Murad Hybrids Makeup: Review and Swatches

Murad, one of my favourite skincare lines, has finally now branched into makeup. Starting with primers and undereye concealers, Jeff Murad assured me at a recent launch event that next in the works will be a melanin activating bronzer, various blushers, an acne/oil controlling tinted primer, and a fully developed makeup line.

I have been testing the two available primers for months now so here is my review. The main reason it took so long is that I like to test skincare for longer, just to be sure. These 'Skin Perfecting Primers' currently come in two variations, 'Dewy' finish or ''Matte' finish. They retail at £27 (30ml) and here are some of the claims:

• Minimizes the appearance of pores while balancing oil production
• Adaptive Shade Technology creates a perfect skin tone match
• Improves skin grain by tightening dilated pores
• Soothes and reduces inflammation
• Protects against UV induced free radicals to preserve and improve skin elasticity, firmness and tone.

I would agree, shockingly, with the promise that one shade fits all. At the launch event, it really did seem to work on every skin tone. The coverage is sheer and not designed to be buildable; however if you have virtually flawless skin, this will very visibly even out your skintone (but not conceal any major darkness or redness.) I had the feeling the Matte was fractionally darker and more neutral toned than the possibly lighter and warmer toned Dewy, but perhaps that is due to it being somewhat more dense. I tried one on each side of my face and they both blended in without trace. Both are pleasantly lightweight and very easy to apply. They also lent my face a luminosity.

Sadly I found neither could cope with my natural 'shine.' It did not extend the wear of my foundation, however it did work brilliantly underneath mineral loose foundations to make them adhere better to the skin. With my normal liquid foundations (I'm currently using Youngblood liquid mineral foundation) it did not change the wear, although it did sometimes mean I used less foundation. I am looking forward to the 'Acne and Shine Control' version, as I feel that would probably worst best with my oily skin and benefit me far more. Incidentally, both the Matte and the Dewy versions are oil free, so I had no problems with either, and they blend effortlessly into the skin. Here they are just prior to blending:

above: Matte

above: Dewy

above: L-R Matte, Dewy, Eye Lift Perfector, Eye Lift Illuminator

as above, spread

as above, the dry-down

The other two products are for under eyes. Firstly, the Eye Lift Perfector. (£25) This is the more concealing of the two, but it is very lightweight. The tips on these are anti-bacterial and are soft rubberised feel. They are clearly designed with sensitive eyes in mind. You twist to release product, so be careful not to turn it more than needed.

The claims on this are:

• Increase skin firmness by 50% in 15 minutes
• Minimize the appearance of dark circles

I did find this very comforting first thing in the morning, and refreshing. But, it does not offer enough coverage, so I have had to use it as a layering product. I think for young skin or those who prefer natural looking makeup this will be ideal but for anyone past their teens seeking true coverage this will need to be used more as skincare than as makeup (at least for me.) I am hoping in time it might help lessen my dark shadows so I'll keep you posted...

The final makeup product I have been using is the Eye Lift Illuminator. (£25) This is a very subtle and sheer lilac which I was advised is best used on the outer portion of the eye to lift it and act as a highlighter. Again, this promises to increase skin firmness by 50% in 15 minutes. I have been using it as a highlighter and it's extremely comforting to use in the morning, very cool on the skin and it does give some energy back to my eyes, however I noticed this product does not like to be mixed with any other makeup - as soon as I put my foundation on top, it began flaking. Again, possibly this is best for those who wear less makeup than I do, and prefer a more imperceptible lift.

I am so pleased that one of the most reliable skincare brands are branching into makeup, I always like the thought that my makeup is actively helping my skin. I will continue to incorporate these products into my routine, and especially if they can come up with one with serious shine control!

I have also tested a sample of their new moisturiser, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, £59, (50ml) - "the most hydrating moisturiser Murad has ever offered."

It promises,

• Ultra-concentrated, silky moisturizing cream offers immediate and long lasting hydration providing positively radiant skin
• Avocado, Sunflower and Olive Fruit Oils enhance skin’s ability to retain maximum levels of hydration
• Retinyl Palmitate and Shea Butter improve texture and while restoring natural smoothness and softness
• Collagen Support Complex boosts skin’s resilience and plumps dehydrated skin
• Locks in moisture for 8 hours

Of course, this was far richer than my usual moisturiser, but I used it at night. Despite its oil content I did not feel it was greasy, and actually I rather liked it used very sparingly. I will continue to use this, although I suspect that sadly it will not replace my very favourite, Active Radiance Serum. (£95)

I must finally thank Murad for such a fantastic event, I was treated to a glycolic peel which made my skin instantly a thousand times better! Dr Murad and his son Jeff are wonderful and the brand is one that has truly been crafted from a real knowledge of how skin responds to treatment. If you have never tried Murad I suggest you start with a cleanser, you'll soon be hooked. (My current favourite is the Essential- C Cleanser.)

