The lights by TENA #noonetoldme campaign and why breaking women's health taboos is key

At the tail end of last year I tried an Insanity class for the very first time. It was challenging! Lots of leaping up and down, jogging on the spot, toe touching, sky reaching… you name it, as far as maximum intensity cardio training goes, it was there.

Part way through the session I had a ‘wee’ (you’ll get the significance shortly) oops! moment. A little embarrassing one, you know, an involuntary leakage. It was only very very slight but it was enough to freak me out. I was mortified to the point that I didn’t even mention it to my close mate who was with me (and we share most secrets).

I was reminded of this exercise-induced emmission a week last Sunday - at a ‘lights by TENA’ event I was attending at the health spa Champneys Springs, in Leicestershire (above picture, circuit training). Bloggers were gathered for a bootcamp and beauty treatments, and a presentation on the brand’s latest marketing campaign, #noonetoldme.

Science Meets Nature – Another Cracking Discovery Box From Naturisimo (Out Today!)

Naturisimo is marking the end of Organic Beauty Week with the launch of its latest discovery box – and it’s a cracker!

Out today, Science Meets Nature Discovery Box is a curated collection of eight premium brand natural skincare products, priced at £13.95 (inc delivery) but worth £67. 

A Hair Detox at Josh Wood Atelier – A Salon Like No Other

When the Josh Wood Atelier opened its doors in 2011 it was seen as the most innovative move in hair for decades. Out went the rule book of salons and in came something different.

NEW: Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation - Review

No one has a flawless complexion, though many of us strive to achieve one, particularly in this age of Snapchat filters and Instagram where everyone can ‘appear’ perfect.

With so many foundations, concealers and colour-correcting formulas on the market - some to diffuse redness, others to lift dullness - using makeup to create the perfect canvas has become a bit of an art form. Faces can resemble geographical relief maps before all the blending! But the trickery works…

… and if it’s trickery you’re after then Urban Decay has introduced some corkers. For Autumn the brand has released a new full coverage, long wear liquid foundation inspired by its cult All-Nighter setting spray. It follows the Spring launch of a range of colour correctors, which I’ve been testing out alongside for the complete ‘flawless’ finish (review comping up separately, shortly).

NEW: Clarins Extra-Firming Mask – My Skin's Early Morning Wake-Up Call!

The first thing that struck me about the new Clarins Extra-Firming Mask was the colour – it’s mauve. I have masks in all manner of colours but I do believe this is my first mauve one.

While aesthetically attractive, there is purpose behind the colour: mauve is recognised in chromotherapy for its relaxing benefits. And that is one of the key principles behind this mask: it’s designed to relieve tension and signs of fatigue, to reverse the chaos that today’s modern lifestyles reap on our skin!

Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser: Better than IPL? – Review (Part 1)

 

I'm back to last month: I'm sat in the garden of our holiday apartment in Denia, Spain. The sun is radiant, the breeze is up, and the pool is just a few steps away. Life doesn’t get much better than this.

And there’s one more thing that’s making me smile – I no longer have to shave my legs! That may seem trivial, but as someone ‘blessed’ with pale skin and dark hair, going on holiday always meant a daily ritual of shaving. 

Only a few years ago, a relative cheap and effective home treatment for stopping hair re-growth seemed nothing more than a pipe dream. Today, not only are at home permanent hair removal solutions a reality but there is choice, not just of brands but technology too: IPL or laser.

Holiday Empties – And Favourites!

Looking back, it was rather madcap. As I was packing to return home from Spain last year, I threw all of my empties in a suitcase and flew them back to the UK, ready to add to the rest of my August used-ups.

This year I photographed and disposed of (recycled where possible) everything before I left: much more sensible, and much more environmentally sound!

Bespoke Skincare – Trying Out A New Emerging Trend

One of the big emerging trends in skincare is for bespoke formulations. Long gone are the days when skin was crudely classified as either normal/dry, combination or oily. Beauty regimes have become equally more sophisticated, moving well beyond the simple "cleanse, tone and moisturise".

Customised skincare, though, is a big leap beyond. It’s skincare that’s been brewed to better meet the needs of our own person. While we’re not talking about formulas as distinct as our own DNA, we are talking about creams and serums that come in thousands of different combinations.

I liken it to an online dating service. Generally you’re asked to fill out a web survey about yourself, lifestyle habits and skincare preferences. The results are used to build a skin profile which is matched against the various formula combinations the brand has to offer.

Who’s doing it?
Romy Paris launched a solution last September, closely followed by Haute Custom Beauty. More recently Nu Skin has entered the fray, and it is their AgeLoc Me system that I have been trying out for the past month.

Summer Holiday Beauty – 7 Products That Came to My Rescue in Ways Unexpected

My Spanish hols are over for another year (boohoo!). Just after I got back last year, I blogged about my hero products. This time I'm doing the hero thing slightly differently - I’m writing about products that came to my rescue, only in ways I wasn't expecting...