My massage brings all the boys to the yard

It's the first real post of our return and I'm going to be entirely selfish and talk about Neal's Yard, massages, and beauty products, rather than dive right into the nitty-gritty of plus fashion. (All that stuff to come, promise!)

London's super-cool Neal's Yard, the tiniest, shoppiest courtyard in the capital

Right, we've had Halloween (I came as the credit crunch, thinking I was all clever, then I read the Halloween post on Stuff White People Like and had my dreams once again kiboshed), then there was some sort of election, not sure if you guys heard about that... and swiftly on the heels of that, came Guy Fawkes Night, at least if you're British. (This is where we incite religious hatred by burning effigies of Roman Catholics to celebrate the defeat of Medieval terrorism. And there are toffee apples.)

Anyhoo: the calendar moves on pretty fast in the autumn; all that's left is Remembrance Day tomorrow, and then we're on the home stretch to Christmas/Chrismukkah/Happy Birthday Jesus Day/present-giving. November through December is basically an unholy combination of cold weather, festive parties, and a hella lot of shopping. (How you guys cope with Thanksgiving in the mix is beyond me.)

One of my favourite brands, Neal's Yard Remedies (they of the beautiful blue glass bottles and delicious-smelling organic goodies), has introduced the Retail Therapy massage throughout the UK for Christmas. The massage comes in two "flavours", Refresh, and Relax, which was my chosen option.

I'm not a crazy fan of massage, as I find being touched by people - even friends, relatives, boyfriends! - quite uncomfortable, but this was genuinely a revelation. As a long-term certified insomniac, I can say it's the best sleep solution evah. I slept like the dead after my 30-minute massage last Thursday.

This somnambulant miracle was brought to me by the hands of Denise Monroe, former model and wife of jewellery designer Alex Monroe, which added a level of glamour to proceedings. Incidentally, how beautiful are these Alex Monroe pieces?

Jewellery by Alex Monroe; 00 44 (0)20 7703 8507; alexmonroe.com

Er, anyway. One post at a time! Retail Therapy massages are available at Neal's Yard stores throughout the UK. £35 (London) or £25 (regional)for 30 minutes, including a gift box of two products to take away, worth £10. These also double as excellent presents/stocking fillers (depending on how generous you are), as I can attest, having already pawned some off on friends pretending I was treating them. I'm a charmer! Call 00 44 (0)1747 834634 to book, or visit the website.

Refresh is quite zingy, all geranium and orange, whilst relax is arnica, rose and pomegranate. I'm currently also using Neal's Yard orange flower shampoo and conditioner (£10 each), which is doing excellent work and smells delicious - combining nicely with my housemate's Christmassy-scented ginger and vanilla. (Organic Ginger and Vanilla Bath Oil, organic Ginger and Vanilla Body Lotion, and a Ginger and Vanilla Candle, £27.50 the set.)

Anyway, like I said I'm not usually a big massage fan but this really was the business, totally soothing, sorted my sleep problems out for a night or two, and at only half an hour didn't interfere with my ridonk schedule. Plus anytime a beauty treatment comes with products included in the price, it's a good thing, particularly PCC (post credit crunch).

Keep tuning in for a review of Gok Wan's new lingerie range and latest TV show, Miss Naked Beauty - and a shout-out to reader Sarah for her awesome underwear (in a sisterhood yay! sort of way rather than a creepy old dude in a basement way) - and then we'll finally get round to answering your questions, I've been wading through the 50 or so emails (!!!) we've got and trying to triage according to whose wedding/party/outfit emergency is soonest!

Barefoot in the park

'Twas in the spring, then spring became the summer, it got too hot to wear a cardigan... uh, I don't know where I'm going with that too-poor-to-be-a-parody, so let's just move right along to today's topic: skincare! I don't know about you, but I've been revelling in the recent warm weather: sunbathing every day, skipping to work in skirts, bare legs and sandals, getting my skin out...

...and of course, all that sun, combined with already dry skin that's been under wraps all winter, has taken its toll. I'm in need of some serious skincare TLC, and have bust open my cupboard full of ultra-rich body butters, oils and moisturisers to try and quench my dry skin. Because when you're flashing the flesh in a summer dress, skin needs to be plump, dewy, and happy.

Annoyingly, you can no longer seem to get one of my favourite body moisturisers, the Barefoot Doctor's Damn Sexy Heavenly Body Butter. This might have something to do with the fact the good doctor had sex with a bunch of his patients, major scandal, and so on; but c'mon, what's a bit of unprofessional behaviour when moisturised skin is at stake?

