NEW extensive brow collection #BENEFITBROWS launches 24th June.

If you hadn’t noticed there’s a brow revolution. As a make-up expert nowadays I know the importance of brows to suit your face and features. A few years ago I managed to fly over to New York to have a treatment in the world famous Brow Bar in the Trump Tower that included treatments upstairs in the Avon Spa. I’ve also rearranged brows over the years whether it’s bleaching, changing the shape and colour, making them thicker and longer to create all sorts of effects. We used hairspray back in the day to push up the brows to keep them in shape. However I was lucky enough to be invited by Camilla London’s head PR to the press launch on the Good Ship Benefit on the HISPANIOLA  and then we were sworn to secrecy for ages about this extensive brow launch.

My products arrived in a pink parcel so that I could try out the products myself. There are many types of effects, colours and thankfully ones that are dark enough for black brows.  The nine-product range comprises of mistake-proof shades that address every brow issue out there, from easily faking a natural brow to grooming unruly hairs from the lightest to the darkest in shades 1-6.

For a full cover of the product range you should view Lisa Potter – Dixon You Tube  explanation in full detail.  She’ll be giving you the history and low down on everything you need to know leading up to the launch date 24th June 2016.  So you’ll have the full facts on what you’ll be looking for to tame your brows. Btw #BENEFITBROWS are for absolutely everyone…Bold is Beautiful in the month of May 2016..
Here’s the colour chart to matching your brows. Mine were the darkest No 6..

They say Eat it.. Wear It.. Swear By It..Vita Coco Coconut Oil 100% Raw, Organic & Extra Virgin Cold Pressed..

The first time i found Extra Virgin 100% Cold Pressed Organic Vita Coco Coconut Oil happened to be in a goodie bag given out at Kinky Octopus press event in Soho around the corner from Berwick Street Market London  .  In true Brasilian party style we were offered Caipirinha’s,  Pão de queijo, some of my favourite Brasilian food & drink… On display were beautiful colourful wrist bands  “Lembrança do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia”   which refers to the good life…these wrist bands are very synonymous with Bahia Brasil and is the backdrop of a place that’s full of culture, creativity and immense colour.

I finally got round to opening the jar and instinctively applied it to my face before reading the label, and then felt horrified when i discovered it was used for cooking, baking & frying. Thankfully  it went on to say, “Goes beyond the call of beauty as a moisturizer and hair conditioner,” and spread it on your toast! Really! 🙂

Lots of people around the world have used coconut oil for many years, countries such as Indonesia, Australia, Philippines, Caribbean, India…. It can be used to soothe, calm and hydrate the skin & hair all in one go including offering an anti – bacterial agent for wounds and sunburn. Massage into the hair & scalp helping those affected by a dry scalp & dandruff. As an insect repellent just add a little peppermint oil which keeps away the bugs.  Then there’s the cooking element to add to the endless list of benefits…There’s only one precaution to using this product and that’s NOT to sit directly in the sun without any UV sun protection. You will burn no matter how much melanin pigment you have in your skin. Protecting yourself from direct sunlight is very important to very healthy skin long-term.

I really enjoy using this product and know many people who love it too….as the saying goes ( sent to me by the PR) Eat it. Wear It. Swear By It.

Have a look online Vita Coco Coconut Oil..

Vita Coco Coconut Oil is available at Amazon, Boots, Holland & Barrett, Ocado.com, Selfridges, Tesco, Urban Outfitters & Wholefoods.

Available in three sizes: 250ml & 500ml glass jars, 750ml PET jar. RRPs:  250ml from £5.99,  500ml from £9.99 & 750ml from £14.50

Help cosmetic brand Benefit raise money for Refuge & LGFB charity sunday 8th May 2016.

Two amazing charities who directly help and support women in vulnerable circumstances.  As a very long-term volunteer with the Look Good Feel Better charity I’ve met and worked with many people who categorically say it helped them to full recovery. Including a top oncologist who herself was diagnosed with breast cancer and after attending LGFB workshop realized that the after care is as important as the treatment.  It’s about the whole person when you’re in recovery and these workshops have real positive psychological impact on all the women involved including the volunteers. In the past I’ve helped raise £20,00 for the LGFB charity at the Royal Opera House with Jamie Coombes, Dior’s international make-up artist. It meant a lot to me to volunteer my professional skills and it was a lot of fun.

So now its your turn to help Benefit raise money and the profile and of these two charities that directly helps women in very difficult circumstances. Whether it’s domestic violence or helping those recovering to full health after being diagnosed with cancer.

There are three ways of getting involved. Either make a donation if you cant be there, book a brow wax at one of their 140 + stores (where you will receive a free Gimme Brow worth £18.50), or join the march on Sunday 8th May 2016 in London with a donation of £10 and receive £20 worth of make-up goodies. Bring your mums, sisters, cousins, friends, family anyone who cares as much as you do about other women’s lives who need our moral and financial support.

