Kitten Vixen Cosmetics

New Year, New Blog

2012-01-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

My beauty blog has moved to GigiShaker.com. Check it out!

Water decals for nails!

2011-09-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Not only are these decals applied with water (got to love the non-toxic part of that!) but they come in a huge variety of textures including animal prints, snake skin and vintage designs so that you can be as individual as you want. Each design is transparent so you can layer it on top of your favorite shade AND there is no visible edge on the water decals as is the case with other similar products. Go nuts girls - these are like temporary tattoos for nails!!!!

Best hair from New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2012

2011-09-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Milan - Backstage at the Gucci Show

2011-09-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Avant-garde beauty was the inspiration at Gucci in homage to 20th century surrealist artist Man Ray and New Wave icon Debbie Harry.

 Hair was pulled back into two, voluminous, tucked-back ponytails using the John Frieda Luxurious Volume line, secured with black electrical tape.

 Waterproof Fardel Maquillage Color Cream Make-Up was painted on the sides of pulled-back hair in black streaks, a coup de theatre that was most striking on blondes. For brunettes, gold sheen was added to highlight the golden tones in creative director Frida Giannini’s collection.

 “At the suggestions of raccoon eyes, I wanted the hair to have a Man Ray feeling with a striking, black and white aspect. I saw a picture of Blondie with the blonde hair and the black streak and it stayed with me — so why not do that?” said hairstylist Luigi Murenu.

 Makeup artist Pat McGrath modernized the punk couture with a jet-black eye on baby-fresh skin using natural foundation and nude lips touched by Max Factor Xperience Sheer Gloss Balm.

 “Punk elegance done with Art Deco punk eyes, black on black, and texture that’s super decorated but subtly done,” said McGrath.

 Max Factor Kohl Pencil in black lined the entire eye, followed by cream shadow Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Onyx Smoke, finished with Max Factor Xperience Volume Mascara in black. Black shimmer shadow was applied for sparkle to the center of the eyelid.

 Brows were bleached. “It gives it a tougher, stronger look,” said McGrath.

Most direction beauty from New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2012

2011-09-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

The vanity teams backstage at Proenza Schouler Spring Summer 2012 collections created a refreshingly directional beauty image with canary yellow nails and fantastic 50’s inspired tousled up do’s.

Paul Hanlon, was the lead hairstylist for the Frédéric Fekkai team who styled the hair. “We’re doing a Fifties comb-over with an organic knot in the back,” said Hanlon, who was also inspired by dreadlocks for the look’s overall texture. For a bit of contrast, Hanlon made sure the front of the style looked wet: “There is roughness, but also femininity.”

Diane Kendal, lead makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics, was also inspired by the Fifties. “It’s a really bold, strong face,” said Kendal, who paid special attention to brows — creating square shapes with a brow brush and brow powder. On the face, Kendal used Bone Beige sculpting powder under the cheekbone and both Immortal Flow and Love Cloud blushes to create a “flush cheek.”

“This is a girl who loves fashion and loves to experiment,” said Kendal, who finished off the look with a touch of lip balm.

Best of the Emmy's!

2011-09-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

On trend: Cat Deeley with two tone color. Two tone is a massive trend this season, rocked by gals who didn’t want to sport the tye-dye trend.

Best Hair color: Christina Hendricks Mad Men - iconic vibrant ginger works amazingly on her skin tone. Great make-up too.

Alan Cumming The Good Wife – rocking the suave silver fox – love it, says he is comfortable in his own skin and separates him from the rest of the men WHO DYE THEIR HAIR!

Best up do: Jenna Ushkowitz Glee – high sophisticate pony tail with hairpiece for added volume. This is a larger than life up-do but she is wearing it – it’s not wearing her – perfect scale for her frame, clean and elegant!

Best haircut: Jane Lynch Glee – oozes confidence and suits her bone structure.

Best makeup: Christina Hendricks – classic, clean and the colors for her skin tone and hair color are spot on!

Tired eyes be gone!

2011-08-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

The eye area is the first region of the face to show signs of sleep deprivation. Although the entire skin on the face can look lackluster and dehydrated after a big part night, the skin around the eyes naturally does not have oil glands and is very delicate, making it the first and most obvious area to broadcast your party lifestyle.

Since almost every day a new product hits the beauty store shelves, here is an updated review on the top 3 eye creams on the market – one for puffy eyes, one for dark circles and a splurge product for those pesky wrinkles:

Best eye cream for puffy eyes:

MAC Cosmetics Fast Response Eye Cream

Has caffeine to help de-puff. $30

Best eye cream for dark circles:

Olay definity illuminating eye treatment

Diminishes the look of darkness by adding a highly defined luminosity around the eyes $30

Best eye cream for wrinkles:

La Mer The eye balm Intense $165

For ageless eyes

On a side note:

Your daily routine for under eye health should include the following:

Apply eye cream before the face cream

If your skin is sensitive use fragrance-free products

Always apply sunscreen, especially during the summer months

Get plenty of sleep or try to catch up on lost sleep at least once a week

Drink lots of water, at least 1.5 liter, coconut water is also great for replenishing dehydrated skin

Wear sunglasses during the summer

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol

Lady Gaga your lips!

2011-08-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

These hot new transfers are a perfect addition to any fancy dress outfit (or serious clubber's) make-up bag.

They last 4-8 hours, you can eat and drink with them on, you just have to avoid oily food. To remove them at the end of the night you need to use an oil based make-up remover or eat a bag of greasy french fries!

For more info: www.violentlips.com

Dianna Agron - from cheerleader type to leading lady glamour!

2011-08-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

Amazing makeover of the moment!

Actresses usually cling to their long locks which is why this makeover is even more stunning. This haircut single handedly took Dianna Argon (Glee) from a pretty cheerleader type to leading lady glamorous!

Kate Bosworth's blue hair.

2011-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Kate Bosworth is the latest celebrity State-Side to try out the "tie-dye tips" trend, opting for a single color instead of mutiple colors, she's boldly evolving the trend.

Revlon introduces a whole new meaning to "smell my finger".

2011-08-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Why didn’t this trend take off?

You may or may not have seen this limited collection floating around by Revlon - scented nail polish.

The collection comes in a variety of different colors and shades like Bubble Gum, Passion Fruit, Cotton Candy & Sublime Strawberry to name a few, and actually do smell once dried on the nails. The mere thought of this concept making it to market makes me giggle!

A Step by Step Guide to the Natural Look

2011-08-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

So you don’t roll out of bed a perfect 10, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be; you just need to know a few simple tricks.

Barely-there makeup is used every day on models, actresses and celebrities worldwide to make them look naturally beautiful. Of course, 1% of these people really are naturally stunning, but the rest of them are hard working individuals who have a team of people swarming around them, helping them look beautiful whilst they do their job in front of a camera.

The barely there look is timeless and one that every chick needs to know, so here is my 10 step guide to help you look flawlessly polished in an "oh so natural" kind of way!

The tools required:

· Concealer

· Foundation

· Powder (translucent)

· Blush (peach or pink)

· Bronzer (non sparkly)

· Mascara (black or dark brown)

· Eyebrow pencil (same colour as your eyebrows)

· Sheer lip gloss or universal nude tone lip liner

Optional

· Individual lashes

· Black tinted lash adhesive

· Tweezers

1 Start with freshly cleaned, well moisturised skin.

2 Dot concealer under eyes, down bridge of nose, along the marionette lines and at the corners of the mouth and blend. If your skin is slightly dry from the harsh winter weather, mix with a dab of your moisturiser to help it blend better.

3 Apply foundation. Normally I like to apply with my fingers, and I always mix it with a primer however this look requires more coverage so apply your foundation neat and with a brush. Use a tapping motion with your fingers to blend.

4 Dust entire face with translucent powder.

5 Using a different powder brush, dust your non-sparkly bronzer over the forehead, temples, under cheekbones and under the chin. The reason non-sparkly bronzer is required is because we are using bronzer to sculpt the face, not to add a shimmery tan.

6 Fill in brows and strengthen arch. Keep this as natural as possible, excessive eyebrows in the wrong shade will kill your barely there look, so proceed with caution.

7 Add a dash of blush in either peach or pink to the apple of your cheeks. Applying blush on any other area or in excess will also defeat the purpose of this look so don’t be tempted to stray.

8 Apply mascara. If you’re not going to put individual lashes on, I would apply a few coats. You’re not going for Tammy Faye-tastic here, but you do want to add subtle definition.

9 If applying individual lashes (yep, that’s the oh so natural look all the models get) you want to apply them now. Put a spot of adhesive on the top of your hand (I prefer black tined adhesive because it really is invisible in all lights). Using tweezers, dip each individual lash into the adhesive and apply as close to your lash line as possible. You want to tuck each lash into the lash line as close as possible. Apply five or six individual lashes to each eye starting at the outer corner of the eye and ending half way over the mid-way point. Make sure you apply the same amount of lashes to each eye.

10 If you have full lips apply a sheer gloss in peach, pink or nude. If your lips are more fine than full, apply nude lip liner and fill the lips in with the same pencil.

Voila! Now you’re a perfect 10, ready to face the world, polished and effortlessly glamorous.

Celebs with powdering issues!

2011-07-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

Judging by the vanity rule - two is an accident three is a trend; it looks like excessive powdering has become an unfortunate Hollywood trend. Trust Ms. Lohan to take it to the extreme – yes those are her little feet in the silver stilettos!

Bethenny does beauty!

2011-07-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

Reality TV star Bethenny Frankel, who reportedly sold her Skinnygirl Margarita brand earlier this year for an estimated $100 million is introducing a skin and body care line this fall. Tailored for the mass market, Skinnygirl Face & Body Solutions and Skinnygirl Mommy will be sold in Walmart starting in November, just in time for the holiday season.

“A $150 eye cream is ridiculous and absurd.” Frankel says whose aim is to make skin care as straightforward and consistent as possible.   

What a difference a smile makes!

2011-07-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Admittedly I have an obsession with teeth, in part because I’ve spent a small fortune on mine and I still don’t have the Hollywood smile every A-lister flashes on the red carpet. Well guess what, before their big paychecks started flowing in, neither did some of them!

This summer's Hollywood obsession - Semi-Permanent Mascara!!

2011-07-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

Have we always been lash obsessed or is the ever-growing list of lash enhancing options fueling a newfound passion in us?

The latest beauty treatment sweeping Hollywood is semi permanent mascara, which promises to thicken your natural lashes by 30-50%. Cry Baby is a procedure that curls and coats lashes. The coating adds volume, length, curl and color, is 100% waterproof, making it smear-proof and lasts on average about two weeks. It’s ideal for active lifestyles as well as special events like weddings and vacations. If like me, you can’t leave the house without smearing sunscreen all over your face, this product will prevent your mascara and sunscreen colliding and sliding around your face – exit stage right raccoon eyes!

For more information log onto: www.crybabymascara.com

Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011 Beauty.

2011-07-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Pre-Fall collection by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen featured the ever-popular bold lip in deep autumnal colors. The hair was slicked to almost glass-like proportions giving the beauty look a clean masculine edge.

Fall 2011 - 5 Beauty Trends you can start wearing now

2011-07-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hot lips:

Spring/summer 2011 is all about bright lips in fuchsia, orange and red, and you’ll be happy to hear the bold lip trend will carry you into the fall in slightly deeper tones. If you don’t want to rush out and buy a new lippy, custom mix your lipsticks on the back of your hand just like make-up artists do. A great addition to any kit is black lipstick (currently sold in Mac cosmetic stores), as a touch of this will turn any summer shade into the perfect fall blend.

Bolder Brows:

Bolder brows dominated the Fall 2011 runways. If you’ve over plucked yours, our friends at Allergan are here to save the day as Latisse (commonly used for growing lashes) will actually help thicken inadequate or over plucked brows. Alternatively use a pencil (I like Revlon) or a soft toned eye shadow to fill in the brows and create a perfect arch.

Over the top lashes:

Over exaggerated lashes were seen at the Versace, Valentino and Lanvin Show. Apply multiple layers of mascara or opt for falsies – Oprah and Pamela Anderson are amongst the celebs that are known for wearing up to three pairs at once.

Metallic:

Shades of gold, silver and gunmetal are an instant way to add glamour to your look without straying from your neutral color palette. Add hints of metallic to eye lids for office chic or amp it up at night for cocktails with the girls.

Liquid Liner:
The sixties are hot again - as seen at the Marc Jacob's show. Since liquid liner is a classic that everyone can wear, it’s a look that is here to stay. I like gel liner, which, once on lasts all day even on the greasiest of faces. Try Makeup Forever or Bobbi Brown.

Is beauty ageless?

2011-07-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

According to a new survey of European women, prettiness isn't as dependent on youth as you might have guessed. Instead, women in Spain, Italy, France, and the U.K. ranked personality, confidence, skin, and hair as the four top traits that contribute to beauty.

Only one in four of them thought age was a contributing factor, and three in four said they didn’t mind looking their age, they just didn’t want to look any older than they actually are.

This summer’s street trend – Tie-dye Hair.

2011-07-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

Last year, the catwalks of London, Paris and New York were filled with models sporting disco diva hair & make-up, predicting that 70’s would be a big trend this spring/summer. Now, it seems instead of crazy color make-up and big hair, women are opting for tie dye hair instead. The trend has created quite a reaction, apparently it’s a trend you either love or hate. Lauren Conrad is amongst the first celebrities to tie-dye her hair. Personally I think it’s a fun trend, but if your opting for tie-dye hair this summer, go to a professional – this will ensure your look is catwalk-chic and not homeless-chic!

Backstage at Valentino Fall 2012 - with Pat McGrath & Guido Palau

2011-07-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

Pat McGrath described the beauty look at Valentino as “poetic” and “painterly.”   

