Skin Deep talks to...

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos

You may recognise renowned psychologist, Dr. Linda Papadopoulos yet are perhaps wondering what she has to do with the beauty industry? Well, having carried out years of research into psychodermatology, Dr. Linda has recently launched her own skincare range, LP Skin Therapy and kindly agreed to talk to Skin Deep about it. She was so warm and friendly- an absolute pleasure to interview!

SD: How did the LP Skin Therapy range come about?
Dr. LP: I've been interested in Psychodermatology for years. Whilst studying for my PHD, I focussed upon my cousin who suffered from Vitiligo. She was always very fun and an extrovert so it was interesting to me to see how her skin condition affected her. While I worked with Vitiligo patients to look at the impact of a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) protocol I had developed on Body Image, Self Esteem and Quality of Life, I realised that there was something bigger going on biochemically when I noticed the effect that improving self esteem and body confidence had on the progression of the condition itself.

SD: Why now?
Dr. LP: I've been asked to create a range for years but it was important for me to take the time to get it right. It's (the way in which our psychological state affects physical functioning) also something which people are understanding more and more.

SD: What is the best thing about having your own skincare range?
Dr. LP: I get to decide what goes in it and use the products I've always wanted. For example, I've suffered from dark circles under my eyes for years so it was important for me to create the very best eye cream. Traditionally, the beauty industry has a basis of making women feel that they needed products. My range is all about skin health, understanding the connection between feeling good and looking good, and making women feel happy to look in the mirror and love what they see.

SD: Any struggles you've overcome in setting up the business?
Dr. LP: Finding people (e.g. chemists) who had the experience in Psychodermatology that I wanted them to have. The range uses very expensive ingredients so I've had to push for the margins to be small because I wanted to make sure people could still have access to the products. The chemists have had to put up with me sending samples back and forth until they were just right. It's also a new concept so it is important to me that people understand the basis behind it.

SD: How can issues such as stress affect the appearance?
Dr. LP: Many ways- eczema, psorosis, etc.. In the future, I'd love to have a psychodermatology clinic. Women are living increasingly stressful lives, whether it's travelling a lot, looking after children, etc.. so I wanted to encourage a more holistic approach to skincare.

SD: You're a busy working mother. Any tips to achieving a balance?
Dr. LP: I make a point of switching off at the weekend. I don't look at my emails. I try to really be in the moment and focus on what I'm doing at a point in time, for example when spending time with Jessie (daughter). My husband is also very supportive.

SD: Who/ what inspires you?
Dr. LP: My mother and my father... both lovely people who emigrated to Canada and instilled their strong values and hard work ethic in me. In particular, my mother taught me about the idea of "me time" and self care skills, investing in myself.

SD: If you could have created any famous beauty product or range, what would you choose? Dr. LP: My favourite perfume, Miss Dior Cherie.

SD: What is your number one beauty tip?
Dr. LP: Get a good night's sleep. Head to bed an hour earlier than you normally do and take the time to take you makeup off, apply moisturiser. If you suffer from insomnia, I'd definitely recommend to visit a specialist sleep clinic. Sleep has such an impact on overall wellbeing and this is reflected in the appearance.

SD: What is your top feel good tip?
Dr. LP: Focus on the thing you love about yourself before you leave the mirror.

SD: Finally, what does Skin Deep mean to you?
Dr. LP: Time and time again the way that people perceive us is based on the way we see ourselves. Beauty is about accepting and appreciating who we are and our natural beauty, not aspiring to the "should's and have to's" that society often bombards us with.

I've been busily trialling a couple of products from the LP Skin Therapy range and will be posting a review in due course.

L'Oreal Group Adverts Banned

Another couple of beauty brands have had their knuckles rapped this week, with Lancome and Maybelline being directed to remove adverts by the Advertising Standards Authority. Both brands are owned by the cosmetics giant, L'Oreal. The ads feature celebrity spokeswomen Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington respectively.

The adverts, both for foundations, used airbrushing to retouch the images and as a result, the claims regarding the effectiveness of the products were called into question. After all, they were suggesting that the bases can be used to reduce the appearance of imperfections. The adverts can no longer be shown in their original format.

