Us Sugar girls have been fans of super-stylish Olivia Palermo ever since she graced our screens in The City, so we were green with envy to hear that FabUK ran in to her at London Fashion Week. Interestingly, she was really lovely and nothing like the character she's portrayed as on TV.
Olivia was in town to celebrate the launch of her new short film which is a showcase of Matches' in-house label, Freda, and features Liv dancing around a bedroom trying on clothes. At the movie launch, this is what she said of her beauty routine . . .
You always have flawless makeup; what are your favourite brands? I LOVE Guerlain makeup. I love that it's an old company. The makeup is super soft too and the shades they do are great.
Tell us about your beauty routine. Do you spend a lot of time getting ready? You know, it's really funny. I’m actually very easy-going. People assume I’m this super high-maintenance person but I’m not at all. I throw it on and I go out.
Keep reading . . .
UK retailer, ASOS.com (who ship to Australia), is the latest to get in on the green action with the launch of the 'Green Room,' a special section of the website devoted to ethical fashion and beauty. The Green Room offers over 200 fabulous eco-friendly products including lines by L’Occitane, Green & Spring, Yes to Carrots, Bellápierre mineral cosmetics and Tigi’s Love Peace & the Planet haircare range. What's more, it's totally comprehensive. There's everything you need for a full ethical beauty routine, from shower gel to lipstick. Winner.
Photo courtesy of Asos.com
Drum roll, please! Today, we're unveiling our special Reader Review Panel. A what? A who? Sssh now, and I'll tell you more. Our Reader Review Panel is a group of everyday guys and girls (OK, mainly girls) who we have asked to try some product for us/you. How do we all benefit from this wonderful scheme? Well, my skin (and typing hands) get a rest for a second, and you, well you get to see what "real women" think about it. Then you might go, hang on a tickety-boo, that sounds like it will suit me, too! See we're all about the matchmaking business here.
The product in their hands most recently was Neutrogena Deep Clean® Cream Cleanser ($13.87) and here are their thoughts . . .
Unicorn73 said:
"The first thing I noticed was the thick and creamy consistency and that a little went a long way—combined with the generous size (200g) of the tube at $13.87—what great value for money. My skin felt like it was getting a thorough clean and as I applied moisturiser, I noticed that my pores looked smaller. My face definitely looked healthier and smoother after I used this."
Keep reading. . .
Now, you might be nowhere near your 40s just yet, or you might be out the other side and having a whale of a time, either way this post is dedicated to anyone and everyone (pass it onto your mum or file it away for future use) who wants to grow old gracefully and still be able to turn heads. Because that's what beauty's all about. Making you look and feel gorgeous. Inside and out. Beauty knows no age limits.
Sadly, more and more nowadays, if a woman in her 40s looks great, everyone starts to whisper about the surgeon's knife. Not nice. And certainly not necessary, when you live by these tips :
Employ a good skincare routine: As most experts will remind you, your skin is the biggest organ that you have and certainly the most aesthetically-obvious one, which means it's crazy to neglect it. Cleansing, moisturising and protecting are key to good skin. Dipping in and out of a routine won't keep the wrinkles at bay so find a simple skincare routine that you know you'll be able to stick to. And remember that SPF is vital.
Go green: Both in food and activities. Stress is a massive ager. HUGE. Eating good, healthy food (nothing fast foodie, processed or fried) will instantly reflect in your face, as will spending time outdoors. Naturally relieving yourself of stress will take a lot of the hard work out of the war against wrinkles. Keep reading . . .
I am so into product reviews. It's like having someone on hand with the exact same skin type, texture and concerns as you, who was born around the same kind of time (so totally gets your love for Neil Young/George Michael/Tiffany) who has already been out, bought the product, tried it and decided if it's good or not. What's not to love?
In your 40s, your face loses volume around the cheeks and your lips get thinner, so you have the constant appearance of a sad lady even if you've just won $10mill on the lotto. Now, Lancôme has really set itself up as a leader in skincare with heaps of great technology under its belt. The most recent being the GF-Volumetry™ complex which keeps skin cells in constant communication, an absolute must if the skin's structure and shape is to stay the same as when you were in your 20s. It's featured in Lancôme Rénergie Lift Volumetry Volumetric Lifting and Shaping Cream SPF15 ($175) and this is what we thought about it . . .
"Quite simply, you lose face as you age—skin doesn’t bounce back readily. With gravity and time tugging at your complexion, you need some serious fight-back with some serious muscle. Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Volumetry is a hydrating and firming moisturiser that restores shape to ageing skin. It feels quite lush and restorative on the skin without a trace of greasiness. Keep reading . . .
I'm a big H&M fan. As is Kylie, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Madonna and my mum. I would DIE if it opened here. Especially when I heard this little nugget of information: H&M is launching an organic skincare line in March. Uh huh. In keeping with the brand's simple style, the range features everyday essentials like shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm in raspberry and melon or lavender and mint. Yum. The range features organic ingredients such as organic apple juice, jojoba and beeswax that have been certified by ECOCERT. Prices start at €3.90 which is the equivalent to $5.90 so, Mr. H&M, if you're reading this, please, please, please, please, please open a store in Australia. Preferably Sydney.
As you well know by now, I love a good freebie and they don't come much better than this; LOOK at it! This eight-piece gift could be yours when you spend $60 or more on Clinique products in Myer. It's totally worth the initial outlay as you'll walk away with this gorgeous floral wash bag that comes packed with Clinique goodies like All About Eyes 7ml, Youth Surge Day 15ml, Deep Comfort Body Butter 75ml, Take the Day Off Makeup Remover 50ml, Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit, Mini Shimmering Stripes Powder Blusher in Peony, Mini High Impact Curling Mascara and a blusher brush. But hurry, the offer ends on March 14!
Terms and conditions apply.
To coincide with the launch of her new fragrance SJP NYC (which hits shelves here on May 16) US editors were invited to catch up with the leading lady herself. Most unfair. Lucky Miss Bella USA went along to chat with the Queen of Cool to find out her must-have beauty products and biggest beauty indulgences, which kind of makes up for not being invited personally. Kind of.
What beauty products can't you live without? Moisturiser (which she carries with her), "any kind" of lip balm, and mascara. "I love mascara and I'm on an endless search for the right one," she said. "I would like it all — length and volume — with the exact right brush. Every time I find one they discontinue it. How does that help a business?"
What's your biggest beauty indulgence? "Every now and then, there is this place called Angel Feet [that I go to] that's amazing. It's a reflexology place. I don't know about any of that — that doesn't really matter me. The fact is that someone will rub your feet for an hour. I don't care what they find out about my insides or different organs. That goes in one ear and out the other. The fact of the matter is that they will rub your feet for an hour. You just have to find the hour. It's not inexpensive, and it's not highway robbery. It's right in the middle there. It's worth every penny, I will say!"
