The Lowdown On Designer Vaginas

Did you know that the number of labiaplasties has shot up five-fold over the last decade? 

Read my article here on Cosmopolitan's website on expert concerns regarding designer vaginas.

Would you consider this procedure? If so, why? If not, why not? xxx

Soap & Glory Launches Girl-O-Whirl

Christmas is upon us and so is this fabulous multi-product Girl-O-Whirl make-up kit from beauty lovers' favourite quirky brand Soap & Glory. 

Say hello to six eyeshadows, six lipsticks, the Thick & Fast Super Volume mascara, a Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Nudist, a highlighter and shimmering bronzer, and three essential make-up brushes for daily application.

You'll be able to get your hands on Girl-O-Whirl at Boots for one week at £19, starting from 15 November. After that, it will go up to a whopping £40. Get your purses ready ladies!

Currently Obsessed With #6 Neon Pink Nails

I know what you're thinking - neon pink in November?! But let's be honest - nail polishes are a beauty lover's best friend and when the clouds come out and the sky is pitch black, what's better than a pretty pink highlighter wake-up call?

I took a chance on Color Club's Warhol nail lacquer, knowing it was insanely bright, but the risk paid off and I've fallen in love with the colour and effect. To my surprise, it was a matte polish and the formula was thick enough for one coat to be enough. I applied a layer of Seche Vite on top of each nail to give them a healthy shine. 

Next time I'm at a beauty exhibition, I'll be stocking up on more of these bad boys. They are a nail polish addict's dream!

Have you tried a Color Club nail lacquer? xxx

So...? Va Va Volume Dry Shampoo

There's no denying it - when it come to dry shampoo, the first brand beauty lovers think of is Batiste. But in reality, many hair care lines such as Lee Stafford and Tresemme offer dry shampoo products. Body fragrance brands are even cutting a piece of the pie, and So...? is just one of them. 

Earlier this year, So...? launched a four-piece dry shampoo range, featuring So...? Fabulous (fresh and fruity), So...? Glamorous (sweet and sensual), So...? Lovely (floral and flirty) and So...? Va Va Voom (extra body). So...? Va Va Voom is the one I have been using on second-day hair, and I'm sad to say that I'm not that impressed.

Don't get me wrong - I love the packaging and the concept of a fun, girly brand like So...? launching  a product that many young women deem to be essential - but ultimately the point of dry shampoo is to leave your hair feeling clean and fresh without getting it wet in the shower, and this product just didn't do it for me. The smell was lovely, but I just feel that it didn't come close to Batiste.

What's your ultimate dry shampoo? xxx

*This post includes a PR sample. All views are my own.

STEAMCREAM Does Movember: Mo & Little Mo

There aren't many beauty brands that don product design the way STEAMCREAM does, and it has really outdone itself with the simple, statement tins launched specifically for Movember. 

Meet MO and Mini MO, which come as a pair for £12.95.

Each tin is filled with the multipurpose cream, which can be used on your face, hands, body and even your hair as a styling product.

Not only are they adorable, but they are also practical. There's always something you can do with each tin when the cream has been used up. Use one as a quirky jewellery box, a place to store your cufflinks or a handbag saviour for the little bits that float around at the bottom of your tote.

And, importantly, 10% of the proceeds go to the Movember Charitable Foundation. So, if you are dying to try STEAMCREAM, now is a great time to go for it.

Will you be celebrating Movember this year? xxx 

All About Autumn/Winter Red Lips

Nothing says timeless, iconic beauty like a bold red lip, and I'm loving bright and sultry shades this season. I'm definitely guilty of over-buying lipsticks in claret, postbox and bloodstained hues, and in this post I will be sharing with you five of my current favourites.

1/Max Factor Color Elixir Lipstick, Ruby Tuesday
This is by far my favourite red lipstick - it's matte but moisturising, and has the kind of red shade that can make any eye sparkle and lip pop. Ruby Tuesday is my go-to lipstick for meetings, nights out and for days where I fancy dressing up a bit.

2/Rimmel London Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss, Shade 107
Since trying out the Hourglass Opaque Lipstick in Iconic, I'm absolutely in love with wine red lips. The Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 107 has a sultry, playful shade to it and is great for everyday wear in the Autumn and Winter. The packaging is also really cute and compact. 

