OJON Hair

I have good hair - Long and thick, and capable of looking great after a trip to my hair dresser (even if I say so myself!!). Over the years I've not paid too much attention to it. No dyes, highlights or products and until recently, any shampoo and conditioner have been satisfactory. However, now I am approaching 30, it's all beginning to change. My hair is no longer in ship shape condition: split ends are becoming a regular nuisance;  the odd bit of dandruff is making an occurrence and there is a general unruliness that only a trip to the salon can sort. This year I have invested in countless products that claim to leave hair voluminous, glossy, sleek and bouncy; but only a few have made the cut.
Ojon is the hair treatment range developed by Denis Simioni, thanks to his discovery of the Tawira people; a tribe known as the 'people of beautiful hair'. It uses naturally derived ingredients from the remote forests of Central America to help restore your hairs natural beauty.
I've been spritzing the revitalizing mist before my blow dry and finishing with the amazing glossing mist. It has made all the difference. I use a lot of oils on my face and often find them more effective than moisturiser, so it is no surprise to find that the special ingredient in Ojon is in fact a natural oil. The velvety-smooth, golden elixir is obtained from the nut of the native Ojon tree and is hand-extracted according to ancient, eco-friendly traditions. In one year, a single Ojon tree yields less than 8000 nuts, just enough to produce 3 cups of this precious natural ingredient. The purity of this precious oil is what creates its natural affinity for hair.
On Thursday Ojon launches 5 brand new ranges and I can’t wait to get my hands on the Damage reverse restorative hair treatment. You can purchase Ojon online at Harrods or John Lewis http://www.johnlewis.com/Ojon_c2_ae/0/0/Brand.aspx

Too Many Bracelets

www.Toomanybracelets.com



This beautiful collection of friendship bracelets has been designed and produced exclusively in aid of Too Many Women, an incredible campaign that aims to raised £1,000,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

These trinkets are the perfect summer accessory and are this weeks Elle Magazine buy of the week.

http://www.elleuk.com/shop/in-store-this-week/best-buys-of-the-week-6th-june-2011

Purchase them online at www.toomanybracelets.com

Dior Mitzah Leopard Print Palette

Tomorrow the Dior Mitzah Palette goes on sale exclusively at Selfridges. I will be hoping to purchase two; one to use and one purely as a decorative addition to my dressing table. I am a lover of leopard print so this palette is a real treat!! It is named after Diors muse, hat designer and socialite Mitzah Bricard, who herself, was often adorned in her favourite feline print. The palette combines three sophisticated shades of ivory, light brown and dark brown, so there are a multiple of looks you can create. Also included in this collection is two new shades of polish, Camel and Ebony. I have a feeling they will be a sell out so catch them quick!

Body Buffing

Begin the Summer by preparing your skin with two of my all time favourite products.
I take so much care with the skin on my face and rarely pay the same attention to my body, so when Summer approaches I'm in desperate need of some pick me ups.
I swear by Ren Exfoliating Body Balm and Ren Rose Moroccan Oil.... I use a body brush with the balm, it's the prefect preparation for a fake tan application.
Also, a must have moisturiser for the Summer is Origins - A Perfect World Body Lotion with White tea and Mimosa - I LOVE IT!

Max Factor Blog

I am a HUGE fan of Max Factor False lash effect mascara... great for volume and length and most importantly, clump free.
Last week I was interviewed by Max Factor. Take a look at their blog for some expert tips.
http://www.facebook.com/MaxFactorUK#!/MaxFactorUK?sk=app_101427979908828

Pussy Willow Couture Show

Alina wears Armani silk lipstick in no. 13

Yesterday I was creating the make-up look for the Pussy Willow Show. All the models had different coloured lips and a random swish of white paint over the eye with really dark heavily coated lashes. Bright lips are really on trend for this Spring/Summer and there is an array of amazing colours out there. My favourites yesterday were the Armani silk in No 4 and No 13 http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty.co.uk/_en/_gb/catalogue/MAKE_UP/product.aspx?prdcode=AP12003&tpcode=MAKE_UP_LIPNAIL_LIPSTICK

I wanted to create a look that was sophisticated and polished but also reflected the boldness and confidence of Amanda's designs.

Pussy Willow is a lovely and relaxed boutique on Bermonsdey Street and well worth a visit. Amanda Thompson, the brains behind the brand, designs beautiful and sophisticated clothes that are classic but also bold and perfectly tailored to flatter your figure. With wedding season coming up I am definitely going to invest in a few pieces. http://www.pwillow.com/

Fashion week finish

So I'm back from Paris after three days of working with make-up artist Hannah Murray. I've been her first assistant this season, so it's been a busy few weeks, but also a lot of fun.
During the shows there's a lot of running around backstage. When the models line up for the beginning of the show, finishing touches are applied and a dusting of powder is always at hand for any shiny skin or to matt down greasy skin.
I am not generally a fan of powder, as it can make your make-up look heavy and unnatural. However, it is an important piece of make-up and essential for any unwanted shine. The right powder and brush makes a big difference to the finish.
Most people only need to powder down the t-zone (unless you have particularly greasy skin) and often people make the mistake of using a big brush with too much product. I love Ruby and Millie brushes. http://www.boots.com/en/Ruby-Millie/
 They have a great small blusher brush which is perfect for powdering. It’s small enough to get the powder in the grooves around the nose and under the chin, but also good for dusting the forehead and under the eyes (if needs be).
I prefer to use loose translucent powders. My favourites are:
Make-up Forever HD powder - It's not available in the UK, but if you're visting a Sephora soon pop in and stock up. http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P210400&categoryId=S10810&shouldPaginate=true
Mac Prep and Prime is a great alternative to this http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT27293&PRODUCT_ID=PROD93850  and Laura Mercier mineral powder is another one I can highly recommend.