I have to admit that I tend to assume that airbrushing, false lashes and hair extensions are used as the norm in beauty advertising so I'm surprised that the ASA has taken such a stance on this occasion.

What do you think? Do you take advertising imagery with a pinch of salt? Do you wish for greater honesty in advertising? Comment & let me know!

Speed Review: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

I've been really impressed with the Philip Kingsley products which I've tried in the past. Some readers will remember that his No Scent No Colour Conditioner won the Best Conditioner category in my Skin Deep Awards at the end of last year. One of these days, I'd love to have a consultation with the hair & scalp guru who used to treat Audrey Hepburn. For now, I'm caring for my hair in the comfort of my own home using his bestselling Elasticizer treatment, originally created for the Breakfast at Tiffany's star, which the PR kindly sent me.

As a pre-shampoo treatment, it's fuss free. It's easy to apply onto dampened hair without having to hop out of the shower. I liked that the box includes a plastic shower cap to intensify the treatment. It's a nice touch which won't have cost the company a great deal but shows that thought has gone into this product. Wearing the cap also helps to contain any mess or drips so that you can get on with chores whilst the treatment gets to work.
The treatment itself has a whipped texture which is pleasant to apply and is fragrance free, making it a good choice for those with sensitivity.
My hair is fine so I didn't leave the treatment on for quite as long as advised (up to 30 minutes). I also applied it sparingly.
I like that, as a pre-shampoo, it's inherantly easy to rinse out so doesn't leave hair weighed down.
I wouldn't say that my hair was left looking particularly shiny although it was smoothed, plus it felt soft and cared for and I continued to feel these benefits for days afterwards. I liked this mask but I think my expectations were pretty high given how much I've liked his other products and I can't say that it quite lived up to them. I'll definitely continue to use the treatment until I finish the pot as I believe that it's helped to care for my hair, however, if it was a toss up between repurchasing this or one of his other products, I'd probably be more inclined to invest in one of the daily use items.

Speed Review: He-Shi 3 Step Discovery Kit

Regular readers will know that I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Shelley McMurray of He-Shi (click here to check it out) and following the interview, I had the chance to try their new He-Shi 3 Step Discovery Kit.

Exfoliating Body Wash
A 50ml version of the Exfoliating Body Wash is included and intended as the first step to your self tanning regime. I liked the functionality of the tube packaging. Directions are clear and state that Exfoliating Body Wash can also be used on the face although I personally wouldn't be comfortable applying this to my sensitive skin. It's not a particularly abrasive formula as the exfoliation is two-fold with both granules and fruit acids but I like to keep my face and body products separate. The gel formula smells good enough to eat with a scent which is reminiscent of strawberry sweets. It's a little juvenile but fun and summery nonetheless. The gel lathers nicely. I felt that I had to use quite a bit of product but this could simply be due to the small sized tube making it seem like I was using more than usual. My skin felt smoothed and ready for the next step.

Express Liquid Tan
Again, the Express Liquid Tan is presented in a 50ml miniature version, this time a bottle. I had high expectations as it's often described as a professional self-tan. The trouble is, I'm not a professional beautician and I found it very difficult to work with. It lives up to its liquid name and is a watery texture such as those used in spray tans. Although the resulting colour was very natural and I only noticed minimal scent, I'd prefer to try one of the other formulas from the range such as the mousse as the difficulty I had in applying this would put me off using it again. Having said this, I think with practise, it would get easier to work with. Additionally, I'd have preferred a deeper colour guide. On the plus point, I liked that it dried quickly and was impressed with the longevity of the results. Top tip, to avoid a polka dot bathroom floor such as mine, apply in the shower (unless marble).
A miniature tanning mitt is included but it's so small that I didn't bother with it, opting instead to use one I'd previously bought from a different brand.

