Hot new Lipstick Alert!

17 have just added a seriously sexy new lipstick range to their collection. Supreme Shine Lipsticks work bold, virant colours with a new, lightweight formula.

Available in 13 beautiful shades – Barely Blush, Bon Bon, Pink Posey, Kissable, Hot Stuff, If You Please, Red Devil, Rich, Bella, Hot Flash, Day-glo, All About the Sass, Deep Secret.

Hot Stuff

For me red lipstick is like chocolate, I know it’s not good for me but I just can’t resist, but in Hot Stuff I think I’ve finally found my perfect red! Blue toned reds don’t suit me, I find they drain the colour from my face. Coral reds and pinkish reds work better on my skin tone. This, I’d describe as a very flattering cherry red. It’s rich, highly pigmented and fairly opaque. The forumla is easy to apply, slides on, a little waxy and very lightweight. The finish is a classic shine, but not sticky or glossy.

Pink Posey

Purples and Plums are so hot right now! Pink Posey is a very wearable pinky purple. It’s bright and bold and my new party season go-to. Like before it’s rich, highly pigmented and fairly opaque. The forumla is easy to apply, slides on, is a little waxy and very lightweight. The only drawback is it doesn’t have the staying power of regular formulas, but it’s a good excuse to whip it out and reapply.

OFFER ALERT – Check out this free gift with any two 17 products. Femme Noir

Supreme Shine Lipstick in store and online now, £4.99

LOOK Beauty Collection

Another new kid on the block! LOOK Magazine announced last week that they are launching their first beauty range. I think this is a brilliant idea and I’m surprised someone hasn’t beaten them to it. I picked up a few samples at the show last month and wanted to share my pics, and thoughts.

It’s a pretty comprehensive range with everything you’d expect – foundations, primers, blushers and more. For me the stand out product is the Double Hit Lip – lipstick at one end and gloss at the other. The shade I received is an orangey coral, which looks quite scary but is actually quite sheer.

The texture of the lipstick is nice, more like a balm and the lipgloss smells divine. These were used to achieve the very on trend bold pouts at the recent LOOK catwalk show (see the pics here). I’d be keen to try the red for a buildable crimson pout, with optional gloss finish.

As for the Statement Eyes shadows £4 each, again, not the best shades for me, but the textures are nice. Quite silky and satin-like.

 

I’d like to try their metallic shades – Lame and Luxe were used on the models in the show.

Other stand out products include the Ooomph Lashes mascara £7 and Holiday Glow highlighting Powder £8.

Available exclusively in Superdrug stores later this month. A donation from every product sold goes to cancer support charity Look Good… Feel Better.

New Beauty Crush: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Girl of the moment Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, my new beauty, style and general all round girl crush.

When it comes to make up, Rosie knows what suits her and sticks to it – I love the simplicity of her make up. Her signature look centres around sultry smokey eyes and bronzed skin. Despite having the biggest and best lips in the business, Rosie doesn’t play up to them. I’d be tempted to colour in that pout all kinds of fuchsias and reds, but she keeps it simple with hues of nude and browny-pinks.

Here’s how to create the look.

Base

Her base is glowing and dewy. I’d imagine she starts off with a luminous primer like Clarin’s beauty flash balm then adds a subtle base colour, something like Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. With that flawless skin, I doubt she needs concealer, but a couple clicks of a highlighter or under eye concealer like YSL’s touché éclat will correct any dull areas – I think there’s evidence of some in the inner eye area – which works great to open and brighten the eye.

Cheeks

Not one for bright blushers, Rosie opts for bronzer and highlighter instead. Either she’s blessed with the most amazing cheekbones EVER or there’s some clever contouring going on here – I choose to believe it’s the later. Take a multi toned bronzing powder, something like Guerlain’s Terracota Four Seasons and contour the natural lines around your cheeks, forehead and chin. A dab of liquid highlighter on the top of cheek bones would accentuate the tan and draw attention to the chizzled features. Finish with a light dusting of a peachy/pink powder blush to add a touch of colour to apples of the cheeks.

