Longing for the A-List Treatment

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 | Celebrities, Fashion, Hair, Hot Topics, Make-up, Nails, Skin Care, Trends | No Comments

These could be yours! Amongst more A-list must-haves...

Ok so if you’ve made it to the blog via our lookfantastic homepage then you would’ve already seen the amazing prize that’s on offer throughout November right?

Undeniably it’s an ultimate opportunity to steal the limelight of the A-listers as you ensemble your new designer gear, splash the cash (well ok, vouchers) on fine wine, before soaking up the romance of Paris … and then when you arrive home to some fresh flowers every month from your adoring fans (admittedly we can’t promise the fan bit) you can set to work choosing yourself some delectable handmade furniture and accessories to stylise your humble abode. Steam up the bathroom, run a bath full of bubbles and indulge in a bit of relaxation with the latest edition of Glamour. Oh and you’re not finished yet…£300 worth of goodies from the lookfantastic site are yours for the taking to make sure you look top dollar as you step into L.K. Bennett to splash the vouchers once more!

The excitement of pulling a whopping £2500 prize together was so overwhelming that it slipped our mind that we couldn’t enter it ourselves! Doh! Oh well, I guess that’s more chance for you then… x

P.s. If you are contacted next month as the lucky winner of our competition and struggle to find someone to join you on the weekend to Paris, you can always contact me via this very blog…! xx

Beauty is only skint deep

Monday, November 2nd, 2009 | Hair, Make-up, Skin Care | No Comments

Fact - purchasing a red lipstick mirrors the psychological effect of purchasing a designer dress (albeit at a snip of the price). It may not satisfy the adrenaline-fuelled exhilaration experienced in the way that spending half a month’s wages on a single item does, granted, but guilt-free smugness levels will be at an all time high, guaranteed.

Loath to kick our beauty habit, us women are constantly looking for ways to get extra value for our money. Whether it’s more Beauty Flash for your cash, more spritz for your spend or more plumping for your pound - beauty products are something we are not willing to forgo, financial crisis or not.

Compare forking out hundreds on a pair of shoes to £15 on the latest mascara and it doesn’t seem like such an indulgence at all. Work out the cost per application and the price tag seems perfectly manageable.

We’ve taken a few of our bestsellers and tallied up their Cost Per Use (CPU), proving that you can indulge in your favourite beauty treats after all…

Product: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Cost: £25.00
Uses: 60
CPU: 41p

Product: Redken All Soft Duo
Cost: £18.55
Uses: 30
CPU: 61p

Product: Benefit BADgal Lash
Cost: £14.50
Uses: 90
CPU: 16p

Product: Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream
Cost: £75.00
Uses: 60
CPU: £1.25

Product: Neom Refresh Candle
Cost: £15.00
Uses: 20 hours
CPU: 75p per hour

Product: Kerastase Ciment Anti-Usure
Cost: £14.20
Uses: 30
CPU: 47p

Product: ghd IV Styler
Cost: £93.99
Uses: 1,500
CPU: 6p

Product: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat N°2
Cost: £17.85
Uses: 180
CPU: 0.09p

Product: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer in Leopard Print (with a lifetime guarantee)
Cost: £20.00
Uses: 2,000
CPU: 0.01p

An invitation to Provence

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 | Hot Topics, Skin Care | No Comments

A slower pace of life, lunch under the shade of plane trees with a backdrop of lavender and olives, sloping vineyards and the colourful scenery that charmed Van Gogh and Cezanne… Provence, regrettably is a place I’ve yet to visit.

Inspired by his childhood in Provence, a 23-year-old Olivier Baussan decided to recreate the traditions of his region. After purchasing a steam distiller, a relic from the past, Olivier harvested wild rosemary and produced pure Rosemary essential oil. Selling it at the local markets, this all-natural product was quickly embraced by villagers and L’Occitane was born.

