Print Your Own Make-up

Last week Tech Crunch announced that make-up lovers everywhere will be able to print any shade or type of make up from their own home for just $300!!

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Call it crazy but it is true, Harvard Business School’s very own Grace Choi has invented the product that could be the answer to the make-up world, printable make-up. The Mink as it has been named, allows you to pick a colour, any colour online or from a photo, and produces eye shadows, lipsticks and any other form of cosmetic goodie from the hit of a button.

 mink3dprinter

Choi researched into the make-up industry, the ingredients, the pigments, and the formulas that create that favourite lipstick, that sparkly eye shadow and much much more to produce the base for her products. The idea behind her concept is making available the luxury make up and the mass produced all in one place at a click of button, for young girls aged 13 – 21 experimenting with make-up. Break away from the stock colours of pinks and reds and be daring with bright greens and blues. The same dyes that are used in printers are those that are used in make-up Choi claims, as she states ‘take out the bulls***’, the branding, the expensive trip to the make-up counter. The Mink does the same thing as all these brands but right from your own home at a fraction of the price.

 

Check out her announcement at Tech Crunch

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBZHFUQiP8Q&w=560&h=315]

What are your views on this evolution of printing and make-up?

 

Top Tips For a Skin-Friendly Summer

amandaeliasAmanda Elias, beauty expert and founder of Bravura London has her top tips for a skin-friendly Summer.

1 – The first thing you want to think about is sun protection; the sun is the main cause of premature ageing which can leave your skin dull, dry, wrinkled and with hyperpigmentation (brown spots). Protect all exposed skin with a broad spectrum SPF (protects against both UVA & UVB) of at least 30, preferably a mineral SPF which acts as a sunblock to instantly block the sun’s rays. Look for a product that’s waterproof and don’t forget your lips, ears and the back of your neck. Re-apply frequently.

2 – You may know about cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising your face but do you spend as much TLC on your body? Ensure you exfoliate at least twice a week and if possible, slather yourself daily (after your shower) in your favourite body lotion.

3 – Do you find your skin flushes when you get hot? Keep a refreshing water spray or toner spray at hand to spritz your face and neck when you feel yourself overheating

4 – Avoid wearing perfumes on your skin; when the sun hits the areas of skin that contain perfumes it can cause irritation. Fragrance your hair by spraying your hairbrush then brush through your locks, every time you swish your hair you’ll be surrounded by a beautiful fragrance.

5 – Sun and lip gloss aren’t a good combination, remember the days of people baking in the sun covered in baby oil? Same thing. Get yourself a good lip balm that contains an SPF, you can get plenty that have colour or line your lips with a lip pencil then top with a clear SPF balm.

6 – Parched skin after too much alcohol and sun? Intensely nourish your skin with an oil such as jojoba oil, this non-comedogenic (won’t block your pores) oil is more of a wax and is close to your skin’s natural oil. For sun burnt skin, help the healing process with pure aloe vera gel and apply 3-4 times a day.

7 – Don’t forget to hydrate yourself, to keep your body functioning properly and to aid in the removal of toxins from our body it needs to be well hydrated so be sure to drink 2-3 litres of liquid (sadly this doesn’t include dehydrating substances such as cocktails and coffee) per day.

ILA Spa

 

Ila Beauty

I adore bath products so when I was sent these lovely ILA beauty products recently I set aside some much needed me time and indulged myself with an evening of home Spa relaxation. Also to test them out to give you the low down on all the soothing, organic and delicious products.

Running a hot bath and adding natural products sends your senses to giddy heights and creates a virtual powerful health spa in seconds. A deep down feeling of wellness and being at one with nature.

With only the finest natural, traditional and sustainable plant and mineral ingredients ILA spa products are delightful, pure and embody great natural healing. They are perfect for emotionally nourishing your body as well as your spirt. The candle enveloped the woods on this photo shoot and filled the air with droplets of pure rose. The aura was enchanting, relaxing and peaceful, it made the day really special and created the perfect atmosphere for being at one with nature, the woodland and the creatures that where hiding away out of sight.

