Honoré des Prés Vamp à NY

Since I'm just back from a quick jaunt to New York, what better time to feature a fragrance inspired by the city itself? Honoré des Prés is a boutique French line that's set themselves a steep challenge - make artisan, niche fragrances, on par with the best, from entirely natural ingredients. Except natural is something of  an understatement. We're talking eco-certified and organic, with no phthalates, synthetic compounds, animal products or petrochemicals. Sounds easy, but it really isn't - without synthetic compounds, perfumes tend to be stuck in the pleasant and fresh category, lacking the weird and wonderful twists that make a good fragrance great. Luckily, Honoré des Prés has Olivia Giacobetti at the helm (famed nose and creator of classic, nuanced fragrances for L'Artisan, Diptyqye, etc), and in their second collection, three eau de parfums inspired by modern New York life, the weird and wonderfuls tend to come thick and fast, with mixed but very interesting results. I'm starting with the standout of the bunch - the boozy, candy-coated, tuberose extravaganza that is Vamp à NY ....

Vamp à NY starts out with a creamy, crass hit of tuberose – it carries all the wallop of the sultry white flower without that sharp, sometimes acrid note that makes me tend to dislike white florals. This is an altogether rounder, juicier take on the bloom, more like the flower in its natural tropical state. There's an almost palpable texture to the flower, a distinctive rubbery waxiness. If you know and love tuberose you'll know exactly what I mean. If not, well, this is only going to get weirder from here on out. After the first hit of tuberose, I smell a lot of ylang ylang creeping in, fleshing out the floral into something even headier and bolder - then a sweet, sticky rum note, a hint of pulpy fruit (banana skin? coconut flesh?) and an aromatic swirl of real, sharp, bourbon vanilla. There's hints of exotic resins and balms deep down in the vanilla, but to my nose they're faint and fleeting. Overall, I get the impression of bubblegum and hot pink sunsets and muggy, sultry evenings full of flowers. Once dried down on skin, the fragrance doesn't change or evolve much – it sticks around as a deep, sweet, sticky flavor – like candied tropical blooms, preserved in rum syrup. It teeters on the edge of feeling overpowering but settles quickly into something very wearable, with a definite modern uniqueness that suits the perfume landscape right now . I was expecting something much more demure, and I have to say, for a naturally sourced scent,  Vamp à NY is a bit of a loudmouth.

 

 

Which brings us to the name – I think it's ever so slightly misleading in English, suggesting that this is some sort of sophisticated screen siren's fragrance. For me, this is less femme fatale and more girly girl playing dress up as a cartoon vamp - red lipstick and slinky gown, but maybe some high tops peeking out under the hem, smacking her pink bubblegum a little too loudly. It's the sort of scent that could get you in trouble, or into a whole lot of fun. It's a playful, modern and youthful take on the classic vampy white flower perfume. I'm still not much of a tuberose girl at heart, so I'm unlikely to wear this very often, but I also can't help but appreciate what an endeavor it was to make a perfume with this much character and wit and panache, from ingredients that usually render altogether more staid affairs. It's almost wonderfully tacky, in a stylish, French sort of way – and I mean that as the greatest of compliments.

 

You can find Vamp à NY at Beauty Habit, Spirit Beauty Lounge and Anthropologie. 

Are you a tuberose kind of girl? Planning to vamp it up a bit with your fragrance this summer?  Let's chat below!

*This product was a PR sample from the generous people at Honore des Pres. This in no way effects my opinions - if I don't like a product, I don't feature it!

Spring Clean Your Skin....

It's spring cleaning time, and I love throwing open the windows and filling the house with the scent of fresh linen, clean floors and polished wood. After you've tackled those dust bunnies under the bed and dusted down cobwebs from the corners, spare a thought for your skin. After a long winter of cold wind and dry, forced-air heating, things are bound to be a bit of a mess.  Once a week, I like to do the skincare equivalent of a quick hoover 'round with a quick and super-effective exfoliating mask - working like a gentle peel, they leave skin soft, smooth and bright. Sweep dead skin, splotchy pigment, blocked pores and general dullness out the door, leaving skin deep-cleaned, glowing, and rejuvenated.

I love the Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask for it's heavy duty, deep-cleaning prowess - a 10 minute spa treatment in a jar, it brightens, smooths and reduces hyperpigmentation with azelaic and lactic acids. A cult classic (I've already gushed over it here) with a price tag to match, it's available in two strengths,and is worth every penny. 

The REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask is the perfect mid-range workhorse - effective enough to show instant results but gentle enough to be used regularly, it harnesses glycolic and lactic acids from fruit sources for cleaner, smaller-looking pores and smoother skintone. Extra points for the tidy and hygenic bottle.

