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Beauty Editor's Blog
Katie Campbell is our resident Boots.com Beauty Editor. Ex-Grazia beauty journalist Katie Campbell will be covering everything beauty – from backstage trends, beauty masterclass features, new brands and exclusive launches to insider tips and tricks from the industry experts.
Published 01/02/2010
Welcome to my Boots.com beauty blog!
On my blog I’ll be posting my thoughts, sharing my beauty inspirations, waxing lyrical about products I’ve been trying, giving you the skinny on the ‘coming soon’ launches and revealing some of the advice the experts have been sharing with me. For the benefit of you readers I’m going to try and upscale my beauty routine (I’m embarrassingly, hideously, low maintenance) and report back, so you know I’m practising what I preach.
See you soon!
Katie x
P.S. Email me at beauty.editor@boots.co.uk with any of your beauty questions.
Quick tip for this season's pastel eyes
Beauty blog: Wednesday 17th March
The S/S runways were awash with pretty pastel eye shades, which can look stunning if you get it right, but can also be a tad unforgiving (whatever you do, don't try to wear them without using mascara, your eyes will simply disappear without the definition). "The trick when using pale shades is to apply a base of sheer concealer and loose powder to lids and under eyes first to brighten eyes and allow shadow to blend smoothly," suggests Max Factor's make-up artist Caroline Barnes. If you're not feeling brave enough to go the whole hog, Caroline suggests tapping into the trend with a sweep of pastel-coloured eyeliner (try Max Factor Colour Perfection Eyeliner in Ice Blue) followed by a couple of coats of mascara. Easy.
Getting rave reviews: Dead Sea Natural Black Mud Mask Soap
Beauty blog: Tuesday 16th March
Happy anniversary to the Dead Sea Natural brand – amazingly, it's 20 years since the brand, which is based on old family recipes using Dead Sea minerals, first landed in Boots. Who would have guessed? If hearing this has piqued your interest, check out one of the range's classic products, the Dead Sea Natural Black Mud Mask Soap, which boasts a healthy collection of 5-star reviews (and is said to be especially soothing for dry skin conditions). The perfect icing on the anniversary cake, methinks.
Click here to view the Dead Sea Natural range.
Guest Blog: Lift & Luminate – Our survey says...
Beauty Blog: Saturday 13th March
We consider it our job to bring you sneaky beauty snippets before they become common knowledge. The latest rumour? That No7's new firming and radiance-boosting cream, Lift & Luminate, is about to replicate the success of Protect & Perfect.
Our spies tell us that back in January, No7 asked 500 Good Housekeeping readers to test-drive Lift & Luminate. And now the results are in: a whopping 78% said they would recommend to a friend. Could it be they've discovered it contains the same anti-ageing ingredients as Protect & Perfect? Or perhaps it's the promise of a brighter-looking complexion that impressed? Now the results are out, we suspect a sell-out – so get in quick before the stampede starts.
Race you to the till!
Guest Blog: Inside Scoop: The Oscars
Beauty Blog: Friday 12th MarchThis week the headlines have been jam-packed with all the gossip from Sunday night's Oscars, and we've got a bit of insider info to share too.
Our sources were busy scouting all the backstage beauty action from the awards ceremony, and boy have they come up trumps! We can reveal that St Tropez was on everyone's backstage 'to-do' list, with celebs such as Kelly Osbourne and Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba wanting their bronze fix before stepping out onto the red carpet.
Our people on the inside tell us that the most popular treatment was the Versace-inspired 3D tan – a tailored, modern take on the traditional tan. Apparently, this season it's all about layering – using your favourite St Tropez products to create an effect that suits you (guess what I'll be doing this weekend...)
Still not scratched your Oscars itch? There's more! Our insiders also caught up with Pantene Pro-V Celebrity Stylist, Danilo, to find out how he created Katy Perry's 1940s inspired 'do for the Vanity Fair Oscars celebration. Here's how to re-create her style in three easy steps:
- Step one: Prepare hair with leave-in conditioner. Blow-dry in individual sections, using a volumising mousse, such as Pantene Sheer Volume Body Boosting Mousse (available in store), for extra body.
- Step two: Section the hair into a side parting and set it using a large curling iron away from and underneath the parting. Spritz each section with hairspray (try Pantene Pro-V Volume & Body Hairspray) for hold and definition.
- Step three: Once cooled, brush hair smooth and then use the brush to define the wave at the front and create volume at the roots. Set the style with a finishing spray.
Simple! So, this weekend why not hold your very own Oscars-style party? With all the insider tips, you'll certainly look the part!
Slurped up: my favourite sinks-in-swiftly body moisturisers
Beauty blog: Thursday 11th MarchWhen it comes to body moisturisers or lotions, I'm not one for lounging around waiting for tacky skin to dry – no matter how grand the skincare promises or indulgent the ingredients. Which is why I'm all for formulations that absorb as you apply them (especially on cold mornings and evenings). Full marks are currently going to these four:
Non-sticky, non-greasy, just light as a feather, moisturising (vitamin B5 and vitamin E) and cooling, with a fresh, citrussy smell. According to the info, it's also designed to reach not just the top layers of skin, but the core and beyond – the Buzz Lightyear of body moisturisers?
