Review & Swatches - Mally Brow Fix in Taupe

Mally's Brow Fix claims to be a "one-step tool" to tame, shape and colours brows to frame the face beautifully. In a bullet crayon formula, it combines natural waxes and colured powders.  It is priced at £21.50 + delivery from QVCUK, but frequently features in special value kits too.

This is An Affair to Remember

I remember the first time I watched Deborah Kerr in a Saturday afternoon Matinee showing of the glorious An Affair to Remember.  I fell in love with the film, its urbane, witty, stylish elegant stars and the story of understatement, misunderstandings and enduring love.

So I wouldn't want the name An Affair to Remember to be used inappropriately, without consideration for its heritage.  I need not have worried, bareminerals An Affair to Remember Ready Palette is the most romantic, stylish (and just plain) lovely palette that evokes the style and romance of the original.  Encased in a luxurious rose-gold toned mirror-finish case, this palette contains 8 gorgeous, wearable baremineral shades in plums, lavenders and rosey blushes. 

Foods For Hair, Skin & Nail Health

In the news today is research from University College London that eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day is healthier than the five currently recommended and would prolong lives (source: BBC News).

I am a strong advocate of the all-round health benefits of a varied diet of vegetables and fruit, and I am not surprised that researchers have found that in the case of fruit and veg, “more is more”.  Intensive farming methods and long food miles mean that vegetables and fruits often contain far fewer nutrients now compared to 40-50 years ago. For example, iron in watercress is 80% lower, calcium in broccoli is 50% and the same for pineapples; the vitamin C in cauliflower is 40% less and sweet peppers are 30% lower.  So we now need to eat far more of these to achieve the same nutritional intake as previously.

Low Cholesterol Granola Breakfast Foods

October is National Cholesterol Month for HEARTUK, the Cholesterol Charity. They have launched their Great Cholesterol Challenge, where they want you to treat your heart by pledging to adopt a new healthy habit, and raise funds for HEART UK at the same time! It's very easy to get involved, there are lots more details here.

There are all sorts of healthy habits that you can adopt and they don’t have to be hard.  My friend Milly White, who written an excellent cookbook on low cholesterol diets, has suggested a super easy one – why not swap your regular morning breakfast to a delicious Homemade Healthy Heart Granola, packed full of cholesterol-lowering superfoods? It's Suitable for Vegetarians, Gluten Free, Dairy Free and can be made Vegan too.  You can find her low cholesterol recipe here, it makes 31 servings - enough for breakfast daily during HEARTUK's October's National Cholesterol Month.  Pop over to here blog and have a look, it is very yummy!

Review of Champneys Henlow Health Spa

I started visiting Champneys Henlow Health Spa nearly 25 years ago, when it was known then as Henlow Grange Health Farm and run by the indomitable Mrs Purdew.  It was my first residential spa experience, and one that has been oft repeated.  Subsequently, I have regularly stayed at all four of the UK’s Champneys resort spas, but Champneys Henlow has a special place in my heart and still remains a firm favourite for a great value-for-money UK spa break. 

Laura Geller QVC May TSVs – US vs UK Side-by-side Comparison

So, within a week of each other, Laura Geller is bringing two Summer-themed TSVs to QVC UK and QVC US, how do they compare?

From Terrible Trotters to Terrific Tootsies - A Review of the Microplane XL-Pro Foot File Rasp

If  (like me) you feel that your feet more often resemble a pair of old trotters rather than a set delightful tootsies, then read my review of the Microplane Foot File Rasp, your feet will thank you!

I've had hard skin on my feet for as long as I can remember and I have tried almost everything - from liquid exfoliants that you soak onto the skin and then scrap off, to pumice stones to other types of abrasive foot buffers. However, once I tried the Microplane Foot File, my search was over.  

Far Too Faux - Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Review

Are you of the same age as me, old enough to remember the awful early days of fake tan?  I can clearly remember in my early teens in the early '80s, and a school friend turned up for swimming looking like an orange zebra.  Things are meant to have moved on since then but ......
The product claims:

• Look like you've spent a day at the beach without exposure to the sun's harmful rays. A mineral copper complex prolongs the tanning effects, while aloe vera and vegetable-derived emollients provide hydration so skin feels soft and smooth.
• Say goodbye to streaks: you see the colour as you're applying it, so you'll know exactly where to put more or if you've missed a spot
• Natural-based formula moisturises, hydrates and defends skin with aloe vera and emollients
• Doesn't clog the pores or irritate skin
• Want to look like you've basked in the sun longer? Build a deeper tan by reapplying.

