Hot off the press!!! I heard whisperings that the delighful Soap & Glory is about to arrive in Kit Stores nationwide on 11th October. Soap & Glory is a fab brand designed by beauty industry darling, Marcia Kilgore, also founder of  the successful Bliss Spa range. I am a long-term fan of the brand having previously purchased it on trips overseas, where it has been around for a little while. In a nutshell, Soap & Glory is a beauty must-have in your cupboards, it offers a wide range of reasonably priced, gorgeously scented, cruelty-free products in delightful (mostly pink!), vintage style packaging. My fave piece from the collection is FlakeAway: a superhero-strength, skin-smoothing scrub.

Soap & Glory FlakeAway rrp: $17.95

…the countdown begins!

For more info, check out: www.soapandglory.com

Greetings Pink dotttttterrrrss… I am currently typing from London, where I am now on a little vacay. Don’t worry, Pinkdot will still be in full operation in the northern hemisphere for the next few weeks! I will be researching and reporting on my very best finds in UK beauty, as well as finally checking out TOPSHOP make-up in the flesh: hope you enjoy the change of scenery!

In the meanwhile, I thought it would be timely to give a run down on some of my very favourite UK branded cosmetics available down under…

1. BURBERRY

Burberry THE BEAT rrp: $99 (50ml)

Burberry THE BEAT, is one of my favourite “night-out” fragrances. It is a sparkling floral woody fragrance with top notes of bergamot, cardamom, pink pepper and mandarin wrap. The effortlessly cool bottle features glass embossed with the iconic Burberry Check.

2. RIMMEL LONDON

With exciting campaign stars ranging from Kate Moss, Lily Cole and Sophie Ellis Bextor, Rimmel London is always one to watch. Their SunShimmer range has been a favourite of mine for a while and their perfect-honey-shade bronzer is compact and affordable. It provides an instant matte glow, leaving you with naturally highlighted cheekbones, minus any shimmer or orange hue.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Bronzing Compact Powder rrp: $15.95

2. JO MALONE

I discovered Jo Malone a few years back when I worked at the brand’s London PR agency and was instantly captivated by her fragrances, candles and the general store experience which is nothing short of fabulous. If you’re ever in London then be sure to check out her flagship store in Sloane St, if you are in Sydney then the Woollahra (Queen St) outlet is great too-make sure you try the fragrance booth.

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne rrp: $80

I’ve worn Red Roses Cologne since I was 18 (a memorable birthday present from the mum!) and the Parma Violet Linen Spray is also TDF. Linen Spray, you say?? I was shocked to discover that the Jo Malone PR rep wore it as a fragrance, and when I enquired as to what the gorgeous powdery-sweet aroma was, she assured me that it was said linen spray and indeed perfectly fine to wear as a perfume …I’ve never looked back. The scent is waaay to good for your linen, trust me! So there’s a little insider secret- JM  linen spray doubles as a perfume and is suitably safe for your skin!

Jo Malone Parma Violet Linen Spray rrp: $75

4. MOLTON BROWN

Molton Brown launched in 1973, and first opened in London’s trendy Mayfair as a hair salon. The salon’s name paid homage to the store’s location and its soft, individual and natural approach to haircare and styling.  Molton Brown always reminds me of holidays and staying in classy hotels, where you’ll often find a gorgeous, richly coloured Shower Gel awaiting you. Slathering this stuff always feels quite luxurious and decadent- not your average shower gel. I don’t have a particular favourite but I love Blissful Templetree for it’s fresh fragrance and stunning royal blue colour. A shower sensation…

Molton Brown Blissful Templetree Moisture Bath & Shower Gel rrp: $39

5. POP BEAUTY

Next-up, POP Beauty! I’ve had a lasting love affair with the POP brand, which delivers clever-clogs cosmetic products for affordable prices. The range is exciting, innovative and is guaranteed to brighten-up your make-up bag. One of my favourites from the range is the POP Sparkle Sauce:

POP Beauty's Golden Sparkle Sauce rrp: $19.95

POP Golden Sparkle Sauce is the tomato ketchup of the beauty prodz world and one clever condiment. It’s the type of product that once you’re tried it you can’t live without it! Mix with glitter, shimmer or powder pigment, and you’ve a new shade of gorgeous eyeliner. Apply as a topping for shadow, and voilà, you’ve got a waterproof, long lasting shadow. Combine with shadow before you use it, and give all your existing shadows a new golden gleam. Simply magical!

