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Beauty

5 Brands To Refresh Your Skincare Routine This January

Here’s to this year being smoother and brighter than the last — and I’m wishing the same for my complexion. Ring in the New Year with a refresh to your skincare routine to wash away any festive (much-needed) overindulgence. So much has been out of our control over the past year but if there’s one thing we can keep in check, it’s a skincare regime. I know we’ve all made and broken New Year’s resolutions over the years but resolving to dedicate a little more self-care to your skincare regime seems like something I’m keen to stick to, especially when all the products are lined up on my bathroom shelf. I wanted to put a post together of all the skincare bits I reckon you’ll need to wake up clearer and fresher this January.


A barrier against blue light

Did you know the blue light from your computer may be giving you wrinkles? Me neither! Skincare brand Digital Defence has identified HEV blue light as ‘this generation’s silent ager’ and it has developed a range designed to block 100% blue light. Working in a similar way to sunblock, the Digital Defence skincare range is going to help keep your skin hydrated and prevent wrinkles forming while you’re tapping away on your laptop all day. The products I’ll be adding to my skincare routine are the moisturiser and eye cream — essentials if you’re already susceptible to dry skin and looking to lock in moisture.

Day & Night Moisturising Protection Cream, Digital Defence

£40

  

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Dual Action Eye Cream, Digital Defence

£30

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Superfoods in your skincare

What’s a new year without a promise to get more fruit and veg? Surely, adding it to your skincare routine counts too. Besides, I can’t get enough of the Elemis Superfood collection. The jelly exfoliator is a great one for waking you up in the morning and giving your skin a smooth, bright start to the day. The Vital Veggie Mask is ideal when your skin is in need of some TLC. Pop on for 10 minutes to give your skin a shot of green goodness.

Superfood Blackcurrant Jelly Exfoliator, Elemis

£21

skincare routine

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Superfood Vital Veggie Mask, Elemis

£22.50

skincare routine

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Protecting against the cold weather

The temperature only has to drop a couple of degrees for dry and chapped lips to make an appearance, doesn’t it? Arm yourself against the elements with a restorative lip balm. I’m a huge fan of El & So’s balm blended from shea butter, jojoba, sweet almond and olive oils. I couldn’t resist adding its Milk & Honey face cream to my order as well. It’s a fairly thick, soft and luxurious moisturiser that will keep your skin hydrated and nourished when the cold weather hits.

Restorative Lip Balm, El & So

£5

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Nourishing Face Cream Milk & Honey, El & So

£38

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Looking to update your wardrobe, buy a gift or treat yourself?

You will find a gorgeous range of jewellery, accessories and clothes on TLM Edit, all hand-picked by The London Mummy.


A smooth and radiant skincare routine

Bioderma is a skincare brand that I use all-year-round. Its creams, moisturisers, serums and toners reliably keep my skin smooth and any breakouts at bay. In particular, it’s good for sensitive skin and, if you’re looking for something for your teen, Bioderma is always a good choice. The Hydrabio Sérum gives skin an instant hydration boost by working with your skin’s natural hydration mechanisms — good to pop on after you’ve cleansed and toned. I like the Hydrabio Gel-Crème because it makes a good base for makeup, leaving your skin looking radiant and refreshed.

Hydrabio Sérum, Bioderma

From £18

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Hydrabio Gel-Crème, Bioderma

From £15

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Anti-ageing skincare essentials

We’re all in need of something to fight against fine lines and my picks from Institut Esthederm do just that. If you haven’t already, I’d recommend adding a retinoid product to your routine for improving complexion and collagen production. This Intensive Retinol Cream promises to give a “new skin effect” — perfect for kickstarting your New Year’s skincare routine. It’ll make skin appear firmer and smoother, which obviously translates to more youthful! The Hyaluronic Serum is a good one to use alongside the Retinol Cream for fighting against the dryness that can lead to wrinkles.

