Watt's Up!

This October sees the launch of Benefit's newest addition to its extensive line of fab products.

Watt's up! Is their brand new highlighter- though personally I fail to see what’s wrong with Highbeam and Moonbeam which are my all time faves .

Priced at £24.50, the champagne, sheer product can be used in the same way as Highbeam on you’re your cheeks and brow bone to accentuate your features, only unlike Highbeam this product offers a cream-to-powder finish.

What do you think of Benefits newest product? Will you be rushing out to try it when it’s launched? 

The UK welcomes Jouer!

August saw the launch of the huge US cosmetics brand Jouer here in the UK.

Exclusively available on Cult Beauty, Jouer’s mineral –rich range offers a collection of gorgeous face, lip, eye and cheek cosmetics which have been formulated with botanical antioxidants and reparative ingredients which promote a healthy, glowing complexion.

An example of the fab interlocking packaging which allows you to create your own unique palette

 As you know im a big fan of ‘natural’ make up, which not only helps to make you look gorgeous, but is also great for your skin too. Jouer offers you this.

Im also a fan of original, unique, pretty and clever packaging. Jouer has all this too with its unique, interlocking packaging which allows you to create your own palettes which slot neatly into one another.

Jouer’s mission is to bring you wearable colours, intelligent packaging and quality formulas which result in an effortlessly beautiful look for you.

From stunning shimmer nudes to rich matte chocolates, the Jouer color palette is timeless, yet modern.  Fashion-relevant, yet approachable. Simple, yet chic.

I tried one of their blush’s, eye shadows and lipgloss’s which arrived as a uniquely interlocked set, creating my own interlocking palette!

I was really impressed with the items and LOVED the blush and eye shadow.

The blush was a gorgeous, subtle colour that added a lovely hint of colour on my cheeks which lasted all day. It felt wonderfully soft and smooth when applying it to my cheeks and I love the matte finish it provided, yet it still had a subtle hint of shimmer .

The eye shadow was to die for! Such a rich colour which went onto my lids really smoothly and didn’t crease. The only was to describe these products is like you are applying something as smooth as silk but as soft as talcum powder. Its really nice.

The gloss I tried complimented the Blusher and shadow perfectly offering a diamond shine and subtle colour to my lips.

Currently you can only get hold of Jouer on Cult Beauty’s website here, but I like that- it makes me feel like im buying something very exclusive and special!

The Blusher retails at £20, the Lipgloss at £16 and the eyeshadow at £16.

Giveaway Winners

Its time to announce the inners of the Giveaway Galore Competition.

Thanks so much for all your fab entries, I know I say this ever time but I really wish everyone could win something!

That said, here are the winners!

Tantastic Leg Gel & Flip Flops

Hellsbellsbrowning

Good things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser

Witchblade

Indola Polishing Pomade & Shine Spray

Amy

Selection of L’Oreal goodies

Yana

Tresemme Salon Sleek  Straightening spray with Argan Oil

Lizzy

The winner of the Toni & Guy curling tongue is Hellsbellsbrowning- As an ex student I feel your pain so hope you can enjoy playing around with some great new hairstyles ready for freshers week!

Congratulations to all the winner, please check your emails and twitter (where I have contacted you) and provide me with the address to send your goodies to!

If you didn’t win this time why not try your luck again by entering one of my other giveaways to win a set of gorgeous Halo Hair extensions, or a Designer Carol Malony babydoll set and some gorgeous chocolate body butter x

Origins Zero Oil Moisturiser, Greasy Skin's Saviour!

I have very oily skin and for the past few years have never used a moisturiser- i know i know, this is really bad news and bad for my skin.

Problem is, every moitsuriser ive ever used has been too heavy, greasy and oily for my skin. The result has always been the same, shiny, greasy skin which would often result in break outs.

At 26 years old, or indeed at any age, this is not something  you want.

It wasn’t until i came across Origins Zero Oil range that i decided perhaps i should give moisturiser’s another go.

Origins Zero Oil moisturiser is fast absorbing and oil free with Saw Palmetto (a plant used for its anti irritant properties) and Broad Leaf Kelp providing lasting hydration and surface oil control.

The lotion is feels light and non greasy with a fresh, slightly minty aroma to it.