I must declare upfront that I am very fair, my arms and legs in particular are blue-white in skin tone.  My preference for my colouring is therefore a very light, golden tan colour with definitely no orange.  

How was it for me?

Sneak Peek - QVC TSVs 23 June - 29 June

Let's take a look at next week's Beauty TSVs on QVCUK.com and QVC.com with TSVs from Leighton Denny and in both the US and UK, Perricone MD

Leighton Denny 8 Piece Collection TSV 26 June

• 4 Colour Polishes (4 x 12ml)
• Crystal Finish (12ml)
• Best Defense Hand and Nail Cream
• Remove and Go Polish Remover (60ml) 
• Correct & Perfect On The Go in 3 options

Item number 205455

Perricone MD 4 Piece Advanced Anti Ageing Collection 27 June

• Photo Plasma 59ml 
• Nutritive Cleanser177ml 
• Blue Plasma Orbital 15ml 
• Cold Plasma 30ml 

Item number 205391

Over in US on QVC.com, there is also a different Perricone TSV this coming week: 

Perricone MD Supersize Neuropeptide Firming System for Face TSV 28 June

Supersize Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer 4 fl oz)
Neuropeptide Facial Cream 2.5 fl oz

Item No A252421 $199.86 +  $9.72 S+H, auto-delivery Item No A259300 with Bonus 1-oz Neuropeptide Night Cream







Advance notification of QVC UK item numbers and some of the details courtesy of Ian Burkitt, with permission

Sneak Peeks - QVC TSVs 16 June - 22 June 2014

Let's have a sneak peek of next week's TSV on QVCUK.com and QVC.com

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Duo TSV 17 June

• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 1 Litre 
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 150ml

Item number 204914

L'Occitane 5 Piece Almond TSV 22 June

• Almond Shower Oil 500ml 
• Almond Eco Shower Oil Refill 500ml 
• Almond Milk Veil 250ml
• Almond Hand Cream 30ml
• Almond Soap 50g

Over on QVC.com next week, there are 

Peter Thomas Roth 16 June

IT Cosmetics It's All About You - 5 Piece Customer Favorites TSV 21 June

• Brow Power Universal Eye Pencil 0.0056-oz 
• Silverplush Heavenly Luxe Dual-Ended Complexion Perfection Brush
• CC+ Radiance Palette 0.66-oz  containing Radiant Light brightening powder, matte Blush in love, matte Bronzer in warmth
• Anti-Ageing Celebration Foundation 0.30-oz 
• Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Concealer 0.28 fl-oz 

In choice of foundation colours Fair (Light concealer), Light, Medium (Medium concealer), Tan (Medium concealer), or Rich (Deep concealer)

Item No A255578  $59.96 + $7.22 (S+H), auto-delivery Item No A259059 $59.96 + $7.22 (S+H), but future shipments will not have brush

Advance notification of QVC UK item numbers and some of the details courtesy of Ian Burkitt, with permission

Sneak Peeks - QVC TSVs 9 June - 15 June 2014

Let's have a sneak peek of next week's TSV on QVCUK.com.

Ultrasun 4 Piece Glimmer & Glow Collection

• Ultrasun Face SPF 30 50ml
• Ultrasun Daily UV Hair Protector 150ml
• Ultrasun Glimmer SPF 20 100ml
• Ultrasun Aftersun 125ml

Item Number 204898, TSV Price £27.98 + £4.95 P&P, available at the TSV price on 11th June

Decleor Hydrating & Quenching 5 Piece Face & Body Collection

• 2-in-1 Dark Circle & Eye Wrinkle Eraser 15ml 
• System Corps Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk 250ml
• Aromessence Neroli 15ml
• Hydra Floral 24hr Moisture Activator Light Cream
• System Corps Moisturising Body Milk 250ml

Item number 205515, available at the TSV price on 15th June.

Advance notification of QVC UK item numbers and some of the details courtesy of Ian Burkitt, with permission

Pretty Peonies - Shop the Look

Pretty Peonies provide the pastel inspiration for this Shop The Look, the beautiful hues of pink can be layered for a subtle, monochromatic look, or contrast with grey or navy.

1 Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne 100ml £78

2 B. Complete Peony 101 Long-lasting Nail Polish £4.99

3 Hobbs Invitation Abigale Peony Pink Dress £139

4 Designers Guild Charlottenburg Peony Cushion £75

5 LK Bennett Renae Leather Ruffle Strap Sandal Peony £110

6 Pale Pink Open Peony Corsage £10

7 Clinique Fresh Bloom Peony Blend All Over Colour £26

8 Henri Bendel Luxe Peony Candle $65

9 L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Petal Soap £7

10 Laura Mercier Peony Stickgloss Lip Colour £17.50 

Weekend News Digest - 31 May 2014

Goodness me, where has the year gone already, it's June tomorrow!  In the meantime, let's have a lazy weekend stroll through this week's main beauty news, with colour launches from MAC (Pedro Lourenço) and Urban Decay, a whisper from Gucci, more devine scents from the lovely Jo Malone and plenty of polish ....

