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Beauty Industry
A word on Affiliate Links
I posted a picture on Instagram this week with reference to an article that ran on Into The Gloss. In the comments underneath an eagle-eyed reader noticed that all of...
12/10/2016
The Ordinary - a few words from Brandon
In six and a half years of blogging I have never had so many requests to review a brand. Ever. The Ordinary has certainly hit the industry with a bang....
21/09/2016
A love letter to Beauty Departments
After the atrocious 'service' (and I use the word loosely) I had the misfortune of experiencing at Boots recently, I've been even more aware of customer service - or lack...
09/09/2016
Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion
Apologies for the stock photo. I'm not at home. Well you did ask. :) Describe the brand in five words. Affordable. Recognisable. That's about it. What is it? 'Cetaphil Moisturizing...
03/09/2016
Instagram Update
Where does the time go? It's over a month since my last update and although it's been typically quiet in the beauty industry, I still have some lovely updates for...
27/08/2016
New thinking, newer practices - and skincare brands I'm loving
I have so much to blog about I honestly don't know where to start. I cannot tell you how much I am loving the industry at the moment. There is...
04/07/2016
Update - New Pages and Features
Mortar & Milk - SW6 Hi All! OK - I know. Erm where have you been Caroline? I know it may seem like I've slipped off the face of the...
01/07/2016
Inspiring women in beauty - so is corporate setting us back?
I just spent a really inspiring, great week in L.A. surrounded by brilliant women who have forged a way in the beauty industry and founded great brands, all outside of...
03/02/2016
Beauty things that need to be put to bed in 2016.
This post was originally called '10 beauty things...' but I very quickly ran over 10, especially when I consulted my girlfriends (Thanks Ruth and Lily). Feel free to keep them...
02/01/2016
Synthetic fragrance vs Natural fragrance
Fragrance in products causes a lot of concern among some of the beauty buying public. Most often in people with sensitive skins, but it is becoming more and more of...
30/10/2015
STOP. DROP. SERVE. When the 'Customer Experience' forgets about the Customer.
source Earlier this week I came across my original typed copy of the 100+ page customer service training manual that I wrote for Liz Earle 10 years ago when I...
17/10/2015
The importance of having an opinion. And voicing it.
Here's the thing. Every time I do an event and get to meet some of you lovely readers, I come away inspired and always with new ideas for posts. This...
09/10/2015
Stem Cells - the nonsense continues
Nearly three years ago I wrote this post about stem cells and the utter nonsense of brands claiming that plant stem cells can 'reactivate stem cells'. I don't usually repeat...
23/09/2015
Beauty Myths No.16 - Active vs 'Inactive' Ingredient
What used to relate purely to ingredients that qualify as drugs, is now used as a marketing tool industry-wide and to say that the terms 'active' and 'inactive' are overused...
01/09/2015
The Beautypedia bait that needs to STOP
We certainly agree on the importance of eyebrows. This is one of those strange, unexpected posts that just pop up from the heart, not my blog schedule.It’s been happening a...
08/07/2015
Meeting Paula Begoun
Oh lovely people! So today I went along and met the brilliant Paula Begoun and her co-author Bryan Barron. We chatted for over two hours and I could've stayed...
19/05/2015
Cheat sheet - Consumer and Clinical trials, In Vivo vs In Vitro and ORAC testing
Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now I am often met with claims of ‘clinical trials’ and ‘independent studies’ when reviewing skincare. It’s to be expected, brands want...
17/04/2015
Beauty Myths No.14 - Celebs don't wash their faces/Caveman Regime
Here's the thing: if you don't want to use anything on your skin, don't. If you want to only use manuka honey on your skin, do. If you don't want...
30/03/2015
The BEST things about working in the Beauty Industry.
Yesterday was fun - but there's obviously a reason we all keep doing what we do - so below are the best things about working in retail - especially beauty...
14/03/2015
The worst things about working in retail - alternate working title 'Kill me Now'
Don’t get me wrong, I love LOVE working in retail. This is my 30th year doing it (in some form or another). And I know we’re not doctors, nurses or...
13/03/2015
Beauty Myths No.12 - Cellulite Creams
Not one of these women look tortured by having cellulite. Fact: Cellulite is not caused by trapped 'toxins'. Is anyone else sick of that word? If we were as 'toxic'...
09/03/2015
Brands you won't see reviewed on here.
There are a few brands that I am asked about frequently either in comments or on my social media channels. This is happening more and more so I thought a...
07/03/2015
Patricia Arquette nails it
I am often asked how I got ahead in the beauty industry. And the truth is, I hit the glass ceiling pretty early on. I was 'opinionated' (aka 'had an...
23/02/2015
FAQs - Parabens
source I am asked almost on a daily basis for my views on parabens. I am met with outrage by some commenters who are mortified that I am recommending something...
29/01/2015
Red Lippy Project and Cervical Screening Awareness
OK listen up. A cause extremely close to my heart - and my Lady Garden. This week - 8th to 14th June - is Cervical Screening Awareness week. I lost...
