by | September 17, 2012

top 10 beauty products for the multitasker

our multitasking life

All women multitask.  It’s just a fact men can’t get away from.   And because we juggle the mundane with the less mundane on a pretty regular basis, I don’t think it’s too much to ask that our beauty products should do the same. 

I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend less time getting ready in the morning?  And save money in the process?  Some might even claim that this doubles up as a bathroom cabinet declutter in the process…

So, on behalf of those who love to multitask, I’ve spent the last couple of weeks trialling the highest achievers in the cosmetics world. 

And here you are – only a click away from my top 10:

Per-fekt Cheek Perfection Gel £25   

This blushing gel is certainly easy to apply but I was sold on its vitamin B3 content as it helps to increase circulation while the antioxidants and vitamins A and E protect you from free radical damage.

Glynol Glow Precious Oil £14.95 

silky shiny hair with Clynol Glow

 

I’ve tried a number of styling and treatment oils and this one wins hands down.  I’ve used it as a treatment (applied before I go for a run – brilliantly multitasking!) and to restore shine and smooth any frizz as I blow dry. 

Lanolips 101 Ointment £11 

This 100% pure lanolin multipurpose ointment is utterly universal. I challenge anyone not to find a use for it.  Compact enough to leave the house,  apply to cuticles, cuts, lips and everywhere else in between.

Elemis Pro-Intense Lift Effect £55 

The newest edition to the Pro-Intense range, this high-tech cream uses plant stem cells to help improve your skin tone and texture and even goes as far as giving the appearance of a firmer jawline and taut cheeks.  I’m sure any of us would argue with improved firmness, tone and elasticity?

The Organic Pharmacy Enzyme Peel Mask with Vitamin C and Papaya

In just 10 minutes this refreshing gel mask removes dead skin cells, reduces blackheads, diminishes age spots, reduces fine lines and leaves the skin nourished, radiant, soft and it has only just launched online….

OPI Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops £13.50  

Those who rush will be only too aware of smudged nails.  Not only does this product guarantee dry nails within 5 minutes, it also treating cuticles to a soothing dose of jojoba and antioxidant vitamin E.

Vitage Vitamin C Radiance Serum £51

This serum means business.  With a high concentration of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, it protects, firms and hydrates the skin while also helping to restore sun damaged or scared skin.

 

Jack Black for Him

Jack Black Turbo Wash £13.75 For any Him who wants to have a go at the multitasking lark.  He will exit the shower not only awake and energized but with boosted immunity (that’s the Eucalyptus) and detoxed (the Juniper).

Queen Eyelash Cream £10.25

As specialists in sensitive skin since 1927, Queen is very proud of its Eyelash Cream as it conditions, repairs and defines lashes for sensitive eyes.  Post falsies, I found this cream worked a treat.

Pure Lochside Organic Orange Cleansing Oil (with muslin cloth) £18.50  

This award winning organic cleanser is the best in its market.  It removes all eye make-up, deeply cleanses, softens and enriches your skin with antioxidant vitamin E and Omega.  And can be used as a shaving oil too. 

 

PRIZES! Per-Fekt Cheek Perfection Gel & Pure Lochside Organic Orange Oil

So while you read this, chat to your mum on the phone, empty the dishwasher and draft an email, you can feel satisfied that your beauty products are working just as hard as you are.

 

COMPETITION: I have fabulously brilliant prizes for 3 of my multitasking beauty readers:  each of you will win a Per-fekt Cheek Perfection Gel (£25) PLUS a Pure Lochside Organic Orange Cleansing Oil(15ml) with organic muslin cloth (£15.50).  All you have to do is sign up to my blog (top right of homepage) and follow me on Twitter.  3 of you will be selected randomly on Thursday 27th September 2012.

 

 

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by | September 16, 2012

‘bounce’ to the finish line – tri for life 2012

Yesterday was more of a marathon than a sprint.  Leaving home at the crack of dawn, we headed for the Duke of Beford’s back garden (ie Woburn Abbey) with a car load of Smalls and their bikes/scooters/helmets and a big picnic.

As Queen Tweeter for the 2012 www.triforlife.co.uk actual day and having been a member of the online marketing team for the last 3 years, it was clear that this year’s event was going to blow previous years out of the water (no pun intended).

