FREE Ojon shampoo & Conditioner- Buy One get Two Free! (spend £20)

This is a fantastic deal, and it's time-limited so hurry!! Buy anything at Ojon and get two full size gifts: Volume Advance Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner (worth £37.50) with any £20 purchase online (+Free delivery too!) Enter code VOLUME at checkout.


Features & Benefits of Ojon Volume Advance™ range:

· lifts hair up, fills it out

· cleanses and nourishes fine, flat hair

· provides texture, volume and body

· detangles and adds softness and shine


-Available while stocks last.

Get ready to be IMPRESSED! / BareMinerals 'Ready' Review

It has been SO long since I have been truly excited by new makeup, and even longer since I read a fantastic and alluring press release. But the BareMinerals 'Ready' collection really is very, very good indeed. It is exciting, and yet wearable. The names of the products have been livened up - and although in the past I have been exasperated by the innuendo fad - in this case - every compact has such a sweet, thoughtful theme that I just can't help being enchanted. My favourite duo is called 'The Honeymoon Phase', and the shades are named 'Giddy' and 'Do not Disturb'. There is another duo called 'The Grand Finale' - with those shades named, 'Standing O' and 'Climax'. But generally speaking, even the names are unusually philosophical: 'The Perfect Storm' contains 'Cumulus' and 'Tempest'; 'The Nick of Time' (which is firmly next on my wishlist!) contains 'Chance' and 'Kismet'; 'The Scenic Route', a calming earthy green duo, contains 'Breathtaking' and 'Spectacular.' OK, so top marks for the names.

And top marks for the marketing, which launches in ALL CAPS:

It's always the same old story. Pressed powders packed with fillers, binders, preservatives and synthetic chemicals. Promises of amazing colour by some hired celebrity. Attention-getting ads by attention-starved actresses telling you that you can be just like them: slathering on product that tugs on your eyes, toys with your emotions and burns through your money.

Hear, Hear! I love that: "tugs on your eyes, toys with your emotions!"

And, there is another nice touch, the plastic insert is printed with 'Hello' - so adorable! But now, let's assess the actual product...

BareMinerals eye shadows were formerly characterised by being loose in a pot, and usually shimmery. These will continue to be available (in over 500 shades!) and do offer the perfect option if you enjoy 'foiling' your eyeshadows. The new duos and quads, blushers, bronzers and pressed mineral veil - retain the trademark mineral content, but have nuances and a shade range not seen before. The main difference is, of course, their ease of use. Using a 'cold pressed method' the shadows contain 'SeaNutrive Complex' minerals, and 'powerful antioxidants' including borage oil, caffeine and cucumber. The blushers contain camellia oil, the bronzers contain carrot oil, and the new pressed SPF 15 Mineral Veil contains grapeseed oil. The powders are designed to 'look like a powder but feel like a cream.'

I am so impressed with the products I have tried so far; I might even go as far as saying that I can see myself getting many more and using these above all else!!! The Ready collection is permanent, and has launched exclusively in Selfridges from today (as well as online and in Bare Minerals boutiques) but will launch nationwide from next month (5th May.) The duos are 3g and very reasonably priced at £19. The quads are 5g and also a great price at £29. The blushers are £22 and the bronzer £24, finally, the pressed Mineral Veil is £22.

There are 4 quads, and each is just so wearable! I got 'The Soundtrack' - names: 'Rythm', 'Remix', 'Louder' and 'Speaker Box.' It seemed very warm toned and I wasn't sure I'd suit it, but on application the shadows are so immeasurably creamy and pigmented - a real joy to use! Also, not too metallic or shimmery - a good mix of smoky and natural options in this set.





(*no primer - and just one swipe each)

There are 22 duos. There are duochromes, metallics, or matte shades to choose from, and I really like the colour combinations - all of them look like they would actually make an excellent eye look worn together! The duo I have, 'The Honeymoon Phase', is absolutely the epitome of beauty and elegance - a soft, matte and very eye-brightening pale pink, and a softly sparkly charcoal blackened grey.