Juice Beauty's Green Apple Peel exfoliates with alpha hydroxy acids from its organic apple, grape and lemon extracts for a fresh smelling, quick acting clean - available in sensitive and full strengths, it's gentle, effective and utterly natural.

If you're planning to use a gentle peel this spring, remember the basics - apply to cleansed skin, and always start slow - three minutes is a good gauge of how your skin will react. Acids tingle and sting slightly as they work, but shouldn't feel unpleasant or burning. Remove with a warm washcloth, and follow up with a nourishing moisturizer - skin should look glowing or slightly flushed. Obviously, be careful you have incredibly sensitive, reactive skin - though for the record I have quite sensitive skin and have used all three of these with good results.  Most importantly, remember to be vigilant about the sun after any sort of acid exfoliant - all that baby-soft, delicate new skin needs to be protected!

How do you spring clean your skin? Have a favorite product? I'd love to hear from you below...

Spring Staple: Pink Cheeks

It seems like everyone this week, myself included, is in the hacking throes of a spring flu. I look like death, warmed slightly. So it seemed a perfect time to pull out that most reviving and brightening of of spring looks - the candy-floss flush.

My favorite incarnation of this bright cheeked look was on last year's runways, when Michael Kors sent out models with delicately pinned, flyaway hair, translucent skin and a cool, natural flush.  They looked like English roses caught in a chilly spring breeze, with a disheveled, 1930's, Love in a Cold Climate-vibe that was makeup perfection.

Let's be honest - these sorts of colors look absolutely terrifying in the pan, so cool-toned and bright, and I'm the first to veer away from them on the makeup counter. But be brave and play around with them - you'll be surprised how natural, sheer and soft they look, a much sweeter, clearer flush than the usual warmer tones impart. Hands down favorites here at the Blossom Shed are Dior's Rosy Glow Awakening Blush, for its impossibly fine and miraculously adjusting powder finish, and YSL's Creme de Blush in Babydoll, for its sheer, featherweight texture and gorgeous glow. Both blend beautifully with skin, seeming to impart a flush from within, and are perfection paired with long, glossy lashes and artfully disheveled hair.

How do you feel about a pale, candy-floss flush? Does it make you feel like the heroine in a fairytale too? How are you shaking up your makeup bag this spring? Share below...

Head Over Heels for Suti Foot Balm...

Spring is finally, firmly here. Prepare yourselves - this means we need to talk about feet. The time is fast approaching when they'll need to be bared to the world again, and I know I can't be the only one that's a bit concerned. Up until now, I'm not really sure when I had last looked at my feet. Most of the sightings this winter have been just a quick glance between stripping off two pairs of woolly socks and leaping into a hot bath. All I can say is thank goodness for the soothing bliss and rejuvenatory prowess of Suti's Foot Balm...

After an lengthy duel with the pumice stone, there's nothing like this gorgeous, aromatic balm to breath new life into tired, winter-weary feet. The invigorating blend of rosemary, eucalyptus and peppermint oils rev up circulation and soothe the senses, while rich shea butter, olive oil, calendula and beeswax moisturize deeply and thoroughly  Top off with a pair of cotton socks before bed, and you'll awake to softer, smoother, summer-ready toes.

It's no secret that I'm a big Suti fan - I love the fact that they combine beyond pure ingredients and green practices with products that feel luxurious and special. It doesn't hurt that everything just really works too. My feet may not look any less childlike and chubby (they don't make a balm for that apparently) but they're now soft and dare I say almost pretty looking, ready for a season full of my favorite barefoot, Bardot-style looks.

If you work on your feet all day, or just neglect them a little more than you should, you need a little jar of this magic on your beauty shelf. And if you're feeling generous of spirit and purse this spring, keep it in mind as the perfect gift - doctor, waitress, athlete or frazzled mom, surely we all know someone whose tired, sore feet could use a little pampering? Perhaps with a complimentary foot rub included? Outside the UK, you can find Suti at Shen Beauty in the US, and Fresh Faced in Canada.

*This product was a PR sample from the generous people at Suti. This in no way effects my opinions - if I don't like a product, I don't feature it. Bardot pic via Pinterest.

Spring Staple: Mint Nails

Isn't it nice when a really fabulous color is having a moment? I might not have been able to muster up much enthusiasm had 2013 seen a resurgence of maroon or pepto-bismol pink, but I'm quite happy to jump on the bandwagon for a cool, creamy customer like  this year's ubiquitous mint green. Anyone who loves the shade is in luck, as there's an absolute avalanche of accessories out there right now - from watches and Wayfarers to chunky sweaters and flirty skirts - all in that perfect icy hue.