Ila Beauty

When trying the bath salts crystals you will drift away with a mix of jasmine, sandalwood and they made my skin feel so nourished and smooth. It comes with a wooden scoop so you can add just the right amount to the bath. The crystals dissolved beautifully and left no hard grains behind. Only a pretty pink glow to the hot steamy water.

Ila Beauty

After soothing your tired limbs you will need to feel refreshed and try the body scrub, Organic rose and geranium hits you as you open this jar and the grains are perfectly milled to a fine salt. With argan oil to nourish the skin and the organic juniper berries to stimulate circulation and help eliminate cellulite. This product can’t fail to impress, just heaven.

Ila Beauty

Now for me other than the candle the facial oil was my utter most favourite product. This has been my go to morning and night product since receiving these wonderful treats. This is their best seller apparently a ‘little miracle’ The face oil is a cult product revered by men and women worldwide. Packed with essential fatty acids and wrinkle-fighting antioxidants, it revitalises, nourishes and supports at the deepest level. Your telling me, I feel like I am glowing from inside out! It is a fantastic product to apply about 10 minutes before your moisturiser of factor cream. I use a factor 30-50 every day all year round. This will fight wrinkles, heal scars, help regenerate the skin cells, nourish the skin deep down into the layers of the dermis and gives you that glow of youth and hydration lost in our everyday busy modern life. Not only that it has won awards such as…Harper’s Bazaar Hot 100, September 2012, Beauty Bible Award Winner for Anti-Ageing, March 2011 and Natural Product of the Year, AsiaSpa Awards, 2009!!

I have been invited to meet the founder of this company and visit the manufactures. I will be asking loads of beauty, anti ageing and healthy skin questions while I am there thats for sure. ILA is now on my top list of beauty products that I will be recommending to everyone.

Tweet me @sarahbacchus if you are wanting to know more about the products and visit the ILA website here to purchase all you need. Fly over and Tweet them @ila_spa and say hi!

 

Visit www.sarahbacchus.com if you are interested in booking me for photographic work.

 

Cocoa Brown Tanning Range

This was one exciting press day for Cocoa Brown who doesn’t love tanning products. I love them so much seeing as I am nearly always behind a computer and I really don’t like to get tanned the usual way. I like to keep my skin in tip top condition, always using the highest factor cream possible. Tanning the natural way has its price…wrinkles. Well being 42 I can tell you young girls don’t do it. Opt for tanning lotions, creams and mousses rather than sunbeds and no factor cream. You will benefit in the long run. I don’t think I have stepped foot outside without factor 30-50 in the last 2 years. I pride myself that my skin is doing well for its age. So when I need a lillte bit of colour I reach into my bathroom cabinet, grab a mitt and some self tanner. One downside normally is the smell…well, keep reading ladies…this is amazing.

CoCo Brown Tanning Range

The main problem with nearly all the tanning lotions out there is the after smell. You know that rather biscuity, cooked chicken odour, and loads of you just don’t even bother with new products due to this fact. Well….hey…These products don’t have that distinctive tan smell one little bit. Not even a whiff, nothing, nada, zilch …you get me right!! It smells fresh and clean and a wonderful floral scent. Could this get any better…Yes, it’s an innovative 1 hour tan too!!

P1130318P1130295If thats not great then hear this…The range is so impressively easy and if you are new to self tanning this one will be perfect for you. Seasoned self tanners, this range just has to be purchased as I am sure you will fall head over heals for it.

The range consists of:

Tough Stuff an incredible exfoliator that whips the skin into shape before the products are applied, Its a rather great all round bathroom product too. My skin felt super soft and hydrated after using it the night before I tanned. It will get rid of stubborn old tan that has collected in areas. Your skin is constantly renewing itself so after a week you undoubtedly will always get a small bit of patchiness with any self tanner. Any company that tell you different will be just lying. But if you look after your skin and regularly moisturise and exfoliate then this will be minimal and you will hardly ever see it. Tough Stuff can be used up to 4 times a week so there is no need to ever be patchy girls.

