Review: No7 Perfectly Bronzed Quick Dry Tinted Lotion

Previous readers of this blog will know my predilection for a spot of tan. Fake, false, anything but the real deal. I sometimes try to get on my high horse and spout lots of anti-tan chat about sun beds and cancer, but really my skin just refuses point blank to change colour. Not a freckle in sight, not a hint of redness after a day baking on the beach, absolutely zilch. If I thought it were physically possible, I would claim that I reflect sunlight.

Thus, I have tried every fake tan on the market. I don't much enjoy spray tans (never dark enough after showering, have to leave the salon in London looking like a rather grubby coalminer without the aid of a car to hide in, no thanks), I'm very much a DIY girl. I had brief dalliances with Rimmel Sunshimmer, L'Oreal Sublime Bronze gel (the pungent smell still reminds me of my school days), Xen-Tan and St Tropez (too green). I have an on-going fondness for Vita Liberata, Sally Hansen and now, I can add No7 Perfectly Bronzed to the list. I popped into Boots needing a tan fix pre-pay day. I was in no financial state to invest in my trusty Vita Liberata, and as I had just changed my white sheets, Sally Hansen-ing my entire body wasn't a viable option. Friends had mentioned the No7 tan before and I had tried it in the past but hadn't been a fan. I think my downfall was the colour choice - I chose Light/Medium for my extra pale skin tone, which resulted in an almost imperceptible hint of tan, certainly not sufficient to protect my fellow partiers from a blindingly pale and deeply unhappy Irish girl. There are conflicting thoughts on tan shades from experts, but I always follow the advice I read from the Olsen twins make up artist - the darker the tan, the more naturally olive it will look on your skin. Paler tans will simply impart a more orange shade - not what any self-respecting tanner is after. This time in Boots, I knew better. I choose the Medium/Dark Lotion and skipped away a mere £9.95 poorer.

Now for the application. The lotion itself is a mid-brown cream, when rubbed on the skin it gives a very slight tint but not much - excellent news for bed linen countrywide. It smells inoffensive and does dry fairly quickly without a sticky residue unlike many others on the market. I used a tanning mitt for application, it's creamy texture works well on a mitt rather than latex gloves - which I think are simply an aid to streaking. I showered the next morning as usual. Once dried, my skin felt hydrated and smooth. There was a slight lingering smell which was well covered once I applied a scented moisturiser. The colour was excellent - this is definitely a once-only application - coming from me this is high praise indeed. Over the next few days the colour didn't crack or dry out, by the 5th/6th day I looked slightly patchy where the tan had worn off. Pretty good going in a world where a good fake tan usually goes bad within 3 days!

The price, colour and endurance make this an inexpensive staple in my beauty cabinet, I have used it religiously since my first try and have no complaints. When you can buy three bottles of this for the price of one department store tan, who am I to argue?

Review: Lush Big Shampoo

I’m a big fan of volume. Anything that promises to make my hair bigger, bouncier and downright outrageous in height is worth the money as far as I am concerned. So when a friend recommended Big Shampoo by Lush, it is safe to say I was fairly intrigued. I don’t usually believe the hype around shampoos and conditioners which claim to give you sleekness, volume or silky curls – as long as it doesn’t leave my hair lank and heavy with product I’m happy to roll with it.

For starters, Big Shampoo doesn’t come cheap. At £11.50 for a pot (it comes in a useful screw top tub rather than the usual tube) it certainly isn’t your typical Boots buy. The texture is reminiscent of an abrasive sugar scrub - this definitely isn’t like any shampoo you have used before. Rubbing the citrus scented granules into your head is counter-intuitive, it feels like you are simply tangling and pulling the strands. However after a minute or two, satisfying foam appears and the salt disintegrates. A good conditioner is a must après-Big Shampoo as the hair will seem slightly matted (hence the sea salt – for that beachy effect). After applying a detangling spray and pulling through carefully with a wide toothed comb, dry as normal. This is where the magic happens.

