Drink yourself beautiful?

For years beauty companies have been plying us with creams and potions to rub for more beautiful skin, more glowing skin, smoother skin and more even skin. And! we've lapped it up to such lengths that some products have been granted cult status, but change is afoot and now there is an attempt to get us looking even more gorgeous from the inside out. Yes, from inside the body...

Step forward, Noah's Naturals, based in California they are set to launch a beauty drink in January 2010 which claims to fight the signs of ageing, improve tone and texture of skin and lead to all round healthier skin! It comes in a powder form and contains a cocktail of natural ingredients including collagen and elastin which are found naturally in the body. Not forgetting the several super fruits included, so here's hoping its yummy:-)



On the same 'beauty from within' bandwagon is the anti ageing water aptly named Nutra Resveratrol Anti-Ageing Water (mouthful!) which promise to prevent damage to cells from free radicals in the environment and keep the immune system healthy. This product is set for a November 2009 launch, so drink up!



Its always been said that beauty must radiate from the inside out, so looks like we're well on our way to drinking this statement true.

Go on...... drink yourself beautiful! Cheers :-)

Its raining nails!

Seems like there are some beauty benefits to rain afterall......

Flipping through the page of Marie Claire (Nov 09), there is a small article on research done by the University of Manchester which alleges that the climate on our rain prone island is good for our nails.



This is because the good old wet weather creates the right levels of humidity to keep nails at their optimum.



So as winter and the rains come, you can expect your nails to (hopefully) get stronger! Next time the heavens up, just think of how good your nails will look.....

Hollywood Kittens

The L'Oreal make up artists really went to town this week on the X Factor girls.....keeping bang in line with the big band week, they took the girls to old style Hollywood....glamorous and gorgeous, sexy and sultry!

Lots of pearly eyeshadows, grown up black eyeliner, lashings of mascara and good old fashioned statement red lipstick...not forgetting dramatic falsies! Even the hair had the 'wave' factor!

For us at Bella Queen, it was all about the eyes, we truly loved the classic throw back to the great ladies of Tinseltown.

Rocking the Runway!

Bella Queen, loves partnering up with good causes and tomorrow night see's us working our make up magic with the talented group - I LOVE RUNWAY!

They're staging a charity fashion showcase in aid of Cancer Research and other notable causes at Jongleurs in Battersea, London.

It promises to be an uplifting and fun filled evening with a runway fashion show, music acts and dance groups.

Come and have fun for charity!

More info, click here: I LOVE RUNWAY

Scrub up! Scrub Up!

Fall, autumn, whatever you may call it, is fast approaching. The weather is getting chillier and the nights considerably longer. Soon coats, tights, hats, scarves and gloves will be just like Jay Z, coming out of retirement.

With our constant central heating, frequent blasts of cold air and skin wrapped up all day, its not rocket science that our skin starts to look dull, grey and tired. It’s simply a build up of dead skin cells which stop the skin from radiating wellness.

As winter approaches, body exfoliation must not slip down your grooming to do list. Your skin may be covered up but it shouldn’t be a case of out of sight, out of mind! The skin is the body’s largest organ so must be given it due love and attention.

The easiest way to remove dead skin cells is to use a body polisher when in the shower or bath. This is gentle enough to be used every day to lift dead skin cells and leave the looking more even and radiant. Especially if you slather up in a good moisturiser afterwards.

One step up, is to use a body brush which is especially good for hard to reach areas like the back. Your back is usually one of the parts of the body that gets less love, simply because it is hard to reach. The body brush solves this problem with its long handle and the soft bristles gently exfoliate leaving your back glowing. Do this a maximum of twice a week during winter and you’ll have a back worth its strappy top come summer.

Next for a little bath time luxury, you can add an exfoliating scrub or gel in the mix. A body scrub also contains essential oils and moisturisers which condition new skin cells as they emerge. That is when you really look after your skin from inside out! There are a great many which also firm, smooth, stimulate and invigorate the skin. The choice really is yours!

Even as the cold weather descends and you snuggle up warmly in your comfy coats and jackets, remember exfoliation should a key part of any beauty conscious diva’s routine... all year round!

Time to get lippy!

A 1940’s vintage revival is on and it seems the red lipstick has come to roost in every make up bag this autumn. From deep berry colours to scarlet red, this is the season to be sporting your favourite shade of red.

The autumn/winter 09 catwalk was rife with this crimson shade and beauty magazine are touting the return of the classic red. Whether you’re into the smudged or precise lippy look, go forth and wear your favourite red proudly....bring out the femme fatale in you!

