Could You Be The New Face Of Colour Couture?

Colour Couture Reveal New High Definition Catwalk Collection at Clothes Show Live and Launch Competition to Find New Cover Girl

Do you fancy the chance to be the cover model for a global, best-selling product?  One lucky aspiring model has the opportunity to win Colour Couture's national competition.

To promote the competition, the Colour Couture team will be using the latest augmented reality technology to enable visitors to The Clothes Show Live 2011, at the NEC, the chance to become instant cover girl billboard stars live at the show - putting them on the first step to becoming a top model!

The cover girl competition will give the winning entrant a professional model experience, including full make-over, styling, photo shoot and portfolio pictures. The lucky winner will see herself on products stocked in high street stores across the world and enjoy a complete set of Catwalk Collection Colour Couture Cosmetics.

Entrants can also download the Colour Couture Cover Girl iPhone app to create and upload their winning headshot or visit Colour Couture Cosmetics’ Facebook competition page.

A shortlist will be chosen based on the entrants who have received the most public votes or ‘Likes’ via Facebook. The final 20 will be judged by Colour Couture’s expert panel of judges from the world of fashion, beauty and TV. The winner will be judged on her personality, style and character and will be announced in January 2012.

Competition judge Stephanie Finnan, author and fashion careers expert, say's “This is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a break into a very tough industry and who wants to have fun and learn more about professional modelling. The judges involved will all provide the winner with a wealth of experience and advice and it is a great chance to get a rising star noticed”.

Creative Director for Colour Couture, Paul Salmon added “To celebrate the launch of our new High Definition cosmetics range and Cover Girl competition, for a limited time we are offering all web purchases over £20 an exclusive free cosmetic gift.”

The Competition is open to anyone 16 or over. Visit: www.facebook.com/colourcouturecosmetics for more information.

Visit the Colour Couture stand at The Clothes Show Live, Birmingham NEC, 2-7 December 2011


So come on girls strike a pose and get entering.  If any of my readers enter this competition then please let me know so that I can vote for.  Good luck you gorgeous girls.

Laptop Trays From KIco

I don't know about you but I spend an unhealthy amount of time on my lap top.  A few weeks ago I noticed a reddish/purple mark on my left leg, it didn't take long to work out that this little mark was caused by the heat emitted from my lap top.  I decided that I needed a lap top tray, I had a look in the usual High Street stores and couldn't see anything that I really liked.  I then had a rummage around the internet and found a fabulous site that had an array of lap top tray designs and also gave you the option of designing your own.  I toyed with the idea of having a tray with a photograph of my blog on it, but eventually came up with this :-

As you can see there is a bean bag attached to the bottom of the tray.  It is very lightweight and really comfortable once on your lap.

I purchased this one for my daughter.

This one is from their standard stock range and she absolutely loves it.

I paid £25.99 for the Batman tray and £28.99 for the Custom Keep Calm Tray.  P&P is £3.76 and I think this is regardless of how many trays you order.  I placed my order last Wednesday evening and the trays arrived on Saturday morning.

So, if you're struggling for present ideas why not pop over to www.kico-laptrays.co.uk

The Winner of The MAC Eye Shadow and Lipstick is..............

There were 211 correct entries into my giveaway.  Random Org selected entry number 177 and the winner is................

SKINSCRUBS

@Skinscrubs

Can you please email me and let me know your choice of Lipstick and Eye Shadow shade from The MAC website I will then order your chosen items and have them delivered directly to you.

PLEASE NOTE:- I will not be sending any emails in relation to this giveaway, if you receive an email in relation to this giveaway giving you an opportunity to win a consolation prize, please do not click on the link as it will be a virus/spam email.

Thank you to everyone who entered and look out for a special giveaway at the end of December when the winner will win something special purchased from my upcoming trip to New York.

The Pure Emporia Winter Skincare Collection

This post is from The Pure Emporia, a website created for you to buy all your natural and organic skincare products in one place.  The website is very informative and there is even a section telling you which ingredients to avoid.  So without further ado, read The Pure Emporia recommendations on how to care for your skin during the winter months.

Autumn has arrived after finally pushing out the last of the summer sun, and can’t we feel the difference. Along with the Autumn leaves falling, the cold wind and the heating being turned on comes with it a change in our skincare routines.

Whether you spend your whole life in doors or outside, the changing of the seasons will have an effect on your skin.

In addition to the cold, windy outdoor air, your skin will also respond to the drier indoor atmosphere that results from the heating, fireplace and other heat sources that suck humidity from the air.

