American Beauty

Why must all good things come to an end? Sadly my (long overdue) holiday to the USA has been and gone, and now it's back to reality.

I have absolutely loved every last moment spent in the States, from Yosemite through to Manhattan, and have had the most wonderful holiday. 

I have also spent some money. And by some, I mean too much.

Personalised perfumes, dazzling statement necklaces, quirky handmade cards and dessert flavoured chewing gum- I literally could not say no this year. 

The only time I have said "NO" is when my bank emailed me offering me my latest statement. No, I am not mentally prepared to see that just yet. 

I have had particular difficulty trying to resist beauty products, and felt I had to share some of my favourite finds from my travels with you. Alas, I did not manage to fit all the below in my case (not through lack of trying) and ended up with an all-too careful selection of beauty loot to take back to the UK with me. 

Pursuit of Prettiness: June's Best in Beauty

It's been a long time coming, yes, but June has been a very busy month so I have only just had time to pull together this rather comprehensive edit of my favourite new (and some, not-so new) beauty products, ideal for all manner of pre-Summer preening.

Here are my seven favourite products of the moment for top-to-toe pampering. So whether you are jetting off somewhere exotic, or simply soaking up some home-grown sunshine, make sure you give yourself a little bit of extra pamper time. It's only fair, after all. 

As ever, if you have any other products you are particularly loving, please do tweet me at @SWfashion_ or comment below!

1. ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp Mud, £31 tub here

If you're reading this, Mum, I am sorry for pinching this when you were on holiday, but desperate times... 

During my internship, I absolutely destroyed my feet by wearing impractical Zara shoes, and they have since needed some serious TLC. When I was last home, my Mum told me the ESPA assistant in Harvey Nicks had recommend this hair masque for use on dry feet, which I laughed off with "don't be daft- it's for hair." Still, I threw caution to the wind this weekend and tried this rich creamy masque on both my hair and my heels and it made an immeasurable difference to both.

For my hair, I applied a generous dollop to damp hair and wrapped up in a towel for 20 minutes to work all that pink mud magic. When I then rough dried my hair, I was astounded at how silky it was- the purifying pink mud works wonders in soothing the scalp and adding oodles of gloss to hair. 

For my feet, I simply pumiced my soles before showering - where I also scrubbed top-to-toe with Laura Mercier Almond Coconut scrub- and after towel drying my feet I slathered on a little masque and put on some cotton socks. Et voila.

2. L'Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil, £32 here 

It is all about the oil for beauty buffs these days, and this sweet, satisfying L'Occitane offering is my absolute all-time favourite. 

I find that skin can get horribly dry during warmer months, and this oil is nourishing but not greasy, leaving skin strokeably soft and smooth. However, do not use it before sun exposure- that's just silly now. You don't want to look like this. 

1. Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme, £12.99 here

Do you like Piña Colada? Good, then i'm sure you'll be all over this Bounty-tastic natural foot balm from Burt's Bees. With a scent slightly infused with cooling peppermint, this buttery Coconut foot creme is so nourishing. It is the perfect way to tackle post-sandal feet.

4. Origins GinZing Energizing Moisturiser, £23 here

I must admit that I have never really used Origins products before, but when I was sent this lovely moisturiser I fell a little in love... Primarily with the scent, but that's not important.

A morning "espresso for the skin", this light moisturiser is oil free and charged with Panax Gingseng Coffee Bean optimise hydration. 

1. Le Labo Eau de Parfum in LYS 41, £95 for 100 ml here

When I sampled the two new scents from Le Labo, a New York fragrance institution, I was truly impressed with their new interpretation of florals. LYS 41, in particular, struck me as a unique, fresh and feminine scent with a little edge.

The artfully balanced white floral is sweet but still sophisticated with light floral notes dancing alongside sweet vanilla and subtle jasmine tones. It is long lasting and distinctive, without being overpowering or overbearing. I really am quite enthralled with this scent, and feel a purchase coming on when holidaying in New York this Summer... At £95 for 100ml, Le Labo scents are not a throwaway purchase, but with personalised labels and wonderfully innovative scents, surely you deserve the treat.

