Illamasqua - Dark Angel

Illamasqua is a cosmetic brand which promotes experimentation as well as self expression through the way we look & is committed to changing attitudes towards subcultures. This month, in tribute to Sophie Lancaster, Illamasqua have commissioned a short film 'Dark Angel' directed by the award winning french director Fursey Teyssier. The film gives a haunting rendition of what happened to Sophie - on the 11th of August 20 year old Sophie & her boyfriend Robert Matby were kicked & stamped on & left unconscious, for nothing more than looking different, Sophie later died from her injuries.



The aim of the film is to raise awareness of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation and generate £500,000 to help educate young people about tolerance. Since Sophie’s death, the Foundation has been working with behavioural experts Huthwaite International, to put together an interactive youth workshop that does just that. But this essential education programme can only be delivered with your help. Please, please show your support and watch the film.
As well as being available to view online, the film will also be running on MTV from 26th November – Sophie’s birthday.
Stand up for Sophie - act now and buy an Illamasqua Sophie eye pencil, wristband or simply make a donation. £3 from the Sophie pencil purchased and all proceeds from the wristband sales go directly to the Foundation. See www.illamasqua.com for more info.

Look Fantastic With A-List Party Looks

Want to get the A-List Party look for this year's festive season, well look no further than www.lookfantastic.com, where top celebrity make-up artist Karen Alder shares her secrets of how the stars sparkle with red carpet glamour! Check out the step by step guides as well as product recommendations to get it just right first time round, celebrity looks include Pixie Lott, Holly Willoughby & Anna Friel.
Also receive Look Fantastic's great festive offer & receive £2 off when you spend over £20, simply enter the code LFBLOG09 at the checkout (Offer ends midnight of 25th Dec)

Sewing Roots Ethical Fashion Show at Che Camille Glasgow

EyeCandy had the the pleasure last Friday evening of taking part in the 'Sewing Roots' Ethical Fashion Show in Glasgow at Che Camille, organised by Kirstie Maclean the show included ethical labels which were accessorised with her 'Mzuribeads'.
'Mzuribeads' is a business focusing on exporting Ugandan handmade paper bead jewellery and loose beads throughout the world. Established by Kirstie Maclean, who met the women while volunteering in a school in Kampala in 2006, the idea then began taking shape to encourage these women to use this craft as a way of bringing in an income. The beads are from recycled paper to create colourful necklaces, earings & bracelets with ranges designed to suite western fashion trends the business supports ethical trading & increasing trade links to support the communitys' ability to create & sustain their own incomes.
The show itself was focused on a tribal theme and with tribal drumming & green vines the catwalk was a blaze with African vibes!! For make-up we took direction from Kirstie, making colourful tribal stripes, spots & twists matched with bright gold to blue, yellow & green eye shadows, then taking it up a notch at the end of the show with lashings of war paint to bring the spirit of the show alive before the girl's 'roared' down the catwalk one last time!!!!
The designers included in the show were Mia Nisbet, Bibico, Goodone & Johari, all available at Che Camille until mid December.
Check out Mzuribead's website as well as Che Camille's boutique who are also stockists for the beads themselves.
See below for more pics from backstage to all the catwalk action -

Lancome New Advances in Research to Produce - Absolute Precious Cells

New research carried out by Lancome shows the numbers of epidermal stem cells in the skin, which work to regenerate the epidermis do not decrease with age. In fact, it is the gradual change in their environment which has a direct impact on their ability to regenerate, so we in short we all carry within the capacity to restore the potential of younger skin!
In order embrace this fabulous potential, Lancôme Laboratories have created 'Absolute Precious Cells', which is a regenerating and replenishing cream on the cutting edge of science designed for women over fifty. Enriched with the Youth Restoration System and Pro-Xylane®, this unique formula improves the environment on the skin’s surface, reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles and helps to regenerate skin’s youthful radiance.

