Tag Archives: elizabeth arden

Enter the Red Door Experience

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

red-door-experience-debenhams-londonParty season is now and full swing and if you are like me, you – and your skin – might be feeling a bit exhausted!

You’ll be pleased to know that Elizabeth Arden brought their NY beauty secrets to the heart of London: welcome to The Red Door Experience.

Newly opened at Debenhams Oxford Street, The Red Door offers services from speedy pick me ups to full body pampering.

Now, I must point out that the 15 minute treatments are perfect for the festive season: the Oxygen Blast Facial cost £15 and is designed to revitalise skin. A thorough cleanse and tone is followed by an oxygen, hyaluronic acid and 16 minerals. I tried that myself and just say skin felt renewed for a few days. Night before who?!

elizabeth-arden-red-door-debenhamsApart from that, there’s another express device at the same price, the pollution solution, perfect for us big city folks, which has anti-ageing and anti-pollution properties. You get a quick fix that packs s punch: Cleansing, a boost with the SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster and a sheet mask full of antioxidants.

The top treatment is the the Ultimate Arden Facial (£70, 75 minutes) which has microdermabrasion and special mask, as well as décolleté treatment, scalp massage, hand treatment and upper body warm stone massage.

red-door-experience-debenhams-london1The introductory Elizabeth Arden Essential Facial counts with cleansing, exfoliation and hydration (£50, 50 minutes), the Ceramide Anti-Ageing Facial (£65, 65 minutes) is focused on rejuvenation, strengthening and moisturisation and the Oxygen Infusion Facial (£65, 65 minutes) delivers that fabulous signature oxygen and minerals infusion and a collagen mask for rejuvenation.

Apart from those, you can also count on the free Lady Liperty (exfoliating lip fix, Eight Hour Cream Protectant and lip colour to match you mood and complexion), Pampered Hands (lush Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment plus All-Over Miracle Oil) and Find Your Perfect Match (foundation type and colour match).

To find out about all the treatments and book your, visit the Elizabeth Arden website.

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Flutter with Elizabeth Arden’s new mascara, Grand Entrance

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

elizabeth_arden_grand_entrance_mascara_review - 1Oh, the feeling to be sent something brand new, yet to be launched, that not many people have seen, just like you were let in to a secret….

That’s how I felt when I received the Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara.

Although I was dying to post pics of this pretty in black and red new mascara, I held back and started trying it incognito.

elizabeth_arden_grand_entrance_mascara_review - 3It has a medium creaminess formula – not too dry, not too wet. It’s super black and glossy.

The precision brush, which is in a dish shape, has plastic bristles. The concave part has no bristles, so it’s like a deposit for the mascara.

I use that part to build volume, as there’s plenty of liquid in, and its shape helps push lashes up.

Then I use the convex part of the brush, with tons of bristles in different sizes, to give my lashes more definition.  The result is good; I’d say volume and great lengthening are the strong features for this one. Its durability is good; it doesn’t flake or run and it’s easy to remove.

The Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara costs £15 (which is a great price, btw) and will be available from the 14 February, online at Elizabeth Arden (you can pre-order now!) and retailers nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Well oiled: the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour All-Over Miracle Oil

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

elizabeth_arden_eight_hour_all_over_miracle_oil_review - 1A couple years ago I developed a serious love of facial oils. The effect oils made for my skin is quite amazing.

The Eight Hour Cream is a must have classic and lives in my makeup bag – it’s great for everything.

When I found out about the Eight Hour Miracle Oil, I had a little silent squee and just needed to try. I was intrigued by the multi functionality of this product, as I can be used on face, body and hair.

When it arrived, I was going away for the weekend, had packed and boyfriend was picking me up from the office and bringing my bag. He mention a parcel had arrived, and there it was! I immediately told him to throw it in the suitcase.

It was a god send as I forgot my body moisturiser and hair conditioner!

Used it after washing my hair with shampoo only and my hair immediately felt soft and manageable. Plus it dried shiny and it didn’t weigh hair down.

elizabeth_arden_eight_hour_all_over_miracle_oil_review - 2Feels great on the body too. It is super light in consistency, spreads and absorbs very well.

Where it shines, however, for me, is on the face. It’s supple but light enough to use during the day under makeup, just beware it does compromise durability a bit, just like any oil.

I’ve been massaging it deeply on face a neck. It delivers superior hydration throughout the day, something very welcome as my skin is suffering a lot with the weather at the moment.

At night, can be combined with a thin layer of the traditional Eight Hour Cream; I woke up to replenished, hydrated, soothed, soft and radiant skin.

It contains tsubaki oil (extracted from camellia flowers), omega 6 and 9, grapeseed, avocado, sunflower seed oils, ginger root extract, boswellia resin and vitamin E.

Overall, a superb product. And the price is quite something too: £29 for 100ml.

