Prada Minimal Baroque Sunglasses

I am totally digging the Prada Minimal Baroque sunglasses, the arms have a funky curvy design and the lenses are super big and round like Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.  Great for a hungover day or just to make sure your face gets protected from as many rays as possible (nobody wants eye wrinkles).  Pretty pricey but I think they are worth it.  The glasses come in four colours - black, white, a light brown and a tortoiseshell.

£210 from http://store.prada.com/en/UK/woman/sunglasses/minimal-baroque

Balmi - Lip Balm

Balmi lipbalms are the cutest ones I have seen on sale for a while.  They remind me of EOS balms that they sell in the states with their round design and domed balm which is a perfect no-nonsense applicator and means you don't have to dig fingers into a pot or tin of balm which always results in gunky nails.


The balm isn't too thick or sticky and leaves a thin layer on your lips with a gentle scent - you don't want an overpowering lipbalm as after a while it starts to make you feel a bit ill!  My favourites are coconut and strawberry.


I was very impressed with their honesty on their website about animal testing so I have copied and pasted it below, I think many more companies should make things this clear.

Q. Are your products Animal Tested?
The legislation governing testing in our industry is as follows:
In Sept 2004 a complete ban on testing on animals of finished products was imposed by EU legislation. In the UK, animal testing on both individual ingredients and finished products has not actually taken place since 1998!

All our suppliers do not test any finished product on animals and strive to use ingredients which have never been tested on animals. However, some of the most common ingredients used within our and many cosmetic products will have been tested at some point over the years even though this may not have been on behalf of the cosmetics industry. As a company, we do not use any "newly developed ingredients which have involved animal testing" within any of our new products and nearly all ingredients used by our suppliers were tested in excess of 20 years ago, if at all. We do not use any animal derived ingredients, with the exception of materials such as Honey, Royal Jelly, Beeswax etc which are obviously produced without harming the animals. 


Balmi lip balms come in the flavours: Coconut, Strawberry, Raspberry and Mint




The lip balm is available from Boots and costs £4.99


*pr sample

I got my eyebrows tattooed!

Call me a vain and shallow individual if you will, but I detest going anywhere or doing anything without make-up.  I had a scary thought at the gym last week, in fact it was more of a realisation, I have been wearing make up now for 15 years! I love it though and the essence of this blog is just that I really really love make-up so hey, why feel bad about my addiction.

One thing that used to bug me every day was my eyebrows, they weren't sparse but they weren't very long and always had to be defined otherwise I looked like I had a half-brow!  I had thought about having them tattooed before but you hear such horror stories that I was a little worried. On the other hand, you know me, I like a bit of a nip and tuck, pinch and tweak!  All it took was an offer from my lovely friend Lorena to have her do my eyebrows and I just decided to go for it.  Honestly, it is one of the best things I have ever done and I LOVE them.

Lorena from Derma Eraze is trained in semi permanent make-up and many other treatments.  She also previously very kindly wrote a guide for me on how to find the best semi permanent makeup artist.

Before and after

What is the procedure step by step?

On the day of your first tattooing you go for your appointment and have a full consultation as to what look and shape you want and what colour.  Then your eyebrows are marked up, measured and plucked into the shape that is going to be tattooed (if you have any eyebrows) and you then agree that you are happy with them.  You do not commence with any tattooing until you are happy with the shape and have approved it.

Lorena specialises in the hair stroke tattooing so the needle is used to finely draw on the brows hair by hair so they look as real as possible. 

Only once you have approved the tattoo does it begin. Your eyebrows are numbed and there are regular breaks so you aren't in much discomfort.  It is a tattoo so it a little painful as the skin is so thin on the brow bone but I would have it done again so it can't be that bad!

Having your brows tattooed is a multi treatment procedure so you do need to return to the salon again after the first time.  Your first treatment with fade dramatically so you go back after a month for a touch up and this is the ideal time to see if you want to make any changes to your eyebrows as you have lived with them for a month and might want them thicker or longer.  You must also remember to use your aftercare oil to help heal the tattoo.

The treatment takes around 2 hours in all and costs approximately The price for a consultation is £50 which is payable by Paypal at the time of booking.  The consultation price will go toward your procedure if you decide to go ahead.

The cost for the procedure is £390 and this includes a top up 4 weeks later.