I wore this all day and it was a warm day outside with a lot of walking. I wore it over a MAC paintpot (Soft Ochre) and it still looked like this by evening, many hours later:





It had creased a little but in a very good, 'dry' and even way: no smeary greasy crease marks! I also had several compliments about looking 'fresh'. It makes a very simple and understated smokey everyday look. In fact, I daresay this will be my everyday go-to look now.... You just cannot go wrong with this duo. And the fact it is supposedly 'anti-aging' makes me even more inclined to jettison all my other eyeshadows!

And the blusher I have is called 'The Indecent Proposal'. There are 10 shades, all very natural and no garish ones at all. They range from innocent pink ('The French Kiss') to nude shades ('The One', or 'The Secret's Out', amongst others) or deeper plummy rusty shades like mine here - which reminds me a little of NARS Sin.





There are 3 bronzers, ranging from pale to mid-tone to deep: 'Skinny Dip', 'The High Dive', and 'The Deep End'. The pressed 'Ready SPF15 Touch Up Veil' comes in 2 shades, 'Translucent' and 'Tinted'.

I really have to furthermore compliment the packaging: the outer boxes are simple, sleek and modern. I even like the way there is a flap opening, not just a simple box.



The rubberised packaging is a curved square much like Chanel, but of course will inevitably mostly be compared to NARS for its rubber finish. There is a mirror of decent size and foam applicator. And of course that cute 'Hello' plastic protector inside, as well as a pamphlet to give you 'eye look' ideas.

All in all, I most heartily recommend this entire range and cannot in fact find anything at all to fault! Hmm well let me think, perhaps if the duos the paler shades were bigger than the contour shades - as I know my pink will run out before my charcoal... but that is a minor gripe. Racking my brain to think of anything else... no, nothing.


Available now from Selfridges, Bare Minerals boutiques, bareminerals.co.uk. Nationwide at all Bareminerals counters and QVC from 5th April 2012.

Kleenex Skincare: 'Wipe the day off' Campaign and contest

This is such a great idea for a campaign!

Kleenex is always there to help wipe away your day. This spring, to mark the launch of its new Facial Cleansing Range, Kleenex is helping to wipe away embarrassing moments up and down the country. And if you share your ‘Wipe Me Away’ moment at Facebook.com/KleenexCleansing or tweet it to @KleenexCleanse, you could win the chance to have it ‘wiped away’ with a personalised gift.

So if you’ve tripped up running for the bus, Kleenex could send you some trainers to improve your speed and stability; or if you’ve tried to take your jumper off on a hot date and got it caught on your new hoop earrings, Kleenex might just send you a sensible pair of studs for the future!

Jenny Beral, Kleenex, says: “It’s no surprise to hear that each evening women take off so much more than just their make-up. That downtime in front of the mirror is the perfect opportunity to reflect on everything that has happened, wipe away the day, and move on afresh.”

It is so true that when you wash your face off, it does herald the end of any embarrassing moments for that day. I would share my excruciating memory of chatting up a man - right in front of his husband (of 12 years.) Actually I found it so hilarious and comforting to find out afterwards. In fact, in hindsight, his husband wore an expression of patient and knowing exasperation. So girls, if a guy looks completely unmoved when you flirt, that might be the reason...?

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets are RRP** £2.99 for 50 sheets, Facial Cleansing Wipes and Eye Make- Up Removal Wipes are RRP** £2.99 for 24 wipes and Facial Cloths are RRP** £1.99 for 30 cloths. All products are available from most major retailers.

- Check out my original review of the range here.

Share your stories below - or enter the contest to win!

Earth Month with Origins / Free Origins moisturiser trade-in day coming soon!

Spring is finally here in earnest and April (Earth month) is approaching fast. If you want to help save the planet, get your elbows sharpened! Two great ways to show your support this April:

GLOBAL RELEAF CAMPAIGN
As part of their commitment to the planet, Origins has established a partnership with Global ReLeaf to plant trees to help restore areas damaged by wildfire and help clean our air and water. For every product purchased within the A Perfect World™ franchise between 15th – 28th April 2012, Origins will plant a tree on the customer’s behalf.

