Rotate, don't shake, says Bourjois!

That's certainly the message of the new Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect Mascara, £11.99 (Boots), which has a spinning wand. Now, I've tried vibrating mascaras (the vibrating action is supposed to mimic the makeup artist technique of wiggling the wand up the lashes for an even coat) but I've got to say I haven't been convinced. If anything the constant 'brrrring' is kind of off-putting and you can't seem to get right into the corners of your lashes without smudging. Needless to say, I was slightly sceptical about this new mascara from Bourjois. Yes it spins, rather than vibrates, but is this just another gimmick, designed to cause a stir in the beauty industry so that you the consumer will buy into the hype and go out in your droves to purchase?

I think not. Because, actually when you really think about it, a rotating wand does make complete sense. By spinning in both a clockwise and anticlockwise direction, it lifts the lashes and coats from the very base to the tip evenly. It is a little odd at first but after one eye, you'll feel as if you've always used a rotating mascara. You even have the option to switch off too, so if you'd rather coat your bottom lashes normally, you can! The press release does say you'll only need one coat, and I'm sure for most people this would be true. I like my lashes to be thick-looking so did opt for a second coat. Where I found this mascara to be especially helpful is coating and curling those pesky outer eye lashes. Mine are straight and stick out to the sides, but this mascara managed to curl them upwards.

I am very fussy when it comes to mascaras - I like my lashes to look less natural, more Cheryl Cole - but I'm really impressed with the result. So much so, I've chucked out my current mascara in favour of this one. The mascara goes on sale in May...on your marks, get set, go! Sx

Check out a sneak preview of Angellica Bell's NTA 'do

In preparation for tonight's National Television Awards, presenter Angellica Bell hopped down to HOB Salon Camden for a glam updo courtesy of Mary Roberton.

The slick side sweep is bang on trend for SS11 - think Gucci and Prada's power partings. The extra height is perfect for rounder faces and it's the sort of style that even short tresses can attempt. Just slick back the hair in a pony and add a clip-in ponytail extension to curl. 

I wonder if tonight will be a war of glam updos vs laidback 'n loose? Sx

You massive winker!

Have you ever caught yourself winking in the mirror, or on camera, and thought to yourself, "God, I have a great wink!"? If the answer is yes, shame on you, you arrogant so and so! But perhaps you should put such a wink to good use and enter No7's search. To mark today's launch of No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara, £13.50, the Boots brand are scouring the UK for amazing lashes and gorgeous eyes.

If you want to enter, upload your wink pic to their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/no7 from 26th January - 16th February. The entries will be judged by No7 creative consultant, Lisa Eldridge and ambassador Keeley Hawes, who gives her own wink a go above. Sx

Here's one I made earlier

 

A Soiree with Remington

Last Thursday I went to a lovely bloggers evening with Remington, which began on the top floor of the Royal Festival Hall, overlooking the Thames (the evening continued with a trip to saucy magic show, La Soiree). Aside from the fabulous location, the drinks (champagne, of course), canapes (on the menu were mini mushroom risotto, honeyed chorizo and Teriyaki beef), and products (a showcase of Remington's male grooming, depilation and hair tools) were even more so.



Me and my Plus-Mum

 The lovely Cirkle PRs were on hand to guide everyone through the products, while super stylist, Chris Appleton (FYI, so super he's jetting out to style the Chanel models at the couture shows this week!) was there to demonstrate Remington's styling tools and jzeush our hair at the same time. I really wanted to pick Chris's brain on the best way to achieve long-lasting volume. He began by backcombing the roots of the tops two layers of hair, spritzing each section with hairspray. Next, smooth irons over this backcombed section back and forth for a few seconds to create volume memory. Chris used the Remington Peal Straightener, £84.99, which have moving plates so your hair won't snag and temperature control so you won't burn your scalp. He then brushed the hair back and teased into place.

Chris then used the Protect & Shine Tongs, £22.99, to create loosely tousled locks. Now, I've always found tongs kind of difficult to get to grips with - I seem to end up with a mass of tightly-wound poodle curls - but Chris suggested wrapping the hair around the barrel by hand (rather than clipping hair in place with the tong), keeping the last inch or so away from the barrel to create a more dishevelled, relaxed look. After working through the hair, he brushed out the curls with his fingers and sprinkled the roots with dry shampoo for extra bounce.

Three people commented that my hair was like Cheryl Cole's. Even after 3 days, my hair was STILL as bouncy - creating that locked in volume with the irons really worked. I'm looking forward to trying this myself, and as soon as possible. I don't want to go back to my boring old 'Steph' hair...Cheryl is so much more fun! Sx

A day of launches...

Yesterday was a busy day in the beauty calendar, with not 1, not 2, but 3 exciting launches. The day started off in the Soho Hotel with the lovely Dermalogica. I'm a devout fan of their skincare (their Microfoliant is my pick for gentle, daily buffing) and for those of you who are also followers their new range for sensistive skin is a must. The range, which launches in May, will include a reformulated cleanser and barrier repair, facial mist, masque and serum (the hero product, apparently) but more to follow on this.