And of course, Bella Queen has scoured the shops to bring you the top 3 red’s this season:

Besame Cosmetics – Enchanting Lipstick in Cherry Red – most glam of the season
MAC – Ruby Woo – a favourite of every make up artist
YSL – Rouge Volupté – brings out your sensual side

...and remember, there's a shade of red fo evey skin tone. Have fun testing and finding YOUR special colour!

Feel Good for a Good Cause!

On Saturday 19th September, Selfridges Beauty Hall in London will be helping us all feel good in aid of a good cause!

To help raise funds for the cancer charity Look Good...Feel Better, Beauty Editors along with Beauty journalists will be on hand to answer all your beauty questions from does this eye shadow suit me to what lip colour will be a big hit this winter.

Opportunities to quiz the people who, every month, write and know about our favourite beauty products like this don't come round too often and with tickets at only £20 each, treat yourself (and a friend!) for a good reason!

Not only will you meet over 26 beauty editors, but you also get a personal appointment so you can learn tips and tricks, a mini makeover and a fab goody bag!

Now that's a good day out, with all the proceeds going to a charity with 'beautiful' aims!

Ticket Hotline: 0800 138 8140

Making bath time sweeter!

I've been a big fan of REN for a few years. I love how the simplicity and natural'ness' of their products and ingredients deliver effective results and right now I'm loving their Moroccan Rose Otto Body Polish...its simply divine and a must not only for the summer, but all year round.

This delicately scented little jar can turn bath time fun into bath time bliss. It exfoliates and removes dead skin cells to reveal beautifully radiant skin! The rose extract (which is fairtrade!)makes sure your skin is uber soft and silky smooth....

...and the pleasure keeps on coming! As if a scrub isn't enough, the nice REN people also created a body wash and body oil to match. They already had me at the scrub :-).

With rose from Morocco, sugar and tea tree from Paraguay, this is one delicious gem that has earned its place in my bathroom cabinet!

Colours of Spain! New Collection from OPI

Left to right: Suzi Ski's in the Pyrenees, Here today....Aragon Tomorrow, Manicurist of Seville

Pamplona Purple, Conquistadorable Color, Bullish on OPI

Barefoot in Barcelona, Can you Tapas this?, Give me Moor

Pink Flamenco, No Spain no Gain, Ate Berries in the Canaries

Images courtesy of Emilie at P'ssion.

Viva Espana! OPI takes a Spanish turn!

It might still be summer (we hope) but I've already started looking forward to winter!

Why?

OPI launches the new A/W 09 nail colours in a little less than a month and us insiders have been given a sneak preview. Think regal Spain and you are where I am with this new collection....flamenco, conquistadors, tapas, sangria, heat.....

This new array oozes sophistication and understated glamour. With the cool latte hued Barefoot in Barcelona to the elegant purple Give me Moor this Spanish inspired range will keep you warm during the winter months.

And if you're still feigning for the summer in December, bring back holiday memories with dazzling high energy colours like Pink Flamenco and the hot fuchsia Ate Berries in the Canaries! You have to love the names......

I have to confess that my personal favourite from this collection is the powerful, alluring, striking emerald green of Here today....Aragon Tomorrow. This colour will suit all skin tones and will spell fashionable in more ways than one!

So when you go shopping for your winter wardrobe, make sure you invest in a few key pieces to ensure you are classically polished for the AW season!

This new collection launches on 5th August and rest assured Bella Queen will be running a promotion with these chic new shades, so we'll keep you updated!

Magic in a bottle!

My latest addiction.....LASH POWER MASCARA by Clinique!

My search for smudge proof, water resistant mascara has literally taken me from London to New York, but I have now found the perfect no nonsense mascara that does exactly what it says on the tin...well tube.

This mascara DOES NOT budge, come rain, shine or tears. The long wearing formula delivers beautifully long and full lashes in one stroke that quite simply stays put until you wash it off. And even then, only if you wash it off with warm water does it come off!

Simply put, its magic in a bottle and at less than £15 you are guaranteed flirty lashes all day long!

Its already achieved cult status in my Bella Queen make up kit.

Fashion's Night Out in London Town

On 10th September 2009, London will play its part in Vogue magazine's global shopping extravaganza.....Fashion's Night Out!

This is a celebration of global fashion and beauty and some of my favourite retailers from Selfridges to Zara, niche boutiques and designer brands will be holding bespoke in store events. This is the one night only ultimate girly shopping night out!

Save the date girlies, I sure have! Plus some of the proceeds go to charity, so you can indulge with a conscience.....