6. Soap and Glory No Clogs Allowed Mask, £11

Think you've seen all Soap and Glory have to offer? Think again ! Their repackaged, revamped "SkinGenius" skincare collection is worth getting excited about. At the recent blogger launch event, the lovely Soap & Glory team set up a skincare dispensary, with each blogger handing over a skin prescription following an evening spent chatting over sushi, detox juices and, of course, bubbly.

The revamped collection has a retro/clinical look and is split into four different ranges of cleansers, treatments, moisturisers and serums. As someone with seriously stressed out skin, I was immediately drawn to the No Clogs Allowed self-heating mask and I have since become something of an addict.

This thermal mask feels like a high-tech facial, without the cost, and leaves skin totally clear and smooth.

1. Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan, £37.50 here

If you are looking for a fake tan that goes the extra mile, then you really are in luck. I have always been intrigued to try Vita Liberata, having heard great things, and I have not been disappointed.

This high-tech mousse formula is the first long-lasting tan I have seen on the market, and so far, so good. It goes on smoothly, and the colour is wonderfully golden brown, not even remotely orangey. It also doesn't leave the hideous tell-tale tanning smell, which is such a bonus! Definitely worth an investment if you are going off on holiday, ready to bare all in that itsy-bitsy bikini.

Best in Beauty: Early April

I can't believe that my Easter holidays have been and gone and I am back to London today until Summer holidays. Yup. SUMMER.

Without risking sounding like a grandmother, WHERE has this year gone?

Oh to be young again.

Anyway, without further ado, here are my first best in beauty picks for this month- i'll do another batch towards the end of the month because i'm that much of a beauty junkie.

Hope you likey! 

My first picks this month have to be two of the finest mascaras of the moment. Stila is a cult label that last year saw a long overdue relaunch. While their nourishing, super-shiny lip glazes are particularly iconic, I must admit that I have heard nothing but great things about their Stay All Day mascara (£15 from Space NK here). It really is in the name on this one, girls, for this mascara supposedly does not budge all day long. I am thinking that this shall be one for my Summer beauty bag (back off panda eyes- just back off) and will keep you posted when i've tried it. If anyone has already just pop a little comment below.

My second mascara pick is one that I have been using for a little while and must say that I do swear by it for giving me super fluttery eyelashes in just a couple of coats. Don't be perturbed by that snazzy looking old tube, for this MAC False Lashes mascara is certainly a keeper (£18 here). While it is certainly not smudge (ahem - tear) proof, this glossy mascara is thick but not clumpy and is perfect for lengthening and volumising without too much hassle. I always curl with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers beforehand, of course. 

I shudder to think how much money I have spent in this lifetime on lipgloss. I go through it at the speed of noughts, and buy way more than I really should. I just love a good lipgloss, I do. I also am pretty pernickety about the glosses I go for, as nothing is more off-putting than an overly viscous or oily "gloss", it's got to be suitably sticky and preferably sweet. 

My favourite, month by month, is always the NARS lipgloss. It is thick but not gloopy and has just the right amount of pigment to remove any need for a base lipstick or colour. It is a little bit more expensive than your average Superdrug shot (£17.50 here), but it is also a big bit better. This Turkish Delight colour is a pale, powdery pink and is soon to be the latest addition to my ever expanding beauty bag. See ya in Selfridges... Or Space NK... Or Harvey Nicks. I'm not fussy. 

Another product I am really keen to try is the Benefit Dandelion lipgloss (£14.50 here). If anyone has any feedback on it just let me know- I love the blusher personally for it's delicate touch of petal pink, so I can only imagine that the lipgloss is just as lovely. 

I featured these Urban Apothecary candles in my Mothers Day post a while back (after spotting on the amazing Discover and Escape) and I just had to feature them again because they sound SO delicious! I still haven't found an excuse to treat myself just yet, but don't they sound so lovely? Inspired by french macaroons (mmmmm...) these delightfully sweet candles come in an array of sugary scents that sound so very decadent. I felt as we edged into Summer, I should stay true to good old Great Britain and bring out the strawbs and cream! This luxury candle comes in a beautiful little glass jar which is perfect for storing trinkets once the candle is all gone. You can treat yourself here for £30. 

You know i'm off to New York this June, right? Don't know if i've mentioned...

Eep! I am so very excited to visit the Big Apple and on reading a book called The Stylist's Guide to NYC, I got even more excited about checking out some of the cities' big name perfumery stores such as Le Labo.