Here are some of my favourites:

Bidadari Shimmering Body Souffle, by Sanctuary, comes in a pleasingly heavy glass jar with a fancy metal fastening: you feel special just popping open the lid, before you've even plunged your fingers into the jellyish souffle. The texture is soft and wobbly, like lightly whipped cream, and spreads easily and generously: you only need a small blob for each leg, rather than a whopping great handful. The scent is an acquired taste, however, and it is a shimmer product: but subtly so, adding a gentle glimmer to sheeny skin, rather than a Pussycat Dolls-style glitter overload.

Soap and Glory Big Butter Lemon, Flowers and Orange, comes in a bog-standard plastic pot, but don't let the whiff of cheap packaging fool ya: this product is scent-sational! (Yes, I went there. No, I'm not proud.) I actually like the kitschtastic Rainbow Brite-ish packaging, but it's not the chicest product out there. However, it does smell creamily, dreamily good, and butters you up a treat.

Buffy the Backside Slayer, a butt-buffing body butter bar by Lush, is practically perfect in every way: it's a little bit gritty, to exfoliate; it's a little bit greasy, to moisturise; it's a little bit scented; it leaves buttucks so peachy you could make cobbler with them; and it's got a funny name. If it doesn't leave you as bootilicious as it should, try the more emoliant Aqua Mirabilis bar instead: just as good, minus the great name.

Cocoa Buttercream Frosting Body Butter is not for the mature palate: in fact, none of Jaqua's products are. They may come in sophisticated card boxes, with elegantly stickered tubs inside, but they all basically smell like a 6-year-old sugar addict's dream. If you like chocolate, vanilla, icing, sugar, marshmallows, etc., this is no bad thing. The thick butter spreads on skin brilliantly, though it is really, really rich -- use just a couple of times a week, and be warned, wasps and bees will probably follow you around.


[Sorry everyone -- Photobucket hates booty, for some reason. Image will be restored when I'm back in my Bunker O' Photoshop. Sheesh. I bet Style.com never has this problem.]
Bidadari Shimmering Body Souffle, £9.95 by Sanctuary
Buffy the Backside Slayer, from £4.50 by Lush
"touch me then try to leave" body cream, $28.00 by Benefit
Soap and Glory Big Butter Lemon, Flowers and Orange, £9.50 at Boots
Johnson's Baby Oil, $5.29 from Drugstore.com
Cocoa Buttercream Frosting Body Butter, $22.00 by Jaqua

Enjoy showing off your beautiful new skin this summer, but: don't forget to use suntan lotion and after-sun!!! You'll thank me when you're old and yet un-wrinkly. You may feel greasier than Peter Andre, and have to wash your sheets all the damn time, but seriously: USE SUNSCREEN!!! [/End of TFFF mini-lecture]

"Tonight, Matthew, I'm going to be..."

Who wasn't in love with the star prints shown by The Kaiser at Chanel, and Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent, this season? So 1920s Americana, so patriotic, so red white and blue, so "let's do it for our country!" "Oh, Lewis!"...*

The answer to this mostly rhetorical question is, of course, NOBODY. The world has gone star(k) staring mad. (See what I did?!) London's Oxford Street-Regent Street high-street hub has turned into the MGM of yesteryear: more stars than there are in the heavens. Yet as the lights go out all over Europe, I forget about all Hollywood, because Doris Day could never make me cheer up, quite the way those French girls always could the high-street, usually a place (state of mind?) I am likely to pledge my firstborn unto for ripping off catwalk looks at lemonade prices, has, on this occasion, GONE TOO FAR.

STARS ARE EVERYWHERE. IT'S FREAKING ME OUT.

But, and yet. I still love the star prints. How can one not? It's spring! (Allegedly.) What could be funner and flirtier than a navy, star-printed shortie jumpsuit and a pair of fabulous sunglasses? Unfortunately, not only does everybody else love the look, it ain't subtle. If three lasses all wear jumper dresses to the same bar, no-one would know. Three of you wear a star-print -- even in wildly varying forms, a jumpsuit here, a cardigan there -- oh, the jokes will never end. Yet there is still, to quote Heaven 17: temptation.

