Category Archives: beauty news

Many of you will have met my mate Caroline Hirons before; either in real life, at one of her sought-after skin appointments and meet-and-greets, or virtually, watching her videos and reading her amazing beauty blog. (You may have seen our videos together – if not then you’re in for either a treat or a headache, depending on what floats your boat! You can watch them here.)

Caroline knows her skincare inside out and her reviews are an absolute joy to read – she never sugars the pill if she’s not keen on something and when a product works, she really lets you know about it! And so obviously what we’re all waiting for is a skincare range from her. But whilst that happens, we can make do with the next best thing: the Caroline Hirons Cult Beauty Box.

A carefully curated selection of some of Caroline’s favourite skincare products, all of them fitting together very nicely to form an effective and luxurious skincare routine, this is a true beauty addict’s treasure trove! Inside the box:

Cleansers:

RMS Coconut Cream Cleanser
Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cleanser

Acid Toner:

PIXI Glow Tonic 

Eye Cream:

Skin Owl Eye+ 

Serums:

REN’s Optimum Skin Serum Oil
Odacite Hydration Serum Concentrate 

Moisturiser:

Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream

Rescue Remedy:

Pommade Divine

So two gorgeous cleansers, one very massage-y and one slightly “quicker” (I haven’t tried either of these yet but they sound luscious); a bottle of Glow Tonic from Pixi, one of Caroline’s most-recommended products (it’s an acid toner or acid exfoliant, great for making dull skin look renewed and fresh); two brilliant serums and a do-all moisturiser from Alpha-H, the Essential Hydration Cream, which would be one of my top recommendations too.

I am absolutely intrigued by the Skin Owl Eye+ cream, pictured above; partly because I like the word Owl (shallow, moi?) but mainly because this “concentrate” promises to be soothing and brightening all at the same time. This has rocketed to the top of my wishlist. You can find more details here.

Caroline’s Cult Beauty Box is available now – free international shipping – and costs £100 here. (Value of the products is over £170 – a mix of full size and special sizes, please check listings on the website.) It’s a wonderful array of top-notch skincare and I love that it includes brands I’d never even heard of before. If you fancy investing in a ready-made, satisfying face-care routine or you’re simply an incorrigible skincare addict then this is the beauty box for you. Get it while it lasts!

Cult Beauty

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It’s impossible to talk about trends right now without bringing up brows. To be fair, we’ve been bold brow girls since way back (thanks to Benefit Brow Bars for showing us the way), but Cara Delevingne burst onto the scene a few years ago & brought our long-time obsession to the masses.

Since then, we’ve seen all kinds of creative brow looks. From candy-colored arches to feather-covered brows (it’s a thing—trust us, the internet told us & the internet doesn’t lie), fashionistas far & wide are celebrating the brow.

As awesome as we think neon brows are (NOT jk), our fave brow trend is without a doubt the bedazzled brow. From Miranda Kerr on the Chanel runway to cooler-than-cool music festie girls like Vanessa Hudgens, brow jewels have taken over the fashion scene. So we’re SUPER excited to announce a brand-new brow service & product that’ll elevate & adorn your fabulous arches: bling brow!

A photo posted by Meltem Bicioglu (@kokoshgirl) on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:45am PST

Bling brow is every bit as epic as it sounds. It’s the ultimate accessory for the holiday season, perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to your party look or amping up your fierce street style. The best part is, bling brow is available NOW as a service at Benefit Boutiques & Brow Bars! Our ah-maze aesthies will help you choose from 3 different looks and 8 shades for a design that fits your individual style, whether you’re a touch o’ bling babe or a big-time bling boss!  

A photo posted by Fms_BenebabeSteff (@fms_benebabesteff) on Oct 10, 2014 at 2:45pm PDT

The crystals are made of 100% Swarovski & stay on for up to three days, so hit a Friday-night party, shopping outing & Sunday brunch on the same service! Looks range anywhere from $5-$20, depending on the sparkle-factor you go for. But get it while it’s hot, gorgeous—the bling brow service is only being offered Nov 21-Jan 1, or while supplies last!

