Beauty blog October 2011

Your chance to win a Marc Jacobs handbag plus a host of Nelsons goodies

Time for another giveaway! This time it's the generous folks at Nelsons who have rustled up a prize of epic proportions for one lucky reader to win.

We've got a bundle of Nelsons' best skin care treats and – drumroll please... a gorgeous Marc Jacobs handbag to give away! Great style and great skin could all be yours...

It's no secret that Marc Jacobs is a firm favourite in the showbiz world, but did you also know that Nelsons has got quite a celeb following too? Former Emmerdale actress and Dancing on Ice champ Suzanne Shaw is just one of the brand's famous fans.

"Since using Nelsons Pure & Clear I have felt a lot more confident and have even started going out without wearing any make up," says Suzanne. "I cleanse and moisturise my face using Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Daily Facial Wash and Balancing Moisturiser. I try to use these in the morning and before I go to bed, but if I am in a rush I will quickly use Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Daily Facial Wipes to keep my skin feeling cleansed and refreshed."

Well, if it's good enough for the stars...

The prize – all this could be yours...

• Marc Jacobs handbag
• Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Daily Wash
• Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Daily Facial Wipes
• Nelsons Pure & Clear Balancing Moisturiser
• Nelsons Pure & Clear Blemish Gel

Terms and Conditions

• Entrants to this prize draw must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK.
• Purchase is not necessary.
• Employees and the immediate families of Boots UK Limited, Nelsons, their agents, or anyone professionally connected with this prize draw are not entitled to enter.
• The prize draw closes at midnight on 25/11/2011.
• Enter this prize draw by sending your full name, address and contact number to beauty.editor@boots.co.uk.
• Only one entry per person, per email address will be accepted.
• Prizes cannot be exchanged for a cash alternative.
• Name and region of winner will be announced in a blog post after 26/11/2011.
• Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to agree to be bound by them.
• Responsibility will not be accepted for loss, delay and corruption of any data in transit or in the incomplete nature of any entries to the prize draw.
• We will not pass on your personal details to any other organisation without your permission, except for the purpose of awarding the prize if necessary.
• One winner will be selected at random by the Boots.com editorial team.
• Winner will be notified via email after 25/11/2011.
• The promoter of this competition is Boots UK Limited, 1 Thane Road, Beeston, Nottingham. NG90 1BS.
• Boots.com reserves the right to withdraw or amend this competition at any time.

My last post

Tomorrow is my last day here in the land of Boots.

It's been a fab six years and I leave with so many fond memories – from getting my hair styled by THE Charles Worthington to meeting the beauty industry's most skilled and knowledgeable experts. And let's not forget bumping into Shirley Bassey backstage at LFW!

I think the thing I'll miss the most is the buzz of opening that latest beauty must-have; it's so exciting when you get a sample and instantly know it's going to be a hit. However, there are always those trustworthy, go-to products that I couldn't live without. As a little parting gift from me to you, here are some of my all-time favourites:

Dior Extase mascara

Anyone who knows me will not be surprised to see Dior on my list of favourites. I have always been a huge fan of the brand and this mascara is an excellent example of why. Not only does it look super-stylish but it also creates great voluminous lashes.

Benefit Erase Paste

I was given Erase Paste at my first PR meeting and it's been a must-have ever since. There are many concealers out there, and this certainly isn't the cheapest, but in my experience, it's the best. Dark circles be gone! Spots and blemishes hidden!

Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen

Fairly new to Boots, this budget beauty brand has some great hidden treasures, like the Silky Eye Pen. Black eyeliner is one of my favourite looks (although Meena is the queen of application) and this one from Pixi delivers great consistent colour. Plus, it's so soft it doesn't stretch the skin on the eyelid.

CHANEL No5 Eau Première

My final favourite is CHANEL No5 Eau Première. The beauty industry wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for Gabrielle Chanel and this more modern take on CHANEL No5 is a firm favourite of mine. Lighter and more citrus-y than the original, I spritz it every day before leaving the house. After all, as Coco Chanel says: "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future."