Intensive Retinol Cream, Institut Esthederm

£59

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Intensive Hyaluronic Serum, Institut Esthederm

£49

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Something for nighttime

As the morning is about brightening and refreshing, the evening is about unwinding and relaxing. Essential oils are good for the evening because of their incredible ability to help stress and anxiety relief. On the skincare side of things, they nourish skin, lock in moisture and improve complexion. Moonlight from KNature Care is a favourite blend because it smells divine! It’s a mix of lemon, ylang-ylang, and neroli. If you’re suffering from acne, rosacea or oily skin, you’ll probably be better suited to the Reflections option, which is specially designed to prevent acne and reduce blackheads.

Moonlight, KNature Care

£38

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Reflections, KNature Care

£40

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Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the parenting, style and business recommendations.

Beauty

12 Skincare Brands Currently On My Bathroom Shelf

The search for the perfect skincare is never-ending. Your needs will change with age, environment and even your menstrual cycle! No wonder it takes a lifetime of trial and error. All we’re really searching for are reliable products that we can use regularly without too much thought. So, I wanted to share with you a list of things that are helping me at the moment and – hopefully – a couple of them will work for you too.

Hylamide SubQ Skin Advanced Serum, Deciem

£18

This serum is one of my skincare essentials. If you suffer from dry skin and want to reduce the appearance of fine lines, this hyaluronic acid will give you the hydration you need. Use daily after cleansing and your skin should be feeling healthier and brighter within a week or two.

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Balance and Glow Day Oil, Aurelia Probiotic Skincare

£38

It seems people either like face oil or they don’t and there’s no in-between. I’m for it in the cooler months when you want to lock in as much moisture as possible. You can just massage in a couple of drops of this Aurelia oil during your morning routine. And – before you ask – it doesn’t make your skin feel greasy; you don’t feel it at all once it absorbs!

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Kale Enzymatic Exfoliator, Nourish London

£18

If there’s anything I’ve learnt in life, it’s that exfoliation is essential to any skincare routine. I love this Nourish exfoliator because it basically does three jobs in one: cleansing, exfoliating and protecting against pollution. Plus, it’s made from natural ingredients, including pomegranate and kale.

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Citrus Botanical Cream Deodorant, Aurelia Probiotic Skincare

£18

You don’t need to use chemical-heavy deodorants or antiperspirants to smell good and stay dry. We’ve known this for a while but you still need to find a natural deodorant that suits your skin and that you like the smell of. For me, this Citrus Botanical is the one. It’s a combination of so many deliciously-fresh flavours: sweet orange, rosemary, lavender and more.

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Read also: 10 New-In Hush Pieces I Couldn’t Resist

Hydrating Day Cream, The Jojoba Company

£23

This day cream is great for keeping things uncomplicated. Jojoba is good for when you don’t have time to mix-and-match skincare products; you just need a cream that’s going keep skin hydrated and supple, as well as last you all day. It’s suited for all skin types too.

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Hydraphase Intense Hydrating Serum, La Roche-Posay

£16.50

I’m a fan of anything with ‘hydrating’ in the title and this one from La Roche-Posay promises to hydrate for 24 hours. Wave a final ‘goodbye’ to dry skin with this serum combination of thermal spring water and hyaluronic acid. La Roche Posey is always a reliable choice for those with sensitive skin and its range is hypoallergenic.

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Hydrating Eye Cream With Hyaluronic Acid, El & So

£35

A go-to for tired eyes, El & So’s eye cream helps to plump out wrinkles around the eyes and make you look more awake. It’s lightweight and giving the eye area a bit of TLC always makes me feel brighter in the mornings.

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Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil, Caudalie

£18

An effective makeup remover is crucial for keeping skin bright and blemish-free. I make sure I’m never running low on this Caudalie cleansing oil. It doesn’t feel super-oily and the oil ensures you can remove really stubborn makeup and waterproof mascara without any hassle.

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Read also: 15 Designer-Looking Blouses At High Street Prices, From £13

Blemish & Age Toner, Skinceuticals

£30

Dirt and oil are unavoidable if you leave the house. Even if you don’t, all of that unconsciously touching our face throughout the day means it ends up on our skin. Get a toner that will remove daily dirt and oil, and keep your pores unclogged. I recommend this one from Skinceuticals.

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10% Niacinamide Booster, Paula’s Choice

£42

Problems with blemishes? Paula’s Choice is going to become your new best friend. The 10% Niacinamide Booster is great for tackling large pores and redness. Add a couple of drops to your moisturiser twice a day and you’ll notice a difference within a fortnight.