If you’re more of a DIY Benebabe, you can purchase a bling brow kit for $25 and let your creativity shine! The kit is available in rose-gold & greige (the most major gunmetal grey) or rose-gold & crystal, and each kit comes with 52 crystals and a pair of mini-tweezers. Applying bling brow couldn’t be easier, just peel the crystals off the plastic backing one at a time & use the tweezers to apply to the brow area! Pro tip: apply bling brow evenly by alternating brows with each crystal you apply!

A photo posted by Agostina Saracco (@agostinasaracco) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:35am PST

Our fave thing about bling brow? We love the way they emphasize & lift the brow, and add some eye-catching sparkle to this year’s biggest beauty trend.

So, tell us, how would you wear bling brow?

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Ever since I fell in love with the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2, I’ve been dying to try more from the Clinique skincare range. Seeing as my skin is both dry and dehydrated, I figured that the Clinique All About Moisture Set would be the perfect place to start. The Clinique All About Moisture Set is £54 from Cosme-De, and it contains three products inside all of which are from their Moisture Surge range. The set includes; Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Moisturiser 75ml worth £51, Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief 30ml worth £5.28 and the Clinique All About Eyes Serum 15ml worth £24. The three products together are worth £80.28 so its price of £54 is very good value, and Cosme-De offer free international shipping on every order too, and the shipping is always impressively fast considering they’re based in Hong Kong.

The Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Moisturiser is one of Clinique’s top selling products and is described as being a light, comfortable gel-cream which plumps the skin for 24 hours, whilst washing away fine lines, flakiness and tightness. Not only can this cream be used as your daily moisturiser, it can also be used over makeup for a midday boost by tapping it carefully over your makeup, and it can also be used as a hydrating mask by adding a generous amount and massaging it into the skin, leaving it for five minutes and then removing excess product with a tissue.

The moisturiser has a thick gel consistency, which is a pastel pink in colour. The gel feel so incredibly soothing on the skin, and it absorbs almost immediately into the skin. Even though the consistency is quite thick, it is very lightweight which I didn’t expect.. I thought it would be a lot richer than it is thanks to its name, but it’s not rich at all so I think it would suit all skin types. I have really been loving using this moisturiser during this super hot weather as it’s so light, and cooling on the skin and it doesn’t leave me feeling greasy or shiny, and my makeup sits so nicely when I use this as my base. I think it’s a lovely moisturiser, but I would need to use something a little richer in the Winter months as it’s not intensive enough for my dehydrated skin, but it’s perfect for Summer.

The Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief is a product I’ve been wanting to try for some time now as I love using facial mists, especially in this stifling heat we’ve been experiencing lately. The spray is said to be bursting with active aloe and moisture but not one drop of oil, and claims to replenish the skin’s moisture levels, restores balance and softens and soothes the skin. The spray can be used over your moisturiser, or it can be used under or over your makeup for a boost of hydration whenever you need it.

I love using facial sprays, especially during the Summer as they’re amazing for cooling the skin, and I like to use them over my finished makeup to prevent my powder from looking cakey, however I never find that they impart any moisture. The Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief is amazing, and the first facial spray that I’ve ever tried that actually moisturises my skin. Firstly the spray pump on the bottle is fantastic, as it mists the perfect fine mist all over the face without leaving your face soaked like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. It has a very subtle herbal scent, but it’s extremely subtle and pleasant too. Whenever I spritz this spray on my face, it leaves my skin feeling as if I’ve just applied a moisturiser.. it genuinely does hydrate my skin, and I’m wowed everytime I use it. I have bought the full size since trying this miniature in this set, as I love it so much and I honestly cannot recommend it enough, if you’re looking for a facial spray which will actually benefit your skin.

The last product in the set is the Clinique All About Eyes Serum which is packaged within a rollerball pen which is my favourite way to apply an eye cream or eye gel, as the rollerball is extremely cooling and soothing, especially when my eyes are particularly puffy (hello hayfever). Described as an instantly cooling eye serum which refreshes and hydrates puffy eyes and dark circles on contact, whilst brightening the eye area immediately. The serum contains caffeine, antioxidants and soothing botanicals and is completely oil free and non-irritating. I really like the rollerball on this serum, as it dispenses the perfect amount of serum as you roll it around the contours of your eye and you don’t even have to massage the serum in as the rollerball does it all for you.

