2012 February - Make Up to Make Out

Archive for February 2012

An Introduction to Radical Skincare…

By Lina on February 28, 2012

So it’s just been over a month now since I’ve been trialling the much hyped new Radical Skincare range – it’s the only range that after the launch I was literally DYING to go home and start using. The buzz with Radical was that compared to all its market competitors, it was proven to have 300% more antioxidant protection and potency.Also, interestingly, the entire range only consists of 7 products, one cleanser, one moisturiser, one eye cream, one neck gel, one daily exfoliator, and two serums. I was given the Peptide Infused Antioxidant Serum and Anti-Ageing Restorative Moisture at the launch in my goody bag to try.

The first time I used the range I have to admit I was blown away. I instantly felt my skin looked better, smoother and clearer, helped by the fact that the Peptide Infused Antioxidant Serum was naturally tinted which gave my skin a healthier glow. I was a little surprised that the Anti-Ageing Restorative Moisture came in jar, as that’s not the best way to store natural, potent ingredients, but figured maybe it’s purpose was to moisturise while the air tight pump action peptide serum was the product that put all the super ingredients in.

Despite the instant smoothing and brightening results, after a few days of use I did notice that my exceptionally dry skin would need a little extra moisture about five minutes after applying. So I got into the habit of putting another moisturiser, one that is just basic moisture – Doublebase – on top of that and that kept my skin better moisturised. This makes me wonder if maybe the range should branch out just a little bit in catering for different skin types.

Having now used both products a month, whilst I really, really enjoy putting them on (you do get that instant healthy glow to your skin and there is a lovely luxury to the products) I must admit I have been left feeling a little underwhelmed about the deeper results. In the first week of use I loved it, but the results have seemed to have halted now. There is a possibility that I still need to keep using it, for at least three months, to see the full effects but in the one month of trialling so far I have found it’s good, possibly really good, but maybe my expectations were too high and have consequently been left unmet.

Having said all of this I will still continue to use it as my day treatment (and will report back with any further results) as they really are lovely products and a joy to use, the Peptide Infused Antioxidant Serum especially – there is a reason why it is Radical’s hero product! I was just expecting a more dramatic result for the price and proven statistics.

You can purchase Radical Skincare online at www.radicalskincare.com now or from Harrods from 4th March.

DISCLAIMER: PR samp

This entry is filed under Radical Skincare.

Yulls Shoes SS12 Collection (and a very special video)

By Lina on February 27, 2012

You guys all remember Yull, yes? A quaint British shoe brand that is all about classic style over fashion? Well, about a month ago I visited the Yull factory to see how a typical Yull shoe would be made! It was actually a very eye opening experience as I had no idea just how much work went into making one pair – when I heard the term Factory I had envisioned a conveyor belt type system with lots of people doing one repetitive soul less thing each, nothing quite like what actually happens there. I had never expected so much attention, care and workmanship to be put into each pair of shoes..

Did you like that video?? I made it all by myself *pauses for praise*, special thanks to Kerry Bolland for making the music!Here’s the full Spring Summer 2012 range (you saw a shoe or two in the video being made from this collection). I think the collection is meant to be available from March however I’ve had a quick look at the website and they’ve already listed the new bits in the shop! How exciting..

ATTENTION: PETITE FEET LADIES!
Also, available from March are shoe size 2.5!! This is HUGE news for us small footed ladies who find a size 3 just too big! I should be getting my very own pair of size 2.5 Yull shoes soon, so will definitely post about that when it arrives. I am so excited to finally have a pair of shoes that FIT. No more insoles, thick socks or padding, or simply falling over because my shoes jangle around my feet dangerously (or so I hope! Knowing me this could still happen). Chances are once I discover how comfy and easy wearing a pair of shoes that fit are I may never wear a different pair of shoes ever again!

What do you think of the new collection? Any favourites?

For more information on Yull, visit www.yull.co.uk.

This entry is filed under Yull. | 1 Comment

Bi-monthly update with Fashion Week, Toni & Guy and Valentine’s Day!