Models’ got a dusting of gold on their eyes and a rosy stain on their lips.

Guido Palau created low-slung buns and loosened strands of hair on the sides of models’ faces.

“It’s like a Russian princess,” he said. Topping off the look were delicate tiaras made especially for the show.

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2012

2011-07-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

According to Jean Paul Gaultier’s team of hair stylists, the feather trend is going to be around until at least the end of 2012!

Paris -Chanel Fall Collection 2012 - Androgyny & Femininity.

2011-07-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Whilst there was no variation amongst the models hair & make-up at the Chanel Fall 2012 collection in Paris this week, the make-up was worth noting. Karl Lagerfeld explored the balance between androgyny and femininity in his collection and that really showed in the balance that the make-up teams played up with smoky rock n roll eyes and lace.

The metamorphosis of Sarah Jessic Parker

2011-07-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

Of course Sarah Jessica Parker is beautiful, but the pictures below highlight the importance of a great hair & make-up team!

Paris - Dior Fall Collection 2012 - back stage with Pat McGrath & Orlando Pita

2011-07-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

The hair & make-up team backstage at Dior’s fall collection in Paris this week brought some playful fun back into beauty.

Pat McGrath headed up the make-up team with Orlando Pita doing hair. The hair was frizzy yet architectural with influences being drawn from: Memphis & Frank Gehry. The make-up was sparkly metallic with a 70’s vibe and the influences were pulled from: Art Deco, Pat Cleveland and Murano Glass.

Pat McGrath described the look she created as “metalized” and “Rebellious”

Orlando Pita described his frizzy voluminous coifs as “ Very sculptural. Architectural with frizzy hair going off to one side”

Kate Moss - Wedding Day.

2011-07-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

Kate Moss chose to do her own make-up on her wedding day – and she looked almost natural. Her eyes had an understated rock n roll vibe with barely there black eyeliner; lips and skin were kept to a minimum. Her hair was styled by her long time hair stylist and friend, James Brown.

With Katy England and John Galliano in charge of wardrobe there was no chance of her looking bad on her big day!

Most direction looks from Milan Fashion Week Men’s Collections Spring 2012

2011-07-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

I was a little reluctant to post theses images as Milan Fashion Week’s hair & make-up departments fell a little flat in comparison to the spectacle Paris put on, but then I figured one man’s boring is another man’s wearable, so here are the highlights – enjoy!

Madelene de la Motte

2011-07-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

With her girl next door meets feral feline looks, this19-year-old Swede has made quite a splash as a new comer in the world of fashion. Signed by Marylyn barely seven months ago, she walked 14 shows in her first Fashion Week and recently landed resort gigs for Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Celine, Rag & Bone and Reed Krakoff. With that said, it should come as no big surprise that she just shot British Vogue with Mario Testino.

Paris Men's Collections - Most directional beauty for Spring Summer 2012

2011-06-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

From heavily tattooed boyish framed men with bowl haircuts to waifs with uber long hair, the men’s collections for Spring Summer 2012 in Paris this month didn’t disappoint. There was no lack of hair & make-up teams willing to push the limits of male beauty. Here is a sneak peak to my top picks for most directional male beauty from the Paris shows.

Backstage mens beauty - Paris Spring Summer 2012

2011-06-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

Add caption

Liberty of London

2011-06-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

Liberty, the London department store, has given its beauty hall a makeover, and the space has doubled in size to 5,000 square feet. The new department has also welcomed a host of new labels into the space. They include niche brands — which Liberty is known for carrying — such as Hourglass Cosmetics, Dermalogica, Colbert MD, Sachajuan hair care and Aromatherapy Associates. But, the store has also brought in well-known brands including Trish McEvoy, Decleor, Chantecaille and Bobbi Brown making shopping for make-up junkies even more fun!

Klum knows how to shine!

2011-06-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

Someone has been a busy lady. Not only has Victoria Secret model turned TV host Heidi Klum launched her signature scent Shine, she has just launched her own channel on AOL.com, heidiklum.aol.com.

In a deal reported to be worth $1 million AND half of the profits generated, Heidi Klum adds, “I wanted to launch a destination, Beauty, fashion, interior decorating, fitness, nutrition are all part of the channel.”

Beauty Disasters

2011-06-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Make-up and hair is like any knowledge we gain in our lives – some things we instinctively know, some things we learn from others and some lessons we learn the hard way. It’s the lessons we learn the hard way that bring the most hilarity. Known in make-up terms as “The Beauty Disaster”. What makes the beauty disaster hilarious (if you choose to focus on the humorous side) is that your original intention is to make yourself look fantastic, and the outcome as we know only too well is not only failure – its public humiliation because beauty disasters are easily spotted by other women.

Of course being the personality type that insists on learning every lesson the hard way you can imagine I have experienced my fare share of personal beauty disasters.

When I was fifteen I thought a home perm was just what my new haircut needed to give it a bit more oomph. Since my hair was short I enlisted the help of my grandma to put the rollers in. I remember being really impressed by her ability to get every last hair into all of the rollers, and when she was finished I happily bounced up stairs to apply the perm lotion in the bathroom. I don’t know how long I was in the bathroom, but I remember experiencing the whole gamut of emotions from shock to laughter to panic and then finally, when I realized no gel, hairspray or wax was going to calm down my sheep like locks - I burst into to tears.

Beauty disasters can and will strike at any point in your life. Just when you think you have hit an age when you know better or have no need to experiment with your look, a new product hits the shelves with an incredible marketing plan, and that niggling question pops into your head, “What? I can improve the way I look??” and every single one of us is fare game for another beauty disaster.

When I was in my mid twenties, I had been dating this guy for almost a year before I met his parents. Wanting to make a good impression, the day before the meeting I trotted off to my trusted facialist knowing that after an hour in her hands my skin would have a fantastic natural glow. At the end of the session I bought a concoction of different potions and lotions all hand made that I knew would maintain my newly acquired glow. In an over excited rush to get out of the door I vaguely remember her telling me not to use any scrubs on my skin for twenty four hours after the extraction. I never questioned this piece of advice, in fact I don’t believe I really acknowledged it, and of course that night I used a mixture of scrubs on my face and neck before slathering my skin with moisturizer and falling into bed.

Her advice came flooding back to me the next morning when to my horror I looked in the mirror and all over my face in places where the extraction had been particularly deep I had thick black scabs that were stuck to my skin like super glue. Not only were they stuck on with a vengeance; they were so dark that no foundation on this earth would have been able to camouflage this beauty disaster of phenomenal proportions. Trying to calm me, I remember my boyfriend saying, “don’t worry – my mum will just think you have bad eczema”

It has taken me years of working with some of the most beautiful women to really understand that we are all the same, no matter how we perceive each other we all experience the same doubts, disasters, humiliations and triumphs as far as our image is concerned.

I worked with this model once that got her upper lip waxed for the first time before the photo shoot we were on. She had really sensitive skin and ended up with an inflamed red shiny surface in the shape of a moustache, which was impossible to put make-up on and really painful.

I worked with another model that I gave a tub of gold body shimmer to just as we were ready to shoot. As she disappeared into the bathroom I instructed her to put just a small amount on her arms and legs to give them a glow for the camera – after five minutes I knocked on the door to see what was taking so long and she confessed she had used too much. I asked her to step out of the bathroom so I could see. She finally emerged looking like the Jill Masterson character in Gold Finger with a really sheepish look on her face.

Beauty disasters thrive on innocence and the desire to betters ones self. So in the spirit of innocence and desire I proclaim “Viva La Beauty Disaster!”

From East to West, Models Du Jour!

2011-06-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

These Asian beauties have proven themselves ones to watch in the world of fashion & beauty in a very short period of time.

Tao Okamoto  Her bowl hair cut is said to have launched her career. When the Tokyo-born Tao Okamoto hit the New York scene two years ago, she hit the ground running. She’s been photographed by the likes of Mert & Marcus and Steven Meisel for Allure, W and multiple editions of Vogue (Vogue Nippon devoted an entire issue to her.) Since the infamous hairstyle, Okamoto’s look has evolved—currently, she’s sporting a cropped boy cut—and she remains as in demand as ever.

Ming Xi  was born in Shanghai. Twenty-two year old Ming was studying fashion in her hometown when she was discovered. Peter Lindbergh, Hans Feurer and Lachlan Bailey have all shot her for Chinese Vogue—and she’s also worked with the likes of Mario Testino and Daniel Jackson.

Hyoni Kang Hailing from Seoul, South Korea, Hyoni Kang was the first Asian girl to win the Ford Supermodel of the World contest back in 2008 and she booked over 25 shows her first season in New York alone. But at home, she’s a veritable style icon. In addition to hosting a TV show, she also designs her own line of clothes with two friends (a stylist and photographer) which today are sold in their own boutique in Seoul, as well as Lane Crawford in Hong Kong and Singer 22 in the U.S.

Most appealing summer hair care launches!

2011-06-18T05:29:00.000-07:00

With summers’ “frying of the hair ritual” almost upon us, it’s always great to have a bag of tricks up your sleeve to avoid disaster.

Here are my top picks for innovative hair products put on this earth to make our lives a little easier and our hair a little more beautiful:

Catwalk by Tigi Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo, smells of tobacco flower instead of old ladies $19.95

Phyto Phytokeratine Reparative Shampoo, with hyaluronic acid, and a keratin filler restores and protects brittle damaged hair $24

Kerastase Age Premium Mousse Substantive is a collagen infused treatment/styler hybrid which contains calcium, ceramide and vitamin F to coat hair fibers and support cellular renewal $39

Braun Satin Hair 7 Iontec This battery-operated hairbrush promises to activate a stream of shine-infusing, frizz-controlling ions. A proprietary bristle technology prevents breakage and scalp damage $75

Hot summer lips 2011

2011-06-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Nothing screams summer louder than bright lip shades of cantaloupe and watermelon. Get ready to ditch your lip liners ladies, as this summers’ trend has given the seventies a modern organic spin. With textures ranging from ultra matte to super slick, there is a wearable lip trend for everyone.

Quick lip tips:

Moist, smooth lips not only hold color best, they look great too.

Make sure you keep your lips hydrated by drinking plenty of water and moisturizing your lips in the morning and after you brush your teeth at night.

Avoid over-exposure to the sun. The skin on our lips is delicate and more susceptible to burns, blisters and skin cancer. Opt for lip products with a minimum sunscreen of SPF 15.

Today's lipsticks are better formulated than those of the past, making lip liner pretty redundant in most circumstances.

If you have thin lips, opt for sheer glosses in the bright summer shades rather than opaque shades.

Online beauty shopping just got more exciting!

2011-06-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Stockngo.com, which was launched late last year, fuses convenience with warehouse-style prices and aims to become a “go-to” source for the growing ranks of consumers opting to buy health and beauty products online. 

Said to be the beauty industry’s answer to Costco and Overstock.com, the team that created the site worked on e-commerce sites for Giorgio Armani, Perfumania, Revlon and Elizabeth Arden before deciding to create its own.

They work hard for the money

2011-06-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

Who doesn’t love double duty beauty – knowing that something else in my day is going to work as hard as me gives a certain amount of satisfaction. Here is a round up of double duty products recently launched making our lives a little easier and a whole lot prettier!

Makeup   YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Collection This collection of six candy-colored lip balm/lipstick hybrids offers plumping and smoothing benefits, plus the immediate visual reduction of fine lines. $30   

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Shadow Collection Inspired by hues found in Italy’s natural landscape, these blendable two-tone pigmented shadows feature a proprietary Color Fill technology, said to deliver 24 hours of crease-proof color. $32   

Smash box limitless lip stain and Color Seal Balms  One part pigmented color, one part shade-sealing balm, Smashbox’s first lip stain promises eight hours of hydration and feather-proof wear. $21   

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Hint of Tint This multitasking-tinted primer shrinks pores and has a matte finish. Flaxseed and tea tree oils absorb shine and provide antibacterial benefits. $45   

Dior 5 Couleurs Lift Dior’s first eye shadows with antiaging skin care ingredients have hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Available in four-color variations, each has a universal base (in the center) that serves as a lid-lifting primer. $60

Tom Ford Beauty

2011-06-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

Lara Stone is the face of the much-anticipated Tom Ford color cosmetic line.

Tom Ford is known as a visionary with an incredible sense of style. Lara’s make-up in the ad campaign pays homage to the seventies, an era that was recently celebrated in the make-up category on the runways of Paris, London, New York and Milan. Not surprisingly Tom worked with the British makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury on developing the cosmetics, Charlotte is a renowned make-up artist and is a staple back stage at London and New York Fashion Week.

  Tom's vision includes reshaping the face with illuminating and sculpting products such as the Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate cream duet. He prefers color than a nude face: “For night, it’s a strong eye and a strong mouth.” Eyes are most definitely smoky, and the key is to “anchor” intense colors around the eye with a rim of kohl-effect pencil, said Ford. The end effect is the feminine aesthetic at Studio 54 circa 1978, the full glossy lips and thick brows, the sparkling eyes and the long flowing locks on characters including Jerry Hall, Lauren Hutton, Mariel Hemingway and Bianca Jagger.  

The Future of Cosmetics.

2011-06-13T16:50:00.001-07:00

Ancient Egyptians formulated red lipstick from mercury sulphide, which is potentially poisonous - this formula later became known as the-kiss-of death. Fast forward a couple of hundred years and things have greatly improved, make-up isn’t toxic anymore, in fact, make-up has become smart.

Today, cosmetics are being replaced with cosmeceuticals, cosmetics that leave you more beautiful when you wash them off. With the industry in a state of constant progression it’s exciting to imagine what the beauty industry will have to offer in the next decade. In 2010, Paris Vogue asked various cosmetic giants, “What is the future of cosmetics?”

