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 : May 2013

Another month, another wave of gorgeous new beauty products to splurge on... After all, we must get beach-ready. What else are we supposed to spend on?

I've tried some fabulous products this month, so just thought i'd do my duties in sharing them with you !

Have you tried something particularly yummy? Comment below and let me know !

Looking to tone up before you have to squeeze in your bikini? If you're anything like me, then this is sure to be the case. Actually, if you're anything like me then THIS will be the case... Anyway, I digress. If you're looking for the easy-ish way out, then treat yourself to this minty cream from Soap & Glory with the most pun-tastic name imaginable. Brace yourself, ladies, for THE FIRMINATOR (£12 here). Slather all over your thighs after a shower and wait for the firming to begin. Of course, this works better with a bit of toning work at the gym!

 Bourjois are known for their best selling Little Round Pot blushers. Soft, delicate and easy to blend, Bourjois' powder blushes are the best on a budget but it does not take a genius to know that during the warmer months, powder blushes are not always a good idea. Usually in Summer, our skin is a little better and it's all about getting a dewy glow. Praise the beauty lords, then, for Bourjois have now launched these amazing creamy blushers. A snip at just £7.99 exclusively at Selfridges, these blushers go on so smoothly and offer wonderfully buildable colour.

With a new beauty collection inspired by cupcakes, this powder from MAC is great for adding a little pearlescent sheen to a beauty look. It is £21.50 here. 

If you're lucky enough to go lovely and bronze during the Summer months, then this Bobbi Brown multipurpose product is sure to be your saviour over the holidays. A bright bubblegum pink with plenty of delicate shimmer, this Summer Pink blush stick will add a little glow to your barefaced beauty look. Add a little slick to lips and finish with No7 BB lip balm for a killer look. It is £18 here. 

A lovely light scent for Summer, my current fragrance obsession is See by Chloé's suitably chic new fragrance. You can buy it here- £49 for 50 ml. 

A foundation that has the power to actually heal spots? Count. Me. In. This full coverage foundation from Seventeen has just launched and i've been lucky enough to try it already. While i've not been using it long enough to notice a huge difference, the coverage of this foundation is just ideal for Summer, especially if you have problem skin. The formula contains salicylic acid which works to dry out pimples while the creamy foundation provides just the right amount of coverage. Just what the doctor ordered for a cool £6.99 here.

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! 

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: 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 #6

Another week, another product shoved onto my overflowing shelf in the age old pursuit of prettiness. Today i'm tackling my hair. I'm not going to lie... It is not great.

My poor, poor hair. Years of straightening and backcombing, poor diet, lack of nutrients and London pollution have left my already brittle hair in a truly sorry state. I pop pills every day to try and get some life back into my barnet, but it is still far from the voluminous hair I crave.

Early this year, in one of those "new do new me" phases, I chopped off my straggly, dying ends into something resembling a bob. We have a bit of a love/hate relationship- Bob and I. I miss my blanket of beachy waves, but at the same time it looks much healthier than the straggles of bleached split ends hanging limp by my shoulder blades.

My current hair regime is rather extensive, but I can not cut it down!

Shampoo: Clynol Suncare
Conditioner: James Brown (not because it's good, just because it's there...)
Masque: Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque
Serum: Bumble and Bumble Mending Complex
Leave in Conditioner: Clynol Sun De-Stress
Mousse 1: John Frieda Full Repair
Mousse 2: BED HEAD Tigi 'Totally Baked Hair Meringue'
Hairspray: Garnier Fructis Crystal Resist

It seems over the top,  I know, and I am prone to product build up, but i'm scared to cut it down. If it came to it, though, I know which product would be last one standing: 'Totally Baked'.

As i've said before (see HERE) I am obsessed with anything sweet smelling, and you do not get much tastier than Totally Baked. The mousse is foamy, not sticky, and one pump is enough to work for my short, fine hair. It provides texture, volume and hold without being too heavy, and it smells like cake... Or lemon meringue pie... Or creamy frosting...

