La Parfumerie - part deux

As promised, this is the second part of my perfume rundown featuring the other half in my collection...

Estee Lauder Pleasures

My first ever perfume - I think it's about 10 years old now, but it's still fairing well! It's not my favourite these days but I think that's more because I've changed a lot and so have my tastes. That and I think since it was first brought out perfumes have vastly improved. But getting to the point this fragrance is perfect for those girls who love their florals. Their are hints of sandalwood and rose in this fragrance. I think you could wear it day or night really, but I choose to wear it in the evening because I feel it's a little on the stronger side (that maybe because my bottle's matured though.)

Kylie Minogue Couture

I'm still not sure about the celebrity movement in the perfume industry. I can't decide whether they've cheapened it by all cashing in or made perfume more attainable and accessible to everyone. Sometimes the fragrances produced are blatent copycats of brilliant designer fragrances but with a celebrity's name plastered on the front of the bottle. It's one way to make money for them I guess, but I don't think they're all of high quality. I once smelt one celeb perfume that was so close - correction - too close to Ralph Lauren Blue. I wasn't impressed.

Nevertheless there are three perfumes in my collection that are celebrity fragrances. Before you call me a hypocrite, they were all given to me! The first, being Kylie Minogue's Couture, came free in my goody bag at the Clothes Show Live this year. I actually quite like the fact that it comes in a roller-ball bottle so I can roll it onto pulse points. It means I can put more of a specific amount just where I want it as opposed to a spritzer/atomiser (I think however this version might only be for the sample bottles which is a shame). Despite my doubts of celeb scents, this is my favourite of them tried and tested so far - I find it works well both day and night and makes me feel really uplifted and ready for anything.

Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera

This perfume is lovely, sweet, soft and very feminine - the lace print detail on the bottle and sexy black ribbon around the neck perfectly match the undertones in the scent as when I wear it I feel very classy and ready for a night out on the tiles. Definitely a night number for a lady who likes to have fun!

J Lo Love at First Glow

Bought for me for my 21st birthday *sigh* Whilst I'm really not sure about the name, this perfume is perfect for younger women and teenage friends/relatives - the bottle's pink and very girly with a sparkly mobile phone charm wrapped around the neck of the bottle. It's a very musky scent without being heavy so it makes a perfect daytime perfume, brilliant for heading out for lunch with friends or family or wearing to work.

Ralph Lauren Ralph Rocks

Surprise, surprise, yet another Ralph Lauren fragrance! This one instead is a fruity, citrusy version of the original Ralph Lauren Ralph scent, which I can also thoroughly recommend. Whilst the original is a bit headier this one smells delicious, I think it actually makes my mouth water a bit. This might be owing to the orangeflower overtones. This too would make a perfect scent for a younger woman or even a teenage girl as the scent's fresh and light and the packaging reflects the citrusy notes - it's wonderfully bright and therefore would make a very fun perfume to give away!

There we have it - 10 scents trialled, tested and highly recommended. These perfumes often come in sets at this time of year, perfect for gift-giving. They often come with accompanying moisturisers and shower gels which mean you get more bang for your buck and your loved one gets three gifts in one - triple the fun! If you have any questions about any of the scents please feel free to post them in the comments box and I'll get back to you.

For more perfume perfection, check out the December issue of Vogue magazine feature on the language of perfume and also the Vogue TV 'making of' video 'The Sound of Scent' - if you can stand to watch lots of beautiful perfume bottles be smashed into a gazillion pieces for art that is...

The Sound of Scent

La Parfumerie part un

Over in one corner of my bedroom the view represents something like a perfumery - there are now 10 bottles of fragrances adorning my chest of drawers, some with their accompanying moisturisers (scattered in amongst a hair salon's worth of hair products, but that's for another day!)

I realised that I've never done a perfume review or run-down so I decided that today's post would change all of that, especially as perfumes make great Christmas gifts for loved ones and ourselves of course! Seeming as there are 10 scents to cover I thought it best I break the post into two parts. Today's will be covering the first five scents; tomorrow's post will break down the remaining five.

First thing's first, you may be surprised to find that I haven't got any of the classics like Calvin Klein's CK One, a Jean Paul Gautier number or a Georgio Armani fragrance. I couldn't figure out why I don't have a Chanel number either.

