Top 10 'British Beauties': Number 10

As part of their 'Beauty Month' of July, QVC are announcing a list of their top 100 'British Beauties': the most beautiful British women of all time.

I'm really excited to be collaborating with with them to upload a makeup tutorial for each of the top 10. I'm going to be posting the inspiration pictures for each of the looks on here throughout the month.

Number 10 is... Twiggy!

I'm sure everyone is familiar with Twiggy's Iconic makeup look. Pure 60's!

Click HERE to watch my tutorial.

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Yellow Fever!

Is it just me, or does there seem to be an awful lot of yellow in the shops this season?

I've found myself inexplicably drawn to anything and everything yellow over the last few weeks, and as a result the following items are currently my prize possessions...

The shoes are by Karen Millen. I picked them up in Selfridges sale last week. I love how they can instantly brighten up an outfit! They look especially great if you keep everything else monochrome.

The wallet is from ASOS (you may remember it from a Wish List post I put on here a few months back?) Well, it went in the sale for only £12.50... It would be rude not to, no?

Last but not least... The nail polish. Big Yellow Taxi is the latest release from London-based nail brand Ciate.

I've searched high and low for a shade like this and I'm so happy to have finally found it! All the other yellows out there seem too pale, or a slightly ick-y shade of mustard yellow but this is a super bright, canary yellow that (unlike a lot of yellow tones) is really flattering - especially on your toes with a tan!

Is anyone else currently suffering from Yellow Fever?!

P.S: I've just checked on ASOS and the Wallet has now sold out :(

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Guest Blog Takeover!

I'm off on my summer holidays in a few weeks time, and instead of leaving my blog high and dry for two weeks with no posts, I thought I'd give any budding bloggers out there the chance to take over my blog for a whole week!

If you are a blogger, or even if you just fancy dipping your feet to see if you catch the bug, send me an article you've written, with any accompanying photos attached to fleurdeforce@gmail.com by midnight this Sunday (3rd July)

I will choose the 7 best blog posts to go live on my blog during the week commencing Monday 18th July. The theme doesn't have to be strictly beauty, but it does have to be relevant to the content of my blog (beauty, hair, fashion, style, shopping, health, fitness... etc) Articles must be your own original content, and not have been published on a blog before (including your own)

Happy blogging everyone and thanks so much for helping me out!

Fx

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Guest Post: Will Your Fashion Fix Lead to Surgery?

Today I have a guest post for you all written by Isabella from cosmeticsurgeryguru.com. Isabella writes about all aspects of cosmetic surgery on her blog and today she tackles a tough question that leaves us thinking how far would we go in the name of fashion...

Few accessories can finish off a look as a well as a pair of stylish earrings – but as designs become more and more elaborate, some are finding there’s a price to pay for glamming up your lobes further down the line. In fact a whole cosmetic surgery business is being built around the pursuit of accessory perfection.

You can’t have failed to have noticed the earring designs on the catwalks over the past few years, as designers aim to outdo each other with ridiculous designs and sizable weights to match. Forget tasteful diamond studs or small rings, we’re talking huge hunks of metal, wound down from each ear like an expensive light fitting. Some even wind around the wearer’s neck!

And of course, where the catwalks lead, the high streets follow and many of the popular retailers have followed suit with their own budget versions of the designs. While these cheap and cheerful homages may not weigh as heavy on the wallet, they can certainly do just as much damage to their wearer’s lobes.

Clinics are reporting increasing numbers of patients needing ear surgery after years of overloading their lugholes with heavy pieces of jewellery. Ironically, the cost of the surgery far outstrips what you’d expect to pay for a jewellery box-full of tacky earrings.

Typically, the repairs cost a few hundred pounds per ear and can take half-an-hour under local anaesthetic. Once the operation’s complete, your lobes will be hole free – but this isn’t the end of the story. For many people who have the procedure, the repair isn’t final – and is simply a chance to start again – and the ears can be pierced again six weeks later. In fact, some surgeons are even being asked to strengthen the ear during the operation so that the patient can wear actually wear heavier earrings. If this is the case, surgeons have the option to remove cartilage from the inner ear to add to the lobe or plumping up the lobe with Restylane.

Although some may be shocked by the lengths some will go to go one better during their beauty regimes, for others it’s nothing new. Given that there’s already liposuction for calves to help women fit into knee-high boots and toe shortening to ease the foot into heels, the trend shows no sign of stopping – how far will the world’s glamourpusses go to stay beautiful?

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Not Feeling So Fantastic?

Well (hopefully!) that's about to change! There are feel-good summer confidence builders popping up left, right and centre online and my most recent favourite (along with the Mamma Mio Confidence challenge) is Jergens Naturals 'Feel Fantastic' Skincare Experience.

Jergens are so confident that their Naturals body care line can transform the look and feel of your skin in one month, they've challenged us all to put the products to the test, along with a month long 'feel good' calendar of challenges to make you feel better about yourself.

The month long 'feel good' calendar started last week, but it's never too late to join in (I'm always late on these things!)

With a different mini-challenge every day to help you feel good, fingers-crossed at the end of the month you'll be one happy camper!