Picture credit: www.hostec.com

Perhaps it’s the English eccentricity in me, but I do love it when fashion gets quirky and whimsical, and generally takes a bit of a risk.  I have therefore chosen two shows from RAFW which really stood out for me for their WOW factor and get my vote for outstanding hair and make-up. First up is Alice McCall’s “butterfly bohemia”, where models were branded with neon eyes, created using punchy M.A.C pigments carefully applied by hand.

My second vote goes to the wonderfully talented Ellery, who opted for full-on gliteratti with rhinestone studded arms and spanglydescent faces: think David Bowie meets Ke$ha. Not your everyday make-up vibe, but I hope you’ll agree that it’s a welcome change from the au-naturale image of recent runway looks?

Picture credit: www.bellasugar.com

My first experience of Twilight mania felt like a bad date: disappointing, uncomfortable, bad company and two hours of your life that you’ll never get back. I was Sitting behind a group of about 10 tween girls at the Moonlight Cinema in Centennial Park to watch the first installment. Turns out this was the gazillionth time these little R-Patz fans had been to see the movie and they thought it perfectly OK to voice out the entire script throughout the viewing. Major annoying. So naturally, I decided to boycott this whole Twilight craze  and accept it as just another irritating tween movie. I know that I am pretty much alone in my opinion so I say this reluctantly.

However, I heard some news the other day which will likely see me jumping with joy on the Twilight bandwagon! It’s called Twilight Beauty and it’s on it’s way to Australian shores very soon!!!! Bella-beautiful cosmetics are sure to delight most with amazing packaging and super-cool branding. Here is a little preview of what’s to come…

'Just Bitten' Staining Balm

'Mortal Glow' Cream blush

Twilight Venom

*More info to come soon- will keep you ‘posted’!

Picture credit: www.twilightguy.com

If you are in Sydney and around the Eastern ‘burbs tommorow, Estee Lauder are hosting the Aveda Walk for Water that aims to raise awareness, funds, and excitement of the need to protect clean water. One in seven people around the world do not have access to clean water which they need to live.  If the current trend continues, in less than 20 years, two-thirds of the world’s people will not have access to enough water (Water Treaty). The Aveda Walk for Water is a 6km walk from Bondi to Bronte (*6km represents the average distance that women in developing countries walk daily to collect water-UNICEF). The walks in Australia will raise money for Global Greengrants Funds, which supports grassroots efforts to preserve clean water and protect the environment in more than 100 countries worldwide.

 Event: Aveda Walk for Water

Date: Sunday 18^th April

Time: 11am – 12.30pm (approx. 1 hour easy walk)

Location: Bondi Park walking to Bronte – return 6km (Start Point: Bondi Park, Campbell Parade) 

A great way to spend a Sunday with girlfriends whilst supporting a fab cause….get involved!

It all began with a serious case of hair envy when I saw this shot of Miss Emily Blunt:

Here, she demonstrates how to do gorgeous, smokin’ hot hair, without looking overly-styled; this is otherwise referred to as ‘accidental excellence’. This is the type of style that gets my attention, since it looks so completely effortless, like she just spent 5 mins on her hair, then slipped into her red carpet gown and was ready to go!  

I’m always after ways to save some styling time and get the relaxed, tousled hair-look minus the fuss, so I’ve been on the hunt to find the perfect styling companions that deliver simplicity in hair styling and provide the perfect quick fix.  

The best step to achieving the above look is to start with adding texture to your tresses. I’ve tried a number of great texture sprays, but I’ve been extremely impressed with evo’s mister fantastic creation. Here is a spray that delivers perfect texture and hold, yet doesn’t dry-out your hair and still manages to maintain softness. The easy-peasy method is to spritz already blow-dried hair: for the above look I would recommend just spraying the tips of the hair and then using your fingertips to scrunch upwards and create volume. Then the trick is to add a few defined waves using a curling tong and finish with a slick of MoroccanOil to smooth down any fly-aways.

Easy ready-to-go glamour and completely fuss-free.

evo mister fantastic texture Spray now comes in a set with their miraculous hair bungees. These nifty little hair bands are designed specifically for holding thick hair and they are ideal for creating textured ‘up-dos’ and easy pony-tails. The pack is a pop at $34.95.

