The Archives Archives - Page 12 of 31

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard

Bio-Essence 24 k Bio-Gold Night Cleanser & Miracle Finisher

If like me, you have sensitive skin, then wearing makeup and removing it after can be something you dread. Admittedly most of my days are spent makeup free but I always indulge in a little face paint if I have an event, show or night out in my schedule. I’m particular about makeup, I tend to steer clear of highstreet makeup ranges and use something more high end, for no reason other than past experience tells me they treat my skin better. If I get it wrong I can end up looking like I’ve been burned by the time it comes to removing it and it can often spur on a breakout in the days following.

My makeup regime is pretty simple: I use YSL Primer, it’s the best thing I’ve found and gives a flawless finish. I follow this with a blend of two or three foundations depending on my colouring at the time, but my faithful products to make my custom shade are by Tom Ford, Chanel and Creme de la Mer. Total that up and that’s one seriously expensive foundation, cue cringe face emoji. I’m hoping my trip to the Fenty Beauty Influencer event during London Fashion Week will solve this once and for all and give me one awesome foundation that will give me that RiRi glow.

I use a Tom Ford bronzing stick to give a light contour, and a Rihanna x MAC Diamond highlighter directly above it, which I top off with a Topshop metallic blush and I’m good to go. I never wear mascara but I do give my lashes a good heavy coating of Nouveau’s Lash Conditioner which gives the appearance of added length without weight. I have pretty long lashes already so LVL Lash treatments stand me in good stead. I use Tom Ford eye palettes for a pop of colour and a slick of DHC liquid liner for a feline flick, but generally I’m pretty low maintenance. I always use Tom Ford and Nanshy brushes to apply my makeup, there’s no competition. I’ve had cheaper brushes and more expensive brushes but these give the best combination for the style of makeup that I wear and I always have a selection of each brand in my arsenal.

The problem I have is when it comes to removing makeup. I’ve used No.7 cleanser which left my face tingling and my lips swollen, as well as a million other high street cleansers which leave my face feeling tight and dry. It’s really difficult to find something that will do the job as well as it needs to be done. Enter Bio-Essence 24k Gold. I was asked to review this budget to mid priced range which is available in Superdrug and I read up on it in advance so I knew what I was in for. At first glance it looks lovely, the packaging plays on the 24k gold theme and is holographic so instantly it looks a lot more expensive than it is. It’s definitely one to be displayed proudly on the bathroom shelf.

Now just as a point of note, I get asked to review a LOT of products, some of which don’t make the grade. I don’t like to give a scathing review of something just for the sake of it, so you’ll tend to find that the things I publish are positive reviews about products that i’ve really enjoyed using and had some great results from. The Bio Essence 24k range is one of those ranges. I used the 24k Bio Gold Skin radiance Night Cleanser and Miracle Finisher literally until the tubes were empty and then was gutted once they’d been used.

Bio-Essence 24k Bio Gold Skin Radiance Night Cleanser £12.99

This cleanser comes with a pump dispenser, it’s creamy in consistency and has a metallic gold finish. It’s been designed to avoid stripping moisture from the skin and adding radiance which works whilst you sleep. You’ll know from experience that finding the right cleanser for your skin type can be tricky as they can often leave skin dry and tight, this one doesn’t. You don’t get that instant pull after using it that makes you want to reach for your moisturiser in seconds. It’s tough – it removes all traces of makeup, but it’s kind to skin leaving it feeling clean and soft. I’ve been following this up with Murad‘s Moisturising Toner which comes as a handy spray, then using my Peach Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel and a new facial oil from Lumity Life.

Superdrug is your best friend for this product as it’s often on offer, click here to shop it.