Murad products are available from Harrods and leading salons and spas nationwide including the May Fair Hotel Spa. For stockists call 0844 472 7050 or visit www.murad.co.uk

The last taboo?

It is so hard to shock nowadays... Sexual product names? yawn. Swear words or anagrams? Not amusing even the first time, double yawn. S&M? So commercial! Androgny? Well now we've finally had male to female, that's exhausted. Drug use? Yes, it'll get the ad banned, but so 90s. Wait - what's this, pedophilia?

The new Marc Jacobs fragrance, 'Oh, Lola!' apparently takes its cue from his own so creative use of a perfume bottle as codpiece. But here it is 17 year old Dakota Fanning, prizing the tall bottle between her dress. Subtlety is a wasted art to Marc Jacobs it seems.





What did you think, should the ad have been banned or is 17 too old to be considered a 'child'? What is the last taboo? Would an ad campaign actually make you boycott the product if you disagreed on moral grounds?

Evelyn Lauder : August 12, 1936 – November 12, 2011

Evelyn Lauder has died, aged 75, from complications of non-genetic ovarian cancer.

Despite having been such a staunch and visible advocate of Breast Cancer Awareness, Evelyn Lauder never referred to the fact that she herself had been a cancer survivor, surviving both early-stage breast cancer and ovarian cancer. It was not until an interview in 2009 with WWD that she even acknowledged any association at all, and even then she discounted her case as merely “a scare.” At the recent Breast Cancer Awareness event I went to, we were told that Evelyn Lauder's classic response, when asked by journalists whether she had a personal link to the disease, was: ' What difference would it make if I had?'

The Estee Lauder brand, despite being a huge orchestrated body of various other household names, still retained its family heritage and human face thanks to Evelyn Lauder's regular personal appearances with Elizabeth Hurley, and her eponymous BCA lipstick editions. At the October event, we were also told that at its inception, the very idea of mentioning the word 'breast' so openly was anathema. The pink ribbon was largely Evelyn Lauder's creation, and is now instantly recognised as a symbol of breast cancer.

Her belief that one day breast cancer would be eliminated, or at least managed, fuelled her passion to raise awareness. She also opened a breast cancer centre,

“I wanted to have the mall of medicine,” Lauder told WWD as the Center was opening in October 2009. “I wanted everything under one roof. I was on the board at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and at the time, the doctor who was in charge of the hospital said they were building a breast center. And I said, ‘Oh, this is fabulous. What are you going to have in the breast center?’ So he said, ‘We’re going to have oncology and we’re going to have mammography. I said, ‘Is that it?’ He says, ‘Well, what else do you want?’ And I said, ‘Well, I would want physical therapy, psychological counseling, an education center so that we could pick up information in either leaflets or online, nutritional counseling, a pharmacy so you don’t have to go running around the city to get everything, a boutique that might sell all the needs of a woman while she’s waiting for reconstruction to get the right bra and do whatever is necessary — bathing suits, you know?’” The 150,000-square-foot facility is a bricks-and-mortar testament to her vision.

It is arguable that Evelyn Lauder was the first to get a deep-rooted partnership between the beauty industry, and charity; the very idea that by treating yourself to luxury you can simultaneously give money and publicity to an important cause. And it never seemed to have any ulterior motive, any hint of scoring points, or of marketing acumen - though of course, Evelyn Lauder had plenty of that - she launched many now ubiquitous perfumes, handpicked brand ambassadors and scouted out Bumble & Bumble. Her legacy is undeniable, and I feel so sad at her passing. This article gives an intimate view of the person behind the brand, and is very much worth a read.

John Carne Knightsbridge1st Anniversary Drinks evening - You're invited!

Do you remember my fabulous hair makeover?

The John Carne hair boutique in Knightsbridge are now celebrating their One Year anniversary. Congratulations!

This Wednesday 26th, from 6pm they'll be holding a drinks and canapes evening - so if you are in the area, please come along! (I am definitely going to try and make it if I can.)

Ellie and Sean are so adorable and really know their art. If you get an appointment you'll get the full luxury treatment guaranteed.

How to prove your concealer is the best...

Yes Kat Von D thought of it first, but Zombie Boy's conceptual tattoo really has become his very identity. Dermablend have shot a promotional video which seems to literally erase everything. It almost looks too convincing; a makeup remover - let alone the makeup itself - that wipes off in one go like that?! But apparently it's true.

This is a great advert, it certainly makes me want to try Dermablend again. I tried the concealer years ago but don't remember what I thought. (The fact I never re-bought it seems to hint I found some fault; nevertheless, this demo makes me want to give it a second chance pronto.) Poor Rick Genest, it looks like a very uncomfortable makeover/ makeunder. He did a great job and I think his natural charisma helps any brand.

Dermablend's rather hackneyed "Go beyond the cover / How do you judge a book?" tagline doesn't really break new ground, and seeing Zombie Boy's little scrawny physique undermines his awesome image, just a tad... But, I still say this is a Great Advert.

