Le Metier De Beaute launches in SpaceNK

Le Metier De Beaute relaunches back into the UK tomorrow via SpaceNK. To celebrate they've produced a UK-only Kaleidoscope called Exquisite - four brilliantly wearable shades to contour, highlight and blush.

Le Metier are known for their Kaleidoscopes, essentially a beauty stack complete with a mirror enclosed in the top layer, that snap into place and make the perfect on-the-go travel set. Less packaging, more room in your makeup bag and superb quality. These powders are quadruple-milled, super soft and give great pigment. 

Exquisite is worth checking out for Arabesque alone. The second tiered highlighter is divine and I can only hope it's available individually at some point. 

Le Metier De Beaute launches tomorrow in selected SpaceNK stores and online at SpaceNK.com. The Exquisite Kaleidoscope is £81.00.



*Yes, I was supposed to remove the plastic on the lid. *gives up*

Update - Kat Burki Cleanser

Good news - Space NK have changed the price of the Kat Burki Balm from this post to £52.00.

Bad news - it's sold out.

Still, it'll be back soon I'm sure.

Thanks Kat Burki. Thanks Space NK.

I'll update the original post also.

Kat Burki Vitamin C Nourishing Cleasning Balm is now £52.00 and available from spacenk.com

NARS Steven Klein One Shocking Moment Palette

If you're a blush/bronzer addict like my good self, brace yourselves for this one. It contains Laguna bronzer, Paloma sculpting powders (top left) and four blushers. FOUR. Robotic, Blasphemy, Luster and Dolce Vita. It's going to be really hard for me to use this in the correct fashion, when my instinct is to just swirl a huge brush over everything and throw it all on my face.

Just kidding. Obviously I'm not going to use it, it's going in the hidden Limited Edition stash. That's why I have to buy in doubles. I have issues. I know.

The One Shocking Moment Palette is £49.00 will be available exclusively from SpaceNK.com/stores and the pre-order opens soon. More info here as and when it happens: spacenk.com/nars

A little SpaceNK shopping

I had dinner on Tuesday evening in Sloane Square and arrived with 20 minutes to spare. There was only going to be one destination for a smash'n'grab and that was Space. 

Regular readers will know about my affinity for white flowers and tuberose and gardenia in particular, so it will come as no surprise that I grabbed one of my favourite candles - Diptyque's Tubereuse in the large 300g red version (obviously). This burns for 90 hours and fills the room without me even burning it. (Mr Hirons is seriously considering sending me to candle detox at this point.)

and the must-have palette of JOY...

Ambient Lighting Palette - I was very late to the Hourglass game but these powders are beautiful and replaced my usual loose powder instantly. This one contains two existing colours, Dim Light and Radiant Light (the one on the right, my usual go-to) along with the shade Incandescent Light, which is exclusive to the palette.
I have literally used my Radiant Light every single day since I bought it earlier this year. It gives me that 'glow' even on days when my glow left on the last bus.

Diptyque Tubereuse 300g Red Edition is £55.00 and available here: spacenk.com/diptyque

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette lushness is £56.00 and available here: spacenk.com/hourglass-ambient

Space NK's Spring Gift Bag

Excuse the rather rushed off snap but this has literally just fallen into my lap, so to speak. On Thursday 12th February, Space NK are offering all of the above for spends over £100 instore and online. 

'Refresh Your Makeup Bag For Spring' (should obviously be called 'Refresh your SKINCARE STASH for Spring') runs for 24 hours only and is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and available until they are all gone!

It includes:
One full size Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil
Aromatherapy Associates Perfect Partners Gift Set
Radical Skincare Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads - 15 pads! (excitement)
Eyeko Hydrogel Eye Patch - 1 set
Sunday Riley Good Genes 10ml
Revive Perfectif Even Skin Tone Cream 5ml
Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm 7ml

Becca Primer

Available instore and from spacenk.com at 8am on Thursday.

New appearance date - Belfast!