And so today the story continues, bringing us a range of L’Occitane products for both men and women, that represent the traditions and values of the Mediterranean region. Every year, Olivier seeks out traditional techniques and ingredients once used in the region to ensure the well-being of our body, mind and spirit.

Imagine my delight on a typically bleak English afternoon when the new L’Occitane gifts arrive to bring some sunshine to my day. From the Verbena Shea Discovery Collection to tempt me with an inviting citrus scent to the Enchanting Cherry Blossom Collection to romance me with it’s poetic beauty. This year L’Occitane’s festive collection transports me to the hills of southern France between the Alps and the Mediterranean, down to the small Provencal town on Manosque.

Come join me and enter our L’Occitane gift boutique to experience the Provencal art of giving, it’ll leave you feeling the true soul of Provence.

Walking in a beauty wonderland

Friday, October 16th, 2009 | Hair, Hot Topics, Make-up, Men, Nails, Skin Care, Trends | No Comments

“Now Clarins, now Cowshed, now Tigi and Darphin, on Gucci, on Prada, on Juicy and Redken…Twas the countdown to Christmas and all through the night”…to cheesy? Ok I’ll quit.

Selfridges did it with 141 days to go, Harrods with an impressive 152 and lookfantastic with a confident and swanky 75. It’s inevitable that with less than three months before the turkey-laden day, it’s very on-trend to be utterly engulfed in an array of pre-season Christmas shops. Amongst the whiskey, shoe polish and cat food (yes, there are!?) gift sets, I have succumbed to the notion that there are in fact, gift ensembles for absolutely everything. And of course, not being one to disappoint, the LF Christmas Gift Shop offers no less than something for absolutely everyone.

Avoiding January bill blues has become one of my crowning feats in recent years. Rummaging around early bird Christmas collections during mid July may be frowned upon by some, but be forewarned - my ‘I’m-so-organised-face’ is always mildly smug as I fall in after my New Years Eve finale and realise I’m proudly debt free (ish).

I  also believe there is an incredible amount to be said for shopping in your jim-jams, especially when over zealous shoppers cram into each home store like sardines. I take guiltless pleasure in lounging around, swapping my tea with (festively) large amounts of Bailey’s, and watching my gift list gradually shrink with every ‘Add to basket’ click.

With this is mind, I have scoured through the gift-set merriment that adorns the LF Christmas Shop to bring you my personal top three yuletide goodies, because let’s face it; successful gift giving is the difference between receiving an item from your wish list and being handed a pair of (possibly used) peach, velour, fleece lined slippers…one size too small. So amongst our oh-so-fabulous collections I have found these beautifying bad boys for your browsing pleasure. Come all ye spendful (and thriftful) there’s something for us all!

Tweezerman Swarovski Slant Tweezer - Devine White. As white as freshly settled snow yet packing some dazzling-blingtastic punch, these uber glam tweezers are guaranteed to impress your glamour-puss compadreys.

Cowshed Bullocks Sponge Bag. Definitely a quirky stocking filling for your raging bull. Designed to pacify and relax in a flash, he can indulge while you get on with finishing the Christmas tin of Roses. Having the purple ones all to yourself!

Burt’s Bees Polka Dot Perfect Mani-Pedi Gift Set. Give hardworking Mum the gift of pretty pieds and plush pinkies this Christmas and you’ll no longer have to wince as she prepares the turkey with bare hands!

Finally, after living through some personal (brow raising) experiences, I would just like to note that when deciding on festive donations, you’ll never go far wrong with a few self indulgent beauty aides. Men, women, young, old, everyone loves a bit (or a lot) of me time, and a complimentary preening kit will always be welcomed with open arms.

On the other hand, a brand new top of the range, ultra fast folding, super light weight, remote control, ironing board for her, will probably be met with some deflated disappointment. Possibly even a strike - ironing or otherwise. Equally, buying him the same middle of the road aftershave your dad, uncle and dentist wears will only further him comfortably into ‘predictable’ mode. Spontaneous spa trips and lavish diamond gifts- cancelled.