It soaked into my skin instantly and removed the ‘tight’ feeling i sometimes experience after cleansing and toning.

2 weeks on i haven’t had a single break out and my skin feels smoother and looks more radiant than before.

I  now look forward to treating my skin to this moisturiser after a long hard day and i think my skin thanks me too!

The Origins Zero Oil collection also includes a deep pore cleanser, pore purifying toner and an instant matte finish for shiny places.

The moisturiser may be a little pricey at £22, but i know that i would pay almost any amount to maintain clean, clear skin.

Coconut, the Supermodel's Secret Weapon

Miranda Kerr is without a doubt one of the world most beautiful supermodels.

The 28 year old has  modelled for Victoria’s Secret and was the face of Mabelline New York.

In 2010 she was listed number 9 in Forbes top 10 earning models and ranked a very respectable number 36 in FHM’s 100 sexiest women 2010.

So what’s the secret to her beauty- other than amazing genes of course?

Coconut Oil.

Wait wait wait!

Before you all rush out to get this you are likely to find it will have sold out EVERYWHERE! 

In an interview last month Kerr attributed her glossy hair and glowing skin to taking 4 tablespoons of the oil every day.

 The oil contains fatty acids which are said to leave skin and hair smooth and shiny, while some die hard fans of the oil have suggested that it has a whole range of other health benefits, including weight loss.

Now I love coconut- well, the smell of it anyway, but im just not convinced that necking some oil several times a day is going to turn me, or probably any other mere mortal,  into a supermodel.

So let me suggest an alternative which is far more pleasant, luxurious and requires no consuming of dodgy liquids!

Palmers Coconut Butter contains natural coconut milk, which still has those great fatty acids within it which help to fortify your skin and keep the moisture in.

The butter also contains some other lovely ingredients including Macadamia oil, Almond oil and mango butter to create a wonderfully creamy, intensively moisturising lotion.

Sounds far more appealing than downing the oil option hey?

And it smells like tropical beaches, so when it’s dark and dismal outside, like today, you can sit back, close your eyes and allow the fragrance to take you away to a much warmer, sunnier place.

Palmers Coconut Body Butter is available at Superdrug and independent retails nationwide for £4.99

Burt's Bees- Good enough to eat! (Literally)

I had the most amazing shower and  moisturing experience yesterday courtesy of Burt's Bees.

Ive raved in the past about the Sanctuary salt scrub, but I think ive found a new contender to the throne.

Burt's Bees Honey & Shea Body Scrub.  This scrub is delicious- literally, I saw ‘sugar’ and though mnnn I wonder if it tastes like sugar. (It does by the way. I may have had a little taste of it……)

The scrub is humming with the warm scent of Honey and Shea, Ground Almonds and Aloe Leaf Juice combined together to gently scrub your  skin smooth.

It smelt so lovely and warm, sweet and comforting. My skin was left feeling nourished and smelling (almost literally) edible.

I indulged further by treating my skin to their Honey & Shea Body Butter.  The honey and antioxidant-rich Sweet Almond Oil  is combined with nourishing Shea Butter to create a lovely thick and smooth butter which sinks into your skin providing fab moisturisation (is that a word? – is it now) and leaves your skin smelling divine.

After a night enveloped in the sweet scene of honey, shea and almond I continued this morning with their new Tinted Lip Balms.

Available in 6 shaded they provide a gorgeous, subtle colour to your lips but are still jam packed with all the goodness that makes Burt's Bees lip balms so great.

The tinted lip balms are £5.99 each and the Scrub and body butter are £12.99 each available from their website and retailers nationwide.  

I Am Fabulicious Chats to EastEnders Star Bunmi Mojekwu

Bunmi Mojekwu is a rising star in film, TV and theatre and is definitely one to watch!

Soap fans will recognise her from playing Mercy Olubunmi in EastEnders, where the Olubunmi family were the first Nigerian family to appear in the famous British soap.

I Am Fabulicious had a chat with her about how she keeps herself beautified!

Hi Bunmi! What’s in your make up bag today!

I have MAC products as they cater to my skin tone. I just recently bought Iman's foundation which I really love. I have loads of lip gloss from MUA, Victoria secret’s and MAC.