By Lina on February 25, 2012

Well, obviously the most prominent thing about the last two weeks was Fashion Week. This took up a large chunk of my time and I loved every minute of it. I went backstage for some amazing shows and even got a lovely trim at the pop-up Toni & Guy Blow Out Bar! Spent lots of time at the Rimmel and Glam Media Suite, drinking champers and hanging out with the other publishers of Glam Media. Great fun.For those that read my Fashion Week Prep post, you might remember I had included some plasters in my bag. Well, this definitely came in handy as I had a bit of an accident and skidded crossing the road just as I was leaving- my shoes simply lost their grip! Thankfully I had a plaster on hand because man it was a painful, nasty graze!

I also misplaced my make-up bag, however by the point when I had found it again a few things were noticeably missing – such as my HD Brows Palette and Clinique Bronzer!! Sob. Who does that? Goes through someone else’s make-up bag and pilfers USED products?! Skanks. I’m really gutted about those things being taken but thankfully my Nars Orgasm Multiple Stick was still in there! Phew.Valentine’s day came and went and I spent it with one of my best buddies at a lovely Valentine’s Day speed dating event hosted by Aussie Hair, Herbal Essences and Colgate. Actually had a ball at this event, there were so many lovely male models walking around and they were forced to interact with us which gave us a nice false sense of attractiveness… Oh, and THANK YOU Clinique for sending me a little Valentine’s Day gift! So yummy and so sweet..I ran into Katie Snooks from Katie’s Beauty Blog at a Triumph Essence lingerie launch where Helena Christensen was meant to be making a cameo. Unfortunately she had allegedly left by the time I had arrived (despite being scheduled to talk at the time I was there, oh well) so instead Katie and I went and got bra fittings! FYI, I am a 28D and Katie is 30D (sizes impossible to get hold off, lucky us). We had planned to go for drinks after and we did, it got a little messy. All good four foot ten fun though.

I also bought this playsuit from ASOS which I LOVE (you can see a glimpse of it in the picture above with Katie, I will add better ones soon!). It is skimpy but lovely for summer! I just need to tone up (my arms especially! Must dig out my Shake Weight again) and I’ll be warm weather ready!

WOMEN’S UGG BOOTS

UGG® sheepskin boots are a must-have in any woman’s wardrobe. Once you try them on, you won’t want to take them off. Tall or short, there’s a pair for you.

MEN’S UGG BOOTS

Get your hands on a pair of men’s boots from UGG® for men – the hottest look for men this winter. Using only the finest materials, they give you a comfort that is like nothing else.

MEN’S SLIPPERS

Relax in style with a luxurious pair of men’s sheepskin slippers from UGG®. With the legendary warmth and feel of UGG, you wear them in and out of the house.

ACCESSORIES

Slip on the luxurious feel of UGG® leather gloves this winter. With its famous sheepskin lining, it’s the only way to keep your hands toasty and stylish.

ABOUT UGG®

Make sure your UGG® Boots are genuine. Be wary of any websites selling discount UGG® boots. Visit the official UGG® Australia website for authentic UGG products.

This entry is filed under Fashion. | 2 Comments

Exfoliating Glycolic Peel at SK:N

By Lina on February 24, 2012

As promised, here is my post on my chemical peel! But as you’ve probably guessed from the title, it’s not a real burn-all-your-face-off peel, more a gentle treatment that exfoliates and renews. A Glycolic Peel is allegedly a more practical option than getting a harsher chemical peel as you can have a course of mild treatments that don’t impact on your life too heavily, unlike a traditional chemical peel, where you’re usually out of action and work for at least three weeks!When I arrived at SK:N I was asked a few questions about my skin and lifestyle by therapist Zoe (who took notes, above). From appearances Zoe thought my skin looked fine with no obvious complaints, but after having had a more thorough look through their Skin Scanner, a machine that spots the real damage hidden under deep layers of skin, she noticed that my chin and mouth area were highly pigmented. Those areas actually appeared entirely black in the scanner, whilst the rest of my face remained negative white. Eventually these pigmented areas will become noticeable, as they rise to the top. Scary. Other things to look out for was dehydration and dryness, freckles from the sun, but mainly the excessive pigment haunting my chin. Thankfully, with continual glycolic peel treatments – one treatment every ten days, for a course of six – I could drastically improve it. Phew. So she got to work..