There’s a fine line…

Friday, October 9th, 2009 | Hot Topics, Skin Care | No Comments

Between fashion forward and fashion freak. Between being curvaceous and having surplus. Between under the hill and over the hill, and ultimately, between forever young and worryingly old - er.

Engulfed in a mine field of anti-ageing products, from pre-emptive to re-active I have always speculated on when, as a young woman, I have reached the age I have naively strived for all my life. Tucking each milestone proudly underneath my belt, I edge one step closer to the crowning glory; ‘old enough to do, young enough to look good doing it’. But now as my goal hovers disturbingly close, the realisation has become all too apparent; what goes up- must come down, and more importantly; when does ones aura cease to ooze Sex In The City glamour, and shift into an afternoon re-run of The Golden Girls?

I answer this question with silent defeatism as I spy some uninviting fine lines around my flutters and creeping up between my brows. Many years living the high live of a twenty-something has undoubtedly had some frolicking fun with my complexion. Late nights, long days, too many frowns, too many laughs, the list of age inducing ailments is frustratingly endless. Subsequently, I have come to the realisation that it might be high time I switched from my high street moisturiser to something packing a little more punch.

After being handed Lierac Coherence - Age Defence firming Day Cream at the office, I Initially examined it with reservation in fear of setting my sights and my pocket too high. Renowned for its luxurious anti ageing qualities, this little pot of wonders arrived boasting a hefty price tag. Like many self respecting guiltless groomers, I have no regret when spending excessive sums on my beauty regime, but naturally under the assurance that it works.

To my delight it took one morning of creaming to have my cheek bones and lower eyes feel soft, supple and glowing - reminding me of the days when blusher was as a direct product of fun rather than a compact. My make-up slipped over my skin with ease and I found myself stroking my cheeks in proud delight. Not sure how that looked in the office?

After squeezing, pushing and prising open my samples to ensure my skin was given its daily quench, I had some anti ageing revelations that have left me feeling excitingly positive. I have settled on some essential guidelines conducive to remaining ‘forever twenty’.

Firstly, expand your mind; replace your idolised fashionista to someone ten years older leaving you much room to gloat about your youthful complexion when compared against hers.

Next, embrace your maturity. With age comes wisdom, your fine lines are a reflection of your experience so laud it over baby-faced friends and use patronisingly ‘mature’ tones when answering anything you have experience in!

Finally, expand your beauty bag and invest; think of it as an endowment policy into your lasting youth. Uber radiant skin will match your entire shoe collection, that McQueen coat wont. (Although nobody said you cant have both!)

Lierac Coherence - Age Defence firming Day Cream is certainly my beauty pioneer this season, and with my sensuous new complexion I feel like the cat that’s got the ‘cream’!

Meet Dr. LeWinn’s

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 | Hot Topics, Skin Care | No Comments

Let me introduce you to Dr. LeWinn, one of the world’s most distinguished plastic surgeons. However do not fear! There’s not a needle insight. In fact when his expert advice on skincare was sought after by his celebrity clients, his response was to develop his own skincare range capable of delivering remarkable results against the visible signs of ageing minus the invasive surgery.

Interested? Well you should be.

The results we hear were remarkable, but in order to ensure his range was the best on earth, he decided to test them against the harshest climate on earth, in Australia. This experiment proved so successful that Dr. LeWinn’s has been named as the top performing premium skincare brand in Australia for the last 11 years!

Dr. LeWinn recognises every women is as beautiful as she is unique (flattery gets you everywhere)! And rather than treat us all the same, has developed a range of products which not only caters to individual skin-types, but individual lifestyles as well.

A plastic surgeon offering an alternative to surgery, 11 years of credibility, rave reviews in Harpers Bazaar and a range of products that ‘really work’ we lookfantastic girls are definitely intrigued…

Find out more and browse the Dr. LeWinn’s range here.

