Not Worth It: Benefit The Porefessional, Agent Zero Shine
When Benefit's original Porefessional face primer and pore perfector was launched, it became an instant best seller and classic beauty product. Now Benefit have added to the sub-brand with the launch of The Porefessional: Agent Zero Shine, a 'shine vanishing pro powder' that claims to minimise pores and eliminate shine. The lightweight tube features a detachable brush on one end, and a lid on the other that reveals a 'talc' like dispenser. To use the product you simply tap a small amount of powder into the lid, use the brush to pick up the product (tapping to remove excess,) and buff into the skin. It can be used under or over makeup, depending on how heavy you like it or the consistency of your foundation, to provide a flawless finish... But is this to become as cult-like as the original? In my opinion, no.
Although the powder does provide a shine free finish and help to create a flawless result, even on oily skin and visible pores, it's essentially just a loose powder. As someone that has used finishing powder within my makeup routine as long as I can remember, for me this was an added extra that I didn't really need. The powder is exceptionally fine and perfect for those afraid of the matte or heavy result a loose powder can provide, but the trick is all in the application - if you use a high quality powder and great brush then the same result can be achieved. I also felt a little let down by the quality of the product; I'm used to lusting over the detail of the Benefit packaging, really believing love has gone into producing it, but this felt a little cheap. I hated the quality of the brush and found I could achieve much better results with my own, while the detailing and different elements made me feel Benefit have over-complicated what could have been a simple product.
What also makes me uncomfortable about The Porefessional: Agent Zero Shine, is the price point. It's a whopping £23.50 for 7g of powder, which in comparison to the £3.99 pressed powder from Seventeen Cosmetics I'm also currently using, is seriously overpriced. If this provided something unique or different then I would be singing it's praises, as a lover of all things Benefit; however, in my opinion this is simply a loose powder presented in an innovative format so a premium can be charged. This is a perfect example of a brand taking advantage of a successful launch and consumer enthusiasm, without really thinking about what it is they're buying into - there isn't really a unique selling point here, which is why (for me) this has been one of the biggest disappointments of 2013. Keep your pennies and buy some more Quality Street...!
Benefit The Porefessional: Agent Zero Shine is available now priced £23.50 for a 7g tub.
The science of haircare
A few weeks ago I instigated a twitter conversation around shampoos after going to see the launch of a new range from L'Oreal, which I believe is the beginning of a revolution in the mass haircare market. The range is SLS and silicone free (of which you can read more about here) but that led to a lot of questions from people asking 'what does that actually mean?' and 'why is that good for my hair?' Back in the day I worked for a professional haircare brand and started studying for a qualification in the science of hair and skin; this has given me a lot of knowledge and understanding of beauty products and what claims can actually be substantiated. There are so many myths and miscontrued pieces of information out in the social space, so this hopefully clears up some of those and answers some burining questions.
What is an SLS free shampoo?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (or SLS) is a chemical ingredient used in lots of different cleansing products such as shampoo, shower gel and face wash. It's this agent that actually gets rid of the oil, grease and dirt from hair and skin by grabbing onto it so it can be washed away with water. Although this is used in the majority of products you can buy on the high street, it can actually be harmful to sensitive skin and cause problems - particularly by stripping away too much oil/moisture and aggravating conditions like eczema and psorasis. Even if you don't normally have sensitive skin, excessive use of products containing SLS can cause itchy, flaky or dry skin. For the majority of us it won't cause a problem to use products containing this ingredient, but if you do suffer with an itchy scalp or really dry limbs this may be a good place to start investigating. It's become a trend of late to claim you're SLS free as brands become aware that consumers are understanding the science behind their ingredients; this isn't a reason to panic though as for the majority of us you can get away with using SLSs without a care in the world.
My SLS free shampoo doesn't lather as much - is it cleaning my hair?
Yes, totally, 100%. We've all been molded into believing that a good shampoo is one which gives off a really rich, creamy, foamy lather. However, this isn't actually a sign of a good shampoo as all the product is doing is capturing air rather than grabbing and removing dirt. The cheaper ingredients are the ones that foam the most, meaning it's normal for your bottle of £2.99 shampoo to lather like a foam party in Ibiza, but your £15 bottle from the hairdressers to not. We're so used to doing the 'lather, rinse, repeat' routine that it takes a while to get used to 'wash, rinse, sit back' instead.
I've heard silicones are bad - why?
