Morning!!

A few bits to tell you about today.

Rather randomly I have come across a kitchen tool that makes the perfect makeup storage space.

I usually keep everything in a professional makeup artist style box but the thing I like about this tool carousel is that when I'm in a massive rush in the morning I can see where everything is at a glance.

Here's a piccie. Loving how organised everything looks!!

You can get your hands on one of these organisational wonders here .


In other news, I've been trialling some Balance Me products for the past couple of weeks and must say that I'm really impressed. I love anything natural and Balance Me products contain no nasties at all!

So far I can tell you that their Rose Otto Intensive Lip Balm is really good. My lips are feeling very moisturised and plump and it works really well on cuticles!

My love affair with L'Occitane Limited Edition Hibiscus Flower Hand Cream continues. I guarantee that once you try this stuff you'll be hooked. I'm thinking of emailing them and literally begging for them to continue it and perhaps bring out a perfume with the same scent!!

Right, I'll be back soon with more Balance Me reviews and I also want to tell you about a brand new Eyeko Mascara that I can't wait to try!!

French Pharmacies Part 2

Last week I returned from the most fantastic twelve days in South West France. Most of it was spent relaxing and having a wonderful time just me and my husband, but Mummy Bonn came out at the beginning of the holiday for three days of shopping, eating and enjoying the wonders of Biarritz Casino.

My mother and I are a terrible influence on each other. When we're together we spend money (usually that we haven't got) on everything from clothes to presents for just about everyone we know to beauty products (naturally!)

When I introduced her to the wonders of the commonplace french chemist she got so over-excited that she nearly bought the whole place out. (My husband was thankfully sipping on espressos at a local cafe during this particular incident).

After twenty minutes or more of general shopping hysteria, we stumbled to the counter with handfuls of wonderful products that we have since trialled. Here's the low-down on some of the french treats that we bought, we love and that you'll find in just about every single chemist in the country.

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre:

Nic from Pixiwoo told me about this wonder-cream a few months ago and I've been desperate to try it ever since. It is multi-functional in that it can be used as a cleanser, moisturiser and also to calm the skin after shaving. Like Pixiwoo I have been using it before applying makeup and find that it creates the perfect base and makes my skin look and feel really good. This is a real classic and it's easy to understand why when you give it a go.

(Rather excitingly I've just discovered you can get hold of this at screenface.co.uk for £16.50 so you don't even need to cross the Channel!)
Nuxe Fondant Shower Gel:

I love this for so many reasons. It smells and feels great on the skin and is soap free meaning that it is great if your skin is sensitive. This product makes for a very luxurious shower experience!!

Bioderma Crealine H2O Micelle Solution:

I've mentioned this before but I can't speak highly enough of this stuff. It's a GREAT makeup remover (always gets rid of stubborn mascara), is mild enough that you don't need to wash it off and my skin looks great when I use it. Another classic used by makeup artists everywhere. (Amazon do a great deal where you can get two massive bottles for about £15).


Oh I must also mention that my Mum bought me a tube of L'Occitane special edition Hibiscus Flower hand-cream while we were out there. It smells absolutely delicious and like all L'Occitane hand-creams is really effective. I can't believe this is limited edition as it is so gorgeous! Get it here before it disappears!

Bonn Beauty Has Been Away

Sorry I haven't written for a while. I've been in sunny France!

I've got loads to tell you about including some fabulous French products that I've discovered and am totally in love with.

Be back really soon x

Mama Mio

I was really excited to meet Sian Sutherland yesterday. Sian is one of the founders of Mama Mio and after talking to her for just a few minutes I knew that she was genuinely passionate for and really believes in her brand.

When Mama Mio was first launched it was first and foremost aimed at pregnant women and new mothers. Products such as Tummy Rub Butter and Goodbye Stretch Marks were the perfect luxury and safe to use and mothers everywhere did and still do swear by these products.

The problem though is that a lot of women don't realise that Mama Mio is now a brand that caters for everyone and whilst Mums and pregnant women are a very important part of what they do, the range of products is extensive and has something for every possible skincare need that a woman could have.