A consumer test of 120 women showed that the skin looks more youthful -
Skin Feels Firmer - 82%
Nourished - 97%
Looks More Even Toned - 87%
More Radiant - 87%

Available at counters Nationwide as well as online at www.lancome.co.uk - £118 for 50ml.

Brand New - 'Lash Food' For Longer Stronger Lashes!

Move over full lips. Eyelashes are the next beauty must-have for 2009. From the pages of magazines to Hollywood’s red carpet, batting full, luxurious lashes is the latest “It” accessory. No matter how many coats of mascara or layers of extensions we apply, it seems like we can never achieve the look without getting the “Tammy Faye Baker” effect. Mascaras and lash extensions are unforgiving on eyelashes, leaving you with dry, brittle, and damaged lashes. LashFood is a new natural conditioning stimulant for thicker, stronger and more beautiful lashes in just 2 to 4 weeks!
“Many women denote their eyes as their best feature,” says Jane Kim, President and Founder of LashFood. “Long, full eyelashes have always symbolized femininity and exudes Hollywood glamour. For great eyelashes, it used to be either you had them, or you didn't. Now, with LashFood we can all have captivating eyes like legendary femme fatale Brigitte Bardot and iconic supermodel Twiggy. At LashFood, we provide consumers with the best eyelash care products to enhance their natural beauty.”
LashFood’s breakthrough natural ingredients, including Biotin an essential vitamin, Arginine a natural amino acid, and herbal extracts, helps promote the natural growth and strength of eyelashes and eyebrows. The result: your lashes become thicker, darker, and longer with this revolutionary conditioner.

How to Use LashFood?
The LashFood applicator is very similar to a liquid eyeliner applicator. One should apply the stimulating serum nightly along the root of the lashes. For faster results, apply the serum in the morning and in the evening. LashFood does not disrupt the daily application of make-up or other skincare routines.
What is in LashFood?
LashFood is formulated with the highest grade all natural ingredients available, and is designed to condition, repair, restore, and create longer healthier and more beautiful eyelashes and eyebrows. LashFood retails for $129.00 and will last up to 5 months.
When Can I Expect to See Results?
One should begin to see the lash line becoming thicker, fuller and healthier looking in just 2 to 4 weeks. LashFood will continue to prove results over time if used on a consistent basis.
Can LashFood be Used with Eyelash Extensions?
LashFood is a natural and water based product designed to be used with natural lashes as well as with eyelash extensions. LashFood can coincide with any daily mascara or eyelash extension product.
Check out the website - www.lashfood.com

Getting Your Mascara Perfect Every Time!

Eyelashes are very important to the finishing look to your make-up, in fact for many of us this is the essential make-up item we would not be caught without! Having your mascara applied perfectly can really lift your eye make-up instantly & create a striking finish.. Here are few tips to avoiding that spider leg look!

Firstly it is essential to replace mascara every three months, once your wand stops making a 'popping' noise when you take it out the tube you know it's time to bin it. Mascara is a breeding ground for bacteria, this is what makes it starts to become a bit dry & the longer you keep using the mascara the more likely you are to have an eye infection as well as 'clumpy' looking lashes!

Don't 'pump' the wand in and out of the tube this will only allow air in which causes your mascara to dry out. Always remove excess mascara from the wand with a tissue, this will give you an even application.

Use a lash primer or lash conditioner (a lot of mascaras now come with these), it will coat the lashes and separate to help lengthen and give volume, also it moisturises and helps mascara last longer. Use an eyelash curler after your primer, it will help set the curl before the mascara is applied & the better the curl to the lashes the longer they look.

To apply your mascara, start at the base of the roots, wiggle the wand and then extend along the lashes and up to the tips. If you have very fair lashes & your mascara can't quite cover the roots (especially if you're opting for a black mascara) then take a little liquid eyeliner & with a liner brush 'paint' the base of the roots to give an even finish.

Old mascara brushes are great to help separate eyelashes before and after your mascara has been applied, wash them thoroughly with hot soapy water before using though.