What is the best way to prove a concealer's performance? I suppose covering a tattoo is more palatable than a graphic demo of covering up acne scars and port wine stains...? Does it convince you, or would you rather see genuine skin complaints erased?

Illamasqua Debut Fragrance sounds interesting....

"I am bottled Midnight," promises the advert.


The bottle sits on its side and has a sweet silver snail perched on top. There are lots of octopuses in the Alex Box artwork. It's a unisex fragrance (these are usually my fave) and it's an EDP! It's £59 for 75ml. Out from 20th October in time for Halloween, it's already available to pre-order online. To celebrate the imminent launch, you could win tickets to the Masked Halloween Ball organised by The Last Tuesday Society which is now sold out! It looks so much fun, I'm jealous. You get 2 tickets, £200 spending money, and a dance lesson on the night! To enter this competition and be in with a chance of winning a place on the guestlist to the decadent party, simply visit http://www.illamasqua.com/maskedball/

But HURRY! Competition closes online at 11.59pm GMT Wednesday 19th October 2011. Winner to be drawn at random and notified on Thursday 20th October 2011. This competition is open internationally.


TOP NOTES: Black Davana, Opium Flower and Belladonna bewitch the senses into uncontrollable lust and passion.

HEART NOTES: Poison Hemlock, Datura and Queen of the Night blossom, caress and kiss.

BASE NOTES: Aromas of Frankincense, Oud and Myrrh, addictively mesmerises and captures the senses.

Flitting playfully from floral to a woody balsamic, the rich and exotic opening notes of Black Davana casts a magical spell of desire across the senses. This compelling burnt orange bloom base is highly prized the world over for its ability to enhance the wearer's natural perfume. The subtle mustiness of Poison Hemlock haunts the background tone of Freak, adding alluring depths of mystery. Datura, the Moonflower, an intoxicating scent that has long been used as a heady aphrodisiac. The exquisitely rare Queen of the Night blooms fleetingly for a single night each year, and completes this daringly provocative concoction with its warm, soft floral scent touched with sweetness.

Great new haircare finds! (For mangled highlighted hair)

I have been experiencing the novelty of smooth, shiny hair... And in addition to my treasured Schwarzkopf BC Silver shampoo and the divine smelling Seah Blossom Wrap Conditioning Lotion, I think I've found another couple of wonder products. One is a professional product and comes in neat capsules that dare I say looks appetising?!

Firstly, those capsules:



This is a new haircare range by Indola, called Innova and these are the Repair Capsules. The range pitches itself as 'Think Smart. Think Indola' and aims for the young, trendy and discerning. You get 30 capsules, 1ml each. [£10.99] I used 1 capsule on my short hair - so thick or long hair might need more than one. As soon as I put it in (damp hair) it became instantly manageable. Blow drying it straight was a breeze. I love Clynol Look At Me Centre Stage Smoothing Styling Cream for that purpose - but these capsules are a rich, intense version for me right now. Top marks. I adore them and especially enjoy twisting their little tails off to release the oil!

Next is the much-advertised L'Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 60 Second Saviour [£4.99, 200ml.] I was skeptical, having confined myself to exclusively salon-grade ranges. But I must say, from the very first use, it works. It seems to really nourish my hair, and for the low price point, this is a solid buy for anyone. And it really does work within 60 seconds!



Now my other Indola Innova recommendations are the Non Aerosol Spray [£7.70 for 300ml] which is part of their 'Finish' range. The collection is divided and colour coded accordingly. There's 'Colour', 'Repair', 'Hydrate', 'Specialists', 'Setting', 'Texture', and 'Finish.'


I like this because it delivers a good hold without harming the environment! For some reason I feel inordinately guilty about using aerosol spray cans! And now I can heartily recommend you switch too. It still smells reassuringly like hairspray and although it squirts out the product, it dries instantly and never gave me a heavy or lacklustre result. My favourite is still the Clynol Look at Me Delicious Boosting Hairspray, but I am going to try and just use this one now!

And, from the 'Setting' range I decided to try the Thermal Protector

[£7.70 for 300ml]

I always blowdry my hair with my divine most treasured possession (the hallowed Parlux 3200) and thought it might be wise to protect my hair for once. This contains moisturising silk extracts and wheat protein, and hopefully it did help...

So finally, I might give you a quick and hazy shot of my new hair.





I just had it coloured with bleached highlights and permanent hair dye. It was actually done using a base colour from Schwarzkopf Igora, so I will be interested to see how that lasts - I'm usually used to Wella Koleston. It's darker than it was, now it's a rather ashy brown with a few cool toned blonde streaks... I'm not sure if I like it all that much as yet... But, at least it looks shiny and surprisingly smooth at all times, thanks to my latest finds.

Let me know if you try any! Or any other hair saviours....?

(For more information about Indola, visit www.indola.com or call 01296 314 000 for stockists.)