Many shampoos and conditioners contain silicones which sit on the surface of hair and create a smooth, silky and shiny finish. This is great for a week or so, but as you continue to use the product the silicone just builds up and up until you're left with a coating of silicone all over your head. This will start to weigh down your barnet over time, leaving you with limp and lifeless hair that you can't do much with. The silicone molecule is too large to be absorbed into the hair so it's purely a superficial ingredient to make hair look pretty, albeit temporarily. The problem worsens when you change shampoos and it takes a while to strip the silicone to reveal the hair underneath - so many people think the shampoo isn't working and return to their silicone-heavy brand and the cycle starts all over again. The key is to firstly stay away from as many silicone heavy brands as possible, but also to use a claryfying shampoo every 2-3 weeks to strip away any build up and reveal a healthy swishy head of hair underneath.
I've heard products claim to improve the health of my hair - can they?
In a word, no. Hair is dead. Once it pops out the top of your head there's nothing you can do to actually improve the health of your hair, you can only improve the appearance. You can coat it in good stuff, create an illusion of shine, volumise it, fiddle with it and style it within an inch of its life, but effectively it's as dead as a dodo. When shopping for products be very careful because there are certain legalities around what you can and can't say - when I was working in NPD at a professional hair care brand I spend my life putting the word 'help' in front of every sentence that came out of the PR department! You can help prevent breakage or damage to hair by coating it or using products full of strengthening ingredients, but on the whole a lot of the campaigns I see on a daily basis are somewhat misleading - be careful what you believe.
This is a start to the discussion around haircare, skincare and whatever else you want to know. I'm more than happy to answer questions or follow up on this post with future ones, depending on what you're burning to ask! Just add a question in the comments section below and I'll be back with my science hat on shortly...
The Body Shop: Camomile Cleansers
Known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, camomile is experiencing something of a resurgence in beauty products. It's subtle scent and lack of irritant compounds make it the perfect ingredient to add to cleansers and makeup removers - which exactly what The Body Shop have done. Their camomile range now includes a gentle eye makeup remover, waterproof eye makeup remover, silky cleansing oil and an unusual cleansing butter. Although makeup removal isn't exactly sexy, it's an essential part of a routine so it's vital to get the products you use right; with these camomile cleansers and removers, you can be confident in the knowledge that dirt and grime will melt away from the face to leave your complexion looking and feeling fresh.
Although these four products essentially provide two functions in different formats, all four of them are simple to use and are effective in removing all signs of makeup, dirt and grime. The cleansing oil and butter work easily to lift off makeup without the need to pre-cleanse, providing a smooth and fresh finish without any drying to the skin. The eye makeup removers also work well to lift even heavy duty mascara, leaving no trace of dreaded black stuff that can cause morning-after-panda-eyes. As my skin is both sensitive and prone to drying out when products are too harsh, these products have provided me with a great range that I know I can rely on before bedtime. The newly designed bottles also bring a bit of freshness to your bathroom shelf - I love the clear bottles and cute tin that the formulas come in, a significant move away from the previously outdated design. Although these are by no means organic or natural products, the camomile ensures they're simple to use and are suitable for all skin types. A great all-round buy.
The products will be launching into The Body Shop stores nationwide, with prices starting from approximately £3.99 (in various sizes)
Lemon Fresh
As we become more and more conscious about what product we're using and what ingredients they contain, it becomes harder and harder to find decent ones that do the job we want. I was so pleased to find that ace hair brand Label M (from Toni and Guy) had launched their own range of organic shampoos and conditioners that I couldn't wait to get them in my shower and lather up. They have two varieties, lavender and lemon, and I've been trying the Moisturising Lemongrass version for around three weeks. I couldn't be happier with my swishy locks and how great the formula works to really hydrate and moisturise.
The shampoo and conditioner both contain high levels of certified organic ingredients, including quince, oats, rice milk and jojoba oil, to leave your hair 'hi-drenched' without build up. This gives you the best of both worlds, especially when they're sulphate free too. Both products smell amazing as the lemongrass really comes through to 'zing you up' in the morning and awaken your senses - they're an absolute pleasure to use. The pump action bottles make it easy to get the amount you need so there's no wastage and the packaging is such high quality I'm amazed they can produce products like this at the price point.
The formula itself is rich and creamy. The shampoo lathers well, which is normally the main issue with organic and sulphate free shampoos, so you don't have to use loads or hurt your hands attempting to make a foam thick enough to wash with. The conditioner is thick enough to really coat the hair and stay in place in the shower, leaving really soft and silky hair when it's washed out. What I really like about this range is that it hydrates my hair without making it limp or lifeless; in fact it's swishy and bouncy which is exactly what I want.
