STRANGE BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY OF COLOUR NAIL POLISH

By adele | Published: February 22, 2012

Strange Beautiful Library of Colour is a nail polish range created by artist Jane Schub that is all about provactive and richly perverse colour – with the most deliciously evocative shade names I have ever come across.

Strange Beautiful Library Of Colour nail polish

Library Of  Colour Volume V (above), for instance, is based upon the spectral banks of the Hudson River Estuary where Schub works. It features the wonderfully gloomy ‘A Worn Black Bible’, purplish ‘Graduation of a Bruise’  and ‘Menstral Last Day’. Think you can imagine what colour that is.

Elsewhere in the range you can find shades called  ’Cheap Foundation’ (if you haven’t guessed already, its the colour of American Tan tights), ‘A Velvety Lump of Coal’ (Dickensian black), ’Chemicals & Chocolate’ (same shade as a glass of Baileys), and ‘Knoll’ (like burnt orange mid-century furnishing fabric, of course).

As someone who has long harboured dark fantasies about naming nail polish shades after Johnny Cash records (who, after all, wouldn’t want to wear a polish called ‘Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart’?), I am quite in awe of Strange Beautiful’s maverick creativity.

£69 per set, from Liberty London.

Published: February 22, 2012
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REN skincare LOVE CLEAN SKIN campaign

By adele | Published: February 14, 2012

How very refreshing to see the beautiful but controversial new ‘Love Clean Skin’ campaign from skincare brand REN which shuns airbrushed celebrities in favour of some altogether more earthy and pleasurable activity in a Swedish lake.

There’s a  link to the 18+ version, for those who wish to have their eyebrows raised a little higher in surprise, at the end of the post!

Its a fitting campaign for a brand that has always thought outside the box. REN is a British brand that’s been around for ten years and has long been one of my personal favourites. It specialises in ‘skincare as it should be’ ie  free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance and petrochemicals while both effective and an absolute pleasure to use. I also love the modern, functional and elegant packaging.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath OilStand outs are the Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil (makes a perfect gift – especially for me!!!!) and No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm that melts away dirt and make up (including waterproof mascara): I must add that I have never used a REN product and been disappointed with it.

REN No1 Purity Cleansing BalmI was recently invited to review a REN facial with Marielle Alix, Head of Therapy & Training at REN, an experience that bordered on the sublime and that deserves a post all of its own, so watch this space.

Link to REN website is here

This is the 18+ version - REN Love Clean Skin (18+) film

Published: February 14, 2012
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ANANICHOOLA CYCLING RANGE

By adele | Published: February 7, 2012

AnaNichoola’s fab range is designed for girls who want to ride hard and look good – even when its cold!

AnaNichoola

When I’m not being a beauty ed I’m quite often to be found heading for the hills on my trusty bike. Mountain biking is a great winter sport so long as you don’t mind getting muddy, wet and cold as you shoot downhill and then muddy, wet and hot as you slog your way up hill again. As you can imagine, the ‘what to wear’ issue is never far from my mind.

In fact on particularly cold days getting ready can take nearly as long as the ride itself. My typical sub-zero outfit includes a Howies merino vest, Adidas long sleeve running top, Maloja cycling jersey and Gore anorak (which usually ends up tied round my waist), arm warmers (possibly greatest piece of kit ever) and Specialized winter gloves and cycling shoes. Add Gore 3/4 cycling shorts, a cut-off pair of Sweaty Betty cuffed sweatpants over the top, socks, ski socks, helmet and Camelback and, despite looking like a sausage, I’m ready to go. Not exactly my greatest fashion moment.

Which is why I am very intrigued by the AnaNichoola women’s cycling range. Designer Anna Glowinski is a racing cyclist who has created garments that ‘capture the thrill of bike riding, and allow riders to push their boundaries in comfort and style…’. In other words, everything in the range looks good, coordinates and comes in a choice of colours with cute ‘Hula Hoop’ motif. Does any of that ‘stylish’ stuff matter? Yes. Move on.

However the range is also designed to work – so the arm warmers (illustrated above for the uninitiated) are cut to stay put over girly biceps without falling down, while the gloves feature extra long cuffs to keep drafts out, the obligatory toweling drippy-nose wiper (beyond essential) as well as extra padding on the gear-change finger for longer wear. They can also withstand thirty minutes of relentless rain – which is way more than I can.

