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    April 28

    How to get a holiday glow

    Does a tight budget mean you’re planning a summer break in the heart of England, but still want to return to the office with a golden Caribbean glow? Worry not, looking gorgeously tanned (whatever the weather) has never been as easy.
     
    If you're unsure about self-tanners or worried you’ll end up with a colour that is too dark or too light, then the new Piz Buin® Self Tanning Lotion + Colour Dial is the ideal solution. This product allows you to lighten or darken your chosen colour until you’ve reached your desired shade.
     
    The Piz Buin® Self Tanning Lotion + Colour Dial is a fully customisable self-tanning product which contains two different chambers. Each is filled with a distinct formula, containing different level of DHA (self tanner). But here's the clever bit, the dial-cap delivers a mix of the two formulas enabling you to lighten or deepen your colour.
     
    So no matter what skin tone you have, you can quickly and easily achieve radiant colour in just the right shade to complement your natural skin tone.

    With its intense hydration formula, this little beauty will leave your skin feeling sublimely soft and smooth and, as an added bonus, it comes with a delicious summer scent (unlike the fake tan smell of many tanning products).

    Piz Buin® Self Tanning Lotion+ Colour Dial, £17.99, is available from all Boots and Superdrug stores. Visit pizbuin.net to find out more.
     
    Piz Buin Colour Dial
     
     
    April 27

    Bag yourself a designer bargain

    Savvy shoppers who love designer labels but don't have thousands of pounds to splash are wising up to online sales boutiques for bagging those top end bargains.
     
    Cocosa is one such site where shoppers can save hundreds of pounds on jewellery, fashion and accessories. From Karl Lagerfeld to Mirabelle, they've got it covered.
     
    A member’s only sample sale fashion site, Cocosa is free to join. And here's the even better news, readers of this blog who type 'msnstyle' into the registration page will receive a voucher for £15.
     
    You'll be able to see the voucher at the checkout stage, where you just tick a little box in order to claim it.
     
    Click here to register and receive your discount*.
     
    This week sees the launch of the Karl Lagerfeld sale. So bag a black feather dress (was £1,240, Cocosa discount price £505), a long sequin dress (was £2,270, discount price £929), a red billow skirt (was £535, discount price £215) and many more designer bargains.
     
    To find out more, visit cocosa.com
     
    *Not available to existing members of Cocosa. Terms and conditions apply. Visit Terms and Conditions on Cocosa under ‘13.
    Promotional codes’ Promotional code must be redeemed by 31/10/09.

     
    April 24

    Susan Boyle's makeover!

    The nation's favourtie Hairy Angel has got a brand new look! Check out the Daily Mail's report on the matter here.
     

    Pong-free self-tan!

    Do you love having beautifully bronzed legs in the summertime but find the smell of self-tan a little overwhelming? Well, those clever people behind St. Tropez have just developed a practically odourless variety, which even leaves a pleasant fragrance on the skin. So we can all feel beautifully bronzed without the unpleasant side/smell effects.

    Model and presenter Jodie Kidd helped to launch the campaign for St Tropez in London. Says Jodie: 'Since I took to the dance floor in Strictly last autumn I have barely had a self-tan free day, but I really dislike the smell to the point of hiding from people post-tanning, so they don't pick up on it! St. Tropez’s new fragrance is great and I will be wearing my optimistic tan with pride this Summer.'

    Want some? Check out st-tropez.com.

     


     

    April 22

    Face It: anti-ageing starts here

    Face It is a skincare range straight out of New York City which is specifically targeted at women in their 20s.
     
    Developed by Allison Gallo, herself in her 20s, the range was created to show women it's never too early to start worrying about wrinkles.
     
    Focusing on preventative action as well as reparative techniques, Allison has put together a variety of products to counteract the signs of ageing and help prolong a youthful appearance.
     
    The Daily Defender Day Cream, a fast absorbing moisturizer that packs a hefty dose of skin-saving weaponry, protects the skin from environmental stressors, dehydration, imperfections and irritation. £30 for 1oz.
     