Over the past month I've been testing a few of their products and all I can say is that they really do work. They are well made and the ingredients have obviously been extensively researched. They feel and smell good and do exactly what they say on the tin.

Here's what I've been testing and what I think:

Clean Slate Aloe Rich Cleanser:

Whilst at night I like to remove my makeup with a really rich balm style cleanser and cloth, in the mornings I'm all about a quick and easy face-wash in the shower.

I've been testing Clean Slate for a month and it is a really excellent product. A little goes a long way and the biggest bonus is that it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry and tight. I test a lot of face products which can at times leave my skin a bit congested but since using Clean Slate it has been in great condition.

Boob Tube Bust and Neck Firmer:

I LOVE this stuff. Being rather large on the boob front I'm already starting to notice lines in the chest area. After a month of using this product my skin is soft and supple and there has been a notable difference on the fine lines front.

When you're a bit pressed for time it can be annoying having to apply separate products for various parts of your body, but I think that the effort will pay off in the long run with a product like this and your older self will thank you.

Bootcamp for Arms:

A genius kit that comes with an exfoliator, exfoliating mitt, toning serum and exercise plan to help you get rid of bingo wings.

I adore the exfoliator which has got rid of my annoying upper arm pimples. I also use it on my under-arm before shaving and it's helped to keep ingrowing hairs at bay.

The serum is again really effective and has made arms feel firmer and moisturised. My only negative comment is that it is a bit sticky for a few minutes after application so wait for a bit before you get dressed.

Mama Mio is a great brand with a fantastic ethos. The products can genuinely be trusted to work. I also love the empowering messages and hints and tips that come with each of them. This is a brand to be relied on.

Pret-a-Portea Tea at The Berkeley and The Chelsea Hand and Foot Spa

My bunions would never fit in a Louboutin so I did the next best thing and ate one!

My Mum and I had the most amazing time sampling the wonders of the Pret-a-Portea at the Berkeley Hotel on Saturday.

If you've never heard of it, this is an afternoon tea with a twist and is definitely one for the girls.
You're seated in the aptly named Caramel room and presented with a stunning range of cakes, biscuits and other sweet treats that are all based on the latest fashion fads.

We feasted on a Miu Miu bikini biscuit, a Dolce and Gabbana handbag cake and even a cheesecake based on a Valentino dress.  It was such a treat and you could keep ordering until you were truly stuffed (at this point you could ask for a very posh handbag shaped doggy-bag to take even more cakes home) so well worth the £39. If you fancy the perfect girly afternoon then you can book it here. (Make sure you book in advance as it does get very busy!)

Anyway, as we munched on cakes, I proudly showed my Mum my new ballet pumps. When it comes to shoes I often have to choose comfort over style as my feet are different sizes and just all-round odd! I was excited about said pumps because for once they actually fitted and looked good (or so I thought). According to my ever-honest mother they gave me toe-cleavage and showed my bunions (I didn't even realise that I had bunions for goodness sake!) After sulking like a teenager for a few moments I grabbed a Louboutin biscuit and ate it with gusto.

Anyway, on the subject of bunions, Louboutins and toe-cleavage, I had a lovely medi-pedi a couple of weeks ago. My first experience of the medical pedicure was at the wonderful Margaret Dabbs Clinic at 7 New Cavendish Street,  where my feet were totally transformed in less than an hour. This time around I trialled the Chelsea Hand and Foot Spa and here's what I loved about it:

1. While the service at Margaret Dabbs was phenomenal, it did feel more medical than pedical if you know what I mean. What I loved about the Chelsea Hand and Foot Spa was how utterly relaxing it was. The music, lovely surroundings and TV screen with images of the sea all served to help me forget that I was having an ingrowing toe-nail dealt with.

2. The service was GREAT and my feet looked fantastic. I was extremely impressed with Margaret Dabbs and I can honestly say that the results of my medi-pedi at the Hand and Foot Spa were not far off and it was a bit cheaper too!

