Reiss Parfums: Grey Flower

I was more than intrigued when British fashion house Reiss decided to take a dip into the perfume pool. Having previously worked with the brand on a styling project, I can say that the Reiss customer is someone who looks for pieces that are luxurious and modern but affordable - these are all factors that I was expecting from their debuting fragrance collection.

Launching this Autumn is Grey Flower for Women and Black Oudh for Men. On first whiff these are two very bespoke fragrances,  I am not opposed to wearing aftershave (heck they often stay on longer than perfume!) but after smelling Grey Flower I instantly knew it was the one for me! Musky and spicy in equal amounts; the Armoise and Pimento Berry balance out Sequiona Wood, Jasmine Noir (my fave!)and Cocoa Leaf to create a deep fragrance that is powerful and feminine.

The perfume is housed in a modern metallic bottle that is simple but classic - which reflects the artisan approach to design that Reiss are known for. Also you may have noticed that my bottle is engraved! This is an exclusive at Selfridges and makes the perfect touch if you are gifting this fragrance.


If are on the lookout for an Autumnal fragrance then definitely give this a try! It's currently exclusive to Selfridges but will be hitting Reiss stores nationwide from September 26th 2013.

Backstage Beauty: NYFW S/S '14

From the Mullevays bringing back the ultimate downtown LA look with printed hair extensions and sharp winged liner (think Nicole Richie circa 2001) to a punchy matte orangey/red lip at Parbal Gurung, New York served up some beauty wonders. I will be rounding up my fave beauty this show season along with the notes on the products used backstage!

Rodarte
Make up 

Radiant Cream Compact Foundation
Nars Brow Gel
Radiant Creamy Concealer
Larger Than Life Eyeliner & Larger Than Life Mascara
Floralies Satin Lip Pencil
Matte Multiples in Anguilla and Altai

Hair

Frize-Ease Flawless Finishing Creme

Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse 

Finish with a side-part and don't forget about the zebra print extensions!

Philip Lim

Make up

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer & Illuminator 

The Multiple in Luxor 

Duo Eyeshadow in Iceland

Hair

Twin Curl

Grip Super Hold Mousse

Elastic Hair Spray

The look: Tie the hair like you would a shoe lace.

Alexander Wang

Make up

Aqua Gel Moisturizer

NARS Concealer 

The Secret... the brows were brushed using a lip balm.

Hair

Redken Quick Tease

Redken Powder Refresh - for a matte finish.

The look: Think au natural hair, avoid beach waves and head down the '90s tousled hair route with lots of volume.

Prabal Gurung 
Make up

MAC Coffee Eye Pencil
MAC What a Blast Lip Pencil & MAC Orange Lipmix

The look: The bold lip is everything. Charlotte Tilbury ditched mascara and blush to create a look that was fresh and modern.

Hair

OSiS Hair Spray
OSiS Sparkler Shine Spray

With show season in full swing look out for more backstage beauty bits....

*images courtesy of Vogue.co.uk 

Beauty Hotspots: Berkeley Health Club & Spa

When visiting the one-of-a-kind fashion trunk at the Berkeley hotel (one for all you vintage mavens!) I was taken for a tour around their Health Club and Spa.

Within seconds I was taken out of the hustle and bustle of London and transported into what felt like the English countryside. The experience was complimented by a scorching London day and what better way to cool off than heading over to the open-air pool and secret garden with a skyline view! - a swim whilst being able to see the Shard, what more can you ask for...

A spa day wouldn't be complete without a massage and the 85 minute Bamford Body massage (that includes shiatsu, meridian and swedish massage, yup you read that correct!) is right up my street. Along with the massage I also have my eye on the OSKIA facial which helps illuminate the complexion, the perfect post summer pick me up. I have already planned a trip with mummy the next time she is in London and of course I have to treat her to Prêt-à-portea afternoon tea....

Monday Must-have: & Other Stories Bouclé Greige Nail Polish

The key to finding a subtle polish shade is knowing the difference between what the colour looks like in the bottle and how it will look on your skin. And as someone with tanned skin this can be somewhat of an issue!

The latest shade to strike my fancy is Bouclé Greige from & Other Stories. On first instance the formula is quite thin but with a little help from the thick brush and a second coat, I managed to achieve the ultimate barely-there shade. I think it's safe to say that the & Other Stories obsession is becoming an issue but at £5 a pop can you really say no?!

August Beauty Favourites

Let's kick off August favourites with my new love, Aesop! I have heard numerous bloggers raving about the Aesop Parsley Seed Masque, but at £27 I was hesitant to buy a product from a brand that I hadn't ever used. First things first, the sales assistant at Liberty's couldn't have been more helpful and it did help that she threw in a few free testers! She recommended the masque for skin that is exposed to a harsh air-conned environment that needs deep cleansing/ a good-clear out a couple of times a week. A 15 min application leaves my skin feel squeaky clean, fresh and ready for bed (I normally do face masks in the evening) and major snaps for the scent and smooth application (none of this messy clay business!)

I have been gearing up for my fave season Autumn since the start of August and along with updating my new season wardrobe comes with breaking out the darker polish shades. Last year, greens and greys were my go-to's and I think my palette will pretty much stay the same! I picked up Power Clutch by Essie which is a great combo of the two and adds a pop of colour to my neutral colour dressing!

The days of pumping my hair with moose to only find that post blow dry it can feel a tad tacky are definitely over. The guys over at Percy & Reed have created a product that is the right equilibrium of something that is light and holds body, but still allows your hair to move naturally. A few pumps of the Bodying Cream on damp hair followed by the classic messy blow dry creates some serious volume.

Chirstopher Bailey can do no wrong. Along with being one of my fave British designers, the beauty collection from Burberry is on another level. My first purchase came in aid of being on the hunt for the ultimate nude lipstick and the shade Anitque Rose was the only one that stood out against the thousands of swatches that had been slapped on my hand. The formula is very moisturising and finishes off my barely-there make up look perfectly. But what makes this product so special is the packaging - the classic Burberry print and magnetic case, enough said.

And my non-beauty fave this month has to be the Polar FT4! This watch does lack glam but being a little bit of a fitness freak it is perfect for when I am doing a group class and don't have the cardio monitor that is on machines - not that I believe what they record is true anyway!