Prices for top ups after this time are £175

My opinion

The day of the tattoo my eyebrows felt numb but a bit sore for the rest of the day.  Over the course of two weeks you need to use your oil to moisturise the tattoo as they do get dry and flaky.  After four weeks they have faded somewhat so you go back for your top up and then the procedure of the dry and flakiness happens again.  After another 4 weeks your eyebrows look amazing! I am so pleased I had them done and it saves so much time doing them every morning, I just pluck around the shape now when the hair grows back and it's like a template.  If you want semi permanent tattooing in Surrey then this is definitely the place to go.  So many people compliment me on my eyebrows which is super weird, I mean who notices an eyebrow? I have had a compliment from a stranger in a lift about them!  I would definitely recommend getting this done especially if you have sparse eyebrows or have an illness which has caused hairloss.

 http://dermaeraze.co.uk/

*complimentary treatment

Evil Plot: World Hair Domination

The Only Way Is Essex, Geordie Shore, Desperate Scousewives – if the thought of hair extensions conjures up images of these reality show stars then you’ve probably steered clear of them so far – but there’s no need to be so afraid! The reason you never see anyone carrying off the faux look successfully is because you’re not supposed to know about it!

With a little practise, hair extensions can give you the added length or volume you’re lusting after without any of the waiting or gallons of hairspray usually involved. The trick to getting extensions right is to find the correct colour and length for your style; don’t buy 22 inch long hair extensions if your own hair is only 4 inches long! It’s tempting but we’ve all seen how that turns out (like I said, you won’t notice them done right but you will notice when someone gets them wrong!).

I’ve got to admit, I’m a hair addict. That’s right, there’s a hidden agenda here; I want to convert you all to my way of thinking (as I sit here with my extensions weaved firmly onto my head) and have you trying out hair extensions by the end of this article! You don’t need to start forking out hundreds of pounds on glue-in extensions or searching for a hairdresser who can sew new hair onto your own – whilst that would be the next step for you in my plans to convert the nation, I’m gonna start you off easy with clip-ins.

They’re relatively inexpensive if you shop around, and you can take care of them in pretty much the same way you do your own hair. A bit of special attention is needed to ensure they don’t dry out, as hair extensions don’t get any of the natural oils and moisture your own hair does, but besides that you can do whatever you like with them.

Depending on your hair colour, it can be difficult to find the exact shade you’re looking for. Most retailers will help you out here and colour-match your extensions for you, but for the more experienced among us it can work out cheaper to do a bit of guess-work and buy them from Ebay – just buy a wash-in/wash-out dye in the colour you need (maybe two packs!) and get to work! Just make sure you buy your extensions a shade lighter, so you can dye them darker to match your own hair.

If you’re blonde, it gets a lot trickier; bleaching hair extensions is not something I recommend unless you’re a hairdresser/are in possession of a hairdresser friend. In fact, your friend’s a hairdresser, stop reading and go persuade them to do all this work!

Once you’ve found the right hair for your needs, (and dyed it if it’s justnotquiteright!) you can spend a bit of time practising the subtle art of clipping it into your own – it’s not as hard as it seems, the trick is to just check you can’t see the clips once it’s all in!

Best advice - get a trusted friend (or your mother, they’re always BRUTALLY honest in my experience!) to tell you whether you look like an extra from TOWIE before you leave the house!

Xtras have this handy little guide to show you the best way to clip’em in – backcombing really will help no end

*sponsored post

Instagramming #3

A week in Instagram @sarahloolaa

1 - Something to remember for a Monday

2 - Debating which new car to get - Audi A1?

3 - Mary Jane Louboutins - anything hotter?

4 - My ode to Twilight

5 - Essie Mint Candy Apple NOTD

6 - If Robert Downy Jnr had a fabric softener

7 - Drinks at Dirty Martini (very very strong)

8 - Hurly Burly show with my girl Ang

9 - Essie Lapis de Luxury and Asos spike bracelet

10 - I like bit butts...