Star attraction though is the Smuggler Neck Warmer (above and top) which I love because its dropped chest design tucks into your cycling top to keep the drafts out, while the neck is long enough to pull over your mouth, nose and ears on a descent, and then drop down again when you start to climb. As the models demonstrate, it works best with a smokey eye and lashings of mascara (waterproof). Ha! Back in beauty land again….

Published: February 7, 2012
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ORIGINS YOUTHTOPIA LIFT FIRMING CREAM

By adele | Published: February 2, 2012

New Origins Youthtopia Lift Firming Cream has the irresistibly thick and creamy consistency of a well-whipped Victoria sponge cake mix, which makes spreading it over your face an almost perverse delight. Its almost tempts you to use a baking spatula to apply it though at £45 for a 50ml pot, I managed to resist.

Origins Youthtopia Firming Cream

I did, however, slather a layer onto my face (with my fingers!) before a sub-zero mountain bike ride and, frankly, the freezing cold wind didn’t stand a chance against it. Youthtopia smells delicious too – a mix of sweet almond plus geranium, cardamom seed, sweet orange, thyme and sandalwood essential oils see to that.

As the name suggests, Youthtopia Lift Firming Cream is actually formulated to target deep folds, creases and sagging skin and, according to the press release, 92% of test participants in a clinical study demonstrated firmer, more lifted skin after using it. It contains Hyaluronic acid plus the Commiphora plant to help improve the skin’s appearance. While I’m not sure it knocked many years off me (to be fair, I already use high-end skincare and there’s probably only so much a cream can achieve), as a super-softening moisturising ‘comfort food for the face’ it can’t be beaten (oh look – another couple of baking references for good measure!). I’d definitely use it again.

Youthtopia Lift Firming Cream £45 is available from February at Origins stores and counters, and at www.origins.co.uk

Published: February 2, 2012
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CLINIQUE AGE DEFENSE BB CREAM SPF30

By adele | Published: January 24, 2012

BB creams have been fanfared as the latest beauty ‘must-have’. Here I get my head around what makes new Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 so special.

Clinique Age defense BB cream spf30

Going back to basics, BB stands for blemish balm and the USP is that they are multi-taskers with the emphasis on smoothing and soothing the skin.

So how multi-tasking is CLINIQUE AGE DEFENSE BB CREAM SPF30?

First off, it’s a tinted cream (choose from two shades – pink or golden undertones) offering medium to full coverage that you wear all over your face. It will conceal imperfections and also contains ‘optics’ to visibly reduce fine lines.

You can wear it on its own or it will double as a make up primer by providing oil and shine control to extend the life of your foundation.

It contains SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection (and to prevent irritation, the sunscreens are encapsulated in a floating matrix so that they are not in direct contact with the skin) and antioxidants to act as ‘age defence’ – so that’s another box ticked.

Finally, Age Defense BB Cream contains a hydrating complex to maintain skin comfort throughout the day. It’s not an alternative to day cream though, especially on more mature skin.

Billed as giving skin ‘just about everything it really needs’, this feels like a sensible nod towards convenience and tight budgets rather than a revolution in skincare. But very welcome, none the less.

£25 Available at Harrods now, or nationwide at selected Clinique counters from 2nd March.

Published: January 24, 2012
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Kay Montano make up blog – and my fashion heritage!

By adele | Published: January 19, 2012

Love the excellent blog by celebrity make up artist Kay Montano (especially the brilliant ‘how to’  make up tips). One post in particular – How To Become A Make Up Artist -  reminded me about the image (below) which is usually buried beneath notes, snapshots and postcards on my pinboard.

It was taken in (deep breath) 1986 by celebrity and fashion photographer Robert Erdmann for John Galliano’s Fallen Angels collection. The shoot was styled by John Galliano and Amanda Harlech (now with Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel). Thomas McKiver styled the hair (and went on to work with the likes of Penelope Cruz, Liv Tyler and Christina Ricci) and the make up was done by the afore mentioned Kay Montano. The model is me!

Published: January 19, 2012
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LAQA & CO. NAIL POLISH PENS

By adele | Published: January 18, 2012

These bang-on-trend LAQA & Co. nail lacquer pens are little works of art: the gorgeous artwork on each box is designed by up-and-coming artists who receive a cut of the profit from every colour purchased. I’ve featured links to each artist if you want to take a closer look at their work (well worth it, by the way).

LAQA & CO. nail pen 'bandit' designed by FOEThe range of nine LAQA & CO. nail pens includes look-at-me red ‘BMX Bandit’ (above), with a pack designed by Foe, a graphic designer and street artist based in London.

