Update - Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System



Clarisonic Mia in white by Clarisonic. Part of the revolutionary sonic skin cleansing system to cleanse the skin and reduce the size of pores, the brush uses a sonic frequency which micro massages the skin in just 60 seconds, removing dirt and oil while helping to minimise the appearance of wrinkles. The brush is operated on a one button, one speed system.

I was pretty sceptical about spending so much on this little brush but I have to admit it - it's done wonders over 2 months of diligent use.

- My pores are smaller and less noticeable

- My foundation and blusher looks smoother

- My moisturiser and facial oils are easily absorbed

I have used with my own cleanser - I don't think it matters which cleanser you use just don't use an abrasive one with this. Let the brush do the work for you. It has a timer which turns off after one minute of use. I sometimes go for two minutes depending on if I wore makeup during the day. Once in the morning and once before bed. You don't need to press hard - work over forehead, cheeks, chin and nose in small circular motions. It is water proof so fine to keep in the shower. 

The replacement heads are available on ASOS and around £21. Should be changed every three months.  

I think if you can't afford facials on a regular basis like me then this is a great investment.



Odette Toilette's Vintage Scent Sessions - 1920's

What a fun day! Decadent. That is what the 1920's were after all (Art Deco, silent film, women  smoking in public and on film, jazz, flying, golf).  


It took place at specialist perfumery Les Senteurs located in West Marleybone. A beautiful shop with loads of perfume and cologne you can't get anywhere else in London.

Odette is a lovely lady - beautiful and clever she spoke to us about 1920's with a presentation of photos, clips of film, fashion and art over patisserie cake and fizz. 


But best of all we got to have an open discussion about  8 scents originated from that era. Some were rare, some extremely familiar and one unfortunately extinct, and, as Odette eloquently put it, they all had/have their own personalities.


Scent 1 - Tabac Blond from the House of Caron Paris. A masculine mix of cloves and carnation. Things that popped into the heads to describe were decadence, glamour, cigarettes. This was mine and Annie's favourite and the best bit was we got a free sample in our goodie bag. I don't know any women that wouldn't smell good with this on - it smells even better the next morning. Bliss! 


Scent 2 - En Arion 1929 House of Caron Paris. This scent at first was too powerful for me and maybe slightly too flowery but wears off nicely. It was a scent created to show the glamour of air travel (for those that could afford it back then). Amelia Earhart was in mind. 

Tall, slender, blonde and brave

Scent 3 - Nuit de Noel House of Caron Paris. Lapsing, green notes, gummy, liquorice. Christmas was in the name but I didn't really understand that. I suppose we're used to cinnamon, citrus, cloves and pine as Christmas smells. This morning I thought of late nights and boozy parties. Really delicious died down a bit - a tad much at the start. 


Scent 4 - Le Dandy by D'Orsay. Boozy, fruity, woody, pineapple. Not my favourite. Smelled powdery and maybe old ladyish. 


Scent 5 - Nohiba by E. Coudray Paris. Supposed to have been the scent that Josephine Baker wore. Well that sort of speaks for itself. Anne and I thought not as saucy as you would have imagined but very nice. There were exotic tones to it which the 1920's were into at the time (the orient, egypt etc). 


Scent 6 - Shalimar Guerlain 1925. Who doesn't know this. Theatre, Art Deco. Popular for 90 years, Shalimar was created in 1921 and re-released in 1925 in a bottle designed by Raymond Guerlain and made by Cristalleries de Baccarat and launched at the Decorative Arts Exhibition as an antidote against The Great Depression. Guerlain was inspired by Mumtal-Mahal, the women whom the Taj Mahal was built for - again that interest in the exotic. 


Scent 7 - Chanel No. 5 1923. Jasmine, ylang, ylang. Chanel felt the time was right for the debut of a scent that would epitomize the boyish, modern flapper that would speak to the liberated spirit of the 1920s. It was interesting to see how the bottle had changed over the years but the scent remains the same. Always. That is their focus - it's never changed over time unlike others due to changes in regulations on what they can and can't use anymore. 


Scent 8 - Arpege Lanvin. Rose, ylang ylang, peach. Similar to Chanel No. 5. I have one word to describe and that is cloying. It would make me sick if I had to wear it. I don't like it any better this morning. 


At the end I was so inspired to buy a perfume that I loved now I was an "expert". I found one - the major note was amber. I forgot how much I loved amber. Maitre Parfumeur Gantier Ambre Precieux. I am in love with this but at £98 a bottle it's going to have to wait... look at the bottle though.. sigh. 

