CK One is back, back, back!

Some of you may not have realised there was ever a brand called CK One back in the 90's: us MUA's swooned over the unique formulas and textures.  I recall my creamy, smooth bronzer packaged in a clear and silver square case lasting me well including my other additions, often a talking point whilst working.
Well, they disappeared from our shelves after just a short shelf life but now it's back, completely reformulated, re-packaged, you name it, it's had an overhaul.
Here's one of my favs, Brow + Gel Duo 200 Foxy Redhead, not only for redheads but for those with reddy rich tones too.  The double ended nature makes me grin, I love dual performance products!!

Where do you buy CK One?

Debenhams instore or on-line 

Make Up For Ever and Ever!

Most MUA's are in need of super duper performance from their make up products; lasting, heavily pigmented and if possible, waterproof!
Make Up For Ever is known for all three and more which is why they are such a firm favourite for us Make Up peeps, especially for TV work, which is why I'm showing off my small selection of Aqua Creams purchased from my local make up store last year, Guru Make Up Emporium, because I've been testing these out for an upcoming TV show (which I can't mention).
These really do last the distance and are extremely versatile as they can be applied to eyes, buffed onto cheeks, mixed in with foundations or worn on lips and waterproof they are too.  Another added bonus is that a very little goes and very long way, so hurrah, although £17.50 might seem a lot, they make a good beauty kit investment and you cannot beat a little staying power.

Renewal, Rebalance, Replenish!

Skincare brands offer all sorts of claims, I've heard the bizarre to the ridiculous and the odd intriguing ones which makes me raise an eyebrow, though when the words 'Renewal', 'Rebalance', 'Replenish' are mentioned as a 3 Phase system to protect, condition and restore skin promoting "the living energy of the natural ingredients it contains" , I have to know more!
I was introduced to AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare) some months ago and on first impressions I was liked that it was organic and bio-dynamic, secondly their philosophy of using recycled paper etc., keeping their carbon footprint low and they are scented so beautifully to the point where I believe I could enter a certain state of mind.

Travel sized AEOS set, L to R: Phase 1 Renewal - De-Maq Oil Cleanser, Dew Facial Wash, Gentle Exfoliant
Phase 2 Rebalance - Energising Conditioner, Refreshing Hydrating Mist
Phase 3 Replenish - Enriching Moisturisers (Blue and Pink)

These are the products I've tested and what a handy size for my upcoming work trip which reassures me as I need all the help I can get as I'm sensitive to jet-lag and stress!
I love a holistic approach to skincare more importantly if they have a method of application, they don't necessarily promote a 'technique' but the sensual aromas of each product does have a calming, almost nurturing effect on my very thorough routine; I now enjoy each and every part of my twice daily ritual whilst taking stock of each and every scent, the Blue Enriching Moisturiser being the most appealing.  Not only this, my skin loves the range with the most love for the Energising Conditioner which "encourage hydration and moisture back in the skin", this it does and if my skin needs an extra boost of nourishment and care I spritz on the Refreshing Hydrating Mist, then apply the moisturiser which leaves my skin looking radiant and quite sensational with lasting moisture levels too.
If you tend to go organic for organics sake consider AEOS which enriching skin with a little bit more than a certified stamp.

Carolyn K Nail Paints

Nail Paints and not just any old set of nail polishes but Carolyn K, British made nail colours of such ridiculously good quality at only £12.99 a set!
I have been using these for work recently and truly satisfied with the results in just 2 coats and often without the need of a Top Coat as they last extremely well under pressure.
And what's in a name?
All shades named after Carolyn's nearest and dearest; Armineh (top left box, far left), the cool beige and Babette, (top right box, far left) a deep grape colour are my Autumn/Winter '12 favourite shades, though I do love a splash of summery pink and coral of Sienna and Lara too.

Beauty Alert: BeautyMART is here!

