Ark Skincare: Ark at Home

It's not every day you have an ARK Angel in your house, but a couple of weeks ago, I was privileged enough to have Shula Starkey, founder of ARK Age Aware Skincare giving myself and a few friends (both blogging-, and work-friends) an outline of how their new enterprise, ARK at Home, works.

A home-selling concept, essentially, you invite an ARK Angel along to your home, get a few of your mates together, have a glass of wine (or two, or fruit juice, if you're that way inclined), one of you gets a facial, you get a great introduction to a skincare brand, and a chance to test out many of the products for yourself, all in the privacy of your own home.

Founded in 1998, in Fulham, ARK is an all-British brand, dedicated to nasty-free skincare, with an innovative approach to skincare, having ranges of skin-care devoted to various age-groups, rather than individual skin concerns.  You select the range most suitable for your age, then customise it to your particular skin via a selection of targeted SkinResponse serums.

There are three ranges, Age Prepare (teens to thirties) Age Maintain (thirties to fifties) and Age Repair, which is for fifties and beyond.  Each range consists of a cleanser, moisturiser, mask and exfoliator, but you can also add in a "pre-cleanse" which is an oil-based product (and the one I happen to love most out of everything), for those times when you need a double-cleanse.  There are also bathing products and room scents, but the ARK at home concept really concentrates on skincare.

We really enjoyed our party- and we greatly enjoyed watching Product Pixie getting a facial! -  and I know that at least a couple of our party have made purchases since too.  


So, what's in it for you?  Well, as the host of an ARK at Home party, you get a free facial, and a free skin serum of your choice (if your guests make purchases more than £100, that is), and if your guests make further purchases, you get either half-price or free shopping from the entire ARK range!


All the ARK Angels are fully trained in both facial techniques, and the product range, so if you're thinking about a way to make a little money for yourself, then you might want to consider becoming an ARK Angel yourself- the outlay for the initial kit (and full training!) is only £99, and you make commission on sales made at any parties you might attend.  I admit, I've given it some thought since.


ARK products are top-quality (I wouldn't let just any brand through the door of Lippie Mansions, believe you me), and I think this is a lovely idea both for customers - there's no "hard sell", the products speak for themselves, for better or worse - and it's a great way back into work, to make a new career for yourself or just make a little extra bill-money in these straightened times.  Don't think I haven't given it a thought ...


If you want more information, then click the ARK at Home link.


The Fine Print: My ARK at Home party was arranged by PR. Literally, I did nothing.  I'm a TERRIBLE hostess.


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

Lipstick Storage

I have a lot of lipstick, and I like to keep my regular favourites close to hand, so this Muji storage system is on my desk at all times, filled with a selection of favourites.  I tend to do my face and eye-makeup first, then pick whichever lipstick suits my fancy on a particular day, sometimes it's a bit hit and miss, but hey, you have to mix things up for yourself, don't you?  

There are a selection of colours, shades and textures, everything from clear balms, to full-on opaque RED lipsticks (of which there are more than a couple) and stains.  I never know what mood I'm going to be in from day-to-day, so I like to have a proper choice around.

How do you decide which lipstick you're going to wear every day?

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

Exciting news!

Posts have been a bit thin on the ground this week because this is the first chance I've had to sit undisturbed in front of a PC for seven entire days!  I've had a couple of Top Secret projects on the go over the last while, and it's only now I've got permission to tell you about one of them ...

So, here is the news:

Get Lippie has been appointed Beauty Editor for SLiNK Magazine!

Yes, yes, yours truly has been selected to produce the beauty content for an actual, honest-to-goodness, real life print (and digital) magazine!  I'm delighted beyond measure to be working with SLiNK, who are an aspirational lifestyle fashion and beauty magazine for women sized 14 and above, they have a great message, and it's one I'm proud to be associated with.

So, if there's anything you've ever wanted to ask/tell/suggest to a beauty editor, ever had an idea for a feature you wanted to see, or ever wanted to tell magazines to STOP doing beauty features about something, here's your chance!  I've got lots of ideas already, but feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.  Get Lippie will continue by the way, don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.  My plans for world domination are still in the early stages ...

