Despite them being one of the staple handmade products that natural cosmetics pioneers Lush offer, I have only very recently tried their Fresh Face Masks. Shocking I know for such a Lush addict, but hey, good things come to those who wait!
Yesterday, I tried 'A Crash Course in Skincare', a nourishing mask made from mashed avocado, fresh natural yoghurt and freshly squeezed lemon juice. This is a perfect mask if like me, you have combination skin. The avocado and yoghurt will provide gentle moisture to dry areas while lemon juice will help tighten pores and keep oil at bay.
When applying the mask, it is clear that the mask is packed with fresh avocado and yoghurt because, well, you can smell it. While it is not the most pleasant smell, it isn't too bad, and the smooth cooling texture of the mask more than makes up for it. When you wash the mask off, the only smell you are left with is that of the fresh citrussy lemon, and it really did leave my skin smelling gorgeous.
What's more, the difference in appearance and texture was really noticeable. My skin was left fresh, supple and glowing, perfect for perking up booze bedraggled skin after a heavy weekend!
As much as I love beauty products, we all know that they don't always do exactly what they say on the tin. We know that lip gloss won't give you a Jolie pout, and that cellulite creams won't give you legs like Kate Moss. However, we also know that both the above will enhance our natural assets at least just a little bit, and thus our trust is re-instilled in the wonderful world of beauty.
Sometimes however the Beauty Industry will throw a wild card of ridiculousness at us that surely even the most gullible wouldn't believe. Last week, WWD announced that Ageless Fantasty has come up with the world's first anti-age perfume. Seriously? An anti-age perfume?
Ageless Fantasy are claiming they can actually make you smell younger, following 'research' that suggests that certain smells are associated with certain ages, meaning their grapefruit, pomegranate, mango, jasmine and musk scent can lead nearby whiffers to believe you are up to 8 years younger.
Once again, seriously? While I will admit that some smells are often more associated with certain ages; floral scents denoting older women while fresher, citrus scents have a younger association, unless wearers of Ageless Fantasy are planning on only hanging around with blind people, the theory is not fool proof.
If Ageless Fantasy are really onto something, why not go a step further and invest in Barbie's latest scent, or for the more discerning lady, The Olsen Twins do some really hot ones.
Since winning the Womenswear Award for his beautiful, Elizabethan nightwear inspired collection at Graduate Fashion Week back in June, Nabil El Nayal has been getting a lot of attention, not only across the fashion blogosphere, but in huge fashion publications such as Elle and Vogue.
Today's announcement that he has been awarded a coveted scholarship by the BFC to study an MA in Fashion Womenswear at the Royal College of Art in London therefore, comes as little surprise.
When I saw his collection closing the Manchester School of Art show, I was genuinely stunned by the gorgeous, ethereal gowns that graced the catwalk, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
Wonderbra is a label that has always been associated with sexiness, so it seems especially fitting that glamorous burlesque star Dita Von Teese would design a collection for the lingerie company.
Wonderbra by Dita Von Teese features a selection of sets including 'Spot-Teese', a gorgeous sheer set with spot detail, 'Satin-Teese', a soft peach satin ensemble finished with sexy black lace, and 'Multi-Teese', a bra with variable straps and magnetic clasp fastening.
While the magnet fastening might be perfect for flinging it off a la Dita, I can foresee serious bra malfunction when reaching for something on a high up shelf in Tesco! Apart from that though, the pieces which have a cool vintage feel to them really are beautiful, with a sexiness that is just the right side of slutty (as in the non-slutty side, we're nice girls here at The Liner, The Clutch and The Wardrobe). Von Teese comments, "Lingerie shouldn't be something you just put on for your lover; you should do it for you. It's not about seducing men, it's about embracing womanhood."
Following a special film featuring Dita herself on the Wonderbra website on 15th September, the collection will be available across Europe from the 23rd September.
Image via Catwalk Queen
It seems there is no end to how much pleasure I can derive from the eccentricities of Karl Lagerfeld, whether it is he himself reminding us about road safety, or a clever impostor parodying the unique designer.
In the US edition of this month's Harpers Bazaar, a selection of famous designers including Roberto Cavalli, Michael Kors and the Kaiser himself were photographed living out their fantasies. Ever one for unlikely choices, Karl Lagerfeld chose to be photographed as a rapper, exclaiming 'I love rap'! And doesn't he look the shiz in this street get up, a far cry from his usual stiff, gothic attire.
Now I just want to hear him rap!
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Following the success of several collections for Topshop over the past two years, Celia Birtwell has designed another line for Autumn-Winter 08/09.
In light of the Romantic-Goth trend that is set to be huge this coming season, the collection boats plenty of sheers and dark colours, retaining the unique Birtwell look with contrasting floral prints and plenty of seventies inspired pussy bows on blouses. The retro prints and styles, particularly of the four blouses included in the collection, also nod to the Folk trend that was present on the catwalks for this Autumn.
Amongst the four dresses the collection has to offer, my personal favourite is the black and white 'Cape Dress' which as the name suggests features a unique cape detail on the back. There is also a gorgeous slouchy play suit in the same print for those of us blessed with long legs and no evidence of ever having even sniffed a Krispy Kreme!
These days almost every brand is finding some way to cash in on people's interest in environmental issues and remind us of how natural and ethical they are. Even petrol stations are doing it, and I am pretty sure no matter which way they twist it, there is nothing environmentally friendly about petrol!
It is easy to forget then that when The Body Shop launched back in 1976, ethical issues were at the forefront of their identity, particularly through their heavy campaigning against animal testing. In light of this, later this month they will reveal a re-vamped image that will emphasise this important part of their heritage. This will include more ingredient centered advertising campaigns as well as the launch of a mineral make up line in September.
While natural purists may quite rightly argue that this is merely a commercial decision by parent company L'Oreal to increase revenue, I think that at least the fundamental philosophies behind The Body Shop are being adhered to, whether the motives are cynical or not.
Watch this space for more news on The Body Shop's Mineral Make Up line.
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