This week is focusing on relationships, so if you think your love life needs a little perk-up, then head over to the Jergens Naturals Facebook page and download the feel fantastic calendar to join in the fun!

The lovely people at Jergens have also offered 24 of my readers their very own bottle of Jergens Naturals Body moisturiser to help them take part in the challenge.

The first 24 people to...

1. 'Like' the Jergens Facebook page

2. Follow my blog

3. Write a comment on this post

...will be a winner, just don't forget to leave your email address so that I can get in touch - it's as easy as that! (This one's only open for the UK I'm afraid - sorry to all my international readers!)

If you aren't a lucky winner then fear not! Jergens are making it super easy for you all... their products are currently 1/2 price in Boots!

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Olay's Sell Out Skin Care Range Arrives in the UK

The latest release from Olay, The Olay Professional skin care line sold out in only 17 minutes when it was launched in the US. Although at the time it was only on limited release, this is very impressive. So what's all the hype about?

Well, this is Olay's first ever crack at making professionally inspired anti-ageing skincare, and they seem to be on to something! The stats boast that after being tried and tested by 195 dermatology experts, 80% of these experts were so impressed, they would continue to use it themselves following the 28 day trial and recommend it to others (considering the amount of skin care they must have tried... that's impressive!)

Olay guarantee anti-ageing results in only 28 days, and the trial results were so good, they were recorded in two science journals: The British Journal of Dermatology & the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

It all sounds to good to be true, no? Well if you fancy trying it out, 300 kits containing the three core products (Day Moisturiser, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream & Deep Wrinkle Complex) will be available tomorrow on boots.com for £44.99, but move fast! After the response in the US, this is expected to sell out in no time. The full line is due for release on the 9th August, exclusive to Boots.

Think I may just have to get hold of this line for my mum... she loves being my skin care guinea pig! Review coming soon - watch this space!

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Versace for H&M

For those of you who haven't heard, H&M's latest and long awaited designer collaboration has been announced. H&M Released this video of the one and only Donatella Versace talking about the upcoming collection.

Iconic, Bold, Leather, Studs, Gold, Glamourous, Rock and Roll...

What do reckon ladies?

If I'm honest I'm a bit sceptical about this one. As often as Versace gets it right, some of their more affordable lines are a little questionable and some past collaborations have been interesting. None the less, I'm excited to get a glimpse of the collection when it comes out. I'll definitely have a nose but somehow I don't think this will match up to Lanvin for me.

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Spa-Worthy Treatment For Your Hair... From Pantene?!

An old classic, but often overlooked. Pantene Pro-V is a brand that you will all know, and no doubt have tried at some point in your life. If you haven't tried the brand in a while you may want to think again as they are making waves in the hair world at the moment... (no pun intended!)

Pantene were so confident that their bestselling Smooth & Sleek collection could compete with high end brands that they put it to the test in a (very technically measured!) smoothness test against a £60 spa treatment, and there was absolutely no difference in the results!

The spa where the testing was carried out, Stoke Park Spa in Buckinghamshire, were so impressed with the results that they've become the first ever luxury spa to actively endorse and recommend Pantene products... impressive, no?!

I put the products to the test this week in my everyday haircare routine and I have to say I was really impressed!

Before

(rough-dryed using other shampoo & conditioner. No straightening or serums.)

After

(rough-dryed using the Pantene Smooth & Sleek Shampoo, Conditioner and 24 Hour Frizz Fighter leave-in conditioner, no straightening or serums)

Pantene often get a bad rep for using silicones, but if they deliver the results then this really doesn't bother me. The silicone debate is so over-hyped and hotly debated, I'm making it my mission to do a little more research on this... watch out for more info soon!

The Pantene Smooth & Sleek line is available from most supermarkets and pharmacists, from £2.19. I'll definitely be giving more Pantene products a try in the future, I've been really impressed with the results from the Smooth & Sleek collection.

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Eyelash Extensions: Are They Worth It?

For those of you who have been following me for a while now, you may remember that I had eyelash extensions a few months ago. Now that they have all fallen out and my natural lashes are back to their full glory, I have posted a full video review on my YouTube Channel.

The following photos are to accompany the review, so you can see how my lashes fared from Day 1 all the way through to Week 6...

Before the treatment

(I know I didn't really need them, but for the sake of reviewing... hehe)

After the treatment

2 Weeks

4 Weeks

6 Weeks

As you can see, the effect of the extensions was fabulous, but it did leave my lashes a little depleted afterwards. 8 weeks after the treatment, my lashes were back to normal.

To see the full review of my experience, watch my video here:

For more info on LashLab (where I had my treatment) and eyelash extensions in general, check out their website.

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Lovestruck!

On Wednesday, I was super lucky and extremely flattered to be invited to the exclusive press launch of the latest Vera Wang fragrance, 'Lovestruck'.

If you didn't catch the flurry of tweets flying around on the day, the face of the new fragrance and star of Gossip Girl, Leighton Meester was in town for the launch, making a personal appearance in Harrods (which I hear was manic!) before heading over for afternoon tea with us at the stunning Corinthia hotel.

