Backstage at The BRITS 2013

Thanks to the gorgeous Eliane from the amazing Fudge Hair for sending me some photos from backstage at the BRITs Spa.

 This is the place where the celebs can go for a bit of pampering and a chill out. (They also get lots of fabulous freebies!)

 I particularly love Harry Style's shirt and how cool is Sharon Osbourne's crazy necklace/shoulder piece?

Review of Liz Earle Botanical Essence No 15

This is going to sound so terrible, but have you ever had one of those days when you think "Yum! What's that gorgeous smell?" only to realise that it's emanating from you?

Well I am going to happily admit that I smell brilliant today. It is a pleasure to be me because I can sniff myself as much as I want and have been all day :)

"Just one more little sniff"

I'm sad to say that this beautiful smell is not the result of my natural hormones and endorphines, but is down to Liz Earle's newest scent, Botanical Essence No 15 which is sexy and beautiful and has been turning heads all day.

The perfume is at it's heart a Spicy Oriental. It is called No 15 because it is made of 15 stunning ingredients including:

Damask Rose Absolute

Cedarwood

Vetiver

Bergamot

Tonka Bean Absolute

Clove Bud Oil

Benzoin Gum

Elemi Gum

Vanilla Extract

Pink Pepper Berry Oil

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Cinnamon Leaf

Guaiacwood Oil

Cypriol Wood Oil

Patchouli

Now I'm a big believer that a perfume can help you become the woman that you've always wanted to be and I think that this one is a mixture of "I'm sexy but not overt" and "I'm an  elegant, confident woman who is as self-assured as Audrey Hepburn and should be taken seriously".

I've been getting a few men at Heart to sniff me and here's what they've said:

"It's warm, woody and musky"

"It's sniffing my wife's head when I've been away for three days...warm and comforting"

"You smell damn hot"

"It's the smell of a woman I want to be with forever".

"It's really elegant"

I hope that you love this scent as much as I do. You can get it here for £45.

Review of Burger and Lobster in Soho

Until last night I was a lobster virgin. I don't know how it happened really. I had encountered the wonders of prawns, crayfish, crab and pretty much every other shelled creature with legs that you can imagine, but never lobster!

Well, I am so happy that I popped my lobster cherry at Burger and Lobster in Soho.

This gem of a restaurant is hidden away on Dean Street and for £20 you can gorge yourself on lobster, chips and salad. For the non-fish eaters in the party, you can get the same deal but with a juicy burger instead. I think that this is probably how they make their money as I would feel ill paying £20 for a burger, whereas it seems a great deal for a whole lobster.

Nayanah and I arrived at 5.30pm as we had heard that the queues can go round the corner if you get there much later. On arrival, a good few tables were taken, but there was still loads of space. By half six, the place was getting pretty packed.

We started with cocktails. I went for a gorgeous brandy and fig concoction whilst Nayanah chose a Mint Julep. 

It wasn't long before we were ready to eat (it just looked so good) and both ordered the grilled lobster with a butter and garlic sauce. It was rich, flavoursome and I never wanted it to end. As I devoured my last bit of claw, I was almost tempted to order the whole meal again. 

After our lobster feast, we needed something sweet in our lives so wandered down the road to Gelupo which is my favourite ice-cream place in London.

I went for Pistachio, Coconut and Marron Glace and Nayanah had Rhubarb Crumble and Marron Glace. 

Everything here is made in-house and the flavours are absolutely mind-blowing. My Gelati was smooth and the Pistachio flavour tasted more pistachio-ish than the actual nut! 

The menu changes almost daily and if you ever spot Salted Caramel on the board then you simply have to try it. It is extraordinarily good!

Burger and Lobster is at 36 Dean Street Soho. They only take bookings for tables of six or over.



Gelupo can be found at 7 Archer Street, W1D 7AU

New Cid Cosmetics I-Gel Palette in Electric Blue

According to the powers that be, blue eye makeup is back in a big way.

Whenever I think of blue makeup, I am instantly transported back to the 80's and the memories aren't good!!

However, if used in the right way, blue can make your eyes sparkly, enhance the colour of your pupils and make the whites of your eyes even whiter!!

I've been doing my research for you and out of all the blue products on the market, my absolute favourite has got to be the electric blue in the New Cid Cosmetics I-Gel Palette. It's just gorgeous (as are the other colours which are Emerald and Indigo.)