A great tip for removing any little clumps of mascara at the tips of the lashes is to take a slightly damp cotton bud & run it along the ends, it will pick up all the excess mascara leaving them perfect!

Apply your mascara after all eyeshadow and other powders have been applied, even your blusher & face powder, it can get into the lashes & take away the effect of the mascara.

Keep all these tips in mind & you'll have a perfect lashes every time!!!

Ideal Xmas Gift Ideas : Wahanda Pamper Days

Are you looking to arrange a Pampering Session for you & your friends, perhaps for a special occasion or even for some Christmas relaxation as a treat, well Wahanda.com is the equivalent to Amazon for the beauty industry, where they list all the latest spa & pampering weekend deals.
Check out their Pamper Days where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life & get together with the girls for some relaxation and beautifying! You can choose from a number of treatments including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and more. Many spas also now offer a mobile service, so you can have a Pamper Day experience delivered straight to your door & be pampered in the comfort of your own home or venue of your choice. Also a perfect gift idea for Christmas if you're looking to treat a loved one to a Pamper Day is the Wahanda Spa and Wellness Gift Voucher , the perfect flexible gift as it is accepted at hundreds of day spas, salons, gyms, yoga studios and fitness centres nationwide.
The website is easy to use, simply search the area you are based & browse through the different packages available, they are listed with full info on the supplier, the treatment & package info as as well as price, simply buy online & look forward to your luxury Pamper Day!
And of course there is the lovely charity angle that for every review written on the back of a visit booked through the site, Wahanda will donate £1 to help fund a Charity:Water Project
Check out the Wahanda Pamper Days Online now & look out for their current Christmas Offer of 50% off Selected Packages

Pamper Days

Perfect Brows With Tweezerman!

Definitely coming up top of the class for hair removal are Tweezerman - Wide Grip Slant Tweezers (£16.50 from Boots), scoring 5/5 in a recent poll, they have excellent grip, are accurate & simple to use, they remove hair right from the root even removing downy hair as well. The thumb shaped grip means that removing hairs first time is easy as you can control the movement & angle perfectly. Also a large proportion of people said that it took less than half the time to remove unwanted hair using tweezerman than with other brands, plus (as if we needed another reason to use them!) you can send them back at any time to be re-sharpened free of charge!
Here's some tips for plucking your brows, firstly how to alleviate the pain (!!), then on the best techniques for shaping the perfect frame to your eyes.

Tips for easy Plucking!
If you are sensitive to Plucking, numb the area first with ice or use a toothache numbing gel.
Open the pores by taking a warm cloth over your brow or simply pluck after your shower or bath.
To reduce any stress to the skin hold it taut & pluck in the direction of growth.
Close the pore afterwards by using a cooling soothing lotion, such as tea tree, this will also help prevent any inflamed hair follicles.

Shaping your Eyebrows
Begin by cleaning up the area & removing any stray hairs.
The best way to start is to shape your brows from underneath rather than above to begin creating a natural arch.
Pluck the brow from underneath & define the arch which should reach it's highest point directly above your iris.
To ensure your eyebrows are the correct length for your face shape, hold a pen vertically against your nose, where it meets your eyebrow is where the brow should begin.
Finally with the pen still held against your nose, tilt it diagonally so it rests against the far corner of the eye, this is the where the eyebrow should end.

Stocking Fillers From Lily Lolo

Stocking fillers are indeed the fun part of Christmas shopping, so enjoy spending some time at the online makeup boutique www.lilylolo.co.uk, where you’ll find plenty of gorgeous natural, mineral stocking fillers for under £10 and even under £5.
Mineral makeup brand Lily Lolo has a wide selection of gorgeous soft makeup brushes and a striking selection of eye, blush and lipgloss colours that make the perfect little stocking fillers.
For only £5 each the eye colours are a great buy, and a great way to update to the season’s hottest party looks. The pots of loose mineral eye colour pigment are of course 100% natural and silky smooth on the skin. You’ll also pick up the Smudge Brush, Blending Brush, Eyeliner Brush, Angle Brow Brush, and the Concealer Brush for less than £5 each.
For under £10 you’ll be surprised to find more of the best selling Lily Lolo makeup brushes, as well as the moisturising Lily Lolo lipgloss (great for those cold winter days) at only £8.
The cover up and blushes from Lily Lolo will also only set you back £7 and are perfect for Christmas gifts. If you’re feeling more generous the new Lily Lolo gift boxes are proving very popular among makeup lovers, with orders flying in from across the globe.
The full Lily Lolo range is available to buy online at www.lilylolo.co.uk and at selected salons nationwide.
Stockists and a full list of natural ingredients are available online - www.lillylolo.co.uk