Eyes

Brows are full and combed slightly upwards, which I love. For the smokey eye Rosie opt for gold and bronzey brown eye shadows rather than the standard black and greys. An eye quad or a palette would work best to mix and match for the shade that suits. I have a great one by Frontcover that contains some gorgeous bronzey hues. The intensity of the smokey eye varies – smudge shadow along the lid and up to the crease, if you’re feeling adventurous, take it higher up to the brow bone. Smudge some shimmery brown or bronze under the lower lash line and in the inner eye. Work in a brown or black eye liner.

For some added va-va-voom, a small kitten flick created with a gel or liquid liner looks very sexy. Finish with lashings of mascara.

Lips

Let’s face it, lips like that don’t need much dressing up. A smudge of Vaseline and they’re good to go! They’re generally kept natural, I really don’t think she wears much lipstick – maybe just a hint of sheer colour, something like a nude or dirty rose. She’s more a lipbalm kinda girl.

 WORD OF WARNING: Trying to recreate the look of one of the best looking women in the World, may lead to self esteem issues!

Bargain Boots Treats… Revlon, Ruby and Millie and No7

“I’m just popping to Boots”, fateful words if ever I heard them. I pop in for some shampoo and emerge an hour later… two bags heavier and twenty quid lighter. But, my conscience and my purse love it when there’s a good deal or two to be had.

Starting with a Ruby and Millie Duo Shadow. There’s currently a whopping 75% off all Ruby and Mille cosmetics and this smokey eye shadow in purple cost just £3.00. I’ve been looking for the perfect purple shadow for a while and this could be it. The duo consists of two halves: a cream blue base and a metallic purple powder. It’s a nice break from my usual grey smokey eye and works perfectly with green, hazel and blue eyes. The powder shadow has a velvety texture with an almost two-tone metallic finish, looks great when the light catches it.

I’m really loving Revlon right now. I think their lipglosses and nail polishes are top class, but that’s as far as I’ve ventured… until now. This Bronzer caught my eye because it had a giant £2 off sticker (£7.99 down to £5.99) but when I picked it up for further inspection I was very impressed by the colour and consistency. I’d describe it as a medium warm bronzer infused with subtle golden shimmer, for a luminous finish. The powder is fine and unlike other bronzers around that price point, it’s not too powdery and doesn’t leave a residue all over the compact, or your face.

I would compare it to cult classic Nars Laguna Bronzing powder, which I really like but is too prone to braking and crumbling…

Heavily swatched on my arm, Nars right, Revlon left.

A little lighter than laguna, but similar nonetheless. The compact is really handy too for popping in your bag, it includes a mirror and useless little brush (which will do in the pub toilets for that quick top up).

And for my last treat… After buying the shadow and bronzer I got one of those £5 off No7 vouchers, which I immediately redeemed against a cute nail polish I’ve had my eye on. Still feeling the Purple vibe, I plumped for a stay perfect nail polish in Vivid Violet. A glossy colour with a metallic finish, very 70s chic! This is what it looks like with two quick coats, when I do my full hand I think it will need three.

£2.00 with the voucher, normally £7.

Not bad, huh? My mini haul set me back just £10.99.

LUST HAVE: Givenchy Le Prismissime Eyes Acid Lights

Goodbye pastels, hello Neons. Spring make up usually consists of pale pinks, mauves, baby blues etc. All very soft and delicate and fragile… Pretty but quite frankly we’re getting bored of them, plus they’re barely detectable on your face.

It’s all about BOLD, BRIGHT and now NEON!

 This palette has the WOW factor. A sucker for all things pretty, Givenchy’s  Le Prisimissine Eyes in Acid Lights has got me drooling.

The limited edition palette offers nine knock out colours including turquoise, anise green, coral and Frappe coffee… Perfect for all you colour chameleons. It might look a little scary, but those pretty purples, greens and blues are very wearable. I must say, I’m slightly dubious about the Yellow, but never say never.

Created with spherical polymers, these shadows slip over lids like butter.

Acid brights were huge on the catwalk for Spring/Summer 2011. Go all out like Dior…

Or for something more subtle, smudge some colour into the inner corners of the eye to make them POP.

So channel your inner rave queen and go bright this summer.