Rollerball eye gels and serums are my absolute favourite during the Summer, especially when I’m suffering from awful hayfever as my eyes are always so puffy in the mornings so they really help to de-puff and refresh my eyes before I apply my eye makeup. I can’t honestly say I’ve seen a brightening effect with this serum, but it does definitely cool, refresh and de-puff the eyes which is exactly what I’m looking for when my hayfever is bad. I use a brightening eye cream in the evenings anyway; the Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream, so I’m not disappointed that this serum doesn’t offer any brightening benefits. It’s such a nice, lightweight serum and it doesn’t cause any creasing issues with my under-eye concealer, or eyeshadow either which I love.

Have you ever tried any Clinique skincare? What’s your favourite Clinique skincare product? If you’d like to order this set, or any other beauty treats, Cosme-De have very kindly given me a generous 15% discount code for you to use on their website which is MAGPIE, and is valid until the 31st of July, plus with this code you’ll not only receive 15% discount, you’ll also get a free gift of a 2.5ml sample of the SK-II Stempower too.

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A pretty, pastel-y, luxury accessories post for you today, because spring is finally here and I’m on the hunt for a bit of a treat-to-self! Though it actually seems more like summer, in London – I have suntan lotion on and everything. There’s nothing like a mini heatwave to raise the spirits, and there’s also nothing like a mini heatwave to suddenly put you in the mood to update your wardrobe. It’s usually around about this time of year that I have a bit of an update – a few key pieces to add some splashes of colour to my (mainly black, grey and neutral) sartorial palette. (I tend to live in denim and knitwear in the cold months, moving towards brights and patterns as the weather gets warmer. Probably like 90% of women!)

This year, however, things are a little different: there’s not much point in me investing in lots of summer clothes, because I have a humungous baby bump which will have (mainly) (hopefully) diminished in a few months’ time. I’m basically a shape-shifter. For this reason, I have become slightly obsessed with spring accessories – namely bags and shoes. The ultimate obsession? Mulberry’s Bayswater bag in a very seasonal and sunny Camomile yellow. Just gorgeous, though it would be rather a big “treat to self”! (Find it online here.)

But the whole bag-and-shoe preoccupation started when I discovered the new luxury shopping site, Very Exclusive. Right up my street – brilliantly edited pieces from brands that are really high-end, but not as jaw-droppingly expensive (on the whole) as the ones at, say, Net-a-Porter or Matches. I love this nude Karl Lagerfeld “K” bag:

which is half-classic, half-sport-luxe (£285 here), and this little beige number from DKNY:

Though I’m afraid I’d have to remove that metal logo hanging tag thing on the side immediately! It’s a nice price, for such a chic little bag – £120. (Find it here.)

Next obsessive-window-shopping-stop: LK Bennett. I still haven’t found a brand that makes shoes as comfortable as LK Bennett’s; whenever I need to invest in a new pair, they are my first port of call. And this season, they have too many beautiful things to fit on this page! Highlights include these lurex flats (perfect for tired, pregnant legs):

(they are called the Winnie Rope Sandal and cost £125 here); and these very special flower-embellished Fiore court shoes:

The Fiore style is so comfortable and the heel height just about convenient enough to wear all day. I love the addition of the flowers – it turns a classic court shoe into something a bit more interesting, but they’re not so OTT that you’d have to save them for going out. Totally appropriate for work or play, I’d say, and definitely the pair to snap up for summer weddings and parties, though at £395 they are very much a special purchase! You can find them here online. My LK Bennett bag pick? The Pearl Nappa Organiser Tote:

Just yes, yes, yes a million times. I absolutely adore it. Very “First Lady meets Lulu Guinness” with a touch of “Bree from Desperate Housewives”. It’s £395 here.