The other day whilst in House of Fraser I popped over to the Chanel counter and picked up Coco Mademoiselle and remembered why... For some reason Chanel fragrances remind me of unpleasant perfumes that smell too alcoholic - the type our beloved grandmothers might wear - contraversial, yes, but I'm afraid it's the first thought that jumps to mind when I smell them. It's such a shame because every woman should have a Chanel scent and I want to like them but they've never agreed with me...

Ralph Lauren Blue

This has got to be one of my all-time favourite fragrances. There's something about Ralph Lauren's collection that I love, love, love! I don't think I've ever tried a scent of theirs that I haven't fell in love with. To be honest, if I didn't have so many perfumes to get through I'd have tonnes more from the collection like Ralph Lauren Romance, my Mum has a bottle and it's so beautiful!

As for this scent it's musky but light and sexy and makes a perfect summer time fragrance. Sometimes, depending on my mood I feel it's best for evenings rather than daytime because it can be too heavy but in small doses it's still very versatile. The men's cologne version is heavenly as well so if you're hunting down a cologne for your other half, etc. then I thoroughly recommend this one. I have an ex who wore this and it's so dreamy - it sounds mad but if I ever detect it in a crowd it makes my heart skip a beat and that's a testament to the cologne not the ex...

Ralph Lauren Ralph Cool

This one is a fresh, breezy, woody alternative to that of the original Ralph Lauren Ralph scent that tends to lean to the more youthful side. This is one of my favourite daytime scents, especially for work for some reason and seems to last the day as you wear it. A great quality scent in a very pretty pink bottle!

Benefit B Spot

This was thrown in free when I nearly cleared Benefit's counter of all their stock. The branding and idea behind this scent is to apply it to any of the areas of your body that work well with perfume - normally seductive points like the decolletage, the stomach (try it) and even the backs of your knees! It's very fruity and for some reason it reminds me of honeydew melons and has a musky undertone. It's quickly become one of my favourites, I wore it a lot on holiday this year and now it reminds me of Brighton - fun times!

DKNY Be Delicious

Smells like apples. Which is hardly surprising considering their marketing campaign was full of apples and the bottle is designed to look like one. In fact I still think that this is one of the most original and prettiest fragrance bottles I've ever laid eyes on. This scent's perfect for daytime and is a very fresh, summery scent. It's not too girly either, I feel it's quite the sophisticated number actually. There's also a nighttime version available which is equally as delicious, just a bit sweeter!

Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise

You may remember Madonna starring in the advert for this particular fragrance a few years ago. The bottle is as multicoloured as the advert was and a very cute teardrop shape. The scent's quite heavy so I tend to turn to it less than my other perfumes; I've taken to wearing it at night now, but when I do get it out again I always fall back in love with it! This scent is possibly the most floral in my entire collection - there are notes of orchids and honeysuckle in it making it rather delish : )

Tag - Blog Award!

I'm very honoured and flattered to report that I have just been awarded an 'I Love Your Blog' award by the very awesome Georgie at So Full of Twilight Dreams that Glitter! Thank you Georgie, I'm really pleased to gain wonderful feedback like this, it means so much to me and I'm so excited to see that people are enjoying my blogging adventures - it comes at a very awesome time as my blog is very nearly 1 year old : )

And here it is:

To accept this award: Post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.

Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

So now that I've been tagged I'm to nominate, in no particular order, 15 other brilliant fashion and beauty bloggers whose blogs I love and follow:

1. Boho Market

2. Vintage Lollipops

3. Zebra & Meerkat

4. Gala Darling

5. Nubby Twiglet

6. Kandee the Makeup Artist

7. Pixiwoo

8. La Petite Fashionista

9. Future Hippie

10. Misschievous

11. A Brilliant Brunette

12. The Nie Nie Dialogues - Stephanie Nielson isn't a beauty/fashion blogger but she is an incredible woman with a beautiful zest for life and a heart-melting blog! Before and even after her accident she has always been and still is such a positive person who has endured so many challenges, but still sees the beauty in life and feels grateful. She truly is one of the most inspiring people I've ever came across!

13. Petrilude

14. Fashion Toast

15. La Vie en Rosie!

Thank you again Georgie! And do check out Georgie's blog - she is the beauty and cosmetic knowledge queen: So Full of Twilight Dreams that Glitter

Trend - Sequins Galore!

It's not the first time I've admitted out loud that I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to fashion, beauty and... well just generally! If it sparkles I want it and I've been loving the sequin trend that emerged this Autumn/Winter. They're everywhere - over blazers, leggings, hats, you name it - it sparkles. And apparently this party season we're going to see more thrown over dresses and handbags - you can't really avoid them, but really why on earth would you want to?!