I'm feeling slightly 'blogged' out at the moment as I'm sharing at least two posts a week, which I know doesn't sound a lot, I do enjoy it but I fret a little about the time consuming nature of it, after all, I am a busy woman!  Yes, I know you are too and its not always easy to pin down, slap on and prime oneself when life is flying by at such a fast rate my head thinks its SS 13 already!!!
Well, let's stop and think a minute, how would it feel to have a beauty one-stop shop with only the most brilliant and the best top beauty picks selected by Anna-Marie Solowij, Beauty Journalist and super beauty supremo, Millie Kendall personally?
I say 'I would!'
And it has happened this week after 3 (painstaking) years, these two full-time working women have scoured, sourced, selected thousands of products with excellence, in industry terms the 'Heroes' and called it BeautyMART.
I almost steamrollered the 3rd floor of Harvey Nichols to discover it was located at the far side. Please don't ask me which concessions it was next to, I couldn't tell you as my beacon was for BeautyMART only.
I was delighted to meet Anna-Marie and Millie, preening their shelves, flicking through their interactive testing stations, sharing their genuine adoration of their 'hand-picked' brands and not one complete range in sight. This is the ticket, this is why its so unique, when I say only the best, I don't mean an entire range from Bourjois, Une, Models Own, myface, FACE or Daniel Sandler and Japonesque, I mean only the BEST from that range all shelved in categories Nails, Body, Hair, Skin etc with the added bonus of an area of only Anna & Millie's picks which will change and progress seasonally.

I can't write any more, not because I've lost my train of thought but because I'd rather show you now what I saw.

Nails, in all there glory, the best of the best, Andrea Fulerton, Barry M, Models Own to name but a few!

Only for the over 30's, this is a blast from the past and doesn't have that talc-y smell as I'd remembered it. A true Revlon Classic.

Anna and Millie Love.  They know a thing or two about beauty they do.

Lip and Nail Testing station which all have iPads for you read up about more on their blog or to source other products and compare if you wish.

Millie herself exclaimed her love for this Sterimar Nasal Spray herself and which I think is a must-have for hayfever sufferers.  Now kicking myself for not buying one then and there.

And my beloved skincare, a rich mix of pickings from Alpha-H, Jurlique, Melvita and BioEffect.

 I saw most of the contents of my make up kit and bathroom shelf in their sleek, unfussy shop floor with pride and the bonus was there is no brand snob factor.  All price points shelved together; you will find DHC next to Astalift and Bio Effect as much as you will see Kent brushes and Batiste along side Davines.
E-Commerce I hear you cry?
This will come later says Millie, for very simple reasons too, they have so much to do at the further launches at Harvey Nichols and need to watch and learn though the vending machine concept will be upon us sooner!
This concept fits in with how I believe beauty should be delivered, purely on merit!

Red Carpet Manicure eases off!

If you'll allow me to mention Red Carpet Manicure once more I will show you how easy it is to remove a pedicure as well as apply as seen HERE

I expected this procedure to take longer than it did as it often can do when I get my manicure soaked off professionally but with much relief it was speedy.

Red Carpet Manicure Soak Off tools - Buffer, Foils, Foam pads, Orange wood stick and Erase, the gel remover.

I buffed off all traces of shine from the nail plates.

Soaked each foam pad with Erase, placed over each nail and covered carefully with the foil sheets.

After approx 15 minutes, I began to gently scrape away the already lifted gel remains with ease.

There is not much more to say other than I am literally itching to get started on another colour, which I am still deciding on from the vast shades shown on their website www.redcarpetmanicure.co.uk 

Beauty Alert: Rouge Dior Nude!

Some of us are luckier than others on the quest to find the perfect 'Nude' lip stick, I could possibly count on one finger how many 'spot on' shades I've found for my complexion.  Some just appear too pink on my yellow skin tone, others wash me out being so beige.

Dior have appeased to those of us who never stop the search by revealing 10 new shades of Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush, which suggests choosing a colour that will create a 'blushing' hue.

As with much of Dior's offerings I am 'blushing' away with my perfect nude, 169 Grege, seen here, a soft, moisturising lip stick with a sheen of warm beige.

Now discover your perfect match now at Selfridges.  Nationwide from 14th September.