Le Labo scents are a tad expensive, but they are delightfully unique and can even have the labels personalised. What could possibly be a better souvenir? 

I think I shall be inclined to go for Jasmine. A light but floral Spring scent, this charming and distinctive scent is ladylike but still powerful. You can buy for £95 here or at Liberty (as per the one in the image)

Yesterday over lunch, my mother, sister and I spent a good half hour talking about our favourite nail polish brands, which made for a riotous old time for dad, as I'm sure you can imagine. 

While initially I flew the flag for Essie (I love Splash of Grenadine and Ballet Slippers- call me cliché!) and OPI, my mother plumped for Leighton Denny and my sister full on championed Butter London polishes. 

I must admit that my sister and I rarely agree, but on this one I could not argue. Butter London polishes really are quite fabulous and for Spring they have some delicious shades around. I just featured a couple of my favourites here- Fruit Machine, a poppy candy pink and Kerfuffle, a sugary soft coral. 

The polishes offer great coverage and don't go as streaky as other luxury polish brands tend to. Both these soft new interpretations of pastel shades would be great for the warmer months whether on your fingertips or tootsies. (both £13 at Butter London)

While skincare is not among the most girly or glamourous of beauty products, it is undoubtedly the most important, particularly if you suffer from skin problems like myself.

My skin is scarred from acne, dry in parts and oily in others, and also extremely blemish prone, so I spend my life in pursuit of a regime that will balance all of the above or, perhaps, make it all go away?

While this Eucerin DermoPurifyer hasn't quite cleared everything up, it really is helping. I have been using the cleanser (£9.18 here), toner (£9.18 here), concentrate (£9.50 here) and moisturiser/night here (both £9.18 here) every day and night for the past few weeks and I have noticed a great improvement in my skin.

My skin is nourished and no longer as oily, and spots are far rarer than they have been in the past. I have also been eating a far more nutritious diet since being at home, with more fats than I care to think about, which probably is a contributing factor, but I really would recommend this regime if you're a little conscious of your skin. 

Last but not least, a little touch of luxury from Anya Hindmarch. I really do wish I could call this make-up bag my own, but I think it's something I would need to ask for as a gift!

How adorable is it? This "Face Repair Kit" in soft metallic leather is £135 (here) but is perfect for carrying around all your favourite beauty essentials! 

How could you resist?!

Pursuit of Prettiness: March's Best in Beauty

Okay, it does NOT actually feel like March. 

Today I have been constantly freezing, so much so that, on return to my flat, I invented a new form of hot yoga which consists of shoulder standing in front of Rachel's electric heater. You heard it here first, guys, I don't want Deborah Meaden and that Dragon's Den lot cashing in on this beauty of an idea before I get this trademarked.

Anyway, I digress (as per), for this post is actually nothing to do with the temperature, nor is it even remotely linked to yoga.

In fact, this post harks back to my age old pursuit of prettiness. I've not done one of these posts in a while, so I thought i'd kill a few birds with one stone and combine this post with another idea of mine.

In honour of Crufts, I thought i'd do a little Best in Beauty thing, rosettes and all. Hopefully, if this works out, I shall be doing one every month to keep you all up to date with the products which actually work... In my view, that is.

While I still may look nothing like Rosie Huntington Whiteley, my pursuit of prettiness has not been a total failure to date and I have tried some truly wonderful products that I would definitely recommend.  

Here are a few favourites for March. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I have truly awful circulation. When I spotted the Elemental Herbology SOS Circulation Serum on Space NK I was more than a little bit intrigued to give it a try. With specific instructions on how to apply, massaging only in specific areas and motions, followed by a cup of natural herbal tea, this vibrantly scented balm certainly smells invigorating. The active ingredients include grapefruit which is known to boost the blood circulation to the skin and I have found that this aromatic gel has a firming, cooling effect which certainly gets the blood flowing to the extremities. I think I have a new favourite skincare brand, actually, having been sent a few samples of the Elemental Herbology facial products... Their delicate cleanser has the most calming, soothing scent and makes cleansing and moisturising at deeply therapeutic process. Shop the range here. 

