PRO TIPS: Dry, cracked lips

Image courtesy of www.fitsugar.com

The snow may be disappearing but my poor, dry, weather-beaten cracked lips are ever present.

It seems that no matter how many glasses of water or pots of herbal tea I drink (Rooibos being my herbal of the month) I just can't seem to compete with the constant sea-saw of bone-rattling winds versus 'as-high-as-she-goes' central heating.

For those of you in the same boat, here are my Top 3 Lip Savers:

1. Lucas Papaw (25g tube, £4.95 + P&P from pawpawshop.co.uk)

I remember buying my first Lucas' Papaw tube back in 2006 whilst living in Melbourne (ah, those were the days) but had been aware of its cult following for some time (I have an image in my mind of a model being snapped in the early Noughties with a Papaw tube sticking out of her bag?).

'Pawpaw' (often spelt 'papaw') is simply another word for 'Papaya' and papayas,  as we all know, *ahem*, are a good source of 'vitamins, minerals, [and] amino acids'.

Importantly, Lucas' Papaw ointment - the formula for which has remained unchanged for 100 years(!) - is known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial* properties, making it an ideal product for use on chapped lips, burns, insect bites and chaffing.

A cheaper alternative to Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream (£25), this is a must for Sheilas-on-the-go.

2. Nivea Creme (£1.49 for 50ml from Boots)

When my lips are seriously chapped - i.e. when lip gloss makes things worse, not better - I turn to my trusty blue tub, aka good ol' Nivea Creme. Of course you can't really wear it during the day, unless you want to look like a zombie, but slather it on before you go to bed and you will wake up with NEW lips, I swear.

Also good for brides who want to soften up their lips on the morning of their wedding: Leave on for 15 mins, wipe off with a tissue and lightly buff lips with a damp face cloth or towel. Follow with a light application of lip balm.

3. Chantecaille Lip Potion (£36 for 4.5g from Liberty)

So very decadent and dare I say it, reassuringly expensive, this luxurious lip treatment incorporates macadamia oil, Shea butter, vitamin E, aloe as well as rose and lavender flower. It's the champagne of lip balms, leaving lips with an unbeatable silky smoothness. Thankfully - as one would hope for the price - a little goes a long way. Put it on your Christmas list now for next year.

* Wiki explanation: "Antimicrobial liquids kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria".

Space NK "Lust-haves": FRIDAY

Happy Friday! We made it *phew*

I've grappled with myself all week trying to decide whether or not to reveal my final Space NK "lust-have" (and when it comes to perfume, the fewer people who know about it the better quite frankly!). But, I'm a nice person, what can I say...

Introducing APOM Pour Femme by Maison Francis Kurkdjian (£105*)

APOM stands for 'A Piece Of Me'. Interesting, no? I like to think its acronym courts mystery and desire (oh là là).

What you need to know:
The perfume takes its inspiration from the Middle East and incorporates orange blossom, cedar wood and ylang-ylang.  

Now, I'm no 'nose' but what I can tell you is that it makes me feel:
- very feminine
- very sexy
- ready to be wooed

I probably wouldn't wear APOM during the day, opting instead for a lighter, fresher scent such as Jo Malone's White Jasmine and Mint (my signature scent). That, or Kurkdjian's other perfume - 'Absolue Pour Le Matin' - which is the perfect counterpoint to APOM; a sophisticated, talcum-powdery cocktail of Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, White Thyme, Lavender, Neroli and Violet. Wear it and people will quite literally stop you in the street to ask you what perfume you're wearing.

End of "Lust-have" Week
So there we have it. The end of my "lust-have" list. What's been your favourite?

* £105 for 70ml, eau de parfum, select Space NK stores. £115 if you buy it at Liberty or Selfridges. NB: APOM Pour Femme is currently missing from the Space NK website but it is available in select stores.

Space NK "Lust-haves": THURSDAY

In at No. 4 on my "lust-have" list this week is....

Laura Mercier's Bronzing Gel (£26)

Matte bronzers like 'Hoola' - note: the best matte bronzer for my skin. Fact. - have long been a beauty staple of mine (I'm going to hazard a guess and say it's been 9 years! *applause*). And whilst I still use a little Hoola to warm up my skin / add a bit of structure to my face, it's GEL bronzers that have challenged the status quo.

I was first introduced to Laura Mercier's Bronzing Gel in April of last year whilst working on a commercial shoot with the amazing Red Miller. The brief on the shoot was for the 'mum' to look as natural as possible (i.e. to look like she was wearing hardly any makeup at all). When Red applied the bronzing gel just under her cheek bones and blended it out - probably taking a little up into the hairline - the effect was dramatic. Our 'mum' went from looking quite pale and tired to 'glowy' and rested.

Unlike powder bronzers, gel bronzers don't 'dop' like powders so fewer touch ups (if at all) are required.

There are three secrets to getting the most out of your gel bronzer:
1. Use to sculpt features (do not apply all over the face)
2. Less is more
3. Blend, blend, blend

Laura Mercier's Bronzing Gel gives a natural, not too shimmery 'glow' (no tango'ed faces here folks!) - and successfully mimics the appearance of having 'just come back from holiday' ("Sarah, how was Belize?"). Used subtly, it will warm up the face, bringing you closer to that 'no makeup look'. It can be worn on its own (if you're blessed with an even skin tone) or on top of your regular tinted moisturiser/liquid foundation.