Bio-Essence 24k Bio Gold Miracle Finisher £19.99

CULT PRODUCT ALERT. This is a divine product. It’s difficult to describe exactly what this product is, but Ill try anyway. It’s the very last step of your skincare regime, so no matter what your routine is on a morning, you apply this at the very end. It’s super lightweight in texture, almost like a serum, but it’s thicker and feels like velvet on your skin. I guess it’s like a second primer, it finishes the skin in preparation for makeup, or you might choose to wear it on its own if you’re hitting the gym. It’s literally flawless. it closes pores, mattifies, smoothes out imperfections, blurs lines and gives you a glow that wasn’t there before.

That’s just the aesthetic benefits, this product works to form an invisible barrier over the skin to protect it from pollution and other nasties that might be in makeup. It prevents pores from clogging, blackheads from forming and ultimately reduces irritation from any outside element.

My makeup sat better, stayed longer and had a better finish with Miracle Finisher underneath. For only £20 as opposed to a high end primer which costs an average of £42 in the UK, I’d say this product is well worth a punt no matter what your skin type. My advice would be to save this one for day use only, sure it makes you look amazing but it’s a waste of awesomeness if you’re just going to sleep on it. You can shop this product here.

Yes, it’s just skincare but if you’re reading this then it’s probably a topic you’re interested in. For something that is essentially a highstreet beauty product, this is a good, solid, does what it says on the tin range, with a little bit of flair and a whole lot of style. Buy it, try it and glisten like the star that you are, because everything is better in gold.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet

What I Wore: To Try to Catch a Sunset in Menorca

Now that I’m back in the rainy and wet UK, I thought I’d indulge you in a few outfit posts from my lovely sunny vacation to visit Mama Tenenbaum in Menorca. Whilst it sucks to be back here in this cold, wet weather, it’s nice to look back at just 48 short hours ago when I was frolicking about on Sant Tomas beach taking in the second best sunsets in the entire world.

I don’t often do outfit posts but judging by some of the Instagram comments I’ve read recently, it looks like something you might want more of, so I’m starting with my vacation outfits and I’m sipping Peppermint Xoriguer direct from the Mahon distillery so if this goes a bit wobbly, you know why…

This outfit was one I wore for our first night in Menorca, I hadn’t been out in the sun so didn’t have a tan and hadn’t quite acclimatised to the temperature so still felt cold on the first night. We took an early walk out to try to catch one of those famous Sant Tomas sunsets I keep raving about; seriously, Sant Tomas is officially rated as having the second best sunset in the world after Mallory Square in Key West and I can vouch for both, despite having repeatedly missed them this time in Menorca.

This is an outfit for highstreet lovers, it’s cheap, cheerful and a bit of fun. You know I love a slogan tee and this one was actually bought and shipped to me by Mama Tenenbaum straight from H&M for the grand old price of £12. It’s a box shaped tee which means that it works best with trousers and jeans and it’s a highstreet take on the Dior led Feminist slogan tee that came straight from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s arsenal.

These sandals are from Primark, unfortunately they’re last season and I really wish I’d stocked up as they’re my favourite and most comfortable and they were only a tenner! The trousers are also Primark, they’re stretch trousers with a high waist and side zip, you can’t see from this image bit they have a tiny dogtooth check repeat on the fabric and they’re super comfortable. The best bit, they were £7 and they’re in store now. Wanna know just how stretchy they are? Check this out…

Pixie Tenenbaum Royal Son Bou Play Area 1

Pixie Tenenbaum Royal Son Bou Play Area 2

This tee is one I’ll wear over and over again, I had compliment after compliment on vacation on the one day I wore it as people flocked to the beach that same evening. I teamed it with a Topshop choker (£12), Dior So Real sunglasses (£450) which are my absolute favourites, so much so that I have them in four different colour ways and my signature metallic star tattoos.

Pixie Tenenbaum Sant Tomas Beach Menorca 1

Pixie Tenenbaum Sant Tomas Beach Menorca 2

Pixie Tenenbaum Sant Tomas Beach Menorca 3

I love these pictures because I still had lilac in my hair from my last stint with L’Oreal and it had just hit that perfectly faded shade, soon to be completely eliminated by chlorine and sea water. I also wore no makeup during this vacation and it’s lush to look back and see just how much my skin thanked me for that!