I'm so pleased that a high profile and respected brand like Toni and Guy has taken the time, effort and money to create products that people are demanding. It goes to show that buying a shampoo that's good for you and the environment doesn't mean you have to scrimp on style. These come thoroughly recommended by me to the point where I'm not quite sure how I'm going to cope when they run out.
Available online through lookfantastic.com and Toni and Guy salons priced around £13.25 each
Toni & Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe: Limited Edition by Lulu Kennedy
I've always had a fascination with hair, needing at least five different products for any one hair concern, and Toni & Guy have always been part of that journey. When they launched their 'Hair Meet Wardrobe' concept a few seasons ago at London Fashion Week, I had a lightbulb moment and couldn't help thinking 'why has nobody done this before?' Hair styling is as a much part of our fashion decision making as adding a statement necklace, or choosing which shoes to wear; it's a natural progression of accessorising and bringing a look together - something Toni & Guy understand well. This season they've teamed up with Lulu Kennedy, founder of Fashion East (a non-profit initiative that nurtures emerging young designers through the difficult early stages of their career, providing funding, advice and even a complete catwalk show production.) Having worked with the likes of Richard Nicoll, Holly Fulton, Jonathan Saunders, House of Holland, Marios Schwab and Meadham Kirchhoff, Lulu really does know a thing or two about fashion. Lulu has created an exclusive and unique design for four Toni & Guy products to reflect her take on the latest key fashion trends, which includes a cult product from each of the four categories: Classic, Casual, Creative and Glamour.
Toni & Guy 'Casual' Sea Salt Texturising Spray
Providing the perfect texture for that lived-in tousled look we all love so much, this sea salt spray is easy to use and problem free. All you need to do is spritz a little into the length of the hair, being careful not to apply too much around the root, and mess up with your fingers. It provides natural movement with no heavy product feel, making it the perfect lazy day styling product.
Toni & Guy 'Classic' Shine Gloss Serum
Every girl needs a good serum in her portfolio, and the Toni & Guy offering helps control frizz for an ultra smooth shiny look. Add a couple of pumps to the palm of your hand, warm up slightly and apply to the lengths and ends of hair. It will not only help keep your look super smooth, but will prevent any flyaways or frizz from returning later on in the day.
Toni & Guy 'Glamour' Volume Plumping Whip
Perfect for those of us that like a bit of volume but hate the sticky feeling mousse provides, this plumping whip cream is great at adding subtle volume to hair - especially when applied at the root. You only need a small amount to work hair and create body, using on the lengths and ends to create definition and movement. A daily must-have for me.
Toni & Guy 'Creative' Stick It Up Gum
The ultimate styling tool for short or layered hair, Stick It Up Gum makes creating strong styles a breeze. Although it's super sticky, work the product through your palms and apply to dry hair as a finishing tool to really create texture and movement.
The bright colours, patterns and illustrations Lulu has used on the packaging really help bring the collection to life and embody what 'Hair Meet Wardrobe' is all about. Not only do they look fab, but the product inside is a great addition to your hair portfolio - providing everything you need in four simple and easy-to-use products. Be quick though, as this range is limited edition and only available in Boots until stocks last!
Benefit: Hello Flawless
The first liquid foundation from Benefit caused quite a stir when it was released a few months ago. Taking three years to complete and available in nine shades, they've certainly come up trumps with this oil-free foundation. The name isn't exactly catchy - Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow doesn't roll off the tongue too quickly - but I think the design and packaging more than makes up for that. Check out the 1960's inspired colours and cools fonts... This is one cool cat of a foundation!
The foundation is not only oil-free, meaning it's perfect for those of us with either oily skin or wanting to avoid too much added lubricant, but it also contains SPF25 which is perfect at helping to protect skin from sun damage. The coverage offered is considered light-medium, but I'd say this was a pretty light product designed not to cover but to enhance the complexion. It's not quite enough for me on an 'off day' as I have to top up with concealer and powder, but when my skin is looking quite good it's perfect and making it seem even more radiant (thank to its light reflecting particles.)
After a long day in the office this does need a touch up, but it's perfect for warmer months or using on holiday. The formula is very, very runny and took some getting used to, but it does mean you don't need much at all to blend across the face. It's really hydrating and perfect for dry skin, but it's not the best foundation I've ever used... I could have done with a bit more texture and a higher level of coverage, but for many of you this will definitely put the 'wow' into 'Oxygen Wow'.