Clarins claimed a self-adjusting skin cream that delivered just the right amount of nutrients, hydrations and vitamins for each skin, whilst Yves Saint Laurent envisioned a nail polish that lasted 15 days or more. Lancôme predicted a second skin in the form of stick-on patches that gave the illusion of less-droopy eyelids and Dior claimed, ‘Cosmetics will become as efficient as medicines’.  

Pretty exciting, even to the most cynical of us, and whilst long lasting nail polish is always a plus, I’m not sure if all of the predictions will come to fruition.

As a self-confessed beauty addict, I’m constantly searching for innovative cosmetics. These days you don’t have to look too hard to find cutting edge products that are successfully making our lives easier and more exciting. Serums that make our eyelashes grow, light reflective liquid foundations with color matching technology and silicone based moisturizers, which act as wrinkle fillers and pore minimizers.

Some of my favorite recent launches include: Josie Maran foundation, which balances and restores skin with argan oil. It also covers blemishes and fine lines with chameleon pigments, a color-matching technology that goes on white and then adjusts to skin tone.  

Kérastase Chroma Sensitive is the first sulfate-, paraben- and silicone-free, low-foam “cleanser” designed to protect hair color.  

Ricky’s NYC has created no-frizz hairbrushes that are infused with olive oil and keratin that smooth, defrizz and add shine to the hair. 

Almay recently launched a powder foundation that encapsulates coconut water to deliver instant hydration to the skin. 

So it seems the most exciting products of the future will create solutions to age old problems or give us something we never even knew we wanted. The make-up bag of the future will contain beauty products that help us defy time and reach our individual beauty potential; foundations that treat skin complaints and revive our skin, plumping out wrinkles and creating the kind of immaculate complexion most of us can only dream of, products that protect during the day and repair at night, we are already experiencing the tip of the iceberg. In the future, our makeup bags will be filled with cosmetics that help us perfect our beauty rather than covering or concealing it.

Chewbacca Chic

2011-06-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

If Chewbacca-chic isn’t the look your aiming for, here are five tips to show you how you can keep heat styling and coloring your hair this summer without sacrificing your healthy locks:

Trim the ends of your hair every six weeks. This tip can cause panic for those of you with long hair, but I can assure you, finding a hairdresser you can trust to take off the ends more frequently will result in thicker, shinier, healthier hair.
Over shampooing strips your hair of its oil that naturally keeps the hair moisturized. If you are guilty of washing your hair every day, try washing it every other day. If your hair looks really awful on day two, pull your hair into a ponytail or (like me) if your hair is too short for a ponytail, wear a hat. If skipping a wash isn’t an option, try a dry shampoo. Klorane, Oscar Blandi and Batiste are all great.
Put the moisture back in. Store shelves are brimming with products containing Argan Oil (also known as Moroccan oil); this wonder ingredient helps strengthen hair, moisturizes and has a natural sunscreen to protect hair color from fading in the sun. Adding a few drops of Argan oil to wet hair makes it instantly more manageable without making it feel greasy. If you don’t want to add another product to your routine, switch to a shampoo and conditioner containing Argan oil. I love Nick Chavez Thirst Quencher Shampoo and conditioner with Argan oil.
Eating right for healthy hair may seem like an old wives tale, but eating a diet rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Folic Acid and Vitamin C is known to support healthy keratin and prevent hair loss and thinning.

How to fake it!

2011-05-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, we’ve all heard the dermatologists mantra – “The safest tan is a fake tan”

but this annoying mantra stops short of the vital information needed to complete the higher beauty routine – what product – how do I apply it – are there any secret tips to getting it even???

Well as you know, new products are launched at an almost hourly rate making it hard to keep on top of the latest and greatest products on the shelves – so here are my current top three:

What Product?

St. Tropez Every Day Moisturizer and sunless tanner $21.00 4.5 Stars

Smells good for a sunless tanner. Loved the moisturizing effects on the skin. Tan was subtle.

Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray $10.49 4.0 stars

Easy application, great color. Price point makes this a great overall choice.

Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Crème $9.49 3.5 stars

Easy to apply, felt slightly sticky after application though. Great color, looked very natural.

How to apply?

Apply it systematically so you don’t miss any areas and pay careful attention to your knees, ankles, feet, elbows, hairline and hands, as these are dead giveaway points! Wash your hands, paying particular attention in between your fingers, as these will radiate a toxic orange color for days if neglected.

Any tips to getting it even?

Ladies – skin prep is vital when you apply fake tanners – freshly scrubbed and moisturized skin is the best foundation for an even fake tan. For best results scrub yourself daily in the shower for at least four days before you start applying a sunless tanner.

Summer Lovin'

2011-05-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

Here are my top products to make it through summer without cracking skin, snapping hair and sunburn:

Body Moisturizer: Got to love Two-fers! St. Tropez Everyday is a daily moisturizer that gradually builds a subtle tan. Freeing us up to do more useful things with our time than sunbathe!

Hair products: Make split ends a thing of the past with Thirst Quencher Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner by Nick Chavez. Its secret ingredient is Argan oil, which leaves your hair super smooth and silky without weighing it down.

Sunscreen: Burn no more baby! La Roche Posay SPF 60 is great, non-greasy, lightweight make up base. Science Pro Sunforgettable power comes in an easy to apply powder brush for make-up touch –ups on the go, with an amazing SPF 50!

Emerging Beauty Trend Autumn/Winter 2011

2011-03-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

London, Paris and Milan

The strongest beauty direction to emerge from the Autumn/Winter 2011 runways seemed to be the red/orange lip paired with slick hair. Hair had a slightly masculine edge with low side partings and a brilliant shine. Emphasis was definitely on the lips in varying tones of red/orange, which is great news for us as it means there will be a red that will suit all skin tones for this falls strongest beauty trend.

The high-tech home spa.

2011-02-22T10:53:00.000-08:00

Long gone are the days of whisking up your own masks and exfoliators from the contents of your fridge. These days home spas have gone high tech and can be equipped with dermatologist endorsed, FDA approved machines. Today’s consumer can buy at home mircro-dermabrasion machines, laser light therapy units that treat everything from acne and rosacea to age spots and wrinkles in the privacy of their own homes, as well as professional hair removal systems.

Here is my round up of high tech spa machines on the market today.

Light therapy units

Baby Quasar Red laser light therapy

For acne and ageing skin, the baby quasar improves texture, clarity and overall look of the skin. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Improves the appearance of enlarged pores and discoloration. Skin feels smoother, firmer and looks younger.

Also available is the Baby Quasar MD that is three times as effective as the Baby Quasar.

$399-$795

www.babyquasar.com

Tanda

Anti-ageing light therapy device

Smoothes and softens skin, hydrates and protects, firms and plumps and minimizes fine lines.

Also has an attachment that will treat acne.

Tanda 360 skincare duo $289

www.tandaskincare.com

Dermabrasion

Nubrillance

Diamond wand tip technology that safely exfoliates dead and flaking cells on the surface of the skin, revealing fresh, clear skin beneath.

Nubrilliance $249.95

www.trynubrilliance.com

Hair removal:

Karmissie

A do it yourself version of threading promises to gently remove dead surface cells and hair.

Karmissie Threader Deluxe Kit $125

www.karmissie.com

Want great legs? There’s a pill for that!

2011-02-18T13:49:00.000-08:00

Pills have become an emerging trend in the beauty industry. Whilst the merger of vitamin supplements and the beauty industry makes perfect sense, for the most part it has been unappealing to me as a consumer. I would rather eat my nutrients than swallow pills to compensate.

However this month saw the launch of Garden of Life Lovely Legs. A supplemental solution for more perfect legs. According to the manufacturer when taken daily the supplements help to reduce varicose and spider veins by promoting healthy blood flow and drainage. Who knew? Now if only those pills could add a little length!!!

Smells Like Summer

2011-02-17T09:03:00.001-08:00

It may be a little premature to predict this summers anthem, but the best scents of summer are classic and emote quality and luxury. They conjure up feelings of romance and exotic locations and whilst winter still has a firm grip on us nothing can transport us to the warmth of an exotic island quicker than a few squirts of bottled summer. Here are the top four summer scents from around the globe.

1 Love By Killian

2 Bond No. 9

3 Love, Chloe

4 Chanel No. 5

Spot light on Argan Oil

2011-02-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

The miracle ingredient du jour:

Argan oil, also known as Moroccan oil is Ayurvedic oil made from the nuts of the Argan tree. It is believed to help all sorts of hair and skin conditions including dry skin, wrinkles, acne, psoriasis, eczema, over processed, dry and brittle hair. It is high in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which is why it has excellent moisturizing properties. As if that’s not enough, it’s also a natural UV protection for both the skin and hair.

Rich in antioxidants and anti inflammatory, Argan oil also contains:

· Vitamin F (omega 6): anti-aging and moisturizing

· Vitamin E: UV protection, and neutralizes free radicals

· Phenols: powerful aid against fungus and bacteria, activates blood circulation and Vitamin C

· Triterpens: restructure cells and slows down cell aging

Squalene: suggested to prevent against skin cancer

With such heavy hitting properties, it’s no wonder Argan oil has become the darling du jour of the beauty industry. Here are my top five picks of available products using Argan oil:

Josie Maran Matchmaker Serum is a foundation, which balances and restores skin with argan oil. It also covers blemishes and fine lines with chameleon pigments, a color-matching technology that goes on white and then adjusts to skin tone.

Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak  This three-minute mask delivers argan oil and a conditioning blend of cocoa seed butter, sesame seed oil and safflower seed oil. ($25; Kiehl's)

Nick Chavez Angel wings with argan oil This lightweight pre-styling primer helps nourish, moisturize, and increase hair's elasticity without weighing it down. Not only does it work to strengthen and restore hair's softness and shine, it also provides increased manageability and enhanced color retention.

Melvita Capiforce Split Ends Serum Damaged Hair This moisturizing serum has softening olive and argan oils, hemp, apricot and sea beet to repair damaged ends. ($24; melvita.com)

Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Destress Express Hair and Body Treatment Oil Formulated with cooling, scalp-soothing extracts of jojoba and argan oils, this tackles hair and scalp damage alike, doubling as a calming massage oil. ($42; ABC Carpet & Home)  

Most directional beauty that came out of New York Fashion week: Autumn Winter 2011

2011-02-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Betsey Johnson

Make-up: Navy Blue smoky eyes extended out across the temples like an over exaggerated cats eye for stage drama. The inner rims of eyes were lined with black liner, which at times was also used to fill in the models eyebrows – cherry red satin stained the models lips. Skin had a porcelain look with a dewy feel.

Hair: Hair had a twenties feel with dramatic A line bobs augmented with lace effect sprayed on. Longer haired models had a more bo-ho inspired look with loose messy curls and a temple braid.

Monique Lhullier

Hair by Odile Gilbert for Kerastase. Hair was sculpted to its last inch with uber tight pony tails pulled to the top of the head and the ends formed into smooth shiny rings around the base of the pony tail.

Make-up by Val Garland for Mac Cosmetics. Eyes were cat-like and smoky taking a less traditional direction for the smoky eye in hues of navy, dark green and grey. Lips were understated in classic colors of coral, plum suede and toffee.

Carolina Herrera

Hair by Orlando Pita for Moroccan Oil. Moving away from messy updos, hair was polished and sleek with low side partings. Hair was pulled into low ponytails with the ends of the hair rolled and tucked into itself forming a neat detail in the nape.

Make-up by Diane Kendal for Mac Cosmetics. Make-up was understated and classic with black liner in a cat eye shape and deep ruby lips.

How to fake that glow!

2011-01-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

Is your gray winter complexion getting you down? Or maybe a winter get-away has given you a glow your not ready to say goodbye to just yet – whatever your skin predicament, this time of year is always tough on the skin.

Rather than focusing on the usual products that slough off our dry skin, I have decided to share some make-up tricks that I use on models who (just like us) get dull flaky skin in the winter and need immediate help to glow in front of the camera.

Here are my top 3 picks for products that really cheat the camera (and naked eye) into thinking the skin has never been neglected or had a bad day ever:

1 Clarins Beauty Flash Balm – an old favorite of mine. When applied to clean skin just before foundation, it really does create radiance in a flash! This creamy balm claims to tighten and brighten the skin, but from my experience it allows the foundation to sink into its moisture base creating flawless foundation even on the most difficult of dry skins.

2 New Cid Cosmetics – i-prime foundation primer. I love this primer and come rain or shine I add equal parts to my foundation every day before applying it to my face. It makes your foundation last longer and look flawless no matter how neglected your skin is looking underneath.

3 Lulu’s Time Bomb Youth Juice – Throw your hands up and shout - The secret to this little gem is mixing equal parts with your regular moisturizer – just a drop of each is necessary to really boost the skin’s moisture levels. This is particularly great on dry/ageing skin. Allow it to sink into the skin for 5-10 minutes before applying your foundation – just enough time to brush your teeth or finish your cup of tea.

How to wear current trends this party season.

2010-12-18T16:21:00.000-08:00

As you know, Autumn Winter 2010 trends are graphic – eyeliner has a rock n roll vibe, ranging from the classic cat eye to smeared almost sweaty liner that looks like you’ve been up all night. Lips are bold too, in wintry shades of dark purple, blackened plum and cherry red.

If your going for the classic cats eye (opt for gel liner as it has the longest staying power) I like Make-up Forever gel liner. Apply it with a clean damp make-up brush for a precise finish.

If choosing the smeared eyeliner with a rock n roll edge, apply night cream to your eyelids and allow it to dry. Then use pencil eyeliner across the edge of the eye (top and bottom) include the wet line of the eye too. Smudge the line using your finger and reapply liner. You may have to do this a few times until you build up the right amount of color for you. The longer this look is on the better it looks so you may want to start your make up a few hours before you intend to show up at the party.

