CEW UK 2011 Awards: Liz Earle Best Beauty Brand

This year’s Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW*) UK Awards ceremony happened this week, the awards are known as ‘The Oscars’ of the UK beauty industry. Congrats to Liz Earle won two prestigious awards Best British Brand and their Botanical Shine Shampoo won Best New Haircare (read my review here).

Their Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser was a finalist for Best Classic Beauty Product (read my review here): Prestige category, and their uplifting Energising Body Lotion was a finalist in the Best New Bath and Body Product: Prestige category, while our crème de la crème for more mature skin types, Superskin Eye & Lip Treatment, was a finalist for Best New Skincare Treatment Product: Prestige category.

For a limited time to celebrate their two sparkling new CEW UK Awards, they have created a special kit for these award winners. Best British Brand Collection contains Cleanse & Polish 50ml plus muslin cloth, Instant Boost Skin Tonic 50ml, Skin Repair normal/combination 15ml, Superskin Concentrate 2ml and Superskin Body Cream 50ml- all you need for radiant, healthy-looking skin from top to toe. For £30, this kit will save you £7.55 and is available from May 24^th May until 5^th June 2011.

*CEW Awards nominations are proposed and judged by a panel of around 600 ‘beauty insiders’, including top experts and professionals who are all members of the CEW. As these awards are recognised as the beauty industry’s highest honour, winning one acknowledges a product is the very best in its category.

2011’s Essential Festival Beauty Deluxe Kit for Glamping!

Festival season is fast approaching... I have a few must-have beauty essentials to take with you when Glamping to ensure you look and feel great!

I don’t normally use face wipes but they are a handy must-have when camping – these Yes to Cucumber Facial Towelettes (£4.99 for 30 wipes) are much thicker than the cheap-y baby wipes I would normally use, and feel more luxurious on the skin. The great thing about these wipes are they are an exfoliator, detoxifier and rejuvenator, all in one. They are certified organic and biodegradable (so good for the environment) and gently cleanse and remove makeup and impurities in one quick swipe. The wipes are enriched with Aloe Vera and Green Tea to simultaneously soothe sensitive skin.

They smell of fresh cucumber and are cooling and refreshing and my skin actually felt squeaky clean afterwards. These handy wipes would be great to take on holiday as Aloe Vera is great for calming sunburn. They get a thumbs up from me – I have heard a lot of hype about their sister range ‘Yes to Carrots’ so that is next on my list to test out.....

Connock London Kukui Oil Wonderbalm (£18.50, 10ml) This miracle balm can be used on the lips, body, and over exposed skin to instantly soothe, nourish and protect. A deeply nourishing blend of Kukui oil, Monoi, Cocoa Butter, Mango Butter and Beeswax naturally heals and moisturises for unmistakably soft skin. The silky balm is the perfect size for travelling, fitting into your purse or pocket perfectly. I reviewed the Wonderbalm last winter here and I am still enjoying using it - it lasts forever with it being a solid balm.

Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Essence (£15.50, 10ml): Ensure you feel as good as you look with Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Essence. A combination of anti-bacterial essential oils: Lavender, Pine, Peppermint, Tree tree,  this little bottle of goodness helps to boost your immune system and provide on-the-spot relief for hayfever. Let nature’s most cleansing essential oils support you though your festival weekend. The oil is very powerful and instantly calms you. I would suggest dropping a couple of drops of the essence on a tissue and carry with you for whenever you need a little extra support. Alternatively if using at home you can mix the oil with water and use in an oil burner.

Yes To Cucumbers is available at www.victoriahealth.com

Connock London is available at www.connocklondon.com, Urban Retreat at Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly and www.beautique.com

Aromatherapy Associates is available at Beauty Bay

What are your festival must-haves?