Aveeno Moisturising Creamy Oil (available in-store)
Contrary to what the name suggests, this is a lightweight body cream not an oil (the strapline reads 'moisturises like an oil, absorbs like a cream'). Slippery to apply, without being greasy, it dried on my arms within a minute of applying, and left them looking hydrated. Liking the very subtle smell of almonds too (that'll be the sweet almond oil).
In my mind there aren't enough pump dispenser body products. They're just less messy to use – simple. I fell in love with this antioxidant packed lotion on my winter snow holiday this year and can't fault its ability to deliver moisture (dehydration lines, gone) AND get sucked up by thirsty skin almost as quickly as I can massage it in.
Johnson's 24hour Moisture Extra-Rich Body Lotion for dry skin (available in-store)
Newly reformulated with a higher levels of hydrating ingredients, glycerine and shea butter, this lotion passed the ultimate test – the backs of my seriously dehydrated hands. Within minutes of applying, the dehydration lines had disappeared and with them about five years – my hands looked instantly younger.
Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser update
It's been over a month since I started using Soap & Glory's The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser and I'm still hugely impressed. I haven't seen a reduction in blackheads (although, importantly, no more have made an appearance), but my skin is STILL the best it's been for about a year – clearer, smoother and definitely softer. This one's a keeper.
You asked: exfoliation benefits
Beauty blog: Tuesday 9th March
I've had a few queries about exfoliation and whether it should be a year-round process, plus whether our skin's own natural exfoliation is enough. As luck will have it, I've just written a Facial Exfoliation Masterclass feature, so these questions are very timely. According to Boots' Scientific Skincare Advisor, Stewart Long, under ideal conditions our skin's natural exfoliation should be enough, but usually need more help: "Our skin is very sensitive to the environment and even a small change in weather or product affects the way the skin turns over," says Stewart. "In winter for example, the low humidity means that the normal exfoliation process is impaired and we may see dry flaky skin." The bottom line? "Regular, gentle exfoliation throughout the year will therefore help prevent the skin from having dry areas and will boost radiance."
For a more in-depth look at exfoliation, including the different types of products, click here to read my Facial Exfoliation Masterclass feature.
Guest Blog: A model brand...
Beauty Blog: Saturday 6th March
Long hours, high heels, 6am call times – Fashion Week isn't all glitz and glamour, especially for the models. Which is why, fresh from its success last season, supermodel Erin O'Connor again hosted The Model Sanctuary backstage at last month's London Fashion Week. Our spies tell us that Erin wanted to create a place where weary, runway-frazzled models could rest and relax between shows, kindly drafting in her favourite body and skincare brand, Weleda, to help with the pampering.
The hot gossip: we hear Weleda's cult moisturiser Skin Food was a big hit with the models backstage. The secret to runway-ready skin, perhaps? You heard it here first, folks...
Lancôme's great gift with purchase offer
Beauty blog: Friday 5th MarchIt would be rude not to share this Lancôme gift-with-purchase offer with you, so here goes: spend £29 or more (in one go) on Lancôme products between now and 14th March and you'll get a stack of trial-sized goodies (think eye make-up remover, perfume, cleanser, mascara, lipstick and more) worth £47*, while stocks last. Click here for more details – or risk missing out.
*worth value based on price per ml/g RRP of full-size items
Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder: New York Fashion Week
Beauty blog: Thursday 4th March
Apologies for this fast-forward to autumn/winter but I had to share this gorgeous look from Derek Lam's A/W2010 show with you. Created by uber-talented make-up artist Tom Pecheux, in his new role as Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, it features a mix of copper on the lips and blue on the eyes. Who knew such a mix would work? Well, Tom, obviously. "When Derek showed me the fabrics that inspired his Fall 2010 collection – bold and muted tones mixed with earthy pigments including terracotta, greens and browns – I thought the make-up shades should be complementary. So we chose a blend of bold blue shadows on the eyes, shimmering copper lips and flawless, matte skin created with a light foundation – an on-trend beauty preview of what we will see for Fall 2010," says the man himself. You'll have to wait until autumn to get your mitts on the new Estée Lauder shades Tom used, but something tells me they'll be worth the wait.
Queen of... the funky makeover
Beauty blog: Wednesday 3rd March
The right (or wrong) packaging can mean the difference between customer lust and product obscurity, but we're pleased to say that we're rather liking the new transformation that's seen shaving brand King of Shaves Woman morph into its new incarnation as Queen of... Funky and kitsch, check out the new range here.
Online now...Caudalie Premier Cru!
It's the product beady-eyed readers will have spotted time and again in the 'most wanted' sections of the glossy mags during the last few months of 2009 – and it's now hitting the virtual shelves at Boots.com: Caudalie Premier Cru. Why the fuss? This delicious cream is considered Caudalie's most advanced anti-ageing product yet. They've poured all their skincare knowledge and expertise into ensuring it targets all the visible signs of skin ageing; wrinkles, dark circles, loss of firmness – the lot. In fact, I've read so many rave reviews (many on independent blogs) that I'm rather hoping I'll be able to try it for myself.
For February click here
