Beauty Archives - Page 3 of 8

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 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

Categories: The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

Peachy Fox Eye Gel

I don’t know about you Voyeurs but I have real trouble when it comes to selecting eye products that don’t cause irritation. From eye creams and gels, to eyeliners and shadows, they all seem to cause some form of irritation, itchiness or redness. I’m a person who doesn’t sleep a lot, you’ll know this from my many late night posts and Tweets, and as a result of that I’m often left with those unsightly undereye shadows and the dreaded puffy eyes. So whilst I have a need for a specific undereye product, I’ve never found one suited to my uber sensitive skin, until now….

Step forward Peachy Fox. I’ve been using the marine Collagen Eye Gel from the Youthful Eyes range, the mission statement for which is that it “Helps to reduce dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles”. Bold claims for a single product. The packaging is simple and in keeping with the brand’s focus on organic products, it’s definitely instagrammable.

The gel consistency is light and way more suited to my skin than a heavier cream or lotion and the application instructions are quite specific, stating that you dab the product around the eye area rather than rubbing it. You leave it wet on the skin to absorb on its own which takes around 20 seconds so you’re not really adding any time to your morning routine.

Personally, I love this product. I’ve tried a lot of different eye products including gels, powders and creams and each one has caused some degree of irritation or left visible redness in the outer corners underneath my eyes. I’d normally buy eyedrops in an attempt to counteract the reaction, but with Peachy Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel, I’ve had no adverse reaction at all. The skin around my eyes feels less tight, the puffiness I have on a morning disappears quickly after first use and I use it again as part of my night time routine as directed.

I haven’t noticed any difference yet in the appearance of fine lines around the eye area, but I imagine it takes more than a few weeks for that type of effect to be visible. I’m just psyched I’ve found something that doesn’t irritate my eyes! It’s a lovely product to use at the end of the day after you’ve taken off your makeup, sometimes after I remove my eye makeup my eyes can feel sore and ‘scratchy’, this is soothing on the skin after toner and calms any post-makeup redness on sensitive skin.

I was gifted this product in return for my honest review and it’s not a brand I was familiar with beforehand so it’s unlikely I would have discovered it otherwise. Having used it now, it’s definitely something I’d buy and use as part of my skincare regime. Peachy Fox is an all natural skincare company and there are no hidden nasties in any of the products. Every ingredient is natural and organic and they’re completely cruelty free. The eye gel has no perfume (which can often be an irritant), colouring or sulphates so it’s very much a part of the natural skincare movement that’s being pushed heavily right now.

Why Should I Buy it?

There are a few reasons you should try out Peachy Fox, I’ve been using a few products from their small but perfectly formed range and they’re all pretty damn good and all have specific skin benefits. This is my favourite from the range.

It’s an Amazon Prime product which means you get guaranteed free next day delivery.
It’s affordable. At £12.97 for a 1.0 fl oz eye gel it’s comparable to high street brands like Olay and Garnier and it’s a better product.
Peachy Fox offer a satisfaction guarantee – Love it or get your money back.
It’s natural, organic and cruelty free.
It’s an amazing de-puffer!
You can apply a thick layer and use it as a mask if you’ve overdone it and your eyes need some recovery.
It’ll look pretty on your Instagram!

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Mastering The Essentials, A Makeup Masterclass with Amanda Bell

Remember a little while back I told you about an event I went to to celebrate the launch of Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio? Well, it’s been a few weeks since the grand opening of this insta-perfect makeup studio and I was invited back in to take part in The Essentials group masterclass with Amanda Bell herself. The class promises to deliver the basic essential makeup techniques to get the best out of your complexion, eyes and lips, with a focus on achieving a naturally enhanced look. Sounds promising.

Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio *THAT* Dresser

I was asked to bring along my makeup, brushes and skincare, that’s right voyeurs, you use your own kit for this class so that you can master YOUR essentials, techniques and tricks that will work for you every time you come to apply your makeup. I arrived with bags and bags of makeup, the associated paraphernalia and a bare face ready to hit the ground running. You’ll remember from my previous post that the studio itself is on the attic floor of a building located on the super pretty high street in Norton, Teesside and it has some serious insta style credentials, from the silver and white decor to the illuminated mirrors, the scope for pictures to inspire envy in your followers is endless.

Back to class, we’re greeted by Amanda and her trademark laid back style, we’re allocated a dresser each with our own illuminated mirror and small pots of things like q-tips, cotton pads and spoolie brushes, it’s very well thought out, not surprising given Amanda’s 20 years in the industry.

Amanda Bell Makeup Studio My Makeup Kit 1

Amanda Bell Makeup Studio My Makeup Kit 2

Amanda takes us through some skin prep before we begin, we double cleanse, tone and moisturise before we talk primer. After looking over our products and talking about the benefits of different types of primer, we get to work creating a flawless base for our makeup to sit on. Once we’re clean and prepped we begin….

Foundation: we learn about the different types of coverage and what skin types they match with, I’m not a fan of anything heavy and usually stick with a light tinted moisturiser or BB cream. My current favourite is one by Creme de la Mer and it blends seamlessly with my skin, Amanda tells me it’s a perfect match for my skin and I mentally assign myself one star. The great thing about this class is that nobody is left behind, I’m pretty confident in applying my makeup but for anyone just starting out or looking to really hone their skills and increase their confidence, it’s a safe environment and you’re hand held through each stage. At each change of product, Amanda uses one of us as a model and applies the product to half of the face whilst talking through why she adopts a particular technique, before we try it ourselves and the model matches the other side. Amanda checks over everybody regularly offering tips and advice depending on your choice of product and chirps up with a “gorge” as her seal of approval.

Foundation

Brows

Contouring

Highlight

She talks about concealer and how she prefers to skip foundation over the eyelids and uses concealer instead as the perfect eye base. Although I buy it, I never use concealer so I’m particularly interested in this part and luckily for me, I’m selected as the model. Amanda blends an Armani concealer around my nose, under eyes and eyelids and when I look in the mirror it’s completely invisible but one side of my face looks fresher, where the other reflects my true tired state but I manage to match it up pretty well.

When we move on to contouring, she tells us that it’s a trick that can be used to create pretty much any visual effect as long as you go easy. The rest of the class use a variety of powder contouring palettes whereas I favour the Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate kit and that’s the beauty of this class; there are no products dictated, nobody tries to sell you anything, but if you’re not entirely happy with your own products, then Amanda is happy to make suggestions to help you achieve the best finish.

We’re guided through every aspect of creating the every day face, one step at a time and when we cover eyes everyone had a slightly different preference. Amanda maintains that the principles are the same; colour should be used sparingly and built up rather than slicked on in one heavy stroke and we’re reminded to always tap excess powder off our brushes before applying anything with colour to avoid a potential strobing disaster. With the class at two and a half hours long, Amanda factors in time to work with everyone on an individual basis and offers advice on the shades that best suit a certain eye colour, it’s a completely relaxed environment and the class is made up of women of differing ages and backgrounds, there’s no one set person type that the class is aimed at.

The idea of mastering The Essentials is that you take away new techniques to add to your arsenal, new ways of using your products to get the best out of them for your skin type or tone. It’s as perfect for teenagers looking to learn how to get to grips with makeup as it is for someone of my age and beyond, there’s something that everyone can take away from this class and use time and time again. I’ve used the concealer trick since I took the class and I’ve even worn mascara a few times, something I don’t usually do due to my insanely long eyelashes and the mess it creates on my eyelids.

If you feel you’ve got The Essentials down then there’s a full suite of classes available, from beginners to advanced and there are also bespoke packages for those who have a particular look they’d like to recreate. With the studio also available for private hire, you have the potential to score some serious brownie points in the way of birthday and bachelorette parties, I have two younger sisters who would crawl over each other to host an insta-worthy makeup party here with their squad and they’d be the talk of their class the next day. It’s well worth checking out Amanda Bell Elite Makeup Studio and Amanda’s credentials are extensive so you know you’re in good hands.