Courtesy Sunday Riley

So next Monday - 12th - I am popping over to Belfast City Centre to help launch Sunday Riley into the Donegal Square Space NK store. It's been a while since I was in Belfast and I'm very excited to see old and new faces.
I should be on the shop floor from around 1pm - 6pm so please do come and see me!
There are no appointment times and no need to book, as with Dublin *waves* it's a first come, first serve basis. I shall probably go hoarse but that's what copious amounts of tea are for! :)

I'll be doing skin consultations (not facials - although I have been known to extract blackheads on the shop floor - eewww) and Sunday Riley are providing a little something extra when you spend £50 or more on the day* and there will be booze champagne aplenty.

Please do come and say hello. See you there!

*Gift is available when you spend £50 or over on Sunday Riley products only.

Limited Edition Space NK In Peace EDP and the huge Beauty Anthology event

As the collaboration between SpaceNK and Women for Women International enters its second year, a Limited Edition has been commissioned that celebrates the colours, arts and patterns from the countries supported by the initiative. I never normally lift directly from a press release but it's important to get the facts straight with charitable products.

Created by Azzi Glasser, a world renowned perfumer, IN PEACE eau de parfume is designed to promote peace, and drive sponsorships for Women for Women International programmes.  The new limited edition design, ‘Eden’ by Lo Cole, which has been created to celebrate International Peace Day has been inspired by the colours, art and patterns from the eight countries in which Women for Women International operate - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Nigeria, Rwanda Afghanistan and Iraq - and is a celebration of life, light and peace.

IN PEACE opens with top notes of Pimento and Divine French Iris, soft Mimosa and creamy Suede notes follow to reveal the passionate heart of the fragrance. Finally White Musk Sandalwood and Tonka Bean infuse your senses, leaving a very feminine, lasting impression.

 Ten per cent of net profits from the sale of each bottle will go directly to Women for Women’s sponsorship programme, which supports women survivors of war to enable them to rebuild their lives and promote peaceful communities. It is also hoped that women purchasing the perfume, feel inspired by this charitable partnership and go on to become a Women for Women International sponsor themselves. 

If you fancy picking up a bottle, you may want to do so on either Wednesday or Thursday this week when Space NK hold their Beauty Anthology event...

For every purchase over £150 you will receive the above goody bag containing 28 deluxe sample sizes of their pick of their brands. 

For more details on how to get your tickets for the event look 

here: spacenk.com/beautyanthologyevent

The Limited Edition In Peace fragrance is available now. For more details go here: www.spacenk.com/inpeace

Dublin

Oh Ireland. You sure know how to make a girl feel special.

This week I popped over to Dublin to train the brilliant staff in Space NK and while I was there I thought it would be fun to do a quick meet'n'greet later in the afternoon. Little did I know that literally hundreds of you would turn up and queue in the rain to talk to me about your blackheads. 

Thank you for coming - and thank you for the presents galore. Please don't buy me presents - spend your money on lovely skincare for yourself! However, I did receive goodies so some special mentions.....

Helen - for the cake and tea

Emer - for the scones 

Michelle - for the product - you shouldn't have!

And lovely Daisy and her Mum who travelled from Cork to see me. You're so beautiful Daisy.

Suzanne and Emily and baby Jamie who was an angel while his Mum queued for ages...

The girls from Wexford whose names I didn't get - I'm sorry!

And..

PinkWink1 whose name I didn't get!

Photo - Caroline Egan @cazaegan - she has a great name! :)

Aisling - who I literally accused of nicking my phone. I'm nice like that. (She hadn't - obvs!) @aislingfarrell

Gorgeous Naomi who came from Belfast and barely got to speak to me! I crushed her with a mama boob hug instead. Next time I PROMISE.

Lovely Catherine - who was gorgeous and petite - showing how I am NOT *channels Big Bird*

The completely beautiful Laura who interviewed me for beaut.ie @loorakennedy 

Aideen who interviewed me for Dublin's 98FM

You can see the full interview with Aideen here:

And finally the wonderful team at Space NK in Grafton Street. Thank you for your help, for keeping order so brilliantly, for keeping me topped up with fizzy booze water and food - just everything. Thank you thank you.

Dublin you absolutely rock. And I'll be back. Soon.

