Bookish Monday

Did I need it? Nope. Will I use it? Maybe. Probably for one or two recipes if I'm being honest. One thing I do not need is more cookbooks. I have Delia's Christmas, too faffy. Nigella's Christmas, which surprisingly hasn't aged well. Nigella's Feast and How To Eat however, are dog-eared, How To Eat easily being my most-used and recommended cookbook ever.

Jamie Oliver's Christmas Cookbook is lovely, reassuringly heavy and glossy and contains the usual brilliant photography of David Loftus. 

So if you like a cookbook - yes, are obsessed with Christmas - always, and don't need another cookbook but cannot resist, Jamie Oliver's Christmas is available here for £11.99: www.amazon.co.uk/Jamie-Olivers-Christmas-Cookbook

One of the earliest big breakthroughs for my little part of the internet was this interview with Sam and Nic Chapman, aka Pixiwoo:

 

Once that interview went up, my blog reached a new audience and the site grew quickly from there.

Sam and Nic have spent years writing this new book and the attention to detail includes tutorials, beautifully photographed visuals, advice and loads of further information. There's even an app that you can use alongside it.

If you are interested in beauty, specifically 'how-to' type tutorials, this is a must. Available here for £9.99: amazon.co.uk/Face-Pixiwoo 

After my recent find of Estee Lauder's Biography from the 80s, I went back into the archives and came across this on Amazon for a few quid. As you can imagine, it's a tad juicier than the official version, and doesn't pull any punches, which makes for a must-read if you're interested in all things beauty icons.

Estee Lauder's Beyond The Magic is available for differing prices here: amazon.co.uk/Estee-Lauder-Beyond

















*This post contains no affiliate links.
See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq
The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Victoria Beckham x Estee Lauder First Thoughts

Prepare yourselves for an onslaught of all things Beckham/Lauder next week as Victoria Beckham launches her new Limited Edition range with Estee Lauder.

Safe to say, from what I've seen so far, it's a knockout. No BS.

This is no 'take what we have off the shelf and stick a designer name on it' range. Aesthetically it may be the best 'designer' range I have ever seen. VB knows exactly what she is doing.

The packaging is, with one exception, spectacular. I do not use that word freely. The compacts are heavy, really heavy. Gold with ribbed leather, they have the very satisfying 'clunk' when closed, and feel like my Grandmother's compact collection from the 1950s. When the marketing says that Victoria has been collecting them for years, I believe it. I do the same and these are reminiscent of ones I have in my stash. They are to my mind, unique on the market at the moment.

The products:

One skincare/makeup hybrid, two face products, seven eye, four lip (at my counting!).

The eyeshadow powders - Eye Metals - are beautifully pigmented and super-soft. Colours are gold and metallic blackened green. The Kajal Duo is pretty near as perfect a smoky liner that I've come across.

The lipstick packaging is the only blip for me. It's super-lightweight, insubstantial and doesn't sit with the rest of the range. No 'clunk' here.

Obviously my main interest is in the Morning Aura Illuminating Creme. Part moisturiser, part primer, it contains micro-pearls to brighten and illuminate the skin. At £68.00, I won't be using it on my legs a la VB in this month's Vogue, but I will be smothering my face in it tout de suite. I'll feedback with comparisons on all things glow in upcoming reviews.

This is supposed to be a Limited Edition collection, but far too much time, thought and money has gone into this for it not to become a permanent collection. Watch this space.

I was too old for The Spice Girls and the only thing that Victoria Beckham designs that would fit me are handbags and scarves. Until now. Bravo.



Victoria Beckham x Estee Lauder is available from September 13th exclusively from Selfridges, Estee Lauder online and VictoriaBeckham.com and prices range from £22.00 to £68.00. 

Instagram Update

Where does the time go? It's over a month since my last update and although it's been typically quiet in the beauty industry, I still have some lovely updates for those of you not on Insta. :)

I bought this from Amazon after seeing Trinny Woodall using it on her Facebook page. It's a slightly fancier version of the Body Shop roller.

