Lisa, Author at Conversations through the middle

Things I Love – book review

May 8, 2013

This is a book of four parts and includes a practical collection of design tips as well as a section of inspirational pull-out postcards, to whet your home stylist appetite. Megan also introduces a number of people she admires – designers, artists, models, collectors and photographers – through interviews that give insights into their creativity.

Finally, Homes I Love is a look inside houses across the world that have had an impact on her, thanks to their style and the people who live in them. Informal in tone and easy to read, this book will quickly engross you.

Things I Love by Megan Morton, £25, Conran Octopus

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

May 7, 2013

Yes, this shampoo and conditioner from Alterna does contain caviar extract, which is something I’ve eaten in the past, but never put on my hair before. Happily they bear no resemblance in smell or texture to that fishy delicacy.

It is though equally luxurious. The fragrance is light and fresh, like expensive bubble bath, and the consistency is rich, so you don’t need to use much. The shampoo lathers up nicely under the shower, while the conditioner detangles and softens, but doesn’t cling to your hair when rinsed – a very good thing (conditioners that refuse to wash out are one of life’s little irritations).

The products are formulated to target dry, damaged and tired hair, a blend of marine botanicals working with the caviar to “repair the hair and provide exceptional moisture”, according to the company information. They are also sulphate and paraben free, and do not contain synthetic colours or petrolatum, which I know is important to many people.

I’ve been using the shampoo and conditioner regularly for a few weeks now and I’m impressed with the results. My hair has a natural kink to it and when left to dry on its own turns into a frizzy mess, rather than a mass of waves, which is why I tend to use straighteners on it most days. I’ve found though that with this shampoo and conditioner I can leave it to dry naturally and not end up looking like a throwback to the 1970s. Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t walk into a meeting with it au naturel – it’s not a miracle worker – but my hair is less frizzy, soft, has a better shine to it and is fine for a day at home.

All in all these products make my hair happy, but they are luxury items and as such they come with a luxury price tag – around £25 each – that unfortunately is just too rich for my pockets at the moment. As a birthday or Christmas present though they would be ideal.

Gatineau Melatogenine AOX Advanced Rejuvenating Eye Serum

May 1, 2013

As I get older I find it’s the skin under my eyes that gives the game away – I get up in the morning and it’s like I’ve been creased during the night, the lines seem to stick together almost, creating horror of horrors WRINKLES.

I can’t get away with calling them laugh lines these days (who laughs that much?) so I find the answer is just not to focus on them too closely before about 11am and to send in the big guns, aka eye creams, in the interim.

I’ve been using Gatineau Melatogenine AOX Advanced Rejuvenating Eye Serum every morning for the past couple of months now. This big name is accompanied by a little bottle, but happily you only need a tiny bit under each eye.

The ingredients list includes:

Melatogenine – a melatonin-inspired substance that slows down cell hardening and speeds up cell renewal
Thermos thermophilus – seaweed extract that helps stop collagen fibres stiffening up
Spelt wheat peptide – brightens skin and has an anti-oxidant effect
Organic silicone derivative – antioxidant
Lactobacillus bacteria – rebalances the skin by restoring its micro flora
Hyaluronic acid – holds in moisture and helps plump the skin
Cactus pear extract – to smooth the appearance of wrinkles

The serum is a light cream, but it has a richness you can still feel on your fingers after application. It absorbs quite quickly but I find it helps if I gently tap around my eyes after applying it to help it sink in – use your ring fingers for this as these are your weakest fingers, so you automatically use less force (a handy tip I picked up from a skincare expert).

I have been impressed with the results. The skin under my eyes does look smoother and brighter, and it feels soft.

For me, the test is if I forget to apply a product how to I feel, and in this case the answer is anxious until I do (I’m the same if I forget to apply moisturiser, which happily very rarely happens.) Not many skincare products get that kind of reaction so this definitely makes it to my keeper list.

Gatineau Melatogenine AOX Advanced Rejuvenating Eye Serum costs £46.50 for 15ml.

Joy to the nose

April 29, 2013

When you’re feeling down there’s nothing like a fragrant pick-me-up to, well, pick you up. So when I received this fruity number from The Body Shop the other day I sniffed away my blues.

I know a squirt of perfume doesn’t make everything right with the world, but when it’s a fragrance that whisks you back to a happy place it’s a damn near perfect temporary lift – a sticking plaster for the senses if you like.

Pink grapefruit also reminds me of my daughter – which is appropriate really as she has snaffled it for herself!

Also available in strawberry, Satsuma, shea, vanilla, coconut, moringa and mango, the 30ml spray is made with Community Fair Trade organic alcohol from sugar cane, which supports the livelihoods of farmers in Ecuador.