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Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream, Vichy

I like to switch between this one and the La Roche-Posay Hydrating Serum. The Vichy cream has a thicker consistency so you only have to use a tiny bit. It’s enriched with shea butter which feels luxurious and leaves skin feeling lovely and soft.

£13.33 (usually £20)

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Rosa Fresca Night Balm, Sanoflore

£28

I can’t get enough of the smell of this Sanoflore night balm (which is 100% natural!). It has a creamy yet gel-like consistency. Put on just before you go to bed and you’ll wake up with fresh-looking and feeling skin.

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Read also: Dreaming Of A Holiday? Here’s Why You Need To Book Now


Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the beauty, style and business recommendations.

Beauty Products

Effortless Skin : Beauty Products That Actually Do Something

When the team at Effortless Skin approached me and asked if I had any skin or beauty concerns  – I didn’t know where to begin. Thin lips, diminishing eye lashes, dry skin, wrinkles, sun damage rolled off my tongue before I had even said MIDDLE AGE IS APPROACHING FAST.  It was a lovely over the phone consultation with one of the fantastic girls on the team, and left me feeling encouraged – there are products that can help!

I hadn’t heard of any of the brands they recommended and this added to the excitement of trying something new – more chance of a brand I don’t know working than ones I do (that haven’t made a difference).

Problem : Dry Skin & Ingrowing Hairs 

I have exceptional dry knees and no amount of exfoliating and moisturising ever alleviates them from their sandpaper state. Until I used this body lotion for a couple of weeks – I now have soft knees (and no ingrowing hairs!)

Solution : Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion £22 200ml

Transforming Body Lotion

Problem : Thin Lips 

Solution : deCURE NoLip5 Lip Enhancer £40

After watching all the full lips on Love Island, I mentioned that I would love to try a lip plumper. This Lip enhancer gives your lips a real rush of blood making them look instantly more luscious.

Lip Enhancer

Problem : Thinning Eyelashes 

Solution : CHADO Mascara Divin £30

I usually go for a tractional fat wanded mascara, however after using this Chado mascara for a couple of weeks, I am convinced this is the shape for me. It grabs all the small eye lashes giving you a fuller affect.

 

CHARD

 

 

Epione Renewal Facial Cream 50g £80

I know this isn’t within budget for me usually, but I think sometimes your skin does deserve a treat and this anti wrinkle cream for dry skin has made my normally dehydrated skin nourished and soft.

Renewal Facial Cream

Brush on Block SP30 £25

This came up trumps on Sports Day – as I was frying under the hot sun during the speeches, I whipped out my brush and sweet on some powder block. Ss easy as twist and click.

Brush on Block

Effortless Skin is a leading online cosmeceutical retailer that is focused on providing people with the highest quality products to help treat and manage a number of skin conditions.

Since 2009, they have been the online destination for people wanting effective, innovative and specialist skin care that provides noticeable improvements in the appearance of prematurely ageing skin, hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, eczema and sun damage.

Every range available in our online store has been hand-picked by their team of skin care experts to ensure that all the products that they stock are genuine, safe and appropriate for their customers.

All their staff are trained on every product range that we stock, so if you need any advice on which products will work best for your skin type or concern, feel free to email them at enquiries@EffortlessSkin.com or call on 01925 730343.

I am going to put that number in my favourites!!!

effortlessskin.com

Beauty

10 Steps To Get Your Hair, Face & Body Ready For Summer

After a false start to summer last week, we are being teased with whispers of another heatwave in a few days.  I felt slightly foolish whipping out the wax strips, exfoliating like a nutter and whacking on the fake tan, only for the body to resume its natural state the next day when the sun hid again – fully shrouded.

It’s easy to let your hair face and body drop to the bottom of the priority list during the winter months, especially when you can cheat. Black skinnies and a leather biker hide a multitude of sin for most of the year however this doesn’t cut it when the temp rises above 22c.

All these recommendations are super quick and the application of them will only take an hour.

