MAC Nails Event

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Gel Lacquers, Half moon nails, Mac Fashion Sets, Mac manicure, Mac Nails Event, Prestige beauty

Mac is stepping up its game. The brand known for its fantastic foray into colour, is finally cottoning on to the opportunities available to their biggest growth category (nails have risen 67% in Prestige Beauty). By introducing 22 new nail shades (they previously had a measly eight) and four different collections of Mac Fashion Sets, Mac is not simply tapping into popular trends, but leading the way.

A sneak peek at their fabulous selection of gel lacquers

The finished result with my metallic half moons

Selected countries will also have their own Fashion Set, their bestselling lipstick matched perfectly with nail varnish and polish. The four collections; Europe & Africa, North America, Asia Pacific and Latin America & the Middle East, are worth checking out if only to see how the choices in colour and style range culturally.

Not only do the sets reflect the hottest trend of Spring/Summer seen all over the catwalks, it also means that some special edition old favorites will be returning as part of their permanent collection. Let the feeding frenzy begin.

Sephora

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Beauty shops, Sephora, Sephora Broadway, Sephora Downtown

First stop in NYC-the ultimate beauty emporium, Sephora. Whether you are faithful to your favourites or a fabulous flitter, you will find it a godsend.

Since its arrival in New York in 1998, Sephora has gone from strength to strength. Revolutionary in how it has embraced technology and science, it has pushed the retail experience into new realms. I investigated the downtown store in NYC so you could take a sneak peek.

 

Nailympics

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Essie, Leticia Haute Coiffure, Nailympics, Olympics

There is no running away-if you are not already in Olympics mode, you better prepare for everything to be Olympified… even your nails. From June 1st you will be able to experience an Olympic themed manicure courtesy of Essie at Leticia Haute Coiffure.

Using the shades of the Olympic rings – Coral Reef (red), Shifting Power (yellow), Lapiz of Luxury (blue), Cocktail Bling (grey), Navigate Her (green) – the manicure includes a soak, cuticle treatment, moisturise, and a shape and polish, enabling you to wave along those hard-working Olympians in style. 

The Shifting Power yellow had slightly less depth than the other colours but the dreamy Coral Reef red more than made up for it, a perfect holiday shade for sun-kissed skin.

Nailympics is available to book for £20.12 (clever huh) from June 1st for two months.

Leticia Haute Coiffure
59-61 Chiltern Street
London
W1U 6NG

www.leticiahautecoiffure.com

Speaking Beauty Takes on New York

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Funny sign, New York, New York numberplate, The Big Apple, Travel, Yellow taxi

Following in the footsteps of the acclaimed Liberty London Girl, I will be jumping across the pond to assess and update you on the latest goings on in Manhattan. From an insiders position working at one of the most prestigious publications houses in the Big Apple, I will provide news on the newest, weirdest and most wonderful beauty launches, as well as a sneak peek into yellow taxis, american sized portions, creative begging (see below) and most importantly how to exploit an English accent! Let the games begin.

Speaking Beauty talks 10 of the best on Harper’s Bazaar!

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10 of the best, Armani makeover, Aveda Ritual of Relaxation, Beauty Counter, Bobbi Brown Makeup Detox, Clinique As You Like It, Jo Malone Birthday Celebration, MAC false lash application, Origins Facial, Sisley Revitalising Eye Treatment, Trish McEvoy eyebrows, YSL fragrance

Check out my edit of the best beauty mini counter treatment published on Harper’s Bazaar now:

http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/beauty-health/ten-of-the-best/ten-of-the-best-beauty-counter-mini-treatments-001

 

ButterLONDON Waterless Collection

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Butter London, ButterLONDON, Jubilee, Kitten Heels Finish Foot Creme, Lillibet, Mucky Pups Foot Wipes, Rock Off Glycolic Callus Peel, Stiletto Stick Hydrating Heel Balm, The Pedicure Collection, Waterless Pedicure

There is something slightly gratifying about escaping to Summer beauty launches in this miserable, soul-destroying weather. Indulging in a pedicure is like wearing Agent Provocateur underwear when you know full well that no one is going to see it, it fills you with a kind of smug joy over your little secret.

And last week after being abandoned by several tubes and then utterly soaked in the pouring rain, I was lucky enough to be treated to a dreamy ButterLONDON pedicure. Developed out of necessity backstage at Fashion Week, their new Pedicure Collection is designed to be used without water and as they put it,’ take your footcare from ‘ewww’ to ‘ooohh’’.

A particular shout out has to go to their Rock Off Callus Peel £25, which vertially melts away the hard skin so commonly found in our fickle weather. It is undoubtedly very different to the medical alternatives you might find in the chemist and works brilliantly with their Stilletto Stick Hydrating Heel Balm, £25.

The star of the show however, was their new limited edition colour in aid of the Jubilee-Lillibet, £12.

As displayed on my lovely toes below, it is a beautiful silvery, lavender metallic infused with holographic glitter- quite unlike anything I had seen before.Best of all - practically a week on and not a chip in sight. Now, that’s something to celebrate about!