It’s available at Elizabeth Arden online, concessions and retailers nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

So Many Lovely Things beauty retrospective 2015: skincare

Posted in Beauty by

skincare_retrospective_somanylovelythingsIn 2015 I fell in love with skincare even more. I really drilled onto the nurturing aspect of dealing with my difficult and acneic skin, and the results, overall, are amazing.

Another very tough choice as the options are aplenty and great, but here we go:

Facial oil

dr_jacksons_face_oil_review - 1Dr Jackson Facial Oil: what an oil, what an amazing brand. The product is rich and nourishing, a delight to use. My skin loves it.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Oil: what a delight. I am a fan of the Eight Hour Cream, and this oil delivers in all areas: face, body and skin. It’s light and locks moisture for the long haul.

Face cream

Day

kiehls_ultra_facial_cream_review - 3Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream: super light, a delight under makeup, steady moisturistion during the day.

IMG_2530Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Broad Spectrum anti-wrinkle protect cream: lovely smell and texture, great moisturisation and SPF20.

thisworks_lightime_skin_plumper_review - 1This works light time skin plumper: super light and efficient, it’s plump-tastic. Plus the smell heps you wake up.

Night

Dermalogica pure night: light, moisturising and directed to pigmentation issues.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Cream: rich with oil goodness and a fab smell.

Serum

Skinceauticals Blemish+Age Defense: the product that has it all for my skin type. It fights blemishes and ageing signs. Very fluid, easily absorbed and works a treat.

jurlique rose serumJurlique Rose Moisture Plus: a fluid moisturing serum, quickly absorbed by the skin which smells of roses.

liz_earle_serum - 1Liz Earle Superskin Face Serum: thicker than your usual, but light on the skin. Full of goodness and perfect for night.

bee_god_serum_review - 1Bee Good Hydrate, Smooth and Prime Serum: having honey as main ingredient, this light serum is quickly absorbed to create a semi-matte finish.

Hydration booster

dermalogica skin hydrating boosterDermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster: a little pot of goodness with a fluid, water-like liquid that delivers a boost of lasting hydration to your skincare routine.

Skinceauticals Hydrating B5: also fluid and water-like, works to potentialise the effects of your other mositurisers.

Lip balm

Nivea lip butterNivea lip butter: still a favourite, not losing its place in my favourites. This year, the coconut version is the star!

Eye cream

Ole Henriksen ultimate lift eye gel: bright blue and super light, this gel is refreshing and super light, perfect for day.

dermalogica wonder eye creamDermalogica intensive eye repair: also very light and extra moisturising.

S5 RENEW EYE CREAMS5 renew eye cream: a brand close to my heart that makes the most amazing products. This eye cream is supple, light and super moisturising.

Facial wash

s5_clarity_cleanser_review - 2S5 Clarity Cleanser: a star. Ever so gentle, cleans deeply, soothes and helps with blemishes.

a light foam that cleans deep. Skin feels purified and there’s no tightness.

Face scrub

Alpha H Micro Cleanse Exfoliator: with glycolic acid, this granulated product exfoliates and polishes skin, in a gentle manner. Skin feels renewed and radiant after use.

PMD Microdermabrasion: an amazing personal microdermabrasion device. Used weekly, I really felt a difference after a few uses.

Best all rounder

elizabeth arden eight hour creamElizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream: no praises spared on this one. Fabulous all-rounder for the face, I use on lips and occasionally on the skin when the wind gets stronger. Amazing regenerative properties, so great for scrapes.

Blemish fighting

Malin + Goetz Sulphur paste: spot zapping at its best. This weird product does work a treat, you do, however, have to put up with white patches on the face. One to use overnight.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I.: a gentle target breakout corrector. Not a killer zapper, but a gentle worker.

Face masks

Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask: a lovely dark clay mask that is super moisturising. A great treat.

caudalie glycolic peel maskCaudalie Instant Detox Mask: a pink clay mask that purifies and tightens without drying. In fact, all Caudalie masks are ace, I also use the Glycolic Peel and the Moisturizing mask which are fab.

Toners

pixi glow tonicI love a good toner, and the Pixi Glow Tonic is just that. Slightly exfoliating, it delivers radiance within days of use. And has a great price.

The Clinique Anti-Blemish Clarifying Lotion is great for when skin is not behaving well and is breaking out.

When skin is sensitive (after microdermabrasion or exfoliation), the dermalogica multi-vitamin toner saves the day as it’s very mild and hydrating.

Pre-routine

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 1I wasn’t sure how to call the Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion, but it’s in. It’s fresh, slightly moisturising and a delight to use.

Face mist

pixi glow mistCan’t live without a face mist, and in the winter even more so. The Pixi Glow Mist is a firm favourite and delivers in all areas.

The Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is fresh and an office staple, and the Liz Earle Skin Booster Tonic Spritzer is nourishing and refreshing. Long live the facial mists!

What products couldn’t your skin live without in 2015?

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This post mentions some press samples.

Weather changes: what about my skin?

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

winter_skincare_somanylovelythings - 1My skin is, at the best of days, problematic. After suffering from acne most of my life, I really need to be careful with how I approach skincare.