EARTH MONTH TRADE-IN DAY 21ST APRIL 2012

Also, for one day only on Saturday 21st April 2012, customers can bring in any empty skincare product (from any brand) and trade it in for a complimentary full size of either Starting Over™ Age-erasing Moisturizer with Mimosa value £36.00/€50.00 OR A Perfect World SPF25 Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea value £32.00/€45.00. Samples are on a first come, first serve basis with 5,000 available nationwide.

20% OFF Toni & Guy

Buy this month's Your Hair magazine (£2.99) and you can do what I did and get 20% off until 11th April. Actually, Your Hair magazine is one of my favourite reads! The hair magazines always tend to have the most interesting makeup looks, and the science and art of hair colour and cuts always inspires me too. The imagination and craft that goes into some of the images...

I had my hair highlighted but I might have it touched up a little as it looks funny when I put my hair up - to be honest I'm not sure I like it all that much... and it is very dry and damaged so will have to start using some good quality hair nourishment potions... I have yet to find a colourist I love - but anyway, I skimmed off a chunk of the cost using the voucher!

Here's a quick pic - but this is after I washed it so not looking too pretty sadly.

Collections decided by popular demand! (but hurry)

I love this, power to the people wooooo (Etc.) Bobbie Brown recently concluded her 'Bobbi Brings Back' lipstick initiative. Consumers, bereft of their favourite shades - that were so mercilessly axed - suddenly have a surge of hope. Votes were collected, and the deed is done. The 6 formerly moribund shades are now to be revived with a flourish. But hark, these shades will be available "for a limited time". Plus ça change, eh? Similarly, MAC have unveiled possibly one of their most exciting collections (unless you are an ebay seller specialising in hiked up priced LE fodder...) 'MAC By Request'. Here's the press release:

This time you decide! First time ever M·A·C are producing a limited collection created for and by the M·A·C fans. A selection of eighteen most requested, cult classics and iconic shades, will be put up to vote on M·A·C’s Facebook page. Giving another chance for those fans out there to bring back and get their hands on the most wanted M·A·C shades!

The shades to vote on include:

LIPSTICKS

EDEN ROCKS

First seen: launched in May 2000 and then made permanent. Discontinued in February 2011.

CANDY YUM-YUM

First seen: launched in Quite Cute collection in April 2011 and was the fastest selling shade in a collection in 2011

MOXIE

First seen: launched in September 1999 in the Retro Matte Lipsticks collection and then was made permanent. Discontinued in March 2011

SHITAKI

First seen: launched in the Cuisine collection in March 2001 and was made permanent. It was discontinued in February 2011

ROCKER

First seen: launched in the Time Rocker collection in 1999

3N

First seen: launched in the N collection in January 2008, then Warm and the Cozy collection and lastly in the Post-Holiday collection in 2009

LIPGLASS

EMANCIPATION

First seen: launched in the Wonder Woman collection in February 2011

FLASH OF FLESH

First seen: launched in the D’Bohemia collection in May 2005

ICESCAPE

First seen: launched in the Love Lace collection in December 2009

BAIT

First seen: launched in the Lure collection in June 2006

CULT OF CHERRY

First seen: launched in the Cult of Cherry collection in September 2008

2N

First seen: launched in the N Collection in January 2008 and then the Warm and Cozy collection and the Post-Holiday collection in 2009

EYE SHADOW

MOTH BROWN

First seen: launched in the Madame B collection in March 2000

GUACAMOLE

First seen: launched in the Salsabelle collection in May 2005

SOLAR WHITE

First seen: launched in the Cool Heat collection in June 2008

COOL HEAT

First seen: launched in the Cool Heat collection in June 2008

JETÉ

First seen: launched in the Danse collection in January 2006

HEAVENLY BLISS

First seen: launched in the Eden Rocks collection in May 2001

The three shades with the highest number of votes from the Lipstick, Lipglass, Eye shadow categories will form the M·A·C by Request collection that will be made available in October 2012 exclusively online, www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Voting commences on the March 12^th until March 30^th

...Check out this very excellent comparison post for swatches to help you decide! I adore Moth Brown and Solar White eyeshadows, and I am desperate to see what the fuss about the N series was about - and definitely want to have Dita Von Teese's favourite, Moxie, back in stock! The only downside is that, once again, it will be limited edition - and only available online. Oh well, it's a start!