Just don't eat it, okay?

It is not overly cheap, but a little goes a long way and it is salon quality stuff. The RRP is £12.50, but buy it at HQ Hair for £9.37 here.

Pursuit of Prettiness #5

It is an unwritten rule that all good beauty products should smell nice. Okay, perhaps that is stretching it a little, but how much more enjoyable is applying a beautifully scented lotion than slathering on an unscented cream. As much as Keihl's Creme de Corps is a cult product, I find it infinitely boring and find myself crying for Laura Mercier or Nip+Fab as I can't bear a body cream without a decadent sweet scent.

The same goes for foundation (Bourjois foundation smells like make-up should!), for fake tan (I hate, hate, hate that biscuity smell- click here for a tan that's almost odourless) and for hair products (next POP piece? Totally Baked by Tigi Bedhead.. Mmm). It is all about the smell for me, and if a product ticks that box, as well as all the others, it's a keeper.

This week's favourite is my new big fat pot of The Breakfast Scrub by Soap and Glory. Boots enticed me in with a 3 for 2 offer across bodycare, skincare and fake tan, and I spent ages working out which wittily titled scrub to plump for. I certainly, 100% made the right choice.

I have always been a lover of Soap & Glory- and for years it was the only beauty brand that I was truly obsessed with. Every Christmas and Birthday I would receive numerous gift set, often accumulating three or four of the same product, and managing to use every last morsel. I just love everything about the brand. The packaging is kitsch and fun, the products smell beautiful, the bodycare and skincare products are superlative and it is amazingly good value. No wonder it's such a success and has even expanded into make-up (I am eager to try some!)

I used to go through a pot of Flake Away every month, but got out of this habit on moving to uni, no longer able to slip numerous beauty products into Mum's Boots basket. This week, though, I decided that the time had come to get a little glow back for summer, and work on getting well and truly rid of that horrible winter dry skin. I am spoilt for choice with Soap & Glory scrubs, but I HAD to try the Breakfast Scrub and I am more than happy with it.

Soap and Glory scrubs are so good because they are not overly liquid. They are sugary and balmy and do exactly what they say on the tin. Nothing makes my skin smoother, and nothing I have ever used has smelled better. If I could find a perfume that smelled like The Breakfast Scrub i'd buy a gallon. The oaty scrub is enriched with bananas, almond and honey, it smells like pancakes dripping in glossy maple syrup... It is truly divine and I Soap & Glory to make a full range involving a body souffle, a body spray and a massive candle so I can stop constantly sniffing the tub.

It also works miraculously. If you scrub it in before stepping in the shower- all over your body in circular motions- your skin will be enviably smooth and beach ready.

The sweetest product around and my new favourite indulgence! (£9.45 here)

Pursuit of Prettiness #4

This week's 'Pursuit of Prettiness' is based on my horrible, horrible skin. Any readers who, like me, live in London will have noticed the effect that the big city has on the skin- and it ain't pretty!

As with all things skin care, it's tricky to generalise- some people find city life to dry their skin, others see it breaking out and the lucky ones, like yours truly, get to experience a delightful mix of both! This leaves my skin blemished around my hairline and chin, but horribly dry around my nose and forehead.

Combined with my poor diet, stress and terrible habit of leaving make-up on overnight, my skin has gone from bad to terrible, and I have been at a loss for a while. It's a vicious cycle of breakout > caked make-up > clogged pores > more spots and it is not easy to combat. I have, however, found a way to keep my skin looking far brighter and clearer for summer.

Firstly, I remove make-up and cleanse twice with Clearasil foaming wash until my skin is squeaky clean. One wash to remove dirt and the other to clean deep into the pores. I then apply a little Dermatalogica scrub around my nose and forehead to eliminate dry skin and I then pat my skin dry. This is the perfect base for the essential tool in my pursuit of prettiness: moisturiser.

