Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo - great beauty gift for Dad!

Struggling to find something for your Dad this christmas? Well, Beauty Addict has the answer (hopefully your Dad won't take offence!) 

Alpecin’s Caffeine shampoo (£4.99) has recently arrived in the UK at Boots from good old Germany (where they have lots of bald men!!!) The shampoo’s innovative caffeine ingredient has been clinically proven to help prevent hair loss as part of an everyday grooming routine. Replace usual shampoo with Alpecin’s caffeine shampoo and leave it on for two minutes. It can also be followed up with the caffeine lotion ‘Alpecin Liquid’ that is applied after showering and not washed off. Sounds great.! I have given mine to my Dad to try out and will report back with progress! 

Safe and White - Boys Toys..

Safe and White have a great gift on offer for the man in your life... If your man is image concious and  short of time, the perfect gift this Christmas to whiten teeth in an instant is with the Safe & White whitening brush-pen (£12.99) You use the brush pen’s applicator directly on teeth to dispense the unique gel formula. It’s so simple you can even do it at work! Not only will the pen keep your teeth looking bright, white and healthy, it’s small, compact and gadget-like so perfect for men.. oh and you can steal it too! 

 

 

My favourite beauty store Space NK have some beautiful gift sets this Christmas. My favourite is this Tuberoli Minature Gift Collection, £20, which is perfect for a travel lover! Space NK have some great brands, including Laura Mercier and Nars so should be the first stop for your Christmas shopping!

Schwarzkopf Gliss Range

I am making it my personal mission to combat my wild, wavy hair this Christmas - so any products please put forward to me for review! I really like the Gliss range from Schwarzkopf, which is the first range to repair inside the hair cell and great to your product during the credit crunch. 

By repairing the damaged hair the Cell Repair System increases the hair’s resistance against future damage.  Glissified hair is left nourished, glossy and feeling fabulous. I'm a convert! For shiny hair, I used the Liquid Silk range which starts from £1.99. The Shine Tonics in particular smells lovely and gives her a lovely shine, as well as protecting it. 

 

Clarins Satin-Smooth Body Lotion

You must try the new Clarins Satin-Smooth Body Lotion (£25.50) this winter as it is simply devine. It gives skin all the softness, suppleness and radiance of satin and smells gorgeous as well. I will definately be using this every day - my boyfriend loves how soft my skin is now! My other Clarins must-have is the cult Beauty Flash Balm (£25) which eliminates all signs of tirednes and smooths out facial features, giving skin a radiant glow before applying make-up. An essential for skin after a late night out! 

MAC Holiday Collection 2008

My favourite make-up brand MAC have launched a new Holiday Collection and my favourite range is 'Red She Said...'. The retro-starlet allure of Hollywood glamour, with a modern twist. A season where lips connive, then confess in shades of provocative holiday reds. Party season and passions flare! "Red" She Said, and no one could resist her...Love this description of the range from the MAC website. My picks of the range for Christmas are the limited editions Mineralize Eye Shadows (£12.50), which each offer three different shades for a complete eye look. Check out 'word-of-mouth' and 'inter-view'. To finish off, you must try MAC Dazzleglass lip-gloss that dazzles with light and shine to bring an exciting dimensional pop to your lips.

I also heard on the grapevine that MAC are launching a Dame Edna range in January, which will have her trademark glasses on the packaging! Can't wait to try that out! Watch this space.. 

Redfoot Shoes

Check out Redfoot Shoes for the party season! No more sore feet at the end of all the Christmas parties, these shoes are really comfortable and look stylish with any outfit. I think I might wear them all night as they look so good - visit www.redfootrevolution.co.uk to check out all the designs. My favourite is shown in the photo above - called Ava and is cost £25. 

Sanctuary Gift sets - 3 for 2

I have found a great offer from Sanctuary, who are offering 3 for 2 on their gift sets on their website, which are perfect for Christmas presents. I have got this lovely Skin Quenching Collection (£12) which contains five gorgeous body butters. The gift set looks so lovely I can't bring myself to open it! Definately a beautiful present for a loved one this christmas.