    The smooth Eye-Perator Eye Cream helps eyes regain their elasticity and youthfulness by nourishing sensitive skin, forming a protective film around the eyes and helping to reversing the formation of lines. £35 for 5oz.
     
    And for keeping skin fresh and dewy, the ReFresh facial cleansing scrub is a gentle exfoliant that uses spherical scrubbing agents to purify and renew delicate facial tissues. £18 for 6oz.
     
    Want some? Check out faceitnyc.com.
     
    Face It
     

    For gorgeous, sparkly, shimmering skin

    Don't you just love springtime? The flowers are blooming, everyone's feeling happy and alive and the summer dresses have hit the shops. Oh yes.
     
    Which also means it's time to whip out those legs which have long been hidden. Thank heaven for fake tan ;) Talking of which, we just had to share about a brilliant little number we’ve discovered.
     
    It’s made by none other than Avon (now don't look away - we know that the word 'Avon' can make you think back to a time when trying on your mum's high heels at the age of three was as glamorous as it got). But Avon's Skin So Soft Satin Glow Ultimate Body (with SPF15) is one of the best body moisturisers I've come across. And it's only £5. Or even £3 if you buy it from AvonShop right now.

    The fragrance is divine, best described as the delicious smell of summertime, and it leaves a subtle sparkle on your skin which glimmers in the sunlight. Clinique once produced a similar body moisturiser that had the same effect but sadly it was discontinued. Now, at a fraction of the price you can get that little sparkle from Avon.
     
    With an SPF of 15, Satin Glow gives a natural, sunkissed glow while protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. What's not to love?
     
    Visit avonshop.co.uk to find out more.
     
     
    Avon Skin So Soft
     
    April 20

    Whip up a sexy dish for your tasty man

    Meet Penny Isaacs and Sarah Lockett, authors of the fun new dating book The Dish, (in other words - how to get a man with two saucepans, a lip-gloss, great shoes and a damp J-cloth... plus a sense of humour!) 
     
    Penny and Sarah will be doing a Q&A and book-signing on Sat 25th April, 1-2pm, at Borders flagship store, 203 Oxford St, London W1 - and they have also promised nibbles.
     
    The Dish is out now (£9.95, Troubador). Visit www.thedishbook.co.uk to find out more.
     

    TheDish-high-res-front-cover

    April 15

    Matthew Williamson to launch at H&M

    Matthew Williamson is all set to unveil his brand new women’s collection for H&M this month.

    Bringing together iconic pieces from his past collections with the vibrant colours of his latest catwalk shows, Williamson’s wardrobe will be available in 12 stores in the UK and Ireland on April 23.

    Inspired by the glamour of the jetset traveller, the range includes all the key pieces for Spring 2009 – from all-in-ones to dresses and tops. All in the sharpest tailoring, of course.

    "It’s been fascinating to search back through my archives to isolate the most iconic pieces, then rework them for H&M," said Williamson. Colour has always been one of the defining aspects of my signature style and the collection has a sensual and exclusive feel."

    Look out for a metallic jacket and bubble skirt, which have been created from a jacquard specially woven for H&M, while a showstopping sequin ultra-short dress is printed with bursts of colour that flow like liquid. Williamson’s beloved peacock insignia decorates a versatile jersey dress, while for evening he recreates one of his most celebrated pieces, a beaded ruffle gown that comes in a vivid tiger butterfly print.

    This exclusive collection for Spring is only the first part of Williamson’s collaboration with H&M. From 14th May, the perfect wardrobe for summer will be available in every single H&M store in UK, the first time that an H&M designer collection will be on sale in all of its stores. In another first, Williamson has also designed a full menswear collection for H&M and this will mark his debut into menswear.

    See the collection here.

    Matthew Williamson for H&M

    April 14

    Get on your (fashion-conscious) bikes!

    The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has launched its Great Fashion Cycle ride between Europe’s two top fashion hubs - London and Paris.