Here's how to indulge in the trend without going starry-eyed:

Clockwise from top left:
Stila All-Over Liquid Shimmer, $22 from Stila.com
Stila All-Over Shimmer Eyes in #7, Champagne, $18 from Stila.com
Magic Stars, £0.44 from Sweetiebag.com
Fresh Supernova Mascara, $25 from Sephora.com
Angel by Thierry Mugler, $45 from Sephora.com
Silver Star Chain, $9.99 from GirlProps.com
Barry M Dazzle Dusts, £4.50 from Superdrug.com
Champagne Supernova Bath Bomb, £2.65 from Lush.co.uk

If that little lot isn't ample sufficiency, well...why not have a read of the excellent Star, and its even better sequel, Star Struck, by noted author Pamela Anderson?

*Quick poll: who was hotter -- Lewis from Grease 2, or Kenickie from Grease? Or has Jeff Conaway's latterday behaviour/appearance negated all Kenix hotness forever? One to ponder...

I Want It All & I Want It Now!

Since I run on my own unique (read: late) schedule I've got the last of the 7 things. Granted I've been cheating and I've already started my spring shopping but here are a few things I really want (read: need) in my closet for spring. A bit preppier than I usually go but if there ever was a time for channelling Lily Pulitzer it would be springtime.



Diptyque Candles
After a long hard day sometimes all you want to do is take a nice bath and light a candle. There is something so relaxing about filing the room with an intoxicating fragrance and there's really nothing more intoxicating and luxurious than a Diptyque. You know that feeling you get after a glass of wine? This is it - only in candle form. Sure they are pricey but the scents are unusual and last FOREVER (I really do mean that - days after you burn one the smell stays in the room) Oponnax is a spicy oriental scent I have been itching to try - right now my entire home is scented with the delicious Baies.

Y-Mail
The entire YSL Y-mail collection is adorable - I'm partial to the bags (of course) but the line encompasses all manner of ad ons from bracelets to clutches. I'm not usually one for an article of clothing that says the name of the designer - who really wants to be a billboard - but these little totes and wallets hark back to the good old says of snail mail. Remember letters? Those things we used to write out on stationary back before email took over. They were pretty great weren't they? I love the little stamp detail and address on these accessories and the silver tote scratches my itch for a metallic bag.

At YSL Boutiques & Neiman Marcus

Slingbacks
The second the calendar hits March I want to throw out all my boots and start wearing any and everything thats strappy. Unfortunately the weather is working against me at the moment but the second temperatures raise I'm heading out for slingbacks and loads of em. I've already ordered this pair of Theory slingbacks from Piperlime so I'm just one pedicure away from having some fun.

Shu Uemura Lipglosses
I know you guys, I don't have to explain why lipgloss made my list. Everyone knows lipglosses and spring are like PB and J. The Shu Uemura variant are the perfect texture and they've got the most delightful jam flavors.

Raf Simons Redux
I'm big on fashion books - if there is a designer I love I'm liable to pick up a book or two on them. I'm quite excited to read and see Raf Simons Redux as I love the look of his spare minimalist designs both for his own label and for Jil Sander.

Kenneth Jay Lane Bracelets
These are just awesome - I've been craving them for months but finally took the plunge. Almost every animal you can think up (lions, tigers and bears oh my) but in an intricate bracelet form. Some of the models even double as watches for added functionality. And if you'd rather not have a little zebra or seahorse strapped to your arm there are about a thousand non-fauna bracelets to choose from as well.

Beaded accents
Beading is on absolutely everything lately from dresses to shoes - the whole look is very 1960s prep set chic but can easily go from trendy to overdone with an excess of stones. I love a bit of beading around the neckline for an accent - it really spices up an ordinary item like a cardigan or sheath. I'm especially fond of this Banana Republic cardigan I just picked up in two colors - yellow and brown. Its got the perfect amount of detailing and is just the thing to throw over a sun dress once it heats up.

Check Banana stores for this one, the website has unfortunately sold out on the XL

Grabby Hands

And now for part two in our Hot List 2008, or things I'm totally excited about this year.

Clockwise from top left: black sunglasses
Hexagonal panel box bag, £25 from Topshop, available in apple green, teal, black and gold (not available on the website)
Floral blouse, also from Topshop
5ml perfume oil, from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, $17.50
Trouser jeans
Chloe Saskia bag, price varies at Brown's, Bergdorf's and Net a Porter
Purple Haze nail polish, $18 at Rescue Beauty Lounge

Bold Bags
I'm fond of these two bags for their unique shapes and bright colours. The Chloe Saskia, which comes in all varieties of style and colour, is a knockout with its scrumptious bold leathers and Lucite handles (classier than a pair of clear heels). Topshop's Hexagonal Panel Box Bag is perfect for getting away from giant “could fit an Olsen twin in this” bags and has just enough space for your essentials for a night out or an afternoon in the park.

