Some Products For The Man In Your Life

As well as being a total product junky, I also get a lot of enjoyment from making my own beauty products. (I will do a proper post on this soon).

If you've been reading this blog for a while then you'll know that I often use my husband Chris as my beauty guinea pig and we were in absolute hysterics when I made him try my chocolate face mask the other week. He looked a real sight as he sat there, with a face covered in chocolate (amongst other ingredients). He ended up eating a lot of it and  I have the most amazing photographic evidence of the whole experience but have been forced to swear that I will not publish it. Damn!

As well as having his face smothered in my weird and wonderful recipes, Chris also trials and reviews men's products for me. This has turned him from a soap and water kinda guy to a product enthusiast. (I won't say junkie because he's definitely not that keen, but rest-assured I'm working on him!)


Here are some of his current favourites:

Clarins Men Exfoliating Cleanser

£21

Buy here

Chris reckons that this is the best exfoliator that he has ever used. He uses it as a face wash in the shower and his skin has been really radiant and clear as a result. This also won an award at the CEW Beauty Awards so is trusted by many beauty insiders.

Lab Series PRO LS All in one face treatment

£22

Buy here

This product is great because it pretty much delivers everything that a man would want from a moisturiser. It is perfect for using after shaving and is smoothing, repairing, moisturising and mattifies the skin. 

Biotherm Homme Youth Architect Serum

£58

feelunique.com

I never thought the day would come when my husband would willingly apply a serum, but it has and Chris LOVES this product. Every time he applies it, his skin looks smooth, healthy and positively glowing. It contains a list of great ingredients that really work on a man's skin (Did you know that a man's skin is considerably thicker than a woman's so needs a different type of product?) and is great for smoothing out pesky fine lines.



The CEW Beauty Awards 2013 (The Oscars of the Beauty Industry)

On Friday it was time for the annual CEW Beauty Awards (known as the Beauty Oscars). Winning one of these awards is a massive accolade and can really boost a brand's selling power.

I always love it when a really small brand manages to come up trumps as it can literally change the life of the brave enterpreneur(s) who had the guts to follow their dream and often began by mixing and bottling their ingredients from their kitchen as is the case with Balance Me.

The Awards started with a delicious lunch. Lisa Snowdon, myself and our mutual friend and amazing facialist Neena Trehan had a good old natter (and giggle) before things got going. We also got a bit trigger happy with the cameras on our mobiles...

After lunch it was time for the awards. I was really pleased that a lot of the products that I had voted for won. I know a good product when I trial it! :0)

Here's a list of all of this year's winners. I have put a star by the ones that I love and really recommend that you try, although they have all been chosen by some of the beauty industry's most experienced insiders so they must be good!!

Best New Bath and Body Product (Mass Market) – Dr. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Monoi Moisture Melt Body Oil

Best New Haircare/Styling/Colouring Product (Mass Market) – Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Shine

Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product (Mass Market) – Dr Nick Lowe Night Cream

Best New Skincare Treatment Product (Mass Market) – Carmex Moisture Plus Berry Lip Balm

Best New Make-Up Product for Face (Mass Market) – Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation

Best New Make-Up Product for Eyes or Lips (Mass Market) – Bourjois Queen Attitude Khol Kajal

Best Classic Beauty Product (Mass Market) – Bio-Oil

Best New Brand (Mass Market) – Manuka Doctor *

Eco Beauty Award – Melvita *

Best New Bath and Body Product (Prestige) – Caudalie Devine Oil

Best New Haircare Styling Product (Prestige) – Percy and Reed Lovingly Light Foaming Treatment Mask

Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product (Prestige) – Estée Lauder Daywear BB Cream

Best New Skincare Treatment Product (Prestige) – Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

Best New Make-Up Product for Face (Prestige) – Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

Best New Make-Up Product for Eyes or Lips (Prestige) – Benefit They're Real Mascara *