After a quick interview on the bright pink peony-covered stage, Leighton and Vera Wang herself came round to each table to say hello to everyone.

They were both incredibly beautiful and polite. Leighton is every bit as beautiful in real life and I honestly cannot believe Vera is 61, she looks incredible!

But on to what you all really want to know about... the fragrance!

As I'm sure you'll agree, the bottle is absolutely stunning. I'd seen pictures of it before the launch and wasn't disappointed by it in real life. Sometimes these things look great online, but feel kind of tacky in the flesh... this isn't the case. The beautiful purple flowers and tulle bows make this the ultimate statement for your dressing table (but not the most practical for your handbag I must say!)

As you can imagine, as I was spraying this for the first time, I was praying to like it... and I couldn't have been happier when I first smelt it. It's exactly the kind of fragrance I go for...

The scent is very sweet and girly but has something a little more interesting to it than your usual super sweet aimed-at-teens perfumes. If you liked the original Vera Wang 'Princess' I think you'll love this. It's a similar fragrance but a tiny but more grown up. With top notes of pink guava and angelica flower, mid notes of delicate tuberose and a base of precious woods it's sweet and youthful but not too overpowering.

Leighton's dress from the ad campaign was also there... gorgeous and teeny-tiny!

This perfume is without a doubt my favourite release this year. I absolutely love the fragrance itself and it would take something really special to beat that bottle don't you think?

Lovestruck is available now in Harrods, and nationwide from 26th June, prices from £35. If you get the chance, please try this - I absolutely love it!

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Body Beautiful?

So 'that' time of year is rapidly approaching...

Whether you'll be baring all in a bikini on the beach or getting your legs out in your prettiest dresses, summer is here and for most of us women that means now is the time to start waxing, tanning, toning and generally stressing about exposing skin that hasn't seen the light of day for the last six months!

But fear not! Mama Mio skincare are helping women across the nation gain confidence in their bikini bodies!

Not only have Mamma Mio set up a 'confidence poll' to score your body confidence out of 50 (I scored 30) They have also set up a 'Confidence Challenge' on Twitter and Facebook where they set you challenges each week to help build your body confidence. The challenges run all the way through the summer, finishing the last week of August, when you'll be asked to fill in the confidence poll again to see how you've progressed!

Everyone who takes part also has the chance to win a £1000 holiday voucher with Kuoni, so if you're very lucky... you'll be able to flaunt your bikini body with confidence on a beautiful beach somewhere too!

I'm loving the idea of this, having just started my summer 'get fit' kick I'm hoping it'll give me that little extra help I need to stay motivated!

I've also been trying some of Mama Mio's cult body-perfecting lotions and potions to help me on my way, so I'll keep you posted on those and whether a cream really can tone your bum, trim your tum and perk up your boobs (I'm sceptical I have to say!)

Would love to know if any of you will be entering this with me?!

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Urban Bride

When I caught a glimpse of the latest limited edition gift set from Urban Decay, I have to say I fell in love!

The 'Urban Bride' gift set contains five travel-sized versions of some of Urban Decay's best selling products, along with a full sized tube of the world famous (and my all time fave!) Primer Potion.

The kit is (obviously!) aimed at Brides and although the miniature versions of the Supercurl mascara, All Nighter setting spray, Lip Junkie lipgloss and Razor Sharp loose powder would make perfect clutch-friendly top ups on the big day, I think their miniature proportions are even more well suited for jetting off on the honeymoon (along with the 'lickable' marshmallow body powder of course...!)

The box itself is what makes the set for me. It's big, sturdy and decorated with a beautiful floral lace print. This would not only make the perfect gift for any bride to be, but also a great treat for yourself if you fancy trying out some new Urban Decay products... It's a great price too.

The Urban Bride kit is £25 and available now at Debenhams, online and in store.

P.S: Debenhams are also running a fab competition to celebrate the release of 'Urban Bride' where you can win a trip to Vegas! Click here for more info.

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Oh, Lola!

Marc Jacobs is launching a sister fragrance to his iconic Lola scent and (in my humble opinion!) it's even better than the original. I was lucky enough to sample Oh! Lola at it's unveiling this week and it was love at first sight and smell!

Both the bottle and the scent are brighter, lighter and even more fun than its predecessor.

It's a much more fruity concoction, with top notes of sparkling raspberry, pear and frais de bois, a floral heart of peony, magnolia and cyclamen and a warm, subtle base of vanilla, sandalwood and tonka bean.

To top it all off, they've chosen none other than the uber-talented Dakota Fanning to front the ad campaign. I absolutely love her look and think she's a perfect fit for the fragrance: young, cute and fun, but still a little outside of the mainstream.

If you were a fan of Daisy's little sister 'Eau So Fresh' this year, this is definitely one to look out for.

Oh! Lola will be available from 27th July.

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Grab Yourself a Bargain... Quick!

I don't often do posts about bargains and online deals but I thought this one was a little too good to keep to myself!

Groupon is offering a years subscription to an array of Conde Nast publications (including Vogue, Glamour, Tatler and Vanity Fair) for only £19.99... what a bargain!

The deal is only open today and tomorrow so get your skates on!

Click here for all the info.

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