Day to Day Gradual Tan
The Gradual Tan is a lightweight lotion which can either be used on its own or to top up your self tan. Presented in a 50ml tube, it lends itself well to packing for a holiday to maintain your self tan. Used alone, the results are incredibly subtle, adding the merest hint of colour, making it very believable. I quite liked the chocolate ice-cream scent and I felt far more confident using this than the tanning product, knowing that mistakes would be less noticable so it's a good idea if you're nervous of self tans. I understand that He-Shi are reformulating their Gradual Tan and I'm told that it's the updated formula within the set.
At £17.50, I feel that this travel set represents good value for money, particularly when compared to similar sets from other brands. It's a nice way to try out a few of the products from the range as I know a lot of people are often nervous about investing in a new self tanning product. Overall, I was impressed with the results despite struggling with the application so if you're looking to try a new self tanning brand, I'd recommend He-Shi but would suggest sticking to one of their traditional lotion or mousse formulas if you're a beginner.

Speed Review: Pupa Buttock Enhancer

I was sent a sample of Pupa Buttock Enhancer which I passed onto a friend to trial:
My efforts in the gym, a.k.a. Operation J.Lo have not been going to plan. I have quite a boyish figure and whilst there are worse things in the world, I have always lusted after really womanly curves. Whilst Pupa Buttock Enhancer doesn't make any outlandish claims that it will turn me into Mad Men's Joan Holloway, it does claim that the lotion will boost up your derriere noticeably. I'm sure lots of people will buy this in the aftermath of the Royal Wedding Pippa dress frenzy!
It does however, concede that in order to see these results you have to apply it morning and night and every day for 28 days before you see results. Thereafter, you need to continue to use it twice a day, basically for as long as you want to maintain that booty! And this is what I found really difficult- to commit to a product twice a day, every day was impossible. I definitely managed every morning as it just fitted right into my morning gym, shower, moisturise routine but every night??? I'm sorry, I just couldn't stick to it. I think you'd need to have two tubes on the go- one in the gym bag and one on the bedside table.
That said- the effects are noticeable, although it's difficult to know whether it's the extra uphill running I've been doing or the product. It's definitely not plumped my backside but it does feel rounder. Apart from anything else, the lotion is lovely and smooth, quickly absorbed and smells beautiful. I've been a fan of Pupa since my first visit to Rome as a sixth former- I remember those little bug shaped lip balms and glosses were all the rage! I just wished that I could apply the lotion all over but I was a little worried about the "plumping" effect! I'm not 100% convinced but it's an interesting product and definitely worth a shot if you can stick with it and commit to it. I'd be interested to know how much the tube costs and will probably keep the tube for my wedding build-up. My fiance thinks I've lost the plot with all my bits & bobs but now I've got bum-boosting body lotion, I think he's considering feeding me to the squirrels!

Pupa Buttock Enhancer costs £39 for 150ml at http://www.escentual.com/

Kim Kardashian Eau de Parfum- Is it a dupe for Tom Ford Black Orchid?

Kim Kardashian isn't a celebrity I know a great deal about. Of course, I've heard who she is and have an idea of what she's famous for but I've never tuned into her show, Keeping up with the Kardashians. Likewise, I'm not a fan of celebrity fragrances so this post may seem an odd choice. I was invited to her recent fragrance launch in the UK but unable to attend, the PR kindly sent me a sample of the fragrance to try.
As part of the initial research, Kim took to Twitter to ask her followers what they'd like to see in her signature scent. It's interesting to see that social media is now being used in this way, not to mention that it demonstrates a certain savviness on the part of Kim and her advisors. I also admire that she hasn't followed the standard celebrity formula of a fruity, floral which I'm beyond bored of.
I was sent the 30ml EDP and, having seen pictures of the larger sizes (first image), I have to say that I'm hugely disappointed that the same design doesn't extend to the purse spray (second image).