Incidentally, the new issue of SLiNK magazine is out now, but I take over as beauty editor from the next issue, I'll keep you posted!

Oh, yeah, the other Top Secret project is still top secret, but it involves a national daily newspaper.  Keep your eyes peeled ...

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

Review: Elizabeth Arden Fragrance Free 8 Hour Cream

I still have the first tube of Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream that I ever bought, there's still some left, and it's still perfectly useable.  Yes, I'm a skank, but, well, this stuff lasts forever.  Something else that lasts forever is the scent!  8 Hour Cream is the Marmite of skincare, you either love it, or hate it.  I freely admit, I go through phases of both, the scent is an acquired taste (it's a herbally-linament kind of a thing), and there can be some times where the scent is just too much to bear, so I'd use something else.

So, I was delighted when I heard they were bringing out a "fragrance free" version of 8 Hour Cream! It's a great multi-purpose balm, less natural, admittedly than some of the other balms you've seen on the blog recently, as it has a mineral oil base, but I do find it surprisingly useful, and moisturising, hence having had a tube around (I've bought, and used up others, but I like the retro packaging of my original tube!) for the best part of 20 years ...

Anyhoo, after using the "fragrance free" version for a while, I think the name is a bit of a cheat.  Whilst the fragrance is very definitely a world away from the original "Marmite" fragrance, it's very still a fragranced product, just a whisper rather than a shout.  It's a little sweeter, a little rosier, and very much muted, but it's still there.  It's still, seemingly, identical in formulation to the original though, in colour, texture and use, which is a nice change in a reformulation!

I'd recommend this is you're a fan of the original but have difficulties with the scent, or if you want to try 8 Hour Cream, but have been put off by tales of the scent, but, I must warn you, if you're expecting something that has no scent whatsoever, then you may be disappointed.

The Fine Print: PR sample.
 
This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Review: Lanolips Golden Ointment

I make no bones about the fact that I'm a big fan of Lanolips, I own every shade they have of the coloured balms, and I use the 101 Ointment very regularly too.  I'm not plagued with particularly dry skin on my body (I don't even use body lotion - sorry!), so it's taken me a while to get around to trying the Golden Ointment, which is the latest addition to their body-product range, but I'm glad I finally have tried it, because it's rather wonderful stuff.


Initially I thought this might make a great treat for MrLippie's scarily dry and scaly elbows, but he's taken to using his face moisturiser on those, and it's working pretty well, to be honest (please don't ask about my reaction to the fact that he's been washing his face with his L'Occitane shower gel though), so I've been using it on my cuticles and my exceptionally dry feet.


My cuticles have been dreadful for the last month or so, I've no idea what's been going on with them, but, after the first application of this, the redness, splitting and peeling was soothed, and after 24 hours or so you'd barely know how dreadful they were the day before.  It's practically a miracle worker!  It's not been quite so miraculous on my feet, I must admit (probably because the skin is thicker, now I come to think of it), but it does mean that my feet aren't as scaly this year as MrLippie's elbows usually are!


It's a very thick, very sticky ointment that does take some working into the skin, and you do need to leave yourself a few minutes for it to finish sinking in, but when it does, your skin is left feeling like it has a silky coating, and this can be rather addictive, if you use it, for example, as a handcream or something.  It's not recommended for use as a lip balm, btw, and I can see why.  It doesn't have a strong scent, which is surprising as one of it's main ingredients is manuka honey - known for its healing properties -, and the moisturisation seems to last a good long while.  Its packed full of vitamin E too, so I have a feeling it would work well in helping to heal scars.


I'd use this as a specialised healing treatment for particular patches of dry and irritated skin, as well as a treat for my cuticles and feet, rather than the more multi-purpose uses of the Lanolips 101, but it's highly recommended.

The Fine Print: PR Sample.
 
This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.

Review: Suti Purity Balm

This is a little pot of gorgeous.  After my unfortunate skin-burning accident recently, I was lucky enough to be contacted by Suzannah Jenkins of Suti, and she suggested that their Purity balm might be able to help.  She was right, and I'm very grateful.