Katy Perry Red Carpet Elegance At The MTV European Music Awards by Danilo, Pantene Pro-V Stylist

Pantene's stylist Danilo had the pleasure of styling Katy Perry's hair this year at the European MTV Awards last Thursday, check out one of the how to's below to get the look for yourself!


Danilo’s Step by Step for Katy Perry’s Stylish look

Step 1:
Firstly I dampened Katy’s hair with Pantene Pro-V Time Renewal night nourishing (RRP £3.99) to smooth and condition her hair. I then sectioned it off and applied Pantene Pro-V Volume & Body mousse (RRP £2.99) to the roots of each section to provide additional volume, before drying smooth.

Step 2:
I sectioned the back and underneath of Katy’s hair and set it using curling tongs by pinning each lock up and allowed it to cool for around 30 minutes.

Step 3:
I brushed the curled sections out to create smooth bouncy volume and added Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Serum (RRP £3.99) to smooth the ends and her hair a shiny finish.

Step 4:
Finally I finished the look by brushing the sides and back into a high pony tail position then folded the tail round into the top securing it with pins to create a contemporary take on a classic chignon.

Danilo's Top Tip:
“For extra red carpet glamour you can finish with pinned jewels.”

Product References:
Pantene Pro-V Time Renewal Night Nourishing Mist – RRP £3.99
Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Serum – RRP £3.99
Pantene Pro-V Volume & Body Mousse – RRP £2.99

Chic Xmas Gifts - Compagnie De Provence - Edition Noire

It's starting to get to that time of the year where we all start to search for inspiration for xmas gifts so here's an ideal gift idea & new from Compagnie de Provence, 'Edition Noire' an exotic, luxuriously fragranced bodycare line packaged in sleek black glass bottles. Inspired by the island of Borneo, Edition Noire Ylang is an elegant, sensual blend of Ylang Ylang flowers, cedar and sandalwood while Thé Tonka’s seductive notes of tonka bean, black smoked tea and black musk take reference from the teaplantations of Darjeeling
With the nourishing, protecting and revitalising benefits of black orchid extract, regenerating Nigella oil and nourishing sweet almond and black cumin oils, the collection includes body balm, hand cream, liquid soap, eau de toilette and a deliciously indulgent dry oil composed of apricot kernel and blacksesame oils with the addition of carrot oil to soothe and re-generate post-holiday skin. The Ylang Body Balm is easily absorbed into the skin, leaving it feel soft & smooth with a light but rich fragrance that lasts as long as the softness which is all day long! Prices Range from £16.95 to £33. Available from Fenwick's, Bond Street 020 7629 9161

A Girl's New Best Friend - Blotting Papers!

Keeping shine free is many a girl's daily issue, nobody wants a complexion that looks as though you have just walked out of a sauna, but over powdering can leave a 'cakey' finish by the end of the day that is far from attractive itself!! So blotting sheets came to the rescue, a fairly new concept that are starting to really catch on, becoming a hand bag favourite these days! They basically work by absorbing excess oil on the surface of your skin/make-up so it reduces the amount of powder you need to apply. Topping a recent magazine poll is The Body Shop's 'Natural Powder Blotting Tissues', they are very absorbent & do their job without smudging your make-up, plus as you only need to use one at a time they last really well making them great value for money! £3.90 for 65 Sheets.