Nails Inc The Candy Shop Collection

NAILS INC is introducing The Candy Shop Collection in July. This range includes four new limited edition shades; Wimbledon (pastel lime), Cambridge (lilac), Oxford (baby blue) and Richmond (pastel pink with luminescent finish) that have been inspired by SS11 shows, such as Chanel and Christopher Kane. The Candy Shop Collection will be available to buy online for £25.00 and individual polishes are £11.00 each. 

THE ONLY WAY IS BLOGGING - Summer Fiesta Meetup!

LBQ is organising a Blogger meet-up this Summer and you’re all invited!

This summer season the blogging community will take over London for one day only. The Only Way is Blogging (or TOWIB for short) will be a chance for bloggers old and new to get together, chat, get advice, have a drink and most importantly - finally get to meet the faces behind the blogs!

Everyone is welcome whether you've been blogging for 3 years, 3 months or have spent 3 minutes thinking about it. It's a chance for everyone to get together over a glass of Pimms and a cupcake and really feel emerged in the blogging community - which sometimes can feel lonely when you're stuck behind a laptop.

So save the date: Saturday 16^th July 12pm-4pm

Location: TBC (but somewhere in London!)

There will be full event details, including location and sponsors, over the coming weeks on the Facebook Group. For the time being please RSVP and book your train ticket/hotel if needs be... it's going to be a day to remember!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217416068276938

Let me know if your coming along – would be great to meet you!

x

Guerlain Terra Inca Summer Collection

GUERLAIN is about to launch the new Terra Inca Summer collection next month comprising four new products. The Terra Inca Radiant Powder, pictured here priced £42.00, can be used on its own for a natural glow, or combine with Terracotta bronzing powder to highlight tanned complexions. The 4-Shade Eyeshadow, £37.00, contains orange, blue, deep brown, light brown and a gold tone. The Terracotta Khôl Kajal, priced at £23.00, contains an ultra-pigmented formula and is presented here in black. Ombre Fusion Cream Eyeshadow, £20.50, is presented in with a metallic effect in pale pink, bronze and copper. Finally the new Terracotta Gloss, £20.00, is available in three shades; fuschia, coral and red, and has a moisturising, non-sticky finish. The new range will be available nationwide at stockists including Debenhams, Harrods and House of Fraser from 5 June.

Florence Welsh redesigns Kiehl's Creme De Corps Mosituriser

The lead singer of Florence and The Machine, Florence Welch, has joined forces with the cosmetics brand Kiehl’s to design a limited edition of Creme de Corps moisturiser for charity. 

Each year Kiehl’s supports one charity and this year they’ve chosen the Teenage Cancer Trust. Since performing at Teenage Cancer Trust’s 9^th Annual concert, Florence Welch has been involved with the charity. 

All the profits from sales will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The limited-edition design comes in a 250ml bottle for £27, or a 500ml pump bottle for £44 and is available at Selfridges.

MAC Flighty Collection

MAC COSMETICS has just introduced the new Flighty collection which includes four new Mascaras and a number of new eye shadows. The new Zoom Lash Mascara (pictured here) is offered in High Esteem (mid-tone grey), Blue Charge, Plum Reserve and Green is Green and is priced at £13.50 each. The new Big Bounce Shadows are offered in 16 shades with highlights including The Cool Elite (White with silver pearl), Sizzlin’ Diva (Copper with gold pearl), Extra Charged (Bright green with multicolour pearl) and My Next Indulgence (Forest green with blue and gold pearl). The new shadows are priced at £13.50 each. There is a new 242 Shader Brush offered at part of the new collection priced at £18.00. Flighty will be available from all MAC Cosmetics stockists in June 2011.

Essie Summer 2011 Collection

ESSIE is about to introduce its new Summer Collection which includes a selection of neon bright nail polishes. Shades on offer include Braziliant (Orange), Too Too Hot (Red), Meet Me At Sunset (Pink), Auper Bossa Nova (Magenta), Absolutely Shore (Aqua) and Smooth Sailing (Blue). Essie cosmetics products do not contain Formaldehyde, DBP or Toluene. The new Essie Summer 2011 collection will be available in selected salons from 1 June priced individually at £9.95.