Sneak Peeks - QVC TSVs 2 June - 8 June 2014

Let's have a sneak peek of next week's TSV on QVCUK.com and QVC.com

In the US, there will be a Philosophy Supersize TSV

Philosophy TSV - 3-piece Super-size Cream Favorites TSV 7 June

This set contains:

• Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath Supersize 64-fl-oz 
• Body Lotion Supersize 32-fl-oz 
• Body Spritz Supersize 16-fl-oz 

Available in a choice of fragrences: Fresh Cream, Raspberries and Cream, or Apricots and Cream
Item No A254737, $78.00 + $8.97 S&H on 4 easypays, or auto delivery Item No A256607, $78.00 + $8.97

In the UK, Sunday 8th June sees to a Judith Williams Phytomineral 5 Piece Hydrating Skincare Collection TSV 

• Phytomineral Neck and Décolletage Moisture Treatment 75ml
• Intensive Hand Cream 150ml
• All In One Day And Night Cream 150ml
• Intensive Eye Cream 15ml 
• 7 Night Wonder Serum In Oil 50ml

Item No 205265, £31.56 + £4.95 P&P

Weekend News Digest 24 May 2014

Fragrance news from Kenzo and Jo Malone (Wood Sage and Sea Salt), new brow products from MAC, new nails from Nails Inc and lots more beauty snippets in this week's beauty news round up.

Sneak Peeks: QVC Beauty TSVs May 26 - June 01 including Super Monday

Bank Holiday Monday 26 May is Super Monday on QVCUK with a Liz Earle TSV and a number of one day only deals.  There will be Beauty one day deals from UltraSun, Percy & Reed, Alpha H, Utan, Rodial, BareMinerals, Philosophy and Revitalash, including new product launches

Find all the details of the TSVs and Beauty One Day Offers .

In the UK, there is also a stand-alone BareMinerals TSV on Sunday 1 June - 7 Piece Gorgeous & Glowing Skin (see below for details). 
In the US, on QVC, there is a Supersize Alegenist TSV on Tuesday 27 May (see below).

Super Monday 26 May QVC TSVs

May Beauty Boxes Round Up - Latest In Beauty, LoveMe Beauty, GlossyBox & You

As Latest in Beauty, GlossyBox and You Beauty have just announced two special edition boxes, I thought it would be timely to do a quick review of these and some of May's other Beauty Boxes (Latest in Beauty and LoveMe Beauty).

Let's start with the YouBeauty Discovery CEW(UK) 2014 Limited Edition Box.  Containing a selection of sample tester sizes of finalists in the Cosmetic Executive Women CEW(UK) Awards, this box provides over £100 value for £16.95+£4.95 P&P for non-YouBeauty Members (total £21.90).  You will recieve:

• Dr.Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Treatment Serum 100ml
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 15ml
• Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment 15g
• L’Occitane En Provence Almond Milk Concentrate 50ml
• Manuka Doctor Mini Hero Kit - Rejuvenating Face Mask 7ml, Apirefine Targeted Wrinkle Filler 5ml, Apiclear Skin Treatment Serum 3ml
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 40ml
• Caudalie Divine Legs sachet

Although a bit more pricey than the standard monthly boxes, I think this is a great discovery kit.  It has good sized samples to test out (apart from the Caudalie), a diverse range of products and interesting brands. I'd rate this 5 out of 5.

Weekend News Digest - 16 May 2014

Lots of new loveliness this week, but first of all I'd like to give remind everyone that my friend Milly's new cookbook Fabulous Feasts for Fast Days: The 5:2 Diet Recipe Cookbook launched this week. If you like to find out more, either click on the book title which will take you to Amazon, or there's a bit more in my own blog post here.

On to Beauty News and let’s get the Brazil/World Cup tie-ins (yawn!) out the way first of all.

The Two Day 5:2 Diet Plan Fast Diet Book & Recipe Cookbook by Milly White

A very exciting time for my friend Milly, who has just had her first cookbook The Two Day 5:2 Diet Plan Fast Diet Book & Recipe Cookbook published.  