So where better to add a little minty kick than fingers? The right shade adds a fresh, fun touch that's still subtle and flattering on skin, and looks a bit more laid-back and tomboyish than some of this season's more saccharine pastels. Every polish brand under the sun has a shade or two in their lineup this year, but the hands down winner here is Butter London's Fiver. Somewhere between an creamy spearmint green and a pale Tiffany blue, it's a stunner for its perfect hue and fabulous formula - thinner and quicker drying than most, which makes application a breeze for those of us less than gifted in the nail art department and more than a little chunky and unwieldy in our finger areas. And the whole non-toxic thing doesn't hurt its case either - wave goodbye to formaldehyde fingers and hello to healthier, stronger nails.

So how do you like a spot of refreshing mint on nails? Does the color remind you fondly your 80's childhood as well? Do you think chocolate only exists as an accompaniment to mint, and find yourself adding peppermint extract to inappropriate dishes? No, wait, that's me. Discuss below!

photo via Pinterest...

Scrub Amnesty - Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm

Let me start this by saying that I am, in principle, anti-scrub.  I'm usually one of their most vehement opponents, believing, quite rightly, that no good can come of treating your skin like a block of wood that needs sanding. They make skin feel super clean for ten minutes until oil production goes into overdrive to recover from all that sandblasting - thus beginning a dreadful cycle. 

However... there are those of you whose skins do perfectly well with a gentle physical exfoliant two or three times a week to remove dead skin, brighten up the complexion and add an extra glow. And there are those of you who will just refuse to toss out your gritty scrubs and like the feeling they give. So if you must scrub, I beg you - toss out your foaming walnut shell concoctions, and try something like Balance Me's lovely Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm instead.

A smooth, rich balm in a handy tube, it uses sweet almond, kukui nut, camellia and coconut oils to deep clean and dissolve dirt and makeup, while finely ground oatmeal polishes and exfoliates skin. I love the beautiful orange blossom-type scent and the glow it gives skin in the mornings. You can still feel the invigorating scrubby-effect, but aren't stripping your skin with quite such gusto, and the lovely oils will soothe and nourish along the way. The oatmeal will eventually clog up your sink a bit, and if you use it while staying over at friend's houses you won't be invited back. But we must all pay a price for beauty, and a clogged sink is a somewhat small one.

Balance Me is a fabulous new and fast-growing brand that makes pure, high-quality products with reasonable prices. The line is simple and easy to navigate, with cute, user-friendly packaging - it's a great place to start if you're looking to buy some skincare staples to "green up" your beauty cabinet this spring. Readers outside the US can buy from Look Fantastic, which offers free, albeit slow, international shipping.

So there you have it - a somewhat confusing message. Don't use scrubs! But if you must, use this one - it's lovely. 

So now's the time to spill your secrets below - what's the worst thing you've ever done to your face? For a time as a teen, I used an exfoliating pad from the Body Shop that had the exact texture of a Brillo pad. It somehow seemed like a good idea at the time...

*This product was a press sample. Samples in no way affect my opinion - if I don't like a product, I don't write about it. 

Posh and Pretty - Penhaligon's Peoneve

 

What is is about peonies? I'm not sure I've ever met anyone that doesn't adore them, the way their tight buds unfurl into those heady, blowsy blossoms, tipping drunkenly on their unsteady stems. There's a particularly dreary spring drizzle out today, so I'm splashing on some Penhaligon's Peoneve to transport my senses to a sunny summer day, knee-deep in a bed of the fragrant, velvety blooms.

 

Peoneve starts out with the sharp, peppery, unmistakeable hit of peony - a very lifelike facsimile that other peony-based fragrances never quite seem to capture. The note is is fleshed out with more than a litle tea rose, which shares a similar note and compliments and strengthens the peony . This isn't your typical perfume rose, but more of the fresh, prickly, antique variety, very bright and tart.  A natural hint of violet leaf ties all these blooming notes together, and though it imparts a strong freshness, a certain dewy garden quality, I wouldn't consider this a stridently green fragrance at all - it's far too...well, pink. There's a fresh, almost watery impressionistic feel to it overall, like freshly plucked peony blooms floating in a delicate, china bowl.

 

 

All this bright, tart freshness dries to a very clean, very faint base with just the tiniest hint of creaminess. Unfortunately, the simple, light feel to the fragrance translates into very little staying power. What lingers is lovely and subtle, but it never really changes into anything different or unexpected on skin - what you first smell is basically what you get, which will be a selling point for some, and a disappointment for others.  

