make-up Archives - Conversations through the middle

A day in London town – Dot and me

October 18, 2013

During the summer holidays Dot came with me to London for a couple of product launches. We made a day of it, meeting up with her dad for dinner and eating her favourite food in her favourite food place – Chinese in China Town.

Before that we spent time at the Thorntons Christmas in July show, where she sampled lots of chocolates (I had a few too) and patted an enormous chocolate dog. I’d got the times wrong – no idea how I did that – so there was hardly anybody there when we arrived and they were starting to pack up to go home, but we still enjoyed the fake snow and seeing the goodies Thorntons are launching for Christmas 2013.

Chocolate is one of Dot’s all time favourite things, but make-up is fast becoming the must-have favourite, so she was overjoyed to attend the launch of Mary Kay at Play. Mark Kay is a beauty company that operates along the same sort of lines as Avon – it has reps and catalogues and a growing customer base in this country, though I don’t think it’s anywhere near as well known. I’ve used their products before – their True Dimensions lipstick was my favourite lipstick of last year, it’s so creamy and the bullet design is so satisfying to hold and open (it sort of pops open, unlike lipsticks generally that you twist up).

This launch was for their collection Mary Kay at Play, which includes lip crayons, baked eye shadow trios, eye shadow pencils and lip gloss, and as the name implies, it is a range designed for younger women, teens to 20s. That said, the products are lovely and I have no problem wearing them – I have a post on a few of them coming up shortly.

We started off with mocktails (she’s only 12) and she felt ever so sophisticated sipping the icy concoction through a straw. There were a couple of flavours on the menu and she sampled both of them.

We played with the products, listened to a brief talk about the collection, and then to Dot’s joy, she had her make-up done by a real live make-up artist using some of the new products! She was in her element.

Best of all, she got to leave with a good selection of make-up from the new range (or rather she commandeered most of the products I was given) and has loved messing around with them ever since.

Beauty round-up – hair, make-up and fragrance

July 11, 2012

For frizzy hair sufferers everywhere (including myself), Tresemme has introduced Keratin Smooth, a product range that comprises a shampoo, conditioner, treatment masque and heat protection shine spray.

According to Tresemme, a third of women in the UK are “desperate” for products that straighten and smooth unruly hair – I know I’m still looking for a magic potion to help me tame my tresses, but as to whether this is it, well I’ll have to report back at a later date. Keratin Smooth is in store now.

For anyone experiencing withdrawal symptoms for Sex and the City, the HBO shop has come to your rescue with its new Sunrise and Sunset fragrances – the latest additions to the Sex and the City body collections that were launched late last year.

Sunrise is described as capturing the feel of “a laid-back brunch in a sun-drenched outdoor cafe in Manhattan” presumably without the smell of food, while Sunset features notes of freesia, vanilla orchid, muguet, woody amber and tonka, to capture “the soft and warm beauty of sundown reflected in the iconic skyline of New York City”.

I take their word for it as when it comes to fragrance I’m rubbish at recognising the notes, top, middle or base. Both versions are on sale now at www.store.hbouk.com.

If you’re lucky enough to have curls rather than frizz then this might be for you. New Prep Curl Defining Oil from Toni & Guy nourishes, smooths and conditions curls, whether you style your hair or leave it to dry naturally. It may well work on frizzy hair too – though that’s just my guess, the company doesn’t claim it does.

Simply apply the product to damp hair and dry. It’s non-greasy, which is a plus point, and it’s in Boots stores now.

Duo mineral blushers in L – R: Radiant Rose, Pink Blush,
Sweet Apricot and Caramel Fudge

Duo Mineral eye shadows in L – R: Everglade, Rich Tamarind,
Juicy Plum, Purple Passion, Moonlight and Ultra Marine

I’m always happy to hear of new products from Beauty Without Cruelty. The company has just released a collection of eye shadows and blushers that team a natural mineral formula with cruelty-free principles.

The six eye shadows and four blushers are talc-free, long lasting and easy to apply, and they are available now from the online store at www.bwcshop.com.

I’m thrilled to see this brand continue to evolve and embrace the latest make-up trends, without compromising any of its ethics. I remember Beauty Without Cruelty from the 1980s when the products were perhaps not as good as those of the competition. That has changed and BWC is now up there with the bigger brands in terms of ingredients, colours and product range. Their cosmetics are also easier to get hold of now than they were back in the day. Find them in stores nationwide.

Beauty round-up

July 5, 2012

New from Rituals, Urban Chic is a richly pigmented mineral make-up collection comprising baked eye shadow palettes, nail colour, lip shine and mascara. Information from the brand informs me the range also includes gemstones among the ingredients – ruby, amethyst and sapphire to be exact.