James Roper designed nail pen for LAQA & Co.

‘Nookie’ (above) is the work 0f James Roper, whose pieces are full of vivid colour and movement inspired by comic books, cartoons and computer games.

LAQA & CO. nail penThe pack for the very lovely pink shade ‘Pimpin’ (above) is designed by Katie Kirk, a talented artist from Minneapolis, while ‘Toff’ (below) is an indulgent midnight blue in a pack designed by Tatiana Plakhova who hails from Moscow and produces futuristic images.

Laqa & Co Toff nail pen by Tatiana Plakhova

So, now you can own a piece of contemporary art and paint your nails at the same time – and all for just £10.50 per pen at sparklingorstill.com . Perfect.

Published: January 18, 2012
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JAPONESQUE BROW MAKE UP, BRUSHES & TOOLS

By adele | Published: January 12, 2012

If you think eye brow grooming begins and ends with tweezers, then think again. Japonesque brow make up and tools leave no hair unturned.

Founded over 20 years ago and with selected items now available in Boots and John Lewis, Japonesque offer an awe inspiring range of make up kit, from a portable mini make up studio case (with telescopic legs and a lit mirror) to lip gloss applicators and heated eye lash curlers.

Japonesque brow make up, brushes and tools

The selection they sent to me (above) is all designed to tame your brows – and if I was an unruly brow I’d be very nervous indeed. The Touch Up Razor Set is perfect for grooming small fine hairs (not for the brow novice, I hasten to add), brow powders, wax and stencils help you to blend the perfect arch, then there’s assorted brushes and combs plus brow gel to keep them in place. I also counted 26 different tweezers within the catalogue. Phew.

PS The brow colours in this photo by Paul Mitchell are not entirely accurate as it has been photoshopped for creative effect!!

Selected items from Japonesque are now available at Boots,  John Lewis and Amazon.

Published: January 12, 2012
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Paul & Joe ‘Meow’ make up collection

By adele | Published: January 8, 2012

The new ‘Meow’ make up collection from Parisian fashion label Paul & Joe is purrfect for sex kittens who want to strut around catwalk-style this spring (how many cat puns can you fit into one sentence? Quite a few I think).

Paul and Joe make up with cats

This limited edition range celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Paul & Joe cosmetics and skincare line. Each pack is adorned with prints from their seasonal lines, and the make up colours are designed to brighten up your spring colour palette. Take a closer look, and you’ll notice cute paw imprints on the lipsticks (too good to use? Almost!). Btw, despite what the above picture may suggest, the Paul & Joe packs are not actually bigger than cats in real life.

Choose from Siamese Please, Kittycat and Purr-fect face and eye colour palettes (£21.50), and Sex Kitten, Meow and Catwalk lip shades (£16). Glamourous, adorable, and available from  Asos

Published: January 8, 2012
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Stop Talking Start Doing by Shaa Wasmund & Richard Newton

By adele | Published: December 30, 2011

Here’s a New Year’s Resolution for you : read ‘Stop Talking Start Doing’ by Shaa Wasmund & Richard Newton –  a self-motivation shoulder-shake, disguised as a book.

Shaa Wasmund & Richard Newton book

I usually avoid ‘self help’ books as I tend to find them anything but helpful: the one exception being a particularly thick volume that we used as a step so that my daughter, who was a toddler at the time, could reach the bathroom light pull.

Stop Talking Start Doing is different. If you’re brimful of good ideas for the New Year and ready to get cracking, but only once you’ve emptied the bin, checked your Facebook page and filed your nails, then I would go so far as to insist that it’s your January must-read.

This  ’kick in the pants in six parts’  grabs every standing-in-your-way excuse by the throat and gives it a great big thump on the nose for you, before letting loose a tidal wave of ways to be the sort of person who makes stuff happen. I love this page (below) about  being ‘in flow’ because I am never happier than when I am flowing (usually while writing for this blog!).

Stop talking start doing book page

Stop Talking Start Doing is an engaging jargon-free blend of stripped-down psychology and common sense plus lots of lists, charts and tip boxes that makes it an effortless read. Mostly though it’s incredibly uplifting and inspiring. To quote page 140 ‘Doing + Meaning = Happiness’. You can’t ask for more than that.

Click here to watch a video clip by author Shaa Wasmund, download a free chapter or go to a link to purchase the book (it costs £5.49!).

Photos: Paul Mitchell

Published: December 30, 2011
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