I have had a real love/hate relationship with moisturisers all my life- some seem harmless but leave my sensitive skin stinging, while others absorb instantly but do next to nothing to my skin moisture levels. I think, however, I may have found one that does the trick.

There are numerous moisturisers out there for oily skin, but the new Herbalife Nourifusion multivitamin moisturizer for normal to oily skin is the best I have tried (£20.20). The SPF15 wonder cream is nourishing and smoothing with vitamins A, C and E, and it sinks in straight away with no greasy or clogging feel.

Apply it morning and evening to notice a huge improvement to problem skin without worrying about oiliness. I suggest applying to dry areas and using the old faithful Sudocrem on inflamed or problem pimples!

Find where to buy Nourifusion online here.

Pursuit of Prettiness #3

I have never been particularly big on using body moisturisers. With the exception of my favourite gradual tanner (read my post here), I tend to run straight from the shower to my pyjamas as I can not bear the cold long enough to apply a body cream. However, I do make an exception for products that are truly gorgeous, mainly ones that smell good enough to eat. 

As the temperature is slowly (pathetically) climbing, I am now able to brave the body creams and I have found a new favourite. For my birthday I was given the most deliciously indulgent set of Laura Mercier Almond Coconut bath honey, body souffle and scrub which I use every time I am home, but when in London I need a cheaper alternative to keep my skin in tip top condition. Step forward Nip + Fab Dry Skin Fix (£9.95)

I received the Pistachio Sundae cream in a bag of goodies after a recent work experience, and it is now a permanent fixture in my beauty regime. At this age, it is easy to forget to moisturise, but if you never bother you will be kicking yourself in a few years time! Moisture is the key to beautiful skin and I definitely suggest adding a rich body creme, like this Nip + Fab one, to your summer beauty kit as it will definitely make a difference to your bikini body. You could be beautifully toned and tanned, but who cares if your skin is dry and lacklustre?

Now for the sciency bit- as can only be expected from Nip+Fab, Rodial's sister brand. These butters are so nourishing as they contain Aquaxyl which boosts the water reserves in the skin to prevent water loss and thus improve the texture and appearance of the skin. When applied straight from the shower onto slightly damp skin this rich cream sinks in and leaves a velvety result straight away, not to mention a nutty and delectably sweet scent.

As my generous 200ml pot is running low, I am thinking of buying another and am tempted to try the enticing Coconut Latte option, but the zingy mango smoothie sounds perfect for the hotter months. I definitely suggest a purchase as this body cream is oodles better than many I have tried.

Get yours HERE, or try a bit of each scent HERE. 

Pursuit of Prettiness #2

SW Fashion's Best Tan: St Tropez Everday £14.30

Summer, summer, summer. It really is the best season, isn't it? Ice lollies, bright colours and uplifting sunshine, you have to be a bit of a misery to hate summertime, especially in britain. Yes, we get the odd wave of rain or the occasional dreary seaside day, but the British summer is quite charming really, and is the perfect weather to bring your SS12 attire out of hibernation after that wave of impulse buying in February (or maybe that was just me?)

Little dresses, ditsy prints and cutesy shorts are all well and good, but there is one crucial accessory that every pasty brit girl needs to complete a summer look: fake tan. 

It is my number one frienemy. A perfect example of a love/hate relationship. There are the days it goes on seamlessly, the sticky gel dries to a smooth finish and a few hours later develops to a lovely soft caramel shade, giving my little white dress a new lease of life. Unfortunately, though, these days occur once every few months. The bad tan experiences are far more frequent, and quite unforgivable. It's all going so well, until you realise you've missed half your arm, or stained your bedsheets with the dark treacle substance. That is not even to mention all those ALMOST perfect tanning experiences that have been ruined completely by orange palms and pesky streaks. 

I can not count the amount of times that my older sister has sneered at my Oompa Loompa complexion and told me to embrace my pastiness, but that is not for me. I have aspirations of Gisele Bundchen's body, and I will get there, okay? The tan is the best place to start and the abs will follow.