Here are a few of the style inspirations that I love when it comes to rocking the sequinned goodness of this winter...

What's your favourite trend of the season?

IMATS Tickets Now Available!

A few months ago I posted about IMATS or the International Makeup Artist Trade Show that visits London every January. Well I can now tell you that tickets for the event are available online on the IMATS website!

Tom Savini has been announced as one of two keynote speakers giving seminars at the 2010 event. Not only is Tom an actor, stuntman and director but he's also famous for his Special Effects makeup artistry on horror films such as Day of the Dead and Dawn of the Dead, both of which won Saturn Awards for Best Makeup Effects. He also runs his own Special Effects Makeup and Digital Film courses.

The second keynote speaker will be Bill Corso. His previous accomplishments have been personal makeup artist to Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and transforming Jim Carrey into Scrooge for A Christmas Carol, the Grinch and Clint Eastwood for a scene in Bruce Almighty! More featured speakers are to be announced soon...

In addition to the many seminars and classes being held over the event, there will be a fashion show, signings, a student competition and hundreds of makeup and beauty retailers, colleges and professionals all coming together to celebrate and share in the magic and beauty of makeup artistry and Special Effects makeup. Dermalogica, London College of Fashion, MAC and Cinema Makeup School, to name a few, will all be selling and exhibiting.

To keep an eye on all of the updates, schedules and further info keep checking in on the IMATS site over the next two months - I can't wait to go and see it for myself!

You can buy a day ticket for £33.00 (students get a £5 discount so gain entry at £28.00) or if you'd like to attend the entire weekend's seminars and makeup action then a two day ticket will cost £55.00 (or £48.00 if you're a student). Child discounts are also available, you'll find details on their website.

Jamu Beauty Treatments

Today I was treated to the most amazing facial EVER! I went down to a beauty salon called Jamu where I had a Cetuem Purifying Therapy facial. I'd never used Cetuem* products before but Jamu uses their line on all of their facial treatments offered.

All of the products used on me smelt and felt amazing, so much so by the end of the facial I wanted to see what was what for myself. Just as I thought it might be all over, yet another gorgeous tonic/lotion was luxuriously massaged into my skin. By the time it was done I'd nearly melted into the bed! The products and oils smelt heavenly, I keep thinking about them now...

Not only did I think that this is the best quality facial I've ever received - Jamu offers a very relaxing atmosphere with star treatment - I also feel it's the best-value facial I've ever had. Many a salon I've visited in the past has advertised it's facials as 50 minute facials for instance, but being the truly value-seeking warrior that I am I've often noticed that they don't even reach 30 minutes! (If you're spending good money then of course you'll want to get the duration that's advertised or it's not a fair service). At Jamu you get the treatment you deserve.

Your facial will be specially tailored to your skin's needs. You'll also get to choose your favourite scented oils as part of the experience. I'd love to tell you more, but I don't want spoil what's in store, needless to say it's enough to make you feel like a goddess so try it for yourself!

You'd normally receive this treatment for £45.00, but from now until Christmas they told me that all facials are half price at £22.50. If you're suffering from Christmas shopping stress or your skin's in a bit of a state but you have the office party to attend, then get yourself down to Jamu for a pamper extravaganza!

Jamu is also currently offering many other pre-Christmas deals including:

• Book a Jessica Nails manicure, get your toenails filed and painted for FREE
  
  
• Book a Jessica Nails pedicure and get your nails filed and painted FREE
  
  
• Book to have your party makeup done, get your nails filed and painted FREE
  
  
• Book to have eyelash extensions and have your nails filed and painted FREE

I wish that there was a Jamu salon in every town so that you could all experience it, but you'll need to be near/travel to Kingsfield, just outside of Woking. However of course if you're ever in the area you now know who to call...

To book your treatment call 07810 427600. I'll be certainly coming back for more...

*Cetuem offers a number of skincare products, nail enamels and holistic hair care products. You can find them online at cetuem.com

Backstage at Victoria's Secret

I love lacey underwear. But what do I love more? Lacey underwear plus gorgeous hair and makeup!

Tommy Ton, creator of Jak & Jil's fantastic fashion blog, has captured some amazing moments on camera at Victoria's Secret's fashion event and has posted them for all of us to enjoy. I think that these are some of the best captured backstage photographs for a fashion show I've ever seen - pure love!

Go to jakandjil.com for a peek behind the scenes. If that's not enough, enjoy more of Tommy's backstage photography on the Style.com feature Touched by Angels - seventh heaven hair and makeup!