Sleek Makeup Limited Edition Mediterranean Collection

SLEEK MAKEUP launches the Limited Edition Mediterranean Collection catering for eyes, cheeks and lips. Products within the range include: MONACO i-DIVINE (RRP £6.49), a 12 piece eyeshadow palette; MONTE CARLO POUT POLISH (RRP £4.29), a tinted lip conditioning balm containing SPF15 enriched with jojoba, avocado, and sweet almond oil; and SANTORINI BLUSH (£4.29), a pink blush to accentuate the cheekbones. The Mediterranean Collection will be available in Superdrug stores nationwide and online at www.sleekmakeup.com from 8 June for a limited time only.

Are you a fan of Sleek's affordable Make Up?

American Apparel Neon Nails

AMERICAN APPAREL has announced a new limited run of six neon nail lacquers. The new colours are planned to be in-store mid-May, but can be purchased online now from www.americanapparel.co.uk The new nail polishes are priced at £7.00 each or three for £17.00, these prices and deal apply for both online and in store purchase. The new polishes are all manufactured in the USA and are DBP, toluene and formaldehyde-free.

He Shi Travel Mini Kit

I have spoke before about my love of He Shi Tanning products (review of which you can find here) so pleased to hear that they have launched a travel mini collection for summer, perfect when travelling and holidays as I always (try) to carry light. The 3 Step Discovery Travel Collection includes: 50ml Exfoliating Body Wash, to prepare the skin for self-tan; 50ml Express Liquid Tan, when used with the He-Shi Tanning Mini-Mitt (also included), the tinted formula dries immediately and lasts five days; 50ml Day to Day Gradual Tan; to even out skin tone and builds a light bronzed complexion. He Shi Quick + Easy 3-Step Travel Collection will be available from June at selected salons and spas across the UK, selected House of Fraser stores and www.he-shi.co.uk  priced at £17.50

Paul Smith Optimistic Perfume Competition

Paul Smith is running 2 competitions on Facebook to celebrate the launch of the Paul Smith Optimistic fragrance. 

The competitions:

- Optimistic photos: Enter your most optimistic photo, share among your friends and family to get as many like as possible. The top 50 photos win VIP entry to an exclusive Paul Smith Optimistic party featuring (among others) a Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) DJ set and Filthy Dukes. The top three photos also win £500 to spend at Paul Smith. (Competition closes at midnight on 20th May 2011).

- Optimistic Mondays: Weekly prizes won by answering a simple question. This week you can win two tickets to The Big Chill Festival. 

For more information and to enter the competitions you can visit http://www.facebook.com/PaulSmithOptimistic

Beauty Boxes New Travel Cosmetic Bags

I blogged last week about the new Beauty Boxes Make Up Brushes (you can read my review of the Kabuki Brush here if you missed it). Beauty Boxes has just launched a new range of clear cosmetic/ travel pouches available in four different sizes. The Louisville is the smallest of the pouches and provides a stylish alternative to the clear plastic bags at airport security. Light and easy to pack, the larger Granville and Belleville pouches can hold bottles, jars and tubes, such as sun cream and the Montville pouch has a roomy main section for cosmetics and zipped side pocket for storing hair accessories. The new Powder Room range has different sized make-up pouches in either green, pink, lilac, yellow, mauve or black, all with a polka dot lining. 

The bags are priced between £4.45 and £8.45 for the clear cosmetic travel pouches and £11.45 to £15.46 for the Powder Room Range they are available online at www.beauty-boxes.com very handy for travelling and holidays!

