Category Archives: Beauty & Grooming

Millie Mackintosh Launches New Limited Edition Summer Lashes

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Millie Mackintosh lashesBride-to-be Millie Mackintosh has teamed up with Nouveau Lashes to launch two Limited Edition Summer Lashes named after Millie’s favourite holiday destinations Ibiza and St Tropez.

“My lashes are perfect for summer fun! Great for holidays as they are water and heat resistant and fantastic for festivals as they are safe to wear for 2/3 days.” – Millie Mackintosh.

These unique benefits are due to Nouveau Lashes strip lash adhesive which is tried and tested to endure holiday temperatures and pool side fun, and being latex free they are safe to wear all weekend long.

As well as the Nouveau Lashes Adhesive, each box also contains a pair of mini tweezers, 2 sets of corner lashes and 1 full strip lash to achieve Millie’s 3 Summer Lash looks.

The Pool Party – to complement your sun kissed face, perfect bikini and wedges you do not want anything too heavy; so just add the corner flicks to your outer lashes for a gentle, irresistible lift.

 

Dinner & Drinks – make your eyes sparkle and start melting hearts! As the sun goes down it’s time to get a little more serious and Millie advises to use the full strip lashes for extra flutter.

 

Party Time – let your eyes do the dancing by placing the corner lashes on top of the full strips for lashes that simply ooze glamour, sexiness and downright wickedness!

 

Available at www.millie-mackintosh.com and participating stockists. RRP £12.95

 

Amy Childs’ Lashes | Beauty Review

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I received a pair of Amy Childs’ Heartbreaker lashes to review. They look great in the packaging, very glamorous.

I have never put fake lashes on before and wasn’t sure if it would be hard or not. To be honest, I did find it very tricky. Until I got the hang of it that is. It is like applying eyeliner, hard at first but after a while you can do it quickly and with precision. The lashes are really long and dramatic. You could either wear them for a big night out or cut them down. They are also wide but you can easily cut them down. They come with adhesive and can be used again and again.

As you can see in the pic below they are very big. I got mixed reactions, some people loved them, and others thought they were too big and should be cut slightly. Whatever you decide they are good quality and value for money. £8 including P &P. A cheap and great glamour hit.

Catherine Balavage reviewing Amy Childs' lashes

Get A ‘Lash In A Flash’ With Amy Childs’ Lashes
Need a quick beauty pick me up or if you are heading from the office floor to the dance floor and want to change your
look dramatically, then look no further than Amy Childs’ Lashes for a ‘lash in a flash’! A fabulous collection of lashes with
eight different designs to suit every girl and every occasion, Amy’ strip lashes are perfect to change your look instantly.
Durable and long-lasting Amy Childs’ Lashes are designed to be worn over and over again. Wanting to make the modern
girl feel and look beautiful, these lashes are exactly what Amy stands for, whether you want to look glam or natural.
Available in Flirt 2, Temptress 1, Heartbreaker 2 & Tease 1
From elaborate, sexy and seductive styles to subtle, pretty and elegant designs, the real question is will you be a Flirt,
Tease, Temptress or Heartbreaker tonight

www.amychildsofficial.co.uk

 

Fashion Fabulous Party | Social Diary

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I went along to the launch of the third edition of the Fashion Fabulous book. I was joined by actor/director Jack Bowman and his wonderful girlfriend Mary Burt. I also met the team behind new blog The London Index, Joseph and Leah-Jade. Check them out. Some of their photos are below.

I had a flick through the book and it is brilliant researched. I talked to Tracy and she said that she goes to every single shop and restaurant. Everything is checked to make sure it is of the highest quality. Tracey is also a hat designer and the hat she was wearing was spectacular.

Tracey and Russell Rose fabulous 086 fabulous 079dsc_0689

Sarah Eckersley + Leah-Jade Verasammy + Mary Burt + Jack Bowman + Guest + Catherine Balavage

Frost editor Catherine Balavage with actor and director Jack Bowman.

Frost editor Catherine Balavage with actor and director Jack Bowman.