Best Classic Beauty Product (Prestige) – Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish *

Best New Brand (Prestige) – Percy and Reed

Best New Men’s Fragrance (Prestige) – Dolce & Gabbana The One Sport

Best New Women’s Fragrance (Prestige) – Elie Saab Le Parfum

Best New Certified Organic Skincare Product (Mass or Prestige) – Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Facial Oil  *

Best New Self Tan or Sun Care Product (Mass or Prestige) – Elizabeth Arden Prevage Triple Defense Shield SPF50 (some people have been known to have quite a dramatic allergic reaction to this so make sure you do a skin test before using)

Best New Hand, Foot and Nail Care Product (Mass or Prestige) – Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream *

Best New Celebrity Fragrance – Beckham The Essence

Best New Men’s Grooming Product (Mass or Prestige) – ClarinsMen Exfoliating Cleanser *

Best British Brand (Mass or Prestige) – Balance Me *

HydroEFFECT Facial at HydroHealing Day Spa

Me and the Facial Pen

On Friday I had one of the best facials of my life. I say that because it is now Monday and my face is absolutely glowing. It honestly hasn't looked this good since I was about ten years old.

The facial in question was at the gorgeous HydroHealing Day Spa in Notting Hill. The minute I walked into the spa I was impressed. It was bright, clean and friendly. The treatment rooms had gorgeous blue tiles and lovely lighting, reflecting the water theme.

The HydroEffect Facial is a non-invasive, pain free treatment which has the same effect as microdermabrasion but without the redness and stinging.

During the facial, super cooled, sterilised water is accelerated through a facial pen. This removes dead skin cells and clears the pores so is great if you have congestion. There are all the other relaxing benefits of a facial including a face-mask during which you are treated to an amazing Reflexology session.

I really do recommend this facial if you're not into invasive treatments/microdermbrasion but want your skin to look plumped and glowing. It costs £95 and is the perfect treat. I would also recommend this for brides to be but make sure you do it about around two weeks before the wedding. (I never think you should try a new treatment too close to the big day).

Creme De La Mer Face and Body Gradual Tan and Other Stories

In the early 90's my Mum came home with a sacred pot of Creme de La Mer moisturising cream. I was given strict instructions not to use it and at £100 for 30ml I can understand why. However, after a few weeks, it had been discarded to the back of the bathroom cupboard. It was way too rich for her skin and was clogging up her pores.

I have steered clear of the brand ever since, even though it has a cult following and scores of celebrities and women absolutely swear by it. I guess that I am slightly cynical of a brand that is so crazily expensive when there are so many other options on the market.

However, I had a meeting with their PR the other day and she gave me a bag full of products to try, including the Regenerating Serum, The Moisturising Soft Cream, The Cleansing Gel and most excitingly, their new fake tan which hasn't launched yet.

I have trialled all the products and unfortunately they just haven't been as miraculous as I hoped...

I've been using The Cleansing Gel in the shower as a face wash each morning. It is incredibly rich compared to most face washes and leaves my face feeling moisturised rather than dry like usual. A little goes a long way but I wonder whether it is good enough to merit costing £55 for 200ml. There are a lot of good face washes out there and even though this one is lovely, it's not spectacular. Hmmmmmm...


The Soft Cream is a much lighter version of the original cream that caused my Mum so many problems. Unfortunately it is still too heavy for my skin and I get spots a couple of days later. Una from The Saturdays swears by the Moisturising Lotion which is a lot lighter, so it would be interesting to see how my skin reacted to it. However, at £160 for 50ml this is a big investment.
I was most excited about the Gradual Tan which has just been launched. I was told that it didn't smell, went on like a dream and was good for the skin as well as producing a nice colour. On application, I was very impressed. It smelt good and application was so simple. It also left my skin feeling nice and moisturised. However, by that evening my skin felt a bit sticky and the fake tan smell that I know so well had started appearing. The colour was good, but again, how can I justify spending £65 on a fake tan when there are so many cheaper and as effective ones on the market??