 

Overall I find it very pretty, very polite, but am left wanting a bit... more. More depth, more realness, that little hint of something unusual or even a bit off to really pique my interest. I personally like that old fashioned hint of powderiness or spice to really round out the base of a fragrance, but it's also very out of fashion these days, and this offering is a clever way to bridge that gap for Penhaligon's. It's the perfect choice for people who like the idea of an elegant, simple floral but have found the London landmark's more classic offerings too old-fashioned for their tastes. Peoneve is the perfect scent for a May wedding or a lazy summer picnic on a cool, green lawn - light, tart and modern without sacrifing its feminine prettiness.

 

Cult Classics - Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream

 

Sometimes there's a time when skin doesn't need to be constantly bombarded by cutting-edge ingredients that are plumping, filling, brightening or reversing things. Sometimes it just needs a lovely long drink of something soft and soothing. Like a holiday where you let it laze about a bit and feel indulged. That's when I pull out my tube of  Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream. A true cult classic, it's beautiful in its simplicity - no fancy scientific claims, wonder ingredients or trendy packaging. Just high quality, nourishing ingredients in a perfect formula. 

I used this religiously as a young teenager - when living at very high altitude in thin, dry air - and I never got over the way it would give my skin this instant glow, with an almost warming effect - excellent for a climate where you're always cold. You'll take any warming you can get.  The price has unfortunately gone up by almost double since I started using it, which is a scary indication of how old I'm getting. So it is quite pricey, but each tube contains the essence of 30 roses, and that sort of thing doesn't come cheap. Think about pressing your face into a bushel of silky rose petals. Gorgeous, right? That's kind of what this feels like, but without the worry of thorns or a stray beetle getting into the mix. 

The original version is extremely rich and hydrating, but the essential oils are almost a bit too much for my skin these days - which is why I now prefer the Rose Day Cream Light. With all the same beautiful ingredients and pampering effects, with a lighter, smoother texture, it's my favorite straightforward, soothing and nourishing all-round moisturizer. The light version uses sesame and apricot kernel instead of the regular's peanut oil and shea butter - and is perfect for younger, combination or summertime skins. Should my skin get particularly thirsty, or I spend time in colder, dryer climes this winter, I'll be pulling the original back out. It's been a cult classic and celebrity favorite for years, and rightfully so - it will certainly always have a place of honor in my skincare arsenal.

Oh and it smells divine, in case you needed another reason to award it coveted cult status. Creamy, soft and natural. Would you expect anything less of thirty roses jammed into a tiny metal tube?

Rose image via Pinterest...

Honeyed Kisses

I mentioned HollyBeth Organic's Grits and Honey Scrub this last week in passing as the lip smoother that dreams are made of, but it deserves a post to itself.  You know those days when your lips look reasonably smooth and soft, and then you apply lipstick and are utterly disgusted? Flakes and lines and general unpleasantness abound? This will make those days merely a bad memory. Gentle, effective and hydrating.  I'm afraid I can attest to its deliciousness as well -  I usually end up eating at least a large spoonful per scrubbing session. Luckily the ingredients read like a sweet southern desert - organic corn grits, almond oil, vitamin E and Tupelo honey - it's basically a really lovely breakfast. I have a small, lipbalm sized pot, which is why I happened to use it on my lips to begin with, but it's actually marketed as a body scrub. I can only imagine the luxury of slathering this on in the shower - it's something I intend to find out sooner rather than later. 

In fairness this would be relatively easy to make yourself, and for a bit cheaper, but sometimes you just need a special treat, and don't want to have to pull out a mixing bowl and whisk before your bath. Use this for those times. Your skin will be left smooth as silk and smelling like honeyed heaven. Dare I say the perfect choice for a date night?

HollyBeth Organics is a tiny little company in Atlanta that makes charming and simple organic products by hand in an old cotton warehouse. Besides this honeyed masterpiece, I love their adorable sample tins, and like to keep a few on hand for easy, thoughtful little hostess gifts. 

How do you keep lips in tip-top snogging shape? Are you a fan of grits? Tell us about it below...

Sans Ceuticals Haircare

Surely you all know how sensitive my skin it - not least because I never shut up about it -  but it really does seem to find new ways to annoy and thwart me at every turn. Recently, I've been having trouble with shampoos and hair products - they irritate my scalp and do nothing for my long, lifeless tresses. That is until a box arrived from Sans Ceuticals, a lovely little line all the way from New Zealand. The aptly named Sans is a boutique, Auckland-based haircare line that takes green to a whole new level. Entirely chemical-free, only the most potent and effective natural extracts and vitamins are used, while every effort is made to make sure ingredients are organic, locally sourced, sustainably harvested and highly active. Even the packaging is ecologically sound - the simple and chic little bottles are made of non-leaching plastics and printed with vegetable inks. 