 

3/Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter, Candy Apple
Revlon's Lip Butters are a big hit with beauty lovers and rightly so - every colour leaves your lips looking smooth, plump and tinted with just the right amount of colour. Candy Apple is so easy to wear and apply, and it's perfect for application on the go. If matte lipsticks scare you and you'd prefer to have a smooth and soft red lip, I'd highly recommend this Revlon Lip Butter. 

4/MAC Matte Lipstick, Ruby Woo
Every MAC lover will know about Ruby Woo - it's a classic bright filmstar red and one of the brand's most popular lipsticks. This one's a bit of a make-up staple, but you need to exfoliate and moisturise before application so that chapped lips and dry skin are kept at bay.

 

5/Vaseline Limited Edition Paint The Town Red Lip Balm
Paint The Town Red is the latest limited edition lip balm from Vaseline and it's a great one at that. You don't need much to get a bold colour and a little bit goes a long way. It's an affordable, fun alternative to the classic red lipstick and is also very handbag-friendly.  

What's your favourite red lipstick? xxx

Currently Obsessed With #5 Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette

Looking back at the eyeshadow shades I used to wear, it was all about the hot pinks, deep purples, emerald greens, and even cobalt blues. Now I'm a working girl in my mid-20s, and it's time for a change. I've completely fallen in love with Bobbi Brown's Rich Chocolate Eye Palette. 

Ranging from base colour 'bone' to 'rich chocolate', which can be used as an eyeliner, this palette is a dream for those who love doing a neutral, buildable everyday eye. The palette even offers two glittery night shades - Caramel Sparkle and Champagne Truffle Shimmer Wash - which can be brushed over a base colour to add some jazz to your base. It also comes with a double-ended shading and liner brush for application.

The look I've created above features 'bone' as a base, covered with 'frappe' and lined with 'rich chocolate' on my top and bottom lash lines. J'adore!

Have you tried this eye palette? xxx

Beauty Expert Launches 'Safety in Beauty' Campaign

Me with Antonia Mariconda at W London

Sophie Anderton with Antonia Mariconda

As the editor of a cosmetic medicine magazine, I was thrilled to attend the launch of beauty expert Antonia Mariconda's much-needed campaign - Safety in Beauty. Not only did I have my nails filed and jazzed up with a silver All That Jazz nail polish, but also I had a little chit chat with Sophie Anderton on the sofa while doing so. I can confirm she is lovely and super stylish.

Having seen and heard about many complications following non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers and lasers, I was so pleased to be part of the campaign launch last week and am a huge supporter of what Antonia's is doing. 

The campaign will run on Twitter with the hashtag #safetyinbeauty and is supported by several female celebrities, such as the Drs Pixie & Dawn from Channel 4's Embarassing Bodies, as well as lawyers and industry key opinion leaders.

Mariconda said: 'It’s all about people power now. It’s a hugely profitable industry for those that have a role within it, but as consumers we need to take a stand and say that we will no longer suffer nor tolerate sub standard or potentially harmful activity.'

Will you be supporting the Safety in Beauty campaign? xxx

Korres Christmas 2013 Gift Sets: Fruity Meets Festive

Korres Flower Power Gift Set, including Jasmine Body Milk,
Jasmine Shower Gel, Wild Rose 24-hour Moisturiser
and Mandarin Lip Butter Stick in Rose

Korres Rose & Shine Gift Set, including Wild Rose Mask,
Wild Rose 24-hour Moisturiser, Japanese Rose Shower Gel
and Japanese Rose Body Butter

Korres Indulgent Treats Gift Set, including Guava Body
Butter, Wild Rose 24-hour Moisturiser, Mandarin Lip Butter
Stick in Roseand Organic Almond Oil & Shea Butter Hand Cream

Korres Sleep Over Gift Set, including Wild Rose 24-hour Moisturiser,
White Tea Fluid Gel Cleanser, Basil Lemon Shower Gel,
and Mandarin Lip Butter Stick in Rose

Everyone loves a bath and body gift set, and the Christmas offering from Korres looks very promising for 2013.

There are four fabulous sets of festive, fruity products - Flower Power (£18), Rose & Shine (£12), Indulgent Treats (£18) and Sleep Over (£12). 

All of these bath and body gift sets are now available online from Debenhams, ASOS, Feel Unique and Bath & Unwind.

What is your favourite Korres product? xxx

Balmain Launches Nail Collection at BeautyMART

Luxury French fashion brand Balmain is already known for launching into the world of high-end hair care, but its latest venture is nails.

Its debut nail trio Paris Nail Couture Collection (£40) is equipped with three chic and classic shades - Rouge, Noir & Nude - and a matte top coat. Each nail polish comes with a wide, flat brush for even application.

