Archive for June, 2010

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30 June 2010: 16:52

Welcome to Westfield Style Notes: Beauty Blog

Here it is, our new beauty blog! We’ll be bringing you news, reviews and expert tips from the beauty world.

Our beauty panel will let you know which products you really must have. All the products reviewed have been tested by our team of trusted panellists, so you know that they come recommended.

We’ll bring you details of hot new products and make-up trends. Our experts will show you how to achieve the latest looks or how to recreate a celebrity’s style. Plus, you’ll find insider tips that you simply must try.

We hope you enjoy it!

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30 June 2010: 16:50

Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious Mascara

Beauty Review: Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious Mascara for a False Lash Effect

Price: £21.50
Where to Buy: Debenhams

What it claims to do
Adds volume and definition without making your lashes clumpy and dull. It gives a thick, luxurious and glamorous look.

What our reviewer says
The mascara goes on like a dream, not too heavy and clumpy and leaves a thick, even, glossy coat of mascara.
The mascara lasts throughout the day without smudging and yet it’s easy to remove with eye make-up remover.

Final verdict
Absolutely the best mascara I’ve ever worn. I will be sticking with this one!

Reviewed by Sarah

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30 June 2010: 16:50

Kimia Exquisite Rejuvenating Facial System

Beauty Review:  Kimia Exquisite Rejuvenating Facial System

Price: £69

Available from: O Spa

What it claims to do

A moisturising oil that rejuvenates the skin cells, with cleansing, refining and nourishing properties, stimulating active and continuous cell renewal.

Our reviewer says

With quite sensitive and dry skin, I have been trying and testing so many moisturisers in search for the perfect one but to no avail. That is until I was given Kimia Exquisite Rejuvenating Facial System as a birthday present.

Kimia is an oil that feels as light as a serum and absorbs quickly into your skin leaving no greasy top layer. After cleansing, massage the oil into your face followed by the hydra activator. It can be used under make up which means it can be used morning and night.

The Rejuvenating system really works – leaving my skin feeling really soft with a noticeable difference in the texture. It also smells amazing. The packaging talks about “the Magic of Kimia” and “formulas elaborately blended in a secret process developed over a period of more than three decades” etc. All this sounds a bit mumbo jumbo, but whatever’s in there seems to be working for me!
 
Final verdict

I’m a convert. Honestly, it is one of the only moisturising products that has worked for me. I’m going to try out the Kimia Eye Serum next!

Reviewed by Ciara

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30 June 2010: 16:50

Garnier body scrub

Beauty review: Garnier Body Tonic Sugar Scrub

Price: £6.99
Available from: Boots and Superdrug

What it claims to do
Garnier claims that their Sugar Scrub will immediately exfoliate excess dead cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin, leaving it feeling incredibly soft and smooth. The scrub contains active natural ingredients and instantly smoothes the skin whilst respecting it. Its ultra-melting texture leaves the skin soft and toned. The formula contains a unique mixture of sugar, exfoliating particles and natural fruit extract (apple).

Our reviewer says
I received this product as in a Garnier goody bag at the tennis 18 months ago and haven’t looked back. It’s not everyday that a product actually does what it claims to, but this really does leave your skin looking smooth and toned.
I find it does wonders on my thighs and the sugar grains feel lovely when massaged into the skin without leaving any oily residue. I regularly use fake tan and find that this product truly removes all dead skin (especially on your legs) allowing the tan to develop without streaks. It also smells great with a fresh, zesty citrus fragrance!

Final verdict
I would definitely recommend this product. I’ve tried many body scrubs and nothing compares for the price. Follow it up with your favourite moisturiser for silky, soft skin.

Reviewed by Dearne

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30 June 2010: 16:50

Lush body cream

Beauty review: Lush Karma Kream

 

Price: £11.20 (220g)
Available from: Lush

What it claims
Our orange flower water and almond oil body lotion packs good Karma into one Kreamy pot. Smooth it all over your body for fragrance and softness. Karma’s essential oils are absorbed through your skin to keep you feeling balanced. Wear it for the fragrance and for its skin-soothing kindness.

Our reviewer says
I love the smell of this body lotion and often get comments from people asking what it is if they’re standing next to me. It absorbs  into the skin really easily with no greasiness whatsoever leaving your skin really smooth and soft. The fragrance lasts most of the day and only needs topping up for the evening if you’re heading out after work.

Final verdict
I’ve used this body cream for years and I never get tired of  it. The smell makes you feel like you’re in the Middle East with orange, lavender, patchouli, pine and lemongrass.
There are also other products in the Karma range to complement this so you can go Karma crazy!

Reviewed by Julie

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30 June 2010: 16:50

GHD hair serum

Beauty review: GHD Shining Serum

Price: £12.95
Available from: The Ginger Group

What it claims to do
Tames thick, coarse and unruly hair whilst glossing and helping to seal split ends – for a smoother, shinier finish. Will help to seal split ends by smoothing cuticles, perfect for controlling frizz.