Got any questions about What I Wore? Feel free to drop me a comment and I’ll be happy to help!

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

SHOW BEAUTY HAIR FRAGRANCE

Show Beauty is the brain child of billionaire heiress Tamara Ecclestone. Dreamed up by the model and mum of one as a range of beautiful products that would allow women everywhere to tap in to the luxury hair market and feel like a million dollars when using them.

Ecclestone is a shrewd business woman, I’ve met and interviewed her three times now and whilst she’s every bit as beautiful as the images you see in the press, she’s also a super clever lady. She had originally intended on calling her range of hair products Formula One but was refused the use of the name by her father and the godfather of Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone which spurred her on to come up with something equally as fabulous.

After years of research and development, in which Ecclestone was very hands on, Show Beauty was born and a luxury aesthetic developed intended to up the game of bathroom shelves everywhere. Show Beauty is a range that’s designed to be seen, not confined to a dark cupboard. The signature black and gold bottles with cut glass detailing are reminiscent of dressing table perfume bottles in the fifties and the products have real weight to them.

The range has grown considerably since it’s launch with Ecclestone focussing on one customer need at a time and perfecting it so that it achieves everyone of its objectives. From the weightless volume of the Volume LUX range, to the non sticky Moisture range, each part of this collection has been meticulously planned to tackle the most common hair issues we battle on a day to day basis. The best thing Voyeurs? These products work.

Yes, they’re pricey. That’s the first hurdle. If you want luxury, the finest ingredients and the best, most long lasting and delicate fragrances, then you’re going to have to stump up some cash. The luxury hair market is thriving right now Ecclestone sits atop it as Queen. Full sized Show Beauty products start at £28 for a shampoo or £16 for a travel sized version and the most expensive product is a special edition hair oil with a Swarovski crystal adorned lid topping out at £199. Or you could opt for the non blinged out version of this cult product at a more respectable £50.

One of my favourite products in the range is the hair fragrance. Hair fragrance is a pretty unusual product, it’s an unexpected products and my initial thoughts were that hair fragrance is a stupid, useless idea but then Tom Ford brought out his limited edition Black Orchid for hair and I was a convert. The hair fragrance offering from Show Beauty, aptly named Decadence Hair Fragrance is something special. Designed by a Nose in one of Paris’ top perfumeries under Ecclestone’s close instruction, the brief was to create something deep, beautiful and long lasting that would make women feel amazing when their hair released the fragrance.

Image Courtesy of SHOW Beauty

The bottle itself and the packaging it comes in are pretty damn amazing on their own and that’s before we’ve even got to the golden elixir inside. Packaged in a sturdy black and gold box that’s made to be seen, you’ll find this cut glass bottle topped with rose gold. It’s a bottle that wouldn’t look out of place in Selfridges Famous Beauty Hall and it looks like more than the £55 it costs.

Inside you’ll find a golden potion that sprays with a super fine mist so as not to soak the hair. The scent is heavy and on the darker side of the fragrance spectrum, it reminds me of a fragrance called Amber Absolute by Tom Ford which was discontinued after being so incredibly expensive to mass produce. The rose water base is enhanced by Madagascan vanilla, sensual patchouli (always a winner) and soft white musk, combining with the softest top notes of coconut milk, caramel and almond butter to soften the scent as it’s worn close to the face. Thoughtful eh?

It’s not just something that smells awesome though, this decadent hair perfume packs a punch in the treatment department too. Why not wear my ordinary fragrance on my hair you might ask? Well that’s because it’s super drying to hair. Regular perfume dries out hair making it stiff and prone to breakage, hence this new product market for hair specific fragrance. This one is packed out with Vitamin E, aloe vera and Ultracas G20, along with essential vitamins and minerals, which help to fight free radicals and colour fade.