Image source: Tommy Ton at jakandjil.com

A Day in the Life of Peter Phillips...

Ever wondered what an 'average' day would be like for Global Creative Director of Chanel? Well now you can be the fly on the wall, following the creative makeup and styling adventures of Peter Phillips during the Fashion Weeks of the world's fashion capitals!

Vogue followed Phillips around for 6 whole months on camera documenting his work backstage, his business meetings, and all of the planning and collaborating for this year's shows. The video diary comes in two parts 'Beauty by Chanel - Episode 1' and 'Beauty by Chanel - Episode 2'.

I love these videos as they're a fantastic insight into all of Peter Phillips' creativity and hard work that we eventually see in the final outcome on the catwalk. Being able to catch a glimpse as to how he works and what makes him tick is for me an amazing opportunity!

The videos also fairly represent the chaos behind the scenes when putting together something as huge and carefully crafted as a fashion show - the highs, the madness, the tears, the panic but overall the crazy and amazing rush that seems to buzz around only backstage at a fashion show...

Click on the link below to be taken behind the scenes:

Beauty by Chanel - Episode 1

The makeup magic continues in Episode 2:

Beauty by Chanel - Episode 2

NARS 15x15

You may have heard that Nars turned 15 years old last week. To celebrate 15 years of going strong, Francois Nars launched the 15x15 Project featuring 15 different looks on 15 famous and beautiful faces such as the gorgeous Amber Valetta, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Marc Jacobs. All looks were created for each of the celebrities and photographed by Francois (of course)!

If you have a spare bob or two, the 15x15 Project has been beautifully catalogued together in a gorgeous, glossy book full of full-page photographs taken during the project. You can grab it for $80, but in the comfort of knowing that all proceeds made from the sale of the book will be going to charities that have been chosen by the 15 celebrities featured. Be quick - it's only available for 30 days.

Check out the website, it really shows off the makeup beautifully and is good fun to navigate through!

https://www.15x15project.com/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NARS!

Shingai Shoniwa

AKA the lead singer and bassist from the Noisettes. Great voice, beautiful woman, fantastic fashion sense - it's quirky, bold and full of colour!

I first laid eyes on her in a photoshoot for ASOS earlier this year. The photos of her made me stop in my tracks as I leafed through. She really stood out to me because I felt like the outfits she was wearing would be the type of things she'd normally wear. She just seemed to look incredibly comfortable in them and it all really worked...

I also love the way she carries off her makeup. She's not afraid to don on some fantastic neons, glittery shimmers and anything that screams 80s and she looks fantastic in them!

Here are a few photos to demonstrate why I think she makes such a great inspiration for fashion and style...

Ossie Clark

Today, for no particular reason, other than my love for his work, I just wanted to share inspiration from one of my favourite designers in the world - Ossie Clark.

The peak of his career was during my favourite era- the 60s and 70s. I love everything about the designs - the paisley, the floaty fabrics and bias cuts that were so hugely flattering for women's figures. For me, his work epitomised the 'free' feeling of the swinging 60s! For some romantic reason I've often been drawn to this decade...

Ossie, who's real name was Raymond, was also a 'Northerner', born in Warrington and raised in Oswaldtwistle (where my Mum went to school, haha!) which inspired his nickname "Ossie". He grew up creating dresses for friends and family and his talents were spotted early on by his Art teacher who gave him Vogue magazines to further inspire and indulge his creative flair for fashion.

Unfortunately when fashion moved on well into the 80s Ossie lost everything when his line just wasn't appealing anymore. His personal life had also been fraught with difficulties in love having gone through a reported turbulent love affair with David Hockney and divorce from the love of his life Celia Birtwell. His life tragically ended in 1996 at the hands of a former lover.

This year's recession has also affected the rebirth of the Ossie Clark brand and sadly the label has closed after no less than 12 months' trading. I wonder if we'll ever see someone have another attempt at reviving the label when the economy has picked up... Or maybe, like many great creations, it should be left in the past and be remembered and treasured for what it was...

Here are a few pictures and pieces that I really love - I hope you enjoy them as much as I do...

The Sartorialist

Okay so I admit it: I've only discovered this guy recently. In the past couple of years I've heard references to him banded around more and more. And then recently I kept hearing about him everywhere - videos, fashion blogs, you name it...

