Laura Pearson-Smith: All about beauty
There has been lots going on in the beauty world over the past couple of weeks. I’ve been lucky enough to have some amazing experiences and try out some top-notch luxury products that I don’t know how I’ve managed to live without.
Stylish happenings
Lancôme has just launched a phenomenal new mascara. Not only does it look incredibly sleek and wonderful, but it performs exceptionally well too. I went along to the launch event at House of Fraser in Glasgow for some champagne and to see top Lancôme makeup artist Marc Sinclair’s masterclass, showing us how to create the perfect look. The Lancôme Hypnôse Volume-à-porter mascara (£22.50 from House of Fraser) comes in an intense black shade. It is designed to let you create buildable volume through layering, without any clumping. It creates such a full but natural effect.
Advertisement
Hide AdThis week I had what is probably the highlight of my year so far – I got to spend an hour, on my own, with skincare guru Emma Hardie at Hotel du Vin in Glasgow. If you haven’t heard of her Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm (£38 from Space NK) I don’t know where you’ve been! I got a money-can’t-buy facial from her and she talked me through her latest product launch – the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Protect & Prime SPF 30 (£45). She knows everything there is to know about skincare, and my face had a real treat. The Protect & Prime SPF 30 is a very lightweight and moisturising cream that offers protection from UVA and UVB rays and environmental exposure. It also has a unique light-diffusing formula that gives skin great radiance, evens out your complexion and blurs lines. You can use it on top of your normal moisturiser for protection, or use it on its own as a makeup primer as it creates a fabulous base for foundation.
What to buy on a shopping spree
I’ve been obsessed with getting in-salon gel manicures lately as I love their lasting power, but I decided to try SensatioNail’s at-home gel manicure kit and polishes to see how they compare. If you want to save money on professional services and don’t mind a small reduction in wear-time (roughly nine days instead of 14), you’ll love their Starter Kit (£69.99 from Boots) as it contains an LED lamp and everything else you need for DIY gel nails. I love their new pastel sorbet collection of polishes – the peach coral Peachy Keen (£12.50) is a winning shade for me.
If you leave your beauty products scattered all over the house, you’ll love this cute shabby-chic wooden storage box from Dunelm Mill. It’s a bargain at just £8.99, and will greatly improve your décor as well as your organisation.
I am such a fan of the Lulu Guinness brand. She makes the most fabulous, girly handbags and accessories. Why not show off your love of lipstick with her Black Patent Leather Fifi Clutch (£245 from House of Fraser). The perspex red lipstick clasp is a show-stopper, and this is a classic bag that will last a lifetime.
Instagram of the week (@LPearsonSmith)
I love this photograph that I took of KIKO’s lip treatment products. The packaging is so pretty, and I have been relying on their lip scrub (£5.90 online) and lip balm (£5.90) to keep my lips soft and smooth for weeks now. These are currently sitting on my desk for constant application.
• Laura Pearson-Smith is a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger at A Life With Frills. You can drop her a tweet at @LPearsonSmith.