Blusher and Highlighter Duo from Miners - under £5

The next few weeks I will focusing on the best beauty pressies for Christmas!My best buy so far are these Blusher and Highlighter Duo's from Miners. For under £5, one compact contains a silky soft blusher that adds a warm glow to the cheeks. The other contains a highlighter to accentuate and define your best features. The gorgeous snowflake centre creates a shimmering finish that will add a subtle sparkle to your festive look! Lovely and great stocking fillers too or secret santa pressies!

Miners also have a blog that I have added to my list of favourites - check it out  http://www.minerscosmetics.blogspot.com/

Take That in new M&S ad...

Check out Take That on the new M&S christmas advert....;)

Equilibra... taste of life in the Caribbean :)

Don't you wish you were here....! When I was in Barbados this year, my secret beauty tip was Aloe Vera. Despite the hotel staff telling us not to use it (it stains the towels apparently!) I bought several bottles of Aloe Vera juice from a local seller on the beach and used it every evening before a shower, then rinsing it off in the shower. It's the best thing I have ever put on my skin and leaves your skin sooo soft. It helps sooth sunburn and can also be used as a hair mask! Well, I tried to take some home back to the UK and let's just say it didn't travel that well! So now I have come across the next best thing! Equilibra Aloe Body Cream looks after the skin, protecting it and giving it a pleasant refreshing sensation. It contains a high amount of aloe (40%) having hydrating, tonifying and soothing properties, and jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and shea butter having a nourishing and emollient action. The fab range also includes face wipes, day cream and body gel and can be purchased from Chemist Direct now. So get some today to get back that holiday feeling....!

Well done Bobbi...

My favourite make-up artist Bobbi Brown was presented with Fashion Group International's prestigious Beauty Star Award at the annual Night of Stars event on October 23rd. Bobbi received her award from photographer Bruce Weber, who she has dedicated her newest book, "Make up Manual" which is due out in January 2009.

Bobbi has also launched this year's Christmas collection - the Copper Diamond line. "Copper Diamond was designed to warm up the skin while adding light and subtle highlights," says Bobbi about her new range. My favourite is this metallic Shimmer Brick; a combination of five golden shades which when blended together on the skin gives a soft, sparkling glow. Perfect for Christmas parties! Its £30 and available from Bobbi Brown counters nationwide and www.bobbibrown.co.uk.

Eve Lom

I love Eve Lom hand cream (£20) which helps to keep your hands looking supple and line-free. It doesn't have a particularly strong frarance, but has an SPF of 10, shea butter and antioxidants to help prevent the first signs of environmental damage. 

Check out the Eve Lom website www.evelom.com which has some lovely spa products on offer!

The Clothes Show Live...is nearly here!

I am soooo excited about the Clothes Show Live, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC, from 5 to 10 December 2008.  The best deals from last year, which I hope will be there this year are: Tigi Bed Head products, Jelly Pong Pong make-up, Bourjois Make up, All Saints, Juciy Couture, Lipsy and Lambretta for guys. I will be stocking up on Christmas pressies for all my family as last year I managed to get all of them in one trip! I will be also be bringing my trolley as I couldn't carry everything last year!

There is also an added bonus this year of The Style Show, which is presented by my favourite beauty site Handbag.com. Tickets are on sale now for £24 and are available from the box office on 0844 579 3178 or online at www.clothesshowlive.com and includes entry to both shows.

Bobelle

Another great organic site called Bobelle, where they sell wonderful fairly traded, hand made and recycled gifts for all occasions. All gifts are complimentary gift wrapped in acid free tissue paper and sent in 100% recycled packaging which is filled with 100% biodegradable filler to protect. I havent been able to try any products yet but worth a shout for ethical products this Christmas.... 

Graduation party beauty routine!

My graduation was this week, which was fab and allowed me to try out all my best beauty products in the evening!! Firstly, I used the new Fructis Blonde Shampoo thanks to my German in-laws, which is lovely for shiny blonde highlights. However, it’s not yet available in the UK :-( but watch this space! To finish off, I used products from the new James Brown hair range - high gloss serum spray and shine and fragrance spray, which are perfect for party hair. Both are now 2 for £8 at Boots.com - click here to buy! 

I took my trusty Braun Cordless straighteners with me, which are always on hand when you need them. They are ideal for refreshing or touching up your style, especially when it rains!! I really can't live without them...!