Another Space NK drop-in.

My bad. I completely forgot. You can tell I'm still on meds can't you? I'm in Space NK in Brighton this Wednesday. It's not an 'official' PA - I'm training the brilliant team - but I seem to be asked a lot about Brighton so thought I'd mention it. We should be done by 2pm onwards if anyone fancies popping in.
Same tea rule applies. :)

See you there!

The never-ending virus and a new PA date.

So that little cold that I had a few weeks ago turned out to be a virus that clung on to me like a bad smell. I'm STILL on antibiotics and barely had the energy for my day job the last couple of weeks so the blogging took a little (big) back seat. Sorry. I'll make it up to you. Honest guv.

Starting with a new date for a Personal Appearance - in Dublin. I bloody love Dublin.

On Wednesday 25th June I'll be in the brand spanking new Space NK in Grafton Street, Dublin between the hours of 3pm and 5pm. It's a drop-in session so no tickets necessary, just bring yourself and if you're passing somewhere that does good tea, bring us a cuppa? I'll give you the money when I see you. Ta muchly. :)

See you in the land of my great-grandparents soon!

Nude Advanced Renewal Serum

Nude's Advanced Renewal Serum has just gone on sale in Space NK and is worth checking out. 

An updated version of their original Advanced Cellular Repair Serum, it's suitable for all skin types but if you have combination/oily skin in particular, this is a water based 'light-lotion' textured serum and might be more comfortable for you if you feel unsure about/are put off by oil based serums. It's perfectly comfortable for drier/sensitised skins also.

It's too early to give feedback about the results with only a few uses under my belt, but it absorbs easily, is very light in texture and works with all moisturisers. Ingredients include probiotics (obviously), polypeptides, omega 6/9 and hyaluromnic acid and sea kelp to aid hydration. 

Skin is definitely glowing and comfortable after application and it's not in the crazy-priced area of £200+ for a serum - it's £68.00 for 30ml.

Available from all Space stores and online at www.spacenk.com 

Instore appearance - Space NK

As part of Space NK's Spring Series I will be doing a day of appointments in their Hans Crescent store on Friday 28th March.

Appointments are on a first come first served basis and available now by calling 0208 740 2085.

Once again - I have no control over the booking system.

More info on what else is going on can be found here: Facebook/SpaceNK

Hope to see you there!

#discoverSpaceNK

Space NK Wish List Event

I can't believe I haven't blogged in over a week. I knew I was busy but REALLY - where does the time go?

SO: let's crack on with some loveliness.

Space NK are holding another 'Event' (GWP to the rest of us) on 20th November and its a good one. If you spend over £150 instore or online on the day, you will receive all of the above - and do you see that little green card? It's a £50.00 gift voucher. Yes, they are giving you £50.00 back. There are no ties - it's literally a £50.00 gift card.

*JOY*

The event is being widely supported instore by reps/MUA's/specialists across all the brands - tickets are £15.00 from your local store.

If you can't make it to a Space in person on the day - simply enter BAG20 before you checkout online at www.spacenk.com and you too can claim your bag.

All purchases must be made on the 20th and the offer is only available while stocks lasts. I wouldn't hang around if I were you.

Space NK Beauty Festival

Space NK is 20 years old this year (20!) - and to celebrate they are holding a series of events across their stores this week. 

On Wednesday night I am chairing a panel of brand founders/representatives on the topic of Science v Nature. 

Appearing with me are the founders of Goldfaden MD, Zelens and Elemental Herbology - I'm expecting it to be a very interesting debate!

Details of all the other events happening are listed below.....

Tickets are £15.00 and fully redeemable at the event - call 0208 740 2085 for further info.

Do come and see me if you can!

My kind of GWP's. Liberty and Space NK show the others how it's done.

Exhibit A

When you work on counters you rejoice at the term 'GWP' - for it means you are about to hit target and make some serious cash.

When you are a department/speciality store with all of those brands at your disposal - you can work wonders.

Exhibit A: Liberty's current GWP for all spends over £150 is worth over £300 and contains all of the above.

Exhibit B: Space NK's 'National Event' (GWP) is below and is also free with spends over £150.00.