For those who buy beauty products with their ingredients in mind, all of the nail polishes in the collection are free of toluene, formaldehyde and camphor.

The Balmain Paris Nail Couture Collection is available at BeautyMART from 20 October.

Will you be buying this debut nail collection? xxx

Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco Masque

When you're hair is as dry as the desert and you've got split ends galore, you are more than willing to try the plethora of intensive hair masks and conditioners on the market, no matter what price you have to pay for it. But I really regret falling for the trap of a tropical, coconut mask from Bumble & Bumble and paying over £20 for a product that has made no difference to my hair at all.

The first time I used this mask, I had to use half of the product to even cover my hair to give it a chance to start working. The second time I used it, I had to squeeze out the contents and nearly finished it all. In essence, I was spending £10 per wash just for the pleasure of conditioning my hair, and I didn't even see the benefits.

If you want my advice, stick to highstreet brands like Herbal Essences. You'll get many more applications, much better effects and you'll save about £15.

Have you tried this hair mask? What do you think? xxx

Currently Obsessed With #5 Wet N Wild Juicy Lip Balm

 If you're looking for a subtle wash of colour, soft lips and a dupe for Revlon's lip butter in Candy Apple, the Wet N Wild Juicy Lip Balm in Cherry is the one for you.

I love this balm because it combines one of my favourite lip shades (red) with one of my favourite fruity scents (cherry) and leaves my lips glossy and moisturised. 

It also comes with SPF 15, which is always a bonus, especially when we don't protect our lips from the sun as much as we look after our faces and bodies.

If I had to say one negative thing about it, the colour doesn't last very long. However, for about 2 or 3 quid, I really can't complain. For me, the colour is a bonus. If it leaves my lips soft and smells good, that's all I need.

What's your favourite lip balm? xxx  

Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex

Just like the facial skin care sector is saturated, so is the eye rejuvenation market. You could literally spend hours searching for the best of the best - ones that reduce puffiness, ones that remove dark circles, and ones that minimise fine lines and wrinkles - so the best thing to do is search for reviews or go with trial and error. After all, everyone's different.

My first ever eye cream purchase was Origins GinZing, which was good to start with but disappointing after a few uses. Then I came across a sample of the Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex in a package from QVC and decided to give it a go. 

I've heard a lot of great things about Alpha-H skin care, but I've never really been sold on it. I wasn't desperate to get my hands on Liquid Gold, thinking a lot of the hype was down to the use of the word 'gold' and nothing more. But after trying the brand's eye product, I have changed my mind.

In terms of its texture, it's a clear gel that is easily absorbed around the eye area. You don't need too much per eye and you will feel a slight tingle for a few seconds - this is the Eye Complex working with ingredients such as peptides (reduce loss of elasticity), hibiscus flower (reduce dark circles) and cucumber (reduce puffiness).

The reason why I love this eye product is purely because of the results I have seen. After 3 or 4 days, the dark circles around my eyes were significantly less visible and my skin looked tight and refreshed. If you're looking for an eye cream that really does work, give this one a try.

What is your favourite eye cream? xxx

Mary Kay At Play Baked Eye Trios in Ocean View & Tuxedo

You know what it's like when your make-up stash feels like Mount Everest and you dig in and find a hidden gem? After swatching these Mary Kay Baked Eye Trios, that's exactly what happened to me.

There's four trios in the collection - Ocean View (blue and silver), Earth Bound (gorgeous green, brown and gold), On The Horizon (plum and brow) and Tuxedo (pearl, grey and black shimmer).

THE SWATCHES

As you can see, the shades are so shimmery, pigmented and buildable. All of them work really well to mix and match and blend together, and the finish is lovely.

What's your favourite baked eyeshadow? xxx

New Kid On The Block: Indie Lee

Say hello to new skin care brand Indie Lee, which has just launched today in the UK and is exclusive to abeautifulworld.co.uk.

Natural skin care lovers will be thrilled to know that the brand is all about using natural ingredients. Its motto is 'what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it'.

The brand's standout product is said to be the Squalane Facial Oil, which is 100% pure and derived from olives. Its main benefits are cell regeneration, oxygenation and boosting the skin's elasticity.

Although it's not a greasy formula, I've been advised to try one or two drops at first, rather than two or three as recommended, just to see how my skin absorbs it. I've managed to get my hands on a sample, so watch this space for my review!