I love the Scrubilicious Coconut body scrub from Delicious which exfoliates and smoothes the skin before wearing a slinky dress. Their mint foot butter is also fab for silky-smooth feet. After showering I applied Organic Surge fresh ocean body butter. Boosted by pure plant extracts, the natural and organic products work together with no harmful build-up of chemicals on your skin. The company also works with helping African orphans to provide them with a better future. To finish off I used nail varnish from Karpati in Mocha Moments, which is free from dangerous chemicals and available from Selfridges priced at £9.99. The best bit about this brand is you can slip the bottle onto your fingers (as you would a ring) and paint away! 

Before applying my make up, I used Witch Radiance Serum which is light, oil free and contains light reflecting particles to ensure your skin is glowing and radiant. Love it! The most important part of my routine is taking off my make-up, where I used my trusty Witch face wipes (£3.99) and Garnier Nutritionist night cream… oh and plenty of water before bed!!

Mirabelle jewellery worn by Cheryl Cole

I love this beautiful bracelet worn by Cheryl Cole on the cover of Heat magazine a few weeks ago, from Mirabelle jewellery. It's called the Harmonia bracelet and can be purchased direct from Mirabelle Jewellery online at http://www.mirabellejewellery.co.uk 

It looks perfect both for a night out and during the day and really compliments an oufit. I wore it on Friday for my graduation and had lots of comments my friends... it matched my yellow and blue robe perfectly!

The Purity Project Face Range

Keeping up with my love of organic, eco-friendly products at the moment, I have just started using the new Purity Project Face Range.

Purity Project is a new eco skincare range created by renowned mineral hairdresser, Daniel Field and is a range of pure and ethically produced skincare products that are totally free of any known toxins, common allergens or irritants.  All products are independently evaluated as the safest, purest and most ethical formulations as well as performing to a very high standard.  Many ingredients commonly used in other natural ranges have been rejected by The Purity Project, taking their formulations to the next level of purity. The lovely Face Range consists of: Face Wash (£12), Face Cleanser (£15), Light Face Moisturiser (£15) Eye Lines Serum (£18), Face Firming Serum (£15), Anti-Age Day Moisturiser (£20) Anti-Age Night Moisturiser (£20) and Organic cotton Cloths (£5). I particularly love the Night Moisturiser as it’s really soothing after a long day at work. You can buy all these lovely products at www.purity-project.com. 

50% off Coconut Body Butter!

Exclusive offer for all you Beauty Addicts! Body Shop are offering 50% off Coconut Body Butter when you shop in-store or online from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November 2008. That's a saving of of £6.25! With a celebrity following, this excellent moisturiser melts at body temperature, leaving the skin feeling soft and silky smooth for up to 24 hours!  It also contains natural coconut oil, as well as Community Trade shea butter and Cocoa Butter from Community Trade cocoa beans from Ghana. Click here take advantage of this fantastic offer - we certainly have and so have Cult Beauty ;-)

 

ELEMIS Skin Nourishing Milk Bath

I love the new skin nourishing milk bath, from the Elemis bodycare range. This unique product feeds, heals and harmonises the skin when it is out of balance. It contains a high Milk Protein content as well as Japanese Camellia Oil and Oat Extract to soothe and nourish dry, sensitive and irritated skins. My boyfriend (the eczema sufferer.. yes, him again!) loved the milk bath and normally he doesn’t have baths as they irritate his skin. However, this acted as an immediate softening treatment and is perfect for excessively dry skin, skin allergies, acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis and sunburn. Yes it’s a little pricey (£39) but a great gift for somebody this Christmas and well worth it for eczema sufferers. You buy Elemis by calling +44 (0)1278 727 830 or purchase online at www.timetospa.co.uk

Moxie - the cutest tampons ever!

This weekend I have discovered the CUTEST new range of sanitairy products ever! Introducing Moxie, a brand new range of gorgeous and girly feminine hygiene products from Australia. Think beauty mixed with fashion and you’ve got Moxie; a range of products that delivers classic femininity, style, convenience and excellent quality all in one. Moxie’s aim is to combat those issues that have annoyed women for ages – things like those cheap and flimsy packs that break open in your bag, causing tampons and towels to spill into (or out of!) your handbag.