It comes with a little brush and I've been using it both for my 60's flick and on my waterline. I also smudge the blue under my water-line a bit as you can see in the photo above.

Have fun playing around with this look and let me know how you get on xx

Pixiwoo Beauty Tips

I have worked with Sam and Nic aka Pixiwoo a few times now and they are just as fabulous in the flesh as they are on screen.

If you've never come across Sam and Nic, they are sisters who also happen to be incredible makeup artists. In 2008 they set up a YouTube channel giving makeup tutorials and became an  internet phenomenom. Their channel has millions of followers across the globe and is the go-to destination for tips on how to get just about every makeup look you can imagine as well as fantastic advice on products and techniques. You can subscribe to Pixiwoo here. I promise you'll be absolutely hooked!

Anyway, I spent Friday doing a webchat with the girls for Heart and the No7 Match Made Foundation Service. The live webchat was an hour long and Heart listeners had the opportunity to send their beauty questions in to the girls. Nic and Sam are such a fountain of knowledge and their advice was so useful.

We'll be putting a repeat of the webchat on heart.co.uk this week so you can check it out if you missed it. We'll also have some extra videos with tips from the girls.

If you can't wait that long, here are some of my favourite beauty tips from the day:

How to get whiter teeth: Sam swears by rubbing a banana skin on your teeth. The potassium makes them naturally whiter.

For beautiful feet: Nic never wears nail polish on her toes when she goes on holiday. Instead she lets the sand exfoliate them naturally. She swears that your toe-nails will never look better or healthier.

Primer: If you have dry skin then you don't necessarily need a primer as it can dry you out even more. Just use a good moisturiser before you apply your foundation.

Embrace your wrinkles: Don't apply loads of foundation/concealer to cover up your wrinkles as it will just serve to highlight them more. Just use a great moisturiser and an illuminating foundation. Also, don't feel that you need to use powder as it can be drying and gather in wrinkles.

No more panda eyes: If like me your eye makeup smudges within about two hours of leaving the house, then there are two products that Sam and Nick recommend. The first is Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara and the second is Anastacia Beverly Hills Covet Waterproof Eyeliner which is totally smudge-resistant.

Blusher: Apply blusher on the apple of the cheek and then sweep upwards for a classic look. Sam, Nic and I were both really impressed with the No7 Blush Tint in Rosebud, which gives a gorgeous, natural flush to the skin.

For loads more tips, make sure you check out the videos at heart.co.uk this week and of course check out  Pixiwoo's YouTube Channel.

How to get Helen Mirren's Pink Hair

Is it just me or did Helen Mirren look amazing at the BAFTAS on Sunday?

When I get older I am 100% going to dye my hair pink. It screams "I'm old, I'm sexy and I'm unashamed of my wrinkles!"

The only reason that I haven't rushed to my local salon and done it already is because I'm unsure that  I would be taken quite as seriously on the This Morning sofa, although there is always the chance that it could boost my viewing potential.

 Anyway, if you've decided to "do a Mirren" then may I recommend hair wonder-brand, Fudge. I love their stuff and if you want to look like this.....

Then all you need to do is combine a bit of this:

With a good dose of this:

To get the look use Fudge Paintbox in Pink Moon (£9.25) mixed with a generous amount of Whiter Shade of Pale (£11.25). All the products are available here

Oh and I love this comment from John Vial who is their creative director:“Helen looks absolutely stunning at the BAFTAs. It just goes to show, even a Dame can experiment with hair colour—a pink rinse is definitely the new blue rinse!”

My YouTube Channel

I've FINALLY got round to setting up my YouTube Channel.

It's called Nicola Bonn just like me and I'll be doing beauty tips, product reviews and tutorials as well as interviewing lots of exciting celebrities about their beauty regimes. You can check out a recent interview with Pixiwoo right now as well as a video about my experience of the BAFTAS 2013 mock-up day.

Heres' the link.....

http://www.youtube.com/user/nicolabonn1

I'd love you to subscribe (just hit the button on the top left hand corner!)

xx

The Best Lip Balms

Things I love about the winter:

- Snow
- Staying in with a takeaway and a movie, all snug under a blanket, without feeling guilty
- Not having to get my legs out
- Hot water bottles
- Long, steamy baths
- Hot chocolate
- Eating lots and lots and not feeling guilty (we need that extra fat in these cold conditions don't you know!)