As the name suggests, this book is for anyone who is following the 5:2 diet, and contains some absolutely gorgeous recipes.  Milly shows how you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on your Fast days (which are usually 500 cals for women and 600 cals for men). That's quite some feat, especially as it's not 3 grapes for breakfast, 3 more for lunch and then a tangerine for dinner! 

Pictured above is a sample menu from the book that includes 5:2 Nutty Maple Granola  for breakfast, Smoked Mackerel Pate & Crisp Breads for lunch and Garlic & Herb Roasted Cod with Fennel En Papillote for dinner, and all that for under 500cals! I've tasted all of these and they are absolutely delicious.

Available as a paperback or ebook for Kindle on Amazon here, do take the chance to try this great diet cookbook, I'm sure you'll be inspired by it.

Weekend News Digest - 10 May 2014

Last week we were smelling of roses, this week it's daisies, and is it the end of swirl, tap, buff?  Read on for this week's delectus of beauty news and launches....

Sneak Peeks - QVC TSVs May 12 - May 18

Time for our weekly look ahead to next week's Health & Beauty TSVs on QVCUK.com & QVC.com:

Fabulous at Forty, Fantastic at Fifty, Super at Sixty, Spectacular at Seventy

Extraordinary at Eighty Plus

Extraordinary at Eighty…. I think you get my drift.  To my mind, age has no place in beauty, young or old, it is all about an attitude of mind and a zest for life.  I know this from personal experience.  I am fortunate enough to be the daughter of two indefatigable octogenarians, who give absolutely no house-room to concepts of slowing down, retiring quietly or ‘taking things slowly’.   Having just celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, they are still living life at full throttle, active in their community, dedicated to their family and sociable, thoughtful and caring to friends.

Weekend News Digest - 02 May 2014

We’re coming up smelling of roses, focusing on skin brightening treatments and nailing summer brights in this weekend’s news digest.  

Sneak Peeks - QVC TSVs May 02 - May 08

Let's take a look at next week's Health & Beauty TSVs on QVCUK.com & QVC.com:

Weekend News Digest - 26 April 2014

It's all about anniversary specials in this week's news digest, featuring Gurlain and Lancome, plus Clinique, Laura Mercier and Givenchy.

Guerlain Terracotta 30th Anniversary Limited Ed

Here comes the sun! Guerlain celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Terracotta line with a gorgeous line-up of limited editions. The Terracotta Sun Celebration (£47) is a combined bronzing powder and blush that suits all skin tones; Terracotta Le Parfum (£45) is a summer fragrance with notes of tiare flower, ylang ylang and vanilla; and Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Mascara (£18.50) is now available in a waterproof formula. The collection also features Gloss d'Enfer (£25.50), La Laque Couleur (£18.50) and Rouge Automatique (£25) in Nahema, Tonka Imperiale and Jardins de Bagatelle. Available from May 2 at House of Fraser and nationwide from June 4.

On 1st May, Lancôme celebrates the 10th anniversary of  Hypnôse and to celebrate the brand will launch an Anniversary Collection including a new mascara, Hypnôse Extra Black, containng iron oxide pigments for a more intense effect than ever.  There’s also a new neutral Hypnôse Palette (£37) and a double ended pencil for highlighting and defining the brows Limited Edition Le Sourcils plus Lancôme's first eye lid primer, La Base Paupières Pro (£21).

Clinique has expanded it’s CC Cream range with Moisture Surge CC Cream Compact Hydrating Colour Corrector SPF 25.  The compact is an alternative format to the original Moisture Surge CC Cream, with the same visible colour-correcting benefits to create natural, glowing skin.  In six different shades to match a broad range of skin tones, the formula is also oil-free, non-acnegenic, dermatologist tested and ophthalmologist tested. Available exclusively now at John Lewis (£30) and then all Clinique counters nationwide from 25 April.

Laura Mercier Artist Palette for Eyes

The much-sought-after limited edition Laura Mercier Artist Palette for Eyes is returning as an exclusive to Space NK  (in the UK) and Nordstrom (in the US). There 6 matte shades (Noir, Deep Night, Coffee Ground, Café au Lait, Ginger and Buttercream), 3 sateen shades (Guava, Sable and Rich Cocoa) plus 3 lustre shades (African Violet, Diamond Pink and Violet Steel).  The latter 2 lustre shades are limited-edition.  Also included are minis of Caviar Stick in Cocoa and Full Blown Volume Lash Building mascara.  Sadly, the kit will retail at £60, whereas the palette on its own last year was c£34.  Ouch!