This Jeunvie Balm was described as 'excellent, better than most I've used' by my eldest son, who has had severe eczema since he was born. He has tried everything on the market so that's a pretty solid claim. Outside of sunshine and salty sea water, this is one of the few things that seems to have genuinely helped.

Availabel from Jeunvie.co.uk

My current lifeline supplement-wise. Folate and Zinc from Solgar and Spatone to boost my iron levels. I'm a long-term anaemic and thus far, this is working better than Floradix and prescription folic acid. Thank you to those of you that recommended the changes.  

Alyson Walsh is the blogger behind the brilliant That's Not My Age - a site for over 40s who refuse to be told how to dress just because they (we) are not 20. Style Forever is a great read and available from Amazon.

Out next week are new additions to Estee Lauder's Re-Nutriv line, including Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Serum and Regenerating Youth Creme. Thus far: lush.

I found myself using these almost exclusively over the last few weeks. (The other lip products I used on holiday will be up later this week). Still available on Clarins.co.uk for £18.00.

Cornwall skincare was low-key:

De Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew

Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Gentle Peel Pads 

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator 

MD Solar Sciences Daily Eye Repair Emulsion

May Lindstrom Youth Dew and Blue Cocoon

I took Chanel's La Solution 10 but it was empty after three pumps. GGRR. Next time I'll check the weight before I pack!

Maria Tash opened in Liberty and I've already been in twice. Addictive.

Saw my Mrs at the Gleam Summer Party, where the young'uns partied all night in hot tubs (really) and we drank tea/hot chocolate in the corner talking about what we'd been watching on telly. Much more fun. :)

I bought this hardback of Estee Lauder's 1985 book, A Success Story from a third party on Amazon, and it turned up autographed!! Thrilled doesn't come close. I got it from this seller who still has some left. When I emailed them to ask if they had anymore with signatures inside, they offered me a full refund in case I was 'unhappy that it was inscribed'! No matey, I was very happy. 

So summer is coming to a close, I'm shopping for school uniforms and planning Christmas. Before you know it I'll be watching Elf and wrapping presents.

FAVE FIVES: BB/CC/SKIN TINTS WITH SPF | August 2016

Hi Everyone,

Last in this month’s series, hence me saying ‘end of July!’. Just back from hols so I’ll answer comments on all the previous videos first, then hopefully film again at some point next week.

Nails: OPI Alpine Snow Gels

Products mentioned: 

Kate Somerville IllumiKate CC Cream:

http://bit.ly/2bwSK9f

Dennis Gross Skincare Instant Radiance Sun Defence SPF 40:

UK: http://bit.ly/2byZs34

USA: http://bit.ly/2bwSB63

Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme  CC Cream SPF10:

UK: http://bit.ly/2bwSI1b

USA: Can’t find it – sorry!

Estee Lauder Enlighten EE Cream SPF30:

UK: http://bit.ly/2bwTwDj

USA: http://bit.ly/2bz1ArH

La Mer Reparative Skin Tint SPF30:

UK: http://bit.ly/2bz2aFL

USA: http://bit.ly/2bz20OY

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF35:

UK: http://bit.ly/2bKTeJW

USA: http://bit.ly/2bz2yUP

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF30:

UK: http://bit.ly/2bwUFea

USA: http://bit.ly/2bwUijG

I sometimes (not always) use affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :) For absolute clarity: I do not use affiliate links on products belonging to brands that I work with on a professional basis. 

See my full disclaimer here:

http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

FAVE FIVES | Skincare | July 2016

Today's Fave Fives is Skincare. All information is below the video and below the link below for your ease.

See you tomorrow with acids!

