A Visit To Diptyque

This time of year is prime candle burning season, something about that cold weather brings on that urge to light the lot of them. When invited to Diptyque to see their latest offerings I ran over to their store on Brook Street, knowing there was something special to be seen... 

Their theme, 'Arabian Nights' contains three candles, all housed in beautiful jewel print with gold veneer packaging, who's colours are dependant on the scent. My favourite out of the bunch was Amber Oud, a really warm earthy and spicey scent that isn't too sweet. The other two, Sapin Dorée, a forest green that's pine scent really screams Christmas and Oliban, inspired by a night under the stars.

There are gift sets galore, minatures of two and box sets of three, making them the perfect Christmas gift, (the little discount at the event nudged me to pick up a few for my best mates). They are slightly pricey than the usual Diptyque candle (£38) at £45 but are larger in size and have over 60 hours of burn time. 

In other news a little sneak preview of what's coming soon (which has my name on it), a two tone scented candle Rose Duet, of their two best selling fragrances, Rose and Baies, which will be around just in time for Valentine's Day!

New Origins Counter at Selfridges!

Yesterday I trotted along to meet the lovely ladies at Origins for a good browse through the new  counter at Selfridges. Being a huge Origins lover myself I was pleased to see the counter has been extended with a few new exciting offers, especially counting down to Christmas, that makes it definitely worth a visit....

I'm a big believe in 'try before you buy' and clearly Origins are too as they have set up a sampling system where you can help yourself to little pots and fill them up with the top 5 best selling Origins products. In the run up to Christmas they've added a gift wrapping station with gift tags in six different languages, there's also a tote bag free with purchases over £75. 

Their counter is filled with Christmas gift sets (I have my eye on quite a few) but my favourite part has got to be their display of best selling products as it's a fantastic way to get to know the brand.

And if that wasn't enough to celebrate the new counter Origins are hosting exciting promotions for the next three weeks. This week if you purchase a skincare item and trade in any product you get a full size Origins face mask free! (May I suggest the Drink Up Intensive - post here). 

Will you be making a trip to the new Origins counter?

The Launch Of Elnett Styling Sprays With Cheryl Cole @ O2!

A couple of nights ago, I headed over to the O2 centre for a very special event, Cheryl Cole's concert with backstage access thanks to the L'Oreal team, all in celebration of the new Elnett Styling Sprays. The very infamous Elnett, as seen on my Mother and Grandmother's dressing tables has recently brought out Styling Sprays which is the first time in 51 years Elnett has entered a new category! 

We were taken to a L'Oreal lounge where makeup was applied, hair was styled and drinks were consumed and continued to go and watch Cheryl's performance. Being a smokey eye lover myself, I did enable the zoom lense on my camera to spy on her gorgeous smokey eye, which no doubt was created by the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows I always rave about (post here). See the get the look below...

Back to the Styling Range! There are three styles to choose from, Straight, Volume or Curls. L'Oreal state protect up to 230 degrees while also offering three day hold (!!!). On top of that it promises to give hair definition, protect from humidity and tame flyways all in all sounding like a fantastic all round product! I'm extremely excited about trying the new Elnett Styling Sprays and no doubt will be reporting back shortly!

L'Oreal Paris Elnett Styling Spray will retail for £5.99 and will be available from the end of October

Beauty Mart Launch, Harvey Nichols

I'm not one for impulse posting but last night an event had me squealing with excitement and I couldn't wait to share! Beauty Mart founded by beauty industry insiders, Millie Kendall (of Ruby & Millie) & Anna Marie Solowij (former Vogue beauty director), is a new boutique that holds 'edited beauty', basically the best selling products of over 100 brands.

A very big buzz surrounded the launch purely because stocks of the highly sought after Bioderma Crealine H20 would be available for the first time in the UK, (I even heard one girl ask for 20 bottles) as well as other french pharmacy goodies, Embryolisse and Biafine. Not only have they brought over all the best products France has to offer but also Japan, including DHC Cotton Pads & Cotton Swabs. Choosing the best products around the world and placing them all on the 3rd floor of Harvey Nichols.

Bioderma which normally retails around €5 in France is currently being sold for £16.50 at Beauty Mart which places them on the higher end of Micellar Waters but this didn't seem to be holding anyone back as they were flying off the shelves last night! 

It really is so exciting seeing every product I love and adore in one place - especially ones that are hard to get hold of. Yes To Carrots Body Butter (post here), Melvita, Dr Lewins Renunail (post here), Balance Me Hand Cream (post here) to name a few, as well as so many exciting things I'd never even knew existed.

Beauty Mart seemed to have it all - hair, body and skincare sections as well as makeup stations for eyes lips and face. My favourite has got to be the 'Anna & Millie Love' wall full of their favourite bits - of which I did purchase quite a few which no doubt I'l let you know my thoughts on soon - Beauty Mart is definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!

www.beautymart.co

Event: An Evening With Frédéric Fekkai

Recently I headed over to the House Of Fraser for an event held in Cafe Zest, a masterclass & personal consultation with hair guru, Frédéric Fekkai. 

The event was held on the 23rd anniversary of the 1st Fekkai salon opening in New York!  Listening to Frédéric Fekkai speak was amazing, it was clear he's a very knowledgeable man with tons of tips & tricks to impart! He was absolutely filled with useful information and even better - he was more than happy to share it! He talked about his background, how he became so successful, what made him create his products and the steps for achieving perfect hair! 

Some of the information he shared in his class:

- He developed his hair care line based on skin care technology

- One thing that is not easy to have is hair shine, it makes your hair look good and it is the first thing people notice about your hair

- Dull hair causes are things like split ends, damage, pollution, colour, and chlorine

Fekkai mentioned three simple steps for perfect hair- 

1. Treatment - using shampoo & conditioner that is right for your hair

1. Drying - this step is very important for getting volume. Wait for your hair to be 50% damp and make sure you apply product only at the roots of the hair on he top of your head, not on the sides. If you apply it to the lengths and ends it will have the opposite effect by making your hair flat & weighing it down. Make sure to apply your product straight onto you hair, flip your hair upside down and only dry the roots. The result = amazing volume & very big hair!

3. Texture - work with the natural texture of your hair whether it's straight, curly or wavy and learn to enhance it. Finish with some Glossing Cream to seal your style

The Gorgeous May from Smooch Blog & Mr Fekkai! 

After the masterclass we had one on one consultations with Frédéric where he analysed our hair, telling us the exact products we should be using to improve our hair & achieve the look we wanted! We then received a booklet signed by him with the products he recommended inside! The products he recommended to me were - Brilliant Glossing Cream, Salon Technician Colour Care Shampoo, Salon Technician Colour Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask, Silky Straight Ironless Smooth Finish Serum, Full Blown Volume Styling Whip. 

We also received a gorgeous goody bag! Which contained, Full Blown Volume Shampoo & Conditioner, Essential Shea Ultra Rich Mask, Brilliant Glossing Cream, Colour Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask and mini bottles of the Brilliant Glossing Shampoo & Brilliant Glossing Cream!

Thank you House Of Fraser, Frédéric Fekkai & Team for putting together a wonderful & informative event!

You can keep up with the Fekkai team & upcoming events by following them on twitter here & you can check out their products here