It's taken me long enough to actually try it, but now I FINALLY get what all the fuss is about Moroccan Oil. I have heard such great things over the years- backstage at shows, from stylists on shoots, at various magazines- but I have never actually tried it for myself.

I have to admit that I was nervous to apply oil to my hair. My hair is fine, albeit dry, and very rarely looks healthy and bouncy (you can find out about my hair growth attempts here), and therefore I felt that adding oil would just bring in a little greasiness to the mix: not ideal.

However, this oil is a miracle worker. It is light- just a couple of pumps on the midlengths and ends of damp hair and you'll start to notice a difference immediately. It makes my damaged hair feel smooth, silken and, above all, healthy.

It really is a cult product for a reason and i'd highly recommend it.

During London Fashion Week I was lucky enough to be invited along to the Handpicked Media LFW Lounge at The beautiful One Aldwych hotel over the weekend. On the Friday, we were joined by a few of the lovely girls from Superdry, promoting their latest launch: Superdry Beauty. With an assortment of beauty staples in bright packaging, in keeping with the Superdry brand, this range is full of great fun beauty products at great prices. Their Kabuki brush is a real standout (it's so soft and popped up in British Vogue this month) as are their great nail polish colours. Bold, zingy and fun, this Soda Pop shade was my shade of choice during fashion week, the perfect way to pep up a dull March day. The polish is £6 and the brush £14, you can purchase in boutiques or online here. 

I must admit that I have always been a little sceptical of BB creams. It is not easy going for minimal, natural coverage when your skin is erupting in stress-induced spots or dotted with angry acne scarring. When I take off my mask of make-up, what's underneath is not exactly a blessing!

 I have tried a couple of BB Creams but, I must admit, they were nothing to write home about until now. The Bourjois BB 8 in 1 compact is exclusive to Selfridges and I have found this cream to powder formula works wonders for my combination skin.

Nothing makes a complexion look worse than caked foundation and powder, and this balmy compact offers a matte, airbrushed finish just with a few little sweeps across the forehead, chin, cheeks and nose. While I may still have to layer this with a little (read: a lot!) concealer, if you're blessed with decent skin, this one is about to make your make-up bag a whole lot lighter!

This is, perhaps, the third or fourth time I have featured the Jo Malone Sugar & Spice collection on my blog but oh my goodness, they are just the nicest scents around for Spring. They really do smell edible! Each time I have worn the Ginger Biscuit, The Redcurrant and Cream and the Chocolate Orange, I have been complimented on my perfume and asked about it. There is something charming about being asked what you're wearing and replying "Ginger Biscuit". It's spicy, warm and sweet. It's also good enough to eat. 

I am tempted to stock up on these- it breaks my heart that this is a limited edition collection - I want them all!

I hope you liked my post- if you would like to read more of my beauty posts, click here.

Comments are always welcome, you lovely lot! 

Flutter, Flirt and Frolic

Firstly I must apologise that i've been posting rather rarely of late, university work is getting the better of me unfortunately and every single time I go to write a post, I seem to fall asleep. I fear that this is old age getting to me, as i'm now officially 19. EEK.

I also must apologise that the visuals for this post aren't exactly amazing for I'm working, for the time being, from my sister's laptop which has no Photoshop (shock horror)... Back to basics I go.

Anyhoo, Valentines day is this coming week, so I thought it high time to post a little beauty guide on how to optimise your flirtation factor on the 14th.

FACE

1. This Revlon PhotoReady Powder  (£11.29) is a hero product of mine. I have been using it for a few months now and I really can't get enough of it. The powder is finely milled with light reflecting particles. It doesn't cake in the slightest and really does softly airbrush the skin without caking even slightly. Just layer over your choice of Beauty Balm or Foundation for a radiant, romantic complexion.

2. I have been itching to try a Beauty Balm for a while (I know, i'm rather behind the times) and this one from Dr Jart+ is a great one to start out. I opted for the Regenerating Beauty Balm (£14 here) and have found it a lovely, light base for a freshfaced glow. Plus it's so easy to apply, just a little bit goes a long way.

3. The one beauty product I really can't cope without is the NARS Blusher in Orgasm. It is a cult product for a reason, trust me, and this peachy pink blusher is every bit as good as the name suggests. It is £21.50 but really is worth every last penny. The image I have above, I have realised only now, is not actually of the correct blusher, but I honestly can't recommend this prettifying powder enough.