I'll admit I was a bit doubtful trying out the line - yes the idea and ethos of the brand is great, but who hasn't had some unpleasant run-ins with so-called natural shampoos and conditioners that leave hair a limp mess of snarled tangles?. The Nourishing Hair Wash sudses up beatifully but subtly into a dense, velvety foam,  leaving hair feeling clean but not stripped. After the a few pumps of the Nourishing Hydratant (that's fancy Kiwi talk for conditioner), ends felt soft and smooth without any of that creepy silicone slickness.  To top things off, I'm in love with the beautiful scent as well - fresh, natural and softly sweet - like tangerine peel and freesia blossoms. 


All in all, a big hit here at the Blossom Shed -  pure luxury that you feel good about using. Clearly hair likes it too -  my straggly ends are softer and smoother, while my roots are less weighed down by build up and heavy silicones. I have to break the news to you now that it is rather expensive, particularly if you're used to drugstore-priced shampoos. Not everyone will be able to justify it - but I'd highly recommend the line if you have sensitive skin, are committed to using only the purest products, or have invested in expensive highlights or color that you want to gently protect. 


Should the mood strike you, you'll find Sans Ceuticals products in the US at Woodley and Bunny or Anthropologie, and in the UK at Love Lula. 

*Products was kindly provided by Sans for consideration.
Picture via Pinterest

Giveaway! Win a Sumptuous Face Oil from Suti - CLOSED!

Here we are at The Blossom Shed's very first giveaway, and it's a fabulous one if we do say so ourselves. The lovely ladies at Suti, that temple of all that is pure, luxurious and nourishing, have generously sent us FOUR bottles of their divine Rejuvenate Face Oil to share...


Remember how we gushed over the sumptuous Nourish Oil earlier this year? The Rejuvenate Oil is like its younger, peppier sister - a bit lighter and zestier, with an uplifting, citrus scent and bright, golden color. A blend of the purest, highest quality oils - rosehip, argan, evening primrose, sandalwood, frankincense, tangerine and neroli - it's utter heaven for your your senses and your skin.


Hydrating, balancing and soothing, it's a fabulous choice for dry, sensitive, mature, combination and acne-plagued skins. Basically, everyone. Wear it daily, nightly, or as a treat when your skin needs a little extra pampering. It's lovely under sunscreen, and I feel like it keeps my skin soft and hydrated while still allowing it to breathe - I use it on weekends when I want to give skin a break and a bit of a pamper - a few drops massaged into damp skin leave it glowing and radiant.


Want to read more about the product? Peruse some of the glowing reviews at Beauty Mouth, A Model Recommends, Elle UK and Fig + Sage. We also want to send a huge thank you to Tina and Suzannah of Suti for sponsoring this giveaway - they're skincare geniuses and generous to boot.


CARE TO WIN A BOTTLE?


Leave a comment telling us A) how you follow The Blossom Shed - GFC, Bloglovin', Twitter or Facebook (if you want us to love you forever you'll follow via ALL of them) and B) why your skin deserves a treat. Giveaway ends August 1st, and is open to anyone, anywhere - it may take us ages to mail it if you're in Siberia, but send it we will.


Four winners will be chosen randomly - make sure you leave a contact,  via email or Twitter, so that we can contact you if you're one of the lucky few!

Cult Classic - Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

I've long admired Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse from afar - convinced that until I spent my summers on a wood-panelled yacht on the Riviera, I didn't need to be spending a fair chunk of money on a tiny bottle of fragrant, luxurious oil. I broke down this year and decided not to wait for the yacht - that could take ages - and until then I'd like to be adding a bit Riviera glam and featherlight hydration to everyday life.

The blend of six precious oils (Borage, St. John's Wort, Sweet Almond, Camellia, Hazelnut and Macadamia) sinks invisibly and lightly into skin, leaving a glowing, subtle sheen. No mess, no oiliness, just instant, lightweight hydration. The beautiful frangipani fragrance smells like a beach in the south of France - sunsoaked, expensive and slightly old fashioned.  Smooth onto shins and shoulders for extra glow, or dab a bit onto cuticles as a luxurious pick me up for overworked hands. A drop or two leaves hair shimmering, separated and softly fragrant - with no heavy formulas or slick silicones to weigh it down. I even like a tiny amount on cheek and browbones to add a little highlight to skin. It's a multi-purpose hero product for me, and I'm not alone - in France, a bottle is sold every six seconds - entrenching it firmly into cult classic territory. Nuxe products are some of my very favorites - simple, high-quality, pharmacie-chic - besides the divine Huile Prodigieuse, I'm a big fan of their cleansing waters and soothing moisturizers.

Basically, you need a bottle. It will sit looking stately and stylish on your dressing table, you'll reach for it daily, and when you close your eyes you could almost be on that yacht - what more can you ask?

