Category Archives: beauty look

Clarins Spring

I’m already a little bit obsessed with the look of the Clarins Spring 2015 Garden Escape collection – in particular, the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil. I won’t go into huge amounts of detail until I get my samples through but the collection launches in January. I don’t think Spring collections used to launch so early but these extended beauty seasons seem to be absolutely the norm now.

Clarins Garden Palette

Having been properly disappointed with the last Clarins palette, I’ve got much higher hopes for this one that looks all things elegant spring. I forget that Clarins does these stand out palettes – it’s really so pretty.

So, from in the first picture, we have Instant Light Comfort Lip Oil in two variants, Honey and Raspberry – they contain hazelnut oil, mirabelle and organic jojoba so I just can’t wait to try them. Then, a new Rouge Prodige Blush followed by brand new Instant Light Balm Perfector in six colours. There’s also a new pine green eye liner and some brand new lipsticks.

The actual launch date for Clarins Spring 2015 Garden Escape is 12th January. A more detailed post is coming but I just thought you’d like to see how everything’s looking over the other side of the year.

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I mentioned this lovely Aveda eye cream in my March Favourites video but struggled to put my finger on exactly why I liked it so much. A few weeks on, and with many more days of trialling under my belt, I feel as though I can give you a better account of why this little tube of product has earned a place in my beauty favourites. (Think moisture, moisture, more moisture and a load of antioxidants.)

I have to say that I am quite cautious when it comes to recommending eye creams; they are actually very difficult to test because so many of the “beauty” complaints concerning the eye area are inextricably linked to lifestyle and to genetic makeup. If you’re out until 3am drinking shots of vodka and you have to get up at 6.30am for a meeting then there is NO WAY that any eye cream is going to make you look any better. Ditto genetic makeup: if you have serious dark circles, it’s unlikely that an eye cream is going to have that much effect.

So yes. Much of the eye area – fine lines, dark circles and so on – can be improved visibly by not absolutely caning it until the early hours, not smoking, making sure that you drink enough water and (I never remember to do this one) wearing sunglasses when it’s bright so that you don’t spend the entire day squinting. (Actually, I’m not sure there’s any proof about the sunglasses thing, but common sense tells me that if you live your life squinting like a mole then you’re bound to have more fine lines around your eyes than someone who actively screens against the sun. Surely? Thoughts below, please…)

Looking for a great eye cream with SPF? Read this…

However: I do like a well-formulated eye cream. If I’m doing all I can lifestyle-wise to keep my skin lovely and fresh, then it’s an added bonus to be applying a product that has effective ingredients, even if they’re just ingredients that simply keep the area hydrated. The Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Cream from Aveda does a little more than this, actually; as well as containing some great emollients that really make this a comforting and comfortable eye treat, it’s packed full of antioxidants (read about those here) and does seem to have a plumping effect on fine lines. Dark circles? Not so sure about, but it has worked on puffiness the few times I’ve had a bit of a pregnancy cry!

Post-cry eye mask reviews…

I don’t love the Aveda Energizing Eye Cream as much as the hi-tech Zelens Triple Action Eye Cream (Cult Beauty here), but then that is more than twice the price. And actually, I’m not sure that theZelens has the same richness and feeling of hydration as Aveda’s, which you can tap on underneath your concealer to really get a flawless, smooth finish. I’m impressed. There’s nothing shockingly dramatic about the results, but so many eye creams are just a waste of time that when I come across a nice one, I always think that it’s worth a mention.

You can find the Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Cream online here for £28.

The post Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Cream – Tick! appeared first on A Model Recommends.