Trilogy Vital Mositurising Cream

TRILOGY Vital Moisturising Cream is now also available with a natural SPF15 in a handbag and travel-sized 50ml tube size option. The new SPF protects skin from UVA and UVB rays with a non-whitening and nonnano Zinc Oxide formulation. It contains 13 natural actives, antioxidant-rich Marula oil and a host of other natural actives including evening primrose oil, orange flower and certified organic Rosehip oils to help repair and rebuild the skin while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The new Cream is available from Selected stockists including House of Fraser and Boots as well as http://www.trilogyproducts.co.uk/ this month (May) priced at £27.50.

Kebelo System

KEBELO SYSTEM is a new hair smoothing brand offering an in-salon treatment which claims to leave hair frizz-free, glossy and manageable for one hundred days. The Kebelo System Clarifying Shampoo prepares the hair for treatment by removing build-up and opening the cuticles. The keratin and formaldehyde free treatment is then infused into the hair, sealing it against atmospheric moisture to leave it smooth, shiny and frizz-free. Two specially formulated aftercare ranges are offered to help maintain the results - Enriching Aftercare and Revitalising Aftercare, both of which are 100% paraben and SLS free. The Kebelo System treatment is priced at £199.00 and is now rolling out at salons nationwide. 

http://www.kebelo.com/

 
Have you tried Kebelo? Have you come across any similar at home treatments?

Nails inc Launches Nail Varnish EXCLUSIVELY for Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre

Selfridges and nails inc, the UK’s most popular nail bar chain have collaborated to create a nail polish exclusively for Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre.

This unique ‘Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre Nail Varnish’ has been designed especially with the Mancunian fashionista in mind. Incredibly stylish and versatile this is the ultimate fashion accessory for the North, just in time for the summer season launching on 10th May 2011.

Nails inc is renowned for their uncompromising quality and instant results and are committed to offering luxury, affordable and professional quality nail products to their customers. Selfridges is extremely excited to announce their very own limited edition nails inc nail varnish, adding a personal touch to their Manchester shoppers experience.

‘Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre Nail Varnish’ is £11 and is available in store at Selfridges Trafford from 10th May 2011

www.selfridges.com 

Superdrug Beauty Card is here!

The <Superdrug BeautyCard is finally here! I love the mirror on the front of the card, i'm sure it shall come in very handy!

Have you picked up yours yet? 

Havaianas Rain or Shine

Enjoy the very first indoor festival of the year with Havaianas, launching its Rain Boots collection with Daisy Lowe, Jamie Woon and many other guests! Beer or Caïpirinha ? Rain Boots or Flip-Flops ?

On April, 14^th, Havaianas hosted the very first festival of the year…right in the city center of London! The RAIN OR SHINE indoor festival took place in the Ultra Lounge of Selfridges (Oxford Street, London, UK) to celebrate the global launch of the new Rain Boots range! Surprising? Not really considering that it’s Always Summer with Havaianas ;)

Guests enjoyed Brazilian cocktails by Sagatiba but also traditional British brews while sampling a mixture of the best Brazilian and British festival foods including Tacos, Fajitas, Mini Fish n 'Chips & Burgers.

Musical artist Jamie Woon wowed the guests with music from his recently launched album ‘Mirrorwriting’ and Daisy Lowe got the party going spinning tunes from the DJ booth. Dance artists ‘Brazilian Fantasy’ took to the floor and created dance frenzy toward the end of the night when all of the guests really ‘gave it some rain boots!’

The Rain Boots collection is composed of 8 colours (2 unisex and 6 feminine): Green, Black/Yellow, Pink/Light Blue, Purple/Pink, Grey/Pink, Turquoise/White, Always Summer and Elegance. They cost between £45-£50, depending on the colours. They are only available exclusively at Selfridges and on www.selfridges.com but Very soon, you’ll be able to get them on www.havaianas-store.co.uk so we recommend you to enter your email to be the first to know about their availability.

Sharing propelled by ebuzzing

What about you? RAIN or SHINE?