7 yr old scootathlon at tri for life

With three different triathlon distances, a 10k run, a kids scootathlon and a kids duathlon – there was little excuse not to partake.  He and I chose the 10k run while the Smalls took part in their age appropriate scootathlon.

In the lake at Woburn Abbey, the triathletes are ready to go

Unlike many other triathlon events, tri for life insists that every single entrant needs to raise sponsorship for the 4 pre-selected charities.  And, while the pennies are still being counted, I already know that the passionate team behind this 5th tri for life, have taken the amount raised to date over the £1.1m mark.  No mean feat.

The 10k felt good.  It was hot and the hills were hard but it felt good.  Determined not to stop, I thought of the kids at Whizz-Kidz, the breast cancer sufferers at Breakthrough, the hope given by Rays of Sunshine and the magic performed at Great Ormond Street.

the 10k winner @triforlife 2012 – otherwise known as Him

Small waves from the go-kart

The Smalls too felt that it was not only the wall climbing, go-karts and bouncy castles that made the family day such a success – they too had realised how wonderful it feels to exert yourself while raising some serious cash for those in need.

Back in London, the iTunes Festival at the Roundhouse (Chalk Farm) beckoned.  Clearly my limbs were saying no but my head was certainly saying a big yes to Calvin Harris and David Guetta on the decks.

Music friend and I agreed that Harris stole our hearts.  The 28 year Scottish artist, producer and remixer had the 3,300 capacity packed full of ‘bouncers’ with their arms above their heads.

The Roundhouse ‘bounces’

The tunes with neon light show (and added glitter / dry ice fountains) were the hero of the show as Harris is dead pan and calm in his execution.  Too many DJs are all about their show and this dude is all about the music.

Listen to Calvin’s performance here

tri for life 2013 will be at Woburn Abbey next September AND there will also be a running festival earlier in the year.

 

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Filed under health and fitness, him, kids, life, music

by | September 14, 2012

Pret A Diner: Beautiful sushi, beautiful cocktails, beautiful people

the vision that is Pret A Diner

Bear with me.  I’m not trying to make you jealous.  But last night blew me away.

The Pret A Diner preview night at The Royal Academy was always going to be more than a little rockin’ but what He and I found at The Senate Rooms (6 Burlington Gardens) is well worth a visit.

As London’s first pop-up members club, Pret A Diner had a real show going on. To spread the word for the next 2 months, beautiful people had been invited to partake in a social drinking and dining extravaganza with Michelin starred dishes and innovative cocktails.

creative Michelin starred sushi

Renowned mixologists from across Europe were centre stage so that the poshest of party animals could sample and appreciate glorious cocktails as they devoured the most incredible sushi and swayed to Maxology’s bohemian tunes.

Maxology on the decks

And the team behind this vision is the conceptual neon artist, Olivia Steele and KP Kofler of Kofler & Kompanie (pictured below).

Olivia Steele and KP Kofler

 

 

For those wishing to be blown away, sign up here for (free) membership and once approved, book yourself in.

PRET A DINER presents: The Burlington Social Club, Pop-Up Private Members Club

The Royal Academy, 6 Burlington Gardens

September 13 – November 17 2012

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by | September 12, 2012

camel milk chocolate – the new super food?

the camel and its vitamin enriched milk

In our western world, when we talk about milk we are mostly referring to that of a cow or a goat.  Not that of a camel.  And yet camel milk has long been touted as one of the most healthful drinks in eastern countries.  Not only is it much easier for the human body to digest, far closer to that of human breast milk than any other but it is also rich in vitamins B and C and contains 10 times as much iron as the other milks.

Harrods Food Hall has taken all this on board and, in response, has launched a new version of their own award winning coverture chocolate using camel milk (instead of cow milk) for the ganache filling.

milk and dark versions of Harrods’ camel chocolate

With no personal camel issue (apparently our large mammal friends aren’t Kosher incase you’re that way inclined), I was keen to try these chocolates (particularly as they were kindly sent to my desk) and I can disclose that they are completely delicious.  Novelty value aside, they will clearly appeal to Harrods visitors from Dubai and neighbouring countries and we shouldn’t overlook that they will be a great option for diabetics and those who are lactose intolerant… and if it’s good enough for the Bedouins, it’s good enough for me …well, as long as it doesn’t give me the hump….

Harrods Food Hall sells camel milk chocolate for £12.00 per 100 g.

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