Check out my new ring! It’s dazzlicious! It’s by Cavendish French – a UK based designer.

Made from silver and swarovski crystal it twinkles like fairy lights and I LOVE IT!

It's beautiful and mine....all mine!

This particular ring is called the Discoball and sells for £180

There are stockists nationwide, just phone 01372 459944 for details.

I’m off to London town tomorrow, and I cannot wait to get my mitts on Laura Mercier’s Lip Plumper. Yippee!

Well, it is 'Treat Yourself Wednesday'!

 I love the way it gives me the perfect pout, and it wears fantastically. I’ve tried many other high end glosses which just feel gluey and thick, so this is by far my favourite!

My only dilemma is which one (or two) to choose?!

Laura Mercier can be found at luxe department store counters country wide, such as Selfridges, or online at Space NK

I was recently treated to a facial by the fabulous Gail at ‘The Beauty Spot’ to show off how amazing Dermalogica products and treatments are.

We’ve all seen their Active Moist moisturiser in the Top 100 Beauty Products Awards for years now, but I was about to find out first hand how great they really are.

I have always had embarrassingly problematic skin and am used to having to wear a full face of heavy make up every day just in order to get the ‘no make-up look’. I cannot tell you how much I cringe at the idea of anyone seeing me without make up on – even popping out for milk is done with a full face. Over the years I have convinced myself that there’s no excuse for not being glamourous everyday! In my quest for flawless looking skin I have tried just about everything you can imagine and have become very skilled at applying make-up and using the tricks artists use to make gals like me look fabulous. My main problem was being wowed by the glossy packaging from luxury skincare brands and convincing myself they were the ones for me.

To begin with, Gail removed all my make up and then set about analysing my skin (with the funniest glasses I’ve ever seen!) It was a dramatic close up and she was able to examine the skin and the damage I have been doing to it from using the wrong products. She was able to then tailor a facial to suit my needs.

We started with a mask on my T-zone which was then activated by running a very gentle electrical current through it. This was to bring out any nasties and get rid of them.

This was then followed by another mask all over my face made with fine oatmeal to calm and soothe my skin. It smelled so clean & pure and was left to work with a steam bath running over my face. This lasted for about 15 relaxing minutes.

Once this had been removed, I was spritzed and moisturised before floating out the salon and home for the most restful nights sleep I have had in months – and my skin? It’s the best it has been in years. It’s soft, smooth and ridiculously radiant! My advice? Book in now!

The process with Dermalogica is to go through a skin mapping treatment where your therapist closely examines your skin and from this is able to prescribe you with the best products and show you how to achieve maximum results from your recommended selection. I have since overhauled all my old lotions and invested in my newly prescribed routine. I love it! I feel like I am investing in my looks and bringing out my best self.

I cannot sing the praises of the fabulous ladies at The Beauty Spot enough – but I know not everyone can travel up to them. Just in case you decide to take a spot of pampering in the country, you can contact Gail and her girls at The Beauty Spot, Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 4AB. Or telephone them on 01327 315315. Mail order available.

For more information on Dermalogica products and their services, visit www.dermalogica.com/uk

I’ve been on the hunt for some fabulous statement shoes, but not too out there for wearing during the day to fab up a plain outfit and I cannot tell you how much I LOVE THESE SHOES!

I need them in my life!

Just a super quick post to let you know I am supposed to be playing in my lovely Mum’s boutique today. It’s the nicest place on the planet and

THERE ARE DELIVERIES COMING IN BY THE BOXFUL!

But instead, upon arrival, my very fabulous but sometimes evil Father has kidnapped me and locked me in the office to work on his accounts…..

Please send help immeditely! If I stay in here much longer I will cry.

Thanks in advance,

Loubie xx

While on a recent trip to my hairdressers, I walked in platinum blonde, and walked out blue-black. All in one (a bit scary) go. I love my new look and I do feel a little bit more rock ‘n’ roll than I did before. I realised my new look brought on an emergency trip to the make up counters to complete the transformation, so off I went – well, actually, I skipped like a girl…

After hitting the sweet sweet counters at Selfridges something still wasn’t right, then it dawned on me – my eyebrows were RIDICULOUS! Sandy beige (almost invisible) eyebrows and black hair do not work, no matter how much other make up you use. There was a distinct lack of balance to my whole face.