Tan Mitt that is machine washable and will protect your pinkies from being stained. Make sure you use it with the following products listed below!

Then you have Chocolate Whip, a perfect pre tan moisturiser that is a must have. Now girls I used to be an educator and run a salon. You need to do your prep before you apply any self tanner or even when you have a professional spray tan this should be something that is done. Its the foundations and secrets of getting your tan to look REAL! Apply it on elbow, knees, hands, between fingers and toes. Not forgetting your feet, heels and any dry patches of skin. The tan will penetrate through but won’t cling to it and oxidise darker. Not a good look! Chocolate Whip is also the best product to prolong the life and the look of your tan too. The best part is that it will keep your skin fabulously hydrated and smells glorious.

Now for my favourite product from the tanning range. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan. This dries in seconds, leaves the skin feeling smooth, non sticky and ultra fresh. I felt like my skin had actually just come out of the shower, you know that fresh feeling, all crisp and clean. This lovely mousse is 1-3 hours in dry time, with 1 hour giving you a nice caramel glow to 3 hours for a deeper richer and naturally darker looking colour. Whats more a great aspect of this product it’s a brown mousse. So you can see where you are applying it, due to it not being sticky its also perfect to apply before you go out and if you don’t wash it off your not going to even notice you have it on. Neither will anyone else, as again it smells delicious. Girls they have a travel size formula too!!

I have tried countless tanning products, trained salons and professionals and write about them constantly, I really feel the next range has very big boots to fill, if at all. I passionate about great products and this may have just encouraged me to clear out my beauty cupboard and have just one set of products.

Could this range get any better? Well yes…2 more superb products are in this range, Gentle Bronze and Lovely Legs.

Gentle Bronze is a gradual tanning product that again smells great and is brown in colour, so no messy, nasty or unsightly white patches that are not noticed until too late. This is a daily bronzer that will keep you looking a beautiful caramel shade if applied every other day or it can be applied each day and it will gradually give you a perfect naturally darker sun kissed look.

And lastly Lovely Legs is a spry on leg perfecter that will hide this nasty little imperfections we all have. How many of you have ever used a darker foundation on your legs before a night out!!?? Come no be honest, I know I have, if I need a quick leg coverage. Even in the summer months when your tan looks nice, the legs always don’t look as great as the rest of you. Shaving and waxing is to blame, so here is the remedy. If you have this in your bathroom cabinet you will have perfect legs all year round too girls or guys!! Even on those rainy days, as it’s water resistant and won’t run if caught in a sudden shower.

Guys reading this, is prefect for you gentlemen too, and no one will know, the scent of this product is universal and will blend in with any aftershave. No horrid tan smell and your secret will be safe as houses.

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The 1 Hour Tan sent beauty bloggers wild when it was launched in 2013 selling out 15 weeks of stock in just 2 hours. 3 bottles fly off the shelves every single minute. This baby has also appeared in the gift bags at the Oscars, lucky celebrities.

You need not be jealous as this is the best bit I have kept till last, Cocoa Brown is available at www.feelunique.com, Superdrug stores and now Primark! For …drum roll £7.99

Hurry while stocks last!

Head over to www.slbstyle.com to see the the full day in pictures along with fashion and style info. I will be doing a full article on SLB Style next week with before and after images. Ping me a little Tweet @sarahbacchus and let me know if you be purchasing it soon?

Visit the Cocoa Brown website here and Tweet them @cocoabrowntan

Sleeping Beauty: Night Time Beauty Products Review Part One

Beauty sleep may be one of those clichés that is actually true. Your body rejuvenates when you are sleeping so make the most of it by upping your game with some great products. We are sourcing the best ones, starting with these three beauts.

Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Nighttime Moisturizer.

eighthourcream

Eight hour cream is a classic and this is particularly good as it smells of lavender which is known to help people sleep. Leaves skin soft, plump and smooth. Great stuff.

Available from House of Fraser.

Lotil Foot Care Cream with Aloe Vera.

lotil foot cream

Absorbs easily and leaves feet wonderfully smooth. It is a rich and hydrating formula which incorporates Rosemary extract, a highly effective natural anti-oxidant that both softens and moisturises the skin. The addition of Aloe Vera helps soothe dry cracked, skin. Cover feet generously in Lotil Foot Cream before bed, then pop on cotton socks and you’ll wake up in the morning with beautifully soft feet. It really works. £5.49 from independent pharmacies.

Dentyl Active Plaque Fighter

dentyl active fighter mouthwash

Dentyl says this:

  • Kills up to 99.9% oral bacteria (in lab tests)
  • Powerfully lifts plaque from teeth and gums
  • Provides a super refreshing mouth feel
  • Is alcohol free so it tastes great and doesn’t sting or dry your mouth

We included Dentyl Active Smooth Mint Plaque Fighter because teeth are important for both health and looks. Cleaning them properly before you go to bed is a great beauty tip.

This mouthwash is great, it tastes good (not an excuse to swallow it!) and leaves your mouth amazing clean. It definitely improves oral hygiene.

What nighttime beauty products do you like?

Tan Organic

Are you loving being on the pale side at present, embracing the lighter side of life. Not being one for sunning yourself and do you wear factor 50 all year round. Like many you may have found our skin is so much plumper and heathy looking without the Summer sun damage.

So when we do want a little bit of a glow what should we reach for. Well here is a tremendous tanning lotion called TanOrganic Self Tanning Oil.

This Eco certified oil is ultra moisturising and perfectly subtle, you will look astonishingly sun kissed in a very natural way. It contains 8% DHA so this basically means its fairly light and perfect for the face and body. It was voted the best facial tan in 2013 so you can’t really get better than that now can you.

It will last about 4 days on well looked after skin thats been exfoliated and cleansed prior to application. You can focus on your legs to give them a little hint of colour and gradually build on layer by layer. It will last very well and didn’t fade in patches either.

IMG_0980They state you don’t need to apply it with a mitt so I was understandably a little dubious about this…I did 1/2 with a tan mitt and the rest with my bare hands. Just remembering to wash my hands afterwards! I don’t know what on earth I was worried about. No staining and no clothing was harmed during this trial either!

It glided on and made my skin feel very hydrated. It left a nice citrus fragrance behind that I loved as most of my perfumes I am wearing at the moment have citrus undertones. Citrus works so well with all scents, you can’t really go wrong. The oil vanished almost instantly and felt fairly dry to the touch so its a good idea to moisturise your skin a little before you apply it.

IMG_0994The bottle has a little dropper in the top to help with application and spillage issues…I’m a clumsy one so this was a god send!!

Application is recommended every 2-3 days to keep a nice glow and you can re apply it after 6-8 hours to intensify the shade. I loved the little bit of colour this gave me and I was astonished at how little you need to give a nice even, blended and perfect cover of colour. Now I used to teach students to do professional tans and I have to say this is a really easy home tan.

Sunbeds are so bad for you and I think they should be banned. Tan Organic is the Worlds first and only Eco Certified Self Tanning brand and I am loving it. With 64% of what we apply to our skin getting absorbed into our bloodstream, I am never using products that are not certified ever again. Hey ladies if this tan can be applied while your pregnant, yes pregnant then thats incredible!

This is going to be in my bathroom cabinet for a long time!IMG_1009This was a PR sample but I have fallen in love with it. I only share what I love here with you guys. So if I don’t love it you won’t get to read about it. I know tons of you like to hear the bad things, but I feel its way more beneficial to not mention bad products. This is a great product…off to top up right now!

