor and the presentation of the products, and, as I tend to go in at non peak times, the lack of people helps too.

My favourite store is the Covent Garden one, which is located in Shelton Street. The lady that tends to help me never pushes any of the products but instead, really listens to the type of product that I am after. She also gives out really good samples, which I nearly always return to buy. Smart move Space NK! 

My favourite Space NK products/brands include: 

1. Colbert MD Ilłumino Facial Oil (I reviewed this last week and having recommended it to friends and family, they have echoed my praise for this product)

2. Kevyn Aucoin makeup range/ Nars range

3. Ren 

4. Eve Lom/Emma Hardie (see review) 

5. By Terry 

6. Caudalie 

7. Glam Glow (see review) 

8. Beauty Blender

9. Diptyque candles (to me, they are just the kings of candles)
10. Algenist

I could go on but the point is, when you are in the mood to buy something that is a bit more than the basic product, you get lovely service whilst being given specific information about the product, that up until now has never been wrong. I have never regretted purchase from here and, shamefully, I shop here more than I go food shopping! Cooking just isn't my forte.... Luckily, for Space NK, skincare and beauty are!

uk.spacenk.com 

Summer Brights

With the weather being warm and some sassy temperatures coming to the UK next week (supposedly!) I am very much enjoying busting out my bright accessories. I love happy, bright colours, so here are some of my favourite ways to add some umph to a simple outfit or take it from day to evening.

1. A bright bag: If colour scares you a bit but you want to incorporate it into an outfit, this is a safe way to go. For me, the brighter the better, without looking like a 90s neon worshipper....that being said, I am partial to neon too! 

Bags from left to right: Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Forever21

2. A statement necklace: Most shops carry these and although they are useful at all points during the year, bright, fun colours can take a simple white t-shirt and make it look like a sophisticated, put together outfit. Oasis and JCrew have some gorgeous ones. 

3. Coloured t-shirt: If it's too hot and sticky to be chucking on a heavy necklace, stick to a light and bright T. Pair it with a calmer toned pair of shorts and you're good to go, oozing summer-ness as you do so.

T-shirt from Next's Summer Collection

4. Scarves: This might be a odd one when you're considering humidity but depending on where you live (or the air con) wearing a bright, summer coloured scarf can add a bit of protection in the evening when things get a bit chilly. Anyone who has had a BBQ on a summer's evening in the UK will know exactly what I mean. Will I wear a scarf in Florida this summer? No, but I do like adding them to plain bags to jazz them up a bit. Just be careful that colours don't transfer!

Scarf from Stella and Dot

5. Flip flops, Sandals and Shorts: If you're happy to, wear prints on your bottom half with a neautral t-shirt or cami on top. If shorts tend to make you feel uncomfortable, or you don't fancy wearing something that says 'look at my patterned hind quarters', then go for one of the many Aztec type of sandals that are available.

Sandals from New Look and shorts from Acessorize

Christopher Kane for NARS collection – Neoneutrals

Designer collaborations seem to be announced on a daily basis of late, but when an innovative designer like Christopher Kane joins forces with a powerhouse like NARS we certainly deem it newsworthy! Kane's shows are undoubtedly one of the highlights of London Fashion Week and he has been working with with Nars on them since 2012. A collaboration was the obvious next move and for Summer 2015 they have released the Neoneutral collection which, as the name suggests, consists of 10 complementary products in nude and neon shades.

Although some of pieces look extreme, such as the Starscape blush, they are in fact very flattering shades if you use a light hand. The lip glosses above are £19 and (from left to right) in shades: Nucleus, Mezmer, Glow Pink and Nebulous.

Above, clockwise from top left:

• Duo eye shadow in Parallel Universe, £25
• Blush in Silent Nude, £23
• Blush in Starscape, £23
• Shimmer eye shadow in Outer Limits, £18

Below is the Illuminating Multiple in Violet Atom.

The Christopher Kane for NARS collection is currently available exclusively to Selfridges and will be available on NARScosmetics.co.uk from 15 May 2015 and nationwide on 1 June 2015.