The way that winter affects your skin depends on your skin type as well as the severity of the weather where you live. It’s all about understanding what your skin needs to look and feel good. Even if you’ve never noticed any visible changes in your skin with the changing seasons, your skin can respond differently to seasons as you age or if you are going through other changes such as medication or stress.

The cooling of outside temperatures, the wind and then the addition of indoor heating may lead to dry itchy skin. While many will reach for extra moisturiser this may not be the only answer:

Exfoliate:

Often! Regular exfoliation enhances your skin’s ability to absorb moisturiser. You may want to do this just on your face, but your whole body will benefit from a regular exfoliation after wearing all of those thick winter clothes. Try the award winning Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser to keep your face looking smooth and wrinkle free.

Ingredients

Use the most natural product that you can buy. Many of the chemicals added to your skincare and beauty products can actually cause dry skin, excema, psoriasis and a whole myriad of other side effects. By avoiding these you will be doing yourself a big favour. All of the products sold at The Pure Emporia are checked for ‘nasty’ ingredients so that you don’t have to worry about them.

Lotions with Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil and Avocado Oil, are ideal for your body.  Erbaviva Breathe Body Lotion with Almond Oil is perfect to nourish and moisturise your skin during the winter. Avoid irritating minerals and chemicals, such as alcohol based toners if you have sensitive or dry skin as they can take away your natural oils. Mind you, I would say to avoid irritating minerals and chemicals at any time of the year!

Cleanse

With really sensitive skin opt for a milk or foaming cleanser and an alcohol free toner. You should find these to be gentler and less drying on your skin. Try Suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser, a luxurious hydrating cleanser for your face.

Moisturise

Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body from the inside. But you also need to look after the outside:

Eyes

Sunglasses and a hydrating eye cream are a must for the winter season if you want to keep your eye area from lines and wrinkles. Try Kimia Precious Eye Serum an intense eye serum that penetrates the skin to reduce lines and wrinkles.

Lips

Lips can get really dehydrated during winter months. To protect from dehydration always keep a hydrating lip balm close by. Look for balms made with Beeswax or Shea Butter such as Balm Balm Rose Geranium Lip Balm in a pot.

Face

Moisturise as regularly as your skin needs it. You may need to use a thicker moisturiser such as a night cream or a facial serum such as Essential Care Superfruit Concentrate to ensure that your skin gets the moisture it needs.

Cover

When applied to dry, winter skin, foundation can appear caked and flakey. To avoid this parched appearance, always apply face makeup following moisturiser and even add a bit of lotion to your liquid foundation to help maintain all day hydration. If you would rather have a more natural appearance then Suki Tinted Moisturiser contains grapeseed and jojoba oils to maintain moisture levels but also gives that natural even skin tone appearance.

Wash

Stick with creamy moisturising cleansers to keep your skin hydrated. Avoid alcohol based soaps if you are sensitive as these will only dry your skin. Try Erbaviva Breathe Body Wash for a refreshing bath or shower.

Don’t forget to keep the water cool and your shower short to avoid dehydrating your skin. Hot baths, however nice will only dry your skin.

Now hopefully, you will be looking hydrated and gorgeous for the coming festive season.


Go and have a look at the vast array of natural products available for all members of your family at www.thepureemporia.com you can also follow them on Twitter 

£500 worth of Orly Nail Polish! Now That's What I call a Giveaway

Do you ladies have space for another 50 bottles of Nail Polish? You do?  Then this giveaway is for you.

Click *like* on the Orly Facebook Page or *tweet* the above tweet to the Orly Twitter Page

MAC Eye Shadow & Lipstick Giveaway Reminder

Don't forget my MAC One Year Blogoversay Giveaway ends on 23rd November 2011

for details please click HERE

Good luck everyone xxx

Refuge's 40th Birthday - Forty Years Against Domestic Violence

Refuge is celebrating it's 40th year against Domestic Violence.  They have a birthday wish list and your support could help more than you could ever know.

Refuge is a charity that is very close to my own heart.  As some of you may or may not know, when I am not blogging about all things beauty, I work as a civillian investigator for my local police force.  In my role I investigate allegations of Domestic Abuse and deal with perpetrators and victims of Domestic Abuse on a daily basis.  I know first hand about the outstanding work that Refuge does and I also know that without them offering their services the lives of many women and children would be in serious danger.

Securing funds for Refuge is becoming more difficult in this economic climate and there is a real risk that their already meagre funds will be cut even further as local authorities make even more budget cuts.  The implications of this do not bear thinking about.