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A peek inside my snug, which sounds sort of rude (to the immature/those blessed with overactive imaginations) but is actually the room that acts as a kind of antechamber to our bedroom. It was always supposed to be a little quiet reading room, almost like the lounge area of a hotel suite, but until now has just been a dumping ground for baskets of washing, boxes of beauty samples and the odd broken lamp. I’ve been doing most of my filming in this room so there’s usually a load of camera equipment too, but as my office at the end of the garden gradually empties of its junk I’m transferring things across, so there’s a bit more space than there was before…

The rosewood chests are (I believe) by Archie Shine – I’ve bought a few mid century pieces from a brilliant dealer in Hertford who trades under the name Funky Junky. She always has the most interesting bits and in excellent condition – you have to be careful with mid century or “retro” furniture because there’s a hell of a lot of tat about! Cut-and-shut sideboards with the wrong legs on, lamps that are a kind of Frankenstein hybrid of old tatty shade and new, overly-shiny base, the wiring from God only knows when…

The telephone was an eBay purchase many moons ago, the Pug lamp (which won’t stay, it’s just up there because – as I said – lamp graveyard) was from KARE, and the photograph is one from our wedding, nearly eight years ago now. I’m insisting that it goes up somewhere in the house – Mr AMR hates pictures of himself (oddly, because he’s a handsome thing) and until now it has been hidden away, either in the shed or spare room in the wardrobe or whatnot. No more. It’s good to have reminders of these happy days and this photo always makes me smile. Also, my boobs were about three inches higher than they are now, so, y’know, memories and all that.

The orange chair is from Natuzzi, bought probably about ten years ago now. My God, what a rigmarole it was ordering that chair. It took weeks to arrive and it was supposed to come with this lovely chrome-based footstool but they sent it with the wrong fabric (cream, if I remember rightly) and then when we re-ordered, they sent us an orange beanbag! We gave up then, got a refund on the footstool and were told to keep the beanbag, which gets randomly chucked about the house because it’s inelegant and blobby. Mind you, considering the abuse it gets, it’s still in quite good shape!

Perhaps, though, my favourite thing in this photograph is my Rory Dobner cat cushion. I bought a few years ago and kept it in the plastic wrapping waiting for just the right setting for it to make its debut. To be quite honest, I think it would look splendid in any situation – last week I had it on my bed against white linen and a grey knitted blanket and the whole thing was very picture perfect. Maybe I need more of these cat cushions – I could be a crazy cat cushion lady…

I’ve been really procrastinating over this skincare post: on the one hand, the Omorovicza Hydra Melting Cleanser is  the most beautiful new cleanser I’ve tried in ages – and I try a lot of cleansers. On the other hand, this is a cleanser that costs £65. (Update: see bottom of page.) And even though it’s a cleanser that feels so luxurious and dreamy that it’s almost a travesty to rinse it off, the fact that you do need to rinse it off puts it in an odd position. When you’re buying a serum or a moisturiser or even a mask, it’s easier – somehow – to justify a bigger spend. When it’s a cleanser you are – quite literally – washing your pennies (or pounds) down the plughole. For the minutes that the cleanser is going to spend on your face, it needs to deliver some kind of sublime, spa-like experience.

Luckily this does. It’s the bounciest, plumpiest cleanser I’ve ever used. Think OSKIA Renaissance Cleanser and multiply the cushiony feeling by ten. It has the cleansing abilities of an oil, the freshness of a gel, the comfort of a cream and the massageability (not a word but I’m taking it) of a balm. It is, I think, the cleansing balm for those who don’t like the oily feel of a balm – it’s cooler and smoother but whereas you’d think it would be lighter in texture than a balm, it feels incredibly dense and robust.

I just find it a total joy to use; there’s no tightness after removal (since my skin has been drier I get a little bit of tightness even after using a lush, oily balm like Emma Hardie’s!) and there’s no overpowering smell, just a faint sea-like scent. The Hydra Melting Cleanser is slippery enough to withstand whole minutes of massage yet rinses away easily – handy if you find yourself without a washcloth. (It happens. Especially when you have a dog who likes to run off with any scrap of fabric he can find – knickers, socks, flannels, muslin baby cloths…)

Omorovicza say that the Mallow flower in the cleanser helps to hydrate and reduce inflammation and that the sage, geranium and chamomile have an astringent and antiseptic effect. It certainly feels comforting and soothing – it’s a gorgeous gel-balm for dry skin but equally perfect for an oilier complexion with its effective cleansing abilities and non-stripping, easily-rinsed formula.