Launched in Superdrug in October 2008, Moxie has arrived in the UK to bring a touch of fabulousness to that most oftendreaded ‘time of the month’. With a range of tampons, towels and panty liners, Moxie has a product to suit your needs,every day of the month. Complete with 100% recyclable or reusable tins and 1930’s-esque, candy-striped ‘boudoir boxes’ that are colour-coded by absorption, Moxie is the perfect necessity for every dressing table and handbag. Anything to make periods more bareable and this new range will brighten up your day! Prices range from £1.79-£2.99.

Lavera Body SPA

For super soft skin this winter, try out Lavera products which are organic and originate from Germany. I love the Body Spa range, in particular the orange and cococa shower gel. You can buy Lavera products online at www.lavera.co.uk. 

bareMinerals

I remember this range from trips to America and now you can buy bareMinerals in the UK at Pretty Minerals. Made with pure, crushed minerals from the earth, bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation looks like a powder, feels like a cream and buffs on like silk, giving skin a natural luminosity. It is also nice to know you are not putting rubbish on your skin! Good news as well, there is an introductory offer of 15% off your first purchase and free delivery over £50. Get ordering now!!!

Braun Satin Hair Range

Warning: this range will change your life! I absolutely adore, worship, love, want to marry the new Satin Hair range from Braun, which is perfect for my thick, unruly hair. To be honest the hairdryer is soooo fab you don't really need to use the straighteners, as my hair was already so sleek! I love how the hairdryer adjusts temperature whilst you dry, so you don't overdry hair. This ultimately reduces the frizziness of your hair - magic! To finish off that party girl look, use the Braun Satinstyler achieves lustrous curls while offering the ultimate hair protection. 

Here's the scientific bit: The Satin range features superior Satin Ion Technology which releases a stream of negatively charged satin ions simply by the touch of a button.  These satin ions are attracted by the positively charged frizz sitting in the hair and envelop every single strand.  This natural conditioning reveals outstanding shine and the amazing smoothness of satin hair. The unique Satin Protect drying which balances heat and air flow, protects the hair and prevents dry out and enhances the hair’s smooth texture.

The Satin Hair range includes the Satinliner, Satinstyler and Satinpro and are available from selected retailers and by calling Braun on 0800 783 7010. Prices start at Satinliner £69.99, Satinstyler £34.99, Satinpro £29.99 - Bargain!

MEMEME Anti Fatigue Foundation with 10 hour sleep effect

Exclusive! Check out the new Anti-Fatigue Foundation from MEMEME, that hits Superdrug this weekend. To make up for the lack of sleep we will be getting in the party season, MEMEME's Anti Fatigue Foundation contains a natural, energising complex, which will improve skin turnover to help skin look healthy and glowing. I'm an addict already! Even better it's only £6.99 - so get partying!! Check out fellow beauty blogger Hey Dollface who also shares the love!

New Durex Play O has the greatest news for women this year - if not ever!

Apparently only 1 in 3 women orgasm, that's just 32% - compared to 63% of men? That's sooooo not fair!!! However, the greatest news for us unsatisfied women - there is a solution! Rejoice, I say! Durex has created the most sumptuous product of the whole year - Durex Play O! Durex Play O (£14.99) is a premium orgasm enhancing gel for women that has been created and tested by women using a unique combination of ingredients that will not only stimulate, but increase a woman's desire and enable her to have the most intense orgasm of her life! Yippeeeee I say! I would love to tell all you ladies the results but I know my Mum reads my blog - so you just have to try it out yourselves! I'm keeping quiet.... :-) Available from Boots.

Lee Stafford Bling Range

I discovered the great new bling range from Lee Stafford on Beauty and the Dirt and had to try it out, as I love anything that helps my hair sparkle! The products help us get our hair ‘just so’ for any evening out but also treat our exhausted locks the following day. As a blonde, I particularly love 4 blondes Glimmer Serum (£5.99) - a soft and silky serum, especially for blonde hair, which tames frizzy flyaway hair, enhances the colour and makes it shine! Finish off with the gorgeous Sparkle Spray (£5.99)- a quick and easy, instant sparkle spray that ensures your hair will shimmer and shine! Love it! You can buy Lee Stafford products at Boots www.boots.com

Westfield London is now open!