The actual treatment only took about 15 minutes and didn’t feel uncomfortable at all; it just tickled slightly at the very most. It was actually really relaxing, just like getting a facial. Once my treatment was done, I used some Revision Tinted Moisturiser with SPF45 over my skin (which they had offered me to use, as it’s a breathable alternative to regular tinted moisturiser), and just added some lipstick as I wasn’t allowed to wear any other make-up (and wouldn’t be for the next 24 hours). I was expecting my skin to be pink and sensitised but it really looked fine, no different that usual, but brighter. It did get a bit dryer as the day wore on though.

Within the next few days there was a slight peeling, a really small amount that was barely noticeable, only when I scratched I’d feel a little come away. I found make-up was fine to use, I just had to be careful not to rub it in too much! A few weeks on I have to say I haven’t really noticed that much of a difference to my skin, however it is worth mentioning that the treatment should really be done as a course of treatments, and one on its own was never going to give me amazing results. Also, as it was my first time getting this treatment, the mildest level of it was used – apparently from each consequent treatment the potency goes up as your skin resistance to the fruit acids go up.

So my verdict is that I would definitely consider getting a full course of treatments, as I am really concerned about the pigmentation damage that was spotted in that awful Skin Scanner. Seeing as the first one hardly affected my lifestyle at all and was only a minor disturbance, it is very much something that you could slot into a busy schedule without too much interruption. Ideal for the busy person who can’t afford three weeks out of life to get a harsher chemical peel. Just don’t expect dramatic results, instantly.

A Glycolic Peel at SK:N starts at £80 for one treatment, and is £320 for course of six. For more information, visit www.sknclinics.co.uk.

DISCLAIMER: PR treatment

This entry is filed under SK:N and tagged Glycolic Peel. | 1 Comment

How to fix my sensitive skin..

By Lina on February 22, 2012

I thought I’d give you a bit of break from all the Fashion Week posts with a nice traditional skin care one. Knowing how quite obsessed and fussy I am about my skin, Olay thoughtfully sent me off to fancy Harley Street dermatologist who is completely independent to them to analyse and diagnose my skin. Having suffered from sensitive skin all my life, from eczema to allergies and food intolerances (it all effects it), this was something that I was definitely interested in doing.

Within five minutes of my consultation with Dr. Brazzini, she diagnosed that I was an atopic patient – often typical of sufferers of both asthma and eczema, and meaning my sensitivity is allergy related, for both asthma and eczema. Basically, as I have always suspected, I am allergic to EVERYTHING. Even the cold. I get bumps, like mosquito bites, on my face if I spend too much time outside in the cold air. Crazy, right? That also explains why I can suddenly get wheezy or have an asthma attack around certain types of dogs or cats. There’s not a lot I can do about it, except live on anti-allergy tablets (which I already do).

When asked what my main complaints were, I said straight away, without a seconds hesitation, that the lines under my eyes were my biggest concerns. I’ve had them since my early twenties and I hated them. Dr. Brazzini replied what probably nobody wants to hear with that there was absolutely nothing I could do about it as it wasn’t an ageing thing, but an eczema thing. Everyone who had eczema has these line and no matter how anti-ageing the products I use on them were, they won’t go away. Sob. What she also said was just keeping the eye area moisturised well was the best I could do in minimising them. Alongside tip number 2, which is…

SUN PROTECTION.

Yep, I need to wear minimum SPF 30 in Winter and SPF 50 in Summer. I actually don’t have a problem with this diagnosis as I am wholeheartedly behind good suncare all year round and understand how sun exposure effects skin, however my main problem with this is that most skin care products you find just don’t have adequate sun protection included. Which is ridiculous, if you think about it. All you ever read and see if how you shouldn’t wear anything lower than SPF25 yet trying to find a basic moisturiser with that included is practically impossible, especially so on the high street.