Exhibit B

Liberty's GWP is while stocks last - and Space NK's is just for tomorrow and Thursday and you may need a ticket - check with your usual store for details.

Happy shopping peeps.

Yours, 

The Great Enabler

Georgia Louise launching in SpaceNK

Launching this June in SpaceNK is the Georgia Louise skincare range. Initially opening with 4 products - Georgia Louise is a British -born facialist now based in New York and counts Emma Stone and Linda Evangelista as clients.

The four products are Sleeping Beauty Oil, Day & Night Brightening Cream, Hydrating Rose Water and the Cleanse & Heal Duo Balm - which is predictably what I zoned in on.

This is a make-no-apologies oil based balm cleanser. Although it says that you can add a few pumps of the rosewater, for me, there is no emulsifying here - you won't get this off without a hot, wet, flannel - which suits me fine. (If I wanted something to emulsify I'd use a cleansing milk?)

It contains coconut butter, Mango butter, beeswax, castor oil, apricot kernel oil, passion fruit oil, meadow-foam seed oil, papaya oil, vitamin e oil, lavender, ylang-ylang and chamomile. And that's it. it is also 89% organic but that is neither here nor there for me as regular readers will know. 

It says suitable for all skin types - and I'm sure it pretty much is - however, I do think an acne skin could get into trouble if they didn't remove every last trace of it - properly. 

For the rest of us it's a glorious uplifting balm cleanser that gives you a good grip to really get a good massage going. You can usually rely on facialist brands more than any other to 'give good balm'. They base their products around their needs in the treatment room. You can't massage owt with a weak-assed milk. 

GL is clearly good with her hands - until recently she was making all of her products herself. 

Georgia Louise launches in SpaceNK at the beginning of June. Stores and prices to be confirmed. In the meantime, further reading on GL and her work can be found on GeorgiaLouise.co.uk

SpaceNK Sale. Heads up.

Brace yourselves. After you've enjoyed the festivities of Christmas Day - if you're awake at midnight you might want to check out spacenk.com which goes live with its SALE for Boxing Day.

My sources have supplied me with a nice long list of everything going into sale and its a good one.

Virtually all of Jemma Kidd is on offer - and Fekkai - along with Aromatherapy Associates, ByTerry, Chantecaille, Diptyque, Kevyn Aucoin, Laura Mercier, Rococco, Shu Uemura and... *breathe* Kate Somerville.

*forgets saving plan - moves it to Feb*

Beauty News Round-up

A little round-up of stories this week - first up...

• A reminder. Invati - the new range from Aveda that I reviewed late last year is on counters now. If you are worried about thinning hair - give it a go. I found it really good.
  
  
• FOUR London are teaming up with Daniel Sandler and offering a Consultation Evening next Thursday on 19th of January. The experts at FOUR will be giving colour consultations, Daniel will be giving MU tips and experts will be on hand from Dr Duve skincare to give you advice on how to get the best out of your skin. All with a glass of bubbles. To attend - simply email shirley at sdpr.co.uk
  

• Jo Malone announced this week that Charlotte Stockdale would be their new 'Style Editor'. In all honesty I'm not sure what a 'Style Editor' will do. Or how it will affect the brand. Very few brands are as visually strong as Jo Malone.
  I recently attended a CEW talk given by Jo herself to launch her new brand Jo Loves - during her speech she said that trying to pick which brand she loved more would be like 'trying to say which of her children she loved more'. I wonder what the original 'nose' makes of the new 'Style Editor'.
  Perhaps the original Jo Malone company (owned by Lauder since 1999) injecting newness into the range will be good for them - and good for the consumer.
  
  
• To celebrate the launch of their new counter in Harvey Nichols London - Stila are having a lipgloss amnesty 'Stila Steal' on 19th of this month. Just bring any lipgloss to the counter from 10am and they'll exchange it for a brand new 'Kitten' Lip Glaze.
  Interesting sidebar: Stila Lip Glaze is what I sold to my rudest customer ever when it was originally in Harvey Nichols in the late 90's. *waves at Naomi Campbell*
  
  

Frankly it's ABOUT TIME that Stila is back where it belongs. I could never get used to seeing it in Boots. Heartbreaking. It needs to be back in SpaceNK before I can sleep properly at night though.