4. A little tip off from my marvellous mum, this Lancome Effet Miracle Primer/ Blemish Balm is an absolute godsend. I could even go as far as to say it is the best primer I have ever tried. It is a sure way to get strokeably smooth skin. Now, just to save up that £26 to buy my own!

EYES

1. Nothing says flirtation quite like luscious fluttering eyelashes, and these Shu Uemura eyelash curlers are the best out there, without a shadow of a doubt. A make-up artist I worked with recently referred to them as his 'Shu's'... Perfect for those of us who can't quite pronounce the full brand name. It'll be the best £20 you ever spent, ladies.

2. Only recently have I been informed of the totally transformative quality of strong, slick eyebrows. They actually do make such a difference in framing the face and all it takes is a little bit of contouring with a kit like this ELF one which is a ridiculous bargain at £3.75, available in four colourways. It is the perfect way to cheat that natural beauty look that your Mr. Right will adore.

3. Now, let us get back to those flirtatious fluttering eyelashes. I have recently been trying out this new mascara sample from Bourjois, and I must admit that I am very impressed with this FAN-TASTIC VOLUME edition. I've always said that Bourjois mascaras are the best budget option (alongside Max Factor) and this new one, with a fan-shaped comb, lengthens and intensifies eyelashes a treat. It is just £9.99 and is great for creating a wide-eyed natural look that is perfect for catching his eye.

LIPS

1. Ready to pucker up? This sugary pink lipstick from Topshop make-up in Macaroon is a gorgeous candy colour that will make that pout extra kissable. Just apply one layer for a nude look.

2. Another Orgasm, this time in a lip gloss. It has all the brightening and flattering qualities of it's blusher friend, but it provides the most enticing glossy coat on lips.

3. Make sure that your lips are totally immaculate by priming with this delicious Red Velvet lip scrub by Sara Happ, available here. It tastes just like a sweet, sumptuous red velvet cupcake and the find sugar granules buff away any dry skin for the most soft and sweet kiss imaginable. A treat for you and him!

EXTRAS

1. The ultimate indulgence, Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé body cream is a beauty must for Valentines day. It smells absolutely edible with the most intense vanilla notes that money can buy. It is also lusciously rich and nourishing, leaving supple skin with an inviting scent.

2. Continuing along the good enough to eat road, this Jo Malone Sweet Lemon Cologne, from their new High Tea collection, smells just like a sugary lemon tart. Very soon I shall be sharing some lovely new Jo Malone products with you, but in the mean time I highly suggest you treat yourself to this sweet spring scent. He'll love it every bit as much as you.

3. My Valentines polish of choice? Nails Inc in Shoreditch. This fun and flirty hot pink is not even remotely sickly sweet, but a great bubblegum pink that packs a little punch. It needs a fair few coats to get a decent colour, but it's worth it.

4. If you are more traditional, you'll be loving this summery bright polish from Essie's latest collection. This coral Snap Happy shade will certainly cheer up your Valentines day, whether or not you have someone to celebrate with. 

Pursuit of Prettiness: Face of The Underground

I love living in London. I really, really do.

From the Christmas lights in Covent Garden through to the simple pleasure of sitting a taxi at night, driving by Park Lane and sighing at how beautiful the city of London really is.

I know that I sound smitten, but I really do appear to have fallen for London this year. I'm head over heels, but I think there may be trouble in paradise- London, you're messing up my skin something rotten.

I have never for one second thought of myself as having great skin but, trust me, it is at an all time low right about now... It is really rather dire: dry in parts, shiny in others, spots all over the shop and a serious lack of a glow, and London underground, I blame you.

But, why?

CLEANSING

The underground poses all sorts of threats to the skin, but, first and foremost, it's all rather dirty! I am sure we are all a little bit guilty of not cleansing our face and neck as much as we should do, and living in London this is something of a cardinal sin. As Rodial expert Hana told me, face wipes just wont cut it, you need to invest in a really great cleanser which will work to cleanse deeply and remove all of those horrible little germs that plague the tube. By all means, use wipes to remove make-up, but all that 3-in-1 talk is just not on... When living in London, or any major city, cleansing is key. See below for my pick of peachy clean cleansers.