How to Re-Create Cheryl Cole Volume Bouffant Hair Style

Cheryl Cole was seen at the US X Factor Auditions sporting a huge bouffant hair style which is bang on the 70's trend. Sex in the City star Sarah Jessica Parker was also seen sporting big hair too this week. If you would like to know how to re-create huge hair like this using all drug store products then read on!

Cheryl Cole Big Bouffant

Sarah Jessica Parker working Big Hair

1. Wash hair using Volumising Shampoo and and a Volumising Conditioner but only a small amount as you don't want to weigh the hair down. (I like Aussie Volume Shampoo & Conditioner from Boots.comor Superdrug )


2. After washing, towel dry hair and apply Volume Blow-dry lotion paying attention to roots. I like the VO5 Heat Protective Volumising Spray  from Boots.comor Superdrug with is light and has a non-sticky formulation. 


3. Work Volumising Mousse into the roots to tips for an additional boost of volume. (I LOVE the Aussie Volume Mousse that I raved about here from  Boots.comor Superdrug)


4. Blow dry using a high heat and a soft, large barreled brush, paying attention to lifting the roots.


5. Apply Hot Rollers from middle to ends of hair after brushing and remove once cooled.


6. Backcomb the crown and push hair backwards finishing with Loreal Elnett Hairspray from  Boots.comor Superdrugto keep the style in place.

How do you like to create volume?

John Frieda Live Hair Academy First Ever Online Show

John Frieda are launching a Hair Academy show to be shaped by you and streamed live online. The show will be showing you how to achieve the hottest summer hair styles, how to best use our products and sharing the techniques you need to know so you can achieve salon results at home.


There are three ways of getting involved:

• They are looking for one lucky person to become a model and put their revolutionary Frizz Ease® 3-day straight™ styling spray to the test live on the show, assisted by a top stylist

• Find a new style for summer and vote for your favourite hairstyle hot off the catwalk

• Have your questions answered live on air on the John Frieda® Live Hair Academy May 27th 2011

For more information go to facebook.com/johnfriedauk

What are your top styles for Summer?

Palmer's new Cocoa Butter Formula Body Scrub

PALMER'S are set to introduce the new Cocoa Butter Formula Body Scrub this month. This new scrub shall be a blend of pure cocoa butter, vitamin E, shea butter and natural crushed cocoa beans. The combination refines and polishes to reveal brighter, smoother looking skin. The new body scrub can also be used to prepare skin before applying fake tan and works wonderfully with the original Palmer's Cocoa Butter. The new Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Scrub will be available from Boots priced at £4.99 for a 200g tub.

Palmer's has long been a favorite winning many beauty awards for being the top body moisturiser and especially good at keeping your tan for longer after a holiday. Are you a fan of Palmer's?

Bare Minerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor Lipsticks

Bare Minerals are set to launch their Pretty Amazing Lipcolor lipsticks this June. Combining the coverage of a lipstick with the high shine effects of a gloss, there are eight shades available within this collection. Fusing concentrated pigments and multidimensional shine, its formula conditions and hydrates lips with the help of micronised freshwater pearl powder, while encapsulated hyaluronic acid helps lips appear more voluminous. 

Priced at £15.00 each, the Pretty Amazing collection will be available at Bare Escentual Boutiques, department stores and selected spas and salons nationwide.


www.bareescentuals.co.uk 

Cargo Cosmetics Activating Eye Concealer 'Jet Lag'

CARGO COSMETICS is set to launch its new Activating Eye Concealer which claims to reduce the appearance of dark circles and under eye puffiness after 28 days. Launching in two shades (light and medium), this new product fortifies, nourishes and repairs the skin around the eyes, while key ingredient Citrulline, a mineral extracted from watermelon rind, plays an essential role in the skin's moisturising complex. White Lupin extract has also been added to reduce puffiness and fights skin slackening. Priced at £19.00 each, the Activating Eye Concealer is available from 15 June exclusively at Boots and www.Boots.com 

Creating a Flawless Red Carpet Look with Beauty Boxes

I was recently contacted by Beauty Boxes and was kindly sent a Kabuki Brush set to review. The beauty gurus who brought us the gorgeous cases and trolleys to stylishly store all our beauty essentials, have now expanded their collection to include a fantastic range of make-up brushes.