On a completely unglamorous note, I’m about to hit the “buy” button on a pair of Birkenstocks. I have never succumbed to the Birky Temptation before now, but I have to say that practicality is beginning to be more important than looks what with my current heavier state and my assistant Rach promises me that these are the comfiest thing in the world. They had better be, because to my mind they are just one step away from wearing Crocs, and I simply cannot for one minute get my head around the whole Croc thing. Just..no. I’m going for these white “Arizona” Birkenstocks…

…unless anyone has a better suggestion. They are £49.50 at ASOS.com. (There’s another pair of the same sandals, just ten pounds dearer. If anyone can shed a light on the difference between them, I’d be most grateful, otherwise I’m opting for the cheaper ones!)

Right, I’m going back into the sun for some much-needed Vitamin D. Take a look at my Burberry post if you’re after a classic pair of sunglasses, and if you’re in need of an SPF recommendation then you can find all of my suncare posts here.

The post My Spring Accessory Lust List appeared first on A Model Recommends.

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Another “dastardly duo” video with Caroline Hirons; this time it’s my morning skincare routine. (You can see Caroline’s one here.) I must explain in advance that when I went to film the first set of videos with Caroline, we weren’t quite sure exactly what we were going to film and so I didn’t have some of the products from my routine to hand. A few things to note, then:

1) The cleanser that I show (OSKIA’s Renaissance cleanser) is one that I use quite a lot, but when it comes to morning cleansing I am far more likely to be grabbing one of the fresh and light gel-type cleansers that I featured here. The OSKIA one tends to come out more in the evenings when I’m lying in the bath! Though it is perfect for morning, too, as it’s not too creamy and it leaves your skin feeling very bright and renewed.

2) Since I filmed this video, my Olay Luminous cream has run out and I need to dive into Boots and get some more. I’ve been using Institut Esthederm’s Aqua Diffusion Care in it’s place, which is an entirely different kettle of fish, but very nice indeed. It’s not really for luminosity, like the Olay, but it’s very hydrating and I’ve been enjoying the feel of it on my skin. It’s incredibly rich, but somehow not at all heavy. Great if you want a moisturiser with a real kick to it, that feels nourishing and plumping, but you don’t want to go the whole hog with one of those buttery, oily creams. You can find out more about the Aqua Diffusion Care cream here.

3) Another very little addition to my routine, since filming: Argan Oil. Just a couple of drops, before moisturiser, if I feel as though I want an extra little boost. I’m more likely to use it at night, but if I’m working inside all day at the computer and feel like having a little skin treat, I crack out the Argan. You can read more about the one I’ve been using here – it’s from Neal’s Yard Remedies.

4) Something else that I didn’t have with me that I often use in the morning: a cleansing water. Only really if I’m in a lot of a hurry, but I do find them very useful. Most recently I’ve been using the REN Rosa Centifolia cleansing water (here), but I’m also partial to a bit of the good old Bioderma. I’ve been using that stuff for a very, very long time – you can find it here. It’s just a brilliant quick cleanser that’s really gentle and good for if you’re in a rush.

OK, that’s it with the public announcements – everything else is very simple, as you’ll see. Cleanse, bit of a spritz with something, serum and then moisturiser and/or SPF. I’ll be writing more about the Zelens SPF this week as I’ve done a Q&A with Dr Marko Lens, Guru of all things Sun and Skin. Enjoy – the product links are below the video screen. If you can’t see the video, please open it in a new window by clicking here.

Products:

The exfoliating pads we talk about are from First Aid Beauty here:http://tidd.ly/6fa205ff

Oskia Cleanser: http://goo.gl/cXiO51
OR
See this post for more ideas:http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2014/…

Bioderma: http://tidd.ly/c339491b

This Works In Transit Spray-On Moisture: http://tidd.ly/a923a365

Zelens Eye Cream: http://goo.gl/o5Mkww

Superfacialist Serum: http://tidd.ly/76721297

Olay Regenerist Luminous: http://tidd.ly/41c05e27

Zelens SPF30 Sunscreen: http://goo.gl/LxqcmO

You can see more videos with Caroline Hirons here

There are more skincare reviews here

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