During blow-drying, I noticed a stiffness as I ran my hands through the roots and lengths – almost resembling a chalky (although invisible) coating. This made my hair sit taller and stay set – it barely moved – a feat even Elnett can’t achieve. It smelt glorious all day, a heady mix of lemons, limes and vanilla. People commented on my new “big” hair, a colleague even noting that I had probably gained a few inches in height due to the volume I was sporting on top.

£11.50 may be a bit steep for your average shampoo, but the catch is that this is far from average. Go forth and volumize, children!

Dinner at Evans & Peel Detective Agency

Maybe it’s the budding actress in me, but God, I do love a bit of roleplay. Especially when that roleplay involves a night out and a bit of time travel. Enter stage right, the Evans & Peel Detective Agency. Behind an entirely unassuming door on an Earl’s Court side street is this little gem of a find: the sort of quirky, you-don’t-find-it-anywhere-else place that reminds me why I live in London. Ring the doorbell for your appointment (that’s booking to the non-detective layman), and step inside to be transported to a prohibition era office, complete with typewriter and obligatory green shaded lamp. The “detective” will ask you about your case – when making a booking you’ll need to be creative enough to come up with some sort of back story – and it’s up to you how far you take the roleplay. After hashing out the main facts of your case, you’ll be asked to sit in the waiting room, which emerges when the resident detective pulls back their sturdy bookcase. Ah ha – a speakeasy!

Thankfully (for some) there is where your acting for the night ends. The decor inside the dimly-lit space is in keeping with the times, apothecary style cabinets take up space behind the bar, cut-glass beakers sit on tables and light shades and curtains are full of velvet and tassels. The cocktail menu takes reference from the era with creative names and even more creative ingredients – ranging from cardamom to beetroot. The food menu takes second place to the drinks, encompassing mainly glorified bar snacks. Nearly everything has been smoked, some dishes more successfully than others. The mac ‘n’ cheese is glorious – the pulled pork with corn chips less so.

This is the sort of place one could end up spending a lot of money. With cocktails starting at £10 a pop, and the sort of dark lighting which invites a heavy night, don’t be surprised if your bill (and your hangover) reach epic proportions.

Review: Model Co Cheek & Lip Tint

Now ladies, I love a good blusher, I really do. I have a tendency to be a bit heavy handed in the pursuit of a flush of colour – it can all go a bit “Aunt Sally” at times. But when I do manage to keep on the straight and narrow and restrict myself to a normal amount, it really does do wonders for the face. Especially if your usual pallor is akin to the milky stuff left in the bottom of mozzarella packets.

For years I rallied against using a liquid blush, assuming it would only serve to dilute and rub off underlying foundation/bronzer. I stuck steadfastly to Nars Orgasm for years - until two brand new palettes broke into tiny pieces for no apparent reason. Paying £21.50 for the privilege of a broken blusher – I think not. So I gave in to the hype and decided to try out Model Co Cheek & Lip Tint in Rosy Red. Don’t be put off by the word “tint” – this isn’t as scary as the infamous Benetint. I don’t care how many beautiful faces that stuff graces, I find it nearly impossible to apply. This squeezes out of the tube to become more of a cream gel and is easy to swirl onto the cheeks with your finger. It blends easily but as with all cream/gel/tints do take care to work fast (it will dry in quickly) and be sparing – you can always add more. The colour is less of a red and more of a fuchsia pink which works well on complexions with blue/purple undertones (anyone vaguely Celtic will understand this). The tint has excellent staying power and even I don’t feel the need for a top up when I get the mid-afternoon pales.

Given that this is technically a multitasking “Cheek & Lip” tint, I should really be reviewing its wonderful pout enhancing qualities too. Sadly, a look like a small child experimenting with my mother’s make up when I dare wear vibrant lip colour so I’ll have to pass on that front.

All in all, an excellent product – and a damn sight easier than carrying round a blusher compact and brush in your clutch!

Review: Pescatori Mayfair

I am very rarely a fan of a brightly lit restaurant. However there was something reassuringly warming about the glow from Pescatori on Dover Street as we stepped away from the dark rainy evening outside.

