Beauty Buzz: From Future 50 Beauty Awards to New Face of Rodial Make-Up

My pick of the week’s beauty stories from around the web…

Kevyn Aucoin The Primed Skin Developer – More Than Just a Primer

Such was the brilliance of Kevyn Aucoin that he continues to inspire today’s generation of top make-up artists, some 12 years after his untimely death. Last week Space NK honoured that legacy by staging the UK’s first ever retrospective of his life and work at its flagship Knightsbridge store.

I mention this as his genius permeates the Kevyn Aucoin Beauty brand that continues his legacy today. A few weeks ago I reviewed two shades from the fabulous The Eye Shadow Single range, here. Today is the turn of The Primed Skin Developer.

Shiffa Healing Balm – Dry Skin SOS

It’s good to be prepared. As the nights draw in and we hurtle towards ever colder weather, I’m gathering together an arsenal of products that will see my skin through the challenging seasons ahead. Plummeting temperatures and dry winds can wreak havoc on our skin!

New: Lancôme, label.m, Benefit, Feelunique.com, Birchbox

Warning: my pick of the week’s new product launches comes with a hearty dose of festive party season beauty. Yes, I know it’s still only October!

The Love Perfume Awards - and the Do's + Don’ts of Fragrance Buying

Last week The Perfume Shop held the 2014 Love Perfume Awards. Gongs handed out included Best Women’s Launch, Best Men’s Launch, Best Celebrity Launch and Best Bottle Design.

The event got me thinking about my own modest collection of fragrances and wondering whether it included any ‘The Perfume Shop’ winners. It doesn’t (more on the winners in a minute).

5 Tools for Taking the Perfect Selfie

Pic credit, PaulRysz

Twitter, Instagram, Facebook… social media is swamped with them. And traditional print media loves spinning a story around them. I am, of course, referring to the ubiquitous selfie.

Kevyn Aucoin The Eye Shadow Single – Review and Swatches

There’s something deeply alluring about premium beauty product packaging. I have a sneaky feeling it has something to do with the way it makes me feel – glam and lavish. Who am I kidding? Of course that’s the reason!

So I was captivated from the start by Kevyn Aucoin’s The Eye Shadow Single.

The 2014 Body Confidence Awards - *Winners Update*

For every magazine article I read celebrating women of all shapes, sizes and looks, I spot dozens more featuring pictures of airbrushed models and celebrities, and other images of unrealistic beauty. No wonder low body confidence is a widespread problem!

Tonight in London, though, the spotlight will shine brightly on diversity and positive body image.

Magnifibres Brush-On False Lashes – Review with Before and After Pics

The way we dress our eyes can make a massive difference to our overall look. Our eyes are the focal point of our face, the feature most people notice first. I spend more time experimenting with different eye shadows, mascaras and colour sticks than with any other makeup.

One quick and simple way to draw attention to our eyes is to extend the length of our lashes. Yes, mascara is wonderful at doing this, making our eyes look bigger than they are naturally, and there are some really fab mascaras – Benefit They’re Real is a particular favourite.  But there are ways of taking lash length and fullness a step further.

You Beauty Launches 2014 Advent Calendar

This is the BIG one, in my opinion. You Beauty has just launched its 2014 advent calendar. It looks totally amazing, as always. Brands include Liz Earle, Laura Mercier and Sisley! It costs £49.95 (+p&p) and is worth over an incredible £240. Available now here. It follows the launch of beauty advent calendars from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols (story here), amongst others. 

Friday Beauty Buzz: From Halloween Make-Up Looks To Loving Our Lines

My pick of the week’s beauty stories… 

October’s Fave Freebie – L’Occitane Hand Cream

It’s the second month running that magazine freebies have been a bit thin on the ground. I popped in to two newsagents (including a rather big WH Smith) at the end of last week, when the November issues were just in and I could see only a handful of cover-mounted beauty products.  I do hope this is not the start of a new trend?

New: Temple Spa, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, L'Occitane, By Terry

There are fewer than 90 days until Christmas. Yikes! Given the plethora of Christmas beauty gifts launching just now, that shouldn't be all that surprising. Indeed, two new advent calendars feature in my pick of the best new product launches this week - it’s been a while since I last did one of these round-up posts! But I start with a new Temple Spa skincare range.