Wohoo the wait is over and today will finally see the doors flung open to the retail haven that is Westfield London. Boasting 265 stores from luxury labels such as Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani and Mulberry, to specialist stores such as Rigby and Peller, to high street favourites Topshop and Marks & Spencer (not to mention 47 restaurants and a 70-person concierge and valet staff), the White City store will be opened officially by London Mayor Boris Johnson at 10.30am before guests are treated to a fashion show and tours. Check out the fab website www.uk.westfield.com/london for more info! Plus the stores will be open until 11pm some nights - perfect for after-work shopping.... I love it already!

Fast Festive Beauty Fixes

This week I have been using these great products from YSX for pre-party beauty dramas. Forever Spot Free (£15.95) is a biologically active formula in a handy stick, that cleanses pores, exfoliates skin and quickly dries out spots for a blemish free, clear and glowing complexion (which my sister swears by!) The Instant Eye Lift Gel (£16.95)is also great for sleepy eyes after a night out! You can buy YSX products at www.lifes2good.co.uk and Superdrug. 

Tend ingrown hairs with Tend Skin Solution

Ingrown hairs are a NIGHTMARE let's face it, for both men and women. Especially when shaving :-S However, I have discovered Tend Skin Solution, which is a treatment to effectively sooth and get rid of the unsightly appearance of razor burn, razor bumps, ingrown hairs and cuts. The results are instant and ingredients in Tend Skin protect the skin for the next time you come to shave. WOW! My boyfriend has been using this regularly and swears by it - so try it! Tend Skin starts from £8.75 and is available from www.garden.co.uk

Lipcote - perfect lipstick sealer

Don't you hate it when you spend loads on a new lipstick and it just doesn't last? Well, I recommend Lipcote, the original transparent lipstick sealer, which you put on after applying lipstick. Its a snip at £3.49 and is available at Boots and now in ASDA.

BSQ Couture in association with the V&A

I absolutely LOVE White Bergamot Hand & Nail Cream from BSQ Natural Couture £10. BSQ have teamed up with the V&A to offer a range of 'Natural Couture' products.

The White Bergamot range is inspired by the Golden Age of Couture (1947 - 1957) and has sparkling tea and floral notes of specially blended Bergamot developing to an orange base with essential oils of Neroli. This beautiful range is available from Fortnum & Mason and online at www.bsquare.co.uk

How to achieve beautiful nails..

I have been trying out a few treatments for nails over the past weeks in preperation for the winter months ahead! I really like Ciate's Illuminating Care and Shine Duo Pack(£7.95) which is great for nails and cuticles before using nail varnish. The Shine Buffer buffs away unsightly ridges and remove stains from the nail, whilst the Rice Bran and Almond Oil Cuticle Balm hydrates and protects brittle nails. It makes your nails so shiny it really is incredible. After buffering my nails and using the culticle balm, I used Nail-It! (£14.95) which is a great solution for damaged nails and stopping any ridges or split nails that nail varnish remover can cause. 

 

Tara Smiths' new organic hair range

This weekend I have been trying the gorgeous new organic haircare range by Hollywood hairdresser Tara Smith - whose client list stretches from Orlando Bloom to Demi Moore. The line of products, which come with the tagline 'Tested On Filmstars, Not On Animals', uses earth-friendly ingredients and recyclable packaging. I used the 'Straight Away' conditioner, which smelt lovely and made my hair really smooth. I definately recommend this hair brand and good news it's now available from good old Tesco. Also, check out this video from Handbag TV on Tara as well talking about her role in the Sex and the City movie!

Refresh Me please!

Last night after a tough session in a gym I decided I needed refreshing! So I used the new 'Refresh me' range from Cottons Beauty.  Their Pink Grapefruit Bath Crystals are a natural invigorating and detoxifying bath soak, containing Grapefruit essential oil, dead sea salts and Calendula flowers. Hmmm yummy! After my bath I used Pink Grapefruit Hand and Body Cream which revitalises dry hands and elbows, whilst providing moisture for nails and cuticles. It is also enriched with Organic grapefruit pure essential oil and smells lovely. Today I have soft, smooth skin and feel very refreshed so definately a brand to try out. Visit www.cottonsbeauty.co.uk to purchase these products.