Chunky black sunglasses
I own a gazillion pairs of trendy sunglasses (turquoise Wayfarers!) thanks to Forever 21 and ebay but am on the lookout for my one perfect pair this year, preferably black. My fave source is ebay’s Smash Vintage, who always have the cutest vintage inspired styles and great customer service to boot

Violet nail polish
I stocked up on tons of dark colours this winter but for spring and summer I am all about bright purple shades. I like Rescue Beauty Lounge's new hue, Purple Haze, as well as Nail's Inc's Belgrave Place and OPI's Do You Lilac It.

Dainty prints
Like Topshop's floral blouses and skirts for spring

Smelling nice
On my list for spring fragrance: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab’s “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” perfume oil based on the Christopher Marlowe poem (limited edition love poem oils run until March 23). Notes of heather, clover, Irish moss, English ivy, tea rose and carnation guaranteed to make you want to frolic in a grassy field.

Trouser jeans
As much as I love my skinny jeans I don’t know if I want to go through another warm season with denim sticking to my legs
Available: Old Navy, Gap, Svoboda

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Dark lips at Dolce, Lanvin & in W
There is a certain drama to dark lips that is incomparable - we live in a sheer lipgloss, lipbalm kind of world so to go dark is something extra glamorous, reserved for those times when you don't want to blend in. We've been seeing strong boldly colored lips on the runways and in the pages of magazines for awhile now but what's the best way to wear this look without overdoing it? Since I'm absolutely in love with this sophisticated look I've got a few helpful tips to get you started.

First of all you want to make sure your lips are in their best condition possible. Dark lipstick will highlight any dead or dry skin you might have on your lips so be sure to exfoliate your lips. A lip exfoliator like The Body Shop Lip Scruff can get rid of any icky dead skin and a lipbalm like Lush Lip Service can keep your lips moisturized and looking great its time for the fun.

Prep your lips with a bit of primer so your lipstick will last longer and look its best. Philosophy Big Mouth, is a great one that helps lips look smoother. Once your lips are prepped and primed its time for color. Use a lip liner to fill in around your lips. I like to use a neutral colored liner instead of one that matches my lipstick exactly. That way if my lipstick fades I'm not left with a brightly colored ring around my mouth.

When it comes to applying the lipstick itself use a lip brush instead of applying it straight from the tube. This will allow for a much more precise application - since the color is so dark you don't want any unfinished edges or smearing. Take your time and fill in the lips slowly.

Now that you know how to apply the lip color its important to know what shades to work with. You don't want to go too dark - it will only look goth and dated but you don't want to go too light either as it defeats the purpose. The overall look should be rich and plummy in color. Be sure to try a few shades on before you decide. I love Lipstick Queen's Berry shades in Berry Saint and Berry Sinner. One is sheer (Saint) for the times when you want a more day (and office) friendly look and the other is rich dark matte (Sinner) for evening. Both are the exact same shade just in different formulations and the berry color looks lovely on almost any skintone.

Naturally when doing a really dark lip the rest of your makeup should be kept to a minimum. Dark lips with a dark eye often can look too theatrical, you're better off letting the focus stay on one feature. Keep your eyeshadow, blush and any extras neutral - let your lips do the talking.

Do you wear deep dark lip colors? Red is in a class by itself of course - I'm talking the really deep plums were seeing right now. What are some of your favorite shades? Apart from the Lipstick Queen shades I really love Russian Doll & Tamango by NARS.

Lip Service

Doesn't winter suck? I know I keep waxing lyrical about tweeds and leather boots, or sounding positively Julie Andrews-esque as I talk about warm woollen mittens, and, okay, I do enjoy a Gingerbread Latte or ten. But: the hair frizz! The dried skin from biting cold winds and too much central heating! The mottled hands from constantly losing my gloves! The ugh, the everything!