Will you be trying Indie Lee? xxx

Currently Obsessed With #4 The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter

Don't get me wrong, I love The Body Shop's shower gels and scrubs (who doesn't get nostalgia when using the strawberry shower gel?), but when it comes to the brand's skin care I've never been that fussed. So when I heard about the new camomile-based range with a make-up remover and cleanser, I couldn't have cared less. That was until the blogger recommendations started coming through, and I knew I had to try it.

For someone who is extremely fussy about cleansers and generally anything I put on my skin, it says a lot that I think this is one of the best cleansers I've come across in some time. It works like a cleansing balm - you massage it on dry skin and rinse it off with warm water - but it's so nourishing and moisturising that it literally melts into your skin. 

Not only does it smell amazing, it feels amazing too. If I wasn't so in love with micellar waters, I'd be stocking up on the camomile make-up remover immediately.

Have you tried this cleansing butter? xxx

Payday Haul: Skin Care, Make-Up & Hair

There's nothing better than payday and Friday and a well deserved trip to the beauty haven that is Selfridges. Naturally what started off as a trip to stock up on thermal water and foundation ended in several pretty things being purchased. Here's what I picked up...

SKIN CARE

Everyone who follows my blog will know that La Roche-Posay is slowly becoming my favourite skin care brand - its Thermal Spring Water has been a staple product in my morning and evening routines for a good few months now and I've repurchased it many times, so I did it again! 

As I love a lot of the products from the brand, I also thought I would try its micellar water for oily and sensitive skin. It's a little pricey at over £10, so I'll probably stick to my highstreet fave - L'Oreal Skin Perfection - in the future.

MAKE-UP

I don't know what's more shocking - the fact I bought an eye palette, which I never thought I would do anytime soon, or the fact I paid £39.50 for it. Either way, the Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette is full of stunning nude eyeshadows, a dark brown liner and a double-ended brush. It says a lot that I wanted it so much when I rarely buy eye make-up, so I was pretty impressed with it.

Then I bought one of my all time favourite foundations - Guerlain's Parure De Lumiere Cream Foundation. I've repurchased this about 3 or 4 times, but haven't bought it since my spending ban started or finished. I love everything about this foundation from the packaging through to the colour and texture - it's expensive but its also real winner.

One of my most exciting purchases was the OCC Lip Tar in Black Metal Dahlia - it's like a dark metallic red, which is so on trend right now and exactly what I was looking for.

HAIR

My final purchase was the Bumble & Bumble Creme De Coco Masque, which I've been wanting to try for a while. I really loved using the mending mask on my distressed tresses, so I'm hoping this one lives up to my high expectations.

Did you buy anything this payday? xxx

Olympia Beauty Haul: Make-Up, Nails & Nutrition

While strolling down the many aisles at Olympia Beauty, I had three brands on my mind - NYX Cosmetics, OPI and Inglot.  

NYX Cosmetics was absolutely buzzing with people, but I spotted the Cinammon Powder Blush almost immediately and picked it up for £4.50. This was my first ever NYX purchase and I'm excited to see what all the hype is about.

Then I went to OPI, which was equally as busy but had more floor space. I walked straight over to the Avojuice section as I wanted to buy another hand cream to replace the gorgeous Cran & Berry one I bought some months ago. I love variety, so I went for Sweet Tea this time around. And yes it does smell like tea, with a hint of melon. Love at first sniff! It cost me around £5 for 200ml.

Inglot was at the top of my list of stands to visit, as I've wanted to buy a blusher, nail polish and/or lipstick from the brand for a while. I couldn't take my eyes off the blusher selection and so went for the chic and wearable baby pink (shade 20), which cost me just £5.

But we all know that beauty lovers always buy more than they planned for, so here's a look at what else I got...

NAILS

I went over to the Color Club stand hoping to get my hands on an amazing metallic polish, but couldn't take my eyes off this bright pink neon shade (Warhol). This cost me £5.

Then at the end of the day I remembered there was an Essie polish I was lusting over from the new Fall collection - For The Twill Of It - so I walked (ran) over there to pick it up for £5.80. 

NUTRITION

Finally I got my hands on the much spoken about Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder from Aduna. I've heard such great things about it and have tried it a couple of times. It tastes great, but I think it would be better with yoghurt rather than cereal. I'm really looking forward to reaping the benefits on this one and will do a review very shortly.