WHAT I’M WEARING:

J. CREW Save the Bees T-Shirt: http://bit.ly/29p0HNn

Swarovski Celestial Pierced Earrings: http://bit.ly/29udRL1

Nails: OPI Let’s Be Friends Gel from Hello Kitty Collection: http://bit.ly/29q3X9U

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Mood Light: http://bit.ly/29p2vFW

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Medium to Dark Tint (it’s not that dark, clearly): http://bit.ly/29nUkgE

Laura Mercier Candleglow Foundation in Buff: http://bit.ly/29nTG2T

Chantecaille HD Perfecting Powder: http://bit.ly/29p1lKx

Bronzer across forehead (my glow, basically): New CID I-Glow in Coral Crush (I will literally be buried wearing this): http://bit.ly/29nTIYJ

Used as Blush: Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Antigua (the perfect pink for me): http://bit.ly/29p1dL4

Brows: Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil in 2: http://bit.ly/29nTJM1

Lips: Gwen Stefani for Urban Decay Lip Pencil in Firebird (lightly all over lip): http://bit.ly/29p1OMN

Pixi LipLift Max in Petal Ice (on top): http://bit.ly/29DBnrl

PRODUCTS DISCUSSED:

Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel:

UK – http://bit.ly/29o96QW

USA - http://bit.ly/29o9PBL

Leahlani Skincare Champagne Serum: 

USA (ships outside USA) - http://bit.ly/1SUF06R

Vintner’s Daughter:

UK - http://bit.ly/29o9vD0

USA - http://bit.ly/29o9tLD

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture:

UK – http://bit.ly/29o8BGR

USA - http://bit.ly/29n80bR

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules:

I was talking nonsense – these are available now –

UK - http://bit.ly/29n8IWQ

USA - http://bit.ly/29oaljd

OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/carolinehirons

Instagram:

http://www.instagram.com/carolinehirons

Pinterest:

http://gb.pinterest.com/carolinehirons/

Snapchat:

@carolinehirons

Bloglovin':

http://bit.ly/1fuzPqQ

Caroline Hirons c/o

Gleam Futures

6th Floor

60 Charlotte Street

London W1T 2NU

caroline@gleamfutures.com  (skincare queries cannot be answered at this address)

I sometimes (not always) use affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :)

See my full disclaimer here:

http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Estee Lauder Genuine Glow

Adding to the growing 'glow' sector, Estee Lauder release Genuine Glow this summer. A hybrid between primer and skincare, these are water-based and oil-free so suitable for all. Used daily, Genuine Glow is said to minimise the look of pores, help even-out tone and refine the skin’s texture for a smoother, glowy complexion. There are six skus in the range including three skin products and three colour products designed to give a quick wash of colour on the run.

It'll be interesting to see if the industry ever tries to go back to 'matte' as a look. Glow appears to have taken hold.

The Genuine Glow range launches in July and is priced between £16.00 and £30.00.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules

Heads up ANR devotees - and I know there's a lot of you out there. These are new and coming your way soon. They are designed to be used as a 'super serum' on designated areas of concern underneath your usual Advanced Night Repair.

That's literally as much info as I have - I'm off to test them and will report back with further info as and when it happens.

Hall of Fame - Estee Lauder Revitalising Supreme CC Cream

So I first blogged about this nearly 18 months ago and during that time I've used three tubes of it, equating to roughly 6 months usage per tube. I was never on board with the labelling of creams using bra sizes - if you know what I mean - although I'm quite interested to see what someone could do with an XX cream - but it doesn't really bother me anymore - BB/CC etc are a part of our beauty-buying lives now. I have some real makeup loves and they are long overdue for the Hall of Fame.

What is it?
'This innovative, multi-action formula richly nourishes, comforts and revitalises skin's appearance.'
It's a tinted moisturiser/primer/spf/glow in a tube hybrid.

Who is it for?
All skin types. The Revitalizing Supreme range is aimed at people with signs of ageing, but Anna from Vivianna does Makeup also loves this and she has no signs of ageing...the wench.

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
Apply a 5p size all over a clean, moisturised face in the morning. Add a little more if necessary, but start with less and build up. It can be used either on its own or under foundation.

What’s good about it?
This to me, is one of the CC creams/primers that I reach for regularly, especially if I'm not planning on wearing makeup. I prefer it on its own. It is a universal colour, suiting all shades, that disperses and adapts to your skin on contact, even darker skins. I write about it in more detail in my first review here. This is the first thing you put on your skin after moisturiser, and because this adds colour to the skin, I class this as makeup product. But it's a friend with benefits. It adds colour, takes away dullness, adds SPF and works as a primer - a massive all-in-one. The immediate lifting of your skintone is brilliant.