Mac Mixing Medium

As some of you know, one of my favourite foundations is Face and Body by Mac. It's a cult product and it's popularity is due to a special formulation that leaves the skin looking fresh and radiant. This special formula can now be purchased in the form of Mac's face and body mixing medium. The translucent liquid can be mixed in with your foundation (whatever brand you use) and provides a beautiful dewy finish. It also works wonders on its own by refreshing your make-up without adding more coverage. It's been a saviour backstage this week at the shows; with girls getting ready almost four hours before they set foot on the catwalk, a last minute application of this makes them look newly made up!
It is only available at the Mac Pro store - somewhere definitely worth a visit.

The Best of Black

Recent shoot with Photographer Craig Fordham and Stylist Tamsin Vaughan

For this shoot I created a classic winged smokey eye. It's a versatile look and there are many ways to create it, but essentially you need the darkest of kohl liners and the blackest of black shadows or creams. Getting the right products is important, strong pigments are essential to avoid patchy blending and long lasting products that don't smudge are another must.   

Once you have the essentials you can always play around with adding different colours. A great tip is to smudge some Vaseline in with your kohl liner or even some clear lip gloss.

Mac - Fluidline - Blacktrack - http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT21847&PRODUCT_ID=PROD66211&77tadunit=fcb8c5d7&77tadvert=4635619599&77tkeyword=mac%20blacktrack&77tentrytype=s&cm_guid=1-_-100000000000000038274-_-4635619599&cm_mmc=Google-_-Mac+Best+Sellers-_-Fluidline-_-mac+blacktrack

This is a gel eyeliner that is ebony black and great to line around the lashes. For a really dark smokey eye take it up to the socket line, smudge it in with a brush and blend with a bit of shadow. As it's a gel you don't have residue falling below creating panda eyes.

The Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners are also great and have a good array of colours.

Estee Lauder double wear stay in place eyeliner in onyx

http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/templates/product/mpp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT20971

This is perfect for the inside of the lash line as it's waterproof so is longer lasting. I also love the midnight blue.

Estee Lauder Zero smudge Liquid Eyeliner

http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/templates/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT20971&PRODUCT_ID=PROD74803

A great liquid liner for the classic 50's flick, it's a glossy dark black and has a good pointed applicator. For extra precision apply liquid liner with a small liner brush.

Laura Mercier Noir eye Matt colour http://www.spacenk.co.uk/product/shop+by+brand/laura+mercier/makeup/eye/200003436+eye+colour+-+matte+eye+colour.do

A matt eyeshadow with a deep black pigment. To avoid lots of residue below your eyes make sure you tap your brush to get rid of any excess.

Shu Uemura cream shadow  http://www.shuuemura.co.uk/makeup/eyes/eye-shadows/cream-eye-shadow.aspx 

For a more lived in smokey eye use a cream shadow and blend it in with the kohl eyeliners below.

Lancome black kohl http://www.boots.com/en/Lancome-Crayon-Khol-Eye-Pencil-Liner_5675/ This is a soft pencil but great to line around the eye and smudge in with a brush. Also good for inside the eye.

Topshop Black coal http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=1628035&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208566&parent_categoryId=208495&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20

Again this is a soft pencil so needs to be blended in with a brush or some creamy shadows.

Elizabeth Arden Black Kohl pencil http://www.johnlewis.com/127230/Beauty.aspx
Mac Technakohl eyeliner in Graphic black http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT21847&PRODUCT_ID=PROD71032

New Year, New skin

What better way to start the New Year than brushing away all those dead skin cells.
As we get older skin renewal slows down, so exfoliating twice a week is a good way to ensure your skin stays looking youthful. It’s also essential for long lasting make-up. There are two different types of product to help with this.

1.      Chemical exfoliants which contain alph hydroxy acids (natural occurring acids) such as lactic acid, salicylic acid and retinol work by dissolving the dead skin cells and are a good way to reduce fine lines, unblock pores and reveal new fresher skin. My favourite is Ren glycolic peel.

 http://www.lookfantastic.com/beauty/ren/face-care/ren-glycolatic-skin-renewal-peel-mask.html  

However, on occasion these peels can cause slight irritation so if you have sensitive skin you can always try the second option of exfoliation.

2.      Physical exfoliants use ingredients that you gently massage on the skin to brush away the old surface.

I love Liz Earle, http://uk.lizearle.com/problem-solution/gentle-face-exfoliator.html

Sisley http://www.harrods.com/product/sisley/gentle-facial-buffing-cream-all-skin-types/000000000000231683?cat1=b-sisley&cat2=skin&cat3=cleansetonemoist

and Dermalogica http://www.beautyflash.co.uk/dermalogica/exfoliants/daily-microfoliant.html

I always rinse off these treatments with a muslin cloth and some warm water and then spritz my face with my favourite Caudalie Beauty Elixir http://www.spacenk.co.uk/product/shop+by+brand/caudalie/beauty+elixir+100ml.do

Load your skin with your favourite moisturiser and you should feel the difference immediately.