CEW Achiever Awards 2014 - The Beauty Oscars

 Last Thursday, 20th November, I was delighted to attend what in the beauty industry is known as the 'Beauty Oscars'. One night a year a board of women within the beauty industry come together to honour and recognise talent within the industry with the CEW Achiever Awards. We were greeted by champagne and canapés under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights and joined the crowd, which was buzzing with excitement. 

I could identify a few of the big wigs in the room; Chris Good of Estee Lauder, my idol Charlotte Tilbury and a gaggle of big brands and retailers. I felt a little out of place and a bit awkward as the waiter noticed I was a feeder and kept bringing over delicious treats. 

We were ushered into the ballroom for the awards ceremony to begin and I have to say that CEW had done an amazing job. The decor looked incredible and I was so excited to see all the women I admire and aspire to go up to collect their awards. This year we had some amazing people recognised. 

CEW LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARD 2014

This is the big one and it was so well delivered! The woman who is just as famous for her hair as her incredible talents. This year’s winner, Suzy Menkes, was appointed Fashion Editor of the London Evening Standard at age 24 and over three decades, her reviews and insights have appeared in the world’s leading press titles and currently reach over 38 million people on 19 Vogue international websites. Her acceptance speech was heartfelt and inspiring, something I hope to have. 

“The difference between passing fashion and lasting beauty was written in the words of Avedon himself. ‘If you do what I have done, which is to record the beauty of your time, that doesn't go out of fashion,’ he said. 

I would like to thank the CEW and Caroline Neville, for giving me - a fashion editor - a lifetime award for understanding that fashion is transient - but beauty is eternal.” 
Suzy Menkes, International Vogue Editor. 

Other award winners were -

CEW ACHIEVER AWARDS 2014 - 

Céline Gilg - General Manager UK and Ireland, Tom Ford Beauty

Debbie Ansell - UK Head of Beauty, World Duty Free Group

Charlotte Tilbury - Founder and Creative Director, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

Lisa Smosarski - Editor, Stylist Magazine 

CEW SPECIAL INDUSTRY AWARD 2014 - Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods.

CEW MEMBERS' ACHIEVER AWARD 2014 - Mia Collins, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Beauty at Harrods.

CEW DIGITAL ACHIEVER AWARD sponsored by Google - Claire Vero, founder of the award winning Aurelia Probiotic Skincare.

It was an emotional evening for the Achiever Award recipients and their families, I was welling up after almost every speech!  We headed off into the chilly winter night and I slipped into the warm back seat of a taxi off to bedfordshire. 

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Clinique Fresh Bloom in Almond Blossom Review

With winter really closing in and the weather becoming so blergh, I like to inject a subtle bronze sheen to my cheeks. Being so pale it is to easy to look constantly sick so I find a dab of blusher or a sweep of bronzer can really make a face. 

I have been using the Clinique Fresh Bloom in Almond Blossom for a while. Such love for it has resulted in a repurchase and I am now on my third one. It is just so pretty! 

Blush on left side | Right side nothing

What they say: Long-wearing powder creates a sheer, subtle radiance that looks fresh, stays fresh. Sweep over face for an allover luminous glow, or brush on cheekbones to highlight.

What I say: What is not to love with this bronzer? The packaging is super cute with the floral design and the tiny shimmer particles really makes the skin glow. I also find that the colour is really buildable and highlights all of the right places. This wouldn't make a good contour powder, stick to matte shades for that. But if you want to bring some warmth to the cheeks and temples then this is the powder for you! If you would like me to swatch it then let me know, I totally forgot! 

Fresh Bloom All Over Face Colour, £26.00

What is your favourite bronzer? Let me know in the comments! 

Stay beautiful

xoxo

p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving

Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Foundation Review

Sorry guys but I have been with holding a secret from you, I have a new foundation love. Now it isn't one you may expect. I raved about my Clinique CC Cream in this post (here), but I have been wearing this one alone for a month now. It is the Joan Collins Timeless Beauty First Base Foundation*, didn't know she had a make up range? Well you do now! 

The foundation shades are slightly confusing and even using the colour guide which suggested Cool Fair it was too yellow, so Warm Fair was my perfect match. 

What they say: Re-AgeTM Complex charges the skin with youthful energy, to help increase collagen levels. Light on the skin with excellent adhesion. Includes Hyaluronic Acid & UV filters. Paraben & fragrance free.

Half with Joan Collins Foundation | Half without 

Whole face using only Joan Collins Foundation

What I say: The Joan Collins Timeless Beauty First Base Foundation*is very light and silky, it applies flawlessly with a brush and I found that the colour adapts to my skin tone really well. It also lasts through out the day and doesn't go patchy or sink into fine lines. I actually prefer this as my day foundation to my usual Estee Lauder or Clinique ones. I also love the Loose Finishing Powder from her range that I use to set the look and stop shine coming through. It is super light and super translucent. As you can see I have applied it to half of my face and it looks amazing! 

Thanks Joanie, big hit from me!

Joan Collins Timeless Beauty First Base Foundation, £25.00

Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Impeccable Finish Loose Powder, £24.00

Have you tried anything from the Joan Collins Timeless Beauty collection?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving

Wild About Beauty Line & Define Liner Pen Review

Today I am talking eye liner and there seems to be a lot of mystery about creating a famous flick. I am not so skilled in this department, having repeatedly over drawn using Bobbi Brown Gel and stabbing myself in the eye while I tight line, it just seemed it wasn't for me. I am not sure how I even came to own this product, it just appeared in the huge black hole of my make up draws. But holly grail of all black liners, my goodness is it bloody good!