Anyway, turning my mind back a few months, a beautician I know had mentioned her new treatment – HD Brows. Unlike normal tinting, this treatment can, over a short period of time build upon what is naturally there, so even the most over plucked brows can have the look of hollywood glamour, and let’s face it if having a mere eyebrow treatment can make me look like this:

then I WANT IN!

So off I went for my 30 minutes of pampering and it was fabulous! I explained I was after a result along the lines of a 1950’s Hollywood starlet. My brows are very thin and over the years have ended up in a rather boring arch, with no real shape to them – try as I might to grow them back and have professional waxing, they just don’t seem to thicken up at all. The process was really simple, Sharon had a good look at my face shape and then put the magic dye on to my brows, shaped them up and then waxed around the shape she was trying to achieve. I was very surprised the treatment included the waxing as it was so inexpensive. I just had to lie with the dye on for a few minutes before she removed the excess and cooled the eye area with a little gel.

Once the treatment was over, I was absolutely thrilled to see that they looked thicker, more shaped and well on their way to becoming the long angular brows that I so want.

The difference is amazing

I cannot tell you what a difference this has made to my overall appearance. I am even much happier without make up as I feel my face looks well framed and finished. I am booked in for a course of these and over time, I know I will end up with the most fabulous brows!

I went to a salon called Belle Femme in the midlands – Sharon can be found at www.bellefemme.org.uk and she charged an amazing £15 for this treatment – other salons may charge differently.

Or to contact HD Brows directly, for training or to locate a salon, go to www.hd-brows.co.uk

Holy Shit! Start London has been infested with monsters! These cheeky little beings can be seen inhabiting the windows at Start London for the duration of London Fashion Week but are in need of a new and loving home.

Elspeth

Leonard Groyle

After a serendipitous meeting on Twitter, Louise – the Felt Mistress herself, has put together these gorgeous nasties exclusively for the Shoreditch based store. If you can’t resist them, and to choose from other species you can order online at www.start-london.com

All potential owners should be aware that they are rumoured to come to life at night.

I just want to say how thrilled I am! I treated myself to Gisèle Scanlon’s ‘The Goddess Experience’ at lunch time and I cannot – actually, do not want to put it down.

Not only is this lady a shopping genius, but she appreciates the importance of enjoying a lovely lazy cuppa tea.

If it’s not too late, you must all insist you be given it for Valentines Day.

The Goddess Experience - Gisèle Scanlon

It can be found in any self respecting book shop and you can follow the author on Twitter – @GoddessGuide

]]> http://www.theshopaholicsdiary.co.uk/?feed=rss2&p=199 0 http://www.theshopaholicsdiary.co.uk/?p=190 http://www.theshopaholicsdiary.co.uk/?p=190#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:25:59 +0000 Loubie http://www.theshopaholicsdiary.co.uk/?p=190

If like me, you get that ‘Treat Yourself Saturday’ feeling but don’t really know where to begin then you simply MUST give this a try! Every Saturday at Start, style guru Brix Smith Start is giving appointments where you can be shown what to wear and be fabulous. In just an hour you can be transformed from a Nottie to Hottie by jean genie Brix herself.

Designed to fab up anyone wanting guidance with their style, whether that be a simple LBD through to the perfect fitting jeans, Brix will whisk you into the fitting room and style you up to Goddess standards.

Jean Genie Brix

Anyone can book in for a slot, and Brix will work in with your ideal budget, ensuring that the selections are made especially for you while all you do is try on and feel gorgeous! With brands such as Halston Heritage, Stolen Girlfriends Club and Acne, you can lose yourself in this season’s key looks knowing you’ll leave feeling like a diva and knowing your look is perfected.

“After disappointment at Trilogy & Selfridges, I finally went to Brix Smith Start, a true genius at matching arses to jeans.” Caitlin Moran (The Times / Freelance Journalist)

Brix Smith Start has launched her Saturday Styling sessions at her Start store in Shoreditch. To book a session with Brix, simply call 020 7739 8071 or email stylebybrix@start-london.com. 42-44 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3BN.

To get a flavour of what is on offer at Start, visit www.start-london.com

If you fancy a little treat that not even the stingiest bank manager could deny you then pop along to Cherry & Joy.

They have some oh-so-cute treats to give you a guilt-free shopping fix

Grosgrain Ribbon Bead Bracelet

These cuties will be fabulous with the yummy nude tones around for this spring and are almost free at just £10.95

For other gorgeous somethings take a visit to www.cherryandjoy.co.uk they only charge a flat £2.95 for delivery so you can get as carried away as you like!