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Posts tagged ‘Skincare’

Jul 19

VIDEO: Aveda/Darphin blogger night with Handpicked Media

There’s no better way to showcase what we get up to at one of the fabulous Handpicked Media hosted evenings, than this video of the Aveda/Darphin event at the luxurious Soho Hotel last week.

In what is rumoured to be P-Diddy’s room (the bathroom was amazing-including a two person shower!!) we sipped champagne, tested the beautiful Aveda/Darphin products and received a stunning blow dry from one of the hair experts…what better way to spend an evening!

I’m featured here with the gorgeous Ree, from ReallyRee.com talking about our favourite skincare products!

FashionBite xx

May 3

Ren 3

Ren: Beauty products fit for first class!

Ren skincare, FashionBiteMy friend, who flies first-class a lot more than I do, recently brought me back some in-flight beauty goodies to compensate for my unfortunate economy-class habit.

Zipped inside the luxury goodie bag was a skincare brand called Ren, and after sampling a pot of Calendula-Hydra-Calm Moisturiser and tube of Matte Balancing Fluid I was hooked…

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Mar 24

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Elemis launches new freshskin range for younger skin

Elemis new freshskin launch

Elemis new freshskin range on my dresser

Elemis new freshskin range on my dresser at home

Elemis is due to launch a new skincare range for younger skin next month (mid-April). I popped down to their press event this week to take a look…

I love the range, it looks fantastic-the packaging is young and fun in clear, white and bright pink- and the products are light, non-greasy and feel great on the skin. Elemis is a British brand and I like to support British brands (and designers!) where possible.

I’m slightly older than the target market of 18-24, but I would buy the range because I can’t stand heavy moisturisers that just sit on the skin, so this collection really appeals. I’ve been trailing the products at home for the last few days, here are my thoughts…

The Peachy Perfect Facewash is great for everyday use, it really cleans my face and removes all the make-up, including eye, leaving my skin feeling fresh and clean. I’m definitely a facewash person, I like my skin to really feel like it’s been scrubbed clean.

The Skin Glow Exfoliating Facewash smells gorgeous, containing cherry powder and jojoba beads. The beads are large enough to feel like it’s exfoliating the skin but the overall texture is not too rough, so again it’s great for every day use.

The Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser is light and soaks into the skin immediately, so great if you’re in a hurry and need to put your make-up on straight after! It comes out of the pump spray almost like a foam, but as you rub it on to the face it smoothes into a cream. Enriched with seaweed extract, rosehip oil and sweet almond it’s softening but also hydrating.

The Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturiser again comes out in a foam-like consistency, but as you smooth on to the face it creates a richer cream which feels amazing. With a mixture of vitamins A, C and E, blackburrent seed oil and barley extract, it’s intensely hydrating but also smells gorgeous. A relaxing scent of lavender, it is perfect to put on just before bed!

The Tired Eyes Soothing Eye Rescue again just melts into the skin due to its light formula. It claims to help reduce puffiness and dark circles..so great for those late nights!

I’m a sucker for lip balms as I rarely wear lipstick and I LOVE this one. Loving Lips Quenching Lip Balm has a refreshing scent of peppermint and is enriched with passionflower oil, sweet almond and vitamin E and in keeping with the rest of the range is incredible moisturising without being greasy.

Elemis has also brought out a range of cleansing wipes for the first time which are great if you’re in a hurry. I’m not a fan of make-up wipes, but I always take a pack with me on holiday because they’re perfect to refresh your face after a hot day on the beach.

The idea behind the launch of Elemis’ new freshskin range is to introduce younger skin to an easy, effective skincare routine. For me, I love the range because it is fresh, light, looks great and does the job.

For more info, see Elemis.

FashionBite xx

Aug 4

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Dermalogica founder Jane Wurwand talks of ‘empowering women’ at blogger event

Dermalogica founder Jane Wurwand I attended an evening with Dermalogica founder Jane Wurwand last night at a Dermalogica store just off High Street Kensington.

Jane is an incredibly inspirational woman and left me feeling fired up to start my own business (something which I’m hoping to do at some point!)

Jane founded the company over 25 years ago with her then boyfriend (now husband) and they remain the sole owners today. Her enthusiasm for skin health, combined with a determination for financial independence, were the roots for founding the business.