What have you bought lately? Link your haul posts below xxx

Beauty Shots: Olympia Beauty 2013

Energizing Night Cream from luxury salon skin care brand Sothys.
Infused with Siberian ginseng to wake up tired, lifeless skin

Twelve of OPI's 18-shade Mariah Christmas Collection

Gorgeous selection of Inglot blushers on the stand!

Fresh-scented Apple and Cucumber Hand & Foot Scrub
from new nail brand All That Jazz

Handpainted patterns on gel acrylic nails from Perfect Nails 

Fab shots of Carrot Sun tan accelerators available in a set

Pretty pastel metallics at the Color Club stand

Day Cream and Moisture Mist from the Complexion
collection launched by organic skin brand Chulo Naturals

Last weekend marked my first ever visit to a consumer beauty expo - Olympia Beauty. With my Max Factor Ruby Tuesday lipstick and lightweight handbag, I went straight down to the social media hub to discover the latest launches from big beauty brands such as OPI, Sienna X and Dermalogica.

I then spent the rest of the afternoon grabbing some beauty bargains at the likes of NYX Cosmetics, Aduna and Color Club. Watch this space for my haul post...

Did you go to Olympia Beauty this year? xxx

Collection Eyeshadow Pencil in Gunmetal Glitz

When I first discovered the A/W 13 products from Collection, I was blown away. As someone who isn't a huge fan of drugstore make-up, aside from the odd Revlon nail enamel and Bourjois lipstick, I wasn't expecting to fall in love with a brand I perceived to be cheap and cheerful. 

But I was wrong. Collection's Work The Colour Eyeshadow Pencils are seriously impressive and the range of shades - including baby pink, smoky grey and chestnut brown - are wearable and appeal to all women. The one pictured above and swatched below is Gunmetal Glitz.

I love how the colour is so pigmented with a touch of glitter to give it an evening edge.  However, for me, the best thing about these Eyeshadow Pencils is their immense staying power - you really do need to rub and scrub them off to even to make a smudge. And they only cost about £3 each.

The truth is that Collection has grown up - by taking inspiration from beauty looks such as 20s Gatbsy glamour, its products are now clearly for young women in their 20s, and my lust list is growing in size by the day!

Have you tried Collection's Eyeshadow Pencils? xxx

*This post contains a PR sample. All views are my own

Currently Obsessed With #3 Shavata Brow Studio

If there's one thing I'm seriously shocking at when it comes to beauty and grooming, it's brow maintenance. I've never bought a brow pencil or kit, and I own several tweezers that never see the light of day. But one evening when I was strolling around the beauty hall at House of Fraser on Oxford Street I had a sudden urge to tackle the excess hair above my eyes and decided to bite the bullet and have my brows threaded at the in-store Shavata studio.

I have to admit that having my brows threaded wasn't my first request when I spoke to the therapist - I was really looking for a quick in and out brow wax. However, I was told you get a better shape and longer lasting results with threading, so I just went for it not knowing how it would turn out. And I definitely wasn't disappointed. 

Not only have my previously unruly brows been tamed, but the shape of them has enhanced the rest of my facial features, meaning that the money I dish out on eyeshadows, liners and mascaras is better spent. I was also blown away by the quality of Shavata's brow tamer gel, pencil and highlighter. #win

Have you ever been to Shavata? Where do you get your brows done? xxx

LFW Get The Look #2 Topshop Unique S/S 14

With the launch of the brand new Topshop Show Space at LFW for S/S 14, everyone's had their eye on the brand's latest looks. Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn made waves on the runway rocking the hangover hot look with grungey, shimmery eyes and a bronze complexion. If they can rock morning-after make-up, I'm sure we all can?!?!

What do you think of this look for S/S 14? xxx

Everyone's Talking About Essie's Fishnet Stockings

Everyone loves a red nail - it's a true London look for beauty novices and experts alike. At the moment, magazines and MUA of the moment Charlotte Tilbury are shining the red light on Essie's Fishnet Stockings as a firm favourite for A/W 13. 

Other red nail colours making waves this season are Orly's Haute Red, Rimmel's Salon Pro in Urban Purple and Chanel's Le Vernis in Taboo.

What's your favourite nail brand for red polishes? xxx

LFW Get The Look #1 Holly Fulton S/S 14

We've seen statement lips a la Marchesa and Henry Holland and contours galore, but eyes have been nude and sophisticated. Until now. I love the way the bright lilac lids pop and enhance the colours of Holly Fulton's garments on the runway, and I can see the colour translating easily to lips, nails and even cheeks. Bring it on, S/S 14!

What do you think of this look for S/S 14? xxx