What was your opinion on the make up look Mercy was given on screen? Was there ever a time when you just said ‘hang on, I’m not going out on set looking  like that!’?

Mercy kept it simple when it came to makeup, the time I thought it was looking not quite right was when I noticed my skin tone had changed and the foundation I usually use needed to be darker. The tone of my skin changes quite often.

Bunmi with her EastEnders co Stars

Did the girls on set ever share beauty tips with each other?

The beauty tip I learnt was to always clean your skin at night to keep it healthy and free from a potential break out, because on set you tend to wear a lot of makeup, probably more than usual and a lot gets put on in between takes.

What were your male co stars opinions on having to wear make up?

With all the men I have ever worked with while filming they know it’s the norm to wear makeup. I think they enjoy being pampered in the morning by a woman!
 

What is your all time favourite beauty brand?

Clinique.  I find their products are best for my skin, it keeps it healthy. I use the foam, the anti blemish and the cream for my face and it has cleared up my skin. I love my aloe vera from The Body Shop too. That is probably my all time favourite  as you can never go wrong with aloe vera.

Do you have a beauty Icon? If so, who?

Kelly Rowland as she always looks flawless. Her make is simple but still makes a statement and I love Iman. She created a line for darker girls because sometimes a lot of products don’t show on our skin and that is something I would also like to do one day.

Do you tend to stick with the brands and products you know or do you like to mix it up and try other things?

I tend to stick to what I know, because I have sensitive skin I worry about using new products

Can you share with us one of your trade secret beauty tips?

People always wonder how I get my eyeliners so straight on my eyes. When you close your eye, stretch along the corner of your eye, that way you wont need to put the eyeliner along the creases of the eye as that’s what makes it uneven.

Have you ever had a make up/ beauty disaster? What happened?

When I was in college I wore a ponytail clip on and one day while walking to college I felt a bit light headed.  I felt the top of my head and my ponytail had gone.  I turned around and it was hanging on the tree branch.  Embarrassing.com

What was the best beauty advice you have ever been given?

Find what suits you because what may look good on others may not compliment you.  

For more news on Bunmi’s up and coming projects follow her on twitter @BunmiMojekwu

Viva VIVO!

Tuesday saw the launch of VIVO, a brand new cosmetics line celebrates being ‘alive with colour’.

The fab new brand is exclusive to Tesco and the range is extensive!

Before I go into my favourite 4 items I have to say that I was extremely impressed with the range, it’s packaged exquisitely and has a huge variety of exciting and gorgeous items at incredible prices.

The most expensive item in the range is only £6!

Don’t be fooled into thinking that low prices equals low quality. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that these products absolutely deliver and better still at such low prices (£1.50 for single eyeshadows and £2.59 for volume mascara) you can afford to collect the whole range and simply slip them into the trolly during your weekly shopping trip.

One of my favourite items from the collection is the £4 baked blush in Rosy. It has a gorgeous pink undertone to add warmth to your complexion and has a lovely texture.

VIVO’s Diamond Sparkle Lip Gloss is something really special. As somewhat of a connoisseur of gloss’s I know what I like, and I like this.

The gloss gives a sparkly sheen leaving your lips twinkling like diamonds when it catches the light.

VIVO’s Highlighter is designed to illuminate, brighten and enhance tired complexions. You can use it under your foundation or like I do, on your cheekbones and under your brow to high light and beautify your face.

The colour is a lovely subtly goldy glow which will look perfect on sun kissed skin and is not dissimilar from Benefits MoonBeam- but at just £5 for a big tube which will last you ages it’s a total steal.

The Baked Shimmer Palette in Chocolate Box is equally as beautiful. The blush and 4 shadows remind me of 4 little shimmery planets orbiting a rosy sun!

As you can see from the photo the colours are gorgeous, pearly and pack a punch. The shadows allow you to build up the colour to be as muted or strong as you like. There is also a lovely little mirror within the compact and an applicator- you don’t need anything else! You get all of this for just £6.

The VIVO range also includes Eye liners at £2, False lashes from £2-£4, Lipsticks for £1.99, Eyeliners for £1.50 and the most incredible, humongous bronzer you have ever seen for £4.

