Protect the Face- Mac Prep + Prime

The sun is out in London! This year even I have caught the city's park bug and have pilgrimaged to the grass a few times already. Last year I totally avoided the sun and stayed as pale snow summer long; this was not so much a fashion statement but rather a submission to the fact that I tan unevenly- lily legs combined with golden arms is never pleasant. However, this year I plan to embrace the sunlight armed with some hefty sun protection. Finding high factor protection for the body is easy enough, but trying to get skin-friendly SPF for the face is always more of a challenge. The best I have found is above, Mac Prep and Prime Face Protector.

It is lovely high factor 50+ and is marketed as a primer, giving it a dual use. Smoothed on after moisturiser it evens out the skin texture before foundation application, and is easily absorbed and non-greasy. I highly recommend going to beauty counters rather than the chemist for face sun protection as the formulas are designed especially to treat your skin delicately- take heed, I tried a Loreal facial suncream and suffered a undignified allergic reaction! It is worth paying a little more to be kind to your face.

Molton Brown London Wilde Fairyfleur

Molton Brown lovers like myself will be excited to know that a new collection, mystically named Wilde Fairyfleur, has just launched. Inspired by English folklore and the country's springtime in bloom, the products carry notes of citrus, rose and amber, enriched with a posy of fairyfleur, commonly known as cowslip and cornflower.

Molton Brown products are always richly fragrance and luxurious to use, so I was eager to try the new scent; something that is inspired by magic and smells like a blooming hedgerow is instantly appealing! Though my nose is not delicate enough to detect any of the distinct fragrances listed in the press release (quoted above) I can confirm that the overall scent is delicious. It is not a heady pungent floral, but rather light, fresh and reviving. It has an instantly appealing and non-offensive perfume, that would make a safe gift; I spent a good 30 mins in Molton Brown sniffing bottle tops to find my Gran a Christmas present, and just wish this collection had been available then! Sadly it's limited edition, so I think an additional candle and body lotion will have to be factored into this months pay packet!

Nails and Lips

Silly pose but I always enjoy creating colour combos between nails and lips. Here I have Orly Lollipop on the nails with Twilight Lip Venom. I reviewed the venom awhile back, so was faintly amused to overhear a toilet conversation about it, around a mirror in a club last Thursday eve:

Girl 1: 'What's that you're using?'
Girl 2: (embarrassed) 'It's actually Twilight Lip Venom'
Girl 1: 'Oh. But it looks so good!'
Girl 2:: 'I know it is really good!'
Girl 3: 'I've used that, it's good!'

I didn't have time to put my oar in but all 3 are right. It's very very good!

Stealing from Grandma

The last week or so we have seen a ray of sunshine in London. Being sun deprived folk, this small change has lead to a flurry of sloppily applied fan tan legs emerging with dusty gladiators sitting triumphantly on the end of each; we even saw a girl in a cotton playsuit and Raybans pounding the pavement at midnight! The trouble is that it is still actually April, and we still live in the UK. Whilst we have a hint of yellow light by day, the wind is still chilly and temperatures drop at night: enter the spring jacket.

Shorter and lighter than its winter counterpart, the Spring jacket allows us to feel that we are sartorially morphing in to summer, whilst also ensuring that we don't catch hypothermia. My jacket of choice is the little Aquascutum number above, just the ticket for a slight rise in temperature. I 'acquired' this delightful piece from my gran; it was a familiar sight on her back for many years in that time drew many a compliment from myself. She eventually, very kindly, offered it to me, and so a coat used to fields and country paths was thrust in to the cities streets and underground. Some may not agree, but I feel that it perfectly transcends from a Gran's wardrobe in to a Granddaughter's, and knowing its history makes it even more enjoyable to wear.

ASOS Access All Areas

I love ASOS. Absolutely love ASOS! It is an e-commerce inspiration that seems to get it right season by nailing every trend going, but doing it on a budget that is accessible for everyone. I was very kindly invited to a preview of the new collection, and am pleased to report that this season is no exception..

We are going to get bunny ear head bands, ethereal pastels, flowing maxis, bold prints, deliciously touchable textures with a healthy dose of heeled clogs, peep-toe sneaker boots and African-inspired jewellery. Catwalk on to the internet and finally on to our backs! Ingenious.

ASOS events are famously fun with dress up sessions and pampering to the max. Champagne in hand and a good few canapes later, the wonderful PR girls encourage you to try the clothes and get snap happy on that catwalk. Sadly it was to be a flying vist and I didn't have time to try anything, but there was so many covetable pieces on those rails! I had a hard time picking though the photographs to choose my favourite items but I think that the below 3 are definate summer staples. There was also a pretty cotton sun dress I was taken with but did not have the image for!

This beautiful beaded jacket would work formally or casually with bleached denim

Grey jersey softens the maxi skirt from goth to boho

Revealing but not so much, this swimsuit would be a chic alternative to a bikini that would definitely turn heads on the sand!

Happy Easter

Orly Sweet Collection

Pastel polishes are everywhere are the moment; OPI, Essie, YSL, Chanel and Illamasqua are just a few of the brands I have seen stocked with candy coloured bottles. I Love a good pastel nail, so was delighted to be sent 3 Orly nail polishes to try. The new season collection is aptly named 'Sweet' and the shades are named after sugary delights. Above I am wearing Lollipop (lilac), Gumdrop (green) and Lemonade (yellow), how delightful!
Colour
The polishes are highly pigmented which is a big plus, I hate wishy washy colours that take multiple coats to resemble the colour they are in the bottle. Here I have 3 coats on but I am admittedly paint happy- 2 would have been sufficient.

Application
Smooth and streak free! I also noticed that they dried very quickly, I estimate within a minute and a half?

Longevity
The multi-coloured hand was simply for blogging purposes! I have now applied a coat of Gumdrop on to both hands and will update on how many days I stay chip free. So far I am impressed with the range, but the proof of the pudding is in the chipping! TBC...

UPDATE: 3 days perfect and took much Cutex/scrubbing to get off! Very strongly bonded to the nail