A few weeks ago I dealt with a perpetrator who had beaten and strangled his partner, after he left the property she managed to contact the police and he was arrested.  Because he denied the offence in interview and gave an account of how her injuries were caused, the Crown Prosecution Service would not give me an immediate charging decision, because of this decision I had no option but to release him from custody on bail for further enquiries to made.  Refuge was called upon to provide safe and secure accommodation for the victim, as I felt that she was in immediate danger from the perpetrator.

Without Refuge this victim and countless others would be in extreme danger from their violent partners.

So how can you help to ensure that this wonderful organisation is able to continue offering this invaluable service to women and children around the country?  Well, there of lots of ways you can help out, including:-

Skydive

Buy a Christmas present for a woman or child in one of the refuges from John Lewis on Gift List 478985

Text a donation by texting REFU40 £2 to 70070 (text any amount from £1 to £10)

There are lots of other ways to raise money and support this very worthy cause.  Just visit www.refuge.org.uk

Hopefully none of you will ever need to call upon the services of Refuge, but please spare a thought for the 1 in 4 women that are suffering Domestic Abuse on a daily basis!

Anything that you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.

If you or someone you know is suffering from any form of Domestic Abuse then please go to the Refuge Get Help Now Page

Yes To Carrots Feel The C Pampering Spa Manicure

No time for a salon Manicure?  No Problem! Yes to Carrots Feel The C Pampering Spa Manicure is the answer.  This product claims to exfoliate, smooth and hydrate just like a professional spa.  It contains dead Sea Salts, Organic Carrot, Fig, Jojoba, Almond and Olive Oil to nourish even the driest skin.

At this time of year our hands need all the help they can get.

Once mixed this product has a beautiful consistency, just the right ratio of oil to scrub.  Just place one teaspoonful in the palm of your hand and then gently massage as if washing your hands, pay particular attention to the cuticle area, rinse hands and pat dry, then massage in your  favourite hand cream.

It smells absolutely wonderful and feels really nourishing.  Once rinsed away hands look and feel amazing.  I've been using this product 2 or 3 times a week and it has really helped to keep the dryness at bay.   I have also used this product on my feet and elbows.  It's perfect as a pre tanning treatment.

There are no preservatives and no nasties in this product.

Feel The C is available at www.victoriahealth.com and retails at £13.40 for a huge 250ml pot.



*PR Sample

Free Shampoo & Conditioner From Klorane. UPDATE - OFFER CLOSED

Apparently the below offer is now CLOSED due to an overwhelming response.  It would also appear that all bloggers were mislead into believing that Klorane would be sending out full size products, they have now confirmed that they will be sample sizes only!!  Sorry about this lovelies.

Yes that's right, a free shampoo and conditioner worth £12.50 when you register at the Klorane website.

This offer is only open to UK residents.  Just click HERE to register and your free gift will be sent to you.

Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice, Beetle Juice, Models Own New Collection

I love that film, I think I love this collection of nail polishes more though!

I ordered the whole collection yesterday and was thrilled when they arrived this morning.  Without further ado let's see what all the fuss is about and whether or not the polishes live up to the hype.

All the above swatches have no top coat, they applied like a dream, consistency is not too thick and they are all shown with 3 coats.  I love all of them but I think my favourite at the moment is the Aqua Violet, absolutely gorgeous.

I purchased all 5 of the polishes from Models Own Website and I got all 5 polishes and a base and top coat for £20 plus £2.95 postage, a huge saving of £10

Will you be purchasing Beetle Juice and which one is your favourite?  Let me know in the comments.

Star With Cheryl In The New L'ORÉAL Paris Casting Créme Gloss Advert

Cast Yourself alongside Cheryl in the next L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss advert

L’Oréal Paris is looking for three girls to star in the next Casting Crème Gloss advert alongside spokesmodel, Cheryl Cole. From 31 October to 27th November, fans of Casting Crème Gloss will be able to cast themselves in the role of either: deep brunette, fiery redhead or honey blonde.

To enter visit http://www.facebook.com/LOrealParisUK and click on the application button which appears on the left hand side of the page, follow the steps to enter and upload a picture of yourself then ask friends and family to cast their vote from the 28^thNovember to 4^th December 2011.

The most popular brunettes, redheads and blondes will be shortlisted for a L’Oréal Paris Casting Day where you will receive a makeover by our hair & makeup artists in preparation for a live audition, in front of a panel of judges. This will be your chance to go in front of the camera and tell us why you love Casting Crème Gloss. And yes, you can even utter those famous words, "Because you're worth it!'

The winners will then be chosen to appear in an exclusive new L’Oréal Paris advert alongside Cheryl. Who knows, you could be the next colour crush!

Let me know if you enter the competition so that I can vote for you.