If you are already a fan of Givenchy’s Vax'In For Youth line, watch out for the latest addition in the form of the Vax'In Vital Energy Infusion Mask. This complex formula is designed to prolong cells' life expectancy, boost the skin's natural defense and slow down the wrinkle process, as though “vaccinating” the skin against aging. It also mask works instantly to reveal a more toned complexion. Yes please – I love a mask! Launching in May and priced at £43.

Finally, just a note to let you know that from now on, news of upcoming QVC TSVs will be in their own, seperate post on a Friday, see this week's here, and the Weekly News Digest will become the Weekend News Digest, published on Saturdays. I hope you find these changes useful?

Sneak Peeks - QVC TSVs April 25 - May 01

I've received several requests that my QVC TSV sneak peeks have their own dedicated post rather than appearing at the end of my Weekly News Digest.  I'm more than happy to oblige :)









Because it has been so eagerly anticiapted, I've already posted details of WEN Haircare's debut TSV on QVC UK - 4 Piece Heroes Collection here.  The collections includes: 

• 1x 480ml pomegranate cleansing conditioner (RRP £26.95)
• 1x 480ml sweet almond cleansing conditioner (RRP £26.95)
• 1x 56g pomegranate remoist intensive hair treatment (RRP £14.98)
• 1x 56g sweet almond remoist intensive hair treatment (RRP £14.98)

Item number 205237, £35.88+£4.95 and available to buy on 4 installments, pro-rata value £83.85. Launches at midnight on 27 April.
Another brand with a debut TSV is celebrity facialist Sarah Chapman, which launches midnight 30 April.

Sarah Chapman 5 Piece Pro Expert Home Facial Collection

• 100ml Ultimate Cleanse (RRP £40)
• 15ml overnight facial (RRP £45)
• 30ml intense hydrating booster (RRP £57)
• 25ml 3D moisture infusions (RRP £9.75)
• 1 Facialift Massager (RRP £25)
• 2 mitts (RRP £6)
• 1 bag

Item number 205516, priced at £71.98 plus £5.95 P&P - pro-rata value £182.75

Advance notification of QVC UK item numbers and details courtesy of Ian Burkitt, with permission

Over in US, there are TSVs from Bobbi Brown and Tarte

I've posted details of the new Bobbi Brown's Basic Collection here, launches on QVC.com at midnight 29 April ET.

There is also a Tarte Supersize Braziliance Self-Tanner TSV on 2nd May, which includes:

• 1 x Brazilliance skin rejuvenating maracuja face and body self-tanner (12 fl oz)
• 1 x application mitt
• 5 x Brazilliance skin rejuvenating maracuja self-tanning facial towelettes

QVC.com do not dispatch direct to UK, but you can use a parcel-forwarding service to get around this.

Have any of these caught your eye and will you be buying?

A Sneak Peek of Bobbi Brown's Basics Collection April TSV on QVC

A really quick sneak peek of the Bobbi Brown's April TSV on QVC, which is the Bobbi's Basics Collection.  

Bobbi's Basics Collection Bobbi Brown TSV April 4/29

The Bobbi Brown 5-piece Bobbi's Basics Collection will include:

• A six shade Eyeshadow Palette (.29 oz) - Ivory, Hot Stone, Graphite Sparkle, Naked, Opal Sparkle and Rich Caviar
• Dark Chocolate Pencil (.045 oz)
• Rouge for Lip and Cheek in Katie (.13oz)
• Pink Sparkle High Shimmer Lip Gloss (.24 oz)
• Face Touch up Palette (.30 oz) in six shade choices (Porcelain, Sand, Beige, Natural, Honey, Warm Almond)

Launches on QVC.com at midnight 29 April ET, item number A251409, $79.96 on 3 easy pay.  There is also an 

auto delivery option, with a second shipment in Sept.  QVC do not dispatch direct to UK, but you can use a parcel-forwarding service to get around this.

Personally, whilst I love the Bobbi Brown range generally, I think you need to be very careful with glitter shadows if (like me) you're 40+.  What do you think?

Update:  September Auto-Delivery Details:

Cream, Pebble Metallic, Dove Gray, Chiffon Sparkle,
Quarry Shimmer Wash, Smokey

• A six shade Eyeshadow Palette (.29 oz) - Cream, Pebble Metallic, Dove Gray, Chiffon Sparkle, Quarry Shimmer Wash, Smokey
• Jet Long-Wear Eye Pencil (.045 oz)
• Rouge for Lip and Cheek in Homecoming Pink (.13oz)
• Dusty Rose Lip Gloss (.24 oz)
• Face Touch up Palette (.30 oz) in six shade choices (Porcelain, Sand, Beige, Natural, Honey, Warm Almond)