Chantecaille also do a fabulous bronzing gel called 'Radiance Gel Bronzer' which is a little more spenny at £49 and a touch darker than the Laura Mercier. Being the skin care experts, Chantecaille's bronzing gel is also anti-aging owing to a formula that includes raspberry stem cell technology (antioxidant).

Have you tried a gel bronzer before? What did you think?

Space NK "Lust-haves": WEDNESDAY

This week I've decided to share 5 of my "lust-haves" which are all available at Space NK.

In at number 3 on my "lust-have" list is LIVING PROOF.

Of all the hair care brands for sale in Space NK the one that people keep talking about is American label Living Proof (for background on this award-winning brand click here). 

(True story):

Me: "Wow Georgia*, your hair is like sooo shiny! How do you get it like that?" ('Like' inserted here for dramatic effect)

Georgia: "You wouldn't believe it but I used to have the worst hair....excessively dry and brittle from all the dying...straightening it everyday... *furrows brow*... But(!) since I've been using Living Proof my hair has literally transformed! Never thought I could have hair like this in a million years". 

Tempted? You can pick up a RESTORE Starter Kit for £25 which includes:

1x Restore shampoo (60ml)

1x Restore conditioner (60ml)

1x Restore mask (28g)

Let me know how you get on!

PS - Oh and Jennifer Aniston uses it. Still need convincing? Didn't think so.

*Name changed to protect identity. She'll be mobbed, bless her, if I reveal who it is.

Space NK "Lust-haves": TUESDAY

Happy Tuesday folks. 

Second on my list this week of "lust-haves" from Space NK is.... *drum roll*

By Terry Hyaluronic Eye Primer (£31)

I've always been intrigued by the By Terry range, ever since someone revealed to me that 'she' - Terry de Gunzberg - invented the Touche Eclat. *bows head*

If you've never heard of the brand, here's a quick introduction...

By Terry products are:
- spenny (average cost of product: £30-40)
- available exclusively at Space NK
- all smell like the rose perfume your gran used to wear (in a nice, powdery, knitted-cuddle-in-a-jar-kind-of-a-way). 

So what's so great about By Terry's Hyaluronic Eye Primer? 

Finding the best concealer on the planet has long been my mission. Have I found it yet? (Have I b*llocks...) 

But wait...By Terry's Hyaluronic Eye Primer just might be it. Here's why:

1. It's tinted* which means if the dark circles aren't too bad (depending on the day and the night preceding it), it can double up as a primer and a concealer (TICK).

2. Hyaluronic acid smooths out fine lines and reduces puffiness (TICK).
3. It doesn't seem to crease or settle into my fine lines?? (THIS IS MEGA).

I'm yet to buy it (because it's £31), but every time I wear it I'm impressed. Mainly about the no creasing. A 'Concealer That Doesn't Settle Into Fine Lines'? That surely is the Holy Grail of the beauty world after 'Eye Cream That Actually Works' .

Which under eye concealer have you found that works a treat?   

* Sadly the 'tinted' options do not yet stretch beyond fairly Caucasian skin tones but we can but hope that Terry will see the light soon. 

Space NK "Lust-haves": MONDAY

Space NK. What a simply fabulous shop.

Long before I joined Chantecaille I could regularly be found shimmying my way up and down the aisles of a Space NK boutique...perusing the latest lotions and potions whilst simultaneously trying to justify new purchases in my head (come on, we all do it).

Naturally, being such a fan of the store I was worried that working in store would diminish my love for it... But I'm pleased to say it has only strengthened the bond! *cheer*

I've had my beady eye on a couple of products for several weeks now. I like to call them my "lust-haves"and I thought I would share them with you, one for each day of the week....so stay tuned!

First up on my "lust-have" list:

CANE + AUSTIN Retexturizing Treatment Pads (with Glycolic Acid. £48 for 60 pads).

What the heck is glycolic acid I hear you cry?  

The more savvy skin care enthusiasts among us will be able to extol the benefits of hyaluronic acid, a hydrating ingredient frequently promoted in so many skin care products these days. But what's so good about glycolic acid? 

Essentially glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and is one of the better known fruit acids or AHA's (alpha-hydroxy acids). Dermatologists use concentrations of +20% when performing chemical peels on their clients, but the Cane and Austin Retexturising pads contain just 10% glycolic acid making them safe enough to use at home.  

I found this handy description which explains why glycolic acid pads are a good exfoliant for the skin:
"...to protect the facial and neck areas from the residual effects of damaging product build ups and environmental pollutants."

Back Of The Hand Test
Next time you're in Space NK, try one of the pads on the back of your hand. These pads really do what they say on the tin: retexturise the skin by exfoliating the top layer, revealing more radiant skin underneath.

The Cane and Austin pads aren't cheap but I have it on good authority from someone who uses them that you can easily cut each pad in half, giving you double the amount of uses.

My one reservation about these pads is the fact they contain acetone (yes, that's right, the stuff that's in nail varnish) but I've been told it's not very much. If you have über-sensitive skin, these are probably not for you.

Have you tried retexturizing pads before? What did you think?