Things that I don't like about the winter:

- Rain, wind and freezing cold conditions (all at once)
- Getting a cold
- Dry hands
- Dry lips

Whilst there's not much you can do about the weather, there are a few things that help with the dry lips situation. Here are some of my tips.....

1. Make sure you are hydrated. Often, dry lips result from not drinking enough water.

2. Exfoliate your lips (gently) with a toothbrush once a week

3. Invest in a good lip-balm. Don't apply too often as this can actually dry out your lips, but definitely use one for protection when you're out and about!


Here are a few of my favourites....


- Since Cherry Healey introduced me to it, Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips has become one of my new favourite things. This wonder balm is made from medical grade lanolin and is said to reduce skin roughness by up to 40% in an hour. It can be used on everything  from baby's bottom's to eczma and nipples, but I prefer to apply it to my lips.

- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a total classic and a favourite of models and makeup artists all over the world. If you are a fan of horses, you may well recognise the smell, as the formula has been  used to heal their hooves and skin problems for years. Fortunately for us, it also works on humans. This is another multi-tasker and is great for healing sun-burn, sorting out cuticles and working as a highlighter when applied to the cheekbones. It also makes a fabulous lip-balm.

- Cheap, cheerful and incredibly effective, Carmex was born in the 1930's and has been popular ever since. It has got a kind of cult status these days and as well as the classic recipe, is available in cherry flavour. Just as effective as the other pricier balms on the market, you can't really go wrong with this little yellow pot.

- I really like Balance Me. Their products are natural and not too pricy and they also work. Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve has a lovely aroma and makes my lips feel soft and happy.

The ingredients are thus: 100% natural hyaluronic acid,  pharma grade lanolin, organic shea, mango and cocoa butters, rosehip, jojoba, virgin coconut oil, rose otto, rose geranium and palma rosa.

Here's to soft and kissable lips in time for Valentine's Day! Mwah xx

The BAFTAS 2013

Yayyy it's that wonderful, sparkly time of the year when all the big awards ceremonies take place.

This year, I am most excited about the BAFTAS, mainly because one of my best friends, Poppy Dixon, has been nominated for her work on The Imposter. It is the most amazing documentary and she was one of the producers. I couldn't be prouder and can't wait to see what she's going to be wearing on Sunday night.

For us mere mortals who won't be there on the night, there is an opportunity to have a taster of what the stars will experience as they get red-carpet ready. It's called the BAFTA mock-up day and I was lucky enough to be invited along a couple of weeks ago.

Whilst relaxing in the luxurious surroundings of the Royal Suite at the Savoy, I had my hair done by Charles Worthington, makeup by an incredible Lancome makeup artist and then got to choose an Escada dress and GET THIS..I wore £200,000 worth of Asprey diamonds. Can you imagine?? I had my own security guard and everything!!

Here are some photos from my not quite, but almost, BAFTA experience!

 

The choice of Escada dresses was mouth-watering and it was crazy wearing that amount of diamonds. I  can't imagine how stressful it must be borrowing them for an entire evening.

On the Lancome front, I was introduced to their AMAZING La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer which I am now totally addicted to. I also loved their Eclat Miracle which is a highlighting serum that can be used on the whole face or just to highlight certain areas. It goes on really smoothly and has a beautiful finish.

I have also been trialling Charles Worthington's Amplifying Volume Treatment, which he recommended to me, and it is excellent stuff...definitely gives me a big boost and makes my usually flat hair look much bigger and bolder. You basically use it instead of conditioner, leave it in for a couple of minutes and wash out.

Thanks for sharing my BAFTA adventure with me and fingers crossed for Poppy and The Imposter!

xx

Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day

I owe my optimism about Valentine's Day to one man and one man only....my Dad!

You see, each year, without fail, I have always been able to rely on the fact that there will be a card waiting for me on the doorstep. It's always signed with a ? but I'd recognise that writing anywhere.

My darling Dad has got me through countless lonely Valentine's Days with his thoughtfulness and even today, as a married woman, I know that come Feb 14th there will be a card on the doorstep from the man who has been there for me all my life.