The 30ml size is quite literally the ugliest, cheapest looking bottle I've ever laid eyes on- pearlised pink with a repeated logo based on Kim's initials. There's absolutely no way that I'd consider carrying this in my purse and spraying it in public. Likewise, the empty bottle won't be joining my collection on display under a bell jar.
Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised at the contents as the fragrance itself isn't bad at all. Ok, it's not the most sophisticated scent. It's very sweet and didn't seem to develop beyond the initial fragrance. However, there's something about this fragrance which I really like and I think it's because it is reminiscent of several other fragrances which I enjoy using. I was initially convinced that violet is one of the key notes (which must be a good thing as I adore the scent of violet) but it isn't mentioned in any of the accompanying materials. However, it's very floral to the extent that some may find it cloying.
People have commented that this is comparable to other fragrances such as Tom Ford Black Orchid, Michael Kors' signature scent and the original Juicy Couture so I wanted to run a little experiment. I was also intrigued to see how it would compare with one of my favourites, Miller Harris Noix de Tubereuse.
I tried comparing it to Miller Harris first up seeing as they both boast the key note of Tubereuse. This highlighted a certain bitterness to the Kim Kardashian fragrance that I hadn't noticed on my first try, which I'm guessing comes from the opening notes of mandarin and orange blossom. Miller Harris is also sweet in the overall theme but is more powdery and less in-your-face, as you would expect from a prestige fragrance. In addition to Tubereuse, Tonka Bean features across both perfumes.
Once I noticed the bitterness, I realised that it includes one of the notes from Benefit's Carmella scent which is quite unusual and really hits you in an unashamed way. I almost want to describe it as a chemical odour.
I absolutely adore the sexy smokiness of Tom Ford Black Orchid which I don't feel is captured in Kim Kardashian's creamier version. As it dries down, I noticed some similarities but Tom Ford's is undoubtedly the more sophisticated of the two. Looking at the composition, the two fragrances do share a number of the same notes, namely jasmine, gardenia, mandarin, orchid, vanilla and sandalwood so it's not surprising that they've been compared but I feel that these remain two distinctly separate fragrances.
Looking at how Kim Kardashian's fragrance compares to Michael Kors' signature scent, I have to say that they are the closest out of the comparisons I made, which I found pleasantly surprising. In terms of composition, they share just one similar note although admittedly, it's the boldly distinctive Tubereuse. I used to wear Michael Kors for years so I've enjoyed rediscovering it through the comparison.
Finally, Juicy Couture. Again, the common thread here is Tubereuse, with vanilla and mandarin also both featuring across the two scents. Whilst there's a similarity and if you like one, you'll most likely enjoy the other, I don't feel that they are so similar as to draw a close comparison. I'd say Juicy Couture feels like a younger fragrance.
I guess that this highlights just how predominant the Tubereuse note is which is why so many people pick up on it and make the comparison. Moral of the story? Only try this if you're a fan of Tubereuse!
I was impressed to note that the scent lingered on my skin throughout the day. Taken on it's own merits, I'd say that this isn't half bad, particularly when you consider that it's a celebrity offering. Overall, I quite like it although I'm not sure I'd go out and repurchase it over others. If you're wondering whether to purchase this as a dupe for a similar fragrance, I'd say go with your original favourite and don't be afraid to invest.

This week I'm loving....

CARGO Catwalk Palette

*This is a picture heavy post- I'd love to know what you think*

My cousin, who's a makeup artist based in Canada, first introduced me to CARGO cosmetics and although I haven't tried much from the range, their Liquid Foundation is my go-to and I've finally been able to repurchase it in the UK via http://www.beautybay.com/.

Given how much I love the foundation, you can imagine my excitement at being sent the CARGO Catwalk palette from http://www.beautybay.com/. I'd liked it on the site but it's even more beautiful in real life.

The palette contains 1 Grey Essentials Palette, 6 Eyeshadows and a Combination of Blushers and Bronzer.

I absolutely adore the fashion inspired embossing, something which Revlon are also running with for Autumn Winter this year. It's almost a shame to use them!

The Grey Essential palette in the centre, with embossed wording to describe how to use the shades, reminds me of the Hard Candy palettes which I used to covet desperately as a teenager. The colours haven't disappointed. They're easy to blend and I can definitely see myself using this regularly for a smoky eye effect. I particularly like the "Crease" shade.

I like the range of blusher and bronzer colours which are very pretty. There's a range of wearable, natural shades with the palest even doubling as a subtle highlighter.