3. I loved the fact that they made their own exfoliator out of olive-oil and coarse salt.  It was simple and effective.


If you do fancy giving your feet (bunion riddled or not) the gift of health and beauty then here's a link to the website.

Relaxing and Informal-I loved this place

Beauty Tips for Busy Women

Is it just me or does looking your best sometimes make you feel more empowered?

I don't know if this is a good thing to admit and it quite probably goes against all my feminist inclinations, but if I have a full face of makeup on and I feel half attractive then I can do anything. On days when I go say to the supermarket make-up free I tend to look fewer people in the eye and suddenly become a bit shy and retiring.

The only time when I am truly happy going au-naturel is in fact with my husband who claims to love me makeup free. Other people in my life are not so forthcoming. I remember meeting my Dad at a pub with no makeup only to be questioned for the next ten minutes about the state of my health. Another time, I was running late for a meeting and rushed in without my makeup on. My boss of the time scowled and said "What did you do with Nicola?" (Said boss also used to make copious comments about my boobs so perhaps I shouldn't have taken this too seriously).

The problem is that often there just isn't time to spend making yourself look incredible. It's hard enough working, keeping the house/your life together and if you're reading this and have kids then that takes things to a whole new level of crazy.

Anyway, I've decided to put together a Bonn Beauty list of things that I do to make me feel confident and beautiful when I'm really busy.

1. If I don't have time to do a full face of makeup (say when I get up at 2:15am for my radio show) then there are three products that I rely on to give me enough confidence to face my fellow early morning colleagues:

- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser (rapidly rubbed into my face with my hands)
- Benefit Erase Paste (to get rid of my massive early-morning bags)
- Mac Haute and Naughty Mascara (a little goes a long way!)

No I don't look amazing when I wear this combo but I do look thoroughly acceptable and nicely fresh-faced which is just about enough for me!

2. Get a GOOD fake-tan

 When I'm brown I look so much better without makeup and my confidence levels soar!

The man I always go to for a really reliable spray-tan is James Read at the Sanderson Hotel. He is the best because he is totally thorough and the results are as natural as you can get. I always get asked if I've been on holiday when I have one of his tans which can only be a good thing.

James has just launched his own range of products which I tried last week and I am already a massive fan. (As are a whole load of celebrities including Jessie J and Vogue Magazine are raving about them!) The tan hardly smells, doesn't rub off on your sheets and contains loads of anti-ageing ingredients which is a real bonus. You can get hold of them here.

3. Turn to Clarins

When I have absolutely no time I pat on loads of Clarins Flash Beauty Balm. It is enough to give me a nice glow and look a little bit less like a sickly ghost.

I'd love to hear your tips for looking good when you have little/no time. Email me at nicola@nicolabonn.com xx

Filming With Pixiwoo

Very quick one this morning although I have SO many things to tell you about in the coming weeks including:

- An incredible medi-pedi to get your feet healthy and beautiful
- A very easy-to-apply and long-lasting liquid eyeliner
- My review of Rapidlash
- The most relaxing and inspiring facial I've ever experienced
- Why I love Mama Mio Products

Anyway, yesterday I did some filming for the beauty section of heart.co.uk with my favourite make-up artists (and the most successful beauty vloggers of all time) Pixiwoo. We were talking about a new service from Boots No.7.  I'm not allowed to tell you what it is YET but as soon as I can I will. What I can say is that I reckon it's going to totally revolutionise the way we choose our makeup and quite possibly the beauty industry as a whole. Very exciting stuff.

It was fab to catch up with the girls who are incredibly down to earth for two sisters who are known all around the world. They really are as lovely as they come across in their videos! I was also lucky enough to get a makeover from Nic which was a real treat.

In other news I was very excited to see that Melvita has come over from France and is now available in John Lewis. Melvita is a range of organic and really beautiful face and body products. Definitely worth a try. I particularly love the smell/texture of the Gelee Fraiche Desalterante.

Anyway, promise I'll write soon at more length and with some great recommendations for you xx