Next was a quick dash to the Bourjois Spring/Summer press day, where celebrity makeup artist, Cassie Lomas, was on hand to expertly guide me through the new products. The signature look is inspired by ballet - think pearlescent skin, silver eyes and rosy lips. Most exciting is their new rotating mascara, Volume Fast & Perfect Mascara, which spins to open up the lashes and coat evenly. I saw the end result on one of the lovely PR girls and its curling prowess is seriously exciting! Cannot wait to try. I was lucky enough to squeeze in a quick manicure with Marina Sandoval, manicurist to Elle McPherson and Claudia Schiffer. I chose the new So Laque Ultra Shine in Bleu Asphalte, £7.99 (available mid April), a gorgeous denimy-blue.

Finally, it was to Tresemme's pop up salon for a lowdown on their new products. It seems they don't do things by halves, launching a whopping 11 new products on shelf this April. We were given a demo and you'll be glad to know, as with most of Tresemme's products, pro results are easy to achieve. I'm particularly excited about the new Sky High Plumping Powder, £5.99, the first dust dry shampoo available on the hight street! FYI, it's great for priming hair for updos too! Sx

Victoria's Pregnancy Secret

It's a mystery to my why some women go through multiple pregnancies without a single stretch mark in sight (my mum is one of them and having had three large babies at 8lbs11, 9lbs1 and 9lbs6, she was lucky to escape) and others are prone.

It seems Victoria Beckham is taking no chances in her fourth pregnancy with Rodial Stretch MX, £59 (rodial.co.uk). The gel is said to boost cell renewal so that skin can stretch without marking. Posh has apparently stocked up her bathroom with the anti-stretch mark must-have, ready for the next 6 months.

For those who already suffer from stretch marks, sadly this product won't minimise existing marks, only inhibit the formation of new ones. For red marks use a green concealer, like ELF Studio Complexion Perfection, £3.50 (eyeslipsface.co.uk) to neutralise redness and keep skin well hydrated with a body oil. Sx

Golden Globes = Natural Nails

Apologies for droning on about those Golden Globes again but I felt it necessary to flag up a serious SS11 trend with you...au natural nails. Yes the dresses might have been an array of emerald, poppy and royal blue colour, but nails were kept nude and minimal, as worn by Angelina Jolie, Lea Michelle and January Jones. Now this look might seem as easy as 1, 2, file but a look this chic, this healthy-looking takes a little work. Cue expert nail technician, Michelle Class, who gives her top tips for natural nails.

* 'Ditch the statement polish. Who wants a gorgeous natural nail, stained with the remnants of last season’s berry red? To avoid nasty post-polish stain, press lightly on the nail for a few seconds with cotton wool pads soaked in a high-quality remover. Allow the remover to soften the polish and then wipe away from the cuticle to the tip. Repeat until nails have been restored to their former glory. Use a professional polish remover such as Seche Erase, £1.95, infused with tea tree, lavender and essential oils for a thorough clean.'

* 'To create an even, rounded edge always sweep from side to centre when filing nails. For A-list nail treatment, upgrade your emery board to a crystal file which will seal the nail edge as it files, preventing splitting. Only file back and forth if using a crystal file.'

BEAUTY TIP: I use Leighton Denny's Crystal Nail File, £15 (leightondenny.com) for super smooth, kind-to-the-nail filing.

* 'Cuticles need love and attention on a weekly basis. Don’t cut cuticles as this will damage them and can lead to infection. Use a good cuticle cream with exfoliating AHAs, which gently remove excess skin and moisturise at the same time. You need your cuticles to have long and luscious nails, so treat them with respect! Use a super moisturising cuticle softener such as Seche Soft, £5.95, enriched with vitamins and AHAs to penetrate and softens cuticles.'

* 'Exfoliating is essential in any gorgeous girl’s skin routine, and the nail is no different! Buffing the nail is like exfoliating the skin and will stimulate circulation, smoothe ridges and remove stains to give you glowing fingertips. Michelle recommends the Tropical Shine Large 4 Way Buffer, £5.95. Use to bring back the shine every few days but be careful not to over-buff as this can thin the nail.

* 'For the finishing touches, start with a base coat such as Seche Clear, £7.95, specially formulated to provide a clear base coat for nail polish that will not yellow. Follow with a natural shade like Seche Rose Nail Lacquer, £8.95, which has a creamy consistency and contrasts perfectly with the natural pigment of the nail, giving a glossy and beautiful finish. Always finish with an award winning top coat like Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat, £8.95. Leaving the nail silky soft, it creates the highest gloss of any product on the market today, and will not drag or streak the underlying manicure.'

FYI...I've long-loved Seche Vite's Fast Dry Top Coat. It adds serious longevity to polish and dries in a flash. All Seche products are available from http://www.nailsbymail.co.uk/. Sx

Thanks Katy Perry!

Shatter Top Coat

'Not Like the Movies'

I have a lot of gratitude towards KP right now...I finally got my hands on some samples of her new range for OPI and it's like all my 'Teenage Dreams' have come true! As per all OPI lacquers, the formulas are just right, i.e. not too thin, not too thick, and the pigment is pretty good - you will need at least two coats of 'Not Like the Movies', £9.95 (01923 240 010) though. The colour looks like a metallic grey from the bottle but on nails it's more of a shimmering silver (see picture).

'Not Like the Movies' after two coats

After the second coat had dried I applied the co-ordinating Shatter Top Coat, £9.95, a black polish that cracks as it dries. And it certainly dries quickly. You'll need to practice painting on exactly the right amount - too little and the shards of black are too small and too much creates a thick pattern, more prone to chipping. Visually though, it looks amazing. Definitely one to experiment with...so pass 'The One That Got Away' (FYI, it's Katy's ruby-pink shade and it's next on my hitlist!). Sx