A snippet from my original review:

Suitable for:

Covering blemishes? No.
Evening out skin tone? Yes.
Hydrating/prepping the skin for use under makeup? Yes
Wearing alone without makeup? Yes, if you are having a no-makeup-day.
Heavy on top of moisturiser? No.
Makes you look better than before you used it? Oh YES.


Estee Lauder's Revitalising Supreme CC Cream is £42.00 and available from Selfridges.com - I'm sorry US readers - I don't think it's available over there! (Well I certainly cannot find it anywhere...)

What's New this month?

Hi Everyone!

Back in the land of the living albeit looking roughhhhh. It's a long one - but if you are borderline/full-on obsessive about all things beauty you may make it to the end.

Enjoy!

A full list of the products discussed are in the video description box.

Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Mask Boost

I tend to use face masks much more in autumn/winter and this new mask coming from Estee Lauder in December is a welcome addition if you have a slightly older (35+), de-vitalised, 'my face looks how I feel' skin.

If you are a fan of the Triple Threat Facial, this would be the final step, after exfoliating and clay steps.

Super-nourishing, massively hydrating, this will become a 'when-in-doubt-grab-this' when my skin is tired and a tad dull or after a long week - especially if flying is involved. This would be the perfect in-flight mask. It absorbs like a rich face cream and although it says to tissue off (eew) after 5 minutes, I would use three ways:

1. apply in a thick-ish layer, leave for 10 or so minutes and take off any residue with a warm, squeezed out, damp washcloth, proceed with your other skincare
2. apply a thin layer in the evening when you get home, reapply before bed once it has absorbed, sleep in it
3. apply a thin layer every couple of hours on a long haul flight, misting with a floral spray in between

Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Mask Boost is available on 1st December and is priced £45 for 75ml from all Estee Lauder retailers and www.esteelauder.co.uk It's delicious.




Also: I do wish the NPD/Marketing teams at Lauder LLC/L'Oreal/P&G/Unilever/LVMH (all of them) etc would stop swallowing dictionaries and thesauruses when naming products. The names are taking me longer to type than the review.

Utterly brilliant BB/CC/Primers that you should check out - Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme CC Cream

I had a major sort last week - included in that was putting all of my BB/CC/Primers to one side and using them EVERYDAMNDAY to give some feedback and actually you know - MAYBE WRITE A REVIEW? I know. Don't faint.

First up is Estee Lauder's Revitalising Supreme CC Cream. Mainly because I used it this morning. Nothing like being organised eh?

I personally tend to fair better with CC creams than BB. Colour correcting is what I need, not blemish balms - but let's be honest, what's in a name? 

In their absolute basic form you would expect:

BB creams to have more pigment and coverage.

CC creams to adjust to your skin tone and have more skincare benefits.

Primers to prep the skin for makeup or in some wonderful cases, be enough for the day.

Let's make an executive decision to call ALL of these (and I'm aiming for a review a day until I move on to my next group of products) 'Primer-y-type products that can be worn alone, under a foundation or over a moisturiser'. 

Makes everything so much easier doncha think?

The Revitalizing (US spelling!) Supreme CC cream is aimed at an older audience and it's easy to see why. It has much more in the way of anti-ageing benefits, is loaded with hyaluronic acid to give an immediate plumping effect and will colour correct even the reddest of cheeks/noses.

Extremely comfortable to wear and disappears onto the skin with no residue and no residual colour that needs blending. It's actually grey upon application and then the colour beads burst and adjust to your skin. You can't see these in the product - it's a very sophisticated formula.

Suitable for:

Covering blemishes? No.

Evening out skin tone? Yes.

Hydrating/prepping the skin for use under makeup? Yes

Wearing alone without makeup? Yes, if you are having a no-makeup-day.

Heavy on top of moisturiser? No.

Makes you look better than before you used it? Oh YES.

If you are in your 20's this is probably not for you. If you are closer to 30/40/50 upwards, you may love this. A lot. It's a no-brainer.

What I love about this - completely aside from the actual product - is that Lauder describe it as 'non acnegenic' which is a BRILLIANT improvement on 'non-comodegenic', which is literally meaningless. I am totally stealing that word.