The biggest body victim each winter is my lips -- I'm a lip licker, especially when I'm stressed. I constantly suck, bite, lick and chew on my own face, like a reaver, when I'm writing or drawing, or whatever. (I'm doing it right now.) Add this saliva overdose to the wintery weather, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Luckily, I am a lipbalm addict. I should go to Lipbalm Anonymous meetings and take the twelve-step plan. Except I'm assuming that one of those steps would be to give up the 'balm. That I cannot do. I was clearing out my handbag yesterday, since it had become so heavy, and discovered I was toting around no fewer than SIXTEEN lip balms, glosses, and sticks. Sixteen.

A quick rummage in my coat and jean pockets confirmed that the total about my person was an almost-too-embarrassing-to-confess twenty-one. You read that correctly: in addition to the sixteen in my bag, I had scattered some further five balms throughout my pockets, just in case.

Because the thing is, winter can have its great moments: drinking peppermint hot chocolate by the fireside, eating Lebkuchen whilst watching The Great Escape for the hundredth time, kissing your honey...and what fun is kissing with chapped, winter lips? To make your winter magical, dip a finger into one of these:


Burts Bees Beeswax Lipbalm Tin, $3.00, from Burts Bees; Rose & Co. Apothecary Sweet Violet Salve, £5.00, from Rose & Co; Carmex, $1.49, from CVS; Smith's Rosebud Salve, $6.00, from Sephora; Sheer Gold Lip Shimmer salve, £5.00 from Liz Earle; L'Occitane Honey Harvest Creamy Honey Lip Balm, $10.00, from Kiss Fix; Benetint Lipbalm, $20.00 from Benefit; Lip Service, £3.95, from Lush; Vaseline Lip Therapy with Aloe Vera, £0.96, from Boots; Kiehl's Moisturising Lipgloss in Black Raspberry, $11.50, from Kiehl's.

Lit From Within: The Summer Glow

As much focus as there is on makeup most of the fun and attention goes towards color. Its all about the precise shade of eyeshadow, the lipstick of the moment (Peter Som for Lancôme if you must know) anything bright and bold that catches our eyes and gets us excited. Color is king - cosmetics collections are called color stories for a reason. And the right shade of lipstick/eyeshadow or blush is the cosmetic equivalent to that scene in The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy's world goes from bleak beige to glittering technicolor.

But here's the kicker - color means nothing without skin. Your skin is the canvas on which you apply your color so if its not looking good all the trendy shades in the world will not look their best.

Now since its summer everyone on earth is going to tell you to worry about blotting and stopping shine but as appealing as that may seem there is nothing natural about a completely matte face in the middle of a heatwave. Being overly powdered is just as bad as looking greasy - the goal should be a healthy glow that appears to come from within. A since every good look requires a little bit of effort here are the tools you'll need to recreate the look yourselves - along with a few of our favorite products.

1. PRIMER | NARS PRIMER SPF 20

Primer is key it sets up your whole look and makes everything nice and smooth for when you apply your makeup. I find its far better to use a primer that keeps you matte and makes your makeup last than to worry about reapplying my powder throughout the day. Also remember to use an SPF to protect yourself - an SPF guide like the one at Banana Boat can be helpful in finding just how much coverage you need.


2. CONCEALER | DIOR SKINFLASH
   Personally I despise the feel of foundation on a warm day. Its just too much for me - as such I prefer to merely use a concealer to target specific problems. I like using a pen concealer like YSL Touche Eclat or Dior's Skinflash to cover up dark circles and any other little imperfections.
   


3. POWDER | SUE DEVITT C-WEED POWDER

Loose powder is great to just even out the skintone - even when its too hot for foundation and the whole nine yards you can dust on a bit of powder in the morning to look polished. Search for a powder with light reflecting particles that brighten your complexion.


4. LUMINIZER | MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISHES

Shimmer is a tricky thing - there is a fine line between glowing and florescent and if you have oily or combination skin it can be hard to gage just what is right. The best trick I've learned for this is to use a very light hand and a good brush. Dust your luminizer wherever light hits naturally; the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, browbones and then set with a little spritz of H2O to keep things looking natural.

MAC's Skinfinishes are the best luminizers I've tried thus far - unfortunately they're limited edition (what is with MAC and limited editions) so snap them up quickly before they're gone again for another six months!


5. BLUSH | CARGO BLUSH

And now we reach the fun part - a good blush is your best friend. It will make you appear well rested and chipper on the most grim days. Nothing screams healthy more than that "I just pinched my cheeks" flush. The right shade of blush is usually the shade your cheeks take on when you actually blush. When buying look for shades with a good amount of pigment - they'll last longer and look better. I like Cargo's blushes and NARS' as well - they both have a wide array of shades suitable for all skin tones.