I think im in love with this range and im convinced it will be a massive success.

You can get hold of VIVO’s range from September in Tesco stores nationwide and catch up on all their news on twitter @VIVOcomsetics

Queen Cosmetics, for us Sensitive Souls

To all my sensitive skinned Fabulicious lovies.

I have researched tirelessly, scoured the world wide web, & done all the hard work for you to find you a beauty brand which is perfect for your sensitive skin. (You can thank me later!)

Queen Cosmetics which was believe it or not founded in 1927 has an incredible range of cosmetic products designed especially for us sensitive skinned girls.

Queen is unique among cosmetics companies because their commitment is to sensitive skin and sensitive skin alone- you know you onto a winner when this is the case!

As a small, UK company the chances are you wont have heard of them- they aren’t stocked in Boots or Superdrug, or indeed in any other massive department store.

Its not just this illusiveness which makes them seem a little bit exclusive and special, but the packaging as well.

Its not brightly Packaged or flashy. Its very understated and simple- taking nothing away from the quality of the product, which speaks for itself.

The Mascara is divine.  Its a very gentle formulation which leaves lashes defined and glossy and which is suitable for even the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. 

It’s a great consistency which goes on well and the long brush allows you to reach every single one of your lashes leaving them thick and glossy.

Their eye pencils are just as fab and come in 6 different colours; Azure (blue), Black, Brown, Grey, Light Green and Violet. Wonderfully soft and easy to use they are long lasting and wont irritate the delicate area around your eyes.

Queen is a brand which recognises that less is most definitely more and on top of everything else it wont break the bank.

 If you are now desperate to try this brand out you can buy their items from their website here.

Their Mascara is £10.75 and their pencils are £6.75.

Q&A with Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley

All you Coronation Street fans will recognise this lady immediately.

 

As one of the newest members of the cobbles, Catherine Tyldesley is quickly making her presence known playing  feisty Eva Price, daughter of the Rovers new Landlady, played by Michelle Collins.

 

I Am Fabulicious caught up with Catherine to grill her on what it takes to be a Coronation Street beauty!

 

 

Can  you tell me what’s in your make up bag today Catherine?

*Tracey Bell Age perfecting Mineral liquid foundation - I cant live without this!

*YSL False Effect mascara

*'Make Believe' Enhance Bronzer

*Me, Me, Me Blusher (Coral)

*YSL Touche Eclat

*Various MAC Eyeshadows

*MAC Eyeliner

*Burts Bee's Hand Cream 

 

Have the products you use and the way you look after your skin changed since starting in Corrie?

Not really,  although I have discovered ARTDECO products since starting on' Corrie' and use a lot of their products. I swear by the Caviar Treasures Treatments - Gorgeous. 

Do the girls on set ever share beauty tips with each other?

Every day! Michelle Collins and I talk hair and beauty a lot! We're very girly!

Catherine with her Corrie Family

  

So, come on spill! Who’s the beauty queen on set?

 Well, Katherine Kelly (who plays Becky McDonald) says I am! Im a real girly girl. I love make-up and pampering!

 What is your all time favourite beauty brand?

 There’s a difficult question, I use a few different brands. They all have their strengths.

 Do you have a beauty Icon? If so, who?

 Marilyn Monroe. Glamour, sex, class and elegance. She had it all.

I am Fabulicious : (Catherine is clearly a woman of great taste!)

Getting Papped on the way to work- happens to us all! (not really)

   

Would you ever leave the house fresh faced and make up free?

 Ha ha. Never! Apart from when Im on holiday , or on my way to work. Even then there’s normally some tinted moisturiser on mascara on the go!  

Can you share with us one of your trade secret beauty tips?

Invest in good skin treatments, eat well, take vitamins and supplements to accommodate ones lifestyle. Don't smoke. Don't drink too much. Lots of SLEEP.

 Have you ever had a beauty disaster?

Oh yes - lots! I went through a phase of wearing waaaay too much make-up. My nickname was 'drag queen Cath'. I often get a bit giddy with the fake tan too...this time last weekend I looked like a giant 'Wotsit'!

  

What was the best piece of beauty advice you have ever been given?