Take care,

Review: Renew You Pure Radiance

My mum celebrated a big birthday recently (it begins with a five and ends with a zero – whoops, sorry mum!) so I treated her to her very first trip to a spa for a couple of pampering treats. A facial, manicure and quick go in the jacuzzi later and my mum had well and truly adapted to the pampered lifestyle.

To help extend her indulgent experience, I also presented her with a sample of Renew You Pure Radiance 14 Day Intensive Skin Repairing Programme (of Latest Finds fame) to trial. She's about a week-and-a-half into the programme and has just been in touch to tell me exactly what she thinks of the product. Here's her verdict...

"The instructions were very simple to follow and I love that the sachets are really easy to open [my mum has problems with her hands so struggles getting into some products]. The cream is gorgeous but a bit too rich for me. However, I really love the masks. All in all, it does what it says on the box – great results so far!"

This is high praise indeed, coming from the woman who's so-low maintenance her beauty regime normally consists of a quick face wash and a spot of moisturiser if she remembers. I occasionally present her with an anti-ageing treat or two to test and up to now the only thing that's really taken her fancy has been Clinique Dark Spot Corrector, which she buys by the bucketload. Take it from me, anything that's good enough to impress her into committing to a fully-fledged regime has got to be worth a go (even now, the thought of my mum in a face mask seems somewhat hilarious). Either the spa trip really has transformed her into the world's most unlikely skin care queen or Renew You genuinely impressed her.

Check out Renew You in our Latest Finds area and see if you rate it as highly as my mum does...

Scents of occasion

After dropping several heavy hints to the other half last year (including posting my Christmas list on this very blog!), I was rewarded with my very first bottle of Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb on December 25, which I'm hoping will be replenished now my birthday is coming up (yes, that was another hint!). It's a scent I save for special occasions and I love that every time I wear it I'm reminded of Christmastime.

I've had a bit of an education in the scent department recently. Having spent a bit of time down in London last week I managed to pop in on Dior and Elizabeth Arden, where I was treated to generous spritzes of their most famous fragrances.

At Dior I got to see a line-up of the brand's iconic scents (as well as some exciting new launches – more on that soon!) and got up close and personal with the modern classic J'adore. This is my mum's fave perfume (my shameless hint-dropping pales into insignificance compared to when my mum nears the end of a bottle of this stuff) and one sniff instantly reminded me of her.

Later that day I grabbed some time with Arden, where I was introduced to the iconic Red Door fragrance. I admitted to never having smelt the perfume before, but as soon as I opened the bottle I realised I was wrong, because I was immediately transported back to my childhood and a scent one of my grandmas wore.

Isn't it amazing how a certain scent can instantly conjure up a back catalogue of memories? There are a couple of new additions to my Christmas list this year (namely Lancôme Tresor Midnight Rose and Diesel Loverdose – there go the hints again!) and I'm looking forward to making a whole host of new "scent memories"!

Got a favourite fragrance that brings back recollections of good times? Drop us a line and share your memories. We love a good scent story!

Nanoblur – tried and tested

As promised, here is my video review of Nanoblur, including before and after pictures. I was really impressed with the instant results but let me know what you think by leaving your comments on our YouTube video page.

Getting spooky with St. Tropez and X Factor

If you've been invited to a Halloween party this month, this little snippet from X Factor make up artist Natalya Nair might just come in handy...

Natalya plans to go all out on X Factor in honour of Halloween and part of her key "spooky beauty" kit comes courtesy of the St. Tropez Violet Illuminator, which Natalya says she'll be using to create "ghostly ethereal skin so luminous it looks as though contestants are performing under moonlight." Fancy getting a ghostly glow yourself? Here's Natalya's top application tip:

"To get the look, drench St. Tropez Violet Illuminator onto facial areas, the arms, décolletage and shoulders to give a radiant yet eerie finish."