What is this magic product I hear you ask?!  The Wild About Beauty Line & Define Liner Pen!!!!

When I did a little research into the brand for this post I was surprised to see it was co created by Louise Redknap, or my idol from the 80s 'wrap your arms around the world ey ey ey' song - you 80s kids will know what I'm talking about! The brand is all about harnessing the power of nature to create skin loving, high performing products. 

The Wild About Beauty Line & Define Liner Pen is enriched with Camomile Water to sooth and protect the delicate eye area; great for my sensitive eyes! The tip is long and sturdy to give a precise line that gives a true black finish. I also like that the ink is not matte, so it leaves a high fashion gloss that I love. The liner easily applies over cream and powder eyeshadow without losing intensity and it has made flick creating so much easier. It almost acts like a stain that lasts all day and is easily removed with a makeup wipe or cleanser and that is a huge plus for me.

So here is how I use it:

1. Starting at the inside corner of the eye lightly draw along the lash line towards the outside edge.

2. I like to then look straight in a mirror and where the end of my eyebrow is. I pull the skin upwards and draw a line from the desired point back towards the eyelid.

3. Even out the connecting lines and alter the thickness of the lines, graphic or natural - you decide!

4 Voila! A quick method without having to keep dipping into a pot, the gel drying out or having to wash brushes.

Compared to drugstore eye liners perhaps it is a little pricey. But I have been using it for the last few months every day with no sign of it drying out and I feel it is worth the price.

 Wild About Beauty Line & Define Liner Pen, £14.50

Do you have any tips for drawing the perfect flick? Leave a comment

Stay beautiful
xoxo

p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving

Louis Vuitton Private Apartment

I was lucky enough to be invited with my lovely friend Jo to have afternoon tea at the Louis Vuitton private apartments on London's Bond Street. The luxury apartment is a quiet, peaceful space where VIP customers can come to shop in seclusion and opulence.

We were ushered through the store by a smart man in a suit who showed us to a panelled wall that housed the elevator. Inside it was really dark with the iconic patters carved into mirrored glass. Once we arrived at the apartment were greeted with a glass of Champagne and shown to the large sofa where we were joined by the Head of Ready to Wear to talk about all things LV. The apartment contained many one off sculptures by Frank Gehry, my favourite of which was a light sculpture of leaping fish. The furnishings were a mixture of the classic dark chocolate and caramel brown to compliment the brands well known print. 

I have to admit my glass was never empty and the little cakes we where given were sublime! Feeling a little merry and full of bubbles I asked our guide a few questions on the iconic LV. Louis Vuitton offer a special made service where customers can commission one of a kind pieces which can never be reproduced. The craziest one being a working shower contained in the iconic Louis Vuitton trunk and one LV obsessed customer has decked out her entire London apartment in the LV branded leather. 

Unfortunately I only had an hour to spare on this occasion and it was with regret we had to dash off in to the rain with the promise we would be back in the New Year for more bubbles, cake and Louis Vuitton classics.

What do you think of this wonderful place?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving

Book Review | Autumn Reading List

Found on Pintrest

Summer seems like a distant memory, with the nights drawing in and fires being lit. I like to read a good book snuggled up with a cuppa next to a crackling fire. Not exactly possible in my flat in London, but you get the point. So if you like the sound of that then here are two books I recommend and one that is total cack! 

1. The Silk Worm by Robert Gailbraith (4/5)

A private detective is hired to discover the whereabouts of a missing semi famous writer, the journey leads to adultery, murder and intrigue.

What I say: By now we all know this is a JK Rowling alias, some of you may have read the first book The Cuckoo's Calling. I would recommend reading the first one before getting stuck into this one, I often couldn't remember back stories of characters and I found it a little annoying trying to rack my brains as to who had done what.  On the whole I really enjoyed the book. There are plenty of twists and turns which keeps you guessing on every page and I didn't see the end coming. So parts I found didn't really link up with the plot, but I have a feeling this may become clear in further books JK produces. There is a mild amount of violence, but no more than say a Miss Marple book. I loved this book and found it hard to put down through out!

2. The Girl Who Just Appeared by Jonathan Harvey (a big fat 0/5)

When the main character's adoptive parents pass away Holly is set on a journey to discover the identity of her biological parents. She gives up her boyfriend, home and job to move to Liverpool on the hunt for her past.

What  I say: I was annoyed I wasted money on this book having been recommended it by Heat magazine, have to say it is total cack! The book is split into two narratives and I often found the account of the Liverpudlian character annoying and it dragged. Plus the ending was rubbish, I wont spoil it if you do read it...

3. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (5/5)

A child princess is brought up deep in a far off wood in secret, as evil hunts her down. On Kelsea's 19 birthday she must ascend the thrown and become queen. But with dark magic at every turn and plots of her assassination heavy on the air, she must defeat the powers of the Red Queen, who is out to destroy her. 

What I say: If you are a fan of The Hunger Games mixed with a sprinkle of the hit BBC TV show Merlin, then this book will be right up your street. I didn't want to put it down and there are plenty of twists to keep you interested. This is the first part in a trilogy and I for one cant wait for the next instalment!

Have you read any of these book? 

Stay beautiful

xoxo

p.s don't forget to follow me on Blogloving