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.

Inspired by the Brazilian cocktail Caipirinha, Molton Brown’s Limited Edition Caju & Lime Collection features a lively, joyful, summer scent that’s a refreshing blend with a citrus twist.  The collection consists of Body Wash (£18), Nourishing Body Lotion (£25) and Eau de Toilette (£36). 

There must be hardly any room for the footballers over in Brazil with all the beauty brands seeking inspiration! Next up is Guerlain, with its new line: Summer Escape. The collection features the new addition to the Aqua Allegoria fragrance range, Limon Verde Eau de Toilette (£42) which contains notes of tonka bean and citrus fruits for an exotic, Brazilian scent. Also in the line is the limited edition Terra Tropica Duo Bronzing Powder (£45) which contains a bronzer and blush for adding rosy warmth to the complexion. Both available exclusively at John Lewis, EDT now and Powder from May 30.

During the World Cup, Benefit Cosmetics is opening its own pop-up pub from June 12- July 13, which will host night-time entertainment and beauty treatments.  To coincide there’s a limited edition set, Beauty Score. The 10-piece set contains set includes minis of: hoola (3g), bella bamba (3g), the POREfessional  (7.5ml), “that gal” 7.5ml, it’s potent! (2.5g), they're real! (3g), ooh la lift (2.5 ml), stay don’t stray in light/medium (2.5 ml), benetint (2.5 ml) and high beam 2.5 ml. Beauty Score launches June 12 and will cost £29.50.

Also from Benefit Cosmetics, two additions to its ‘they're real!’ offering,. They're real! push-up liner (£18.50) has a waterproof matte gel formula that uses an AccuFlex™ tip which is soft and angled for curving around the eye. It also features a flat, wide guard to push the lashes aside enabling more accurate application to the lash line, and a wide base for stability. Also new, the they're real! remover, a creamy gel formula to remove make-up, priced at £14.50. Available from June 28

Giorgio Armani Cosmetics has announced the launch of its new Bright Ribbon collection, a nail and lip range inspired by Mediterranean gardens.  In vibrant colours ranging from orange to dark purple, with plenty of pinks in between, the formulation is sheer for the lips (£25) and high-gloss, gel-textured for the nails (£20). Available from July 1.

May 23 sees new additions to the Clinique Chubby Stick lines, including limited editions. Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes will see the additions of Two Ton Teal, Grandest Gold, Oversized Orchid (LTD), Plush Periwinkle (LTD) and Biggest Blossom (LTD). In the Moisturising Lip Colour Balm range are the new shades Plumped Up Pink, Supreme Sorbet, Plushest Petal (LTD) and Jumbo Jasmine (LTD). Finally Roundest Raspberry (LTD) and Grandest Guava join the Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balm line up. Additionally, All Chubby Sticks cost £17.

NARS has announced the launch of its new Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow. The versatile shadows can be used dry for a sheer finish or with a dampened brush for an intense opaque colour. In 12 shades, the shadows cost £21 and are available from July 1 at Space NK and nationwide from August 1.

Clarins introduces its new Hydraquench Tinted Moisturizer SP15, which uses hyaluronic acid and katafray bark extract to deeply hydrate the skin, giving a plump, radiant appearance. As well as offering hydration, the moisturizer provides slight coverage with light reflecting pigments, creating the look of healthy, glowing skin. Available in shades Porcelain, Sand, Honey, Peach, Blond, Gold and Bronze, for £30.

Thalgo UK celebrates its 50th anniversary this month with the launch of its new Source Marine range. The six-piece range uses active marine ingredients to hydrate the skin.

Now I do like a fancy candle but it isn’t smoke in my eyes that’s making them water, it’s the cost of Penhaligon’s new Countryside Candle Collection at £87 a piece!  Beautifully packaged (as always with Penhaligon) in decadent hat boxes, the collection consists of four triple wicked candles packed with essential oils; An Amble in the Orchard, A Picnic in the Meadow, A Walk in the Woods and Tea on the Terrace.  Having almost fainted at the price, I do have to confess, probably my most indulgent purchase ever was a pair of baby pink cashmere socks from Penhaligon's which I loved and loved.  So, if you deserve a fabulous treat for whatever reason, then what could be nicer than one of these gorgeous candles.  Alternatively, you could wait 6 months and find them at 70% off RRP in TKMaxx!  Read about my latest beauty bargain finds in TKMaxx here.

Have a good weekend – I’m off to Bicester, where I will be browsing the small-but-perfectly-formed Penhaligon's outlet store, happy days!