NIA 24 Sun Damage Protection SPF 30

I have a shocking confession to make. I don't wear sunscreen very often. The single most effective anti-aging product you can buy, and I just can't be bothered. Every single bottle I've tried, be it light or heavy, cheap or pricey, they all irritate my skin, burn my eyes, break me out or basically just get on my nerves. I'll deal with it when I have to, when I'm hiking or at the beach, but usually I just put on an enormous hat, and devil take the hindmost.

This is a supremely stupid attitude, and I've finally paid the price. Last summer I was in a Target dressing room, which may possibly have the most shockingly depressing and unflattering lighting known to man, trying on a sundress. It was too small, and got stuck on my head for ages. But that's not the point of the story - the point is that I noticed a dark smudge of dirt on my upper lip which I tried to nonchalantly rub off, only to find that it was a patch of darker pigment, just in the perfect spot to give the impression, in certain lights, of a somewhat dashing moustache.

So that was that. I (finally) got the dress off my head, and began the search for an SPF that I could stand. And now, just in time for summer and long days of sunshine, I think I've finally found it...

NIA 24 is a new, highly regarded skincare line that's based around Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, which has proved extremely effective in healing and repairing damaged cells while renewing and strengthening skin. Hyperpigmentation and sun damage is faded and brightened, while skin feels plumper, younger and less fragile.

I've been using their Sun Damage Protection SPF 30 daily for the last month, and it's really quite something - not just light and weightless on skin, but I think it's actually improving the tone and texture of my skin. No breakouts, no greasiness, no unpleasant feeling of it sitting on top of my skin. Just glowing skin, and nary a moustache in sight. And no eye irritation. Everything irritates my eyes. WATER irritates my eyes. The fact that this doesn't is incredible, and enough to keep me in cases of it for life.

The first two days I used this, I was a bit disappointed by the fact that is seemed to leave my skin drier and dehydrated feeling - upon further research, this is apparently completely normal as the skin repairs itself and rebalances - the dryness was completely gone by day three. So give it a chance and don't judge right away. While the formula feels rich, it sinks in well after a few minutes, with no greasiness or residuge, though I find I still need a light moisturizer underneath for my dry skin. I'm currently using the mineral SPF, though there's also a broad-spectrum chemical version, which I intend to try next - a great range of choice for those sensitive to certain SPF ingredients. There's an extremely light, almost imperceptible fragrance, but it's perfectly pleasant. I think it smells of pineapple and fresh bread, but don't let that put you off - I may just be strange.

What I really, really love about this cream is that the high amounts of active Pro-Niacin in the formula mean that skin is not only protected from sun damage, but that previous damage is being reversed - it's not just protecting skin, it's actually improving it. Yet another incentive to be judicous about applying it consistently.

At $45 it's on the high end of daily sunscreens, but it's a very generous sized tube - it will easily last an entire summer - so I think its price is fair, and I'll be repurchasing consistently. I'm looking forward to trying out several of the other products in the line as well, so look for reviews of their serums and moisturizers to come.

I can hardly wait to try this out in summer, during long, blistering hikes and langurous hours in hot, poolside sun, feeling virtuous as I extol the neccessity of broad spectrum protection without feeling like a hypocrite. I hope to have nothing more than a faint smattering of charming freckles across the bridge of my nose - nothing more permanent than that.

Are you good about applying sunscreen? Do you have any sun damage or hyperpigmentation? Have you found the perfect formula yet, or are you still looking? Spring is here, so you better have a good one at the ready! I highly recommend this one - I expect 20 years from now that I'll be thankful I started using it when I did....

(Product was kindly provided by Dermstore for review)

Boscia BB Cream

As pale winter skin transitions into the spring sunshine, I've needed a little bit of help to add some glow to my dull complexion. I don't do foundation, and have yet to find a tinted moisturizer I like - so thank goodness for Boscia BB Cream - it's like a soft-focus, invisible veil for those days when just a few dabs of concealer aren't quite enough.

The color won't be for everyone - there's only one shade, and though it warms up my pale, warm skin nicely, but probably will turn orange on anyone fairer, and won't suit anyone with much darker skin. It's definitely a product that I recommend sampling first - it's unique and won't suit all skins or types - but if you're looking for light, dewy coverage that feels weightless and natural on skin, and the color is a good match, it may be your holy grail. I apply a few dots of it on moisturized skin and blend out with my fingertips - within a few minutes it really settles in and leaves skin looking sunkissed and glowy. Thicker and chalkier than a tinted moisturizer, it's a bit harder to blend at first, but seems to plump and smooth skin - the formula is silicone-heavy, but doesn't feel overly slick and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. Dark shadows are lessened, redness is neutralized, and skin looks soft and natural. It lasts well throughout the day and leaves a dewy, radiant finish - there is a hint of shimmer, but it's subtle once applied and adds to the luminous finish.