Which products do you use to make your skin glow? Again I'm quite partial to those Skinfinishes - Global Glow might just be my holy grail.

The Sweet Smell of Success: Six Summer Scents

Its impossible for me to talk about summer fashion without at least mentioning perfume. I think of perfume in terms of seasons so whenever the weather changes I like to switch things up and wear something that fits with the overall mood. What I'd wear in January isn't what I'd wear come July and when things start to get warm all I want is that perfect summer fragrance ie. something light and refreshing enough to get me through the steamy days and breezy nights yet unique enough to avoid the monotony of smelling like everyone else. Finding a good perfume can be akin to finding a needle in a haystack I offer up six perfumes road tested and guaranteed to get you through the heat.



Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil

Notes: Green Mango, Grapefruit, Calamus, Lotus, Sycamore, Frankincense

This is just heavenly! Tart green mango and lotus infused with an incredible woody note that lingers. There is something so sophisitcated about this fragrance that makes it great for evenings as well as day. Hermes lists this as a unisex scent but to my nose it smells very feminine. The drydown is absolutely amazing, whenever I wear this I wind up getting compliments. Jardin Sur le Nil's cousin Un Jardin En Mediterranee, is also beautiful for this time of year, the fig note is especially impressive if you (like me) just love fig scents.

Bond No. 9 Coney Island

Notes: Margarita, Melon, Guava, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Caramel, Musk, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Sandalwood

If you like Pina Coladas...This is hands down the most fun you will ever find in a perfume bottle it smells like the absolute best cocktail you've ever had. Sweet guava, a nice sharp lemon lime note and just the right hint of vanilla. I know the name Coney Island probably brings to mind images of boardwalks and ferris wheels but trust that this is a far more glamorous concoction. I can't help but think of Esther Williams and her decorative swimcaps when I smell this.

L'Artisan Ananas Fizz

Notes: Pineapple, Citrus essence Lemon Rind, Bitter Orange, Bergamot, Pink Grapefruit, Pure Rum, Cedar, Precious Woods, Cocoa Milk, Lychee Sap, Vanilla

Now this is just genius. The perfect fizzy pineapple. Sometimes fruity sites can get too sweet or saccharine but this is just right; there is almost a spicy quality to it that separates it from all the other fruity scents out there right now. For an even lovelier experience there is also a Creme De Ananas body lotion that is simply heavily either layered with the perfume or all by its lonesome.

Tom Ford for Estee Lauder Azuree Soliel

Notes: Tahitian gardenia, Coconut, Orange Flower, Jasmine, Magnolia, Myrrh, Bergamot, Mandarin, Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Caramel.

This is the beach in a bottle. Not the sea salt and surf version of the beach but the suntan oil and tropical flowers variant. Everything about this screams "expensive and exotic holiday" not to mention sexy, since Tom Ford may be the the worlds foremost purveyor of all things sex. Since Azuree is meant to be a "skin-scent" the concentration is unique compared with the usual EDT's and EDP's . Since nothing gold can ever stay this scent is unfortunately a limited edition much like its cousin last years amazing Azuree body oil spray. Fingers crossed that Estee Lauder sees what a goldmine they've tapped into an decides to make this a permanent product.

Marc Jacobs Rain

Notes: Wet Cut Grass, Wild Strawberry, Clementine Zest, Dewy Cypress, Tropical Rain Accord, Passion Flower, Sunshine Flower, White Orchid, Beech Amber, Musk, Tree Moss, Teak Wood.

Refreshing is probably my biggest keyword during the summer months and this delivers the goods. Rain is meant to echo the scent just after a downpour and while there is no way to bottle that kind of indescribable freshness this certainly comes close. Everything about it is light, fresh and clean. The cool green element of Rain is done just right and there is something very comforting about the scent in general. Plus since its a splash you can feel free to spritz on more whenever the mood strikes you without worrying about perfume overkill.

Annick Goutal Eau De Hadrien

Notes: Lemon, Citron, Cypress, Grapefruit

A blast of invigorating citrus that calls to mind every summer lemonade stand you ever saw as a kid without ever being childish or juvenile. Its just a light crisp lemon and grapefruit mix that is just what the doctor ordered once the weather starts hitting triple digit degrees. Eau de Hadrien is like walking through a lemon grove on a warm day, its so simple and pleasant almost minimalist. I also find that this is a great perfume for layering, if you're in the mood for something more intense a spritz of Kiehl's musk layered over Eau De Hadrien is astonishing.