I have been testing out the Kabuki brush for a few months now and have really enjoyed using it. I have been travelling quite a lot recently and have found it the perfect size to carry in my handbag for touch-ups. The brush comes with a lovely stylish black pvc zipped pouch, which gives a luxurious feel and is handy to have a carry case to protect the brush and keep it clean when keeping it in your handbag. The Kabuki is super soft and has a large, fluffy head ideal for applying face powder, bronzing powder and blusher and doesn't feel scratchy or drag across the skin. 

I have found it works well for applying cream foundations and cream blushes as it buffs the product well into the skin. It is made from natural goat hair and is great quality. I have washed the brush several times and found it hasn’t shed at all which is unusual for Kabuki brushes. I shall definitely be interested in trying some of their other brushes, especially their Flat top brush – I’d be keen to see how it compares to MAC.

The Kabuki brush and pouch is sold individually priced at £29.95. To view the full collection, log on to www.beauty-boxes.com 

Coming Soon...Beauty UK Shatter Polishes

For all you nail lovers out there, you will be keen to hear that next week, Beauty UK are launching their own special effects nail polish range.

The new collection shall contain a range of Beauty UK Shatter Nail polishes and a matte top coat polish to transform your nail polishes and bring them up-to-date. With just one coat, you can use the shatter or the matte on top of any colour to create your own individual look and make a striking statement.

I have no doubt these polishes will be purse friendly yet high quality. Keep an eye out for swatches and my thoughts on the collection.

www.beautyukcosmetics.com/

Are you a fan of Nail effects? Matte nails? Or shatter polishes?

Instyle Magazine Free Nails Inc Polishes

Instyle magazine are giving away a FREE Nails Inc full size bottle of Nail Polish worth £11 with their June Issue. There are three fashion forward bespoke shades that have been created exclusively for Instyle: Candy Orange, Electric Teal and Fashion Fawn.

Indulge in the scrumptious Electric Teal and let your nail in on the Colour Blocking fun, rock this sea inspired shade for a touch of brightness on your fingertips or bask in the sun with a sizzling Candy Orange a fashion-fierce seaside coral. Or go Greige with the colour of the year and pick the luxurious Fashion Fawn.

Or collect all three hues (like me!) to create your own nail art and update your summer look instantly. These shades are perfect for creating half moon shapes or a modern French manicure with a twist. In addition, readers will be entitled to 30% off all Nails Inc Online purchases and in store Nail Inc services. The June Issue of Instyle is on sale Thursday 5^th May 2011 log onto www.instyle.co.uk for further details.

Which colour are you going for?

Diet Coke collaborate with Karl Lagerfeld

Diet Coke has taken another stylish step into fashion by announcing its second fashion collaboration with international designer, Karl Lagerfeld.

Lagerfeld has created a second collection of limited edition an aluminium bottles for Coca-Cola consisting of 3 different designs. Chanel's creative director is a big fan of the brand as he reportedly lost 90 pounds in 2001 by only drinking Diet Coke and eating steamed vegetables. The new product is designed for “style conscious” women and Inspired by the three Diet Coke girls – puppets Bernadette, Eleanor and Irene – Lagerfeld has created three different pink, black, white and silver coloured prints to grace the special bottles.

Karl has created a bold but recognisable collection building upon the designer’s first design which featured his immediately recognisable signature ponytailed silhouette and sunglasses in black on a white bottle with pink lid. He has used the light and playful elements of his identifiable trademark style, such as graphic cuts, but using the same colour palette of contrasting black and white and hot pink detailing.