All in all, Creme de La Mer hasn't really done it for me. I realise that many women see it as the holy grail of skincare and there must be something in that, but as far as I'm concerned, the price doesn't totally justify the quality.

Me and My Vajacial

 

Being a beauty writer and blogger is not always beautiful. Many of us have surprisingly awful skin. The reason for this is that we spend our lives plastering our faces with an inordinate amount of creams, serums and makeup items, all in the name of trialling and testing. This can result in allergic reactions, product overload and one thoroughly unhappy (and at times acne-ridden) epidermis.

Another element of this beauty malarky is testing new treatments. You won't believe some of the PR blurb I get sent. From suction suits that promise to change the shape of my body forever, to injecting my tummy with my own blood, there is always something weird and wonderful on the market that some poor beauty journalist will offer to try.

Anyway, one treatment that I couldn't resist trialling last week was The Vajacial!! As the name suggests, this is a facial for your vagina. Now we're not talking the kind of facial that involves having cucumber applied to your eyes whilst your face mask dries. No, this facial is quick, easy and very effective.

So, here's your guide to the Vajacial:

1. You need to head to Ministry of Waxing (It's the only place that offers them in the UK at the moment) where a Brazilian wax and facial will set you back £50.

2. They'll start by giving you an amazing brazilian wax (or plain old bikini if you prefer). The wax they use smells of chocolate and is hot wax which is SO much less painful than the strip type.

3. After the wax, out come the tweezers to remove any ingrows.

4. Now it's vajacial time!! Out comes a very clever machine that gives the bikini area a pain-free microdermabrasion type treatment whilst smoothing and moisturising with Salicylic Acid.

5. You are left with an illicitly soft and beautiful bikini area. After a few treatments you will also find a dramatic decrease in ingrowing hairs and pigmentation.

I was invited onto 'This Morning' last Friday where I discussed the treatment and debated my little socks off against the brilliant and very opinionated Natasha Devon. Here's the link:

http://www.itv.com/thismorning/styleandbeauty/has-female-grooming-gone-too-far/

Much to my amusement, we also made it into The Sun. I look awful in the photos but it did make me giggle!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/4884775/this-morning-shows-live-vajacial-a-facial-for-the-vagina.html

I'd love to know your views on the Vajacial. xx

My ASOS Lust List

Here are some of the things on ASOS that I'm lusting after at the moment. Watch out for a bit of a French theme. I blame it on the book that I'm currently reading. It's called Toute Allure and is by Karen Wheeler. It's making me absolutely desperate to jet off to France and sink my teeth into a buttery croissant!

Great with black tights and a blazer

ASOS Skater Dress In Vintage Wallpaper Print

£25

Here's the link

 Cute!

Pop Boutique Nautical Shift Dress

£22

Here's the link

French chic

Pop Boutique Breton Stripe Jersey Dress

£24

Here's the link

Possibly the most flattering clingy dress ever!

Coast Lana Jersey Dress with Belt

£95

Here's the link

Tres Chanel!

ASOS Blazer in Fluro Boucle

£35

Here's the link

Ah Oui!

ASOS Bonjour Jumper In Stripe

£30

Here's the link

While we're at it...

ASOS Bonjour Moustache Watch

£22

Here's the link

A Romantic Weekend In.......Swindon!!

A few weeks ago I got an email inviting me and Chris to go on a press weekend to the Holiday Inn in Swindon. The idea was that we'd have a lovely weekend away and a taster of all the things that you can do in the surrounding area. It's not very often that I get invited on Press Weekends and even though this wasn't exactly a spa weekend in Cannes, we thought that we might as well go for it.

Judging be the general reaction when I told my friends that Chris and I were packing our bags and going for a romantic weekend away in Swindon, the place has a bit of a bad press and to be honest, when we left the M4, passed the Texaco garage and pulled up into the Holiday Inn car-park I wondered what the hell I was thinking!

