Amazing eyes

I first discovered Gazelli this time last year when I was invited to a brand event at the Josh Woods atelier in Notting Hill where Gazelli have their main treatment rooms.

Using… Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm

I'm getting to the stage where my skin needs a bit of love. The cheaper cleansing products that I've resorted to since being at uni and not having the luxury of mummy helping me to pay for them are fine but I can tell that as my skin begins to get older (I know 23 isn't old but being told by the woman on the Clinique counter that I should have been using an eye cream for a couple of years already does make it hit home!!) I'm going to need to give the products I'm using a bit more thought. 

So, I decided, no more baby wipes for cleansing (unless very drunk/hungover/travelling). I was recently given a couple of pots of Emma Hardie cleaning balm at a launch party and they've been sitting on my dressing table ever since. But the more that the bloggers raved about it, the more I decided that I really should give it a try! My mum has the best skin and in her 60 odd years swears she's never put water on her face - she believes that's the secret! - so I've always been a little reluctant. But I braved the fact that she's just got good genes and am crossing my fingers that the come to me as well and started using the cleaner a couple of months ago, combined with an eye make up remover, followed by a good toner and moisturiser.

The balm is described as a balanced daily cleanser that thoroughly cleanses and moisturises. It claims to calm sensitive skin and revitalise dull or mature skin. To use, you simply take a small amount on your finger, mix with a little water to create a milk and massage into your skin. It melts onto my skin amazingly and smells delicious. I use a muslin cloth, textured side followed by smooth to remove the cleanser which gently polishes and leaves my very dry winter skin feeling nourished and cleansed. 

I use the cleanser in the shower every day and have been following this routine for the last month. My skin feels obviously smoother and dry patches (winter skin is awful!) are a lot less frequent. The cleanser is on the more pricey side at £34 for 100ml but I really do think its worth it and will look to repurchase if its still working for me in the same way when I reach the end of the pot. 

Emma Hardie also suggests that it can double as a soothing and hydrating mask if left on the skin for 10 minutes which I will definitely be giving a try! Have you tried the cleansing balm? Or any of the other Emma Hardie products yet?

Sleek, silky and glossy

So, when I was last at home (...remember?) I had a little bit of a mummy treat with some of my favourite  hair care products. Now you might be thinking, really, why does this matter but believe me, as a student every little treat is a big deal and I certainly can't afford these babies from my student loan! They are incredible though and I couldn't resist a little share...

My favourite out of the Catwalk shampoos is either Headshot or the Curls Rock, oatmeal and honey yumminess in a bottle and I've been 'borrowing' mummys' for as long as I can remember! The shampoos are nourishing yet don't leave your hair feeling greasy in the way that some richer haircare products do and the smell is simply divine! The conditioner is the same, nourishing and lovely and you dry your hair feeling and smelling like you've just walked out of a salon. Until I can afford 'blowdries once a week darlingggg' these little babies are the way forward. Most good hairdressers stock Catwalk products and will be happy to reccommend what's best for your hair type so check them out next time you fancy a little bit of pampering!

Promenade #4

Promenade issue #4 has just been released.

This is big.

Produced by Sussex Style, the society that I run at Uni, the magazine is produced bi-annually and covers everything from fashion to lifestyle, film and music reviews to beauty tips. It aims to epitomise not just a student lifestyle, but instead offer something for everyone, guys and girls alike.

I thought I'd share a few pics of the brand new issue with you, a little taster before you click through and read the whole magazine here. 

This issue is all about summer. And festivals. And summery festival fashion. Not to mention a fab shoot on Brighton beach featuring some of my favourite brands, including Saima Majid who I'm currently interning for (and who I should mention currently have a 50% sale on silk scarves here!).

The shoot is probably one of my favourite things about the issue. Its bright, bold, classic and eye catching. What more do you need from summer fashion? The models are gorgeous society members and the shoot was styled by the society's Fashion Director. What a fab job they did and a massive thank you to all of the brands that collaborated with us to ensure the perfect execution. There's lots of stunning shots but here's a couple as a sneek peek...

An article on Miss Delevinge demonstrates that this is not just a student fashion magazine. Instead Promenade uses an educated tone to really convey a point. Without the need for demonstrations as Sussex is seemingly so infamous for!! 

Summer festivals are a key component. From Bestival nautical make up advice, to festival fashion and some tips on the places to go outside of the mainstream calender, this issue of Promenade really does have something for everyone. From exhibition reviews, cultural discussions and the bands to watch, the selection of articles truly demonstrates eclectic Sussex.

I choose not to write or edit the magazine and instead just oversee editorial meetings and try to ensure that everything gets done to schedule. I like taking a back seat on this part of the society. It means that it's as much as a surprise to me as to you when the mag finally goes to print (or to Issuu, perhaps - we haven't quite got the funding for a print run yet, donations more than welcome!!). The magazine is going from strength to strength and I can't wait to see what direction the Winter issue chooses to take.

Check out issue #4 and back issues here and like Promenade on Facebook here.

<3

Angels on Bare Skin

'...As gentle and beautiful as being kissed by angels...'

I popped into Lush the other day for the first time in a while and it was all to grab a sample of Angels on Bare Skin, a cleanser based on an age old formula that uses pure ingredients to great effect. My sister is a fan of the cleanser but I've always taken after my mum with the very odd idea that you shouldn't wash your face with water - who knows why?!! - so have never been a huge fan but on my last try I was converted and decided to try it out for a couple of days.

Angels on Bare Skin evens out skin tone, reduces redness and improves the health and appearance of your skin – giving a natural healthy glow. The ground almonds in this product release their goodness and turn to an almond milk on your hand when you add water. It smells yummy , with Lavender being one of the main ingredients and appears, unlike a lot of other water based cleansers not to try out my sensitive skin. Definite positives.

The cleaner is a solid, that turns to a cleansing milk when added to water. It has no preservatives either which makes it pretty natural to use. I've been experimenting with it for a couple of days now and I'm definitely a fan. At only £6.50 a tub that seems to last for ages I will definitely be investing!! A student budget well utilised I reckon, especially as I have had to cut ties with my Dermalogica habit during term time!

#ThatsMyColour

The Swiss leaders in nail care, Mavala, have just launched #ThatsMyColour - a month long campaign where there is a chance to have your own colour bottled into a nail polish. All you do to take part is find your colour, take a photo of it and then using the power of social media filter it onto the internet, either on Twitter or Instagram using #ThatMyColour hashtag. Three winners will be chosen at the end of the month -a fab idea in my book!

Many fashionistas and bloggers are already on board and you can watch the campaign video here.

The colour of a dress, the vibrant hue of a flower - what do you admire and would like to wear on your nails. What's your colour?

My colour would have to be a rich green - so difficult to find, yet so striking to wear throughout the seasons, spring and summer with whites and creams, and into autumn and winter with a darker wardbrobe palette. Hunter originals, as well as the leafy green of spring flowers truly encapsulate the beauty of the colour.