I also think that I'd use all of the button eyeshadows, as there's a combination of smoky shades and brighter colours which I'm not afraid to experiment with on occasion. (From left to right) The blue is beautifully iridescent, the green is subtle enough to keep it wearable and I love wearing these type of purple shades against my brown eyes. The black has a very sparkly finish although as I'd have preferred this to be a little more opaque, I'd probably use this on top of one of my Urban Decay Black Palette eyeshadows. I like the gold shade which has subtle pink particles. Finally, there's a bright white which will work well as a highlighter on the brow bone or tear duct. I really like that you can create such a range of looks with this palette.

The pigments are strong and are easily comparable to other professional quality brands. I'm super impressed.

At £21.28 for the palette at http://www.beautybay.com/, I feel this represents excellent value.

Speed Review: Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub

I'm a big fan of LA based facialist, Ole Henriksen's product range. I admit that I'm easily taken in by packaging and Ole Henriksen's is tough to beat, with its striking bold colours (unusual for skincare) but I also feel that the products themselves are good.
I was recently sent a skincare travel set from Ole Henriksen as part of a feature I was writing in my professional capacity and contained within it was a miniature version of the Walnut Complexion Scrub, which is suitable for all skin types.

I usually prefer chemical, as opposed to physical, exfoliants with my favourite being Heaven by Deborah Mitchell's Skin Polish Exfoliator. However, I've absolutely fallen in love with Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub.
As aforementioned, the packaging looks great although I'd prefer a tube for functionality reasons. One aspect which I really like about Ole Henriksen is that the products are printed with a use-by date. The scrub itself has a pearlised look to it which I've tried to capture in the photo (please excuse the lighting!). I was initially concerned that the inclusion of ground walnut would make this harshly abrasive yet I found it surprisingly gentle on my sensitive skin, whilst being effective. There's enough of a grain to encourage massage and a little goes a long way. What's more, the scent is incredible- like sweets & good enough to eat!
My skin was left feeling unbelievably soft and looked more radiant than it usually does following a scrub. This feeling continued for a few days following the scrub. Yes, it's expensive at £26 for 50g but I highly recommend this. It's definitely a keeper!

Happy 90th Birthday Weleda!

It's not often that the beauty industry celebrates old age but natural brand, Weleda is celebrating its 90th birthday this year. Founded in Switzerland in 1921, Weleda was pioneering for its time, creating natural products for those who wanted to maintain and promote wellbeing.

I confess that Weleda isn't a brand that I'm overly familiar with but I've been happy with the few products that I have tried and I've always thought that the range represents good value for money.
To celebrate their 90th birthday, Weleda has launched a miniature set of its bestselling body oils which I was sent to review. There are five oils within the set- Wild Rose, Relaxing Lavender, Regenerating Pomegranate, Nourishing Sea Buckthorn and Refreshing Citrus.

My overwhelming first impression was at just how pretty the set is- it would make a gorgeous gift if you could bear to part with it. It definitely looks more expensive than the £9.95 pricetag. Like the box of chocoates that it resembles, I couldn't wait to crack open the box and have a try.

First, I tried the Relaxing Lavender Body Oil after a particularly stressful day and thoroughly enjoyed using it. I realised that it's been some time since I've used a single note oil as I tend to opt for blends such as my favourite by Aromatherapy Associates. However, there was something quite comforting about going back to basics and inhaling the reassuringly familiar scent of pure lavender. The formula itself is the perfect balance between being nourishing without being so thick that it leaves skin feeling greasy and I found this to be the case with all of the oils.

I don't particularly like Weleda's take on pomegranate fragrance whereas the Wild Rose was probably my favourite. It's not overly floral but has woodsy tones which keep it wearable & modern. Having said this, I very much liked the fresh, lemony scent of Citrus Body Oil which is wonderfully refreshing for summer. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect of Seabuckthorn. It's a slightly richer oil than the others and has a subtle orangey, liquorice scent which I suspect people will either love or hate (I really liked it).

Each of the bottles measures 10ml, sufficient for around 3 uses over the entire body. To me, this represents good value for money as you can try a variety before investing in the full size. I really enjoyed trying this set- thumbs up!