My search for the perfect tan has covered many corners of Boots and Harvey Nichols. I have gone cheap and I have gone frustratingly expensive, but only one tan has ever really had phenomenal results for me: St Tropez Everyday (£14.30 available here or at Boots and all good department stores)

Users of Johnson Holiday Skin will probably roll their eyes at the mention of a gradual tanner, but this one is totally different. It is luxurious, reasonably priced and the results are fantastic. If you are after an intense, deep tan this probably is not going to do the trick, but if you are fair skinned and prone to tanning disasters, it really is a godsend.

You can buy it in either light/medium or dark/medium, tailored to your skin tone, and it is the easiest product to apply. For a smooth finish, before you pop into the shower apply a little scrub to the areas you wish to tan. Scrubbing the dry skin, gently of course, gives a totally flawless surface for your tan to glide over creating an airbrushed and supple effect. My favourite value scrub is the sweet and perfectly textured Flake Away by Soap and Glory, and my favourite luxury one is Laura Mercier Almond Coconut which smells almost edible.

You then apply the creamy product like a moisturiser from head to toe, taking extra care on problematic areas like feet, knees and elbows. I like to use surgical gloves to apply tan, but a mitt works just as well.  Just remember that even though it is a gradual product, it can still stain your palms so take care.

I love that the product has a really fresh smell to it, and that the inevitable biscuity scent is short lived and rather faint compared to other products. The colour begins to show after two or three applications and can range from a slight golden glow to a full on St Tropez tan- it's all in your control. 

It is the only tan I trusted to use in the run up to my leavers dance, and it certainly did not disappoint. It is easy to apply, it doesn't transfer and it leaves gorgeous results- a miracle product in my view.

Never again will you be left sobbing uncontrollably after your instant tan gets washed away in an April shower, and never again will you be asked about your skin condition... Yup, my tan was once THAT bad (I won't name the culprit, though)

Buy yours HERE- if it works on me, imagine what it could do for you!

Pursuit of Prettiness #1

Images from Trunk Archive

NEW FEATURE ALERT! I am a total beauty junkie and I have been in love with beauty products from a very young age, from sweet Lush bath bombs to that fizzy skin tingle of the cult Bliss Triple Oxygen mask. Though this blog is called SW Fashion, which indicates, surprisingly, that I mostly write about fashion, recently I have branched out to write about beauty and lifestyle just for a bit of variety. If you want to read more of my beauty posts click HERE or stay tuned for my new weekly feature- Pursuit of Prettiness.

I am not a natural beauty, and in the morning I am a gremlin. My skin is oily and breaks out daily and I have small eyes and thin lips, not to mention brittle hair. So why, oh why, could I ever write about beauty when i'm not even all that pretty? I suppose that's the reason. I have spent my life in pursuit of prettiness and it has never, and never will, come easily or cheaply! If a product makes a noticeable improvement on me, imagine what it could do for someone naturally gorgeous! The first of my posts is all about nails, because ANYONE can pull off a statement nail.

Everyone knows that nail art is huge this season, and there has never been a better time to experiment with bold and daring nail designs than right now.

The fact that I spent most of this week shielding myself from the rain with my leather jacket before curling up in front of my laptop with a creamy hot chocolate just goes to show that Spring is not exactly in full bloom. Curse you, global warming, you are more than a little bit inconvenient. And with what seems to be a thunder storm and smatterings of hail, I am guessing that my sugary collection of chiffon and pastel pieces is set to stay in hibernation for a good few weeks.

The only positive point about these unfriendly weather conditions is that, while fashion creativity is limited, you can take a few risks on the beauty front. I'm talking, of course, about nails.

Nails are the easiest way to add a bit of sunny cheer to your look, and just now there are so many tropical colours and dazzling designs to dabble in. 

Whether you are a nail novice or  pro, there will definitely be a way for you to liven up your polish collection this season. Let's also not forget how cheap and cheerful nail polish is!