If your lips are full opt for a bold lip in cherry red, blackened plum or dark purple.

Ladies with less in the lip department should opt for a sheer gloss in the same color spectrum or choose to throw the color emphasis on your nails instead and keep the lips neutral.

Bad Girl Glamour

2010-11-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

Once the stamp of street gangs and biker chicks, this season has seen tattoos get a couture makeover with designers such as Rodarte, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel.

Now that the temporary tattoo has been elevated to Beauty’s newest “IT” accessory, the likes of Beyone and Betsy Johnson have joined the club making the body art trend even stronger AND available to the masses.

This trend goes hand in hand with Autumn/Winter 2010 beauty looks of graphic and bold make-up. Wear the temporary tattoos with cat's eye liquid liner and painted nails in hues of plum and dark purple for a cutting edge party look that is fresh, bold and totally soluble!

Beauty Trends Spring Summer 2011

2010-11-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

Colorful, Graphic, Playful & Bold.

Hair:

Hair conveys a message of decadence, power & sophistication this season with heavily stylized versions of 70’s disco diva hair.

Whilst London and New York saw big hair inspired by Studio 54 and the disco era, Paris and Milan saw a much smaller silhouette of the same trend, with more beauty & sophistication making the trend much more wearable.

Finger waves and a sleek bun were the focus at Prada in Milan, giving us a beautifully modernized version of a 1930’s silhouette.

Lips:

Milan Fashion Week paid special attention to the lips this season, with bright hues of orange, red and fuchsia. Gucci went for glossy lips whilst models at Marni wore their shades in a matt finish. In Paris, Pat McGrath opted for deep burgundy lip-gloss at the Louis Vuitton & Mui Mui shows, adding more color options to the “Loud Mouth” trend.

Eyes:

Brightly colored eye shadow washed across the entire eyelid in bold hues of yellow and turquoise was seen on the runways of Dior, Lowe and Kenzo. In London, glitter was the focus of this seventies beauty revival, with two tones of glitter worked all the way up to the brows with a surprising air of sophistication and decadence.

Pointed Manicure

2010-10-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Nail trend to try right now: The pointed manicure is a trend that has been slowly simmering for some time, first in Europe (apparently originating in Russia) and more recently state side.

Whilst the moon manicure had a large presence on the runways for Spring/Summer 2011 under the category of Twisted Neutrals, the pointed moon manicure with it's claw like shape has already been seen on celebrities like Fergie, Dita Von Teese, Rhianna and Beyonce.

The new backstage beauty star.

2010-10-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

For years nails were totally overlooked backstage, like the unimportant cousin in the beauty clan. But the runways for Spring/Summer 2011 witnessed the meteoric rise of nail art being pushed to extremes the way make-up and hair have enjoyed for decades. Of course that means some of the trends are un-wearable to the masses but that didn’t kill the buzz that was generated.

This is the second season that nails have been at the forefront in beauty trends. Last season we saw matt textures for the first time with Opi playing a major role in the launch of that particular trend.

This year it was the team from Dashing Diva that became a major player in the “backstage beauty teams” propelling nail art to a whole new level on the international fashion scene.

The top four trends to emerge:

Twisted neutrals – Dashing Diva created a pointed black & white French nail for the Jose Duran show – the pointed nail shape combined with the color scheme made these nails really stand out. Another color combination that held its own in the “Twisted Neutrals” category was from Sally Hansen at the Tracy Reese show - nude with a delicate orange stripe was fresh, subtle and oh so spring-like!
Jazzy Decals – Nail artist Kristina Estabrooks from CND used a combination of crushed glass and Swarovski crystals to create jewel incrusted nails.
Pop Art – Behind the scenes at the Alice & Olivia show, the team from Minx created polka dot nails, and across town the team from Opi opted for cheetah.
Rock n Roll – metallic and foil were prominent in this category. The team from CND amped up this season’s metallics in hues of Silver Chrome, Putty and Ice at Gotex. The Dashing Diva team’s new gold dream at Cushnie et Ochs was created with gold foil layered very heavily and then purposefully chipped to give it a real rock n roll edge.

Bazaar beauty ingredients

2010-10-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

Breast milk, bulls semen, bird poop and even babies foreskins are being hailed as the ultimate fountain of youth for skin and hair in today’s beauty market. It seems the most disgusting ingredients can be sold to us at extortionate prices if the sales woman manages to keep a straight face as she is explaining the benefits.

Whilst visiting my dermatologist the other day, feeling particularly vulnerable as I was sitting semi-reclined in the cold, stark office waiting for her to enter the room, my mind darted back to a previous dermatologist who had managed to sell two bottles of anti-wrinkle serum at over $300 a pop to my sister and I.

I remember her being over enthusiastic about the results she had seen with this particular product, and she was raving about the rarity of the ingredients, babies foreskins nonetheless.

It didn’t matter that my sister and I (at the time) were in our late twenties and didn’t really have much in the way of wrinkles, or that our average food budget for the entire month was roughly the same as the cost of this bottle of cream. Her overwhelming enthusiasm and promise of a full refund if we didn’t like the results snake charmed us into parting with our money.

We left the building that day full of hope that the product would actually deliver results and that we hadn’t been duped.

It took us a few days, but we returned the products, demanded a full refund and never went back to that particular dermatologist.

As I sat there remembering this ridiculous encounter, I had to stop myself from laughing out loud, obviously for fear of looking like a crazy woman, semi reclined and laughing alone in a cold white room, but I couldn’t help but wonder, what other absurd ingredients are being sold to vulnerable women the world over with the promise of eternal youth.

Here are six, of the most bazaar:

1. Elicina Cream - contains 80% snail secretion

YEP – SNAIL TRAIL CREAM.

ELICINA cream claims to stimulates the regeneration of your skin, improving skin elasticity, softens and aids the skins natural ability to regenerate itself from fine facial lines and wrinkles, stretch marks & hyper pigmentation.

www.elicinanz.com

2. Mother’s Moon Breast Milk Soap

Mother’s Moon soaps are made from the breast milk of the company’s owner who calls herself the barefoot storyteller.

Apparently this business was born in honor of her son's first birthday, when she wanted to give her friends who attended the celebration something special that they could take home with them. The soap was made from her own breast milk during the "Mothers Moon" that May, and named “Mothers Moon Milk-Soap”

Breast friend – no more!

www.freedompondmoonworks.com

3. Collagen Marshmallows 

These wrinkle-busting Collagen Marshmallows contain 3000mg collagen peptides per pack, and are said to pump up the body’s collagen levels, in turn aiding skin flexibility, softness and resiliency. My inner fat girl loves this concept. However, I can’t help but wonder if the fullness in your face comes from basic weight gain!

www.eatyourselfbeautiful.com

4. The Nightingale Facial at Hari's salon in London - sounds fancy but is literally a facial made of bird poop. Victoria Beckham is apparently a fan and claims it keeps her complexion luminous – dull skin has never sounded so good.

www.harissalon.com

5. Bull’s semen hair conditioning treatment. It seems Hari's salon in London has yet more unexpected uses for animal effluent.

Hari's intensively moisturizing hair treatment contains the sperm of organically reared Angus bulls.

Apparently the sperm is incredibly high in pure proteins that penetrate the hair deep into the shaft, nourishing it from within.

Salon staff claim that the effects of the sperm carry on working days after it's been applied, and customers rave that they've never seen their hair look so shiny.

www.harissalon.com

Live fish pedicure.

An ancient treatment devised in Turkish spas and popular throughout the whole of Asia, these tiny toothless fish - known as doctor fish - have a penchant for devouring dead skin. The fish produce a chemical in their saliva that softens outer skin layers, which they then painlessly nibble away at, ridding feet of dead skin and revealing healthy, new skin beneath.

www.skintherapyireland.com

The life changing Brazilian.

2010-10-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

You know you have thick stubborn hair when your hairdresser insists on having two appointments just to cut it. After years of experimenting with products and refining my finishing technique I had finally learned how to whip my hair into submission with little to no fuss at all – weather permitting of course.

Just as I had a handle on it I started hearing about this revolutionary technique called the Brazilian. Mostly from my friend Amanda who painstakingly took two appointments every month to make me look semi-human with her outrageous haircutting skills.

Being a skeptic - had she not been a life long friend, I would never have believed the words she was using to describe this treatment – “life changing, makes your hair soft and glossy - you don’t have to blow dry – leave your house with wet hair” WHAT????

This sounded too good to be true. Of course the treatment came with a pretty hefty price AND since I frequently cut my hair short, I decided that I just wasn’t ready to make the splurge.

However – recently, I had the opportunity to be a model for a friend who had just taken a “Brazilian Straightening” class and wanted to practice. I jumped at the offer and had the oddest experience.

First of all, everything Amanda said was true. My hair was soft and unbelievably shiny. It sat close to my head and had weight to it (completely opposite to the coarse wavy weightless space fro I was born with) – the ends of my hair looked shattered without me having to plaster them in oil, in fact I stopped using hair products altogether, I only needed shampoo and conditioner. I took full advantage of the fact that I could wash my hair and leave the house sans blow dry, straightener and product rigmarole. What an experience – it not only shaved hours off my “get ready” time - it had me fully convinced “I was a low maintenance chick after all”!

What’s so odd about that right? Well, what I hadn’t bargained for was the realization that the hair I thought I always wanted wasn’t as perfect as I had imagined. Washing my hair became an every day event because by day two my hair looked like it hadn’t been washed in a week. It was so straight that getting any kind of bend in it was more than a challenge. Essentially I had a new hair type, which I had to learn how to take care of in order for it to look its best.

Overall, the Brazilian treatment has a lot of benefits. It certainly is life changing - for about three months. For me, the benefits outweighed the negatives but I must warn you – Whilst the Brazilian addresses many hair problems it also kills volume!

Creative Nail Design launches Shellac.

2010-05-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Creative Nail Design recently launched Shellac, a hybrid nail polish that is between a gel and a polish - which apparently means we can say goodbye to chips nicks and smudges.

Like any new product, there are pros and cons and Shellac is no exception.

Shellac is a soak-off hybrid that is easily removed in ten minutes. It must however, be soaked in a special formula. It’s a professional product so it can only be applied and removed in salons. It is applied like a regular nail polish but between coats nails must be put under a UV light dryer. There is no smell or stickiness to the formula and it lasts a full 14 days without chipping.

But is it enough to drive women back into the professional nail salons? Email us your thoughts/experience at info@kittenvixen.com

Obviously at the forefront of nail technology and trends, Creative Nail design mixed one-of-a-kind nail shades for Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu’s AW runway shows this year.

SHE Magazine event in London

2010-05-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

Last month, She magazine linked up with HSBC bank to throw the first ever “She Means business” bash for an evening of networking and fun.

The event took place in London and set a platform for some of the country's leading businesswomen to share their opinions on how to succeed which was followed by a runway show.

Kitten Vixen Cosmetics sponsored the runway and we were happy to provide our smoky eye kits in jewel tone colors for the goody bags.

Here is a sneak peak behind the scenes and on the runway too.

Loopy for lashes.

2010-04-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

The lash extension phenomenon has been brewing for quite some time. Ask any beauty junkie worth her salt and she will attest to having had a decent sized infatuation with lashes for at least eighteen months. Now reports suggest that lash products are the fastest growing sector in the beauty industry —so it seems the lash phenomenon has gone global. Here are your options should you wish to join in the flirty fun:

Topical conditioning treatment:

Latisse is available through most dermatologists. It guarantees longer thicker fuller lashes in just six weeks. The formula is a conditioner that is applied to the eye once a day in the same manner that you would liquid eyeliner. Originally developed for people with glaucoma - this formula in tests has proven to be affective for women with all sorts of eyelash complaints, whether they are short, fragile or thin!

RRP: $99.00 for 3 ml.

Lash extensions: This process takes about two hours and promises over a month of fluttery, dark, extra long lashes. This treatment comes with a fairly steep price and a set of rules that if broken could put your promised month of fluttery fun in serious jeopardy! Prices range from $150 - $350 and the rules include not opening your eyes or talking in the application process, not getting your eyes wet for the first three days, no oil based cleansers and makeup removers and no waterproof mascara – water-soluble is allowed. If you intend to abide by the rules the remarkable result this process delivers is enough to make even your most loyal girlfriends green with envy!

FAIL-SAFE FALSIES : Individual lashes are by far the most natural looking of the temporary eyelashes on the market today. These look more difficult to apply than they really are. Available at most drug stores. Opt for duo glue in a dark tone to adhere the lashes.

London based facialist Linda Meredith weighs in!

2010-04-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

London based facialist Linda Meredith who’s clients include everyone from Lilly Allen to the Queen of England weighs in on skin type and skin issues of the modern woman:

There's no such thing any longer as dry, oily or combination skin. We are all dehydrated because of our exposure to chemicals and preservatives and the medication we take. Our lifestyle is completely different from 50, 60 years ago. As soon as you take an aspirin, you're dehydrated. If you're on the pill or antibiotics, you're dehydrated. My approach is not to deal with skin types but skin problems.

When people tell me a client looks flawless, I say, “You don't see her in real life with no make-up on.” I know what they look like close up, and it's not perfect. A lot of the younger ones like Sienna (Miller) smoke, drink and are on and off planes. They need me more than before, because we live in a different world.

Many of my clients are airbrushed in pictures. There are only a handful of people with flawless skin.

LINDA MEREDITH Health & Beauty Clinic

36 Beauchamp Place Knightsbridge London SW3 1NU

020 7225 2755

Chemical Free Product of the month!

2010-04-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

Dr Bronner’s soap is not only Fair Trade and certified organic, it’s vegetable based, biodegradable and made with essential oils. Oh - did I mention is vegan too?