Speed Review: Models Own Makeup Brushes

Whilst I generally agree that makeup brushes are worth investing in, you can occasionally find surprisingly good brushes at High Street prices so I was intrigued to try the new range from Models Own.
I was sent the Mini Brush Set, which retails at £10 and a Foundation Brush, £8 to try. As soon as I saw the brushes, I loved the bright colours- really different, fun and in keeping with the brand ethos of experimenting with colour.

The foundation brush is good enough but personally, I prefer my foundation brushes to be a little stiffer as I find that easier to work with. I liked that the plastic pouch has a ziplock along the length rather than having to fiddle with an opening at the top and this is replicated on the 5 piece brush set.

I tend to veer away from brush sets as a general rule as I feel that the quality is usually compromised (the main exception to this which I've found is EcoTools). Whilst you can definitely tell that these are budget brushes, I felt that they've been executed well for the price. The set comprises a powder brush, lip brush, shading brush, angled brush and blended brush. I particularly liked the angled brush.

These won't be replacing my favourite premium brushes but they're certainly a good start for someone beginning to build a kit on a budget & I also feel that they'll make fab stocking fillers come (dare I say it?) Christmas time.

Speed Review: Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Oil Miracle

I've been using hair oils for quite some time now and am absolutely hooked as they've noticably transformed the condition of my hair.
When I heard that Schwarzkopf were launching their own version, Oil Miracle, I was excited to try it. After all, I've been impressed with other products I've tried from the range and particularly like their Sensitive Soothe Conditioner which I use regularly. Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Oil Miracle's unique selling point is that it's currently the lightest hair oil on the market and this, together with the fact that there are 2 oils to choose from depending on hair type (one for normal to coarse hair and one for fine hair), make it a good option for hair oil virgins. If you haven't already, now is the time to push aside any preconceptions that a hair oil will make your hair greasy- it won't.

I was a little disappointed at the packaging. From the images I'd seen, I anticipated something rather more luxurious but I felt that the plastic bottle cheapened it. By this, I don't solely mean appearance-wise but I also feel that more thought could have gone into the functionality. I didn't find the drip-top dispenser particularly easy to use although it does enable some level of control so that there's no wastage. Personally, I'd have preferred a pipette or pump.
The oil itself is more viscous than others that I've tried yet doesn't weigh hair down. It smells absolutely incredible although I couldn't detect the scent once my hair was dry. There's nothing strictly wrong with this product & I'm glad I tried it, it just didn't live up to my expectations.
At £24.95 for Oil Miracle, it's in keeping with most similar products. However, I haven't fallen in love with this enough to part me from my current favourite, Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal.

Breaking News... Skin Deep has moved!

Please note the new www. address. I hope you like Skin Deep's new home!
As always, I love reading your comments so please write any questions, requests, etc..

Breaking News... Skin Deep has been interviewed!

Head on over to Lauren Loves... to see. Click here

Sunday night fun...

Some of the more eagle eyed of my readers might have spotted the new Best Blog badge on the right hand side of Skin Deep.

Whilst I'm not normally one to go in for these types of awards, it's a real honour to have been chosen for this by a fellow blogger, Discovering Beauty. If you haven't yet checked out her site, click here to do so.
It's a cute idea, similar to a modern day chain letter I guess. As part of the award, I've been asked to share some facts about myself, answer some set questions and nominate ten other blogs for the award. So, here goes..
Seven random facts about myself are; 1) I'm half South American, 2) Lulu Guinness named a handbag after me, 3) I'm coeliac, 4) I share my birthday with Coco Chanel, 5) Cheese is my favourite food, 6) I have terrible eyesight and 7) I don't own a pair of trainers
My answers to the questions:
Favourite colour? Of what? Nail polish? Lipstick? It depends!
Favourite song? Too many to list!
Favourite dessert? Pavlova
What is p*ssing you off? Nothing I'd air in public!
When you're upset you.. drink orange squash and phone a friend
Your favourite pet? Cat
Black or white? Black
Biggest fear? If I share it, it might happen!
Best feature? Random, I know but I quite like my shoulders
Everyday attitude? Better to regret doing something than regret not doing
What is perfection? Flawless, luxury design
Guilty pleasure? Weekend lie-ins and bad TV. Oh, and Nutella
Shoutout to ten blogs:
Scrangie
British Beauty Blogger
Product Placement
A Model Recommends
Just-Nice-Things
Lauren Loves
Lady of the Lane
Sophie Feels Better
Modesty Brown
Beauty Mouth