Pixie xo

To book a place on any of the group Masterclasses which start at £75 per person, or to book a party or private session with Amanda Bell, email amanda@amanda-bell.co.uk

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Glorious North East

Gel Nails at The Wax Bar

You’ve heard of The Wax Bar right? Long story short, it originated in Edinburgh then opened up in Newcastle in December 2016 specialising in all things wax, if you aren’t familiar then shame on you, I wrote a post about their launch party, their branching out from wax into the art of LVL Lashes, and their awesome resident Waxpert Gemma, formerly of Newcastle Hair & Beauty Clinic. Get acquainted Voyeurs and do your homework. Now.

The Wax Bar specialise in way more than just the sticky stuff, they may be Wax Connoisseurs, but these gals do a mean set of gel nails at their inhouse nail bar. Situated on upmarket St Georges terrace in Jesmond on the outskirts of Newcastle, and most importantly, with a boat load of free parking right outside the door, The Wax Bar’s pink white and grey colour scheme and minimalist decor offer a fresh, modern alternative to those who flock to Jesmond for their beauty treatments.

I was invited along for a luxury gel manicure and got way more than I expected when I took my seat at the New York style nail bar. Usually when you drop in somewhere for gel nails you get just that, a lovely shiny coating of gel polish in a colour of your choice that lasts for somewhere in the region of 2 weeks, give or take. At The Wax Bar, you get a full nail overhaul; Nails are shaped and matched in length, cuticles are clipped and oiled in preparation, nails are buffed and then you make your choice from the huge selection on the wall.

Gemma tells me that they’ve found the perfect combination of gels to give the best finish at The Wax Bar, using a branded base coat with super staying power under Shellac gel they’re able to achieve optimum shine with maximum resilience. I opt for black (obvs) and after some very thorough prep, my nails look healthier than when I arrived, and shinier than a choir girl’s church shoes. Once the topcoat is cured, I’m treated to a hand and arm massage to reinvigorate the skin on my hands and make it more luminous, to match my shiny new nails. Sound familiar? Levoi offers a similar service right in the centre of the pedestrian zone in Newcastle.

Personally, I love the convenience that The Wax Bar offers, being able to pull up and park (for free) right outside the door is a major bonus. For people who suffer from post wax redness, particularly after facial waxing treatments, having easy access to transport home is an absolute godsend. The fresh, urban feel of The Wax Bar is in keeping with the other new businesses breathing life into St Georges Terrace, the Ouseburn Coffee Co. is right next door meaning if you’re early for your appointment you can grab a locally sourced brew and chill in the sun outside. One of my favourite things though, is the music; weird, I know, but when you’re lying there for 40+ minutes for a beauty treatment, the music is a big factor. The Wax Bar don’t play typical spa music, they soundtrack their treatments with Ministry of Sound and Ibiza style chill out music and I’m telling you Voyeurs, it makes a huge difference to the feel of a place.

I’d say it’s worth taking the time to schedule a visit, whether it’s for waxing, HD Brows, LVL Lashes or gel nails, every service The Wax Bar offers is a five star treatment and the service is excellent. My gel nails lasted a whopping 18 days before the first tiny chip appeared (I was peeling a label off a delivery box) at the time, the second chip appeared after 21 days. I’ve visited since then and had the same treatment, I’m 19 days in with no chips as yet. If you’re like me and you can’t function without a bit of colour on your nails, then give The Wax Bar a try for your next gel manicure, you won’t be disappointed – that’s a promise, not a threat.

Pixie xo

I was gifted a Luxury Shellac Manicure in exchange for an honest review. A simple Shellac file and polish is £27, rising to £37 for the Luxury Shellac Manicure. The Wax Bar offers a 10% discount for customers who check in on FaceBook during their visit and also runs a loyalty scheme offering a stamp for every visit where £20 is spent on treatments.