I'm going to be honest with you, if it's glamour that you're after, The Holiday Inn Swindon is not for you. However, if you're after a hotel that is really easy to get to, a great price and filled with the most lovely staff EVER then you must go there.

Everyone was super-friendly and our room was cosy. There was a cute little swimming pool with a jacuzzi and the breakfasts were amazing. (I particularly liked the pancake machine). I thoroughly recommend this little hotel if you are going to a wedding in the area or fancy a cheap and cosy base in the Wiltshire area.

As far as Swindon goes, Chris and I managed to have some good adventures:

- We spent a good hour in the designer outlet centre where Chris managed to get two pairs of Levis for an absolute bargain. I nearly bought a beige cape from French Connection but looked somewhat bat-like so gave up on the idea.

- We had a GREAT time at the...don't laugh...Steam Museum. Swindon is the home of  the Great Western Railway and the museum tells the story of the GWR steam trains. The grand steam trains are from a bygone era when train travel was sexy and glamorous. They are peppered around the museum and if you're lucky, when you climb on board you'll meet one of the old train drivers. These men must be in their 90's and are just fascinating. We were totally enchanted as they told stories of their 45 years or so on the tracks. It was a bit of living history and I could have chatted to them all day.

The highlight of our trip was the easy access to the Great British outdoors. Swindon is really close to the Cotswolds, the beautiful Wiltshire countryside and only half an hour away from one of my favourite places ever... Pangbourne. Chris and I spent the rest of the weekend going on beautiful walks, visiting National Trust sites and breathing in the country air. We came home feeling really refreshed and smiling from ear to ear!

To book your stay at Holiday Inn Swindon, either call 0871 942 9094 or visit www.http://www.hiswindonhotel.co.uk/

A Great Mineral Sun Block from John Bell and Croyden

I have always been a light-weight. At University I was known as "Bacardi Breezer girl" because on certain occasions I could be heard slurring after just one. I mean how awful is that?

Anyway, my lightweight capacities have incresed ten-fold recently. I think it's a combination of doing overnight shifts and my diet going to pot because of said shifts, but one can never be sure!

I had a meeting with a really inspiring business contact this afternoon and unfortunately was an absolute gonner after two glasses of red. Whilst she was chatting about some really exciting potential projects, I was seeing double and trying REALLY hard not to go cross eyed. My lips had also gone so numb that I was worried that if I spoke out loud it would come out as a slur.

Following the meeting, I stumbled my way down Sloane Street and called Chris to let him know what a sad and sorry state I was in. He ordered me to get straight on the tube and not to fall asleep. I had other ideas and snuck into Harvey Nichols where I had a long and surreal conversation with someone about the symbolism of perfume, before spending a ludicrous amount on a Tom Ford one. Shit!!

Drunk and tired but protected from the sun!



Anyway, I digress! I want to tell you about a new product that I am going to be using A LOT once the sun actually decides to rear it's pretty head. It is a brush on sun block that can be worn over make up and provides SPF 30 protection.

Now I'm not going to lecture you about how important it is to wear sun-screen on a daily basis to protect you from wrinkles and sun-damage because we've all heard it before. However, if you were to choose to protect your skin then this product is great becuase it's non-greasy, non-sticky, invisible and so damn easy to apply. It is also mineral based and reflects the sun's rays away from your face.

I also love the ingredients which include green tea leaf extract, safflower seed oil, chamomile extract and honeysuckle. I would definitely recommend this if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Brush on Block will be available at one of my (and the Queen's) favourite pharmacies John Bell and Croyden later this month and costs £23.

Anne Widdecombe's Tights

I was on ITV1's "This Morning" today and as ever had a couple of fun hours chatting with the array of people and show guests in the Green Room. (Where you wait before you go on air).