Milly B’s pearls!

Monday, August 24th, 2009 | Hair, Hot Topics, Make-up, Nails, Skin Care | No Comments

As I promised last week I’m dedicating my final blog to the passing over of my most valuable hair and beauty pearls of wisdom.

Keeping it insightful and letting you in on a few little unknown gems, it’s taken years to collate this information so I hope you leave feeling blessed by your new found fountain of knowledge, courtesy of yours truly….

• If you can only ever afford just one skincare product, make sure it’s a moisturiser. Don’t be fooled into believing a moisturiser is just a moisturiser, it comes in all textures and sizes and its form can make a huge difference to your skin. For those with deeply dry skin, opt for a cream, its denser consistency will ensure greater hydration and will keep skin moisturised for longer. A lotion is lighter and delivers perfect hydration for normal to combination in the daytime. A night time moisturiser is designed for use as its name suggests. Usually thicker, they are fabulous at restoring your skin’s balance and REALLY do make a difference the next day. And why is a moisturiser the most important skincare product? As the clever species we are, we’ve invented the likes of air-con, heating, cars, yummy food, etc, all of which impact the environment and our skin. You’ll always be able to wash your face with water and an old fashioned flannel, but you can’t forgo a protective barrier and rebalancing tool that will keep your skin at its healthy best. If possible make sure your moisturiser has an SPF.

• Through all my well documented disasters on faux tanning I have come to one final conclusion, and you’ll be surprised to hear it’s not to give up and embrace the paste! Oh contraire. As Glamour’s Beauty Editor Alessandra can vouch, a gradual sunless tanner will never embarrass you. Faint enough that if you do miss a patch it won’t be so noticeable, Dark enough to leave a subtle glow after one application; easy and hassle free, it encourages you to build a natural looking tan, and then once achieved, its layered effect will last even longer…..oh and best of all it doesn’t leave a yellow angel on your bed sheets!

• Remember the Fairy ads that promised you softer hands and beautiful nails, encouraging us to deal with the washing up? Well once they got us we inevitably found out that they’d lied! However soft the bubbles are, they’ll always leave your skin parched and your nails soft, weak and vulnerable to breakages. Now women fear not, if I can plug one product in this blog it has to be my personal ‘lifetime achievement award’ product: OPI Nail Envy. A keen rider, domestic goddess and try hard gardener, there is very little time for my nails to recover and did I mention I used to bite them to the bone? This little gem has been my saviour. Rock solid and perfectly formed I’m confident that whatever I turn my hands to my nails will always survive.

• We pay so much attention to the condition of our skin and continually fret about the ageing process that happens before our very own eyes, we rarely consider the ageing process of our hair. The natural assumption would be to presume that the older you are the older your hair, but think again. Your hair has its own birth date, it starts growing from the roots and so naturally the lengthiest parts are obviously the oldest. So if your hair is a good few inches below your shoulders, then it will most likely be several years old (at least). You wouldn’t leave your skin unattended for so long (and this doesn’t include cleaning), so why would you leave your hair untouched. A quick trim will always leave it strengthened, and defying the age old myth that keeping your hair cut will make it grow stronger, what they actually mean, is keeping your hair trimmed will keep it stronger, so the longer it grows the less likely it is to snap off and so therefore it will appear to grow quicker! But you can help this myth along too by treating your hair and nurturing the ends. A reparative treatment for mature, damaged hair should be in every gals cupboards, no matter what the length - it’s still the first part of the hair to go.

• And finally….I’m a sucker for them but I still haven’t enough of them. Lipbalms! Who’d want to kiss a flaky, dry pair of smackeroos? Especially when keeping them moisturised and beautifully soft with an easy to use and usually rather tasty balm is so simple! And the secret to share: opt for a tinted one. Not only will your lips appear fuller, your teeth a little brighter, but in photo’s it can knock years off! Don’t think nude lips suggest youth, they scream lack of pash worthy pout, and the camera never lies!