I like this simply because every other similar product tends to feel like it's not doing much good for my skin - covering it up or irritating it - even my skin is claustrophobic. This feels almost weightless - I love that it has mineral-based SPF 27, gentle, natural ingredients, and actually seems to soothe and settle my complexion if anything - I like to keep it in my arsenal for days when skin is looking dull or sallow and needs a little bit of extra help. I also have to say I love the pretty tube with its Japanese wave pattern - it's allowed onto my strictly policed dressing table with other attractively packaged items, not relegated to a dreaded drawer.

You can buy Boscia's BB Cream at Sephora and Dermstore - I recommend popping into your local Sephora and getting a generous sample to take home and test out - you may find it's your summer skin must-have.

Have you tried any of the new slew of BB creams on the market? Do you have a favorite Tinted Moisturizer or light coverage foundation for the warmer months? Tell us about it below!

(product kindly supplied for consideration by Boscia)

Cheap and Cheerful - e.l.f. Nail Polish

You may have gathered from reading so far that I don't like cheap things in general. It's the packaging - it depresses me. But in fairness, I do absolutely adore when I find something that's both a quality product, affordable , and housed in casing that doesn't make me feel ill - something like e.l.f. nail polishes.

Yes, the formula is very thin and runny. You might not like it. I do, because my method of painting nails is to just aim broad, haphazard strokes at my fingertips, and remover all the excess with from my fingers afterwards. I hate formulas that feel thick and gloopy, because I'm sure to end up with a mess. e.l.f's polish is foolproof, dirt cheap, has a nice array of charming colors, and while not exactly natural, is lacking some of the more unpleasant chemical additives of it's drugstore cousins.

Lately I've been wearing lilac - a perfect creamy, pale Amy Pond-esque lavender shade - like a little hint of easter egg to cheer up my nails. I'm eyeing the beautiful pale mint and the shiny, posh grey-nude next - for $2 it's hard to go wrong. I've even managed to stop biting my nails for a bit. Praise indeed.

What's your favorite color for nails this spring?

Penhaligon's Bluebell

Since we were on the topic of bluebells anyway...

I've worn Penhaligon's Bluebell since I was seventeen, and I hope the day never comes that I tire of it. I live in fear that it will be discontinued, and don't feel really comfortable unless I have at least two bottles in the house as back ups. I practically bathe in it - on my pillows, in my hair, it's spritzed liberally and extravagantly as I try to capture its ethereal beauty for a little longer. Come to think of it, I probably I reek of bluebells most of the time, and maybe everyone is just too polite to say anything.

I wear it with such abandon because I don't see how would it be possible to reek of something so delicate and fleeting and light. I have trouble breaking down its notes at all, because I know it so very well, and because part of its magic is that through layering it's created almost a very basic soliflore - the simple scent of a spring bluebell. There's tiny blue bell-like blooms - fragrant and a little sharp, like a slightly shyer, more demure hyacinth - then the dew-laden, green stem, icy and crisp, pulled from cold, damp, dark soil with the tiniest hint of earthy spice at the roots. The beauty of it is, none of this smells like a synthetic blend of notes - nothing about it shouts "perfume" - it's just pure, quiet, peaceful English woodland, a beautiful captured moment from a perfect day. Its lasting power isn't terribly strong, but the tiny whisper of scent it does leave behind is exquisite, understated and charming, just like the flower itself.

I know it's not for everyone - people tend to feel quite polarized about its charms - but I'm perfectly happy with that - it's mine, and I don't want everyone splashing it about carelessly anyway- and I'm sure those of us who love it will be quite content to go in living in our bluebell-scented haze forever.

Becca Halcyon Days Palette

I had a fabulous and unexpected little suprise this month - I recently joined a the IFabbo organization for bloggers, and was entered in a drawing for a $100 Dermstore giftcard - which I won! I was probably disproportionately thrilled, I actually did a little dance, and spent far too much time choosing what I would spend it on. The sensible part of me kept saying "be reasonable - stock up on your skincare basics". But the impulsive side kept telling me to live a little and enjoy these halcyon days. So that's what I did.

I'd been lusting after Becca's Halcyon Days palette for almost a year - a gorgeous blend of three tawny, golden eyeshadows, a brilliant coral lip and cheek cream and a sheer gloss. I was eyeing it jealously after seeing the lovely Ruth at A Model Recommends do a beautiful sunset smokey eye look with it - she has similar coloring to me, and it looked so easy, effortless and glowing. So when Dermstore offered a free Becca Beach Tint with the purchase (which I adore), just I threw caution to the wind and pushed the purchase button.

