Elizabeth Arden Rose Gold Collection

Ignore the chintzy, and slightly dowdy, boxes, this is a beautiful, beautiful collection from Elizabeth Arden this summer, I've been very pleasantly surprised with what's in these boxes this year:

Yes, a collection of rose gold compacts, and lipstick. These are gorgeous, and really tactile.  What we have here are two bronzers, a highlighter and a lipstick:

You have (clockwise from left), Rose Illumination, bronzer in Soft Radiance, bronzer in Warm Radiance, and lipstick in Rose Aurora. 

A closer look in the same order:

  

And  swatches:

I'll be honest, it's been a long, long time since I picked up anything from Elizabeth Arden's cosmetic range (I've been a long time devotee of Green Tea though, and get through a bottle a year), and, I have to say that I've been exceptionally pleasantly surprised by the quality of these products.  

The powders are finely milled and very silky, which, despite some sparkles visible in the pans, are very easy to wear, and blend well on the skin.  The rose illuminator in particular is very flattering on the skin, and would suit a wide variety of skintones.  It was also nice to see different shades of bronzer - I've been using the soft radiance to "warm up" some of my winter foundations, which are just a shade too pale for this time of year.  The warm radiance would be a better choice if you've a more olive skin shade than me though.

The lipstick is creamy and emollient and very easy to wear, the shade, if I'm entirely honest isn't entirely right for me, but the formula is lovely.  And, I love, love, love the packaging!  A slightly better shade for me is Tulip, which is in slightly different packaging, but is a gorgeous bright pink:

 And just to show the difference in colours:

I just wish they'd done a translucent powder in that gorgeous rose-gold finish so I could carry it with me year-round!

Think you'll be picking anything up from Elizabeth Arden this summer?

The Fine Print: PR Samples.  There may have been a bit of squealing "ooh, it's PINK!" when I opened the boxes.  I'm *such* a girl sometimes.

This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Engagement Bling II - Monica Vinader Mini Luna

I was devastated when the original engagement rings MrLippie and I had decided on turned out to be ... not as high in quality as we would have liked, two of them kept dulling, and marking my finger, so, it was with some regret that we decided to replace them.  I'd had my eye on the rings at Monica Vinader for a while, and initially had my heart set on the Medina Faceted ring in Labradorite, but, when we got to the store yesterday, it just looked wrong on my tiny, stumpy fingers, we we went for the Mini Luna ring in labradorite instead (which is the one on the left in the photo above).  But, because I never do things in halves (I'm an accountant, I fear fractions), we had to buy the amethyst version too ...

Personally, I love the chequerboard faceting on both rings, 

And the hammered finish on the bands:

 I also love how snugly the bands fit together, too.  Making them extremely comfortable to wear.


Best of all, when we were instore on Saturday, Monica Vinader had an engraver in-store, so MrLippie had one of them inscribed:

It reads: "Love Without Limit"

As they're stacking rings, I've been able to add one of the rings from my original set back to these two, here's how I've been wearing them recently:

And, because I've found it next to impossible to capture the blue flash in the Labradorite ring with my "real" camera, here's a bonus instagram pic (from the iphone) that does capture it:

I love these rings!  And, best of all, there's an entire store FULL of bits and bobs to mix and match with.


Yes, M, that is a hint ...  Oh, and Monica Vinader have an engraver in-store every Saturday ...


More wedding stuff soon, lots going on!

This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Le Metier Aurora Lip Kaleidoscope

I've been waiting for Le Metier de Beaute to come back to the UK for what feels like a very, very, very long time!  So, when Zuneta announced they were going to be their exclusive UK stockist from now on, I was very excited!  Then, when Zuneta initially put the products on the website, I was devastated, as the prices were astronomical.  Always a super-premium brand, I thought that Zuneta and Le Metier were taking the mickey with the price increases - the Kaleidoscopes had increased in price from around £55-65 and were now selling for £90! When I queried this with Zuneta, I was assured that this was an error, and the prices were immediately changed by around 20%, so the kaleidoscopes (when they're in stock) now retail for around £75.  Whilst I'm loath to cast aspersions, I can't help being sceptical that no one had thought to double-check both the prices on the website and on the email that was sent out before they were released to customers, to be honest.