Revitalizing CC cream is £40.00 and available at all Estee Lauder stockists.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye - the revamp

The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair range is the stuff of legend and is literally guaranteed a spot in any magazines Top Beauty Products - I didn't fall in love with it right away - but literally this time last year Lauder reformulated - and it made a world of difference. 

Now they've gone a step further. Last year Estee Lauder scientists made the discovery that catabolysis was badly affected by pollution (ozone) levels in your skin - in layman's terms, pollution is preventing your skin from putting the rubbish (trash) out at night, leaving your skin unable to function at its optimum. The result of which could be why your skin never quite looks fresh, bright and glowing (I need to invent a new word for glow - I know I abuse it).

The new Advanced Night Repair Eye Treatments - both the gel cream and the serum, have now had the ChronoluxCB Technology, discovered by Lauder last year, added to them. You won't feel much difference to your product if you already use it, but in essence, your rubbish men have moved up their collections to nightly, without interruption. Very handy. The result for you (which let's face it, is what we all care about at the end of the day)  is a much clearer, brighter, more hydrated, less tired-looking eye area. 

I never say that a cream will fix dark circles - even if a brand makes that claim, because more than the other areas of concern, that's essentially genetics and your body health - and there isn't a cream for that in my opinion (buy an amazing concealer and move on).

Sidebar:

There are a lot of scientific discoveries around at the moment - I've been to 3 launches in the last fortnight alone that include new products hitting the shelves with patented technology and new ingredients etc.. I never get bored of it - some people dismiss it but I am of the thinking that progress is always good. The consumer would be forgiven for thinking that it's another marketing ploy to shift more products but I don't have that concern here. Lauder know what they are doing and have been at the top of their game for a long time. You don't get there without shifting product - and in this day and age that means repeat business and loyal customers. Lauder has both in abundance. 

The New Advanced Night Repair Eye Treatments are available nationwide from 21st July at all Estee Lauder stockists and are available online at www.esteelauder.co.uk

ANR Serum - £46.00

ANR Gel Cream - £40.00

SWEET MOTHER OF GOD. Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia Body Creme

I try a lot of products. LOTS. I know I'm still in the right business because I regularly try something and say 'OH SWEET MOTHER OF GOD!' which, to the uninitiated into the 'Hirons' household of film comments' is taken from 'Just Friends' - a family favourite. See also: 'I'm going to start drinking.'

I digress.

THIS: is the Body Creme of the divine Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia, which, if you like those scents and haven't tried, you are missing a very large trick.

It has THE most beautiful texture and absorbs beautifully. It's not completely overpowering like some fragrances in the same vein, but it was enough to make Mr Hirons seek me out and say 'What's that smell?' - in a good way. That literally never happens. It comes in those wonderful heavy, chunky perfect-for-dressing-tables jars of old and is just lushness personified.

See also: would make a gorgeous gift for upcoming Mother's Day (USA) - and if any of my kids are reading this - would always make a great gift for me.

Available at selected Estee Lauder counters and online here for £55.00.

Happy Friday!

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Contouring Eye Lift

My list of eye 'must-have's' is getting larger and this beauty isn't helping matters.
Launching in April, Re-Nutriv Ultimate Contouring Eye Lift is one gorgeous product. Being part of the Re-Nutriv range, this is top of the line and what Lauder does best - the latest technology with the latest available high-tec ingredients.

In all honesty the press release is the usual 'extensive science and selling' and has a lot of terms like 'multi-dimensional optics' (me neither).
I prefer to ask what I always ask when I pick a product up and try it:

What is it?
A beautiful eye product for older skins. You don't need this if you're 20. If, however, your eyes have seen better days and you're the other side of 30/35, I'd be playing with this on counter when it launches.

What's in it? (and by this I mean baddies - not the goodies)
Nothing that I would normally avoid in an eye cream. No mineral oil and no bismuth oxychloride.
It does contain numerous peptides, camomile, algae, black tourmaline, pearl powder and gold - which normally I'm not that sold on in products. This however, is joyous.