1. Rodial Glamtox Cleanser £50
2. Bioré Ice Cleanser £3.49
3. Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity £6.99
4. Bliss Triple Oxygen Cleansing Foam £24
5. Eve Lom Cleanser £40

MOISTURISING

In terms of temperature, the underground is a little bit of a nightmare. This isn't just darn inconvenient, but it is also rather detrimental to your skin. It's ridiculously warm one minute and bitterly cold the next, which has a drying effect on the skin. Of course, the obvious thing to do is to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Check out my lovely enriching picks below.

1. Elemis Fresh Skin Super Boost £18
2. Decléor Hydra Floral Moisturising Cream £39.80
3. Rodial Dragon's Bloody Hyaluronic Moisturiser £45
4. Estelle & Thild Neroli Face Cream £29.50
5. NIP + FAB Moisture Fix (my pick!) £18.50

PRIMING

The underground also has a charming tendency to completely destroy my make-up. I find myself constantly reapplying after long tube journeys, mainly due to the environmental factors. The secret is... A good primer! It really does make such a difference.

1. Revlon Photo Ready Primer £11.99
2. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer £22
3. MAC Prep + Prime Skin £19.50
4. NIP + FAB Sheer Make-Up Fix £14.95
5. Benefit The POREfessional £23.50

TLC-ing

Finally, though, you've got to give yourself a little bit of pampering at the end of the day. Whether it's an everyday skin treat, or a weekly masque, London skin certainly needs a little bit of TLC.

1. LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic Mask £5.95/tub
2. Bioré Deep Cleansing Nose Strips £7.99
3. Rodial 5 Minute Facial £28
4. Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask £29
5. NIP+FAB Scrub Fix £11.26
6. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate £36

Pursuit of Prettiness: The Gothic Lip

MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger £14

I love this rich tomato red, a subtle take on the gothic look. Apply with a make-up brush for precision and pair with minimal make-up. It is a slightly drier formula so try a balm on top for extra nourishment. It is particularly pretty on warmer skintones- fairer types should stick to Russian Red with it's cool blue tones.  

NARS Liquid Lip Colour in Nana £17.50

This one looks scarier than it is! I expected it to be nearly black and was sceptical to try it, but I have to say I rather liked the final effect. It goes on like a patent, blackberry stain and has some incredible staying power. I was too much of a wuss to wear more than one coat, but I really loved it layered over Topshop Lips in Hazard. A slick and stylish way to wear the trend. 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Va Va Violet  £7.49

I think this one has to be my favourite- it is also the most gothic. It is a deep purple, almost black, and has a nourishing, creamy texture that feels rather luxurious. I loved the colour and felt it flattered my cool skintone perfectly. It is perfect shade of wine meets rich, regal purple tones. It certainly belies it's Boots pricetag.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge in RS612 £17

I used this one for more of a tint approach- one that would be better suited to an older lady or one less adventurous when it comes to vampy lip colours. This is a gorgeous, glossy lipstick which, after one application, is sheer and nourishing and, I found, rather plumping on the lips. The colour is not the most intense, unfortunately, but for wearability this one has to be a winner. I found that the plum complemented my blonde hair rather well also. 

Topshop lips in Beguiled £8

Of the three Topshop darker lipsticks I tried, this one had to be my favourite. The others were gorgeous also, but I loved this rich blackberry shade- it is so luxurious and a little goes a long way! I found this one a great texture and coverage and it would be great for a really dramatic look- a close second. 

HI. Here's my face.

Sorry about that- hope you weren't eating.

Anyway, I know that instagrammed pictures of me are not what you read this blog for, but they are here for a reason- I promise! 

I have been obsessing about the Gothic trend for ages now, and am a Gucci fiend, dying to be Anja Rubik in that lace and chiffon maxidress with her killer plum pout and wavy platinum hair.

So just as we approach mid-October, I thought I could start getting all spooky on ya (please refrain from telling me to "take of my mask" etc.) 

I felt I had to step out of my comfort zone and try a beauty trend- something I am often reluctant to do. Gimme a tricky fashion trend, and i'll give it a whirl, but i'm much less adventurous when it comes to my make-up... A smoky eye is daring in my books. 

However, I must man up and try something a bit different... Gothic lips. Eek. 