I don't think that Valentine's Day needs to be all about couples. In fact, some of my best have been spent with my single friends, dancing and laughing at all the gooey twosomes paying double the price for awful set menus in crowded restaurants.

Anyway, whether you're going to be snuggled up with the one you love at home, out on the town with the girls or packed into one of those awful restaurants, then here is a list of gift ideas to help you out:


Something a bit different:

Treasure Hunt (with you as the prize)

I did this for my husband one year. It was meant to be sexy but had us rolling around in fits of laughter.

Basically, you do a normal treasure hunt and each time he finds the next clue there is a little pressie waiting for him. The final clue leads to the biggest gift of all which is you, wrapped in a bow.

 Now you may think this sounds easy, but trying to wrap yourself in a bow and look half attractive is REALLY hard. It took me half an hour to get it right and I kept tripping over. Whether your partner finds it incredibly sexy or hysterically funny, he'll love you for making the effort! You can get hold of a body-bow a.k.a "naughty knot" for £8.42 here

A Romantic Spa Treatment



Chris and I were very lucky to trial one of the  Valentines treatments at the Elemis Day Spa last week. We experienced the amazing "Time for Two", which involved being led to the beautiful Moroccan themed room above with two therapists (one each). While one of us had a 45 minute massage, the other was smothered in delicious Frangipini Oil and lowered into a dry float which is basically a special, heated water bed. It was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life, especially because you get a foot massage during it. You then swap treatments.

After one and a half hours of pure bliss we were more relaxed than we've been in ages. I definitely recommend this if you have kids or have been really busy recently and need some time out! It's "me-time" with benefits!!

A Radio Shout-out

If you fancy declaring your love via the airwaves, then why not get in touch with your local radio station in advance of the big day and see if they can do a shout-out for the one you love at a certain time. I'm on Heart Saturday and Sunday mornings 1am-6am and if you text me on 82122 I'll do my best to read out your romantic message.

Gifts for him:

 Personalised Song List

If you can't think of what to get for the man in your life, then how about a personalised print of the songs that mean the most to you as a couple? This one is £34 from NOTHS

If he's a fan of the guitar...

Nothing says I love you like a personalised plectrum!  This one is £49 and is available here

Your Song Framed

How romantic is this!! It's £75 from NOTHS,  but I imagine it is something that you could do yourself if you're the creative type!

For your Bearded Boy

This special oil soothes irritation, smells delicous and is formulated from an age-old recipe. £25 from John Lewis.

For the Smart Boy:

If you're feeling a bit extravagant, a pair of Mulberry cufflinks always go down a treat!

Giant Snickers Bar

This is HUGE!

£19.99 selfridges.com

Gifts for her:

(If you're single, the Valentine's Day rule is that you must buy at least one of these for yourself without feeling an ounce of guilt)

Mulberry East West Pouch

£210

Selfridges.com

Ultime Notizie Candle

£99

Selfridges.com

Anton Heunis Cluster Earrings

£90

My Wardrobe



Any underwear from Aubade is always welcomed with open arms in my house.

Check out this cute set at Figleaves

You want a really romantic Valentine's Day?? Buy her some Louboutins!

Enough said!

These ones are classical and elegant

Cath Kidston Spot Weekend Bag

£65

Cathkidston.com

Eve Lom Cleanser

£55

Johnlewis.com

How To Become A Radio Presenter

So, you've decided that you want to be a radio presenter? Great decision!! There is nothing more exciting and fulfilling than chatting to people live on air. Radio is the most intimate form of communication and I think that it is a real honour to do it.

If you are anything like the younger me, people will try and talk you out of it with statements like: "It's too competitive", "It's not a real job" and "It's not well paid, unless you reach the top".

The honest truth is that yes, it is incredibly competitive, especially these days when there are far fewer local shows to cut your teeth on and no, the money isn't great. However, if radio is in your blood and you just can't imagine doing anything else then you simply must give it a go!!

So where to start?

You can be a radio presenter at any age. In fact, I think that the best presenters often have a bit of life experience behind them.

If you are about to go to University then the first thing that you need to do when you go to the Fresher's Fair is discover your Student Radio Station. Bristol University's BURST FM was where I discovered my passion for radio. I did a show called "The Love Bite" and learnt lots of handy tips. I also made lifelong friends who I work with to this day! In fact, loads of people who start in student radio go on to have long and illustrious radio careers.