Here I am before I took my own advice…

Before

And after…  (I will look at make up in a different post – today is all about getting the foundations right! No point painting before you plaster eh!)

After

I hope this gives you hope!

So, Ten Steps to Being Summer Ready 

  1. Drink water. Buy a water bottle and keep it topped up and sip whenever you feel hungry, I mean thirsty. (The first step to losing weight is drinking water when you feel a pang – will power willing). This chic stainless steel water bottle is pretty cool… If you can’t handle water, put neon, cucumber or mint in it.
  2. Once your body is hydrated from the inside, you can get to work on the outside. I highly recommend Philip Kingsley Elasticizer for your hair. If I know I am going to wash my hair the next day, I slather it on my hair the night before and when I wash it the next day, it feels so soft.
  3. For those that prefer a scrub to an implement to slough away dry skin, this Nuxe Body Scrub is effective and lovely to use as it instantly warms up when you apply.
  4. I don’t know about you but I have found it hard to find a moisturiser that effectively penetrates the dry skin on my knees – however, This Works Dry Leg Oil is definitely winning at the moment. I slater it on after exfoliating before bed and in the morning my knees are much softer. It’s also good prep before you self tan although you can’t use it just before – obviously – as it is oil-based.
  5. Trinny’s desert island product is anything with Vitamin C in it – so if it is good enough for her, its certainly good enough for me.  Whack this Rodial Vitamin C mask on for 20 minutes and voila – hydrated, energised, firmer & softer.
  6. Add a natural glow to your face with this Self Tan Facial Oil – developed over 4 hours and moisturises at the same time which is good as so many can be so drying.
  7. For your body, this James Read colourless gel will develop overnight and won’t rub off onto your bed linen. Perfect for those that have a bath or shower in the evening (I’m totally shower in the morning all the way although I am sure this would be ok under clothes too…)
  8. Nab stray hairs with these tweezers. Precision ones which are perfect for stubborn hairs or dreaded ingrown ones.
  9. Open your eyes up with eyelash curlers. These Tweezerman ones will do the trick.
  10. Last but not least, keep the sun at bay by applying an SPF. I am a fan of the Ultrasun range as they cater for all skin types and ages. Obviously I like the one that has a little bit of tint in it so you can wear a sunhat but still feel like you have caught the sun!! Ultrasun

If I do all 10 steps the day before a party or a ‘heatwave’ I am much more likely to feel confident in myself. So buy a few bits, book an hour off and lock yourself in the bathroom and pamper yourself!!

Have a great day and thank you for reading

Love Lucinda xx

Beauty Reviews Spotlight

Oskia London : Improve Your Skin With These Products

There is a first for everything, and I had a first this weekend that I never expected to happen – ever. Growing up, I had severe acne. From the ages of 15-17 it was horrific – I was actually pleased I was at an all girls boarding school (!) so I didn’t have to face the ‘real world’. After failing with many different medications both internally and tropically – I hit the hard stuff and was prescribed Roaccutane – twice. For those that know this drug, it is not for the fainthearted and is really the last resort. Now I have grown out of it (thank fully although I lie awake at night praying that none of my children have my ‘gene’) and when I apply my tinted moisturiser I still so pleased I don’t have to trowel it on my skin and camouflage my face with industrial cover up.

So, this weekend when someone commented that I had ‘lovely’ skin, I really was taken a back and was very British about it ‘oh no i don’t, it’s so dry, I have pock marks etc’ as I genuinely don’t think I have good skin.

But actually, when I think about and look up close, I do have pretty good skin. It is smooth, well nourished and looks well cared for.

This is only a relatively recent thing in the last few years, since I have jumped not he bandwagon of using serums and acids and what not.

And then after a chance meeting with one of Alex’s old friends in the pub, who introduced me to his brand OSKIA, after trying it, it improved even more. I love all their products for dehydrated skin

Dehydration

Rather than wax lyrical about how incredible this brand is, I will recall a text that my friend sent me, after she used my OSKIA.

“Wow, I love that OSKIA oil and moisturiser, my skin feels and looks amazing – thanks for the tip!”

You are welcome my friend.

And today, not only do we have an interview with the founders but they are also offering a generous 25% off with londonmummy18 if you buy through their website

What made you start OSKIA Georgie?