Overall, however, she said my skin was really good (phew), and that I had looked after it well. All I needed to worry about was prevention (hence the SPF). Arguably somewhat shockingly, she also advised hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm in my cheeks as they have hollowed out in places (you notice this when I smile – admittedly I had noticed it also for years) once a year or so just as a preventative measure. And whilst initially that seemed a little shocking to hear, I definitely would do it if I had the money (these injections are expensive, you know). I might find a way to do it. Maybe buy a couple of less pairs of shoes a year..

So that was all. I’ve got a list of products that are quite hard to get hold of but apparently are the real deal with no crap. For your interest, they are:
Stand By C5 Cream (for all over face)
Teamine Eye Cream
And of course the fillers and sun protection.Olay sent me their Total Effects for sensitive skin, which is meant to provide good anti-ageing treatment whilst also being kind to sensitive or sensitised (my case) skin. Whilst it definitely doesn’t irritate I find it not as nourishing as I’d like, but bare in mind my skin is super dry. It also comes with SPF 15, which is a start. Having said this, my favourite night product EVER is the Olay Regenerist Elixir, which is strong enough for my dry skin and really transforms it after use. It gets rid of any dry patches and really renews the skin.

I’ve also started using Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defence for face SPF 50 – which is nice and nourishing, works okay with make-up but I am finding it might be too rich and has the potential to break me out. I am desperate to get hold of some Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Lotion SPF 50 as that’s allegedly really good for gentle, daily use and also is super cheap – however, as with everything there is a catch and you can only really get it from the states. Any readers from the US wanna do me a favour and send me some??

So that was a long post about my skin, check back tomorrow to hear all about my chemical peel! Yup, you heard it right!!

This entry is filed under Elizabeth Arden, Olay. | 6 Comments

GlossyBox February!

By Lina on February 19, 2012

It’s that time again! Here’s the contents of my GlossyBox this month..Duwop Venom Gloss in Buttercup
Impress Press-on Manicure in Rock It
Awapuhi by Paul Mitchell Wild Ginger Treatment Oil
BM Beauty Pure Mineral Eyeshadow
Como Shambhala Invigorate Shower Gel

My GlossyBox actually only arrived yesterday so I haven’t really had a chance to properly play around with the products (I only got round to opening it today!). But from what I’ve seen so far we only have one full sized product (the Impress Press-on Manicure) and the rest sample sizes. BUT the sample sized products are pretty decent – two beauty products in pretty much half sized to full size.

I’m really excited to try the Impress Press-on Manicure set, as I’ve never tried stick-on nails and see lots of people with them on and they often look great. Despite not being a lipgloss girl, I am happy to get the Duwop Venom Gloss – am wearing it now and it smells lovely! The colour is pretty clear on me, but it’s flattering and I think it’s doing some plumping (hard to tell at present)! The Awapuhi by Paul Mitchell Wild Ginger Treatment Oil is probably my next favourite product after the nails, as my hair is always so parched so different types of treatment oils to try are always welcome!

Pssst! The NEXT GlossyBox is meant to be extra special, I have no idea what is in it, but that’s all I know!

Let me know what you get you got in your GlossyBox!

DISCLAIMER: PR Samp

This entry is filed under GlossyBox.

London Fashion Week AW12 – Backstage at Jean-Pierre Braganza!

By Lina on February 18, 2012

Inspiration for hair was taken from Patsy of Absolutely Fabulous – you heard it here!

GHD hair stylists backcombed and twisted hair up in french-rolls adding jaggedly cut clip-on fringes, AOFM make-up artists kept skin fresh but flawless and lips deep and red, whilst Jessica manicurists painted nails nude..To create the lips a combination of OCC Lip Tars were used, and a pale pink OCC Lip Tar was also used on the cheeks!Jessica ‘Naked As A Jaybird’ polish..The finished look, on the catwalk (photo credit: www.alexloves.com).