 

Fashion Fabulous London returns with new guide for 2013

  • The results of an extensive mystery shop uncover the capital’s Top 200 retailers.
  • London’s best shopping districts revealed. Shoreditch and Shepherd’s Bush among up-and-coming areas pushing North Kensington out of the top 10.
  • Customer service in Prada rated equally to Primark.

 

London’s number 1 independent shopping guide, Fashion Fabulous London launched its new guidebook for 2013 on the 24th of April, and it is out now.

 

The third edition of the consumer guide picks out and reviews the top shops in London. The shopping equivalent to the Michelin Guide, the new edition of the book is a must-have for the style-conscious London shopper.

 

Fashion insiders Tracy Rose and Russell Rose have once again compiled the book by making mystery shopper visits to one thousand retailers across the capital. This year’s updated guide highlights the best shops visited by the couple with in-depth reviews of the hottest outlets.

 

This year’s Top 200 retailers named in Fashion Fabulous London include new entries from designer-run boutique Antoni & Alison in Farringdon and rising vintage outlet Emporium in Greenwich.

 

Once again, the West End tops the list of London districts with the most retailers in the Top 200, but new neighbourhoods have arrived in the Top 10 shopping districts.  Shepherd’s Bush, boosted by the presence of fashion destination Westfield London, now sits in the Top 10 ahead of Camden and Islington. Shoreditch has cemented its position as a fashion hotspot by ousting North Kensington from this year’s Top 10.

 

The changes in the guide’s Top 10 shopping districts reflect the increasing spread of quality retailers across London. Tracy Rose comments, “The West End remains London and the UK’s retail heart. However, we found from our visits across the city that lavish outlets and high-end service is far from limited to the boutiques of Bond Street and Savile Row. We are finding that retailers further afield in the capital are increasingly improving the quality of the customer experience, even in the current economic climate.”

 

Shops that offered a personal touch to customers were highly commended by the pair. Tracy states, “We particularly enjoy the experience offered by designer-run boutiques, where the customer can meet the creators of the items on sale. Being myself both a fashion designer and an avid shopper, I appreciate how much consumers value knowing about how their clothes were made.”

 

Each of the top retailers reviewed in Fashion Fabulous London receive a rating out of 5 shopping bags on choice, service and wow factor.  Every store was re-evaluated this year with many receiving new ratings: In service, Bond Street’s Prada store lost its five shopping bag rating while Primark on Oxford Street improved on its one shopping bag rating – both now having two shopping bags in the 2013 edition.

 

Readers of Fashion Fabulous London will discover personal accounts from Tracy and Russell from their visits to each outlet. Tracy recounts the story of a showdown with shoppers in the Alexander McQueen store, with one envious customer snatching a shoe from her grasp. In another review, Russell gets to know Camden’s leftfield Cyberdog shop by trying on a yellow laser print ‘Talk to the Hand’ T-shirt.

 

Russell Rose comments, “We hope that this year’s guide will be the perfect companion for fashion-lovers looking for either high-end or high street shops. Whether you’re looking for shoes or handbags, we’ve taken the leg work out of finding the best stockists.”

 

Fashion Fabulous London will be on sale from 30 April 2013 at leading retailers nationwide including Harrods, Selfridges and Waterstones, and online from Amazon.

 

Top 10 London shopping postcodes

The top 10 districts in London ranked by the number of Fashion Fabulous London’s Top 200 shops in each district.

2013Rank Postcode District 2012Rank
1 W1 West End 1
2 SW1 Belgravia 2
3 W11 Notting Hill Gate 4
4 E1 Brick Lane /Spitalfields 3
5 SW3 Chelsea 6
6 E2 Bethnal Green 7
7 WC2 Covent Garden 5
8 W12 Shepherd’s Bush =11
9 N1 Islington 8
=10 EC2 Shoreditch =11
=10 NW1 Camden 10

Manuka Doctor ApiClear Blemish Cream Review

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Mille Mackintosh

Everyone has the occasional break out no matter how good their skin is. I am no exception. The last spot cream I used seemed to take the occasional spot I got and multiply it so my usually clear skin had a bit of a freak out. Enter Manuka Doctor ApiClear Blemish Cream. I had high hopes for this as I have previously reviewed their face mask. It also has Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh as a fan.