I must hand it to Illamasqua (again) though. Not only do they so far eschew this abhorrent practice of discontinuing items and of making L.E a point of principle, they have also launched a very impressive section of their website called 'Socialise'. I have to say, I loved that Illamasqua had a humble 'blogspot' and I always enjoyed the posts. But I admit that now, as part of the official website, it does look simultaneously extremely professional and fun. The absolute best thing about Illamasqua is how they keep up with their customers and react to each and every demand. Their new live swatching is nothing short of a revelation! Such an obvious idea, taking its cue from 'live catwalks' as per ASOS, and applying it for makeup! And I see they are also keen for swatch donations - send in your swatch pictures and even further enrich the virtual experience. Human Fundamentalism is the new Illamasqua collection, and although I've not tried it yet, I love the manic mash up of imagery - a huge dose of 90s bungled in with tribal african elements, and an ombre hen just to spice it up. They even have an old lady - with wrinkles! Shocking stuff. Taking its cue from normal people really has become Illamasqua's calling card.

Check out the collection here. They have even brought back their statement mission to make blue lips 'stick' (so to speak) but I remain for the time being unconvinced as ever... despite Alex Box claiming this particular teal tricks the eyes... I will be seeing it for myself and will report back....! The eponymous Fundamental palette, with its unusual mix of colour and texture, definitely is on my hit list.

In conclusion, I think it is great that modern consumerism means companies have to bow to The Peoples' Will, and I think it is ambitious but overwhelmingly admirable, that Illamasqua have in their latest collection, attempted to distill what modern cosmopolitan hybrids mean today. The only drawback is that Illamasqua campaigns are often so ambitious and complicated that they risk looking messy and intimidating for the average sorry 9 to 5er. All in all though, the collections all look very exciting - and that's the bottom line.

...What do you think of this sudden surge of trying to capture our favourites and let the dog have its day?

I've added a poll up there

Fashion Weak

As fashion week is upon us I was vaguely musing on the latest enfant terrible Marc Jacobs, who has once again stirred up the issue of child images used to entice invariably older adults. It is hard to feel sorry for beautiful people who earn their fortune through not mental prowess, but purely through their blessed genetics - yet as they are treated as 'independent contractors' and are routinely fleeced by their agents, and spend their days being tossed about like rag dolls - perhaps one should. The Marc Jacobs designs looked like they had the capacity to turn anyone over 25 into an instant old lady, so possibly, selecting a couple of teenagers was essential? It seems to me to be a tacit way of ensuring the emaciated scrawny flat-chested look without actively risking the model's ill health - as those 'objectionable parts' simply have not developed yet.

In a similar way, big lips are great but they often come with big noses - and that will not do. Big breasts often come with big hips and thighs but that will not do. So we are in a position where very young plumped faces with scrawny bodies are offered in the form of underage models (who will soon grow out of this ratio) and plastic surgery whereby your big lips can stay but trim the nose to a slither. And you can diet and exercise to get slim hips and thighs, but be sure to get bulbous round (but never drooping) breasts to establish your femininity in a swift motion. There is nothing wrong with setting the bar high to strive for virtually impossible beauty, but representing outright fake or misleading beauty as attainable is just so depressing and misguided. For the first time in decades women have the license to have curves, by seeing Kelly Brook, Kim Kardashian, JLo, Beyonce and Rhianna as templates. However for a high fashion and sophisticated image these do not qualify at all.

Is it wrong to see teenagers modelling clothes that they are not the target audience of? Perhaps not, in terms of them making the choice (if they conclude that dropping out of school to cash in on their youthful money maker face, that is a choice and should not be over-dramatised to equate to slavery) but, more prosaically, it is wrong because it is insulting to grown women, who know that young bloom is gone forever and no amount of botox and blusher can ever quite compete. Personally I would like an age minimum to be enforceable because I think there is something weirdly unhealthy about having prospective women customers basing their purchases on young under-developed teenagers...

Here's a video of the Vivienne Westwood makeup behind the scenes for more:



Whilst on the subject of fashion week, if you plan to attend London Fashion Weekend which sounds fun, don't forget to use quote 'Glossybox' for 15% off. [See my February glossybox review here (link.)]