Since we know that our skin absorbs up to 60% of what we put on it – this fantastic smelling shower soap makes the girls at Kitten Vixen very happy indeed!

Beauty Trends Autumn Winter 2010

2010-03-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

Perfect Pout:

Strong lips are here to stay just a little longer, but of course the colors have been winterized. This season’s runways were full of graphic lined lips in bold hues of dark purple, blackened plum and cherry red.

Seen on the runways of: Kinder Aggugini, Donna Karan and Proenza Schouler.

Graphic eyeliner:

Bold eyeliner with a rock n roll vibe. This look is edgy, ranging from a classic cats eye with a retro feel to a wet, almost sweaty eye that looks like you’ve been up all night.

Seen on the runways of: Monique Lhuillier, Betsy Johnson, L.A.M.B, Cynthia Rowley and Sarah Lucero.

Shadow people:

Eyelids were a wash in deep hues of smoky plum, deep eggplant, metallic blue or charcoal grey. This look is bold with colors covering the entire lid from the lashes to the eyebrow.

Seen on the runways of: Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam and Diane Von Furstenburg.

Hair:

Sexy slept in hair with an un-done vibe. Hair was blow-dried and backcombed, dry shampoo was used to create volume and a messy matt texture. Flyaways were left untamed to add to this imperfect look.

Seen on the runways of: Marchesa & Vera Wang

Who's make-up sizzled and who's fizzled on the red carpet?

2010-03-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

Blue is the new black - with Nicole Ritchie, Mariah Carey & Maggie Gyllenhall to name a few - all wearing deep blue gowns – those in know (Michelle Tuzee) paired it with a smoky blue eye for double pizzazz! But who cares about the gowns – this is a beauty blog, so lets get down to the real nitty gritty!

Whose make-up & hair was blah blah bland & who nailed it in the beauty department and sizzled their way down the red carpet!

In this season’s true beauty fashionista form:

Bright lips:

Vera Farmiga (Up In The Air)

Sandra Bullock (Blind Side)

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)

Cameron Diaz

Deep toned short nails:

Amanda Seyfried

Miley Cyrus

These ladies kept it current and added a dash of glamour – FANTASTIC!

Sizzled:

Zoe Saldana (Avatar) Vava voom – hair swept up in an understated loose bun and cats eyes with extra long lashes paired with a nude lip – you nailed it girl!

Vera Farmiga (Up In The Air) loose chignon pink lips – simply stunning!

Amanda Seyfried Smoky gunmetal eyes and matching toned short nails makes her look a winner – fresh, young and not too serious – shame about the militant slicked down hair, get a new hairdresser next year girlfriend.

Fizzled:

Carey Mulligan (An Education) – great haircut cut - BADLY STYLED! Desperately needed a young hip color on the nails to pull her look together.

Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air) so young and so (yawning as I write this) BORING!

Mo'nique (Precious) mono–tone make-up (where’s the color girl) could have carried off a stronger lip color to bring vibrancy and make her really sparkle.

Mariah Carey (Precious) pretty in pink & pretty stuck in a make-up rut!

Off the beaten track:

Sarah Jessica parker smoky eyes with a hint of sparkles and yellow that looked great against the yellow gown – nude lips – no fashionista in the beauty department but fantastic non-the less –we love it!

Model du jour - Iris Strubegger.

2010-03-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

Model, Iris Strubegger’s meteoric rise to fame was in part due to her hair. Not because she has luscious long silky locks that every hair company sells us as the benchmark of beauty, but because she allowed hairdresser, Didier Malige to cut off her long locks and buzz off the sides, transforming her image and giving her a sexy tough edge with a nineties androgynous feel.

It was this image that she graced the cover of French Vogue last year. “It’s sort of funky, but it can also be elegant” Strubegger says of her cut. “Now people see me as a special character that they can work with. There are so many girls with long blonde hair, sometimes its also good to have some new inspiration and new ideas”.

She walked in 56 shows for Spring 2010, opening Marc Jacobs,Dolce & Gabbana and Lanvin and closing for Rodarte, Isaac Mizrahi and Bottega Veneta, clearly sexy tough is in high demand!

Is your Rudolf impression getting old?

2010-01-26T12:40:00.000-08:00

It’s cold, wet and grey and as if that wasn’t bad enough, your nose has become the local temperature gauge. Whilst it could be argued that the “Rudolf look” is cute if it doesn’t match your shoes, purse or gloves its time to get rid of it.

Here are my top tips to overcome your chaffed red nose:

Use a gentle exfoliator to remove the dry skin. Make sure it has moisturizing properties to help re-hydrate the rest of your skin. I like Aloe Vera Facial Scrub from Devita International $23.49
Apply a calming cream to reduce the redness. I like Jurlique Balancing Day Care Cream with chamomile and rose $40.00
Apply a primer to your nose. This will help lock in the moisture and will create a smooth canvas for your foundation. I like Korres Face Primer $9.00
Apply your foundation to the red area by gently tapping it in - so as not to rub anything away.
Set with a light powder. If this step highlights any stubborn dry skin that isn’t ready to come off, warm it up slightly by touching it with your fingers – this should take the edge off the powder and reduce the visibility of the dry skin.

What to get him for Valentine’s Day.

2010-01-24T17:29:00.000-08:00

He’s more gadget savvy than you but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle to find him a useful gift for Valentine’s Day.

The newest skin treatments for men promise to be restorative and preventative AND come in man friendly packaging – so give him a gift this Valentine’s day that you can both enjoy – soft, kissable skin!

Here are my top 3 picks:

Arcona Men Clarity Aftershave/spot repair for face & body

Theses soft round pads come pre-moistened with aftershave tonic to control razor burn, reduce pores and combat ingrown hairs. The lactic acid and witch hazel formula can be used on both face & body to keep break-outs at bay $28

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-puffer

This glide on cooling stick contains stress reducing arctic root, softening hibiscus extract, caffeine and honey to refresh and hydrate the under eye area $18.50

Jock Soap Heavyweight champion extreme hydration compound

With an ingredient deck that includes marine minerals, squalene, cucumber and apple stem cells this moisturizer doubles up as an anti-ageing treatment $42

How old is too old when it comes to my cosmetics?

2010-01-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

I get asked this question all the time, but one time in particular always sticks in my mind. I was asked by my friend’s mum if I would go through her make-up bag with her and help her discard the products that were too old. I happily agreed to her request unaware of the awkward situation that lay ahead.

She spread the contents of her make-up bag on the kitchen counter – every product was from the luxury category, I would say the whole thing collectively cost her around $800.00. Needless to say I was impressed with the products she had chosen to use. Systematically we went through every product and I asked her “How long have you had this?” and every time she would say a minimum of a year, some products more than 18 months.

After going through her entire bag she was left with two items – a lip liner and an eyeliner. She seemed puzzled, so I explained that the reason she could keep the pencils was because every time you sharpen a pencil you essentially sterilize it by taking off the outer layer. I never witnessed her throw the cosmetics away – so whether she took my advice or not will forever remain unknown.

The problem with keeping make-up too long is the amount of bacteria that collects in each product. There are ways to prolong the life of certain products, but before I explain a few make-up artist trick’s I am going to run through the life expectancy of the basics:

Lip Gloss (wand applicator) 2-3 months

Lip Gloss (tube) 3-6 months

Lip Stick 1 year

Mascara 2 months

Pencils (lip & eye) until they finish

Foundation (oil based) 1 year

Foundation (water based) 6 months

As you can see the life expectancy varies quite a lot and is almost entirely down to the way we apply the cosmetic.

Here are a few make-up artists’ tricks to keep your cosmetics sterile for longer:

· Buy disposable applicators for your mascara and lip-gloss from the beauty supply store. Do not use the applicator that the product comes with, open the product, use the disposable wand once (no double dipping) and throw it away, then put the original wand back into the product to store. If you follow these steps you can keep the product until it runs out.

· Buy 99% alcohol from the beauty supply store and decant it into a small spray bottle. Spray the surface of your pressed powders (foundation and eye shadows) and wipe off with a clean dry tissue. Do this once a week to prevent bacteria build up.

· Always use clean hands when applying your make-up.

· Use disposable sponges to apply your foundation and never put your fingers directly into the bottle. Tubs of anything have a very short life expectancy because of contamination from our fingers.

· Wash your make-up brushes every week to fortnight. Use a mild shampoo and rinse thoroughly

· Seal the bottles tight to avoid bacteria build up

· Store in a cool dry place. The bathroom is not a good place because they are typically moist from the steam.

Remember the worst things to hold onto for too long are eye products as these can cause serious infections. When in doubt – throw it out!

3 tips to keep your skin glowing through the winter months

2010-01-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

So we are half way through winter and I would be surprised if half of us have made it to this point without the usual winter skin symptoms - flaking body skin, gray, dull and lizard like legs and knuckles, lips that have peeled themselves raw, not to mention the flaky scalp that’s just plain embarrassing!

Well, here are my top 3 tips to keep your skin glowing amidst the central heating, hot showers and freezing temps that we are being exposed to.

Do not exfoliate – I know its tempting. If you really need to - limit exfoliation to once a week in the shower and use an oil based exfoliator to help re-hydrate your skin.
Always moisturize your body when you step out of the shower. I like Johnson’s 24 hour moisture, extra rich body lotion – cheap and effective.
Cut hot showers and baths down to shorter periods, as hot water strips natural oils from our skin.

What’s new in my make-up bag?

2010-01-05T14:35:00.000-08:00

It’s costly to change every product in your make-up bag all at once, so I like to change certain products as I finish them. One that I almost always change is my foundation, mostly because the needs of my skin changes constantly with the weather AND that little problem called aging! Also, because technology is constantly developing its quite exciting to see what improvements the make-up companies have made to existing formulas and new launches that have hit the market since I last splurged on my foundation.

Anyway, the one I chose this time was Clinique’s “Even Better” foundation which promises to even out and correct skin tone – big deal I hear you say – yeh me too, isn’t that the sole purpose of a foundations existence?

Well, this one promises a little more. The brand's first dermatologist-developed make-up, “Even Better” foundation combines skin care technology derived from Clinique’s treatment franchise to help restore uneven skin tone and diminish the look of discoloration over time – WITH OUT MAKE-UP! I know, I was shouting, but how exciting is that? Make-up that virtually erases the need for make-up – (as the ads are claiming)!!!!

As you can imagine, vanity triumphed and as soon as my Armani foundation was through, I headed to the Clinique counter to get my grubby mitts on the exciting product.

So far, I love the consistency. I love the coverage and the color too. I’m not quite ready to brave the world sans foundation, but it is only day seven – I’ll keep you posted on the progress.

Nourishing Nuts!

2009-11-28T17:41:00.000-08:00

Nuts seem to be the magic beauty ingredient du jour, with their nourishing nut oils and exfoliating qualities.

Here are my top 3 picks to keep you glowing this season:

Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash

$18 Target, Whole Foods

This exfoliating cleanser contains essential oils from blood orange, macadamia nut and sandlewood topped off with a spicy citrusy scent.

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream

$29.50 Origins counters

A cooling cream packed with awakening ginzing, skin calming caffeine and dullness fighting chestnut extract to help diffuse under eye darkness.

Love ÷ Toast Mandarin Tea Hand Cream

$9.00 Urban Outfitters

This citrus scented formula contains nourishing macadamia and sunflower oils to keep hands hydrated all winter long.

Karlie Kloss – The face of Dior – Spring 2010

2009-11-28T17:09:00.000-08:00

At the tender age of seventeen Karlie Kloss has experienced a meteoric rise to fame in an industry only a select few have conquered.

Indisputably the star of the season, Karlie was seen on the runways of Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi, Dior, John Galliano and Thakoon to name a few. She has graced the pages of American, Italian and British Vogue, and is also the favorite of photographers David Sims, Juergen Teller, and Patrick Demarchelier. This fall her ad campaigns include, Chloe, Sportmax, Lacoste and Lola Fragrance. As the face of Dior Spring 2010, it seems Karlie’s journey has just begun!

Round up of beauty Spring Summer 2010

2009-11-28T14:40:00.000-08:00

Dollywood – also referred to as The Sex Doll

This look is extreme. Skin is very pale with a matt finish. Lips or eyes are brightly painted in an ultra feminine OTT way. At times the lashes are over exaggerated and drawn on for a “Barbie still in her box” feel.

Tom Boy

Some of the most in demand models on the catwalks this season were sporting chic cropped haircuts. Iris Stubegger, Tao Okamoto and Ranya Mordanova graced the runways of Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Givenchy and Chanel. Make-up was kept to a minimum to enforce the androgynous feel.

Magenta Madness

From a glamorous forties pout to a glossy disco sheen, magenta madness is all about the lips. But fear not, the shades vary from magenta and orange to raspberry and cherry so this look really can suit us all. Skin, cheeks and eyes are kept to a minimum to really let the lips take center stage.

Golden Glamour

Lazy summer days inspired this sun kissed palette. Big shiny hair, soft smoky eyes in gold and lavender tones. What really pulled this look together was the bleached eyebrows – at times extreme but not always.

Grunge girl – also referred to as Sisters Grim

Inspired by Tim Burton mania – this gothic fairy tale look was evident in both colors and textures. From blues and greens used on the eyes to matt nail polish in black, even the hair had a matt texture. Skin is kept clean and pale.

Fake awake.......

2009-11-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

With party season looming its always great to prepare your make-up bag for all of the little cosmetic disasters that go hand in hand with burning the candle at both ends.

Since eyes are the biggest sleep deprivation giveaway here are my top 3 picks for eye creams that can patch you up for the grueling work hours ahead:

Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment

This lightweight cream addresses melanin formation and poor microcirculation both major causes of dark circles. It also contains multi-luminizing powder with light diffusing properties to instantly bring luminosity to the eye area.

Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.