But then, I am both deeply sceptical and an accountant, and double/triple/quadruple checking the numbers before information goes to people is what I do ... I'll get back to talking about quality control shortly though.  Yes, I pick nits, it's my job.

I was sent this lip Kaleidoscope in Aurora a few weeks ago, and it's taken me a while to write about it because, well, I'm disappointed with it.   You'll see why in a minute.  It is, in all actuality, very beautiful, and I love that it was inspired by the Northern Lights.  As always in a Le Metier Kaleidoscope, there are four shades, designed to be used either individually, or layered in the brand's trademark "couches de couleur" technique.

The shades are, from top to bottom:

Illuminate - a sheer, shimmery pink:

Second down is Voltaic - a rosey mauve in a cream finish:

Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed my problem by now

Then there is Dynamos, a sheer coral shot through with golden shimmer:

And finally, at the bottom, there is Eos, a creme fuchsia shade:

Two sheer shimmers, and two creme shades in one palette, there's a lot of scope for mixing and matching these pretty colours. 

Here's how they look in swatches:

 L-R Illuminate, Voltaic, Dynamos, Eos.

But, let's go back and take another look at shade number two (Voltaic) again, shall we?

That's a lovely thumbprint, isn't it?  It's not mine, by the way, this is how the palette arrived from Le Metier HQ in New York, and I'll be honest, it made me very disappointed with the palette.  It also, I don't mind adding, made me feel a bit sick.

When a brand is as super-premium as Le Metier, then I don't really expect massive thumbprints in the products.  And, sadly, it's not the first time I've had a problem with this sort of thing with Le Metier palettes, in my le Cirq kaleidoscope there was a damaged eyeshadow, and in last year's Penelope Kaleidoscope that I was sent, there was an entire eyeshadow missing!  And, in spite of me mentioning it to the brand on several occasions, they never did anything about it, which is why you didn't see it on the blog.   Something appears to be seriously amiss with Le Metier quality control - I own three of their palettes, and every single one has something wrong - one has 25% of the product missing, and the company didn't really care about my concerns.

So, on the one hand, I'm very glad to see Le Metier back. thumbprints, dinged shadows, and missing parts and all.  Then, on the other hand, I'm extremely unlikely to buy anything from them till I'm assured they they're really pulled their socks up over their quality control.  At these (newly reduced, but still extremely expensive) prices, there is less than no excuse not to provide perfection.

 The Fine Print: PR Sample.


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Massage Therapy With Jarod Chapman

If you're an accountant in the public sector (like what I am), then April is by far the most stressful month of the year.  Long hours hunched over the computer, fighting with spreadsheets, budgets and recalcitrant auditors combined with a stressy lifestyle in general all combine to exacerbate life's little strains, and leads to a lot of aches and pains.

I've been suffering, on and off, from shoulder pain for a while now,  part of it is down to my generally terrible posture, but occasionally my right shoulder in particular has been "freezing", which is intensely uncomfortable, and has lead to more than a couple of sleepless nights over the last few months.

I figured it was time to do something about it, so I popped along to see Jarod Chapman at his "Gym Down Under" in Earl's Court recently, and undergo some therapeutic massage to get it sorted.  Well, if it's good enough for Tina Turner (one of his recent clients - Jarod spent time as her "Wellness Coach" on her latest world tour), then it's good enough for Get Lippie ...

Pleasantly surprised at the bijou surroundings of the tiny gym, which is actually a private studio, which specialises in one to one sessions - there are no massive groups of ultra-fit people for you to be intimidated by here - I underwent my consultation with the softly-spoken Jarod, who listened to my concerns, and wasn't backward in coming forward with some solutions.  Jarod trained at the Sydney Nature College, and as well as specialising in massage therapy, is a qualified personal trainer, and can also advise you on nutrition.  He uses Neal's Yard products exclusively in his massage sessions, which is certainly something that I can appreciate.