One last thing. I didn't realise that the creation of the cocktail was 1920's. And it wasn't because they were fun or pretty to look at but they were originally created to mask the horrid taste of moonshine due to prohibition! I just thought I'd share that. 

Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System

Pores. I hate you. Mine seem larger lately - like miniature craters all over my nose. I am constantly trying scrubs or masks that promise instant results. I drink a lot of water to help combat clogging but because I wear glasses I have problem areas such as nose bridge and upper cheeks.

I am going to buy this. 

A mere £120.00.

It promises to be a fun and expensive experiment. If it works it could be a good investment. Once again - I am here to help and try before YOU buy!

I will be blogging this weekend after attending this with Annie. Over and out.

Love Bambi.

Nail Joy

I have had a terrible time with my nails in the past. They peel, they chip, I pick at them and then paint to ignore all the flaws.

However - over the last few weeks since I have been taking these supplements from Sainsbury's that were dirt cheap - they have grown and they are strong! I don't know what the deal is as I have always taken multi vitamins but these are really helping. I can't think what else I have done. I have painted them pillar box red to celebrate.

Grow my beauties grow!
Photo taken a couple days after paint job - not the best but I was rushing to get
them painted before one chipped!

Free from Gluten and lactose.

Interview with Dawn

Photo taken by yours truly on Dawn's wedding day.
Holding Merce her baby girl.
Makeup courtesy of M.A.C artist from Sabadelle, Spain.

One of my oldest and dearest friends Miss Dawn was asked ages ago to complete an interview I had made up for her. She finally got around to it last week which was unexpected because she is extremely busy running a business, raising a daughter and just being her which is exhausting in itself. Dawn doesn't do things in half measures and for that I am always in awe of her. She somehow keeps it all together (even if there might be a few hiccups along the way).

Nonetheless I was curious if she has any time for beauty. It would seem not so much. You're still glam Dawny!

When you were pregnant what changes did you notice in your skin the most? How did you combat if at all?

I didn't really notice any skin changes or none that I can remember. I didn't even get stretch marks!

Since you live in Spain, do you use a particular sun care lotion and which one do you like the best?

I like Clinique. They have a product with UV protection with a tint that gives my skin a lovely glow.

Now that you're a very busy mom do you have time for a routine?

Well I try and find the energy to wash my make-up off at the end of the night, when I wear it that is. My makeup bag seems to have become my daughter's favourite play toy and every time I go to use anything it seems to be missing a vital piece. When we have a bath together I have time to shave my legs and put on a moisture mask.

What's changed the most over the last few months - is there anything about your looks you wish you could change?

Lack of time for beauty!

Are there any products that you can't live without?

Face moisteriser.

Your hair is famous (Dawn has the most amazing curly hair). What hair care products do you use and what do you find works the best for your hair type?

Nothing. I have learned to live with consistant frizz!

Vaseline Limited Edition - Crème Brûlée



 Lovers of Vaseline: get excited! Your favourite little round pot just got better! Get it while it's hot - they're going fast.

The limited edition Crème Brûlée Vaseline is available in Selfridges Oxford Street and Manchester Exchange Square 27th Oct - 2nd November and nationwide from 3rd November.

£2.99.

Pixi Flawless & Poreless Beauty Primer

Yes! Yes! Yes! Finally a primer that I can actually see results with! The MAC one I bought awhile ago with factor 50 smells a little too much like sun protector so will use that up in Spain over next couple weeks. It's like I have that fresh faced glow, pores are minimised. Trust me, I wasn't glowing this morning when I woke up. I actually had a guy at work look at me this morning and say "you look well Sarah." I wasn't wearing any make-up - it's the primer I tell you! Thank you Pixi!

Smooths fine lines, pores instantly disappear

Creates a seamless and silky canvas

Skin texture improves for a velvet no-shine finish

£20.50

ABOUT ME: Added willow bark extract for natural shine control, salicylic acid to unblock pores long-term and skin-smoothing silica for flawless makeup application on top

This lightweight formulation also provides around-the-clock moisture and continuous hydration

This is such a light weight primer – when I wear it I feel like my skin is naked

Yet the formulation is most effective at keeping lines to a minimum, pores become invisible and no need for powder to absorb excess shine

Also works great to apply this on top of makeup during the day to even-out skin and refresh my makeup
Some days this is all you need, no foundation needed on top!

Translucent