It's not as scary as it first seems, though, and I must admit I am a bit of a convert. I have spent years piling on nude lipsticks and glosses and now is the perfect time to break free from those understated (*ahem* BORING) neutrals. 

Pursuit of Prettiness: Photo Face

Models Backstage at Dolce and Gabbana SS13
Image from Catwalking

Photographs are my worst enemy. I am truly, disgustingly unphotogenic and it really does bring me down. Everything from head to toe looks a million times worse when captured on camera in my case, and over the past week things have worsened.

It appears that I have turned into some sort of ghost. Whenever the unforgiving flash of my friend's iPhone goes off, my face suddenly glows a bright white, contrasting dramatically with my dark He-Shi tan. It is not, NOT a good look.

I won't post the photos, but if you are a friend of mine on Facebook you may have been unfortunate enough to have caught a glimpse of Shona the clown, clad in a little red dress with bright Ruby Woo lips and a chalky complexion to rival the cast of Twilight.

I have to point the finger at my foundation of choice. I have been using the Estée Lauder Maximum Coverage foundation for a few years now and I love it's mask-like effect, purely because it covers EVERYTHING. I have since come to realise, learning the hard way, that it is a) two shades too light for my skin tone and b) totally wrong for my skin type.

I knew, to avoid any more Facebook photo embarrassments, that I should invest in a shiny new foundation and I have since made a new friend: Revlon PhotoReady Make-Up (available from Boots for just £9.99)

Available Nationwide £9.99

I bought it almost impulsively, swayed by it's promise of a flawless photo finish, but I am very glad I did. The foundation provides a satiny, airbrushed base with a fantastic buildable coverage. I also indulged in the matching concealer which blends seamlessly with the base and gives that extra bit of polish to my less than perfect skin. Revlon also offer a PhotoReady primer which I am very keen to try, primarily to see whether it boosts the staying power of the foundation

It blends like a dream, it covers beautifully and it is the first foundation I have worn that isn't mask-like, but still provides adequate coverage without the addition of powder. 

Yay for Revlon!

Pursuit of Prettiness: Road to Rapunzel

1. Hair Growth Shampoo £6.99
2. Hair Growth Treatment £7.99
3. Hair Growth Conditioner £6.99
SHOP HERE.

As you know from my previous post on hair regrowth (see it here), I am struggling to get some life back into my slightly dreary locks. However, shock horror, my hair is starting to grow- I HAVE ROOTS!

So, to ensure that this growth keeps on going, and I can get myself a nice mop of Middleton-esque hair, I have decided to invest in a whole lotta nourishing treatments for my locks.

Having read great things about the Lee Stafford Hair Growth collection, I had to give it a go. It's been in rather high demand since it's recent launch and until now I have not been able to get my hands on the full collection but, thanks to the big fat Boots in Westfield, I have now got the full collection standing pride of place on my shelf.

The collection comprises of three products: the shampoo, the treatment and the conditioner, all promising to nourish hair at the roots and therefore stimulate healthy and luscious growth. It also smells rather tasty.

Last night I gave it a little try and I have to say i'm muchas impressed. I began (obviously) with the shampoo, working it into a creamy, luxurious lather that belies it's £6.99 price tag. Mr Lee Stafford then directed me to pop a big egg-sized dollop of the treatment on to my hair and leave for five minutes to work it's magic. Washing the rich treatment out, my hair already lovely and silky, and just a teensy bit of conditioner was required to lock the moisture into my parched locks.

Blow drying my hair as normal, I noticed that it felt unbelievably smooth- as of yet I have not noticed some gigantic growth spurt, but give it time! The healthier the hair, the faster it grows, and this treatment is perhaps the best I have tried, especially given it's fabulous price (it even beats Bumble & Bumble Mending Masque I reckon!)

I definitely recommend giving it a go if you're looking to give your hair a little TLC, or just wish to mix up your shower routine.

Pursuit of Prettiness: It's A Hair Mare

I’ve not done a Pursuit of Prettiness post in a while, so here’s a big’un. This year, as most of you probably know, I’ve been struggling with an eating disorder and all it’s effects. As much as everything seemed to go horribly wrong, one of the little things that really got to me was how much hair I lost.

Ew. I know, right? I sound like an old man- except i'm a girl and balding at 18!