Happily, I couldn't be more thrilled with it.

I almost never wear eyeshadow - I feel like I never can get the hang of making it look natural and flattering - these three shades are all I may ever need - they add a bit of beachy, summer glam without looking too made up. Muslin and Chamois are a pale ivory and soft brown, both in a velvety matte, and the particularly gorgeous Faille is a shimmering coppery apricot, really flattering to my pale but warm-toned (aka sallow) toned skin. The formulas are like silk - smooth, fine, and a dream to blend, and together they create a beautiful, soft eye with a hint of shimmer and depth.

The clear star of the palette is the lip and cheek cream in Bougainvillea - a bright, orangey coral, it looks a bit scary in the pan, but blends out dewy and gorgeous on skin - a dab on the apples of cheeks and a slick on lips looks so ridiculously pretty that I'm afraid I'll use it up immediately. I'm already looking at other shades of the formula in full sizes - it's my favorite cream blush so far, much creamier and more pigmented than anything else I've tried.

The last character in the charming little quintet is a lip gloss in the shade Mai Tai - which at first I thought was a bit of a disappointment - an almost clear gloss didn't seem like much of an addition. Well, it wouldn't be if it were a normal gloss, but of course this is Becca, so it's not. Not sticky or plastic-feeling, it doesn't sit on top of lips but hydrates and plumps them, leaving them looking healthy and luscious, and is the perfect pairing for the lip cream. Even the little double-ended brush that's included is beautiful quality - it's nicer than most of my full sizes.

I used to never buy palettes - it's rare to find the perfect blend of colors and formulas - but that may change now, especially if Becca keeps releasing beauties like this. The pretty little brown rectangle box is now among my travel neccessities - a bit of glossy mascara, a hint of brown liner, a sweep of bronzer, and that's my daily makeup sorted for the next six months.

If you haven't already ordered from Dermstore, go check out their selection - I tend to get most of my skincare basics there year after year. It meets all my requirements for a favorite store - free shipping (I HATE paying shipping!), great discounts and coupons (usually 15% or 20% - which is a huge help on a $100 face cream) and fabulous customer service. I had a coupon for $25 that had long since expired without me realizing it - I was hoping they could apply it to my order, but really didn't expect them to. Instead, they were wonderful about it, said they were happy to honor it, and I got my order two days later with a handwritten note. Take note online retailers - that's how you keep your customers happy:) Thank you Dermstore! And of course a big thank you to IFabbo too...

I'm going to have to start featuring some products I hate soon, just because it's getting bit boring with all these glowing reviews, isn't it? Until then, what's your favorite makeup buy ever - the item that you cherish and can't live without out? Since I made you listen to mine for ages, now it's your turn!

Cult Classics - Becca Beach Tints

I don't know how I've managed until now without one of these little beauties about my person at all times. They're ridiculously minute and alarmingly expensive, so it's understandable if you've shied away before now - but if you like your makeup natural, glossy and idiot-proof like me, these are tiny little holy grails of juicy color that can take you from pallid consumptive to healthy glow with just a few pats of your fingertips.

The Beach Tint formula is quite sheer and runny, and I love how it blends right into skin,

leaving a beautifully fresh hit of punchy color and enough moisture to leave a hint of healthy sheen without any fake iridescence. My favorite is Grapefruit, a bright pinkish coral, the color of a square of bright, translucent Turkish Delight. It leaves my cheeks and lips a healthy, summery hue and smells like a freshly squeezed sweet grapefruit cocktail. Just a slick of glossy, dark brown mascara (Dr Hauschka's at the moment) and a dab of this on my cheeks and lips is my favorite minimal makeup look - no brushes, no blending, just sunny, sheer color that seems to come from within. I can attest that it can even be done with one hand, on the highway, while drinking your morning coffee, though of course I don't recommend that application technique.

The tints come in a range of sheer, buildable shades, all very nature inspired - I love Watermelon and Guava as well, though Grapefruit remains my favorite for what it does with my pale but warm coloring. These aren't thick, bright statement color that people like me find terrifying - they're hints of luscious, natural flush that look like you, but better.

Nobody does natural, glowing skin like Becca - if I could use only one brand of makeup, they win hands down - their cream blushes and eye shadows are peerless. The products are all geared towards highlighting your best features and looking healthy, fresh and radiant. I think it's because they're an Australian brand - those Aussies are just so damn robust and outdoorsy, they assume we must all want to look that way. Which of course if we have any sense, we do. It's lived-in, sun dappled glamour, which I think is the very best kind.

Have you tried any Becca? Do you have a multitasking wonder product that you can't do without? Tell us all about it below!