The whole range has been designed with the same fragrance so that they can be layered and combined. Yes, it’s only hair, but you know the feeling you get when you smell your freshly washed and dried hair? Or when your partner tells you that they remember the way your hair smelled on your first date? Well this is all that and a bag of truffles. It’s not the fresh, light smell you associate with drugstore shampoo, this is heady, deep and dark, the patchouli and vanilla combine to make something that can only be described as Rich People Smell. Plus, if you really love it, the hair fragrance is perfectly safe to use as a regular perfume for skin. Winning.

With everything I try from this range I can’t fail to be impressed, from the packaging to the fragrance and properties that make up the product, no expense has been spared and that’s obvious from the outset. It’s a little piece of luxury that will make you feel and smell amazing.

Pixie xo

I was gifted a bottle of Show Beauty Decadence Hair Fragrance to review and this can be bought at the following retailers for £55.

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

Newcastle in the Sky 2017

Back in March I told you about Newcastle in the Sky, a dining event brought to you by Events in the Sky and the same company behind The Experimental Diner. Newcastle in the Sky is something you can’t effectively explain without experiencing first. When I was booked for the event, it felt so far away in the future that I didn’t really think about it until the day rolled around

Newcastle in the Sky is back on the Gateshead Quays for its second year. After a sellout residence in Performance Square in 2016, round two is bigger and better with more award winning chefs from across the region on board to make the experience unforgettable. The concept is this: a purpose built dining table suspended 100ft in the air whilst you’re served your choice of meal. Simples.

I was invited on to the press table to experience the inaugural flight and the culinary delights of REDS True Barbeque, translation: All The Meats. I arrived early for my flight – guests are asked to check in 45 minutes before their flight – and was greeted with a champagne reception in the Sky Lounge. All guests are given a full safety briefing prior to flying, there’s a free cloakroom available to store bags, coats and whatever other loose items you might have, and there are toilets on site for that all important emergency wee.

After I soak up two double espressos and a glass of fizz, we’re walked over to the table for our safety briefing and I manage to convince myself that it’s not as high as I maybe first thought….

The seats swivel out and have a super sturdy 5 point belt system to make sure that you’re strapped in tight. once we’re all fastened in and have our feet firmly on our A4 sized foot plates, we’re hoisted (pretty quickly) up into the air. My first feeling is one of absolute terror, I’m overwhelmed by how quickly we get into the air, and by the fact that the whole contraption moves in the wind. However once I’m up there, within a minute I’m completely relaxed.

The location of Newcastle in the Sky offers amazing views up and down the Tyne and over the famous curved architecture of The Sage. The weather conditions dictate the height at which you’re able to safely dine; as the weather is on our side, we’re up at the full 100ft with spectacular views of our awesome city. There’s a perspex roof over the table in case of rain, but we’re in luck, we’ve got low wind and cloudy skies but very warm weather. We’re served a selection of typical BBQ meats including pulled pork and slow cooked ribs, with coleslaw, side salad and a rum cocktail to wash it down. Usually at food events everyone digs in straight away but this time people are more interested in the views on offer from this awesome height.

To give you some perspective, we’re way higher up than the Tyne Bridge and we’re able to look down on The Baltic and The Sage; Newcastle in the Sky is way higher than you’ve probably imagined. Half way through our 30 minute flight our table is turned 180 degrees to give us the alternative angle and I notice the network of railway lines that run out of Newcastle and towards London, something I’ve never been able to see until now. Being up so high allows you to see things in your city that you’ve never noticed before, things you’ll likely never see again.

Image by Chris Ord

The food we’re served is good quality American diner style food. It’s served in airline style strays (for obvious reasons) and it’s laced with REDS famous BBQ sauce which has a delicious tang. If you like meat then the Afternoon BBQ flight is a feast but this is more about the experience and the views than anything else. If like me you’re nervous about the thought of being suspended from a crane 100ft up in the air with a bunch of strangers then don’t be. The nerves vanish once you’re up there and you’ll make friends with the person next to you in the first 30 seconds, in fact they’ll become your best friend for the duration of your flight. The chefs talk you through the food you’re served on a microphone and the whole atmosphere is very informal, so much so that it’s completely suitable for single diners who also feel nervous.