I was stuffing my second croissant and in deep conversation with the lovely Professor David Wilson when I spotted Anne Widdecombe wandering in with a large suitcase and a face like thunder. She sat separately to everyone else and didn't look impressed that she was in so early.

Professor David, being the kind and inclusive man that he is went over to Anne and started to chat to her. She instantly perked up and came and sat on the sofa with us.

I introduced myself and reminded her that she had once done a talk at my school to which she gave a bit of a glare and said "I've done talks at lots of schools!" I sat back helplessly, thinking that I was neither awake nor willing enought to embark on an intelligent conversation that would capture her attention so I sat back and took another bite of my croissant in defeat.

However, little was I to know that Anne and I would bond over the fashion section on the Lorraine  Show on Daybreak. As Mark Heyes introduced the first model to a somewhat embarrassed Kate Garraway,  Anne and I both let out a synchronised "yuck" and started giggling.

 Now Mark is a great stylist and a lovely man but my WORD he got it wrong this morning. As model after model came out in clashing outfits, ill-fitting tops and frumpy dresses, Anne and I got more vocal until we were both screaming at the TV.

When the disastrous feature was over, I glanced down and noticed that Anne was wearing a very funky pair of polka dot tights. The woman has style! We nattered about them and she said, "You may think they look good with my boots, but wait til I wear heels... it's another thing altogether!" I suddenly started seeing her as a potential  new BFF. She may be a bit stern on the outside, but perhaps Anne would be great fun on a night out with the girls. We could sip on G and T's and put the world to rights!

Unfortunately that was to be the end of our bonding session as her mobile phone suddenly sprang into action (her ring-tone is the sound of a loud and terribly annoying cockerel) and after a heated conversation the face of thunder returned. Without so much as a cheerio she stomped off to have her makeup done with the cockerel ringing out loudly in the corridors.

Anne Widdecombe...my fashionable, polka dot wearing, cockerel ring-toned, almost but not quite friend!

Zara Hair and Makeup T-Shirt

Please excuse the bad quality of these photos, but I wanted to show you my most recent purchase from Zara.

Embarrassingly, I was wearing this T-Shirt when I got my hair cut today and I think that my hairdresser though that I was trying to make some sort of weird statement!

Anyway, Zara have an amazing range of T-Shirts in at the moment, many of them with fun statements emblazoned across the centre. Check them out here. x

Vichy Normaderm 3 en 1

It's been a very busy Easter weekend in the Bonn household. Chris and I have visited multiple family members which has meant eating multiple delicious meals and stuffing our little faces with a ridiculous amount of chocolate eggs.

On Friday we went to visit our gorgeous niece and nephew and partook in the annual Easter Egg hunt. Being quite a competitive person, I kind of forgot that as a mature adult I should probably let the kids win and went full steam ahead filling my bowl to the brim with chocolate eggs and whooping every time I discovered another one!

It was only when little three year old Charlie looked at me with wide eyes and said "Meep Meep (his name for me), am I winning? I hope I can do the winner's dance!" that I realised that I should probably slow down a bit. I dropped a few of my many eggs in his basket and sloped off feeling a bit ashamed.

We saw my Mum on Sunday and this year rather than giving us eggs, she bought us goodies from her visit toParis that week. I was so excited when she handed over the above. I've been desperate to try Vichy Normaderm 3 en 1 for ages. It is the ultimate multi-tasker (and you know how much I love a multi-tasker) in that it can be used as a face wash, scrub and mask.

It is great for using in the shower and leaves your face beautifully cleansed without drying it out. It is soap and paraben free meaning that it is suitable for sensitive skin and with repeated use can shrink the pores, help get rid of black-heads and is particularly good for acne-prone skin.

Vichy Normaderm 3 en 1 costs around £11 and  is available at the odd independent Chemist in the UK. However,  I think it's much more sensible to book a weekend away in Paris and pick some up when you're there :0)