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for Natalya's handiwork over the next couple of weekends. I personally plan to spend Halloween curled up in my pyjamas with a giant mug of hot chocolate (I reckon the last night of October is the perfect time to truly get into the spirit of winter!) but, in honour of all those Halloween parties you guys have got planned, I've put together a little Halloween get the look to help you rustle up some beauty inspiration to go with that vampy number. Enjoy!

Coming soon to the Latest Finds

If you haven't already seen, Boots have launched a new beauty area in some stores and online called The Latest Finds. Its mission is to provide all you beauty junkies with the latest, most innovative products in the beauty market.

So far we've seen the launch of Freezeframe, Flo Atomiser, Renew You, 17's Magnetized Nail Polish and Nanoblur (video review coming soon!)

And, in early November, some of the cutest beauty buys I've seen in a while are joining this prestigious list: the Coca-Cola Lip Happiness range. These little beauties are a range of lip-gloss and tinted lip balms scented with the three key cola flavours: Classic Coke, Cherry Coke and Vanilla Coke.

My favourite is definitely the Cherry Coke Lip Pop. This sparkly pink gloss is perfect for nights out and the packaging will look so pretty on my dressing table. However I may need to collect all six just so it doesn't look lonely...well, wouldn't you?

It's Pudsey time!

BBC Children in Need Appeal day is less than a month away so it's time to start thinking of ways to show your support.

I'm not really one for doing something silly in the name of charity – I'm more little black dress than fancy dress – but I do love getting behind a good cause and usually invest in a Pudsey product or two at this time of year.

Last year I was totally taken with the Pudsey and Blush pin badges but this year I've got my eye on something completely new. I'm talking about the Children in Need Nail Rock Wraps, of course!

The nail wraps come in two spotty designs and I reckon I'll be mixing it up with a bit of the old "alternate nails" action to really get into the spirit of things.

I'm a bit of a fan of nail wraps at the minute (check out my "how to" video for a quick application crash course) so I can't wait to try out these cute designs.

Children in Need Nail Rock Wraps are only available in selected Boots stores this year but I've spotted some great other Pudsey-inspired products online too. Check out what else you can invest in to show your support for BBC Children in Need 2011.

On the road again...

Just as autumn's finally really getting going, I'm off on holiday for a couple of weeks. I'm visiting family in India, where it's currently a sizzling 35C, so I've stocked up on the usual suspects like sun protection, aftersun and a deep conditioning treatment for my hair but I'll need a pared-down beauty regime too. I know I've already mentioned that I love the cheek tints from Benefit for long-lasting colour when travelling, but seeing as much of my suitcase space has been taken up with gifts for my cousins, I'm in the market for something a little more compact. Enter this gorgeous little set from Benefit.

They're billed as "purse-popping proportions" of the popular and highly versatile tints. I couldn't say it better myself, really. These will have my complexion under control: High Beam for daytime radiance (although, at 35C, I might be a little bit too radiant), Benetint for a rosy flush of colour and Posie Tint for a candy pink that's really pretty on lips and cheeks. I think it's a fab beauty bargain too so if you're curious about tints and don't want to invest in a full-size product just yet, these are well worth a look. And for keen Christmas shoppers they make a darling stocking filler.

Well, I'll be off now... I look forward to getting back to two weeks of beauty posts to catch up on!

Video: Frontcover head office visit

Earlier this week I took a trip to Frontcover's head office to meet creative director Michelle White, who gave us her favourite items from this years Christmas collection. Check out my video to discover her top picks.

The perfect excuse to spoil yourself

If you're anything like me then there are only two surefire ways of making your day better: a new nail polish or a big bar of choc. There's nothing better than popping to the shop at the end of the day and choosing a new nail shade or picking up a nice bar of chocolate (family size, of course) to perk yourself up, is there?

Well, I'm about to share some news that's bound to add a bit of bounce to your day. Thanks to the generous folks at Revlon and Galaxy, you no longer need to choose! That's right, I've had word that the beauty brand and the chocolate giants are teaming up for a limited time only to bring you an offer you just won't be able to resist.

Between now and 1 November you'll be able to pop in store and get your hands on one of Revlon's hot nail shades plus a pouch of Galaxy Minstrels (170g), Bites (140g) or Counters (140g) for just £4*. We reckon that's a beauty bargain worth investing in.