Nobody needs to spend £65 on a cleanser, but if you wanted to then this would be the one. It’s only very slightly more expensive than the ever-popular Eve Lom cleanser, which has mineral oil as its main ingredient. When you look at it like that, it’s kind of a no-brainer, if you’re looking to splash some cash.

Omorovicza Hydra Melting Cleanser is £65 online here.

*UPDATE: Omorovicza are offering readers 20% off any purchase at Omorovicza.com! The code is MODEL20 and will be valid until 23.59 on the 26th February 2016. It can’t be used in conjunction with any other discount codes. I know that this is a post about their cleanser but if you want to treat yourself to what I personally think is one of the most beautiful face spritzes ever invented then take a look at the Queen of Hungary mist. It’s like a portable luxury spa.

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I must apologise for my prolonged absence; I’m currently on Day 12 of a horrible cold-cough-throat virus thing that I’m finding hard to shift, and I have, until today, been stuck in bed. But I’m back, albeit mentally limping, and I have a wonderful giveaway for you to kick off the new year. (I know, I’m late to the party with the new year thing…)

Detox Gentle Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash is the latest launch from NUDE skincare, who have previously brought us beauty gems such as the gorgeous Cleansing Jelly, the ProGenius Treatment Oil and beauty editors’ favourite, the Perfect Cleanse Nourishing Oil.

You may already be familiar with the Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash; it receives rave reviews for its non-abrasive exfoliating action and fast, glow-giving results. A powder that fizzes into an effervescent kind of paste when you add water, it uses enzymes to get rid of dead skin cells on the surface and leave skin looking new and glowing. The new Gentle treatment wash has the same brightening effect but is (as the name suggests) more gentle, making it suitable for all skin types, but especially sensitive. Not only is it an excellent exfoliating option for people with sensitive skin, it makes an ideal “starter” treatment for people who have yet to try enzyme peels and masks and so on and want to “dip their toe” into the exfoliating waters.

The Fizzy Wash is a quick and easy way to brighten up dull skin – for me, it’s the perfect morning wash because it cleanses efficiently but also smooths and preps the skin ready for the rest of your beauty routine. The fizziness (you pour a little powder into your hand and add water to form a fizzy paste) also appeals to me greatly, in a “Berocca-for-your-Face” kind of way. I also love the word “fizzy”, there’s something fun and almost childish about it, but I suppose that’s by-the-by…

As you’ll know, unless you’ve been hiding from me (don’t blame you, to be honest, I do tend to harp on a bit), my skin has been a bit dry and tight and sensitive since pregnancy. There are a lot of products that I’ve had to temporarily shelve because they are just on the wrong side of “tingle” or they leave my face too tight. Not so with the NUDE Gentle Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash; it does a thorough job of skin-sloughing but leaves my skin nicely supple and fresh. No uncomfortable tightness. Perhaps due to the various oils (acai berry, coconut, Inca gold) incorporated into the formula, but maybe because it’s just a very lovely, finely-tuned little product that doesn’t upset the balance. It’s a great bridge between cleanser and treatment when you don’t have time for a mask or just want something extra from your face washing session.

I have FIFTEEN bottles of this delectable Fizzy Wash to giveaway* – each one worth £38. To be in with the chance of winning one, just leave a comment below making sure you enter your email where prompted (it won’t display online). Fifteen entries will be picked at random next Friday (22nd January) at noon (12pm GMT). One entry per person, please – all winners will be announced on Sunday 24th January in the Sunday Tittle Tattle and then contacted directly by the brand. Continue reading →