She is extremely passionate about the role of women within Dermalogica and business in general. She talks of “empowering women to have their own business” by providing them with the skill sets needed at her worldwide training schools, The International Dermal Institute.

Dermalogica’s philosophy is about skin health and skin wellness, about products that work. Jane is quick to point out that she never refers to beauty or pampering. She says: “The future of skin therapy is skin, not beauty. It is about skin health and skin wellness- luxury/pampering/beauty does not resonate with me. I expect products that will deliver what they say they will do. We’re not about being pretty.”

Dermalogica is now the number 1 professional skin therapy line worldwide, it ships 28 million products per year, with 75,000 skin therapists worldwide and 25,000 salons who stock their products.

Amazingly, Jane has never advertised and Dermalogica now dominates the professional skincare industry purely through word of mouth and recommendations!

I have a some fab products in the goody bag, so will be reviewing them in the next month or so.

For more info on the brand and products, visit their website at www.dermalogica.com/uk

ADDITION: I’ve just been reading a bad review of last night’s Dermalogica event, see Katie Chutzpah’s blog post Dermalogica. A lesson on how NOT to treat bloggers. I think she makes some interesting points (if a little harsh!) but to be honest I didn’t experience that because I left after about 45 minutes to go to a wine tasting event and what of the talk I did hear, I actually found v.interesting. But that is the beauty of blogging I suppose, you have the ability to say exactly what you think…!

fashionbite xx

Feb 3

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NEW LAUNCH: Organic skincare brand Melvita

Fashionbite popped to the UK launch of Melvita this morning, the French skincare brand which already has a monopoly over the organic skincare market in France.

The brand is suprisingly big, the largest certified organic brand in France (according to the company), and has huge plans for the UK market.

It has launched over 300 products here, which you can buy online at www.melvita.co.uk, and plans to open its first UK store in London this summer. It hopes to have 10 UK stores in the next three years.

Melvita is more like a one-stop shop for organic health products, including deodrant, moisturiser, supplements and even toothpaste, rather than simply an organic face cream firm.

The company was founded in the early 1980′s by French biologist and professional beekeeper Bernard Chevilliat. He set up an ecofactory in the beautiful, rural French region of Ardèche, where he has since tested innovative new products for the brand. All products have a stamp of approval from EcoCert, the international organic certification body.

Having tried and tested a number of products, I really like the skincare range. The anti-ageing serum is light and glides on without feeling heavy on the skin- making a great base for make-up. The rose and lavender water sprays are really lovely, both light and refreshing. I’m not keen on creamy cleansers or facial wipes, so these make a perfect alternative.

Price points are more premium, ranging from around £12 to £32, but for a certified organic brand you know you’re paying for the goodness.

I’ve never been swayed by a brand just because it’s organic, first and foremost it must do what it claims to do, and if it’s organic so much the better. However, Melvita seems to do both, which is great news.

The website offers free standard delivery and two free samples on your first order, so why not give it a go…

fashionbite xx

Jan 20

Jergens launches UK exclusive

Fashionbite popped to the Jergens press launch at the Haymarket hotel this morning-only just getting round to updating…been a busy day!

Jergens, in case you haven’t heard of it, is America’s top selling bodycare range- but is still fairly new to the UK. Building on the success of its Jergens Naturals range, which it intoduced to the UK market last year, it is launching two new body moisturisers (exclusive to the UK)- Total Nourishment with Acai Berry and Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E.

I’ve tried them both- the Acai Berry is my favourite, it smells amazing and my skin felt really soft after just one use. It is also rich in antioxidants such as Acai berry and Mangosteen extract- so it must be doing some good!

The Cocoa butter is gorgeous, rich in sunflower and vitamin E, it also has a lovely tropical scent. It is silky and absorbs quickly into the skin which I like, as I find some cocoa butter products can be too rich and thick.

The Jergens Naturals range is made from almost 100% natural ingredients, so you’re not slathering chemicals on to your body every day.

However, it is a mass market product so the price points are fantastic. Available from all major supermarkets, such as Tesco,you can pick up a 200 ml tube for just £4.99. The two new UK exclusive lines will be available from February. There’s no excuse not to go organic now!

fashionbite xx

Dec 29

New Year’s Resolutions- Top Tips


So..it’s that time of year again when we’ve eaten/drunk too much, partied hard and are now looking to 2010 and the inevitable New Year’s Resolutions!