Speed Review: OH MY GOSH Mini Nail Lacquers

I'm not usually a fan of miniature nail varnishes as I find them fiddly and difficult to work with. Having said that, they are a great way to try out an on-trend colour and the new, limited edition OH MY GOSH Minis from Danish brand, GOSH at just £2.99 are perfectly priced to do just that. Besides, in all my years of manicures I'm yet to finish a single bottle of polish.
I was sent a couple of shades to try out and I have to say that I'm highly impressed. Despite being miniature bottles, I found the brushes easy to work with and only struggled slightly more than usual when applying with my non-writing hand. The aspect which really wowed me was the formula- so smooth and highly pigmented, it was a breeze to apply and I didn't need to spend long to achieve full coverage. As always, I topped with a coat of my beloved Seche Vite but nonetheless, my nails seemed to dry more quickly than normal. Finally, I was impressed with the longevity of the colour which lasted 5 busy days before chipping.

There are 20 shades to choose from, split into four trend groups of Femme Fatale, Pop Art, Rock Chick and Nude Powder. Exclusively available at Superdrug.

In response to feedback requesting more of my own images, I've taken shots of my hand showing OH MY GOSH in 012 Orange Splash (the first two are inside, the third outdoors in natural light). See? I listen to feedback so please keep the comments coming- I love reading them.
The gold cube ring I'm wearing is by my friend, Gemma Lister whose jewellery I'm a big fan of.
http://www.gemmalister.com/
 
 

Speed Review: TommyGuns "Leave Me In" Conditioner and Styling Creme

I used to use leave in conditioner quite regularly, then for some long-forgotten reason stopped & haven't revisited them for years. That is, until recently when I was commissioned to write the Summer Hair Guide for the publication I am Feature Writer on.

As part of my research, I came across this new launch from TommyGuns, "Leave Me In" Conditioner and Styling Creme. I'm not overly familiar with TommyGuns but have been impressed with what I have seen from the wallet friendly hair brand. So, what did I think of "Leave Me In" Conditioner and Styling Creme?
I like the idea that it's a two-in-one product, combining conditioning and styling benefits although I'd have preferred it to be available in a smaller size seeing as they're pitching it as ideal for summer travel. Having said that, the packaging isn't bad at all. It looks far more expensive than it actually is and I like that there's a functional pump for ease of use. If you are using this at home rather than abroad and if you go through hair products at the rate I do, the 250ml size offers good value for money at £7.
I was initially concerned that my hair would be weighed down but the creme is lightweight, with the benefit that you actually end up using fewer products on your hair. The scent is different to that which I was expecting considering that the main ingredients are Ginger & Green Tea, with more of a citrus element and a subtle hit of ginger.
I really like that "Leave Me In" Conditioner and Styling Creme also offers protection against heat & UV rays
My hair was left looking sleek, definitely less frizz than usual, and feeling soft. I'm surprised at the results and at just how impressed I am. Thumbs up!

This week I'm loving....

Sarah Chapman Facialift

I recently had the opportunity to try some of celebrity facialist, Sarah Chapman's Skinesis products as part of my professional writing and I have to say that I was impressed. As part of the sample package the PR kindly included this Facialift tool for me to review on Skin Deep. Yes, it looks rather like a torture instrument in the photo but is surprisingly pleasant and easy to use at home to recreate a professional facial massage.
At £25 it's a little steep given that it's made of plastic and therefore doesn't feel like it should be particularly expensive but bear in mind that it's a fairly unique product and much research will have gone into its creation. I think if you're starting to notice some slackening around your jawline, it is worth the investment.