All fragrances available online Aedes, Sephora and Estee Lauder though I highly reccomend heading out and trying them on in advance. Nothing is riskier than trying a perfume unsniffed.

Which fragrances do you guys like for the summer months?

Spring Fling: Beauty Essentials

April is the cruelest month.

And not just because T. S. Eliot says so. April is the month wherein we pack up all our cable knits, stow away our jackets and wave goodbye to the trusty boots we traipsed around in all winter. As someone who is pollen allergic and floral print-phobic this is not my favorite time of year to say the least but since I'm determined to turn life's lemons into lemon sorbet I'm going to view spring as time to refresh and renew. Namely time to refresh the contents of my beauty stash in preperation for the months ahead.

For me Spring makeup is all about the natural look. Natural, not boring. I am not an advocate of taupe lipstick and dull colors but I think the best spring looks are paired down and soft; flushed cheeks, glossy lips and the slightest hints of shimmer. Less about whats trendy and more about bringing out the beauty within the wearer. As such here are a host of products guaranteed to keep you looking great even if your allergies kick in.

1. EYESHADOW | Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Eye Palatte
   As the weather gets warmer I like to switch to soft sheer shades that shimmer and sparkle. As glam as black liquid liner looks it tends to seem overdone with springs plethora of pastels and prints. A multicolored palatte like the one from Bobbi Brown is a great way to get several coordinating shades in one neat package. The golden nuetrals can flatter every skintone and the sea-toned blues are great for when you want a more dramatic look.



2. LINER | Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil
   If you just can't let go of the smoky look but want something a little more subdued Sue Devitt Eye Intensifiers are perfect. They're quick, foolproof and they last forever. Use the lighter shimmery shades for daytime and the darker colors for evening. They make a great eyeshadow base too if your feeling experimental. My personal favorite shade is the zesty green, Bangalore.



3. LIPGLOSS | L'Oreal Color Juice
   A girly cosmetic staple perfect for all seasons but spring is damn good excuse to stock up on new shades and at under $10 a pop L'Oreal Color Juice glosses wont break your budget while you test new colors. Added bonus, the sheer texture of these glosses makes them perfect for layering over lipliner or lipstick for when you want more color oomph.



4. BODY SCRUB | Fresh Sugar Blossom Body Treatment
   I suffer from the dreaded winter legs. After months of wearing nothing but pants and jeans I am left with gams in desperate need of sunlight and exfoliation. The body scrub from Fresh gets me ready for the former by helping me out with the latter. Plus like everything from Fresh it smells delicious. I'd say that it makes exfoliation fun but there's really nothing to amusing about buffing off dead skin.



5. BRONZER | Benefit Hoola
As much as I dislike the fake-bake there is something to be said for a subtle hint of bronzer. The shade should be no more than 3 shades darker than your actual skintone if you'd like to avoid the "I just fell asleep in a tanning bed" look. Benefit Hoola looks natural and wont conjur any images of George Hamilton.



6. ULTRA RICH LOTION | Cleo Cherry Body Cream
Another winter leg remedy. Since you'll invariably be showing off more skin as it heats up now is a good time to get your skin soft and luscious. A thick rich moisturizer will always do the trick and Cleo's Cherry Body Creme is just that. It'll leave you smooth and touchable, ready for all those flirty spring dresses.



7. CREAM BLUSH | Delux Beauty Flush Stick
When I think of spring makeup, rosy cheeks come to mind automatically. Nothing is prettier than a nice natural blush and Delux Flush Sticks recreate that look perfectly. Its not "I just put on a pound of blusher" its "I just pinched my cheeks" a much better look overall in my opinion. Bonus, unlike other cream/gel blushes Delux flush sticks aren't sticky or tacky in texture.



8. MASCARA | Fresh Supernova Mascara
Just because were going understated doesn't mean we have to skimp on the drama! A great mascara is an absolute must. There isn't a single makeup look that doesn't look a little nicer with thick glossy lashes and Fresh Supernova delivers them every time.