Here’s the route online…Bold is Beautiful... You can donate here and find out further info about the campaign. This is the second year it’s running.

The start/finish is in Cavendish Square behind John Lewis in Oxford Street, London W1.  Denise Van Outen will be heading the campaign and they’re hoping for at least 1000 people attending the walk.

For me these two charities do make a real difference to women’s lives here in the UK..  Bold is Beautiful.…10am registration the walk will be in two waves 11am & 11.45am further details online Benefit March sunday May 8th 2016..…hope to see you there..

Avon’s latest BIG & MULTIPLIED Mascara launches 5th May 2016.

Avon’s latest Big & Multiplied Mascara £8.50. I’ve always had a soft spot for Avon’s make-up range as its a good workable product and good value.  For many years I felt it was always an underrated make-up range due to the fact it was sold door to door and not over the counter in department stores. Those days have long gone and if you know your local rep it’s good to support them and an excuse to get together : ).  I’m sure as a customer you’ve used many mascaras and tried many types along the way. This mascara is designed to give maximum impact and volume by coating every individual lash without sticking to itself. So creating a fabulous full lash effect. I’ve used their mascaras and haven’t ever felt let down by the product. Top tip always coat the bottom lashes first before the top. Anyway it’s up to you & available online  Avon.uk.com  including through your local Avon Rep, Launches 5th May 2016.

Kim Kardashian’s make-up artist loves Brit brand ICONIC Strobing Stick to highlight the skin.

Ever wanted to know how Kim achieves the light reflective look and effect on the skin? Well now you know it’s the Brit brand ICONIC Strobing Stick £29.99.  It has a cream consistency so easily glides onto the skin whether you’re using it over your foundation, mixing it in or using directly onto bare skin. I prefer cream highlighters to powder ones due to the fact it adds moisture to the skin and offers a more definite fashion finish. It’s the perfect finish for photography and a must have for all skin tones. For more information  ICONIC.

Glamorous BARDOU express hair & beauty a big hit with Grazia Magazine.

For London Fashion Week BARDOU POP up salon was certainly a big hit with top fashion and beauty bloggers at the Library private members club in St Martins Lane WC1. I had the chance to try the hair products for myself.  I’m really loving the Dry Shampoo which removes and freshens oily hair while adding extra body making your last hair wash last a little bit longer ( big fan of dry shampoo). The shampoo and conditioner helps to revitalize, soften and smooth the hair by making it soft and silky. The finishing mist helps to keep everything naturally in place. Grazia magazine voted Bardou hair products the best in the UK.

Look online for products, hair & beauty services and to see generally what everyone else is saying.  This brand certainly has a big following for many good reasons. Bardou. 

Stila’s Impressionist make-up for Spring/Summer 2016.

Looking for a natural glowing finish effect for your skin this Spring/Summer 2016 then Stila have what you’re looking for Stila UK.

Liquid foundations tend to be more sensitive to skin tone and offer a realistic colour match and cover for the face.  There’s  a sensitivity to this type of consistency that makes it perfect for the photo finish and ultra close up scrutiny for brides on their wedding day.  So when this press release was sent to me about the Radiance-Enhancing Foundation Aqua Glow Serum Foundation £34.50,  i knew it would be a winner.  It’s added skin enhancers create a soft, silky and lightweight feeling on the skin perfect for a photo silky finish for brides.

Concealers offer extra coverage on the skin whether you apply it before or after the base. The Ultra Glow Serum Concealer £19 matches the consistency of the base you use so that the effect is seamless and flawless. Usually applied to the areas around the eyes and lids ( use as a primer to cut costs), around the nose and sometimes if there’s high colour over the cheeks, works well as a lip primer too.

Convertible Color Dual lip & Cheek Palettes £29, available in two different colour themes Sunrise Splendor & Sunset Serenade. For the consumer of all skin tones these palettes offer you plenty of versatility that can be interchanged for lips & cheeks and very portable. It’s a product that with a finger tip can be easily applied. Although with a good make-up brush the colour can be built up gradually for a much stronger more definite finish. 

Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks £16, have added further colours to the line up this season.  Long-lasting up to six hours, creamy-matte colour, and a lightweight, comfortable texture. These lip colours are rich in colour with added Vitamin E and Avocado Oil to keep the lips soft & supple. Stila is one of my favourite brands so have a look online for the latest news and offers online from Stila UK. 

Step into Spring 2016 ORLY’S “Melrose” NEW nail collection March 2016.

Looking for something new in nail colour to start the NY. ORLY  have a few up their sleeve for Spring Summer 2016. Have a look at these wonderful colours available in three different product types ORLY Lacquer £10.90, ORLY EPIX £15.90, & ORLY GEL FX £12.95.

Available from places like Graftons Beauty from March 2016.