Available now online (at ASOS) and in store priced £24.50
Jo Malone London fragrance diffuser
For the last fortnight my flat has smelt of paint, plaster and tile dust. Having my bathroom re-fitted seems to have been one of the most traumatic experiences of my life, so when on Saturday morning I woke up to an empty flat and a beautiful new bathroom, I wanted to celebrate. What better way to celebrate than with some Jo Malone London fragrance? I've had this Red Roses diffuser stashed away for a while, awaiting a special occasion such as this. If you're not familiar with room fragrance diffusers, then they essentially work by being a big pot of scented oil that gets sucked up by big wooden sticks and subtly diffused into the air over a number of months. They're a little bit more glamorous than a plastic Air Wick, plus the fragrance is much subtler and yet rich at the same time.
This is a beautiful home adornment, much more luxurious than other fragrance diffusers I've had in the past. I adore the chunky black wood sticks and the stumpy bottle that make this a real feature in a room, perfectly in keeping with the Jo Malone branding. The scent of 'Red Roses' is also perfect for the home - floral and uplifting without being too heavy - and reminds me of turkish delight. As a lover of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the smell of turkish delight is only ever a good thing! Sitting on my windowsill in full view of the living room, this diffuser is giving me a subtle whiff of beautiful roses every so often that really makes me smile when I walk through the door. This isn't cheap (the diffusers are around £45) but it's thoroughly worth it if you want to make scent a feature in you home... Or like me just recover from the smell of paint.
Available in Selfridges and Jo Malone boutiques for £45.00
Candle Lit
It's no secret that I fill every room in my house with candles, allowing soft scents and candle light to illuminate an otherwise dull evening. I'm a sucker for a chunky glass pot filled to the brim with softly smelling wax. The latest brand to launch their very own range of candles is skincare favourite Neal's Yard. Right on schedule for Christmas gifting, their new candles come in three scents: calming, balancing and energising. Calming contains soothing rose and geranium essential oils; Balancing brings together harmonising bergamot and patchouli; Energising includes uplifting orange, grapefruit and garden mint.
The candles are all handmade by a traditional candle-maker on a farm on the north coast of Cornwall (keeping it real) and the wax is a 100% organic blend of beeswax and botanical wax, which means no sooty smoke and harmful toxins. This high quality wax is then infused with pure natural and organic aromatherapy essential oils, before being poured by hand into the glass containers. Not only do they look beautiful, have individual hand-made quirks, but each candle burns for up to 60hrs - that's a whole lot of candle time. What makes them even better is the pretty awesome-tastic packaging that means you don't even need to wrap them up... I'm pleased by the easy things.
Available online and in store for £28.00 each
Summer Scents
It's about now that I start to think about changing my fragrance selection for something a bit lighter and fresher, ready for when the weather catches up with me and starts to be a bit sunnier. The shelves of our chemists and department stores are now beginning to be flooded with Summer scents and I've got four launches from perfume mega-house Coty to share with you.
I'm a big fan of Kate Moss' previous fragrances, having finally bought into the celebrity endorsements with her Velvet Hour (and later Vintage) launch which I adore. Her latest offering is Love Blossoms, a sweet, simple fragrance in an equally sweet, simple bottle. "Love Blossoms is a beautifully uplifting fresh fragrance that exudes hope and happiness. This sparkling juicy scent opens with a spicy dash of pink pepper mingled with soft peach nectar and lily of the valley. The romantic floral heart blooms with a delicate trio of frangipani, Egyptian jasmine and peony before giving way to a warm and sensual signature of patchouli, white musk and vanilla sorbet." This is a much younger fragrance than her previous offerings, being quite sweet and floral, but I do still quite like it. It's easy to wear and it doesn't offend my nostrils at all, which seeing as I normally don't like sweet scents is an achievement in itself. The bottle is basic and the design simple, but for £15 you can't argue - you're getting a simple, fresh fragrance for a snippet.