I've already snapped up Smoky Canvas, which is currently serving me well as a suits-all-occasions autumn shade, but I'll definitely be venturing back in store to treat myself to a bottle of Facets of Fuchsia (how great is that going to look with the little black dress?) and a big bag of Minstrels. Hello, perfect night in!

PS There's even more good news, as we discover nanoblur on the Latest Finds shelves. Not heard of it yet? It's the optical illusion cream (designed to cleverly hide the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles) that's been cooking up a storm in the beauty aisles recently. I was a tad sceptical until I tried a blob on the back of my hand – a-mazing results! Get a tube now before it sells out...

*Offer available in most larger stores while stocks last.

The beauty of X Factor

So the X Factor live shows are in full swing! I have to admit, the first live show is probably the one I look forward to most out of the whole season (apart from the final, obv!). Catching up on all things X Factor at the weekend, I spent the entire show on the edge of my seat in anticipation of all those super-glam makeovers – and they didn't disappoint! This year it was the eye make up that really bowled me over (and no, I'm not talking about Frankie Cocozza's guyliner!). In particular I loved Sophie Habibis' spectacular transformation – check out that gorgeous brown glittery eye! (I've already got my eye on Frontcover's Moondust collection for recreating this look). And who could miss Kitty's blinged-up purple peepers?! The perfect choice for anyone wanting to make a serious style statement this party season, I reckon.

But let's not forget the X Factor stunners of season's past. This week we've had word that boho beauty Diana Vickers (of X Factor 2008 fame) is the new face of cult beauty brand Collection 2000. To celebrate the announcement, Diana's been sharing some of her best-ever beauty secrets...

What is a typical daytime make up look for Diana Vickers?

Diana: I normally wear a light foundation like Collection 2000's Colour Match Foundation with a slick of mascara and a subtle hint of eyeliner for definition. The new Collection 2000 Intense Colour Supersoft Kohl Liners are great for this. Then I add a little bronzer for a nice glow and a coral lip to brighten up the look. My current fave is Collection 2000's Lasting Colour Lipstick in Mango Tango.

What is a typical going out make up look for Diana Vickers?

Diana: I love the 50s and 60s eras for fashion and make up so like to experiment with a modern take on these looks when I go out. This usually involves dark, smoky eyes – try the Collection 2000 Smokey Eye Palette – and nice flirty lashes. I was so excited when Collection 2000 launched its own false lashes as these are perfect for an evening look. I contrast strong eyes with a pale lip in line with this trend.

What are your backstage beauty secrets for looking fabulous when performing?

Diana: I've learnt that there really is no replacement for drinking lots of water and ensuring you get enough sleep.

What is the best beauty secret a make up artist has ever shared with you?

Diana: Contouring! It can enhance your features and sculpt the face so much. Just try doing this with a pretty blusher like Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades and you will be amazed with the results.

Stay tuned for more X Factor beauty goss coming your way very soon!

Video: BIOEFFECT tips and our competition winner!

In a recent post I said I'd find out more about beauty serums – and find out I did! Check out this video to get all the details on the wonder that is BIOEFFECT EGF Serum.

If you've tried the product, we want to hear your thoughts on it so leave a review.

On a separate note, in case you were wondering who won our Christmas competition, we're pleased to announce it was Heather Simpson from Fife!

Her winning tip raised a collective "aww!" from the team, so we've got to share it with you: "Once the mince pie is out and the reindeer food sprinkled on the lawn and the kids are safely in bed, after the presents are out and the stockings are hung, and just before I turn in for the night, I wrap the entrance to the living room door in wrapping paper, so the kids think Santa did it and get to burst through it into the living room and all the presents on Christmas morning."

Festively adorable. Now I'm off to solve the most important mathematical question of the season – how many sleeps 'til Christmas?

Keeping the peace with philisophy

Philosophy is back at Boots and I've been meaning to blog about it for a while now, so when its keep the peace super soothing moisturizer landed on my desk last week I decided it was the perfect opportunity to do a quick review.