After trying my fathers MSM supplement (a bio available form of sulphur that he was introducing to the market to repair horse joints) my complexion glowed – no eczema or acne – and  my nails were so strong.

I started researching the effects of tropical nutrients on the skin and OSKIA launched in 2009 as the first nutritional skincare brand that focuses on bio-available nutrients.

Since then we have won over 100 awards, opened our own lab and factory in the rolling hills of Wales in Monmouth, where I come from. My amazing husband, George Gordon, runs the business with me, which luckily works very well, and we split our time between our London HQ on Sloane Street, and our factory in Wales.

Georgie

 

I have seen OSKIA in many of the high end department stores. Who else stocks OSKIA?

We are really lucky in that we work with the best of the best and have never approached any retailer ourselves. In the UK, you can find us in stores such as SpaceNK, Selfridges, Net a Porter, and hotel spas like the famous Cliveden & Chewton Glen (both of which I have just formulated their own brand spa products for them) but we also love the independent stores and spas like Mortar & Milk and the very cool Pig Hotels.

Of the products I tried, I think your Renaissance 360 made the biggest difference to the condition of my skin.

rennaissance 360

What are your best-selling products?

Probably our Renaissance Cleansing Gel, which is a lovely pink enzyme cleanser and the first gel-to-oil on the market when it launched.

However, our Restoration Oil is also very popular as is the Renaissance Mask which is amazing before or after an event….

Renaissance Mask

 

Do you have celebrity endorsements?

Lots, but I’m afraid we don’t spill the beans. It drives my PR mad but I very strongly believe that skincare is private and brands shouldn’t divulge. We have a very ‘British’ approach to this, which is probably the reason why we have a very loyal celebrity base. I have a growing pile of thank you letters from the most amazing people – I am very lucky! What I can tell you though is that we also work with the British movie industry- Bridget Jones, Tomb Raider, Danish Girl, Le Mis, Star Wars. You might have spotted our products in Bridget Jones’s Baby – I nearly fell of my seat when they popped up.

What’s next for OSKIA?

We have some really lovely new launches this summer which I’m very excited about – they slightly bring out the inner girl. We’ve also just launched in the US with Barney’s, so this will take quite a lot of focus for this next year.

www.oskiaskincare.com

Georgie’s Favourites

Restaurant : The Dairy, Clapham Old Town. I can only really describe it as British seasonal tapas – and absolutely amazing.

Hotel : Any of the Firmdale hotels. Currently, I’m loving The Crosby Street Hotel in New York. I think Kit Kemp is a genius designer.

Shop : I recently discovered By Drew in Soho New York. I walked in and screeched that I would like to buy everything – the clothes, the carpets, the chairs, everything. I would like to live in it. Like most mothers I spend far too much time in Peter Jones.

Website : Tricky one as I don’t spend much time browsing websites. I do love antiques though and love www.the-saleroom.com. That makes me sound really boring though doesn’t it!!

Holiday destination : Tulum, 20 years ago. It is still amazing though. I love bare foot chic and really don’t like the big flash hotels. I’d be very happy in a rustic cabanas with no air conditioning. Tulum is heaven.

Parenting tip :

Oh my goodness where do I start. I have 3 children, ranging from 18 months to 7, and I worked the day before Arthur, 7, was born. I think being a mother is really hard work and absolutely exhausting. Juggling work and family is harder still and I always feel guilty – either I’m not working hard enough or I’m not with my children. However, I strongly believe there is no right work/life balance and if anyone says they do they are fibbing. Instagram really doesn’t help which is why I’ve kept off it until now (I now do post!).  We are all doing a brilliant job! So my biggest tip is to do something everyday just for yourself, whether it is a walk, reading the papers in a cafe, spending 30 mins in a gallery, or having a quiet bath (that last one never works – children can sniff out a ‘family bath’ in no time and suddenly there are an extra 3 bodies in the bath.)

Do make the most of this incredible offer. The website is really easy to navigate and remember –  you are worth it – you only have one skin!

Website

oskiaskincare.com

25% off all full size products.

Code londonmummy18.

T&C www.oskiaskincare.com only.