The advertising campaign shot by the designer himself, features models Coco Rocha, Heidi Mount and Jeneil Williams. The limited edition bottles will be available from May 16th 2011 priced at £1.95 each or £9.95 for the stylish prism-shaped Collector's Box.

www.dietcoke.com

 What do you think of the bottle designs?

Superdrug Beauty Card Updated

It is now only 3 days to go until Superdrug's Beauty Loyalty Card is launched, and since my last post, Chris (from Superdrug) offered me some further helpful information that you all may be interested in reading.

Superdrug still have a lot of things under wraps but there shall be links with their sister company, The Perfume Shop. The Perfume Shop will launch their loyalty card later in the year, and if you have a Superdrug BeautyCard or Perfume Shop card you can use them in either store. The same lady who developed the Beautycard, developed the Advantage Card for Boots, and she has put right all the things she got wrong with her past experience.

• You are able to part-pay for products using the Beautycard
• The Beautycard shall have a handy mirror on one side
• Points can only be spent in multiples of 100, meaning if you have 900 points, you can spend them on a product worth £9.99 and pay the extra 99p
• You must of registered your card before you can redeem your points
• Superdrug's offers, which shall change monthly, will have bonus points attached to them, and you will get personalised bonus points sent to your email regularly, especially on the products you buy the most.
• Many stores are holding special events or pamper days to celebrate the launch of the card.

Will you be signing up for the Beauty card?

www.superdrug.com 

LABEL.M collaboration with William Tempest

Toni & Guy LABEL.M has collaborated with British designer William Tempest for an exclusive limited edition Make-Up Bag and Large Tote. Inspired by his SS11 collection and Summer trends, thee designs are bright in colour and feature a print illustration made up of dappled Marble print in grey and lemon. The limited edition ‘William Tempest Designs for label.m’ - Summer 2011 bags are launch at the end of May.

Are you a fan of LABEL.M ?

TOWIE LAUREN’S WAY TAN

LAUREN’S WAY is a new tanning range from Lauren Goodger, star of The Only Way Is Essex. There are two new products, a Self-Tanning Bronzing Mousse (£17.95) and a Self-Tanning Lotion (£15.95). The range is also available as a duo for £33.90. Both formulas aim to deliver a golden finish without streaking or patchiness, while moisturising skin to leave it healthy and hydrated. The new products are available at http://www.laurengoodgerofficial.co.uk/  and on www.facebook.com/laurengoodgerofficial

I am excited to try this tan out myself as I've heard nothing but good things - I shall report back my findings very soon!

Have you tried tanning Lauren's way?

Kate Middleton Royal Wedding

This week the whole world has been caught up in the Kate Middleton & Prince William's Royal Wedding! Of course all eyes were on Kate and her beautiful wedding dress! I thought Kate looked simply stunning in her £40,000 lace and silk made-to-measure Alexander McQueen gown designed by Sarah Burton.

Newlyweds

William & Kate

Kate Middleton

Newly Weds: The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge

 Kate surprised everyone by insisting on doing her own wedding makeup as she believes ‘she knows her own face’ and that no makeup artist can make her look better than she can! She has been taking make up lessons from Arabella Preston, and rumour has it Kate has been noting make up tips from watching You Tube videos, I wonder if she also reads any beauty blogs?!

Kate created a light smokey grey taupe eye with her her trademark strong black eyeliner under and above the eye, and used plenty of her favourite Lancome’s Hypnose Mascara to add length and volume to her lashes. Her choice of a rosy pink blush similar to her lipstick colour was stronger than normal but looked elegant and enhanced her glowing skin.

Kate's Makeup

The Duchess’ of Cambridge’s ‘half up, half down’ hair style was created by James Pyrce and her Manicure was done by Marina Sandoval from Jo Hansford, London using a customised mix of Bourjois Number 28 Rose Lounge and Essie Allure polishes.

Question is would you do your own wedding make up or leave it to the experts?