Image by Chris Ord

The whole Newcastle in the Sky experience from start to finish is just that, an experience. It’s only around for six days and I’d urge you to try it Voyeurs. I was nervous – so nervous in fact that last year I cancelled at the last minute – and this year I’d jump at the chance to do it again. The selfie potential is epic, the views over the Tyne are unrivalled and you’ll talk about it fondly for ages after. Yes it’s pricey (tickets range from £50 to £150 each) but it’s worth it for the experience alone, if you’re on the fence about it just do it. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, it’s literally been one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had.

Pixie xo

FANCY TRYING OUT NEWCASTLE IN THE SKY?

Select the sitting you fancy, click here to make your booking, you’ll have to be fast though as several dates are already sold out…

Breakfast sittings – start your day with a healthy four course breakfast from up high.

Lunch sittings – sit back, relax and enjoy a stunning three course lunch and two glasses of sommelier selected wines.

Afternoon sittings – enjoy a sumptuous treat with champagne high tea whilst relaxing in the summer sun, alternatively enjoy the American-style BBQ dishes from REDS for meat lovers.

Dinner sittings – enjoy sunset views with a spectacular four course dinner and two glasses of sommelier selected wine.

Night sittings – see the Newcastle nightscape from a different view whilst sipping on cocktails in the sky.

DATES

24th – 29th August 2017

VENUE

Performance Square, Sage Gateshead, NE8 2JR

DAILY SCHEDULE

Sitting	Price	Times
Breakfast in the Sky	£50.00 pp	08h30 – 09h00 & 09h30 – 10h00
Lunch in the Sky	£125.00 pp	12h30 – 13h15 & 14h00 – 14h45
Champagne High Tea	£65.00 pp	15h30 – 16h00 & 16h30 – 17h00
BBQ in the Sky	£65.00 pp	15h30 – 16h00 & 16h30 – 17h00
Dinner in the Sky	£150.00 pp	18h30 – 19h30 & 20h15 – 21h15
Cocktails in the Sky	£75.00 pp	21h45 – 22h15

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard

Peachy Fox London Skincare

I love trying out new beauty products, I love that the technology in beauty is constantly evolving in line with what men and women both want and expect from skincare. We all have our own issues with our skin and all wish we could turn back the clock. In a market that’s filled with great quality products from leading skincare brands like Murad, Decleor and Image Skincare, as well as amazing high street products from L’Oreal Paris, Olay and Simple, whilst there’s always going to be something out there that suits your particular skin type, it can be hard (and expensive) to do the leg work.

I was contacted by organic beauty brand Peachy Fox London with a simple request: try our products and leave us a short Amazon review. The brand is an all natural, all organic beauty company with no hidden nasties in any of the products. With skincare these days there are so many ‘tribes’ of consumer to appeal to that it’s difficult for a brand to tick all of the boxes. Peachy Fox London has a good try. The product lineup is small and that’s because research takes time, the brand are working to increase their lineup and are taking feedback from consumers into consideration – hence the review request. Each is available to purchase with free next day delivery via Amazon Prime.

So, what’s in the range?

Marine Collagen Eye Gel £13.97

You may have already seen my full post about this product (if not you can read it here). I have real problems when it comes to skincare that’s suitable for my sensitive eyes, my mum has a super rare condition in her eyes and judging by my symptoms, I’m starting to wonder whether I have it too. Anyway, I’m always very skeptical when it comes to trying or buying eye products. This one is a thin gel consistency with no perfume, it glides on easily and is so gentle it can be used right over the lid, as well as around the orbital bone. In a nutshell: I’m a convert. I can’t praise this eye product enough, it’s not greasy, it’s not drying, it doesn’t cause any irritation and it gives my tired eyes a boost. I’ve started carrying it with me and using it with me on the go. If you’re interested in adding an eye product to your regime then go read the full post, this is one you won’t want to miss out on.