$50.00 .54 oz

Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel

An eyelift gel that hydrates, depuffs and smoothes away fine lines. Is also free from parabens, sulfates petro chemicals and synthetic fragrance.

$38.00 1 oz

Dr Haushka Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream

Helps fight premature aging, firms and hydrates delicate skin around the eyes. Fast absorbing formula that can be worn under make-up.

$51.95 .42 oz

Party on………

What's in my make-up bag this season?

2009-10-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

It’s so easy to get stuck in the safety net that a make-up rut creates. With little time on our hands and the pressure to always look our best, the thought of changing our beauty routine and colors can strike fear into even the most seasoned of beauty junkies.

I get countless emails from you guys every day asking for wearable trend advice - that’s why I have decided to open up my make-up bag every season so you can see the minor tweaks I make to my product stash to keep my look current and classic.

The trends:

This season has seen a splurge of activity in the nail color department with a huge choice of not only new colors but different textures to choose from as well. I love the new matt and suede nail polishes from Opi; these are an instant way to update your look without even changing your regular make-up routine. However, my top pick this season in the nail category has to be Baby Goth Girl by Mac cosmetics. It’s current and edgy with its metallic undertone but it’s also the most wearable with its beautiful deep burgundy/black color.

Navy Blue eyeliner is a hot trend this season, one I am all too willing to embrace as navy gives the illusion of brighter, wide awake eyes. Of course I’m loving the Kitten Vixen eyeliner mascara duo in Naughty Girl Navy – it’s the perfect depth of blue to really maximize the wide-awake look.

Glitter eyeliner – Urban Decay have launched a line of heavy metal glitter eyeliners – I love to apply the blue over my navy eyeliner to add a cheeky sparkle.

Gun metal is another big trend and to change up my look I have chosen Bobbi Brown’s long wear cream eye shadow in Galaxy and Mac’s mineralize eye shadow in Cinderfella both are easy to apply and have staying power.

The staples:

The foundation I’m loving right now is the Armani cream to powder foundation. I go for the cream as it’s a slightly thicker consistency than the silk foundation. Both are great but I have melasma, which needs a slightly heavier foundation to cover.

Concealer: The concealer in my kit is from Kevin Aucoin, I like his concealer because it has more pigment than you will ever possibly need. Mostly I dilute the consistency with a bit of moisturizer but it provides perfect coverage on any type of boo boo imaginable.

Eye primer: If you have oily skin, or like me have oily wrinkly skin, eye primer is essential if you don’t want to have your eye make-up half way down your face by lunchtime. I like Mac Prep and Prime Eye and I use it under my eyes as well as on the lids to keep everything in place.

Lips: Keeping your lips fully hydrated is always a battle, but it gets more difficult in the winter months. I love to keep a stick of pure cocoa butter in my purse at all times to keep them fully protected from the elements.

Never a dull moment - winter skin care guide.

2009-10-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

In winter, getting skin to glow can be an up hill battle.

The sun is replaced with wind, rain and extreme cold - all of the elements that make our skin dry, dull, irritated and ready to jump ship. Putting the glow back in starts with the skin prep long before make-up is applied and should become routine if you want to glide through the winter months looking dewy, fresh and fabulous.

Here is my full body routine, with a few of my favorite products that help get the job done.

Exfoliate at least once a week. If you have skin that is visibly cracking or flaking exfoliate every other day until the dry skin has gone. I like:

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer: With its high-performance cocktail of exfoliants it prompts a renewal process that is multilevel and time-released and it continually unveils brighter, more radiant skin.

Day cream – this is vital if you want your foundation to look natural. I like:

Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream: A rich, luxurious daily moisturizer. Sooths, nurtures and renews sensitive, dry and weather-damaged skin.

Night cream – can be much heavier than your day cream to give your skin a good chance of re-hydrating whilst you sleep. I like:

Burts Bees Radiance Night Cream – the nourishing Royal Jelly naturally replenishes your delicate facial skin with essential amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and key minerals.

Moisturizing mask: So eighties but oh so necessary in the winter. I like:

L’Occitane Ultra Comforting Mask

Under eye area – this skin is delicate and will certainly need a boost in the winter months. I like:

Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller - it features precision micro-rollers that gently massage in a concentrated, hydrating anti-aging treatment that will reduce eye puffiness and regenerate skin's appearance to diminish fine lines and wrinkles.

Lips: So many lip moisturizers contain alcohol and other ingredients that dry your lips out over time. Make sure you go for the most natural lip moisturizer you can find. I like:

Cococare 100% Cocoa Butter

Hands need special attention in the winter if you want to avoid ashy, cracking knuckles – I like:

L’Occitane Lavender Hand Cream

Body moisturizer – best applied when you get out of the tub or shower for maximum absorption. I like:

Nivea Body Smooth Sensation. Enriched with Gingko Extract, Shea Butter and Vitamin E.

Bath: Nothing beats a soak in the tub when you're chilled to the bone. Soak away the chills and moisturize your skin at the same time. I like:

Lush Dreamtime Bath Melt with lavender and chamomile.

3 simple recipe's to create a home spa experience.

2009-10-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Citrus "Mood Lift" Bath Blend

Squeeze the juice of:

1 orange

1 lemon

1 lime

1 grapefruit

Put juice into a jar. Combine peels in a blender; blend until minced very fine. Add to juice. Pour as much as desired into bath water.

Calming Bath Blend

1 drop rose oil

1 drop chamomile oil

2 drops sandlewood oil

2 drops clary sage oil

Add oils to bathwater and enjoy your soak.

Sleepytime Bath Blend

4 drops bergamot oil

3 drops lavender

Add oils to bath and relax.

Austerity Chic

2009-10-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

With less money in everyone’s pocket, the economic down turn has brought on a whole new out look to our beauty routines and the ageing process.

It seems vanity is yielding to practicality. Instead of trying to look young with botox and cosmetic fillers women are trying to look good for their age, and instead of being pampered in spas and salons we are opting for the home spa instead.

Mintel beauty research (April 09) astonishingly revealed that the 'Lipstick Effect' had been replaced by 'Austerity Chic, and a recent poll on Glamour.com exposed a whopping 70% of their readers who took part in the poll could no longer afford to get their pedicures done in a salon, and that’s not all:

· 76% said they no longer get massages

· 75% polled said they could no longer afford a facial

· 61% now maintain their own eyebrows

· 51% no longer get their hair blow dried in the salon

· 27% have stopped getting their hair colored altogether

In short, 2009 has become the year of “austerity chic" or looking good for less. As few of us are prepared to ditch our make-up bags and brave the world o’natural, we have stopped splurging on all of our previous beauty indulgences and are getting back to basics.

Fall/Winter skin care guide

2009-10-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

With winter just around the corner skin preparation is vital if you’re going to survive the brutal weather with your skin in tact. Here’s how to glow this winter on a shoestring budget:

Skin type: Sensitive skin

Symptoms: redness, ruddiness & irritation

Prone to: rosacea & eczema

Use products that reduce the redness and irritation like licorice extract, soy and Feverfew

Cheap & cheerful: Eucerin, & Aveeno

Skin type: Oily clogged pores

Symptoms: enlarged pores

Prone to: breakouts

Use products that contain salicylic acid or retinoid (by prescription only)

Cheap & cheerful: Neutrogena oil free acne wash, Biore unclogging scrub or Terralina gentle facial exfoliator

Skin type: Over exposure to sun

Symptoms: photo damage

Prone to: melasma, dryness & discoloration

Use products that contain: retinol, vitamin C and peptides

Cheap & cheerful: Olay Pro X & Neutrogena deep wrinkle Serum

Skin type: Dry Skin

Symptoms: Irritated, inflamed & itchy skin

Prone to: flaking

Use products that contain: ceramides, lipids & nicotinamide

Cheap & cheerful: Cerave moisturizing cream, Olay Total Effects Cleanser & Dove Sheer Infusion.

Heavy dose of optimism for Spring 2010 beauty color palette

2009-10-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

In stark contrast to the Fall/Winter 09 trends of matte and metallic textures of grey, graphite and blue, Spring 2010 is looking to a much brighter future. Skin was kept flawlessly sheer to provide a clean backdrop to the brightly colored lips in shades of tangerine, magenta and fuchsia in the Prada, Missoni and Marc Jacobs shows. Botegga, Baby Phat and Luella kept lips nude and made the eyes the focus in startling pop art and cats eye styles.

How exciting ladies the future’s so bright; we’ve got to wear shades!

Lipstick - who knew?

2009-10-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

The ancient Egyptians formulated a purple-red color from a mixture of chemicals, which unfortunately lead to serious diseases - this formula later became known as the-kiss-of death.

Cleopatra’s lip color was made from crushed beetles and ants.

The Egyptians also created a shimmering effect from the scales of fish.

In 1770 Parliament in England passed a law against lipstick with the warning that women who seduced men into marriage by means of make up could be tried as witches!

At the end of the 1800’s French cosmetics company Guerlain were the first to create commercially successful lip rouge. Until then lip color was made in the home.

Max Factor invented lip-gloss in 1928 during a film shoot in Hollywood.

In the aftermath of Second World War the diameter of the lipstick itself, became identical in size to 12.7mm cartridges.

A survey in 1996 revealed that 87% of American women surveyed admitted to leaving lipstick traces on places where they should not be!

2004 saw the market launch of the first modern day lipstick for men (man-stick) created by Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Organic, chemical free Perfume - and that's not all!

2009-10-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Following up on the trends emerging from this month’s Beyond Beauty Expo in Paris we found a great example of a forward thinking company that wants to look after the environment as well as our bodies.

Being content is in the UK and has totally embraced the organic, chemical free, locally sourced, recycle and restore concept.

The store has been outfitted using recycled vending machine coffee cups, wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, organic paints and 2^nd life objects all apparently without compromising the boutique shopping experience.

Packed with organic and environmentally friendly products, we love the new organic scent Strange Invisible Magazine Street, which comes from a collection of strange invisible perfumes that are completely botanical. They are free of synthetic preservatives, genetically modified ingredients, parabens, petroleum, coal tar and industrial phthalates and are not tested on animals. Also, as if that wasn’t enough, the entire collection is set in a base of 100% organic grape alcohol.

Evidently ladies, the bar has just been raised. Lets hope this is just the beginning of a totally new chapter in the beauty industry.

Content Beauty

14 Bulstrode Street

London W1

Tel: 020 3075 1006

shop@beingcontent.com

The Strange Invisible Perfume range is available to USA residents at:

SIP Boutique

800.919.7472

Tomboy or Vamp - which one will you be this season?

2009-09-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

With the Fall/Winter 09 trends separating into two distinct categories, beauty’s line seems to be a little more blurred between the camps.

Whether you are a tomboy or a vamp there are some cross over beauty trends that both parties will be sharing this season, with a few styling tweaks of course!

Tomboy:

Disheveled short hair
Nude skin
Barely there eye liner in an edgy navy blue tone
Nude or berry stained lips – more remnants left behind than freshly painted.
Chewed Painted nails – most likely in Matt black, grey or navy blue

Vamp:

Big Lauren Bacall Hair - windswept
Barely there foundation
Soft smoky eye, in gold tones
Red lips – also not perfect, but bolder in color than the Tomboy
Freshly painted nails – also matt but in a chic film noir tone or if matt is just not your thing metallic in shades of gold, graphite or bronze.

Nail Trends Fall/Winter 09

2009-09-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Rarely does nail polish get so much coveted attention in the world of fashion. This season not only have the color choices been brazen but the texture has been changed giving us a whole new perspective on nail polish altogether.

With Matte polish in the center of the storm, Opi have brought out six colors to choose from with black and film noir red being at the forefront of the trend. There is also a clear top coat available that will matte any shade you already have in your collection so the choices are endless.

Of course, to any trend there is a counter trend and this season metallic has made a come back in standard gold and bronze tones but also a fresher graphite tone has emerged giving both camps (shiny & matte) an edgy feel.

In the Matte camp the hottest colors are:

Grey

Black

Film noir red

Navy blue

In the shiny camp the hottest colors are:

Metallic gold

Metallic graphite

Metallic bronze

With such a daring color palette to choose from nails look best kept on the shorter side with a slightly rounded edge.

Beyond Beauty Expo September 09 Paris France

2009-09-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

France has long been at the forefront of organic cosmetic manufacturing and the trends emerging from the Beyond Beauty Expo held in Paris this month had some particularly exciting new additions to the health and beauty industry.

As to be expected there was a clear emphasis on organic, vegan and ayurvedic beauty products, with companies merging the use of color therapy and aromatherapy for a more holistic approach to skin care. It seems we are going to be sucking on our supplements - with one company making supplements into sweets that we can suck on the go!

Green is certainly going mainstream:

There were a lot of beauty brands joining forces with indigenous communities around the world to take a stand against the exploitation of developing nations.

It is also apparent that natural and organic cosmetic companies are increasingly sourcing fair-trade ingredients and launching certified products. These fair-trade projects protect endangered plant species and encourage sustainability. The use of fair-trade ingredients helps people invest in the improvement of communities.

Rise of the Chemiganics:

Conversely, the number of skincare brands adopting the highly scientific position was interesting, validating the chemiganic trend. It seems apparent that although we as consumers want naturals, our primary goal is to look young and beautiful. The chemi-ganic will not compromise on efficacy; she will fight the ageing process organically as far as possible, but won't say no to the odd bit of chemical help and there are many companies that are willing to help her plight.

Rise of the educated Consumer:

It is clear from the number of brands that are hero-ing specific ingredients and technologies that consumers are actively seeking out botanical natural-ingredient-based products. Clean brands with simple biodegradable, recyclable or non-air-freighted packaging are becoming more accessible i.e. Dr Hauschka, Nude and Green People.