When Beyonce launched her first fragrance the World seemed to go a little bit mental for it, but personally I didn't like the scent itself. It was too heavy and just didn't hit the right notes, but her newest addition 'Heat Rush' is much more up my street and updated for the change in season."Beyoncé Heat Rush instantly captures attention with sparkling top notes of passion fruit, blood orange and Brazilian cherry. The heart of the fragrance is a delicate floral bouquet of yellow tiger orchid, mango blossom and orange hibiscus. The base engages with hints ofteak wood, honey amber and a musk accord. “I created Heat Rush to bring the feeling of warmth and sensuality to every woman who wears it. It’s feminine and sexy, fresh and beautiful,” describes Beyoncé." This would explain why I like it - some of my favourite scents are passion fruit, mango, cherry and honey. This is a more mature Summer fragrance that is one of the nicest I've smelt for 2011 - deep, layered and fruity without being sweet, this has that 'je n'est c'est quoi' that makes everyone I've asked love it.
Another great scent for the new season is Guess 'Wild Summer', which is quite similar to Beyonce's 'Heat Rush' but with more of a woody base. "The top notes are a flirty wink and coquettish giggle as the day dawns: fruity Lychee and crispy Pear sprinkled with vibrant Red Berries. As a relationship blossoms in the steamy dusk, the heart of the fragrance unveils: a floral bouquet of iconic Rose and tender Orange Flower draped in ethereal Jasmine vapor. Finally, night blooms: an intense dry down of sensual Vanilla, deep Cashmere Wood and intoxicating Musks." I've worn this quite a few times over the last week and I think it's a really great day-to-night fragrance that makes me feel pretty on-trend. I've never worn a Guess fragrance before but this dabble has made me intrigued to find out what other treasures have gone before me unnoticed.
The final fragrance is by pop princess Kylie. She seems to have launched enough fragrances to fill a perfume shop, but 'Pop Sparkle' is something different from the rest... "Modern and edgy yet still undeniably glamorous, POP Pink Sparkle opens with a spicy dash of dazzling pink pepper, blended with fresh, sweet notes of crisp apple and white peach. The floral heart is built around the light and fluffy tones of Bulgarian rose with delicate hints of tiara flower and marigold, giving the fragrance its beautiful vibrancy. Finally, it settles on a warm and sensual woody base of musk, sandalwood and ambrose." I have to admit that I don't really like this. It's a bit too sweet for me and doesn't settle into something particularly enjoyable. It reminds me of those fragrances you get in Next or La Senza when they've clearly tried to create something good but it just smells like room spray. The bottle is a letdown too as I expected a bit more glamour and quality from such a stylish lady. Better luck next time Kylie.
All four of these fragrances are really complementary and embody the Summer season, providing a perfect excuse to update your fragrance wardrobe. Do you change your scents to match your footwear? Wild Summer would go perfectly with a pair of gold gladiator sandals!
Melvita: Life is Rosy
The easiest part of your cleansing routine to forget is often the very end part. You've removed your makeup, you've cleansed and buffed the skin and then you go to tone... Is it worth it? What does it actually do? Can I face to use yet another product? This is actually a really important part of the routine as not only does it help to remove the last traces of impurities and product, but it helps to re-balance the skin and ensure it's able to absorb moisture effectively. Toner is a really loosely used term, but we all generally get what it means and understand it's part of the essential daily maintenance of skin. These two products from Melvita do that and more, providing a light final touch to skin while giving you a sneaky sniff of turkish delight.
Melvita is an organic brand, so there's no harmful chemicals or alcohol which can work against skin or strip it of essential oils. The products both contain wild rose petal extract, which not only gives it an amazing scent, but also helps to rejuvinate and moisturise skin. The 'fresh micellar water' removes makeup, cleanses and tones all in one while targeting areas of the skin to provide the perfect amount of hydration where needed; you can use this on its own or after washing the face for an extra clean feeling. It doesn't leave skin feeling tight or in need of extra moisturiser, but refreshed and healthy. If you're a 'no fuss' kind of gal then this is perfect for you, making skincare very simple yet effective; you just need one swipe of this on cotton wool and you're done.
The 'rose extraordinary water' has become something of a cult product with those in the know. Its unique gel texture melts onto the skin to remove impurities, whilst firming and helping to contour the face. You can use this either before or after makeup - it's somewhat a flexible product that just really helps to keep skin looking and feeling healthy. I've been using this before bedtime moisturiser, as well as after the shower to leave my skin feeling comfortable and ready for makeup. It's a universal 'must have' that is almost as multi-tasking as vaseline... You'll be discovering new uses for this and wondering how you ever lived without it. At £14.00 and £14.50 these are both reasonably priced, considering the purity of the ingredients and the size of the bottle. The brand is definitely on the rise in the UK, so grab a small part of France and get tres chic before anyone else.
Find out more about the rose range on their website.