Source

• Speaking of SpaceNK - lots of fabulous new ranges coming their way in the next couple of months - the most exciting for me being Kevyn Aucoin.
  It's 10 years this May since the unexpected death of one of the greatest MUA I have ever seen in action. I'm so glad his estate kept his new (at the time) range going. What better legacy? Look out for Celestial Powder and the Sensual Skin Enhancer. Hurry up and get here!

SPACE NK SALE DETAILS

Hot off the presses comes details of a new way of doing sale for SpaceNK. Instead of it being held in stores they are taking over the Music Rooms on South Molton Lane in Central London for four days at the end of June.

The sale officially starts at 8am on Thursday 23rd June and goes through till Saturday 25th June at 5pm. However, there is a special preview for N.dulge cardholders on Wednesday afternoon between 3-8pm.

As you would expect there is the usual assortment of colour, skin, home and hair with special mentions to byTerry, Fekkai, Chantecaille, Laura Mercier, Shu Uemura , Sonia Kashuk and Stila!!

I'll see you near the Fekkai. Back off - it's mine.

MUA of the week - Chiara Guizzetti

This week's MUA is Queen of the Catwalk Chiara Guizzetti.
You know that dream where your backstage at Chanel tending to all the top models faces while Karl Lagerfeld holds court next to you? Chiara does it in real life - and worse - makes a living out of it.. How rude.

How long have you been a MUA?
I got my PDC award in Make up in 2002 in London and did my first photoshoot straight away.
I remember being very nervous…I met the crew in South London and when I saw the photographer with the model I just wanted to run away: he previously gave me all the details about the look..except that the model had black skin (???!!!) It was quite tough but came out very well. That was my first real “lesson”.

How long have you been working in the industry?
Eight years in total. For four years alongside  Space NK, two years with Daniel Sandler Cosmetics and two years as a full-time freelance MUA.

When did you get your ‘big break’?
When I came back to live in Milan and got represented by Green Apple Italia.

 Gianfranco Ferre

What advice do you have for aspiring MUA’s trying to get into the industry?
It’s a very competitive industry, especially these days.
Be nice and people will want to work with you.
Be perseverant, eventually it will pay back.
Don’t rush things: it simply takes time.

Who has been your best client so far?
I worked with lots of lovely people…. but I have a very nice memory of working with Marie O’Riordan, former editor of Marie Claire UK. I did her make-up when she was the main judge for Britain’s Missing Top Model, she’s exquisite, very professional and I feel  so lucky to have met her and worked for her.

And your favourite job so far?
Last year in Venice for the Chanel cruise show. It was AMAZING. From to the gorgeous hotel (booked out just for us) on the Lido, to working with the world’s top models, the magic atmosphere of Venice…Watch for yourself ..here.  (Warning - this video will make you A: jealous and B: crave Chanel)

What are you currently working on/who with?
I just did a shoot for Pierre Ancy.

How many brushes do you own?
Lots. More than 50 I’d say, but I tend to use my favourites most of the time, of which there are probably about 10.

What do you consider your speciality?
My make up style is generally soft, not really into the heavy handed stuff…my strong point is a  good eye for colours.

What is your favourite brand, and why?
I like variety and to be able to choose..so I like to work with different brands: Laura Mercier for concealers, MAC and Becca for foundations, Daniel Sandler for  blushers, Dolce & Gabbana lipsticks, Stila, Kevyn Aucoin, Chantecaille, Shu Uemura, Madina Milano, Stephane Marais, Chanel.

 Donatella and Christopher Kane - like you do...

Your kit is on fire – and you can only save 5 things. What are they?
Bioderma Make up Remover
Decleor Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Emulsion
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (if you don't own this after reading all of these MUA's list it in this section you're clearly missing a trick!)
Lash Curler
Daniel Sandler Watercolour

You can follow Chiara's life on the road blog here.
And check out her amazing website here!