We were welcomed by reassuringly Italian waitresses and seated at a cheery little table complete with vine tomatoes to taste while we perused the menu. We settled on the fresh crab salad and the goat’s cheese and chicory to start. The crab was plentiful and very fresh (as one would expect in a seafood restaurant). The goat’s cheese, chicory and walnut salad was delicious and just the right amount for a starter – although I could have eaten plenty more of it! I went for the salmon for main course (I’m a little bit of an amateur when it comes to fish so I play it safe for the most part) while he chose the wild sea bass. Both were delicious – as was the spinach accompaniment. We washed it all down with a bottle of Soave Classico, a decent mid-price bottle which complimented the food.

We rounded off the meal with a cheeseboard – these can be hit-and-miss – especially when you don’t have the opportunity to pick the cheeses yourself. Served with a tiny bowl of walnuts, honey and some crackers, these were a lovely way to end and perfect sharing food for a date (an easy point of discussion when your date’s conversational skills are otherwise lacking).

The bill was reasonable and the buzz of the restaurant combined with good food would entice me to return. The lack of personality in terms of the decor and ambiance is the only factor which lets down this otherwise very competent Italian – a safe bet on an otherwise risky Dover Street.

Review: Homeslice Pizza, Covent Garden

The Homeslice tagline is "Pizza, wine and beer" - and that is precisely what it delivers. Tucked in the charmingly hippy Neal's Yard at Seven Dials, the interior is all shabby minimalism - a sure fire way to know the food is the star of the show. Tables are packed in closely side-by-side - you may want to pop to the loo before the adjacent table receives their pizza - the sheer size of it makes climbing past an obstacle too far for me to bother.

The menu is far from ordinary with a blackboard of offerings ranging from basic margarita to oxtail and bone marrow. Pizza can be bought by the slice or as one giant (and I mean giant) pizza - one pizza fed five girls at my table so don't be tempted to over order. Diners are welcome to go half and half on toppings - we opted for a Caprese (torn buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil) and a chorizo, corn and coriander half. For those of you fortunate to have visited my favourite pizza joint Franco Manca, the pizzas taste similar, with a lovely sourdough chewiness and not too much cheese to hide all the wonderful flavours. Ordering wine here is novel and gimmicky enough to win me over, with a magnum brought to the table for you to drink as much as you wish. The bottle is measured with an old school ruler at the end to work out how much you need to pay - a dangerous concept in the hands of some.

When our bill arrived at the end we felt like we were robbing the place - a fiver each including tip. Not bad in today's otherwise overpriced and queue heavy London pop-up scene.

Homeslicepizza.co.uk

Review: Monu Illuminating Primer SPF 15

I’m a big fan of any SPF-containing product which can help me fight the good fight against premature aging and uneven skin pigmentation (read “freckles” – my nemesis). I have been wearing an SPF under my make up since the tender age of 14 so I have tried every UV ray blocker on the market. As my daily routine sadly involves getting into the office before the sun rises and stepping out into darkness again at 5pm, I thought I would lessen the protection for the winter months (I’m usually a Factor 50 girl) and up the skin quenching vitamins.

Hence the arrival of the Monu Illumination Primer SPF 15 to my beauty routine. I’m not traditionally one for primers – mainly because after I use my Skinceuticals Pigment Regulator, Clarins Eye Cream and an SPF, I feel like an added primer would simply create a greasy, shiny canvas for my foundation. As with many things, too many layers surely complicate the issue. But on receiving a sample I decided to give the Monu Primer a whirl. As with all Monu products, it’s derived from natural ingredients and smells like a delicious spa treatment when applied. The blurb involves all sorts of chat about radiance and antioxidants, all good words I believe.

The cream itself is alarmingly thick – you will squeeze too much out on your first go so be gentle – a little goes a long way. Despite the rich texture it sinks in to the skin well and feels like it really is moisturising rather than simply acting as a barrier. Make up can easily be applied after five minutes and glides on. My biggest problem (despite having dry skin) was a shiny t-zone with SPF creams which seemed immune to even the thickest layers of loose powder and furious blotting. But Monu seems to keep a matte consistency yet still manages to brighten my skin. I will stop short of using the word “illuminate” here – that is both physically impossible and not what the product does – but it certainly makes my skin look fresh and hydrated.