Exclusive offer.

Can not be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Beauty Services

The British Blow-Dry

There are two camps in life – manageable and unmanageable hair.  Even hair that looks manageable due to its silky smooth finish can be unmanageable for the ‘proprietor’ as they can’t do anything with their hair, like keep a curl in for longer than crossing the road outside the salon.  On the other hand some ladies with thick curly hair may find their hair manageable as they don’t have to wash it as much as those with finer hair.

My point is, we mustn’t judge a book by its cover and never judge someone’s hair before you know the full story!! My hair looks manageable – on a good day – as I have conditioned it, blow dried it, straightened it but little do you know that it has taken AGES and my smooth mop will disappear in a moments drizzle.

Most of the time I let my hair dry naturally. Unless you are 18 on a Bondai beach, this is not a very good idea. See below…

Au Natural

So as a consequence to letting it dry naturally – I always wear my hair up!

Credit : Rebecca Challis Photography

Credit : Rebecca Challis Photography

What a waste! Long hair and always up? Yes, I know!! But who has the time to moisturise, blow and straighten every time you wash your hair? I know I don’t!

So, when I was contacted by Edward James London to review a BRITISH blow-dry, I jumped at the chance. Wouldn’t you? (Despite not knowing what it was exactly, but I am a patriot through and through!)

‘I have heard of a Brazilian blow-dry, what is a British Blow Dry’ I hear you ask? 

 

If you’ve considered having a Brazilian blow dry but have been frightened by the price, potential damage and time required in the salon, this innovative technique is far gentler on hair and suits the finer hair that most British women have, without stripping it from its important natural moisture.

 

The formula takes 15 minutes to apply, about an hour to set under a gentle revolving heater, lasts for 6 weeks and contains no formaldehyde and promises specifically to preserve volume.

 

img_2776

Edward and his team can tailor the treatment specifically for your hair.

For example, my hair is quite wirey so he used a slightly higher strength on than if you had fly away hair. I was pretty impressed even if I do say so myself! Here is the finished look!

LR

He also says that it should last up to 3 months and judging how ny hair has looked after I have let it dry naturally the last two hair wash times – I reckon he is going to be right.

It feels in excellent condition, still has its natural body and not a frizzy strand in sight.

img_2783

I am a complete convert and will be booking myself in for this treatment again. The whole experience was very pleasant, the ambience the salon, the attentiveness of the staff, the dreamy head massage and hand massage!

Aveda Salon

In the first few moment of meeting Edward and his team, I could see they really cared and were genuinely interested in my hair life and I felt he really got it – even the fact that I have killed the front of my hair with straightening it so much but that due to my little quiff, this was one area I wanted him to concentrate on.

Now I have found a salon that I trust, I may even try a colour. Edward suggested a subtle balayarge as he understood I wanted to keep my natural highlights.

Watch this space!!

Edward James Salon

Edward James London 

Putney
77 Putney High Street
London
SW15 1SR

0208 789 9639

putney@edwardjameslondon.com

Clapham

18 Northcote Road
Clapham
London
SW11 1NX

0207 223 6225

northcote@edwardjameslondon.com

Have a great day and go and book yourself an appointment, it always makes everything feel so much better!

 

Beauty

One Secret Your Friends Don’t Tell You

You may share financial hardships, marriage troubles, school problems, insecurities with your friends but do you know whether they are ‘into’ non surgical beauty treatments? If they were abroad for 3 months and came back with a taut neck or perkier boobs you would know they have had full on cosmetic surgery, but do you know if your friends are having the odd secret tweak here and there?

You think your friend is off to a tennis lesson – nah, a bit of botox on her forehead before lunch at The Ivy.

Nipping to the Dentist? No, that would be a quick dermal filler on that deep wrinkle that forms every time she is rooting for little Timmy on the sidelines.

‘I’m beautifying before holiday….’ Yup not just a pedicure, that means the thread veins being removed.

You get the picture.

Sex in the city

 

I love a treatment (if you want a good massage, head to Gazelli House on Walton Street),  make up (my new love is Trinny London – so practical and no nonsense) and anything that will help disguise the tired eyes and aging skin (Clarins Hydraquench serum is a dream) however I have never had a cosmetic procedure.