If you're older then seek out your local Hospital Radio station. The aim here is to get some experience under your belt so that you can make a demo.

What next?

Once you've got some experience, it's time to make a demo and start emailing radio stations. Your demo needs to be no longer than two minutes and consist of clips of your best bits. Make sure that it opens with an outstanding link as some station managers are so busy that they'll only get a chance to listen to 30 seconds or so. You need to make a brilliant impression straight away.

It's also important to tailor make your demo to the station that you want to work at. Say for example that your aim is to work at a commercial music station like Heart, then there's no use in sending two minutes of solid chat. You need to listen to the station until you are totally au fait with the style of presenting and then make sure that your demo reflects it. Perhaps even tailor make some links to match the style of the station so that the boss can really imagine you working there.

Sending out your demo:

SO many people send demos to my boss and address them to "the manager of Heart". If you want to be in this industry then PLEASE ensure that you know the manager's name before you send something in.

I can't tell you how many demos arrive on a radio controller's desk. My boss is amazing and listens to all of them. In fact, many radio bosses do this as they are always looking out for amazing new talent. If yours is outstanding then you never know...you might just be invited in for a meeting. Don't let yourself down with a sloppily written letter or email.

Don't give up!

Someone once told me that for every 100 emails you send looking for a job, you'll probably get one back. Well that one could be THE one that starts your career. Just keep on sending those demos and emails and don't give up. Perhaps set yourself a challenge of sending ten a day.

If someone gets back to you and says that you're not suitable, then write back and ask for feedback. Another great option is to say that you'd love to meet up for a ten minute coffee for advice. Sometimes a face to face meeting is all that it takes to really impress someone and at the very least, you will now have a contact that you can keep in touch with.

If you do manage to secure a meeting,  here are a few things that I gurantee you will be asked so PLEASE do your research:

1. What radio stations do you like and why?

2. What do you like about (insert radio station where your meeting is) and what would you change?

Basically, you need to know the station INSIDE OUT. Going to a meeting unprepared is not even an option.

Also, a passion for and knowledge of radio in general is a real plus. It proves that you are serious about it and love the medium!

Producers can help A LOT

Sometimes it's best not to go straight to a radio station boss. In fact, I know someone who got a great job in radio by writing to a producer and asking to come in for some work experience. The producer in question (my great friend Chloe) knew how hard it was to get into the industry so did everything she could to help. Two months later and the girl in question was working as an assistant on a major breakfast show.

We all have to start somewhere

The chances are that you won't walk straight into a drivetime show in London. My advice is to start small and think big. When I was at university I answered calls and made tea on the breakfast show at my local radio station and after graduating I spent a good few years cutting my teeth doing small shows on small stations.

It's all about getting experience, learning on the job and doing everything you can to become a brilliant presenter. If you're truly talented, I promise you that you'll be discovered. Radio bosses are constantly on the look out for the next big thing.

Here's a list of useful contacts for you! If you need any advice from me, I'd love to help. Just leave a comment in the box below and I'll get back to you! Good luck!! xxx

USEFUL CONTACTS:

Global Radio Academy :

Global Radio is where I work. It is the biggest (and most exciting) Commercial Radio company in the UK. They own The Heart Network, The Capital Network, XFM, Classic FM, Choice FM, LBC 97.3FM and Gold. I can't think of a better place to get work experience and make some really amazing contacts.

Media UK:

Here is a useful list of every radio station in the country. Find a small local station near you and get in touch to find out how you can get involved. It could be working for the station's promotional street team or making tea, whatever you can do to get through the door.

Community Media Association:

In this country there are loads of community radio stations which are run on a not for profit basis. They are excellently run with high professional standards and the good news is they are always looking for volunteers. You should find a community radio station near you, but if there isn't one you could always find some other people who are interested in radio and set one up!

The Student Radio Association:

Get in touch for advice and everything you need to know about student radio. They also host the Student Radio Awards which are the Oscars of the Student radio world. All the major radio bosses go along to this event and many of the big radio stars today are former winners!

The Hospital Broadcasting Association:

This is where to go if you are not a student but want to get some practical experience.

BBC Work Experience:

Try and get work experience at a local BBC radio station. I did a few weeks at BBC Bristol which led to three months maternity cover!