Tres bien, Chanel Perfection Lumiere!

Chanel have an outstanding reputation for the quality of their foundations, which I doubt many MUA's would turn their noses up at. I have relished in using Vita Lumiere Aqua for a light, dewy finish for portrait shoots, brides etc. or when someone has requested 'the lightest foundation you have, as I don't like the feel of foundation on my skin'.  This has served me well but not every skin is going to benefit from such 'real' qualities especially when they haven't the most even skin tone.
I too prefer using weightless foundations, however, when coverage is high on my list of priorities when faced with a complexion of blemishes, broken veins, pigmentation marks and sun spots that has to last for several hours, I find I have to tend to those imperfections either before or after with maximum strength concealers.  This is no bother to me but if one needs time on their side Chanel have come up trumps with their new addition, Perfection Lumiere.
Many of you would have read lots of review about this flawless beauty solution, which is remarkably (and most genuinely) the best coverage without the heavy duty feel....one could apply this, then run their finger over it and find not even ounce of residue or feeling of anything but skin.  Perfection Lumiere reminds me of Givenchy Mat Mate (which I have sadly just had to bin as they've separated, boo hoo!) another unique and superb foundation from another of my French pals discontinued, never to be seen again which had a matt finish and extreme coverage even when using just a few drops.   So it is lovely to find a very new alternative from Chanel in such an astonishing array of shades, see image above if you don't believe me!
I'm beyond relieved and excited to have such an addition to my kit and in good dark shades too, which is always a moment of awkwardness when recommending shades to each and every individual out there who deserves to be catered for.
The cost is not an issue, I think £36 is worth every pretty penny as such a small amount goes far, plus it builds effortlessly if you do require maximum coverage without the weightiness.
Bravo Chanel and thank you for yet again coming up triumphantly in the world of foundations!!

Rare Beauty Treat: Ar457 Elixir Metaserum

I love a rare find and this has to fit into a category as one of those beauty products you wish you'd had when you first begun using skincare as I am convinced I would be able to stand the test of time.  I tend to by pass packaging but no doubt, this is beautifully designed, light to carry and unfussy.   Ar457 Elixir Metaserum is a highly concentrated, powerful serum heaving with active ingredients such as Argan Oil, very much the buzzword in beauty over the past few years and a long time loved oil in many parts of Africa and the Middle East, lucky them. 

I have had this in my bathroom since the beginning of the summer and since I've been overwhelmed testing so much skincare I really had little time to put this through its paces, until now.  Branded as the 'do-it-all' elixir as it also tends to blemishes, dry nails and hair it does seem too that a little goes a long way. 

You'd expect this to feel oily and as heavy as Argan Oil but no, it has the quality of something a little like honey in appearance, without the stickiness and once a few drops are smoothed over skin, it gleams and sits a little, which I just love in this wintry weather, as my skin feels protected.   As you can see from the image above it adds a glow and can be worn alone, at night too, though I have experimented a little by mixing a few drops with daily moisturisers, a light-weight formula, Skin Science Bio Active 24hr Protective Complex Cream

 and Dior's Hydra Life Pro-Youth Protective Cream SPF 15, a rich cream where both appear to benefit by an all day radiance and hydration. 

A rare find that is Ar457Elixir Metaserum does carry a hefty price tag, approx £78, though saying this I believe it is a good, economical investment seeing as you need only a few drops for every use.  I'm in!

Jean Paul Gaultier, the feathery fragrance!

I had the pleasure of being a guest at the instore launch of Jean Paul Gaultier's new fragrance, Kokorico which was wafting in the air all evening.  I adore JPG fragrances as they have depth, many layers and the packaging is always intriguing and tactile.   On entering the soiree, I wondered then why Fragile, one of my all time favourite scents had disappeared from our shelves.  Please bring it back!!

Kokorico is nothing but a musky scent for men that I found so appealing, I already have it listed as a product to purchase for myself (or birthday present, hint, hint).  I love heavy notes so I think a little squirt wouldn't be too offensive or make me smell like a macho lothario (or at least one hopes not).

Ah, the name, well, its cute and if you look carefully at the design you see stylised feathers...the tv campaign gives you more of an idea once you see dancing, drums and a rather attractive model with a feather collared suit. Cocker-doodle-do!  Yep, that's it!

The smooth, almost pebble like bottle takes on a male profile - that sure is one romanesque nose.

And at another angle, the male torso, clever huh!  Very JPG.

So if you are keen to snatch this rich scent it will be launching on the 27th December in Harrods, then nationwide shortly after.

Backstage of You Magazine Shoot with the Inbetweeners girls!

About a month or so ago, one weekend, I was heading to a North London location for a You Magazine shoot with the fabulous girls from The Inbetweeners movie.  It was a pleasure working with the team, including photographer, Steve Schofield, who's work I've admired for some time and I was overjoyed to see him again after a recent shoot for Soap & Glory.

Here are some of the stunning girls behind the scenes in between shots.

And a closer look at the captivating, Laura Haddock, the cover girl for this issue of You.

Laura has a delightful face to work on and what a shock to see dark locks instead of blonde. Nevertheless, I added moisture to her hair with Sebastian Potion 9 and used large Babyliss barrel tongs to get a 50's style set with a modern twist.  And Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet La Fascinante lips to finish such a chic youthful look.

Then, the intriguing beauty of Lydia Rose Bewley, who's titan hair was boosted with movement, again with large barrel tongs and spritz of Sebastian Trilliant, then seeing I wanted it all about the lips, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet L'Exuberante, added a sexy pink finish!

A peek at the cover...

See the final results of the shoot in today's You Magazine or online here!

Organic Surge Shower Gel.

I am not going to go into the 'ethical' nature of the brand, as it's quite simply a 'no-brainer'.  What I will say is I didn't expect to write up about this product, it is a shower gel after all and what can be said about that other than it cleans me and smells nice.  

It is clearly stated on the front of Organic Surge Sugared Almond Shower Gel, "Your Skin's Best Friend" and I would admit to this, it is like a best friend. It's reliable and enhances my mornings, although it doesn't laugh at my jokes, I still love it so and would stock up on this product again.

The essential oils, namely palmarosa and almond are not sickly sweet but aromatic, in a grown up way.  I expected this shower gel to be grainy because of the words 'sugared almond' plus with the labelling 'softening' I really did expect quite a 'bitty' exfoliating texture but no, it's smooth and leaves my skin feeling soft, refreshed and revitalised.

Organic Surge shower gel is a lovely addition to my winter routine, it is all about hydration and lifting my spirits on these dull mornings with the added bonus of being 100% natural, it's only £3.99.