For more info check: www.evohairproducts.com

Picture credit: www.temptalia.com

I will be spending tommorow lazing here…yaaaaaaayyy…

 I’ll also be testing out my current fave hair product, which i’m hoping will withstand the QLD humidity and save me from crazy hair: 

 KMS California Flat Out Anti-humidity Seal, rrp: $28.50, www.kmscalifornia.com

It also works great as a finishing spray and leaves your hair smelling delicious and fruity- my hairdresser swears by it!

 And, on the subject of beauty…isn’t the parentals doggy TDF?

Happy Easter!!

….Calorie-free easter treats from LUSH-rrp: $6.95 available at LUSH stores nationally (www.lush.com.au)

Following in the footsteps of Fergie, Dita Von Teese and Pamela Anderson, Pop queens: Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper, have teamed up with M.A.C cosmetics to launch two new shades of lip colour for the Viva Glam Collection; sales of which go straight to the M.A.C Aids Fund.

M.A.C have successfully proved their genius once again by injecting a piece of pop culture into the brand; I have a feeling this will prove their most successful collaboration to-date and predict these lippies will fly off the beauty counter!

Here’s a run down on the shades:

Viva Glam Cyndi is a mid-tone dirty coral which works well as an evening look; I would suggest slicking a coat of M.A.C Lipglass over the top for added glamour. The Viva Glam Gaga is a light blue-pink candy shade. Its’s a super-gorgeous shade of pink, which I think would work well on most complexions- it’s slighty eccentric (like the popette herself) but you can definately get away with it in the day time to edge-up your make-up look. I’ve been obessessed with this lippy ever since it landed on my desk!

M.A.C Viva Glam Cyndi

M.A.C Viva Glam Gaga

*Every cent of the selling price of Viva Glam Lipstick and Lipglass is donated to the M.A.C AIDS Fund to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS.

Viva Glam limited edition lipsticks, rrp: $35.00, available from: www.maccosmetics.com.au

The great people at LUSH  have recently launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the plight of orangutans displaced by the expansion of palm oil plantations. Palm oil is predominantly used  in cosmetics, food and bio-fuels and 90% of the world’s palm oil exports come from the oil-palm plantations of Indonesia and Malaysia. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, it is estimated that within 15 years, 98% of the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia will be gone.  Not great news for this little guy…

So…good to hear that LUSH are leading the way for the cosmetics industry and are minimising the use of palm oil in their soap bases. After almost a year in the LUSH labs, they were able to develop the world’s first commercially available palm-free soap base. Palm-oil-free soaps are now available in LUSH stores across Australia, and are easily recognisable as they come stamped with approval.

Time to follow the path of clean living with soapy goodness!

*Oh and in case you were wondering…the candy coloured soap pictured above is ‘Keep it Fluffy’: a Limited Edition star soap with notes of vanilla and rose (also comes highly recommended by moi!).

The lovely ladies from Inika Cosmetics were on hand to provide the models with a flawless natural-look, using mineral make-up from their range.

To get this look: start by applying Inika Liquid Mineral Foundation for a perfect base.

Inika Liquid Mineral Foundation, rrp: $59.95

 To give the models a dewy glow, Inika Mineral Illuminisor was used as a bronzer and swept across the cheekbones. It gives subtle peachy colour and has a slight irridescence to achieve a natural-looking shimmer. 

Inika Mineral Illuminisor, rrp: $42.95

Apply Inika Lip Whip over finely lined lips using a precision lip brush. The model is wearing ‘Honey’, which is a warm nude shade. 

Inika Lip Whip in ‘Honey’, rrp: $25.95

 Finally, try Inika Organic Brow Pencil in ‘Brunette Beauty’: apply feathery strokes to the brow in the same direction as hair growth.

Inika Organic Brow Pencil, rrp: $24.95

O&M Hair styled the models with large, textured buns to compliment the urban, street-style look of the denim label. Hair was treated to a generous spritzing of  Atonic Thickening Spray at blow-dry stage, and then moulded upwards using Rootalicious Root Lift Mousse and lots of back-combing! The end-result was a modern, dramatic hairstyle which certainly caught attention on the runway.

To get this look try:

O&M Rootalicious Root Lift Mousse, rrp: $29.95 

O&M Atonic Thickening Spray, rrp: $27.95

For further info on Gas Jeans: www.gasjeans.com

For info on Inika Cosmetics: www.inika.com.au

For info on O&M: www.originalmineral.com