Millie Says, I won’t be going to anywhere this year without Manuka Doctor’s ApiClear Blemish Cream. Breakouts often occur during festivals and holidays and so having this to instantly soothe my skin is a lifesaver! It is so easy to use – I just pop it in my bag and know that my skin will stay blemish free.

The cream has UMF 18+ Manuka Honey, witch hazel, vitamin E and Propolis. It is calm and cooling and non greasy. It doesn’t have any nasty parabens or SLS.

I use it on the occasional pimple and it does speed up the healing process. My skin looks a lot better. Considering how inexpensive it is (£5.99 from Holland & Barrett) I will be buying this when it runs out. A great little cream that helps clear up spots quickly.

Top marks.

Calvin Klein Delicious Luxury Creme Lipstick Review

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Calvin Klein Delicious Luxury Creme Lipstick in Cosmopolitan.

IMG_3470I must confess that the colour of this lipstick was a bit challenging. I see women wearing bright lipstick all the time and feel a tug of envy. It just looks so fabulous on them. I usually wear nude lipstick. My problem with bright lipstick is that I have a big mouth – no jokes please. At school I was made fun of because of my big lips. Of course now I see them as a plus. I get compliments on them a lot. But I always thought that wearing bright lipstick made them look too big and was just too much of a hassle. Which just goes to show how much I don’t know.

The lipstick looks amazing on. Although my boyfriend has reservations, ‘Jeez, that’s bright. It really doesn’t suit you.” he says. Thanks for that! I persevere anyway.

IMG_3453

I like how the lipstick brightens up my face. I like the colour, it is beautiful. The lipstick is good quality, as you would expect from Calvin Klein. It stays on my face all day and it does not dry my lips out. I get a lot of compliments and even my boyfriend comes around to it.

So am I converted? Completely. I will be brightening up my make up look, and as for the Calvin Klein lipstick, it is a piece of luxury at a completely reasonable price, and an excellent lipstick to boot.

Available from Fragrance Direct and Debenhams.

 

 

 

 

Errol Douglas Tells Frost Magazine How To Get Great Hair. Exclusive Interview

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erroldouglasErrol Douglas MBE, one of the most influential hairdressers in the world, has been announced as the incoming President of The Fellowship For British Hairdressing. Douglas, who has 3 decades in the hair industry and a roster of high profile clients, will take the helm at an official handover ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel on April 22nd 2013. Receiving an MBE for services to Hairdressing in 2008, Douglas has a recognised track record in championing the hair industry and nurturing young talent. He was also named Hair Hero 2013 at the Hair Magazine Awards.

After receiving the award, Douglas said “This means the world to me, I’ve received many awards over the years, and to be recognised in this way at such an important event really is incredible. I love my industry, its creativity, talent and integrity. I’m so very lucky to have a stunning team who’ve worked alongside me for many years, and it never feels like work, because I knew as a boy that this brilliant industry was for me”

We were very excited to interview him and learn how to get great hair with lots of volume.

 

How do Frost Magazine readers achieve their best ever hair day? 

 

By investing long term in hair health.  That means weekly conditioning treatments (Moroccan oil Hydrating Mask is great because it’s easy to use at home in between salon visits and only a small amount is required), regular salon visits as the finish really is in the quality of the cut and using a small amount of a styling product suited to your hair type to prep it before you style.

 

 

What are the main causes of flat hair?  

 

Without a doubt it’s product overload, it’s the worst offender, weighing hair down and dulling it. Less really is more in terms of product.   A close second is not building the right foundation before blow drying or styling. Volume needs to be built into the roots by using a firm tension and barrel brush to blow dry, consider it the scaffolding for a polished finish. A small amount of Moroccan oil Treatment on wet hair will infuse moisture into the hair and  help eliminate frizz in the final style. It’s been a game changer for the quality of finish in styling for my clients.