Our reviewer says
I love my GHD serum! Just when your hair needs a little something after its second blow dry and straighten for the week, this does the trick without your hair looking oily or wet. You don’t need more than a one penny coin worth so it lasts forever. Just warm the product by rubbing your hands together and smooth over when styled. It gets rid of stray frizzy bits and hides split ends.

Final verdict
It does exactly what it claims to do! I would definitely recommend it. It’s a bargain for the number of uses you would get out of a bottle and it works wonders for split hair damaged by blowdrying and GHDing. I don’t have thick hair but it does it does tame my fly-away strands.

Reviewed by Rachel

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30 June 2010: 16:50

Clarins beauty flash balm

Beauty Review: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

 

Price: £26.50 for 50ml
Available from: Debenhams

What it claims to do

Brightens, tightens. An exceptional beauty booster which immediately eliminates all signs of fatigue: facial features appear rested and smooth. The cream in contact with the skin remains soft and pliable to fill out fine lines, while the cream in contact with the air sets to a firming film which gives skin a radiant glow. It promotes a radiant complexion and long-lasting, incredibly luminous make-up. The ideal treatment before a busy day or an evening out.

Our reviewer says
This is a perennial favourite for a reason. Apply it as a primer and you’ll get a lovely radiance to your skin. I love the zing it gives my face before I apply my make-up. It really does give skin a natural boost, plus it feels so refreshing.
Friends have noticed the difference when I’ve used it, commenting on how healthy and rested I look. With compliments like these, I’m certainly going to continue using it!

Final verdict
I love it! It’s definitely one of my beauty essentials, making my skin feel brighter and tighter as it promises.

Reviewed by Pippa

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30 June 2010: 16:50

Smooth hair styling spray

Beauty review: TRESemme Heat Defence Smooth Styling Spray

Price: £4.29
Where to Buy: Superdrug

What it claims to do
The styling spray guards your hair against heat styling damage and friction, and keeps your hair shiny and incredibly soft. Use it on both dry and wet hair before blow-drying and/or straightening.

Our reviewer says
The spray pump is very generous and just a couple of sprays is enough. You don’t want to use too much (even if you have long hair like mine). You should make sure that this product has dried on your hair before you apply straightening irons (you don’t want to hear a sizzling sound as it means that your hair is burning).

Final verdict
Fantastic! It won’t work miracles – if your hair is already severely damaged it won’t make your hair sleek and shiny overnight. However, after using this product for about a year, I have noticed that the ends of my hair are not as dry as they used to be and I do have less split ends. As for guarding hair from styling damage, I can’t really tell without getting a microscope out, but from what I can see it must be doing something right!

Reviewed by Adriana

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30 June 2010: 16:27

Beauty Panel: Rachel

Meet the Westfield Beauty Panel

Rachel’s must-have beauty products
- Nivea Soothe and Protect lip balm – the only product that heals cracked lips! £2.49 from Boots
- Garnier Hydralock moisturiser – perfect for winter months and when you’ve had too much sun in summer! £3.49 from Boots
- Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill mascara – amazing! £23 from House of Fraser		  

Rachel’s favourite beauty treatment
Eyebrow threading. Simple I know but I’m not a beauty treatment kinda gal! I wouldn’t turn down a facial though!

Rachel’s best beauty tip
The morning after a big night, put a tiny amount of white eyeliner or eyeshadow under your eyeline to widen and brighten your eyes.

Read Rachel’s review:
GHD hair serum

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Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel

30 June 2010: 16:23

Beauty Panel: Sarah

Meet the Westfield Beauty Panel

Sarah’s must-have beauty products
- Eye drops! Sounds dull but my eyes get red in front of a PC all day so I always freshen them up with brightening drops.
- Matt powder to remove that end-of-day shine
- YSL Touche Eclat – when I need to look awake at the end of the day, £24 from House of Fraser
- MAC Lipstick and Lipglass to either wear alone or as a balm if the lipstick proves drying, from £12 at MAC
- Elnett hairspray – the best hold and not too heavy, £3.99 (200ml) from Boots
- Clarins hand and nail treatment cream – love the texture, love the smell; £17 from Debenhams

I never leave the house without wearing:

BareMinerals bronzer - for that colour pick-me-up, it blends well for a natural finish (£17 from Debenhams)

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream – great for chapped lips and accidental burns! (£23 from House of Fraser)

MAC eye shadow – great colours and it tends to stay put longer than most (from £11 at MAC)

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm – if it’s been a hard night! It really does perk the skin up and help with the elasticity (£26.50 from Debenhams)

Sarah’s favourite beauty treatment
Moisturising anti-ageing facials – my skin always looks well rested afterwards

Sarah’s best beauty tip
Always use an eyelash curler to open up your eyes. The trick is to use it twice on each eye before applying mascara.

If you’re wearing tights and your outfit is clinging to them, rub body moisturiser/hand cream into your hands and then rub this on to the outside of your tights – the static cling will disappear instantly.

Read Sarah’s review:

YSL luxurious mascara

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