It was decided that I required a sports rather than a theraputic massage, owing to the depth of my shoulder and back problems, and, with that in mind, Jarod got to work.   I won't go into the details, but the difference between a theraputic massage and a sports massage is that theraputic is largely lighter, with smoother strokes - more akin to something you'd experience at a spa - and sports massage is designed to actually work your muscles, loosening tight ones, and mobilising your joints.  Whilst it's not entirely relaxing, you definitely can feel the benefits afterwards.  My back and shoulders definitely feel looser, and I'm very grateful to Jarod for showing me some simple stretching exercises to help stop some of my muscular problems getting worse.  That said, he recommended, and I agree, that I probably need some remedial therapy on my right shoulder ... It's all glamour being a beauty blogger, eh?

I can't recommend Jarod's services enough, he's a good listener, and is wonderfully non-judgemental.  Not at all your "typical" personal trainer-type, and for that, let us all be thankful.

You can find out more here: Jarod Chapman's website.

The Fine Print: I was introduced to Jarod by a mutual friend.  Thanks, Fiona!
 
This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Sweet Dreams with the Therapur Heavenly Pillow?

Recently, I was sent a Therapur Heavenly Pillow by the team at Dreams, and, as I'm a sucker for a bit of memory foam, I was very happy to try it out.


I've had a memory foam pillow since 2000, and I've reached the point where I find it really difficult to sleep on anything else, I've even taken it on holiday with me to ensure I can sleep when I'm away!   However, it's old, and, well, it could do with replacing, lets face it.


The Therapur Heavenly Pillow from Dreams retails for £69.99, and comes complete with a "Clima-Smartcel" cover, which helps to keep the temperature of your head regulated (uncovered memory foam can be very warm), and is dimpled all over, like a little cloud.  As pillows go, it's very cute!

So, I've been sleeping on this pillow for almost a month now, and how does it fare?  Well, both good and bad, to be honest - it's soft, and very comfortable to sleep on, it feels rather different to my old, moulded tempur pillow, and the "clima-smartcel" cover does indeed doe a good job on regulating the temperature.

However, after a couple of weeks use, it appears to be losing its "memory", and, tends to stay in the shape your head pushes it into overnight (meaning it's constantly slanted on the side your head is on), and I have to turn it over every day, so I don't slip off it.  I don't know if mine is just a bit defective, but if I'd bought this pillow - it's not at all cheap - it's highly likely I'd have returned it to the store by now.  It's still comfortable, but ... for the price, I'd expect it to have kept its shape, I'm afraid.

The Fine Print:  PR Sample.


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Current Skincare Routine

Serious Face is Serious

 I haven't had a picture of my face on the blog for a while, and there has been a variety of reasons for that, but I tweeted this - totally makeup free! - instragram picture of my mug the other day, and A Lot of people asked for details of my current skincare routine, so here it is.

From left to right, we have Nude Cleansing Oil, which is an old, old old favourite.  Whilst I might flirt with other cleansers (and I do), I always come back to this after my skin has had enough of the others.  I love it, even though the bottle is now only half the size it used to be.  

After a long while of using very simple skincare, I'm adding back some active products, and these are my current picks:

111Skin Daily Orbit NAC Y2 Energising Youth Tonic (catchy title), which is from the new range very recently launched by Dr Yannis Alexandrides. Not - actually - a toner, this is actually a slightly viscous, highly moisturising liquid, that I use in place of toner, and as the start of my moisturising routine. It's cooling and soothing, and I love using it.  Also, the range has been tested in space.  How can anyone resist skincare that's been tested in space?  It's full of peptides and antioxidants, and my skin loves this.  I have a sample of the serum too, which I've not used yet, but I'll bring you a full review of both products when I have used it.  111Skin is available from Harrods.