What does it do?
Makes your eye area feel like you're 12 again. Smooth, soft, glowing. The only downside is that I want to apply it hourly and just stroke my orbital area. Oo-er.

How does it feel?
Gorgeous. Glorious. Expensive.
This is the key. It has a sculpted ceramic tip that stays ice cold. Always. New technology hidden somewhere in that tube keeps this almost freezing. OK it's not freezing per se, but it is wonderful when you get home, take everything off, apply this and go 'cooorrrrrrrrr'. I let a client play with this when I had it in my office and she made the 'face cream sex noise'. You know the one. That's when you know it's good.

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Contouring Eye Lift launches in April and is £100, making it clearly in the 'only if you can afford it' category.


*press sample - clearly - as it's not out yet....

Estee Lauder New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

Regular readers of this site will know that I have never understood the 'all-worshiping-never-questioning' adoration that most beauty journalists had for ANR. I even blogged as much in one of my most read posts:  

'I know it's a Hero product but I just can't.'

It always seemed that any time there was a 'Top 10 Must-Have' article in the beauty press it included this. Almost by default. Yawn.

Well. Now I can get on board the ANR bandwagon. I've been trialing this for a while and....

This has been completely reformulated and it's bloody good. There. I said it.

It's a much lighter consistency - not quite as silicone-heavy as the previous formulation felt. It absorbs nicely leaving the skin glowing - not 'tacky' as before.

To be honest I've learned from experience writing reviews on here that you could care less about the science. Equally I have zero interest in just regurgitating a press release. Yawn. 

In that way having a blog is exactly the same as being on counter - customers (you) want to know: 

1. What will it do for me? 
2. How will my skin look in the morning?
3. Is it suitable for my skin type/age/concerns? 
4. Is it worth the money? No really - is it worth the money?

For your pleasure:

1. It will attempt to remedy the damage done to your skin during the day whilst you sleep - so while you're having a kip this will communicate with your skin, soak it with hyaluronic acid, slow down the visible signs of aging, reduce the appearance of your lines and wrinkles, even out your skin tone, put the rubbish out for the night and tidy up. 
2. Glowing (like your kitchen after you've put the rubbish out and had a tidy up), rested, fresh.
   Like you've had sleep. 
3. Yes - this is the most interesting part for me. Lauder have tested this on over 1000 women including Caucasian, Black, Indian, Hispanic, Asian, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. It has been tested on all skin types and ages. It is oil and fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, thus suitable for sensitive and acnaic skins - my most-asked question.
4. In a nutshell, yes. There are far too many overpriced products on the market for my liking these days - this is not one of them. 

This is so far from the original (to my mind) that if you blind tested people who use it they would not recognise it. That's not to scare those of you that already adore it - this just takes it to another level.

I would buy it. 

New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II starts at £48.00 for 30ml and is available on  EsteeLauder.co.uk in August. Don't buy it yet - that's not this one! 

* Press sample. And a shout out to the Lauder team who, knowing my feelings about the previous formulation, believed in their product enough to put it in my hands and say 'TRUST US'. *kudos*

Estee Lauder Mad Men Collection

Mad Men is one of those series that I never got into. One of those that everyone-else-watches-obsessively but I never found the time...

Well the top dogs at Estee Lauder certainly did. Their latest Limited Edition Mad Men Collection launches today to coincide with the premier of the 6th Season.

Estée Lauder Rich Lipstick in Pinkadelic- £26

Estée Lauder Mad Men Collection See Thru Blush in Light Show - £48

Estée Lauder Collection Nail Lacquer in Pink Paisley - £20 (my favourite - I remember my Grandmother using this shaped bottle years ago..)

The Limited Edition Estée Lauder Mad Men collection will be available from Estée Lauder, Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia

Last month I was lucky enough to be invited to the British Museum to watch Estee Lauder Companies turn it pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Whilst there I was completely distracted by their lovely PR Georgie who smelled out of this world. I suppose this would be an appropriate forum to apologise for walking up to her and sniffing her like Gomez Addams all evening. *sorry Georgie*

I rarely respond to fragrances this strongly - but I love tuberose - and I adore gardenia - so it was a bit of a a no-brainer really. And I hate to be predictable but it is in a carnation and vanilla bourbon base - also things I am more than happy to cover myself in. It does list neroli and orangeflower extract in the notes - none of which I am happy to report - my nose picks up. I can't bear smelling like fruit - I prefer to eat it.