Season changes can play havoc with it if I don’t start adapting my routine at the first signs of change.

Whereas spring and summer are gentler and require less care in general, this time of the year can be quite challenging for me, and I have already started to adapt my ways.

winter_skincare_somanylovelythings - 2Immediately, the colder air seems to suck out the moisture of my skin. Although I have acne, my skin can get quite dry and dehydrated.

A common mistake for acneic skin sufferers is to think oily skin doesn’t need moisture. I myself did that for a long time. Sebum and hydration are two different thing, so make sure you are hydrating and nourishing oily skin.

At the same time, I cannot use very rich creams on my face. In the summer, I can’t even contemplate; in the winter, I can take a bit more richness, but not a lot.

I change to a gentler face wash/cleanser, such as S5 Clarity Cleanser (ever so gentle) and Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser.

In terms of toners, I tend to swap for gentler one, such as the Dermalogica Multi Active Toner every other day, then rotate my favourites Clinique Anti-Blemish Clarifying Lotion and Pixi Glow Tonic.

winter_skincare_somanylovelythings - 7

A pre-cleanse, when wearing heavy make up, also helps making the whole process less abrasive. The Dermalogica Precleanse is fabulous, I cannot recommend enough.

During the day, I’ve been starting with The Body Shop Essence Lotion and follow with a moisturiser with SPF, which can be Caudalie Polyphenol C15, Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser, Dermalogica Sheer Tint or Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance (the last two are tinted).

Other times I use Clinique Anti-Blemish Solution Clearing Moisturiser or thisworks energy bank sun flash or light time skin plumper with a sunscreen underneath, such as the fabulous Eucerin Mattifying Sun fluid.

winter_skincare_somanylovelythings - 8At night, I usually apply either a good moisturiser or light night cream. Favourites at the moment include the S5 Balance Fluid, The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Gel and Cream, Liz Earle Superskin Face Serum (which is a fabulous thicker serum).

Then I complement with a serum and/or oil, depending on how parched my skin feels. Favourites include Balance Me Radiance Oil, Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely revitalising Facial Oil, Caudalie Vinoperfect (to help me get rid of some sun/hormonal dark spots that usually appear on my face in the summer), Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus, S5 Purity Serum.

winter_skincare_somanylovelythings - 9I never thought oils would be suitable for my skin, having acne and all, but since I started, with Balance Me Radiance oil, I noticed a great improvement.

The theory is that once you are already giving your skin oil, it doesn’t need to produce more. It did work for me and after a while I could, for the first time in years, see radiance on my skin.

All that in conjunction with the fabulous Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster, which is great for face and eyes, giving my skin that extra hydration, day or night.

winter_skincare_somanylovelythings - 4I feel that high on my cheekbones and around the eyes,my skin get extra dry, so I use eye creams in the morning and evening. Favourites include Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair, S5 Renew Eye Cream and Joan Collins Superlift eye serum, not to forget some coconut oil from time to time.

Mists play a huge part in my winter routine. Central heating is not great for skin so I keep mine in check with a great facial spray.

I love the Jurlique Rose Mist, Pixi Glow Mist and Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritz.

winter_skincare_somanylovelythings - 6My lips suffer all year round and tend to dry, flake and chap quite easily. Unlucky for me, they are also quite “fussy” in regards to what works, and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream and Nivea Lip Butter are the only things that will prevent and treat them well.

As the season evolves and weather fluctuates, I adjust the above accordingly. I am always trying different combinations: some nights I might use oil, serum and moisturiser; some days, only serum, depending on how my skin feels and looks.

The important thing for me is is to keep it comfortable, looking healthy and most importantly, breakout free as much as possible.

What kind of changes do you make to your skincare routine for the new seasons? Does your skin suffer with it?

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This post contains a mix of press samples and products I bought myself. Refer to links for full reviews and info.

Re-visiting a classic: the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

elizabeth arden eight hour creamIf memory hasn’t betrayed me, I believe Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant was the very first skincare I had access to when I got to London more than a decade ago.

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Review: Elizabeth Arden Sunkissed Pearls Bronzer and Highlighter

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elizabetharden2

Pretty. That was the very first thing I noticed about the Elizabeth Arden Sunkissed Pearls Bronzer and Highlighter.

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Review: Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Posh Purples Eye Shadow Quad

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elizabeth arden Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad – Posh Purples

My day to day makeup is usually very neutral (read gold tones eyes and red lippy) that will make it through the seasons without any problems. However, seasonal touches that make a real difference are always welcome.

Riding on the purple trend for AW14, Elizabeth Arden brings out the Beautiful Color Posh Purple eyeshadow palette quad, with four gorgeous and wearable colours.

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Elizabeth Arden magical Christmas

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elizabeth arden christmas

Elizabeth Arden is doing Christmas in great style this year. I was shown around a beautiful penthouse apartment in central London, scented and decorated just like Christmas, all the wonderful things they are bringing out, and oh, I want them all!

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