    Organisers behind the fundraising event are billing it as the perfect way for fashionistas to get fit while helping raise funds and awareness for EJF’s Pick Your Cotton Carefully campaign. The bike ride, which will take place from 9-13th September 2009, attracted a huge buzz at London Fashion Week with models and cycle lovers alike keen to get in the saddle for a good cause.

    The journey aims to highlight EJF’s ‘Pick Your Cotton Carefully’ Campaign, specifically the negative cycle of health and debt that cotton farmers have with dangerous and expensive pesticides as well as the problems of forced child labour.

    EJF are looking for adventure seeking, style savvy cyclists to set off from London through the beautiful Kent countryside down to Dover where they’ll cross the channel to Calais and push on into the stunning countryside of rural France. Four days and 300 miles later they will find themselves at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with a glass of fizz.

    To find out more or to register on the ride (places strictly limited) visit: www.ejfoundation.org/londontoparis
    Or for more information contact Larissa Clark • Environmental Justice Foundation • Tel office: +44 (0)20 7359 0440 • larissa.clark@ejfoundation.org

    Calling all ethical fashionistas

    Do you dream of being an ethical fashionista but don’t know where to start?

    Equa, London’s first ethical fashion boutique, have teamed up with Think Style to celebrate the launch of the Think Style website by offering Equa customers the chance to win a wardrobe consultation and personal shopping session worth £350 with stylist and Think Style founder Zoë Robinson.

    Zoë Robinson is a trained image consultant and personal stylist with a passion for ethical fashion. In 2008 Zoë won the Fresh Ideas Events competition for women entrepreneurs.

    Think Style aims to show clients how to dress ethically without compromising on style, helping them to gain a deeper understanding of sustainability in fashion. Think Style offers creative, original advice in response to individual needs, lifestyle and budget.

    The wardrobe consultation is a three hour session for women, in which Zoë will come to your house and review your wardrobe, offering recommendations for customisation, alterations and showing you fresh new ways to put outfits together. Zoë will help you weed out pieces you no longer need that you can take to a swishing event or to your local charity shop.

    The winner will also have the opportunity to spend one hour in the Equa boutique with Zoë and receive a 20% discount off any purchases made from the Spring Summer 2009 collection.

    The competition will run until Sunday 10th May and can be entered in person at Equa’s Islington boutique or by emailing info@equaclothing.com with the subject ‘Think Style Wardrobe Consultation Competition’. Entrants must be London based.

    The winner will be announced in the second week of May. Twenty runners up will receive a £50 discount on their first Think Style wardrobe consultation or half day personal shopping package, and a 20% discount at Equa on Spring Summer 2009 collections until end of July 2009.

     
    April 09

    For ultimate glamour...

    Hair straightening giants ghd have just unveiled Radiance, a Limited Edition Set in collaboration with leading beauty brand, Benefit Cosmetics.

    Each glamorous set contains everything urban angels require for the lustrous boost they’re looking for;

    • A choice of either the ghd IV styler, ghd IV mini styler or ghd IV salon styler

    • Sleek black ghd styler bag – heat resistant for styling on the go

    • Benefit Cosmetics justine case mini beautifier kit which includes: California kissin’ smile brightening lip shine, eyecon brightening eye cream, some kind-a-gorgeous – the foundation faker – and benetint rose-tinted lip and cheek stain

    The rounded barrel of the ghd IV styler allows you to curl, flick, wave and straighten giving you an armoury of different glamorous looks to choose from. The ghd IV salon styler, with its wider plates, makes styling long or thick hair quick and simple, while the ghd IV mini styler allows you to create tight curls, flicks and waves as well as the perfect straight – the ideal styling tool for urban chicks with cropped or short hair and fringes.

    The new limited edition set from ghd and Benefit Cosmetics will be available from approved ghd salons and www.ghdhair.com and priced from £119.

    ghd & benefit

    April 08

    The non-invasive face lift

    Scared off by Botox? Definitely don't want to go under the knife? I new non-surgical treatment promises to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, tighten and tone sagging muscles and give a healthier, younger appearance.