Despite the fact that there were many brands in the organic/natural section, the overarching observation was that there was a distinct lack of natural, organic or vegan color cosmetics on the market. Hopefully this will change in the near future.

Lara Stone - "The most wanted face of the moment" and perhaps provocateur of a size revolution!

2009-09-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

Lara Stone is a mere 25 years old and yet her career in the fashion industry already spans a decade. Her trademark gap between her two front teeth have earned her the nickname of “The gap-toothed beauty”, and her size 6 frame has the likes of Bruce Webber calling her “big bad and beautiful”.

Her list of accolades seem never ending. She was listed as one of the ten new models to watch by Vogue magazine, featured in an Elle article “Supermodel Generation”, on a W cover that declared her “The most wanted face of the moment” and Vogue Paris not only put her on the cover of its February 09 issue, but also gave her center stage as sole model in the entire magazine that month.

However, most interesting to me are the whispers that her size (American 6) is what will be the start of a model size revolution. In an industry where size 0 and 2 is the norm, Lara Stone has been quoted as saying some days she feels fat.

Having walked the runways of Mui Mui, Stella McCartney, Jean Paul Gaultier, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs and Chanel to name a few it seems that curvy girls are beginning to make their way back on the international runways - could this actually be the return of the fuller figure in fashion?

NYC Runway/Fall 09 Beauty Trend Watch

2009-09-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

New York Runway Fall 09

Beauty Trend Watch

Go nude is the order of the day – barely there make-up with nude lips – now before you start to panic at the thought of your features disappearing into the back of beyond here is the color life line all of our faces need – the nude spectrum is being paired with hues of deep purple, crimson, navy blue, black and grey – all totally wearable for the likes of the average Jo-anne on the street (that’s me and you)

Of course these runway looks are taken to the extreme – lips are colored with matt foundation to make the models appear alien-like and the eyes are smudged in lashings of color rather heavy handedly - this is to add to the stage presence of the models and should not be replicated for your trip to work on the train – unless you really really want the attention!

Here’s how to make it current and wearable:

Go for smoky eyes in crimsons and navy blue, but remember keep it subtle for day time and build it up for drinks or a party at night.

Pair with a beautiful nude lipstick in subtle tones of caramel or peach that will add life to your skin and lips rather than taking it away.

Wrinkle Warfare

2009-09-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Long gone are the days of buying a skin cream just because your mum and your granny swore by it.

The latest and greatest not only come with a pedigree that boasts the appliance of serious science but with a promise to reduce the look of your wrinkles and boost the radiance of your skin. Further more (and this part could quite easily be clever marketing) allegedly the top six have a waiting list of wrinkle savvy consumers scrambling to be the first to get their baggy little mits on the miracle jars before its too late!

Chanel Ultra Correction Line Repair / Ultra Firming Night Cream

Claims to: Boost skin elasticity and make your wrinkles less pronounced.

UK Pounds: 82.00

US Dollars: $165.00

Available at: Chanel.com and Chanel counters nationwide

Sisley Supremya at Night The Supreme Anti-Aging Core

Claims to: Rejuvenate skin by stimulating the natural regeneration of cells whilst you sleep.

UK Pounds: 435.00

USA: $750.00

Available at: Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman and www.sisley-cosmetics.com

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20

Claims to: Reduce the look of dark spots and discoloration and boosts moisture levels in your skin. Apparently it can also improve the clarity of your skin by 75% if used with Corrector Sister product twice a day.

UK Pounds: 32.00

US Dollars: $39.50

Available at: Selfridges and www.clinique.com

Cauldalie Premier Cru The Cream

Claims to: Tackle loss of firmness, wrinkles, dryness and dark spots by incorporating natural active ingredients from grapes and their clever little stalks.

UK Pounds: 89.00

US Dollars: $150.00

Available at Sephora and www.cauldalie.com

Lancome Absolute Precious Cells

Claims to: With the help of stem cell science - help restore cells to create a more youthful skin.

UK Pounds: 118.00

US Dollars: $ 145.00

Available at: Harrods and www.lancome-usa.com

3Lab Perfect Cream

Claims to: Using bioengineered growth hormone - tones, firms, hydrates and lifts skin at a cellular level whilst discouraging pigmentation.

UK Pounds: 80.00

US Dollars: $175.00

Available at: www.3lab.com

London Beauty Trend Report

2009-09-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

This seasons catwalk trends will be interpreted the world over with every city putting their own slant on the looks they have just witnessed on the runways.

London is one of the edgiest cities in the world in terms of fashion so it comes as no surprise to see catwalk beauty broken down into four of the most extreme trends that are not for the faint hearted.

Here they are:

THE SEX DOLL

Seen on the runways of: Alexander McQueen, Prada and Miu Miu

Skin is very pale (think gothic/vampire) with a matt finish

Lips are bright red and outlined in true clown fashion.

No eyebrow or eyelash definition - this look is pure shock value best left to clubbers and street performers.

GRUNGE GIRL

Seen on the runways of: Versace, Twenty 8 Twelve and DSquared

Barely there foundation, pale moisturized lips topped off with short dark and preferably chipped nail polish to make the look utterly convincing.

This look is more wearable than it sounds and can be attempted by most age groups minus the chipped nails.

THE DISCO DIVA

Seen on the runways of: Kinder Aggugini Nathan Jenden and Marc Jacobs

Experimentation with color eighties style – the more intense the lip shade the better. Pair it with eye popping shadow in the fluorescent color range and you will have nailed this look.

Personally I think the only good thing to come out of the eighties was the music – the make-up and hair should remain in the historic vault that it belongs in.

GOLDEN GLAMOUR

Seen on the runways of: Chloe, Jean Paul Gautier and Bottega Veneta

Big shiny hair, eyes are soft and smoky in gold tones but color is swept up to the eyebrow for more drama. Pale lips finish this look.

Very wearable indeed – the devil is in the interpretation!

As Promised Here Are My top picks from the Ulta Event:

2009-08-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

Beauty trends Autumn 09

2009-08-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

I know – we are barely getting into the swing of summer and already we are having fall trends forced down our throat. Chill – depending on where you live - we still have approximately forty-six days of summer left to relax and contemplate our autumn beauty color palette.

As usual we have five strong looks emerging from the catwalks. All over exaggerated in theatrical style as only the international make-up teams who work behind the scenes of the catwalks could produce.

Here are the top five beauty trends this autumn:

The smoky eye - never far from any catwalk – this season the look has been layered with lashings of black - navy blue has been used in the corner of the eyes and drawn up into the black in an uber dramatic feline shape – courtesy of Pat McGrath for Versace.
The 80’s were back at Marc Jacobs – feline flicked eye liner over emphasized in neon colors of oranges, yellows and deep purple topped of with backcombed Mohawks only a super model could pull off.
In true form Carolina Herrera kept her look simple and clean with peach washed eyes, sheer foundation and a shine line on the cheekbones for added luminosity on the skin.
Mochino took us back to the 50’s with a twist – his models wore matt cherry red lipstick and the eyes had dramatic feline shaped liquid liner drawn above the eyelids and ending at the brow bone for a theatrical twist.
Alessandro Dell’Acqua channeled the 70’s with dramatic smoky eyes and extreme 70’s style blush in golden tones topped off with golden metallic lips.

As usual these looks have been created for maximum impact under very strong lighting – here are my top three picks for autumn that can be worn by the rest of us who don’t roll out of bed looking like Gisele Bundchen:

Navy blue eyes – whether you are opting for a full on smoky eye or just a hint of navy mascara, from a beauty perspective navy blue gives the illusion of whiter brighter eyes that we all benefit from no matter what age or ethnicity we are – golden rule here is to go for the deepest navy you can find – light blue just doesn’t cut it and further more can look really cheap.
Feline shaped liquid liner can be worn by almost anyone – pair it with a matt lip for the evening but make sure the lip shade is a color befitting to you – if your not comfortable in red tones try peach which is a universal beauty tone.
Carolina Herrera’s barely there look is great for the daytime and can easily glide into the evening’s events by topping it up with a glossy lip in peach or pink.

Here comes the bride…..

2009-08-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

No pressure ladies – but as a bride, not only are you expected to look effortlessly beautiful on the day itself – evening included – but the photos and video taken of the day have to stand up to years of scrutiny - changing fashions and all!

So here’s my list of do’s and don’ts to glide you through the day:

Stick to basic beauty colors – theses include sophisticated jewel tones as well as peach, subtle pinks and browns.
So what if your wedding is themed – doesn’t mean your make-up should be!
If you are hiring a make-up artist insist on a two hour practice session at least a week before the event – this gives you enough time to make sure the artist is capable of giving you the look you want on the day and enough time to replace him/her if the practice doesn’t go to plan. Most good artists charge a small fee for this service but if you plan it on an evening that you are going out you can make the most of it.
Be realistic – just because the artist is professional it doesn’t mean he/she can make you look like Halle Berry or Cindy Crawford on your wedding day.
If your budget allows – hire two make-up artists that are able to do hair as well – one for the bride and her mother and one for the brides maids – this will ensure complete calm for the bride in her preparation time.
Make sure you don’t have any obvious tan lines showing when you are wearing your dress – this should be dealt with in the few weeks running up to the big event. Get a spray tan or if you are confident - apply it at home yourself – but wearing a strapless number with an obvious farmers tan is something you will never live down! (look up fake bake tried and tested on this blog for a list of our current top 4 self tanners)
If you don’t have a budget for a make-up artist go to a make-up counter a few weeks before the big day and explain to the make up person that you are looking for bridal make-up. Have her apply your make-up and buy yourself a small kit so you can apply it yourself on the day. I recommend a good foundation, water resistant mascara, blush and lip gloss – keep it simple! Dont forget oil bloting papers and a small tin of breath mints to keep in your purse on the day.
If your feeling like a hair color change do it six weeks before the wedding – this gives you enough time to correct any mistakes and if you like it – just get a touch up on the roots a few days before the big day.
Make sure your nails are immaculate – I love Essie’s Vynl Bikini & Sugar Daddy for a sophisticated barely there well groomed look.
Remember – the man you are marrying loves you just the way you are so don’t go over board on make-up and hair – aim to look like yourself- just a little more polished than usual!

Fake Bake - Tried & Tested

2009-07-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, we’ve all heard the dermatologists mantra – “The safest tan is a fake tan”

But the mantra stops short of the vital information needed to complete this higher beauty routine – what – how – where from etc.

Well as you know, new products are launched at an hourly rate and new formulas make it hard to keep on top of the latest and greatest fake tanners on the shelves – so the team at Kitten Vixen have put four drug store brands to the test so you don’t have to sweat it this summer.

Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray $10.49 4.5 stars FIRST PLACE

Easy application, great color. Price point makes this a top overall choice.

Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Crème $9.49 4.0 stars SECOND PLACE

Easy to apply, felt slightly sticky after application though. Great color, looked very natural.

Mystic Tan Lotion $38.00 3.5 stars THIRD PLACE

Nice finish and easy to apply as it’s a spray. Not so fun spraying the face but color was worth it. Price point lets it down.

Tan Towel $25.00 2.5 stars FOURTH PLACE

This gave a pretty descent tan, nice tone and no streaking – however there are five towlettes in each box and two are needed to cover the face and body. The instructions on the box say reapply 2-3 times a week so this self-tanner works out as one of the priciest products on the market.

Quick note:

Ladies – skin prep is vital when you apply fake tanners – freshly scrubbed and moisturized skin is the best foundation for an even fake tan.

Apply it systematically so you don’t miss any areas and pay careful attention to your knees ankles feet elbows hairline and hands, as these are dead giveaway points!

On set with Gigi - Grand Canyon West Rim

2009-07-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

Viva La Beauty Disaster

2009-07-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

There is an unspoken expectation that as women we instinctively know how to apply make-up. I’m not sure where this expectation originated but I can’t tell you how many women I have applied make-up to, who are embarrassed at their lack of make-up skills. Some even complain that their mother never showed them how to apply it. I, on the other hand am grateful my mother chose not to pass on her make-up skills – I use the word “skills” in the loosest of terms of course. If she had I would no doubt be a thirty five year old woman applying make-up with seventh grade skill and precision.

Make-up and hair is like any other piece of knowledge we gain in our lives – some things we instinctively know, some things we learn from others and some lessons we learn the hard way. It’s the lessons we learn the hard way that bring the most hilarity. Known in make-up terms as “The Beauty Disaster”, what makes the beauty disaster hilarious (if you choose to focus on the humorous side) is that your original intention is to make yourself look fantastic and the outcome as we know only too well is not only failure – its public humiliation because beauty disasters are easily spotted by everyone!

Of course being the personality type that insists on learning every lesson the hard way you can imagine I have experienced my fair share of personal beauty disasters.

Then there was the time when I allowed a hairdresser friend of mine to talk me into an experimental haircutting technique. My hair was about jaw length at the time and the way he described the haircut made it sound really interesting, so in the hopes of him making me look really cool and different I sat in his chair and allowed him to work his magic. As he picked up his clippers with a grin on his face doubt set in, and in an instant a large chunk of hair was lifted from my temple area and shaved off – I couldn’t believe it – there was no going back. He continued to work around my head lifting and shaving off clumps of hair until I looked like I had a terminal illness. After quite some time in the chair I ended up with Sinead O’Connor’s signature do. Knowing that I simply didn’t have the confidence to pull it off I hid under a hat until it grew back.

Another thing about beauty disasters in general, they can and will strike at any point in your life. Just when you think you have hit an age when you know better or have no need to experiment with your look, a new product hits the shelves, marketing strategies go into overdrive and every single one of us is fair game for another BEAUTY DISASTER!