Available in stores from May £39.50

Paris Fashion Week Top Beauty Trends A/W 11-12

As the curtains close on Paris fashion week, it marks the end of the craziest, busiest, most manic weeks on the fashion calendar. Alas, the fashionistas can breathe a sigh of relief, done for another 6 months, well not quite, but the shows are. So amidst the drama what did those chic Parisians showcase as their top beauty trends for A/W11?

Pink Lips

Top of the agenda, and much to my delight is Pink. Oh I looooove pink. For so long we’ve been buzzing about corals, reds, burgundys, basically everything but pink. Back with a bang in Paris was medium, soft pretty pinks -think  candy, salmon and pastel.

Nina Ricci stole the show with the prettiest pinks around.

New Season Eye

From the pretty to the powerful. We’ve seen this at each fashion week, which translates into.. this WILL be big next season and you MUST start wearing your eye shadow this way! I’m still not convinced I’ll be applying eyeshadow all the way to the brows anytime soon, but never say never.

Eyes were dramatic at, dare we say John Galiano.

And Chanel

Minimal

In a season full of brights and bolds it’s nice to see the return of the barely there make up look. Dewy skin, pale lips and strong brows were on the menu at McCartney and as we know where Stella leads, other follow. Pretty, ladylike beauty was the perfect contradiction to the masculine tailoring she showcased.

 

Pretty and feminine was also the trend du jour at Chanel and Chloe. Eyes were a little more dramatic, but the principle was the same – pretty, polishes and chic. What else would you expect?

 

Suprising audiences at Paris was….

Kate Moss walking for Louis Vuitton

And finally, stealing the show in Paris was…

GaGa, walking for Thierry Mugler in a collection that could have been made for her. Showing that what she lacks in height, she makes up in heels.

Rocky Horror or just plain Horror?

New York Fashion Week – Autumn/Winter 11-12 Beauty Trends

As New York fashion week closes, let’s take a quick, and I mean quick, look at the beauty looks set to rock our worlds in Autumn/Winter 11-12. I know it’s the way the fashion and beauty biz works, but I kinda resent having to think about winter before spring has even sprung. Still it can’t help to be in the know.

Eye shadow… EVERYWHERE

Under, over and all the way to the brow. Eeek, I’m not sure about this one?!? Reminds me of the eye shadows of yesteryear, it’s the look little girls create when first let loose in their mothers make up bag. More is more, according to Vera Wang,  Philip Lim and Diane von Furstenberg (pictured). So when you get to the crease, just keep going!

Brown Lips

Another I’m not sure about, especially teamed with big, dark eyeshadow. When I was at school, the only lipsticks we had were brown/plumy ones (Rimmel’s Heather Shimmer anyone?) it didn’t look good then and I’m not convinced it will now, but who am I to disagree with Oscar de la Renta! Still brown lips, got to be more wearable than orange ones?

 Crimson pout

Red lips, going nowhere fast, so don’t be afraid to invest in a good un, it’ll see you through to next year at least.

London, over to you.

Ten Under a Tenner – Best Budget Beauty Buys

Proving that you don’t need a celebrity bank balance to look like one, I’ve tried and tested some of the best budget beauty buys and they’re all under a tenner!

Barry M Nail Paint, £2.99 each

Great quality, great price and available in a rainbow of colours it’s no wonder Barry M nail varnished have just won In Style’s Best Beauty Buy’s 2011 “best inexpensive nail varnishe” category. Available from Boots and Superdrug stores.

L’Oreal True Match Touche Magique £7.19

The minute I stopped comparing every under eye concealer to the wonder that is the YSL  touche eclat, I discovered lots of great alternatives. Cheaper versions are never going to be the same, they’re usually thicker, more pigmented, but that aint necessarily a bad thing! L’Oreal’s Touche Magique is great for dark bags and also packs enough punch for the odd blemish, and at £7.19 you can bag 3 for the price of 1 touche eclat.

Topshop Kohl Eye Pencils £4

Deep, intense colour in a gliding and soft pencil to give easy and precise application. Velvety finish and deep colour with just one stroke of this soft kohl pencil. Avilable in fantastic shades including Dragon Fly and Petrol.

No7 Limited Edition Spring Collection Lipstick £10

New to the No7 range for Spring/Summer 11. These soft moisturising lipsticks available in two shades – Brigitte a pale and pouty pink shade and Grace, a warm, peachy pale coral. You had me at the packaging. Catch them quick in Boots stores now!