Speaking of science and stuff, next up is Astalift Aquarysta, which is another very recently launched product, this time from Fujifilm.  Yes, you read that right.  FujiFILM.  Astalift Aquarysta is a beautiful coral-red jelly, which is, again, packed with antioxidants and, this time also with collagen.  Apparently collagen is a staple of the (non-digital) film industry, and Fujifilm has invested some of their years and years of collagen research into skincare.  I've found that this jelly - used as a serum in the mornings - immediately smoothes and leaves skin feeling plump, soft and velvety.  I love it.  Time will tell if has any long-term benefits, but at the moment, this is unqualified love.  I want a BIGGER JAR. Aqualift Aquarysta is available from Debenhams.


At the moment, I'm also trialling Kate Somerville Nourish Daily Moisturiser, I've literally just finished my jar of Kate's Goat Cream, but it was beginning to feel a little too heavy for summer, so I've swapped to this lighter, more balancing formulation from the range.  It's cooling and refreshing, and doesn't leave a greasy film.


And finally, two nights a week, I've brought the Alpha H Liquid Gold back.  I stopped using it last year, because my skin was going through one of its frequent crazy periods where nothing suited it, and I just got out of the habit.  Now, I look forward to my "Alpha H nights", and I'm a-tingle with anticipation ....


What's your current regime?


 The Fine Print: A hodge-podge of PR samples, purchases, gifts, and other stuff.  Also, SKINCARE IN SPACE!!! Skincare! In SPACE!!!


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Beauty Confidential at House of Fraser

 I don't know about you, but I can spend hours in the beauty hall of a department store, going from counter to counter, testing things, swatching things, desperately trying to avoid makeovers, sniffing products, touching products, poking things.  Yes, I'm a bit of a beauty geek, I know.

But, when a department store has a special event going on in their beauty hall, I'm even more likely to pop along and poke more things!  I didn't know this, but twice a year House of Fraser hold their "Beauty Confidential" event, which has some fabulous offers, events and wonderful competitions, both online and in their 63 stores around the country. This year's event starts tomorrow, 23rd April, and runs for two weeks up until 7th May.

What can you expect?  Well, in their main offer, if you spend £50 in-store on beauty at House of Fraser, or on HouseOfFraser.co.uk, you'll get a whopping £10 off any of these beauty essentials:

1. Gucci Guilty Fragrance 
2. Lancôme Visionnaire Serum 
3. Decléor Baume Intense Relax 
4. Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator 
5. Guerlain Noir G Mascara (my favourite!  And, at £25 instead of £35, an unmissable bargain)
6. Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream 
7. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick 
8. Dior Forever Foundation 
9. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye 
10. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream 

House of Fraser are also holding two competitions, both of which have completely wonderful prizes.  Firstly, there's the Espa Day Spa package competition where you can win a day at the (completely beautiful) Spa at the Corinthia Hotel, worth £350.  I've been lucky enough to spend an hour at the Corinthia spa before now, and I can promise you that this prize is not to be missed! 

Or, if a spa day doesn't float your boat, you could try and win an overnight stay at the achingly trendy Babington House, which comes complete with a treatment from the wonderful people at Cowshed.     

There's also a wide variety of in-store events from brands such as Guerlain, Shisheido, Nails Inc, Creme de la Mer, Thierry Mugler and Clarins, so keep your eyes peeled for what's happening in your local store!  

As if all that is not enough, make sure you follow @HouseOfFraser on Twitter, as they'll be doing a daily giveaway too, with their hashtag: #beautyconfidental Oh, and you might want to keep an eye on the House of Fraser Facebook page too, you never know ...!


What are you waiting for?  Get shopping! Make sure you pick up a copy of their Beauty Confidential magazine while you're there, too.
 
The Fine Print: This has been a sponsored post on behalf of both the House of Fraser Corporation, and the Lippie Wedding bank account.


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.