My grandma has always given the best beauty tips - she looks AMAZING. Look after your skin, nails and hair. And eat well. 

So there you have it Fabulicious readers. Even big TV stars like Catherine are fans of good old high street brands like MeMeMe and Burts Bees!

You can keep up with all of Catherine’s gossip on her twitter page @Cath_Tyldesley

Spotlight on Model Co Lip Plumper Hydra Lip Therapy

Im always on the hunt for great, lip enhancing, lip plumping products and gloss’s. I don’t have particularly small lips but lets face it, everyone is after a gorgeous beestung pout but without the need  to pop into a cosmetic surgery clinic and be injected with collagen and such.

My latest find was Model Co’s Lip Plumper Hydra Lip Therapy. You may have heard of Model Co thanks to their innovative and fab Fibre Lashes as promoted by Dannii Mingoue, which you can read more about here.

The Lip Therapy is marketed as being a dual-purpose, clear lip enhancer & moisturizing lip gloss which utilises cutting-edge technologies to work in synergy with the body’s natural water to plump up the lips and provide a light-reflecting, high-shine finish.

Whilst id agree with the light reflecting, high shine finish, i failed to notice any plumping effect.

The gloss contains Micro Filling Spheres™ with Marine Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid, designed  to plump & hydrate the lips from within, whilst the micro-pigments are supposed to amplify light reflection resulting in increased shine & luminosity.

 

  

 

Unfortunately, like so many others before it i just didn’t get the experience i was looking for.

The gloss was lovely yes- a very sheer, slightly pinky looking gloss which tingled with peppermint when it went on but failed to provoke any other reaction to my lips. 

Yes they felt lovely and moisturised and provide a nice, natural shine- but for £18 they certainly weren’t anywhere close to the Jolie-esq pout i was hoping for.

C’est la vie, guess its onto the next!

You can buy Model Co's Lip Plumper at Boots.

Have you tried Model Co’s Lip Plumper Hydra Lip therapy? What did you think? Have you come across a lip plumper that lives up to the hype? Id love to hear your thoughts!

I Am Fabulicious Meets Kimberly Wyatt

Kimberly Wyatt is best known as being a former member of the astronomically successful  pop group The Pussycat Dolls, where she found fame and success as an unquestionably talented singer and dancer.

Fast forward to present day and did you know that there is another side to Kimberly that you perhaps weren’t aware of?

Did you know that she has her own cruelty free cosmetic range called BM beauty which is approved by both the BUAV & PETA ?

No? Read on, as I Am Fabulicious chats to Kimberly about her BM beauty.

What made you decide to create a cruelty free make up brand?

Laura McComiskie and myself are both very passionate about making positive change.... and makeup! BM Beauty is a makeup brand that makes conscience, natural, cruelty free choices that both of us feel very proud of!!


How did you come to meet Laura Comiskie and how was BM beauty subsequently born? 

Laura and I met through her fiancée, Dave. Dave was in an awesome band, Driveblind, a label-mate at the time. He told me about the awesome work Laura was doing with organic, all natural beauty products with her company, Love the Planet. Laura came to a few PCD shows and brought some Love the Planet products that I fell in love with! Over the next few years we became fast friends and soon found a mutual passion for makeup with a conscience and decided we'd make an awesome team! Thus BM Beauty was born!

 What does the BM in BM beauty stand for?  

BM stands for Beautiful Movements. My website, www.beautifulmovements.com, is a place for self-expression where people listen, relate, and learn about self worth. Together we encourage growth through love, compassion, and positive action.  “Happiness is a journey not a destination.” –Souza

Kimberly in her Pussycat Doll days

  

Before BM beauty, had you always sought out products and brands that were cruelty free to use?

Yes, I've been a conscience consumer for about 5 years now. My conscience journey started by finding ways to manage stress and anxiety holistically which lead to greater awareness of the world around me. Gradually I've become more aware of  "conscience, cruelty free products". 

 What is your opinion of brands that do test on animals? Do you boycott them?

Anyone that hurts animals intentionally for beauty is ridiculous. I boycott them by gathering knowledge and making smarter choices as a consumer. I believe change comes by the classic saying, "lead by example."

What's inside Kimberly's Make up Bag?

What is your favourite item from the BM beauty collection?