11 - Specs Appeal

12 - The Lou's at Wireless

13 - Benny

14 - Rita Ora at Wireless

15 - Drake at Wireless - fireworks at the end of his set

Leave your Instagram name below in the comments and I will check yours out x

Lash Genius by Anastasia Beverly Hills

Anastasia Soare is widely known in the USA as a beauty innovator, and for good reason. Long before professional eyebrow shaping became an essential beauty ritual and before threading bars were in every Superdrug across the country, she was the go-to beauty specialist for top celebrities and all of their eyebrow needs. She isn't so well known here but you can but her products at Cult beauty in the UK.

Lash Genius is a clear topcoat that instantly waterproofs, refreshes, and protects any mascara all day, without drying or clumping. Cost is £14.00

What it does:
This advanced, lightweight formula glides on smooth, dries quickly, and gives your lashes a touchable, soft lacquer finish that lasts all day.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens

This product does exactly what it states. My hayfever is a nightmare and my eyes sometimes water or itch throughout the day and before mid day my mascara is half way off my eyes especially if I have also gone to the gym. When I use this topcoat it stay on until I take it off at the end of the day and it also seems to help set the curl. I think this is a really excellent product for £14.00 and easy to use and remove. I will definitely purchase one when this runs out.  Overall a 9/10

*pr sample

The Hurly Burly Show Review

The Hurly Burly Show

Duchess Theatre WC2

Burlesque has become more mainstream since Dita Von Teese became famous but somehow, some way, I had never been to a burlesque show before last night.

The Hurly Burly show opened two days ago in Covent Garden and is Directed by William Baker (who works with Ms Kylie Minogue) which shows as the are girls are gorgeous with fabulous outfits and choreography.

The star of the Hurly Burly show is the stunning Miss Polly Rae and she is supported by the 6 Hurly Burly Girlies who have acts individually and as a group and all the girls sing and dance their way through the show. I enjoyed the show so much, the girls' humour and suggestive gags cracked us up and had us laughing from start to finish. The music is fab and is a combination of standard striptease style music and reworked pop songs by Rihanna, Lady Gaga and a favourite was a rather amusing rendition of Michael Jackson's I'm Bad and the moustache'd girls dancing to Queen had us in stitches.

The show is obviously sexy but isn't distasteful and the girls remain wearing a small G-string and pasties as a minimum so you don't get a surprise vag appearance as you do with some (it doesn't bother me but considering the reaction from women who I told I was seeing a burlesque show there are still plenty of prudes out there despite the sales of 50 Shades of Gray). The outfits the girls wear are gorgeous and there is a lot of crystal embellishment, I left at the end desperately wanting glittery red Louboutins and to bedazzle my underwear!

　

All in all this is a great night out for you and a girlfriend, I don't think I would take a guy as all of the guys on dates looked quite uncomfortable as if they weren't quite sure whether or not to look or not. There is a small amount of audience participation so if you hate that sort of thing then don't sit in the front 2 rows. It's nothing embarrassing and you don't get on stage or get your kit off but some people are a bit terrified of that sort of thing happening so beware.

　

I give the show 5/5 and would love to see it again

http://www.hurlyburlyuk.com/

URBAN DECAY CANCEL PLANS TO SELL IN CHINA

Urban Decay have done the right thing and reversed their earlier decision to sell products in China where animal tests are required.

Following discussions with PETA—and after receiving e-mails from thousands of PETA supporters—top cosmetics company Urban Decay has canceled previously announced plans to begin marketing its products in China, where cruel and deadly animal tests are currently required by the government. For staying true to its slogan—"We don't test on animals. How could anyone?"—at the cost of potential financial benefit, Urban Decay has been returned to PETA's list of cruelty-free cosmetics and will receive the group's Courage in Commerce Award.

"Urban Decay is a corporate champion in PETA's book for refusing to pay for animals to be harmed and killed for the sake of overseas profits," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "The company's ethical decision also reveals the moral decay of other larger companies that have sold animals out for a market share in China."

Bold and edgy, Urban Decay's cosmetics products—many of which are specially marked with a purple pawprint to show that they are vegan—have long been a top choice for consumers who are as fashion-conscious as they are concerned about animal welfare.


Ethical minded companies like Urban Decay may not have long to wait before non-animal tests are accepted in China: Thanks to PETA-funded scientists, the Chinese government is now poised to accept its first-ever non-animal test for cosmetics ingredients.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

I am so glad to share this news with you as UD are one of my favourite brands and I had been appalled with their decision to animal test. Good on you Urban Decay xxx

No Internet Access

My internet installation has now been delayed again until the end of the month. I doubt I will be able to blog much until then.