Perfection Colour Intense Lip Lacquer M&S £7.50

Super shiny, highly pigmented gloss that glides on and stays put. Available in vivid shades: pink fizz, pink magenta, vamp, red nude, scarlet, orange fizz, wild plum, claret, pink parfait and jewel. Available online and in store.

Girls Aloud Party Lashes by Eylure £5.10

Since hitting the market in 2009, these falsies have gone down a storm. Five styles available, each designed by your favourite member of girls aloud. Featuring an easy application design, with a glue adhesive and a contact lens friendly design. I highly recommend Nadine’s bambi esque lashes! Available from good chemists and department stores.

Urban Decay Big FATTY Mascara Colour Collection Minis £9

It’s big, it’s fat, it should be illegal. Big Fatty Mascara creates the fullest, fattest lashes imaginable. Infused with hemp oil to moisturize & keep lashes soft, this thickening mascara takes lashes to a new realm. The creamy formula thickens, lengthens & glosses lashes. Step away from bog standard black and try out Purple Haze or Electric Blue…Just one try and you’ll be hooked. Available at Asos.com.

Models Own Powder Eyeshadows £5

Over 60, yes 60 colurs available in stylish matt, sexy shimmer and glam glitter for every look and mood. The colours are intense, rich and vibrant and you don’t need to use much to create fab looks and effects. Right now on Models Own website, buy 3 for £12. Also available at Boots and Superdrug stores.

Carmex Cherry Lip Balm £2.50

Available since 1937, this culy beauty buy has sold over 1 billion jars Worldwide, now available in Cherry flavour – yum yum! Perfect for soft, kissable lips. Never be caught without yours, I have on in my bag, one on my desk and one next to the bed. 3 for 2 now at Superdrug.

No7 Eye Shadow Blend and Contour Brush £6.60

I’m a big fan of No7 brushes, in my opinion they’re every inch as good as many expensive rivals. High quality, super soft bristles and large head area make this brush perfect for blending eye shadow along the lid area and beyound. A great go-to brush for everyday use. Also highly recommended in this range, the foundation brush, but at £12, doesn’t qualify in this category.

Topshop Make Up Sandstorm Collection for Spring/Summer 2011

Topshop – not content with ruling the high street fashion world, they’re now set to dominate the make up one too, and with this new Spring/Summer 11 Sandstorm collection, beauty insiders are sitting up and taking serious notice.

The collection, inspired predominantly by The Burning Man Project festival in the Nevada dessert – hence the name, is a beautiful selection of one off formulas in contrasting metallic finishes and sun bleached neon’s, delicate pastels, sandy hues and peachy lips.

The collection includes, the eagerly anticipated Duo Blush, a versatile blusher and bronzer in a marbled dome for both highlighting and contouring, marble effect baked eye shadows, metallic cream eye shadows and vibrant nail polishes. This fiercely vibrant collection is perfectly on trend with for this season’s 70’s glam rock revival and the perfect companion for the coming festival season.

This limited edition capsule collection from £5 is set to hit stores and Topshop online next week. In the mean time, quench your thirst with tutorial.

17/2/11 Update

Sandstorm now available online, but it’s selling out quick!

LUST HAVE: Clinique’s Limited Edition Milly Pretty in Prints Compact & Gloss

Spring has sprung at Clinique and as the LOVE theme continues, I am LOVING their new Pretty in prints collection.

Perfectly in line with this season’s spring colour trends of bright pinks and peaches, Clinique’s Pretty in Prints Compact for eyes and cheeks is a stylish must-have for all you trend hunters. Featuring an eye shadow quad of rich chocolate browns and delicate pinks and a Milly blush to match, this unique, silver, arty compact comes in stylish drawstring pouch inspired by New York fashion designer Michelle Smith, creator of Milly.

The Pretty in Prints range, it also features a gorgeous Pink Long Last Glosswear, but it’s not just any pink, it’s Milly Pink.

Look fresh and chic dressed in rich chocolate browns and fresh pops of pinks this season.

Available now online and instore Pallette £25 Gloss £14