Tough question!! I love wearing an all natural BM Beauty face from start to finish but if I have to pick one item it would be the finishing powder cause it gives you a beautiful dewy finish and marble sparkle because its awesome as eyeshadow, highlighter, and added sparkle!!

Can you tell & show me with a pic, what’s in your make up bag today?

My BM Beauty travelling kit of course!!  Contents include; BM Beauty brush set, Summer Warmth Mineral Bronzer, Naked Mineral Foundation, Noir Eyeshadow, Marble Sparkle Eyeshadow, Nude Lipgloss, Indian Summer Lipgloss, and BM Beauty Lash Curling Mascara.

Apart from BM beauty, what is your favourite beauty brand and why?

I love Illamasqua! I think they do an amazing job at being unique and theatrical! It's a brand that embraces self-expression, creation, and encourages people to be whatever they want to be! 

Kimberly is an  I Am Fabulicious fan too!

Do you have a beauty Icon? If so, who?

Gwen Stefani is one of my beauty icons. She is a pioneer in the world of beauty and fashion!! She does it all and still stays true to herself. 

If you were stranded on a desert island, which 1 beauty item would you miss the most and why?

I would miss my BM Beauty nude lip gloss!! It's so moisturizing and truly brings dry lips back to life! I have a feeling that if I was stranded on a desert island my lips would need the most help! lol

Can you share with us one of your trade secret beauty tips?

Exfoliate twice a week and drink lots of water to ensure you have the best skin you can. Wash and moisturize before applying makeup and afterwards mist Rose Water over your face to set the makeup and give your skin a flawless finish! 

Have you ever had a make up/ beauty disaster? What happened?

I used to have disasters every night after i would get off stage and see my face in the mirror! lol I dance so much and so hard that my sweat would smear my makeup as it  dripped down my face. I've learned a lot of good techniques for stage makeup and BM Beauty has been my sweaty stage savior!!

What was the best piece of beauty advice you have ever been given?

Don't be afraid to be different, try new things and express yourself.

You can keep with all the gossip and news from Kimberly on her twitter page @KimberlyKWyatt, on her new band's website Her Majesty & The Wolves and you can purchase all the BM beauty items you can think of, including everything mentioned in this interview through their website here.

Michelle as Marilyn

A new photo has just been released from the highly anticipated film My Week With Marilyn starring Brokeback Mountain actress Michelle Williams.

The New Promotional Photo for My week with Marilyn

The film which is to be released this November is based on the diary of British studio assistant Colin Clark, who spent time with the Marilyn during the filming of “The Prince and the Showgirl” in London back in 1956.

I’m biased as Monroe is my Beauty Idol, but I just don’t  think Michelle Williams can convincingly portraying one of the most troubled, beautiful and iconic women in film history - at least not from the promotional pics so far.

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

Perhaps I’m being a little harsh- it is a big job to try and get right.

What do you think of the images? Do you think Michelle can pull off a convincing Monroe? Will you go and see the movie?

If you fancy stepping back in time and finding out about Marilyn’s beauty secrets you can click to one of my previous posts here. 

Who's that Girl?

Today I’d like to cast the beauty spotlight on this model.

Stunning isn’t she. What a beautiful young girl with a gorgeously attractive face.  Big blue eyes, full lips, killer cheekbones.

   

   Don’t worry, I feel jealous too.

Except, this model isn’t a she at all. 

She is a he.

Really.

Its just like that moment when you’ve admired your partner when on a beach, glanced at their limbs and experienced the slow, painful realisation, that despite being the opposite gender to you, that they in fact have better legs than you do.

This instance is similar to that, only in my case, I believe that Andrej  makes a more attractive woman than I do!

The model you are all staring at and thinking ‘No way’, ‘really?!’ is 19 year old Andrej Pejic  who has appeared in French Vogue, is muse to Jean Paul Gaultier, and has won the title of Male Model of the Year.

The poor guy has suffered huge amounts of controversy due to his ultra feminine looks but says of it all  'My whole life is controversy. What can I do? I’m like Britney Spears!’

Andrej you keep on doing what your doing, even if as a man you do have better legs…. Bum……hair….. eyebrows….. body and face than me ;-)