The Ultimate Handbag Essentials

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Batiste On the Go dry shampoo, Caudalie Beuaty Elixir, Guerlain Brilliant Lipsticks, Guerlain G Le Brilliant Lipsticks, Nars the Multiple, Salon Elite Tangle Teezer, Steam Cream, Superdrug hand cream, Touche Eclat, YSL Celebration Edition, Yves Saint Laurent Eau de Parfum Spray

Are you in a handbag haze? It’s time to edit down to the bare essentials. From classic favourites to the hottest new launches, Speaking Beauty has rounded up the top buys that should always be by your side to ensure you are looking your beauty best at all times.

 SALON ELITE TANGLE TEEZER, £11.20

Smooth windblown locks back into submission with this genius detangler. The newly introduced Salon Elite, makes life even easier. The centralised concave design delivers firm, salon style brushstrokes from roots to ends-fantastic for creating volume. Small and compact, you won’t leave the house without it.

 YVES SAINT LAURENT EAU DE PARFUM PURSE SPRAY, £51.25

Easily mistaken for a lipstick, this bold, vibrant fragrance is the ultimate in portable accessories. If it is up your street, you can say goodbye to carrying a hefty 100ml. This handy fragrance comes with refills of three 15ml.

GUERLAIN ROUGE G LE BRILLIANT LIPSTICKS, £27.00

Keep make-up top-ups simple throughout the day with one of Guerlain’s rich, moisturising shades that comes with a handy flip-top mirror. Its formula smoothes the lips and provides volume and hydration, easily taking you from day to night.

SUPERDRUG 2 IN 1 HAND AND NAIL CREAM, £0.69.

I have already raved about this simple, light, day-to-day cream. Great value and of course, the perfect miniature size to slip into your handbag.

YVES SAINT LAURENT TOUCHE ECLAT, £22.00

The original must have and the perfect multitasker. Use it to cover blemishes, fine lines, to brighten tired eyes and for touch-ups throughout the day. Its small size means there shouldn’t be any problem fitting it in your bag. Get the special Celebration Edition now in aid of their 20 year anniversary.

STEAM CREAM, £10.50

Don’t let England’s poor weather ravage your skin. Keep handy this super moisturising, steam infused cream to gain instant refreshment. One of the most acclaimed products of the past year, Steam Cream is not only fantastic for sensitive skin but comes in a range of beautiful tin packaging that can withstand being thrown around in your handbag. The most recent of which is Moroccan themed…pick and choose your fave.

BATISTE DRY SHAMPOO, £1.52

Essential for busy girls on the run, Batiste allows you to cheat on your everyday shampoo and keep your locks looking and smelling luscious. A few spritzes and hair appears fresh, revitalized with added body and texture. Buy the On The Go version in the soon to be launched Jubilee special edition

CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR, £32.00

Get an instant burst of radiance with this spray on face mist. It instantly freshens and energizes skin with a revitalizing mint oil scent and leaves you with a glowing, smooth complexion. Use it to set make-up or freshen up throughout the day.

NARS THE MULTIPLE– £29.00

Applying blush, lipstick and eye make-up can be hugely time consuming and contributes to the needless handbag frenzy. This creamy all in one can be used as a blush, eyeshadow, highlighter/bronzer or even a lip colour. The lightweight cream to powder formula creates a flush of colour easily applied on the go.

Happy Easter from Speaking Beauty

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Black and White photo, Easter rabbit, Girl dressed as rabbit, Polka dot rabbit outfit, Rabbit, Retro girl, Retro girl in rabbit outfit

Bonkers for a Birkin

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Birkin, Handbag, Hermes, Hermes Leather Forever, London, May

Hermes gives us a sneak peek behind the leather, in celebration of its 125th birthday.

That’s right – the luxury brand that has inspired decade long waiting lists, countless reproductions and a whole Sex and the City episode is finally opening its doors to the public in an exhibition entitled Leather Forever. As well as being able to get up close and personal with some of the most iconic bags and items of the brands history, visitors will be able to mingle with the creators behind the magic-the Parisian workshop’s artisans, who will be taking up residence at the exhibition.

Examples of the famous Kelly and Birkin bags will be on show, as well as pieces commissioned by the Duke of Windsor as gifts for Wallis Simpson and four unique bags representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, that will be auctioned later. All proceeds from this will be going to the Royal Academy.

Artistic director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, and sixth generation family member explains his excitement:

‘Sometimes I picture my ancestor Thierry Hermès back in 1837, his eyes lighting up as he breathes in and feels the leathers of the saddle and harness workshop he has just set up in Paris…the same ’olfactory joy thrills me today’

You might not have such an extensive love affair with the historic brand but no doubt you will find a tickle of excitement in drooling over some of history’s most coveted bags.

Hermès Leather Forever, 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1. Open 8th May – 27th May 2012, Monday to Sunday 10 am until 6 pm and on Fridays until 10pm. 

Beauty Titbits and Tricks

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Bronzer, Laura Mercier, Natural look, Photo of bronzed model, Sunkissed look, Trevor O'Keefe

Your skin hasn’t quite caught up with the early sunshine? Learn to fake it.

”To create a natural sun-kissed look, use a light bronzer all over the face first, then a slightly darker one on the forehead, nose and chin. A pinky-gold colour is best for fair skin, golden bronze for medium and golden red for dark complexions.”

Trevor O’Keefe – Laura Mercier make up artist