If only Monu did a SPF 50 version for the summer months...my t-zone would certainly thank them.

Evening cocktails with Phileas Fogg

As the descent into the dark afternoons of the winter months begins, spending time indoors getting that warm glow only a good gin cocktail can give seems like an excellent way to spend a Saturday. Which is exactly why I took myself off to try out Mr Fogg's, the latest offering from the chaps behind Battersea favourite Bunga Bunga and Thatcher-themed Maggie's.

Arriving at 5pm, the bar was almost empty, which suited well as we had made the faux pas of not making a reservation. The doorman rang the buzzer to allow us entry and we were greeted by a gaggle of uniformed young men ushering us inside. The owners really have gone to town with the adventurer-theme and it certainly makes an impression. On walking in, it feels like you are stepping into a Disney-fied colonial drawing room, complete with pith helmets, game skulls, old trunks and antique flags. Every corner is festooned with all manner of explorer’s trinket - I defy anyone not to be won over by the sheer attention to detail in this bar. The cocktails are pricey but delicious - they don't scrimp on the alcohol and when served up in old fashioned cut glass they seem worth every penny. The staff are helpful and happy to tailor cocktails for your taste buds although the huge menu should cover even the pickiest drinker.

I'm a sucker for a themed bar, and all the better if the loo can carry on the story in style. Every aspect, from the vintage toilet roll holders to the audio reading of "Around the World in Eighty Days" was as it should be.

We spent hours getting to know the cocktail menu in this wonderful, if slightly peculiar place. I will certainly be back - post-payday it must be said - but perhaps not every week. A fantastical trip into Victorian eccentricity and definitely one for the tourist looking for a slice of London at its oddest.

Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson

Now first things first. I'm not your average afternoon tea customer. A few tiny cakes and some dainty cups of Earl Grey don't tick many of my "fun day out" boxes so it was going to take a lot to wow me. However, after two trips to The Sanderson for their excellent Mad Hatter inspired spread, I can truly say that it has surpassed my expectations. On my first visit in the summer, it was held in the central courtyard, next to a bubbling water fountain which just added to the garden party jolliness of the whole expedition. This time, in the midst of an English November, my sister and I ducked into the Sanderson just as a particularly thundery rainstorm was brewing. I really hoped we were not going to be relegated to the faceless interior of a hotel restaurant for the tea, and thankfuly we were not. The courtyard had been transformed via a waterproof marquee so we were safe from the elements yet still in the open air to make the most of the "garden party" effect. We were welcomed in and presented with a choice of four teas, aside from the usual offerings. Rubharb & Custard, Apple Pie, Strawberries & Cream and creamy scented Chocolate Peppermint tea leaves were placed before us in delicate glass vials to tickle our fancy. We declared Apple Pie as our choice for the afternoon and were soon presented with silver strainers and a musical jewellery box full of sugar cubes to play with. The menu came within a vintage book, detailing Alice in Wonderland themed delicacies to whet our appetite. Our cake stand was brought to the table piled high with delicious tiny sandwiches, mini quiches, desserts and more. The creativity was the best part - tiny carrot meringues with peashoot stalks and marshmallow toadstools set the scene. Tiny glass bottles complete with hand written "drink me" labels contained a fantastic layered passionfruit syrup which was much more than just a gimmick. The desserts were extremely sweet and could do with a little tweaking to even out the balance but the aesthetics were truly delightful. The self service Jelly Wonderland trolley with unusual and intense flavours completed the afternoon and drew it to an entertaining close. I left the Sanderson on a sugar high but full to the brim with praise for the entire concept and execution. A grown up Disney. Now that's what I'm all about.

Okay okay, I know it's been a while...

Given that my post New Year resolutions are rarely successful, I have given myself a pre-NY resolution instead. To write at least one post a week on a new experience/beauty product/fashion buy/dining spot I have encountered. Watch this space...