Suti is a British brand, produced in partnership by Suzannah and her business partner Tina Steadman, together they aim to bring a wholly natural skincare brand, founded on the principles of aromatherapy, homeopathy, organic farming and crystal healing.  Think what you like about some of those - and I have to admit that my own feelings on some of them are mixed to the point of being contradictory* - you can't argue that sustainably-sourced, responsibly-produced products which are ethically tested are a bad thing, so don't even try.  Suti are all of those things, and I applaud them for it.

Personally, what I care about in my skincare is results, and for my recently sore, blotchy and (accidentally) badly-treated skin, this gloriously moisturising, soothing and calming balm definitely does what it says on the tin.  It promises to be naturally healing, and strengthening, whilst calming and soothing irritated, inflamed and blemished skin.  I've found that it does all of those things, whilst also not being heavy or cloying or greasy.

Containing a blend of sunflower, sesame and apricot kernel oils,  alongside unrefined shea butter (which leads to this balm's distinctive slightly grainy appearance), it also contains chamomile, calendula, and lavender extracts to calm skin that's having a bad face day. This has worked wonders on my blotchiness and I admit, I'm a tiny bit in love with the stuff.  It has a wonderful slightly herbal-menthol smell - which is actually from the lavender - and I just scoop a little from the jar (a very little) emulsify it in my hands, and then gently pat it into my skin, whenever it needs a healing treat.

More than reasonably priced at £22 for a 50g pot, which will last you practically forever (I've been using a tiny, tiny sample pot for several weeks now, and haven't even used half of it), this is a product that, if Get Lippie had a hall of fame, this would have a permanent place in it.  It's certainly going to have a permanent place in my bathroom from now on, which is almost the same thing ...

* My mum is a reiki-master/aromatherapist/reflexologist who works in the NHS.  She thinks a lot of complementary therapies are b*ll*x, to be honest, but they help the people who believe in them, so that's why she does it.  I ... reserve judgement ... to be honest.

The Fine Print Sample sent direct from Suti, and I shall be eternally grateful. 


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

Review: Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm

I said yesterday that I don't double-cleanse as a rule, but when I do, I prefer my second cleanse to be a scrubby one.  This Micro Exfoliating Balm from Oskia is just perfect for those "need a deeper cleanse right now" moments.

Oskia products are rich in a sulphurous compound known as MSM, which has lots of skincare benefits for all kinds of skin, particularly sensitive skins, and the Micro Exfoliating Balm also contains  sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, and kukui nut oils, alongside zinc and vitamin E.  As you can imagine from this list, it's very healing, and feels wonderful on the skin,

Opening the jar, you're greeted with a cheerful effervescent scent, reminscent of sherbert fountains, it's lovely!  The balm itself is white and is full of tiny, tiny grains which are barely visible to the naked eye (that'll be the "micro" component then ...).

To use, you scoop out a tiny amount from the jar, emulsify it slightly between your palms, then massage - gently - the resulting grainy oil to your face.  Then, you add a little water to the balm, which will turn it into a milky lotion, and continue massaging into your skin.  Personally, I use the pure balm on the t-zone area, then, once I've added a little water, I move ono massaging the rest of my face, as that usually need far less exfoliation than the t-zone.  Please don't get it in your eyes though.  Remove it either by rinsing or with the facial cloth of your choice.

For a gentle, yet thorough exfoliation, it's hard to beat this little jar of loveliness.  I do think it's a little over-packaged in all honesty - I was disappointed at the size of the jar when I opened the box, I can't deny it -  but I like the fact that the products are as natural as possible, and the entire range is safe to use throughout pregnancy, unlike quite a few more essential-oil based ranges.  I'm not expecting, by the way, but this sort of information is always handy for some of my readers who might be.

Again, following on from yesterday's balm, this is another pricey one at (again) £46 for a 50ml jar, (which should last a good few months, even with regular use) but this is definitely a product - and a company - that gets the Get Lippie seal of approval. 

Fine Print:  PR Sample.


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