 

What products are best for big hair?  

 

A “working” hairspray that allows hold to be built in as the hair is styled without that “crispy” stiff result.  I like to use Moroccan oil  Luminous  Hairspray on wet hair to blow dry it into roots.  Using rollers at the crown builds in movement, which allows the hair to look thick and healthy. Plumped cuticles are the scaffolding of volume based styling. Wash the hair in cool water so as not to stimulate the scalp’s sebaceous glands and create unwanted grease. Using Morrocanoil Extra Volume Shampoo and conditioner will begin the root plumping process and create the right canvas.

 

What is the best way to achieve volume?

 

One way that volume is achieved  is by texture brushing. Apply direct heat from the nozzle of the hairdryer directly onto the roots and pull firmly as you dry with the Morrocan oil barrel brush. What I love about this brush is that it maintains a consistent temperature and reduces drying time. The bristles produce negative ions causing water to evaporate more quickly. To really build the lift into the whole head, section off the hair with silver pins and work the texture brushing as you dry equally on all parts. Once dry with big roots and volume, a little gentle backcombing with the barrel brush at the crown is how to achieve that dramatic lift specifically as on the catwalk.

 

How do you get big hair when you have fine hair?

 

The best trick is to lightly backcomb the roots or lightly emboss the roots ( this means using a heated crimping tool just at the roots)

 

How do you get your hair to stay full of volume all day?   

 

Use hairspray “up and under” not “around and on top” – the hold needs to be built from the bottom up to maintain the lift, spraying directly onto the crown in a halo is a flattener by the middle of the day.  To refresh, tip the head upside down and brush the hair gently forward.

Thank you Errol.

Learn more about Errol here: www.erroldouglas.com

Rimmel Lash Maxxx Mascara | Beauty Review

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Catherine BalavageEvery woman knows that all mascara is not created equal. Those in the beauty know will also be aware that the shape of the brush is just as important, if not more important, than the actual mascara.

Catherine Balavage

Rimmel’s Lash Maxxx mascara (in Black Noir 001) has a few things going for it. One: it’s waterproof. Actually waterproof. In my opinion this is the best thing a mascara can be. Two, it has a great brush that can make your lashes really pop. The brush is just a row of bristles. They have the ability to make your lashes really big for a night out, or to make them more subtle but still great for day use. Another thing the brush has going for it is the lack of clumps it creates. it is like an eyelash brush but better.

The packaging says it has a 3X multiplying lash effect. After testing the mascara I would say this is completely true. If not an understatement. Another thing the packaging says is that the micro fine bristles capture and maximize every lash. I agree with this. The brush does justice to lashes and doesn’t look unnatural. I really like it. It get’s the Frost stamp of approval.

You can buy it for a measly £1.99 here.

The ingredients

photo

Calvin Klein Intense Mono Eyeshadow Artic Beauty Review

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Catherine BalavageWe all know that Calvin Klein makes great clothes and ubiquitous underwear. But what about their make up? I try their eyeshadow to find out.

Calvin Klein’s Tempting Glance Intense Mono Eyeshadow in Artic is a lot lighter than my usual eyeshadow. In fact it looks more like a highlighter. A nice colour, but a highlighter.

I put it on and decide to pair it with some lilac eyeshadow on the crease on my eyelid for definition. The eyeshadow feels great. As expensive and high quality as I expect a product from Calvin Klein to be.

I really like the look and to top it of, when I bump into Krista Madden, owner of excellent blog Beauty And The Dirt and founder of Handpicked Media, at the launch of Superdry and Timothy Everest’s new clothing collaboration she compliments me on my make up. High praise indeed. In fact, I look very bright and fresh. My make up looks like spring. I feel so inspired that I have decided to experiment more with my make up.

The eyeshadow is both matte and shimmery. It blends on easily and you can also build it up. It doesn’t crease or fade. It is long wearing and lasts the day. It is also allergy tested & fragrance free. A Frost thumbs up.

Tempting Glance Intense Eyeshadow #101 Artic

What do you think of the look? Do you like light eyeshadow?