The arrival of this moisturiser is quite timely. My skin was just about to turn "grumpy" thanks to the recent change in weather and was in need of a speedy moisture fix. Opening the tub, I was a little surprised to be faced with a greyish cream, rather than the brilliant white face creams I'm used to. Not one to be put off, I persevered and quickly reaped the rewards. The cream sank in like a dream, transforming to an oil-like consistency upon contact with the skin. It's perfect for my skin, which often refuses to absorb super-thick creams properly. A few days of use and my skin feels like it's in a much happier place and is no longer threatening to throw a cold weather-related tantrum. Bliss!

If that wasn't exciting enough, the parcel I received also contained a sample of philosophy's sparkling cranberry gift set, a yummy yuletide offering featuring sparkling cranberry shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath and high-gloss high-flavor lip shine. I've got to admit, I've already got my eye on the brand's birthday girl gift set, which features vanilla birthday cake shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath and high-gloss high-flavor lip shine. Sounds simply divine! I'm a sucker for anything sweet and, ahem, it is my birthday soon...

Paris Fashion Week: Beauty trend report

Okay, last one of these posts for a little while but plenty of prettiness to fawn over! It could only be Paris Fashion Week...

Cooler-than-cool supermodel Erin Wasson works the runway in sharply tailored boyish cuts at the Givenchy show. Love the white-on-white and look – ombré hair! It's still okay with the fash-pack! I'm chuffed to see this as it gives me even more reason to treat myself to a colour refresh in this style (at home) in November. As far as I know, there's no DIY kit for ombré hair but I'll be experimenting with this and hopefully I'll get a good tutorial out of it to share with you in case you're thinking of trying it for yourself.

The Emanuel Ungaro show was filled with gorgeous aquatic prints that would've been fresh and breezy but given the twist of slightly macabre eye make up, it became more provocative – following on from Milan's fierce runway looks, it's pretty much a given that defined eyes – whether they're smoky or blunt and bold – are going to be A Big Thing next year. Eyeliners and smudge brushes at the ready! Stila Smudge Pot in black would be ideal for a bit of colour on the bottom lashline – not too much, mind, otherwise you'll end up in panda-eyes territory. A few well-blended dots of the ever-faithful Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat underneath always works a treat too.

A bit of a subdued look from Dior this year – I was hoping for a bit of theatrical glamour as we've come to expect at Dior. I'm still not over the amazingly OTT doll eyes from autumn/winter 2008/09 but this season's look is still gorgeously wearable – softened, contouring shades of tawny brown blusher and eyeshadow with a matte coral-pink lippy. It's got to be Une for recreating the eyeshadow and blusher look – they're all for matte neutrals and smoky hues. Lipwise, try Maybelline Colour Sensation Lipstick in Coral Tonic for the perfect marriage of red and orange with a silky, satin finish. Luscious.

That might be the end of the major runway shows but don't think that's it until February – we want to hear all about your favourite trends and you can guarantee we'll be bringing you more beauty news and videos for your viewing pleasure!

We're loving: The new Treat Street app

As well as getting in on some early Christmas shopping action this month (aren't we organised?), we've added the mobile app from Treat Street to our list of new fave pastimes. The super-girlie game is a just-for-fun trolley dash against the clock. The aim? To collect as many points as possible, of course! We've had bags of fun jumping for cupcakes, strawberries and pears (to help us supercharge our energy, obv) and avoiding poodles, rainclouds and banana skins (all things that slow the average shopper down), as well as grabbing dresses, CDs and toys to boost our points. It's just like the real thing!

We had a bit of a cheeky preview last week, so we're already working hard on those top scores. The good news is the Treat Street app is now available for everyone to get their hands on – and the better news is it's free! Join us in racking up those imaginary points with some guilt-free shopping, won't you?