When I was twenty-five I had recently started dating a guy whom I quickly moved in with. We had been living together for almost a year before I met his parents. Wanting to make a good impression, the day before the meeting I toddled off to my trusted facialist knowing that after an hour in her hands my skin would have a fantastic natural glow for at least a week. At the end of the session I bought a concoction of different potions and lotions all hand made that I knew would maintain my newly acquired glow. In an over excited rush to get out of the door I vaguely remember her telling me not to use any scrubs on my skin for twenty four hours after the extraction. I never questioned this piece of advice, in fact I don’t believe I really acknowledged it, and of course that night I used a mixture of scrubs on my face and neck before slathering my skin with moisturizer and falling into bed.

Her advice came flooding back to me the next morning (the morning of the meeting I may add) when to my horror I looked in the mirror and all over my face in places where the extraction had been particularly deep I had thick black scabs that were stuck to my skin like super glue. Not only were they stuck on with a vengeance; they were so dark that no foundation on this earth would have been able to camouflage this beauty disaster of phenomenal proportions. Trying to calm me, I remember my boyfriend saying, “don’t worry – my mum will just think you have bad eczema”

Beauty disasters thrive on innocence and the desire to better ones self. These are qualities that every single one of us posses, and should never forget. So in the spirit of innocence and desire to better ones self, I proclaim “Viva La Beauty Disaster!”

Share your beauty disasters with us at the Kitten Vixen Beauty Blog.

The top three beauty disasters each get a smoky eye kit in the color of your choice.

The Rise of the Chemi-ganic

2009-07-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who flatly refuses to use a microwave, spends copious amounts of cash a month on a nutritionist and a fancy yoga club membership, but happily fills her face with synthetic fillers because she simply can’t stand her marionette lines, quite a contradiction, but one that has not gone unnoticed in the world of beauty journalism! Welcome to a new lifestyle breed, the “Chemi-ganics”.

According to Helen Brown at The Times, Chemi-ganics are women who are just as likely to be found among the seeds and pulses aisle of their local Fresh & Wild as they are in the waiting rooms of their dermatologist.

It seems the natural-meets-high-tech approach to beauty, is becoming quite a phenomenon, with larger than life media icons spearheading the movement. Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Demi Moore have all adopted holistic, macrobiotic, spiritual and organic lifestyles, avoiding chemicals in their quest for the fountain of youth. However, these women are clearly embracing the chemical laden “quick fix” that their dermatologists are offering too.

We are at an important cross roads in the beauty industry, as consumers we are becoming more conscious of the negative effects of chemicals on our bodies and to our environment, and we want change, however we do not want to change anything that might be detrimental to our product’s performance. In short, if pushed, we choose beauty over moral philosophy, but ideally we want both! Since this movement is in its infancy it will take some time for these contradictions to iron themselves out.

At Kitten Vixen we face this dilemma daily as we endeavor to make our products as clean as possible without compromising the integrity or quality of the final product. I know from experience that currently, mixing up color cosmetics that are totally free of chemicals produces sub-standard and sometimes nauseating formulations. Our team rejected countless formulations when creating our lip-glosses because we wanted to ensure that the product was as organic and natural as possible, without compromising on the integrity of the products.

Our philosophy is “If we can use a natural or organic ingredient without compromising the performance of our products, we will and we will never test on animals”.

So at least for now our global awareness, coupled with current industry limitations means as women, as consumers and as cosmetic makers we must all compromise and walk the fine line that is “chemi-ganic” in the hopes that one day we are able to blossom into satisfied and possibly even smug Pure-istas.

Confessions of A Drag Diva

2009-06-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

Drag Diva’s are drag queens that have stood the test of time – their personalities and talents transcend other drag acts and their passion towards the art of drag is clear to all who are fortunate enough to witness it.

My dear friend Rui is one third of a drag diva team that make up The Naughty Nipples.

Based in Germany The Naughty Nipples travel throughout Europe hosting award shows and are frequently the opening act at fashion-ista parties and events.

Here Rui gives us unprecedented insight into the Making of A Drag Diva and candidly explains make-up tricks and tips that he has learned along his path to Drag-Diva-Dom!

Tell us how you got your start as a drag queen?

The first time I dressed up in drag was for carnival (European Halloween) it was about 14 years ago. Before that point I couldn’t imagine myself ever doing drag, but there was a large group of us that night (twelve) and somehow the atmosphere of us all together having fun made it much easier and funnier than I thought it could possibly be.

What was your first experience of putting make-up on?

The first time I transformed into a woman I was fortunate enough to have a friend who was a professional make-up artist apply my make-up for me. I sat in a chair away from any mirrors – I just trusted him. When he was finished I looked in the mirror and I was shocked! I couldn’t believe my eyes; it was like somebody else was starring back at me. To this day I am still amazed at the transformation that is achievable through make-up. I think the lesson I learned that day wasn’t so much how to apply make-up, it was that every man can be transformed into a woman and that as humans we all possess masculine and feminine qualities. Mine just happen to come out when I am in drag!

How did you learn to apply your make-up?

Before I started getting involved in the drag scene I had absolutely no experience with make-up at all. I made my living as a model and dancer, so sitting in a make-up chair and having light foundation applied was about the extent of my knowledge. Drag make-up is much heavier and it changes features rather than enhances them so I set about reading books because I was so fascinated with the art form and really wanted to learn. Kevyn Aucoin was the master in changing features so his book was what I deferred to mostly. I also had help from the other two members of The Naughty Nipples.

What is the best beauty tip you ever received?

One of the best make up tips I got from a make up artist was to spray hairspray over my face. It leaves a protecting film over the make up so that when you sweat your make up does not run down your face. When we perform as The Naughty Nipples a lot of the venues are clubs, so it is always hot inside and when you dance its impossible not to sweat. Of course I keep my eyes closed when I spray the hairspray and try not to inhale but this tip has kept me looking fresh on many occasions.

What inspires your different drag looks?

Inspiration for my different looks comes from all kind of sources: a girl I see on the street, the new fashion styles from Paris, New York and Milan. I also read a lot of magazines. I think to pull inspiration from multiple sources helps make my different drag styles unique.

Are there any make-up mistakes you have learned the hard way?

I always struggle with my eye make-up – I’m a perfectionist so I would say it’s a work in progress.

How is drag make-up different to regular make-up applications?

Make up for drag is different than make-up for women because we have to change our features from masculine to feminine. There is a natural softness to a woman’s features that most men do not posses. Because of this the make-up application has to be heavier and more exaggerated to overcompensate the naturally occurring hard lines of a man’s face. We put wax on our eyebrows to cover them up completely and then we draw our eyebrows up much higher onto our foreheads so we can achieve a feminine arch. I think regular make-up applications are more about enhancing what a woman has naturally than changing anything.

What is your favorite make-up secret?

One of my favorite make-up secrets is the basic highlight and shade technique because it has a very dramatic effect on the face. For instance, I like to bring out my cheekbones so I make the top of them lighter and darken the area underneath them and around my forehead. I like to put a highlight down the center of my nose and darken the rest of it so that I look more feminine and sophisticated – more like a woman because a woman’s features are more delicate.

The basic principles are if you want to highlight a feature you lighten it and if you want to hide a feature you darken it – there are endless possibilities.

Do you consider yourself a female impersonator, an entertainer or both?

I am an entertainer – I just happen to play with the gender – for me drag is all about being something between a man and a woman. Ultimately my personal goal is to be alien-like.

What piece of make-up can you not live without?

A drag diva cannot live without lipstick! Even if you are not made up you can always wear huge sunglasses a wig and your favorite lipstick and still looks feminine and fabulous!

Do you feel like you act differently towards other people when you are dressed in drag? If so why?

When I "drag up" I slip into a role. It’s a lot like acting. I become a different person and the most exciting part of it is I can be anyone I choose to be!

How did you learn to walk in high heels?

I was lucky to experience dance from a very young age, and I was a dancer for many years. That experience gave me a connection and understanding with my body that I think really helps when I put heels on. My advice for women who don’t have such good balance - practice at home as much as you can before you go out in them – wash the dishes in them – vacuum the floors – it’s fun! There is nothing worse that wearing heels you can’t walk in – the goal is to look sexy and you won’t look sexy if you are walking like the hunchback of Notre Dame!

What do you think the secret of being feminine is?

Just be yourself! Everyone is beautiful when they are being their authentic self.

Deconstructing Dolly

2009-06-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

“I’m just a backwards Barbie in a push up bra and heels might look artificial but where it counts I’m real”

From her extra long acrylic nails to her eighties blush, it just takes a quick glance at Dolly to see she is a multiple make-up rule breaker. Not only that – she has brazenly made it her “signature look” and built her career around it.

She admits to sleeping in full make-up when on the road, says as a little girl she wanted to look just like the town tramp when she grew up, she routinely performs the make-up hat trick, and falls into the “Muton-ista” make-up category and yet she has a universal appeal that you just cant ignore.

So why do some people thrive on breaking make-up rules where the rest of us fail miserably.

Here is why she’s able to pull it off:

She is a larger than life character

She owns her look and made it her signature

She openly discusses her multiple surgeries and physical maintenance regime (she is 63 after all!)

She is willing to laugh at herself

She has an amazing ability to connect with people through her music and in interviews

She has fantastic bone structure and great skin (which is an easy canvas to work on)

Dolly has built her career on being an exception to the rule in many categories and make-up is absolutely one of them. It’s obvious to see that breaking rules can work in your favor, but if you are going to do it with make-up you need to own it – unapologetically!

Dolly Facts:

She has written over 3000 songs

She has won 7 Grammy’s

Her theme park Dolly Wood is the state’s number one tourist attraction in Tennessee

She is the founder of The Imagination Library, which distributes books to kids under the age of five

The Seven Deadly Sins of Make-Up

2009-06-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

We’ve all seen them, on the way to work, at the gym – even doing mundane tasks like grocery shopping - women who commit the seven deadly sins of make up. Some of us have wondered why they choose to fight their natural beauty in this way – others amongst us are guilty of committing the same sin or even worse - multiple sins!!

I must admit, for me - sometimes these women brighten up a dull day, depending on the age of the sinner and extremity of the sin. However, today I have chosen to spread the love and I have compiled a list – a guide of sorts to keep our sisters on the make-up straight and narrow.

Read on to find out if you or someone you know is guilty.........

Monkey Bum Lips

Description:

When lips are lined with dark lip liner 3-4 shades darker than the shade of lipstick sinner has chosen to wear. Even worse, when lips are lined with a dark shade of lip liner and no lipstick is used in the center of the lips – if you are guilty of this congratulations, you have nailed the Monkey Bum lip look!

Golden Arches

Description:

Over plucked eyebrows and an extreme arch penciled in usually with a sharp, dark eyebrow pencil. Please note – the lighter patch that is left behind after eyebrows are removed is obvious to everyone and creates a white noise if you will beneath the already shocking Golden Arches!

The Mask

Description: Foundation that is way darker than your skin tone that is not blended in properly – the white neck tanned face look is the epitome of The Mask. Ladies, I know we like our bodies tanned and our faces (due to premature wrinkles) must remain for the most part out of the sun, but bring the color down – blend it into your neck so we are not blinded by its brightness when we look at you.

Mud Pie Eye

Description: One giant eyelash due to extremely thick mascara – need I say more – other than Ms. Mud Pie Eye – meet Eye Lash Comb. These are available for around $5.00 - $10.00 from any beauty store nation wide!

Robert Palmer Blush

Description: Blusher applied like we are still in the seventies or eighties – extreme line of blusher that runs from the hollow of the cheek to the temple – perfectly demonstrated on the girls from Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love” video

The Mutton-ista

This is by far the most tragic in my opinion; women who wear fashion colors past the age of forty. I know the argument – “we are only as old as we feel,” and I am certainly not implying that forty is old – but really, by the time you have hit thirty five you should know the difference between fashion colors and sophisticated beauty colors and you should know what color palette is best for you.

The Hat trick

When women emphasize eyes lips and cheeks ALL ON THE SAME DAY– this look also had its day - IN THE EIGHTIES – move on, it didn’t look good then and it doesn’t look good now – pick one star – eyes or lips and compliment with a subtle cheek for an altogether polished modern look.

STAYED TUNED FOR MORE IN DEPTH ARTICLES ON HOW TO AVOID THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF MAKE UP.

Sun Kissed Glow

2009-06-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Kate Hudson, J Lo, Jessica Alba and Jennifer Aniston have all nailed the golden goddess look of summer, with even tans and the perfect mix of shimmer and highlight to create a head to toe healthy glow.

But if like me you remember the orangey tones of bronzers past its easy to shy away from this look for fear of looking like you’ve just been tango-ed.

Here are my top tips to even the “golden girl” playing fields this summer:

Step 1:

Make sure your skin is thoroughly moisturized.

Apply a small amount of cream bronzer into the palm of your hands – rub both hands together and apply to the face remembering to sweep out towards the ears and down the neck.

Pale skins try: Chanel Tinted Bronzing Gel in Apricot

Medium and darker Complexions try: Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronze Concentrate or Chanel Tinted Bronzing Gel in Bronze

Step 2:

Cover any blemishes with concealer and even out skin tone with your foundation. Use sparingly and only where absolutely necessary as you don’t want to look cakey.

If your foundation is a shade or two too light you may want to add a drop of the bronzer to the formula to warm it up.

Step 3:

Apply bronzer lightly using a medium sized powder brush to the center of your cheeks, across the forehead and bridge of your nose. Don’t forget to lightly bronze the sides of your neck and collarbones to complete the look.

Pale skins try: Lancaster Sun Matt & Shine Sun powder

Medium and darker complexions try: Lancaster Sun Carousel Compact Powder

Step 4:

For legs arms and anything else not covered by clothing:

Mix equal parts bronzer and body lotion in the palm of your hands and sweep across the rest of your body for an all over glow

Pale skins try: Benefit Flamingo Fancy Body slip

Medium to darker skin complexions try: Scott Barnes Body Bling