So take what you will from my pearls of wisdom, they are all certainly tried and tested, but if I leave you with one final thought it’s that online shopping is one of the best forms of cost cutting and time saving you’ll ever come across. With all your favourite and best brands on board, plus we’re always recruiting more, even if you are unsure of the shade or type you want, don’t be afraid to try it on in store, but make sure you walk away and take a trip into the virtual store as you’ll be guaranteed to find better prices and shipping to your door!

With love…..

Guest blog by Jasmine

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 | Hot Topics, Skin Care | No Comments

We had a fantastic response to our Guest Blogger post last week and are delighted to introduce Jasmine, a cruelty-free make up artist who’s addicted to facials and has infuriatingly sensitive skin. As promised we sent her a selection of Caudalie products to try out and here she tells us how she got on:

"Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Cream Mask feels truly blissful”

I really liked the products, but the mask was by far the gem!

I find I get dehydrated skin and dry patches especially when the seasons are changing. If I use a clay-based mask it robs my skin of valuable moisture leaving it irritated and unhappy.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Cream Mask smells amazing and feels truly blissful.  I am not surprised as it contains grape-seed oil, glycerine and the essential oils citrus, lavender and sandalwood.

The generously applied cream disappeared after 15 minutes revealing the extent of my dehydration.  I was elated that after just one use my skin felt very comfortable, calmed, soft, plumped and smooth. What a wonderful product!

Find your perfect-fit

Friday, August 14th, 2009 | Hot Topics, Make-up, Skin Care | No Comments

Friday’s are always happy days here at lf HQ, along with ‘cheese-straw Thursdays’, ‘boy-free Wednesdays’ and ‘free-food Mondays’….don’t ask, but we can come up with an euphemism for anything!! But back to the point in question, it’s not just any end-of-week Friday today, as all the ladies here in the office are just a touch over excited about the arrival of the new Benefit Crescent Row fragrances!

The clever daughters (also nieces) to the founders of the best loved Benefit, took a trip to the beautiful Bath and came back inspired by the splendour and sophistication of the renowned Crescent Row. With their inspiration juices flowing they created three must-have scents, designed as the perfect-fit, personality-matched and irresistibly-you perfume.

‘Laugh with me LeeLee’ is the innocent dreamer, with a playful wink and sweet smile. Her woody, floral mist gets all the attention with fruity citrus, luscious jasmine and alluring santal.

‘Something about Sofia’ is adventurous and electric. Her oriental floral mist will take you away with its mystical mix of free-spirited freesia, heavenly lily, and pretty peony.

‘My place or yours Gina’, the sassiest of the trio, lives to tempt, taunt and seduce. Her woody, oriental fragrance perks you up with a pinch of pink pepper, zesty tangerine and sexy wild raspberry.

But the fun doesn’t end once you’ve chosen your perfect-fit, as once you open up the oh-so-chic and elegant packaging you’ll find a vintage style cocktail shaker adorned with a legendary Benefit design that you’ll want to sit pride-of-place on your dressing room table, and if you don’t have a dressing table? You’ll be in your nearest furniture boutique before we can say…Benefit we love you!

Fancy yourself as our guest blogger?

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 | Celebrities, Fashion, Hair, Hot Topics, Make-up, Nails, Skin Care, Trends | 1 Comment

We update you daily with our latest discoveries in the world of hair and beauty but this week I thought it’d be fun to mix it up and give you a chance to join our fabulous blogging team!

I’ve got 3 sample bags full of yummy Caudalie goodies to give-away. To see yourself on this very blog here next week send me a quick email to blog@lookfantastic.com with your name, address and explain in less than 50 words why you’d make a fab guest blogger for next weeks post! We’ll choose our faves and then send our chosen ones a sample bag of Caudalie’s dry skin saviours to review in a dedicated blog post next week!

Look forward to working with you!