I was privileged to be invited to view the collection and other beauty products by Rituals at a hotel in London last week. It’s not a brand I knew much about before, but a comprehensive introduction to the company and the ethos behind what it does, as well as meeting Rituals’ founder Raymond Cloosterman, means I’m now totally clued up.

I love the way they match their products to a story or ritual. That comes first then the product evolves afterwards, so for example the Hammam steam bath ritual and the Ayurveda ritual are just two that have provided inspiration in the past.

Back to Urban Chic. The eye shadow palette comes in muted grey with a deep purple, or deep blue and iridescent pastels, and there’s three new nail colours – sea green, freezed fantasy and skyline. The mascara is available in black only and the lip shine comes in Sandy Sheer, Sun Down and Night Fall. I’m still waiting for images, but as soon as I have them I’ll post them. The limited edition range is in shops now until October.

Hemp Green Tea Soap is the latest product from Dr Bronner’s. The pure Castile soap has 18 different uses and can clean anything from your body to your vegetables, even your teeth (though I haven’t tried that!) It contains organic oils and antioxidant green tea extracts; the ingredients are also Fair Trade. Free from preservatives, fragrances, whiteners, dyes and synthetic foaming agents, this soap is totally biodegradable and comes n recycled packaging.

Take a trip back in time to the Art Deco days of The Great Gatsby, with the help of No7’s new Deco Darling Collection. The packaging is beautiful to look at and the products are just as lovely. The loose powder highlighter gives a luminous glow and the eye palette colours are the basis of that sultry style so popular in that era. Nails are covered with the grey/silver/blue Speakeasy varnish, while Daisy Darling is a clear lacquer containing lots of pink sparkly glitter bits. A dramatic black liquid eye liner and lipsticks in Love Red and Modesty, complete the collection.

Lisa Eldridge, creative director for Boots and celebrity make-up artist, created Deco Darling. She explains: “The collection channels the chic and beautiful style of the 1920s and there’s a look for every woman. Whether you want to opt for a dramatic eye or add a subtle touch of shimmer to your cheekbones, the No7 Deco Darling Collection will leave you looking and feeling as elegant as scenes from the Great Gatsby.”

Beauty round-up – eyes and face

July 2, 2012

It has been a week of launches for Lush, firstly with the colour wheel and Emotional Brilliance and now with this cute mascara. It might look small but there’s more product in that little bottle than in your usual mascara tubes. The ingredients are designed to nourish the lashes and include wheatgrass, as well as carnauba wax to stop smudging and just one preservative – apparently mascaras usually contain up to six. Colour-wise the pigment is deep, it goes on well, without clotting (thanks to the little brush, which is easy to manipulate). There’s just one thing, it might just be my sample, but the brush keeps coming out of the lid.

Also launched last week are Emotional Brilliance Translucent Face Powder, and Skin Tints in Charisma and Feeling Younger. The light-reflecting face powder sets make-up, but on its own, works to even out skin tone. It contains moisurising jojoba oil and is free of preservatives and mineral oils. Charisma gives a bronzed glow and is ideal for skin that is already tanned, while Feeling Younger contains light-reflecting pigment that brightens the skin. Both can be used alone or with moisturiser; they contain orange flower water, cocoa butter, jojoba and almond oils, and oats. All on sale from 21 July. www.lush.co.uk

New from Frontcover Cosmetics are a series of summer make-up kits – and for the first time you can buy them direct from the company’s website. There are six sets in the collection – Matte + Metallic, Colour of the Season: Pink, Pencils + Polish, The Baked Powder Collection, A Rainbow of Colours and Sunlit Metals. As is usual with Frontcover, there’s comprehensive instructions and illustrations on how to create a variety of looks – handy if you’re a little lost when it comes to application or if, like me, you’re a little inept in the make-up artistry department. I haven’t tried these but love the colours and my two favourite kits are pictured below. By the way, if you’re in Europe this summer you should be able to find Frontcover in branches of Sephora. www.frontcovercosmetics.com

The Body Shop has added to its tea tree collection with a pore minimiser, so if you think your pores are too large then get on down to your nearest branch – it’s on sale from August. Tea tree is known for its antibacterial and healing qualities and including it in this minimiser helps eliminate congestion and clogged pores; Body Shop tea tree oil is organic and fair trade, so farmers in Kenya benefit, too. The product is also a primer and it gives a matte finish, reducing shine. I know some people don’t like the scent of tea tree, finding it rather medicinal, but I love it so this is one product I’ll definitely be trying soon. Apply after moisturising and under makeup.www.thebodyshop.com