Then the other week on one of my many book store visits to the fashion and makeup section I found a book: 'The Sartorialist' and I finally discovered who he is! I've since found his much talked about (and adored by many) blog and have already recognised some of his shots, the guy is hugely talented, I can't believe it's taken me this long to find out about him properly!

I love the fact that he takes to the streets to find everyday people like you and me and finds beauty and style and a unique edge in them - it's very refreshing and inspiring to see everyday people dressing fantastically, flawlessly and sometimes very charismatically and The Sartorialist, or alternatively Scott Schuman captures these people indefinitely through his lens!

If you haven't seen his work then you can follow his blog at http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/. Scott also films and writes for Style.com, has a monthly page in GQ magazine and many other recurring guest blogs. Check him out, his work is amazing!

Olive Oil - Not Just for Salads

My hair has been suffering from dry ends recently. I'm not sure why, it might be that I'm using a hairdryer and hair straighteners on it every day now combined with the fact that it's cold outside now so on goes the central heating!

For a long time I've heard about the benefits of olive oil on skin, hair, nails - you name it. To cure my dry ends I'm using olive oil to work through my hair from my scalp to the tips. Here's a quick how-to and a rundown of the uses of olive oil when it comes to your beauty regimen...

What you'll need:

• Half a cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or a little bit more if your hair's quite long). Now it must be Extra Virgin Olive Oil as this is olive oil in its purest form. Any other variants are likely to have additional, unnecessary nasties in them that might irritate or cause problems, plus if you can find organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil then all the better!
• Shower cap/plastic bag
• Comb
• Shower

1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan on the hob or heat it in the microwave in a mug. Don't let it get too hot, you want it warm so that it's soothing, you don't want to burn your scalp! Check the temperature and if you can keep your finger in the oil for longer than a few seconds it's jus

t right. If not, let it cool...

2. On dry hair take your comb and dip it in the oil and then run it through your hair in sections. Make sure you get all the ends well and truly smothered as these are the parts that really need the benefit most!

3. Don on your sexy shower cap/plastic bag over your hair* and have your normal shower. The steam and heat from the shower will allow the oil to fully sink in and condition your hair, much like when you have a deep heat conditioning treatment at the salon when they wrap your hair in a towel.

4. After 5-10 minutes take off your shower cap/plastic bag and pour shampoo your hair as normal (don't rinse out the olive oil yet). It may take an extra wash to remove traces of the olive oil but the results are well worth the effort! Et voila - sexily soft hair that you won't be able to stop touching!

*Hairbrush/loofah for singing purposes is entirely optional ; )

And for other beautifying purposes...

Nails

Not only does olive oil soften the cuticles (making them tidier and easier to shape and trim) it strengthens your nails. Strong, fracture-free nails and tidy cuticles - yes please! Either use olive oil like a handcream before bed rubbing into nails as well as your skin and don on a lovely pair of silk gloves. Or use it as part of your manicure when prepping your nails before painting.

Skin

Cleanse: Olive oil makes a very effective and cost efficient makeup remover. If you've got tough eye makeup on or can't get away with using most cleansers on the market as they're too harsh on your skin - try olive oil. It's gentle, won't sting if you get a bit in your eye and dissolves makeup a treat! It certainly saves you from scrubbing at your skin over and over as with some cleansers which in the long run only causes premature ageing and wrinkles (and in the short term makes your skin angry and red).

Moisturise: Not only that but it has very good moisturising properties. Many women from the Mediterranean swear by olive oil as Mother Nature's very own moisturiser - and the results show! It's better on drier skins but if you have combination skin it might be better to use this on areas of your skin that are drier rather than the oilier patches. It's also best to use it at night as it may be too heavy to sit underneath your makeup during the day.

Exfoliate: Combine with natural rock salt (for body scrub) or sugar (for hand and facial scrub) and you can make your very own natural and fantastic exfoliating scrub - perfect for soft hands, a polished body and a glowing face. Everyone will want to know your secret...

Face Mask: Mix the olive oil with honey and an egg yolk, beat together until all are mixed well, apply to face, grab magazine, glass of wine and lay back for 15 minutes - let nature do the hard work for you!

And of course to eat:

Include it in your diet and feel the benefits too - olive oil is abundant in anti-oxidants and vitamins ideal for optimum health. Replace your normal margarine/butter with olive spread, your vegetable/sunflower oil with olive oil for cooking and baking, drizzle it on salads, and use it with balsamic vinegar when eating a good crusty bread for a delicious starter to any 3 course meal!

Olive oil - the possibilities are ENDLESS! ; )