Follow Tan Organic on Twitter @TanOrganic  for more from myself Sarah please follow me on Twitter too!! My main website is slbstyle.com go say Hi there too. xxxTan Organic

Heaven Bee Venom Mask Review

Heaven BEE VENOM face mask reviewWhen I am tired, dehydrated or run down I get these horrible little lines on my forehead. If I drink some water and get some sleep they disappear but I am getting more worried about them becoming permanent. It’s easy to think aging is okay when you are in your early-twenties or teens (Hello 23-year-old Emma Watson) but I am in my late-twenties now and aging is less fun when it is actually happening to you. I have always been told I look younger than my age and I want to keep it that way.

I would never have cosmetic surgery and I promised my other half that I would never have botox (which may turn out to be a regret), so reviewing nature’s alternative to Botulinum Toxin, Deborah Mitchell’s Heaven Bee Venom Mask, was definitely quite exciting. I also met Deborah and had a nice chat with her, she has great skin and is very inspirational.

Heaven Bee Venom Mask is the first product of its kind. This unique product has been specially created using natural and organic ingredients, combined to work in synergy for an instant anti-ageing effect

Containing Manuka Honey, renowned for its soothing and healing properties, it also contains the magic Bee Venom ingredient that works to control the facial muscles for immediate lifting, tightening and firming, whilst getting to work on frown lines and wrinkles

Bee Venom Mask also contains ingredients of softening and calming Shea Butter, Rose and Lavender essential oils.

I reviewed this in two ways: one: I used it as a proper face mask. On for 20 minutes and then rinse off. Two: I put it on top of my moisturiser and leave it on.

After using it as a proper face mask my skin looks great and feels smooth. I also see a difference when putting it on top of my moisturiser. It doesn’t numb the area you put it on or feel weird, it is just like a light moisturiser and smells lovely too.

I have only been using this for a few weeks and will do an update in another few weeks. So far I am impressed. It smooths out the skin and leaves it radiant. It smells great too. So far, I am a fan.

Available from Heaven

 

My Skincare Secrets By Nakita Grewal

I’m going to share a skincare secret of mine, well of my mums. As the teenage years approached me I battled with the dark side of teenage acne, I tried skincare product after skin care product, spending from a few pounds into hundreds but I never found a product I was satisfied with. Not only was my skin breaking out but I also have the great honour of having dry sensitive skin so I have to be very careful with what I put on my face. After another failed battle in my war to control my breakouts, my mum made me a home remedy, a lemon and honey facemask. She never shared this with me before due to the sensitivity of my skin and how the lemon may react but since I tried anything and everything that I could find, there was no harm in trying this.

kate bosworth, beauty, skin., skincare

Get great skin like Kate’s.

 

It is a very quick and simple mask squeeze the juice of a lemon and mix it with honey in a bowl and apply to your face for about 10 – 15 minutes. After trying this the first time I’ll be honest I wasn’t that impressed but after doing this 1 -2 times a week for 3 weeks I noticed a difference I wasn’t having extreme breakouts and my complexion was starting to glow.

The lemon is the important ingredient in this. Firstly it dries up spots, and helps prevent breakouts as it is a natural cleanser. But it doesn’t stop there it helps in aiding an even skin tone and gives you a beautiful glow. But remember if you are using lemon on your face it is very very important to wear sun block as it does make your skin sensitive to the sun.

The honey works as moisturizer and a healer, as the lemon dries up and cleanses the skin, the honey works it magic to prevent over drying of the skin as well as healing the breakouts. These two natural products work hand in hand and leave you with gorgeous looking skin.

Also you can use the same ingredients to make a super face exfoliator by adding sugar. Use the scrub on your face for about 5 minutes going in circular motions to really scrub away at the dead skin cells and revive a new glow.

These techniques have helped me with my battle to control my skin and have worked wonders even with my sensitive skin.

 

What do you think? Do you have any beauty tips?