Anti-Redness Facial Cream £14.99

First up, I don’t have rosacea or anything quite as serious as that in terms of redness, however I do have very sensitive skin and am prone to ‘flare ups’ of redness. My skin is particularly red and tender after I’ve worn makeup, hence not wearing it that often. It’s a super easy to use product, it’s not green or lilac like you might expect, it’s a basic white cream. It applies easily and doesn’t have an instant effect but once it’s fully absorbed it has a calming effect on your skin and evens out tone, flattening the areas which stood out and providing the perfect base.

This one is a dual product, often with anti-redness creams you need to top them up with a moisturiser, this one is both – however use sparingly as it can be a little greasy. The only thing you need on top is an SPF product and makeup if you’re wearing it. It takes a little while to fully absorb so factor this in if you’re applying makeup over the top. It has a lovely fresh cucumber smell to it too. Bonus.

Aloe Retinol Serum £13.97

If you’re starting out using retinol then go read this post which is your guide to retinol. Retinol sounds scary to a lot of people and it comes with some guidelines, but with safe use, it can be your best friend. This particular product is heavenly, I bloody love it. It’s fresh root ginger smell is amazing and you only need one pump to cover your face (any more than two and you’re using way too much). It’s a serum so it’s designed to go under your night cream to enhance the benefits and it’s gentle enough to use around the eyes. You experience and immediate tightening after use and skin feels amazing the next morning. Remember, never use retinol products if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Collagen Retinol Moisturiser £13.97

Another retinol product which comes with some guidance and application of common sense. Whilst it states that this product is suitable for use during the day, guidance suggests retinol products should only be used at night – otherwise your skin can age faster than normal when exposed to sunlight and nobody wants that. This one is another cream, I use two pumps per application and it’s a tricky one to get used to due to the consistency of retinol. This one should be patted rather than rubbed, once you get the hang of it it’s super easy to use.

I love the look of my skin after using this and it feels incredible in the morning, smooth, even and it definitely looks better in terms of appearance. If you’re looking to fight the ageing process, this should be in your arsenal. Again, never use retinol products if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dead Sea Mud Anti-Aging facial Mask £12.99

The newest addition to the Peachy Fox line-up, this mask is thick, luxurious and a real treat to use. Packed full of anti-ageing ingredients and the same ‘no nasties’ policy as with everything in the range, this mask packs a punch. It’s not drying like other mud masks of the same texture can be and it has a fresh, minty smell – something that’s quite surprising when you open the post for the first time. It’s thick and green but very smooth to the touch so you don’t end up with lots of it stuck to the side of the sink when you rinse it off. It almost part absorbs into the skin and part dries leaving the excess on the surface, and you can really feel it tingling and working on your skin. Once removed skin has a visible radiance and feels “bouncy’ to the touch.

The perfect weekly addition to your skincare routine and one that you’ll really see the difference with.

The Verdict

I’m a fan. I like the products and I like the fact that they’re organic and natural. More and more men and women are becoming savvy about what they put on their skin and keeping it natural is a nice touch. If you’re using Peachy Fox London beauty products then I’d advise using a city block on top, but that goes totally against the all natural vibe given the number of scary chemicals used to create the SPF ‘veil’. SPF by it’s very nature is a chemical, one that is absorbed by the body and is measurable in blood and breastmilk, but given the damaging effects of the sun, you need to weigh up which is the lesser of two evils. Personally, I cover my face in sunblock every day, I think it’s absolutely essential when using retinol products on an evening.

The brand is cool and youthful and will appeal to millennials everywhere given it’s organic credentials. Looking to make the move into natural skincare? Peachy Fox London is worth the hype.

Pixie xo