Why not? Other than not wanting use my joker cards too early on in life (ha!), I have never been introduced to it by friends (it sounds like I am talking hard drugs but you get the picture) as how else do you get into it?

I wouldn’t know what to do, where to go and most importantly I can’t afford it!

However, some of you may have seen my my last post on Tamsin when I visited her clinic to see her in action.  Sorry if the rest was history!

I thought it would be fun to put a few treatment ideas together that you could have in the run up to Christmas to make you feel va va voom.

christmas gift

Eyelash Treatment 

One treatment that does pique my interest is the eyelash treatment Lumigan.

 

Trials over 13 years and over 5000 patients have shown that Lumigan is safe and that 100% of patients treated will see an improvement in their eyelash quality.

 

With a 100% success rate, it’s certainly not a time waster (no guarantee they will grow this long though 😉

eye lashes

Prices start at £60 for one bottle of Lumigan.  Be warned, once you visit Tamsin – she will make you feel so relaxed and in capable hands that you may book something else whilst you are there!!

Skin Peel 

Tamsin also sells the Jan Marini range for problem skin.

‘If you could be the face of any brand, which would it be?’ ‘ Jan Marini because it has helped so many people with skin problems’

Trinny Woodhall, TV Presenter

 

Combine this with a skin peel and your face will feel nourished and smooth. This is very tempting, especially after a harsh winter.

Jaw Reduction Treatment 

I had to include this as it looks fascinating!!!

b12

This non-surgical technique to reduce a square jaw line to create a more oval, softer face shape using botox injections. Grinding of the teeth at night or excessive chewing of gum causes over-activity of the masseter (chewing) muscle which in some cases can cause muscles to become enlarged, making the jaw appear wide and square.

If everything is a bit of a rush at the moment, you don’t know what to ask for Christmas and you  ARE brave enough to ask your other half, what about a voucher?

You first!

The Wrinkle Dr, Fulham, London

 

Beauty Gift Guides

Restock Your Make Up Bag!

It’s Cyber Monday and the online world are going nuts and offering up to 60% today. I am giving my depleted make up bag some love today and diving in to buy the classics and a few novelty treats to experiment with (that I wouldn’t buy unless they were reduced!)

Nars Blush in Orgasm Was £24 now £19.20

This was the first blusher/bronzer I bought one I had left the confines of boarding school. It was definitely a turn up from the Bourgeois one I was packed off with (I literally channelled Coco the Clown during my teens) and I Have been a faithful follower of Nars blush and bronzer since. JUST DON’T DROP IT!!

Nars

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand £29 – £23.20

The highlighter to end all highlighters. Simply squeeze a smidgen of the highlighter onto the sponge and blend it on the top of your cheekbones, centre of your nose, under your brows and voila, you have a sun kissed radiant glow.

Remember light colours advance (i.e. your cheek bones) and dark colours recede (which is why you put bronzer under your cheekbones to give you the illusion of high cheekbones!

Highlighter

YSL Touche Eclat £25 – £22.90

Ah the classic. Just go easy and watch that flash at the Christmas parties to avoid the Panda look.

Touche Eclat

Bobbi Brown Caviar & Rubies Eye Shadow Pallette £55 – £44

This is your Christmas palette sorted. If these large palettes terrify you – here is the 101.

1) choose three colours from light to dark
2) put the light colour all over your eyelid
3) put the middle depth in a sideways triangle from your eyelashes to your eye hood but not past the pupil.
4) put the darkest just all your eyelashes
5) blend

Bobbi Brown Palette

Lancome Hypnose Gift Set £24 – £20

Whenever I chicken out of trying a new mascara, I always revert to this one. It’s ace.

Lancome

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser £34 – £27

I have waxed lyrical about this product before and it is time to do again, especially as now you can get £7 off!

When my skin feels a bit dry and sallow, I whack this on (usually the lightest Bare but it’s sold out and so I am braving the next one up) and it gives you that red carpet glow.

laura mercier

There are literally thousands of discounted products from all the top brands on House of Fraser, so if you need to do a sweep this is the only place to look at for serious discounts!