9. THE SCENT | Les Parfums De Rosine Diabolo Rose
   If spring = florals then finding a perfume should be a simple no brainer but nothing could be further from the truth. With all the choices ranging from designer brews to celebrity concoctions (why does Paris Hilton have a perfume someone explain this to me) finding the right fragrance can be a vertiable needle in a haystack search. Especially if you're picky like me and have tried just about every one of the usual fruity florals out there only to be disappointed. Its time for something different, Les Parfumes De Rosine makes a variety of delectable scents and their latest Diabolo Rose is my pick for spring scent. The mix of peppermint, lily of the valley, bergamot, amber, peony and rose absolut is astounding and completely left of center.

I do believe a shopping trip is in order. If only to make me feel better about putting all my cardigans back into storage.

Fresh Direct: Organic Skin/Bodycare

TFFF Beauty Coverage

I know next to nothing about organic food. I've been to a farm exactly once in my life and the only thing I took away from that experience was a pair of ruined boots. My trips to Whole Foods are comprised of picking up whatever looks "yummy" as opposed to what complies with NOC standards and my apples are no doubt encrusted in all manner of poisonous radioactive material. In short organic food, not my speciality. I am sincerely trying to catch up with everyone else on this front but at present I cannot claim to be an expert.

Organic skincare on the other hand I know something about.

Ever since people started to become more conscious of what they put in their bodies companies have been popping up to bring their own environmentally sound variations of what to put on our bodies. There's something nice about looking at an ingredients label and being able to actually pronounce the contents of your skin care as opposed to wondering what exactly dimethicone polyrenophate is. Here are few all natural, cruelty free products I love, use and am generally excited about.


Featured products from : Ren, Juice Beauty & Stella McCartney

REN: Ren, is an UK skincare line I was turned on to by a good friend and ever since I started using their products I've been hooked. Their philosophy is all about combining technological advances and natural ingredients to create "clean skincare" a concept that sounds easier than it is. How many times have you used skincare that leaves you feeling more perfumed and chemical filled than actually clean. The line itself is incredible with loads of standout products. Their Mayblossom and Blue Cypress Facial Wash is heaven sent, it somehow manages to remove all my makeup without leaving my sensitive skin dry, a problem I've had with other cleansers. I also use the Multi Mineral Detox Mask once a week to save my skin from NYC's thick layer of smog.

Juice Beauty: My local Sephora just started stocking Juice Beauty, an organic skincare line that has been getting raves all over the place. So far I've had a chance to use their Green Apple Moisturizer which is fabulous but I've been dying to try their Green Apple Peel, a mask designed to improve skin clarity and texture.

Stella McCartney CARE: Stella McCartney is a designer I've always admired for her commitment to cruelty free fashion so I was intrigued by her foray into skincare. Her just launched CARE collection is the first designer organic skin line and its really quite lovely. I haven't had a chance to try the full range just yet but I'm working my way through my Discovery set and I like what I see thus far. The Purifying Foaming Cleanser is every bit as luxurious as one would expect. Plus it smells absolutely ravishing.




Featured products from: Dr. Hauschka, Ren, Korres, Red Flower

Dr. Hauschka: Dr Hauschka is like the gold standard in all natural skincare and their following borders on cultish. The good kind of cult though, not the bad Tom Cruise variety. Now there are about a thousand things I love from Dr. H but I've been using my Body Silk Powder daily since the weather started getting warmer and the Neem Oil Pen is always in my bag to treat my cuticles.

Ren: No. I don't work for Ren I just really like their products, not just for the face but for the whole body as well. Now, everyone is going to tell you about the Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash and thats all fine and dandy its great but its lesser known cousin, the Neroli & Grapefruit Body Wash is just as good. I like to use the Neroli in the morning to wake me up and Rose in the evening to calm me down. Clearly I have a shower gel addiction. And for you exfoliation junkies nothing beats the Guerande Salt Exfoliating Balm for getting legs ready for summer.

Korres: Shampoo and conditioner are the areas in which I'm the absolute pickiest. My hair never seems to do what I'd like it to do and I'm not one of those lucky girls who rolls out of bed with perfect artfully mused tresses. Korres Rice Protein shampoo and Shea Butter Hair Mask make my life a little easier. Whenever I use them my hair comes out glossy and soft which helps even when I can't replicate what my stylist did in the first place.

Red Flower: In truth candles have little to do with skincare but the Red Flower Honeysuckle Candle keeps me zen and surely that can only have a positive affect on my overall well-being. The scent is sweet and fresh plus these are small enough to take with you when you travel. For something that touches the body as opposed to hovering in the air above it the French Lavendar Lotion is about as creamy as it gets.