Following in the tradition of Estee's first Private Collection released in 1973 - Tuberose Gardenia was created by Aerin Lauder for her friends. 

If you like strong florals, gardenia or tuberose you have to try this fragrance. It is divine. It's a heavy enough floral to warrant wearing it throughout the year - not just for summer.

Failing that you could just find an Estee Lauder PR to follow around all day like a sniffer dog.

Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia is available here and at Estee Lauder counters nationwide priced from £59.00.

*pr sample - poor Georgie.

Breasts, October, all things Pink and a slightly uneasy feeling.

Let me say this from the off: I wholeheartedly support anything to do with funding research into cancer, helping cancer sufferers, helping cancer survivors.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I have been touched all too closely by cancer in recent years.

Cancer is a bastard. Make no mistake. I did the half marathon Moonwalk in May with my best friend Tracy who is a breast cancer survivor. Nothing else would make me walk 13 miles with my boobs out. Except maybe the odd long-haired-tattooed guitarist - but I digress.

The joy of doing that kind of event with someone you have a bond of 30+ years with is the dark humour that not only makes you laugh, but gets you through it. At one point in the middle of the night I turned to her and said 'It's just as well that cancer didn't kill you because this bastard walk is going to finish us both off.' 

(Next year I'm sending a cheque.)

So October rolls around and the world of beauty turns pink. Monuments are pink for the month and we are inundated by brands selling a vast array of 'Pink' products claiming to give a percentage of the profits to breast cancer research funding.

Well I'm not going for the blanket approach anymore. It's too much. I hate to be sceptical but if you can't name the value of your donation then I'm not promoting it. Or buying into it. The work I did in recent years with All for Eve and The Eve Appeal  (let us not forget the vajays) has proven to me that it is always possible to say how much your brand is ring-fencing as a donation per product. You simply work it into your cost price or budget for it from the moment you sell it in to retailers. Done.

What Estee Lauder have done to support breast cancer awareness and fund research for the last twenty years was and continues to be pioneering. Every year for the last 20 years Lauder has released products and named the value of the donation. Clear as day. Crystal.

So: Monday sees the lighting of the British Museum by Elizabeth Hurley on behalf of Estee Lauder. It has a special significance this year since the passing last year of Evelyn Lauder, the pioneer of the entire movement in the beauty industry. I'll be there supporting them because they put their money where their mouth is. 

By October 2011 Estee Lauder had donated $8.5 million to the Breast Cancer Research Fund. The fund itself has raised $380 million.

If you want to - you can meet Elizabeth Hurley at Selfridges in London on Monday between 1-2pm and in Manchester next Thursday 8th at the same time. She is also lighting up Selfridges Exchange in the Trafford Centre at 7.40pm that evening.

If you are a brand jumping on what you think is a pink bandwagon and simply saying 'profits from' or 'a donation from every sale' are going to breast cancer I'm sure you mean well, but I have seen too many the last few weeks for my liking. Name your price people. Our mammaries deserve better.

More information about the Evelyn Lauder Dream Collection is available here. 

Clinique Limited Edition Chubby Stick (gorgeous) is available here.

Bobbi Brown Pink Peony Limited Edition BCA Set is available here.

Jo Malone is donating £5.00 from every sale of Red Roses 100ml Cologne here - to BCRF.

Aveda Hand Relief for BCA is available here.

Darphin Hydraskin Serum for BCA can be found here.

Alternatively, if pink is not your thing - you can send your money directly to the following:

Breakthrough Breast Cancer 

Cancer Research UK

Breast Cancer Care

And if you have taken leave of your senses and have no need for the full use of your feet, you can sign up for next year's Moonwalk. May the force be with you.

Most importantly, feel your boobs. Know your boobs. Don't, ever, ignore them. 

The short blonde sitting on my knee circa 1982 (?)  is still with us thanks to  breast cancer research and her penchant for feeling her boobs.