I am sorry if you were expecting particular posts or if you are a pr who has sent me something to review.

Believe me I am not enjoying this one bit and am not intentionally not blogging about your product or service. I also cannot work from home, shop online, order my food online or do anything that I would normally do. My phone bill has tripled from adding internet bolt ons as that is the only way I can even use Twitter or Instagram.

I hate sky and their useless waiting times for installation which is apparently due to the WEATHER. Yes the weather. Not sure how much weather there is in my flat?

LAUREN'S WAY DARKER THAN DARK SELF TANNING BRONZING LOTION

Lack of internet/camera is meaning I have to instagram my photos lol!

For those of you that have watched The Only Way is Essex you will now Lauren Goodger and no doubt know that she has her own range of fake tan mousse, lotion and spray tan solution for sale. 

Despite being a rather embarrassing admission I do rather like a bit of TOWIE. For those of you that are wondering what on earth I am talking about you can check out clips from the only way is essex on youtube or view Lauren's website here http://www.laurensway.com/

With the colour guide on!

Is it easy to use? 
I do like the product and it's ease of use. I used it with a mitt and applied in long sweeping strokes to cover the area such as arms and legs, and then used circular motions to buff it in to prevent any streaks. I actually found this easier to blend than the mousse which I was very surprised about as mousses are usually the easiest for me to apply. If you are using a mitt though you 100% must wear a glove underneath as it DOES seem through the mitt and you'll end up with an orange hand without the glove.

Remember - I always say to moisturise your whole hands and feet as this particular tan does have a tendency to grab at those areas more than others I have tried.

What are the ingredients? Does it smell funky? 
The product is alcohol and paraben free, only has a very light fake tan smell in the morning when you wake up, it is definitely not a really pongy fake tan, and it contains no artificial preservatives.

Does it take forever to dry? Do you have to stand around like a sticky orange?
The lotion was dry and I was ready to put on my pj's in 5 minutes, it really was that simple. As with most lotions there was definitely colour rub off on the sheets and there was a lovely orange mark where I had been sleeping, but I have white sheets so I can bung them in a 90 degree wash so it all came out with a bit of vanish!

So is it pricey then?
The pump bottle is 250ml and only costs £17.95 which to me is a good price for such a good product.



Any other thoughts? 
I would definitely apply this and then go to bed, the colour guide is pretty dark and I looked like I was made of orange clay!

Overall I give Lauren's Way tan a 10/10.  
I was pleasantly surprised with the colour and lack of smell.  If you like Fake Bake then I think you would like this tan.


PR Sample 

Cuticura Anti Bacterial Hand Serum

If you want to protect your hands from bacteria for 8 hours but hate using alcohol filling hand sanitisers that make your hands dry then give Cuticura's new innovative serum a whirl. The product has anti bacterial technology that gets rid of 99.99% of bacteria and creates an invisible soft skin glove that actively prevents re-infection for 8 hours. It is Alcohol free to protect your hands and without triclosan for those who are allergic. This product is very gentle whilst still packing the punch of traditional anti bacterial hand sanitisers.

The packaging is small and neat, the lid snaps shut firmly so there are no worries of handbag spillages and the scent is very light and refreshing - cucumber melon if you can actually get a whiff of any smell at all. The tube labelling is quite ugly looking but then it is a more medically product than a pretty product. I do think they could step up the packaging somewhat though to make it more appealing.

This product is great for commuters, those who spend a lot of time outside or those with a young family as it protects from E.coli and salmonella plus lots of other nasty bugs.

It's great to take on holiday , festivals or just for everyday on the tube! Overall I thing this is a great product as I use hand sanitiser all day long normally (Bath and Body Works normally) and they do make your hands really dry and ruin your Shellac and fake tan. The serum leaves your skin nice and soft and only needs to be applied a couple of times (I would always reapply after washing my hands from the bathroom in case I wash it off).

For £2.49 for a 50ml bottle which is great for your handbag or nappy bag I would definitely give this a go if you are as freaked out by germs as I am! Available from Boots, Sainsburys, Tesco and similar pharmacies and supermarkets.

http://www.cuticura.co.uk/

Item provided free for review