If you fancy a spot of real shopping, make sure you check out some of the fab new brands on Treat Street. I'm personally excited about Oasis and Matalan joining the Treat Street line-up (I've happened upon many a must-have outfit from both stores in my time!), alongside Gap, Banana Republic, French Connection, Fat Face and Office Shoes. Don't forget, you can collect one Advantage Card point for every £1 you spend at Treat Street.

Three cheers for shopping!

The Man Corner

Hey everybody. You might have seen my name on the odd beauty blog post recently? I thought it was time to stop letting the girls have all the fun and represent the lads. Now I've bagged myself a monthly slot to bring you the latest word on all things manly, starting with a bit of male grooming advice. (I like to call it my beard blog)

I've been on the hunt for a new shaver recently, so I've made it my mission to suss out the best from the rest in the beard-removal department. Whether you're a clean shaver or prefer a spot of designer stubble, check out two of my favourite shavers so far:

Philips Aquatouch: A great and comfortable shaver that can be used for a wet or dry shave. You've also got an option for a quick trim but I think this is best used for a good clean shave.

Babyliss I-stubble: This is a great trimmer to keep hold of that contoured, Beckham wannabe look. It's flexible and has loads of different cutting lengths for creating your perfect stubble style.

And just so you know I've been doing my homework properly, check out this video of me and some of the lads from the office, test-driving some top shavers.

I'll be here to put the latest men's products to the test, check out the best in celebrity style and generally share a few thoughts, so feel free to drop me a line at beauty.editor@boots.co.uk and let me know what you'd like to see from The Man Corner.

See you next month.

Video: Yogi 3 in 1 put to the test

So many curls in this video! It's all down to the 3 in 1 Hair Styler from Yogi, a brand that's just landed at Boots.com. In search of a holy grail, do-it-all curling tool? I think I've just found mine...

Tried it for yourself yet? Let us know what you think of it!

Strictly stunning

Given the recent heatwave, it's hard to believe autumn is upon us already. However, regardless of the positively tropical weather, the weekend still saw me carrying out my autumn/winter tradition of settling down in my PJs for a Saturday night Strictly-and-X-Factor-athon. And I'm willing to bet I wasn't alone on that score! While the thought of all that glitter immediately sets my heart a-racing, I also find myself being bowled over week after week during Strictly season by the gorgeous Tess Daly. Already this year she's captured my imagination with her casual-waves-and-bold-red-lip combo on Saturday – definitely a look I'll be recreating during the upcoming party season. Fancy having a bash at the look yourself? Check out our red lips feature to find your perfect shade of lippie and keep your peepers peeled on the blog this week for Meena's hair video featuring the new Yogi hair wand, which might just help you recreate tousled tresses a la Ms Daly. Another eye-catcher in the make up department was gorgeous judge Alesha Dixon, who rocked an oh-so-relevant vamp look on Saturday. Check out Beauty Uncovered later this week as we reveal how you too can get a gorgeous vamped-up look just in time for Halloween.

Lisa Armstrong, Strictly's head of hair and make up.

Phew, I can't wait to see what those gorgeous girlies come up with next week! In the meantime, you can scratch your Strictly itch by checking out my interview with Lisa Armstrong, the show's head of hair and make up.

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's that time of year again when brands bring out special pinked-up editions of their best beauty booty in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, giving us the chance to show our support and get our mitts on a gorgeous limited edition product or two at the same time.

Clinique can always be relied upon to unveil a new beauty must-have in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year's offering doesn't disappoint. Check out the Great Lips, Great Cause Keyring. It's an upgrade of last year's version, which went down a storm here in the beauty office. You can get your hands on one in store throughout October – and the best bit is £2 of each sale will go directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Other goodies I've spotted this year include the Make A Difference skin rejuvenating treatment from Origins, which comes in a gorgeous rose-tinted pot throughout October (with a £3 donation from each sale going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation), and the iconic Cherry ChapStick, which has also had a special makeover this month – Katy Perry will be pleased! The generous folk at ChapStick will be donating 20p from each sale of the limited edition balm to Breast Cancer Care.

So, however many pennies you can spare, show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and join us in investing in a pinked-up product!