Handbag heaven!

Monday, November 9th, 2009 | Hot Topics | No Comments

Just a quick thank you to those who voted for lookfantastic to win Best Online Beauty Shop in the Handbag Beauty Awards 2009! Pipping the likes of asos and Boots to the post, we’re all rather pleased here at LF HQ. Here’s some of the glowing things you had to say about us when it came to casting your vote:

“lookfantastic have the history and a great look and feel of a professional run business. Great offers too!”

“Huge range of products and great offers! Plus fast efficient service.”

“lookfantastic are by far the best! They have great offers and have so many great brands. I trust them more than some of the new ones which seem to copy them.”

“It’s perfect for both my hair and product needs - I highly recommend their website and salons.”

“lookfantastic.com definitely…. the next day delivery is perfect… “

“Superb service every time. Brilliant company!”

“lookfantastic always has something new coming online - great offers, wonderful efficient service and keen prices.”

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

The power poise.

Thursday, October 29th, 2009 | Celebrities, Fashion, Hot Topics, Make-up, Nails | No Comments

Power dressing. pow.er dress.ing noun
A stylish and expensive clothing style, intended to convey the impression of assertiveness and competence. Predominantly worn by women.

Dallas basked in it, the Princess of Wales made it beautifully covetable and dear old Maggie Thatcher transformed it into the embodiment of ‘pow’. Its back, it’s a statement, it’s a point of view and ultimately it’s a point of power. This season’s trend is one of fiery force and I for one am diving in feet first.

Growing up in neon shell-suits (teamed with platform shoes) and sporting a poodle perm, my personal experience of the style ‘a-la-dynasty’ extended to watching in envy as my aunt appeared each year laden in copious amounts of plastic sequins layered over ice-pick shoulders. Luxe velvet party dresses teamed with a crimped mullet and tights so woolly her calves grew to the size of my thigh had me in bewildered awe. Yet throughout my bedroom bound Cyndi Lauper renditions and Thriller routines, I longed to use mums bottle of hairspray on my worryingly short fringe - secretly wanting to back-comb my way to Dallas glamour. Older, wiser (?) and raring to go, AW 09 has landed in my lap this month like the glacier cherry on my fashion cake. Sharp, strong lines, humongous hair, blocked bright colours, deliberately bold make-up, and fabulous amounts of crimson, chilli, and poppy rouge. Let the creations commence!

Vision Dita Von Tease harmonised with Anna Wintour and fresh, sexy Cheryl Cole. Think thick, matte 3D pouts paired with confidently rouge talons and razor sharp shoulders. Whether it’s an assertive swank around the office or a provocative schmooze to the bar, there’s no shying away this season, it’s gotta be big, it’s gotta have glamour and most of all it has got to ooze power. But hold your horses, and step away from the scarlet nail falsies; like many fashion proclamations, get it wrong and you’ll look like a 50’s ration-ista rather than an 80’s fashionista…

Pair poppy red nails and a chilli pout with monochrome tailoring or a fashion forward fuscia pink ensemble (exclusive to daring divas only!). Leighton Denny Nail Colour -  Viva La Diva is a super sassy red nail coat perfect for the bold and beautiful and works in perfect harmony with the new Duwop Private  Red Lipstick. Paying homage to the 70s colour changing lipsticks, this powerful pout perfector will effortlessly blend with your skin tone to create a provocative yet empowering ensemble. Lastly, precision is key so it’s just as well lip liners are back in town. Finale your new pout with New <ID I-Define Lip Liner - Rosie and leave the uber-glossy-glosser at home this season. Keep it bright, thick and mattified for maximum va va voom!

60s babies thought it was buried forever, but the rocking 80s is back with a vengeance to rear its ‘not so’ ugly head. Take a deep breathe…there’s no need to wince! We scraped the leg warmers and buried the neon shell suits at the back of mums attic (ready for AW10!?). Selecting only the best of the fashion beast, AW09 is your time to walk the walk and make a scarlet statement. Viva la raging rouge!

Guest Blog: Reddy to party by BritishBeautyBlogger

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 | Fashion, Hot Topics, Nails | 4 Comments

One of the best things about winter’s forthcoming passion for raging reds is that at last we can veer away from freaky acid hues and insipid summer neutrals. There’s nothing more glamorous than perfectly manicured scarlet nails.

While nail trends have indicated a squared tip and a blunted look, I think to go all out rouge needs gorgeous ovals - long or short. Like Clara Bow lips, pillar box nails are the ideal little black dress accessory; it hardly needs another thing to create simple but deeply elegant style.

I’m loving the current crop of variations on the theme, from Leighton Denny’s Caught Red Handed, a fierce, blood shade,  OPI’s fiery, sparkling Dear Santa through to ButterLondon’s shimmeringly vampish Knees Up.

Don’t forget that the most sophisticated nails are nothing without soft and supple hands; ramp up the hydration with a good hand cream and drench your cuticles in nourishing oils to let your fingers do the talking all the way through party season.

New hair idol alert

Monday, October 26th, 2009 | Celebrities, Hair, Hot Topics | No Comments

It’s official. I have a new hair idol. She might be the obvious choice given that she makes up one quarter of the X Factor judging panel (and no I’m not talking Cheryl and her unfeasibly voluminous bouncy barnet), it’s Dannii Minogue’s ‘do I just can’t get enough of. I mean who would have ever thought a bob could be so versatile! It puts my pathetic morning fight with the blow-dryer to shame.

We’ve had 20’s bob Dannii, 80’s quiff Dannii, washer woman Minogue (she was out last night), cutesy peek-a-boo fringe Dannii, tousled bob Dannii, pony tail hair extension Dannii, hair piled high Dannii, 20’s pin curls Dannii - and these are just from the live shows!

Admittedly I wasn’t a fan of last week’s random hair extension (rat tail springs to mind), but we’re all prone to the odd bad hair day, right? Luckily adding shine as mirror-like as Dannii’s is simple with a spritz of something glassy, like Goldwell Brilliance Radiant Star Shine Spray.

Do you think Dannii manages to pull off her different looks?

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.

Sunday best

Monday, October 19th, 2009 | Celebrities, Hot Topics | No Comments

If you’re one of the five people in the country who didn’t tune into X-Factor last night, you really need to sort out your priorities. If however you did switch over to your Sunday night ‘Factor fix to “Whit”-ness the world exclusive of our favourite diva (we’re still devastated about missing out on her tour tickets in the LF office) and Cheryl’s performance of her new single Fight For This Love, you will already know that Sunday nights have reached a new level of cool.

Despite Whitney’s minor wardrobe malfunction (luckily her presence alone was enough to divert attentions) she took to the stage like a diva to water. Cheryl followed suit, wowing audiences by performing live (energetic dance routine to boot) in a sheer all-in-one and Balmain-esque military style jacket alongside a group of honed and toned male dancers.

Do you think Cheryl’s live performance paid off?

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’!

Oops we did it again…

Thursday, October 1st, 2009 | Hair, Hot Topics | 4 Comments

It was a hotly-tipped hat trick for the LF team at Tuesday nights Hair Magazine Awards as we scooped Best Online Hair Care Retailer award in our third consecutive year, making a place in the Hair Magazine’s esteemed Hall of Fame.

Making up the panel of the Hair Awards were none other than 200 of you, the readers, a VIP panel of hair and beauty journalists and celebrity hairdressers, along with a group of probing mystery shoppers. Decisions were based on performance, usability, results and value for money - all areas which LF shined, earning us our winning place!

Here at LF we make every effort to ensure your shopping experience is second to none, so we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for voting for us and hope you continue to share your love for hair products with us x