    The Caci face lift is a non-surgical micro-current system that offers results without any invasive procedures and has reportedly attracted a host of celebrity enthusiasts.

    Each treatment takes one hour (a session of eight to ten is recommended) and is designed to stimulate cell repair and boost natural collagen to give visible results right from the start.

    We put it to the test and can report that it definitely leaves the face feeling more taut, fresh and youthful-looking. Admittedly, it's not the most relaxing of facial procedures (rather than involving luxurious creams and gels, the treatment involves a therapist running small probes over your face to stimulate the muscles), but the results felt great.

    The treatment, which has become known as 'the non-surgical face lift', is available at London's Buty Salon. Each session costs £82 and clients can also take advantage of a special sale package by choosing a course of 10.

    To find out more visit www.butysalon.co.uk.

    cacifacelift (2)

    April 07

    Delicious lip gloss truffles!

    MAD Beauty has launched Lip Gloss Truffles – the ultimate guilt-free indulgence for luscious lips and the perfect gift for the calorie-conscious at Easter time.
     
    They look, taste and smell good enough to eat and can be applied throughout the day to get that chocolate fix (as well as keeping lips soft and supple, of course).
     
    Available in a set of three chocolate flavors – White Chocolate, Caramel Chocolate and Praline Milk Chocolate*, each pack of Lip Gloss Truffles cost £6.99.

    For stockist information and to view all of MAD Beauty’s products visit www.madbeauty.com or call 020 8958 0555.

    *Lip Gloss Truffles do not contain any nuts / nut traces
     
     
    lip gloss truffles

    Fashion returns to the capital

    After 20 years, the wait is finally over - Clothes Show London will take over the Capital between 29 – 31 May for the hottest fashion event the year.

    Featuring top fashion and beauty brands, a 2,500 seat Fashion Theatre and a host of celebrity and expert appearances over three days – the first ever Clothes Show London looks set to launch with a bang!

    A mecca of the finest fashion has to offer, Clothes Show London will showcase collections from fashion favourites Hooch and Bench as well as the latest ranges from a number premium beauty brands including E. Funkhouser, Jessica Natural Nails and Fake Bake.

    The Style Stage, presented by The Daily Telegraph’s Fashion Director Hilary Alexander and the Expert Studio, presented by Brendan Courtney, will play host to the fashion and beauty industry’s top experts, giving advice and revealing their future fashion predictions in a series of trend reports.

    At the heart of the show, the 2,500 seater Fashion Theatre will feature over 40 handpicked models and dancers as part of a ground-breaking catwalk spectacle, presented by world-famous model and Clothes Show favourite Erin O’Connor, as well as other celebrities including George Lamb, Caryn Franklin, Hilary Alexander, Louise Roe and Brendan Courtney.

    Clothes Show London will offer a unique experience of shopping, indulgence, celebrity expert advice, catwalk shows and trend reports for the UK’s largest fashion city.

    Visitors will be able to shop across an outstanding selection of high street, designer and boutique outlets; as well as sample a unique selection of hair and beauty products – before taking in a fashion show extravaganza at the Fashion Theatre; on one of the largest catwalks in the world.

    The Jessica Natural Nail and Champagne Bar is the quintessential ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ spot – get your nails done with your girlfriends, whilst sipping champagne. Then head over to the Designer Beach in association with Company Magazine to catch a beach catwalk show by official swimwear partner figleaves.com. With a cocktail in hand and the sand between your toes you’ll really feel like you are on holiday with the 2.5 tonne bed of real sand complete with hot male lifeguards.

    There will also be a whole host of make-up and hair demonstrations presented by top celebrity hair dressers and make-up artists showing you exactly what you need to know for the perfect pout or that head-turning hairstyle. What's not to love?

    Info: ExCeL London, 29 – 31 May 2009
    Opening Hours: Friday 29 May: 11am to 8pm
    Saturday 30 to Sunday 31 May: 9am to 6:30pm
    Tickets: 0844 209 1724
    www.clothesshowlondon.co.uk

    800593F