07/06/2014
The Beauty Project - Selfridges and HUGHES
From 1st May until 12th June Selfridges are holding 'The Beauty Project'. A series of events and talks over a period of 6 weeks with the focus on all things...
22/04/2014
Choice Books - Beauty: A Guide for Health & Beauty Therapists
I am always asked about my beauty therapy training and what advice I can give to people studying/thinking about studying beauty therapy. I will do more posts of this nature...
04/04/2014
Beauty Myths No.6 - Having spots means you have an oily/combination skin
Most of the people I see have normal/dehydrated/sensitive skin with occasional spots. This is very different to acne. The vicious circle. It usually occurs via two paths. Vicious Circle One:...
06/03/2014
Horst Rechelbacher 1941 - 2014
I landed to find out that Horst Rechelbacher passed away on Saturday 15th. Horst was the Founder of Aveda - my first job in the industry - and Intelligent Nutrients....
16/02/2014
The Experts. The Brands. Nicola Elliott - NEOM
Nicola Elliott is the Founder of NEOM Luxury Organics - a lifestyle brand that has literally exploded in the last couple of years and has huge fans in...
26/11/2013
The Experts. The Facialists. Amanda Lacey.
I'm so frequently asked about favourite brands and facialists that I figured it was time to start showcasing them a little more. If I was forced to pick one...
17/10/2013
Breast Cancer Awareness
PINKRIBBON.COM October is upon us. And I'm feeling very conflicted. On the one hand, I know of course, what the beauty industry has done for breast cancer awareness. I do,...
30/09/2013
Beauty Trends Conference - September 2013
Just a quick one for industry bods. I'm speaking at the Beauty Trends and Innovation Conference this September. It looks like being a really good day if you fancy joining...
15/05/2013
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month - MARCH
Whilst I obviously applaud the way that the beauty industry got behind breast cancer and the huge event that is Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, I do rather feel...
04/03/2013
An interview with Poppy King
Earlier this week I was invited to QVC to interview Poppy King – founder of Lipstick Queen. I tweeted that I was meeting Poppy and asked if anyone had any...
22/02/2013
Paul Mitchell and Cruelty Free International unite against animal testing.
Starting with $700 in 1980, Paul Mitchell and John Paul DeJoria launched 4 products under the brand name Paul Mitchell. 32 years later they are sold in...
22/01/2013
Breasts, October, all things Pink and a slightly uneasy feeling.
Let me say this from the off: I wholeheartedly support anything to do with funding research into cancer, helping cancer sufferers, helping cancer survivors. Regular readers of this blog will...
04/10/2012
Animal Testing, China and pussy footing around.
I received an email from PETA this morning stating the following: London – Is Revlon paying for tests that poison animals in China? The cosmetics giant has refused to answer...
06/09/2012
Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols
Well I hinted earlier this week that I had seen something amazing in my meeting with Harvey Nichols and WWD broke the story this morning so I've been given the...
26/07/2012
Most requested reviews - and why I haven't thus far..
There are a few products/brands that I am asked about regularly - whether it's for my opinion on Twitter or just to review. Here's the thing: I try, in general,...
07/07/2012
The 'I know it's not a Hero Product but it bloody-well-should-be!' Support Club
So following on from the ridiculously popular post on Monday (you Ladies really needed to vent didn't you??!) - it's time for the other side of the coin. Everyone has...
07/03/2012
The 'I know it's a Hero Product but I just CAN'T' Support Club
So a few of us have secretly (openly on twitter) - in code - been very quietly admitting that there are some 'Hero Products' that we just cannot get to...
05/03/2012
Taking a stand against Photoshop.
Following my post below on the still-can't-quite-believe-how-horrific-it-is photoshop job executed on Zooey Deschanel by Rimmel - I was contacted by Collin Resultime, who have featured previously on this site with...
22/02/2012
Soap & Glory Cosmetics Launch
Marcia Kilgore is a genius. I don't throw that word around thoughtlessly - she just IS. The woman behind Bliss and Fit Flops is in a league of her own....
03/11/2011
Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick and Ageless Elixir 2 in 1 Foundation + Serum
Last week I was invited to see Caroline Barnes discuss Max Factor's new launches for Autumn. I've worked with many make-up artists in my career and Caroline is the Gold...
12/09/2011
Cheat Sheet - Beauty Industry Jargon
Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now This one has brewing for a long time but reading the Top 100 beauty products in a ‘top’ magazine yesterday sent...
04/09/2011
CEW Beauty Awards Lunch
This Friday I attended the CEW Beauty Awards held at the Intercontinental in Park Lane. Long seen as the 'Oscars' of the beauty industry the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) recognises...
22/05/2011
CEW Beauty Award Finds and Favourites
On Monday evening I attended the CEW Demo Evening – an opportunity for the members of CEW to try a variety of products by brands that have entered their Beauty...
24/02/2011