My resolutions will probably follow the lines of most years- exercise more, drink less, eat a healthier diet..etc, etc. However, to give us a helping hand organic skincare firm Neals Yard Remedies has drawn up some tips on how to keep a successful New Year’s Resolution….I know I definitely need the pointers!

  1. Don’t set too many resolutions!
    Resist the temptation to run off a list of everything you’ve ever wanted to change. One or two goals will be easier to achieve than a list of twenty, so take one thing at a time and focus on what you really want to gain.
    For example, if you’d like to lead a more natural/organic way of life, start with your beauty regime. Buy one essential product, then continue to replace other products with organic versions as and when they run out. It will be expensive to replace everything in one go, so find a starting point and build on that.
  2. Make small changes that will make a big difference to your health and well-being.
    Something as simple as adding superberries to your diet will help boost your energy levels and protect skin from the inside out. Products such as Neal’s Yard Remedies Power Berry range, a skincare range filled with radiance-boosting berries, will give skin that much needed New Year’s lift!
  3. Make a Plan. This is the TRUE key to success!
    Once you know what your resolution is, try to break it into achievable sections. Nobody accomplishes anything of significance by trying to do it all at once.
  4. Celebrate!
    You must reward yourself throughout the progress. Every small accomplishment needs to be recognized and honored- this will give you the encouragement to continue.

    5. Good Luck!

    fashionbite xx

Nov 7

Pond’s winter wonders

If you’re looking for a decent winter face cream on a budget..look no further than Pond’s. It has two fantastic moisturisers which only cost £3.99 and really hydrate the skin. ponds 1ponds 2 I’ve been using this one (below), the Pond’s Hydro-Nourishing Cream, it’s a lighter-based cream but still a fab moisturiser. It contains evening primrose oil, which helps moisturise the skin, alongside hydro-elastine and liposomes which make a great base for make-up. Frosty nights and dry central heating can also really dry skin out in the winter, so Pond’s has a heavier moisturiser which helps protect against the elements. It’s called Pond’s Dry Skin Cream, still coming in a steal at £3.99, and is great for more mature or dry skin. The cream has a smooth, silky texture so it’s easily absorbed. Both creams come in glass jars (see above), so also look great on your dressing table..no one need know they were under £4!

fashionbite xx

Oct 22

4 Comments

Nude’s probiotic skincare..

nude skincare

There’s a fab skincare range called Nude, you can buy it online at www.nudeskincare.com. I’ve been using the age defence moisturiser which is fantastic on my skin and I love the packaging-it’s matt and so soft to touch!! It’s not the packaging..I know, I know..it’s what’s inside that really counts- but this range does not disappoint! The moisturiser I’ve been using took three years to develop and is a combination of orchid/ manketti oil to moisturise the skin and hyaluronic acid to reduce fine lines and wrinkles-it’s also thrown in some natural pre and probiotics for good measure. The result is a light anti-ageing cream that really works! I often find traditional anti-ageing moisturisers can be too heavy/greasy for my skin and can bring me out in spots.

Also, for that extra boost (especially in the winter months) add Nude’s deep cleansing mask to the mix for your weekly skin boost- relax back in the bath for 10 minutes and let the cream do the work.

Enjoy!

Fashion bite xx

Oct 19

Amazon inspired skincare…

amazeneTropical, organic skincare containing natural ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest..it doesn’t really get much better than that! I’ve been using the passion fruit and guava hand lotion, along with the papaya and acerola bath soak..they both smell incredible and feel amazing on the skin!

AmaZene is the brainchild of Tony Tillbrook who (amazingly!) invented the wetsuit in the 1960′s, including the one worn by Sean Connery in Thunderball! His work with wetsuits taught him the adverse affects some chemicals can have on the skin and he combined this with his passion for the Amazon, having travelled the region exstensively, to launch AmaZene.

There are six ranges, including Mango and Murumuru and Avocado and Andiroba, which contain antioxidant and moisturising ingredients sourced from the Amazon region. My skin felt amazing after I’d had a bath with the papaya bath soak- so soft, it was if I’d just slapped on loads of moisturiser..fantastic if you’re pushed for time! Price points are great, ranging from £7 to £15. You can buy the products online at www.amazene.com.

Definitely one for the Christmas wish list!

fashionbite xx

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