The lack of nutrition in my body meant that my hair was the last of my worries and, thus, became brittle and started breaking off, while no more grew. I was repeatedly asked if I’d cut my hair, but it had just all fallen out, sometimes in clumps. I’ve seen tweets from girls needlessly seeking to lose weight saying things like “the worse part about losing weight is losing your boobs” to which every bone in my body longs to reply “wait until you lose your hair…”

The great phrase: ‘you don’t realise what you have until it’s gone’ seems applicable here (not in a dramatic sense). I took my long, soft honey blonde hair for granted for all those years. I never had thick, glossy locks but I had beachy waves on holiday and my hair went nice and golden in the sun. It suited me so much more than the bleached, dry straggles that have hung from my scalp for the best part of a year. I feel so ugly without my long hair.

In March, as I started to gain the weight that is making me look so very repugnant at present, I decided to go for the chop. I headed to Cobella in Selfridges and had my shoulder length hair cut into a swishy bob. At first I loved it, but it really didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off. I WANT MY HAIR BACK.

So this P.O.P post is dedicated to those looking to grow their hair, either as part of recovery from an eating disorder, or just because you too have made the decision to cut off your hair without fully considering it.

Here are my tips for sustaining hair growth that, so far, have worked for me. It looks like these tips are working, so please do let me know if you have any others!

EAT WELL

It’s such an obvious one but starving your body of the nutrients it needs immediately affects your hair, skin and nails. You really need to nourish your hair from the inside out. Protein is crucial, think nuts, fish and eggs. A healthy diet will show in your overall appearance, regardless of your weight.

SCALP MASSAGE

This is a little tip I got from my friend Harriet (an annoyingly gorgeous budding beauty journalist with a fantastic little blog here) for which I am eternally grateful! I have only been doing it for just over a week but have immediately noticed a difference to the volume and strength of my hair. Massaging your scalp for around 3-5 minutes a day makes a world of difference. Just massage your scalp gently as you condition your hair and it shall stimulate the growth of the hair. It also feels pretty darn nice. I like to treat myself to Bumble & Bumble Mending Masque which I put on, massage my scalp for around five minutes (bit of a bicep workout to be honest!) then leave the masque for a further 10 minutes. My hair is soft, glossy and looks so much healthier as a result.

SEA KELP

Another little tip from the lovely Harriet. Supposedly sea kelp tablets (which you can buy from Holland and Barrett- in the penny sale just now!) help promote the healthy growth of hair. There is, as of yet, no scientific proof of this but seaweed is iron-rich and therefore sure to be beneficial. It should take a while for me to see the results, but I shall let you know if this really does work. Harriet says she’s noticed a difference in her hair and has had it recommended to her by a few friends so I’d definitely suggest giving it a try.

BLOW DRY HAIR STRAIGHT 

Rather than ironing your hair every day, as I used to do, try blow drying it straight with a ceramic barrel brush, using a heat protector product to keep the condition (my favourite heat protector is the GHD one but i'm not fussy!)

MOROCCAN OIL 

I have heard great things about Moroccan Oil for assisting hair growth. I personally have not tried the Morroccanoil brand, but am very keen to. I actually use Keihls Argan Oil on the ends of my hair to keep it smooth. It is a weekly treat for my hair and I have started to massage my scalp with a few drops of Argan oil as well as applying a little to the midlengths and ends of my hair. It does promote strength of hair as well as length and there is very little better for your hair! Just don’t overdo the hair oil as fine hair is more prone to greasiness.

Hopefully you have found these tips reasonably helpful and please do let me know any more tips you may have on hair growth (recovery or not!) as I’m all ears! I’ll let you know how my hair progresses… As I’m sure you’re riveted. 

Be A Secret Smoothie

Say hello to my new best friend, the NIP + FAB Dry Leg Fix. I have horribly bashed and bruised legs so when the sun comes out, and they are forced to make an appearance, I am often prone to covering in treacle-like tan and hoping no one notices the dire state of my legs.

Alas, my days of Oompa-Loompa-dom are over as I have found a new leggy friend. This rich cream, specifically for dry legs, nourishes and evens out skin tone like nothing else I have tried. I absolutely love it!

At £10.25 it is a reasonable price and, trust me, you won't regret a purchase!