Binky Felstead: How I am scrubbing away the winter blues from my skin in time for Christmas

After an endless string of Christmas parties ahead, the bitter temperatures outside and central heating as my new best friend, the lack of moisture in the air both indoors and outdoors always seems to leave my skin feeling dull and tired.

As with everything, I always try to plan ahead prior to a busy period; making sure my skin is hydrated by drinking lots of water, exfoliating and moisturising. This means that my go-to beauty essentials do change from time to time, and are never the same every season.

For me, I have to make my skincare routine easy, so I try to use multi-use products, exfoliators, rich moisturisers, make-up that glistens, and good quality hair masks to hydrate my winter locks.

Recently, St. Ives asked me to become their new ambassador, I couldn’t have been more excited. I got the chance to fall back in love with the brand that everyone knows and loves; it’s the one that’s always been in my bathroom from a spot ridden teenager to now as an adult (well just about!). It has been an absolute lifesaver and I encourage you all to #GetYourGlowOn.

I love how a great scrub gives my skin a lovely glow and leaves it feeling clean but without feeling irritated. I have to wear a lot of make-up when I’m filming Made in Chelsea, St. Ives Gentle Apricot Scrub for Sensitive Skin lifts everything out of my pores and leaves me with clean, baby-soft skin. 

A spray tan is an essential, particularly before an event, because I love glowing skin. Although I exfoliate my skin beforehand I always get a professional to apply the tan for me to ensure it goes on evenly. When it comes to my make-up I always play up my eyes. I love big lashes and eyeliner side flicks although I struggle to get both eyes to match! I’m trying to master the art of the perfect liner but it definitely takes patience and a steady hand! 


The day to night party outfit? I’m drawn to floaty, slightly bohemian pieces and I like to wear clothes than I can eat in without having to worry about my tummy! When it came to designing my own range for In The Style (www.inthestyle.co.uk), that was a huge consideration but it also taught me to dress to play up my best assets. I love short skirts and dresses, so they feature prominently in the collection.

For all the latest from St. Ives follow them on Instagram: @StIvesSkinUK

My London fashion week outfits in pictures: Why I ditched my Nike Air Max for fedora hats and embellished dresses for the weekend

Normally I avoid red carpets like the plague. All my friends will tell you that while I may be on TV, I am really not a fan of showbiz events.

However, I have been feeling good recently, I have been working out 4-5 times a week, I have been eating well and I am really getting into my fashion.

 

Yesterday, it was announced that I am bringing out my own clothing range with In The Style and the last few months has been a sea of material, printed fabrics and a lot of selfies deciding what styles I actually like in clothes.

And suddenly I just get it, I get what all the fuss has been about all these years.

In the past I have draped myself in baggy jumpers and Nike Air Max and this has become my default outfit. Now, don’t get me wrong – my baggy jumpers are going nowhere, but I have started appreciating the value in getting glammed up and after 25 years I feel like I have finally found my perfect styles.

So, over the last week I embraced it and bit the bullet by going to lots of fashions shows as part of London Fashion Week. And I have to say I actually loved it.

I was really lucky to get invited to some of the best shows and events that London Fashion week has to offer. My first was the very glamorous Cosmopolitan Fashion Fest.

I decided to go with a causal but glam look by wearing my new camouflage shirt dress that forms part of my new range. I wore it with on trend long knee high boots to dress it up a bit and big hair and make up. I was sat on a table with Michelle Keegan, Mark Wright, Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green so I knew I had to pull it out of the bag.

The camouflage trend really hit the catwalks in a big way earlier this year with Rihanna and Kim Kardashian rocking it and it is here to stay. The colours really work for the season with green being a staple on the catwalk and it also works really well with the muted tones that are everywhere at the moment.

 

The event was great, very glam and fun and I actually for once felt like I belonged there, it’s only taken me 4 years of being in the industry.

Next up was the big one – the Julien MacDonald show on Saturday morning. With Julien being such a high profile British designer, this is one of the big shows of the London Fashion Week schedule and I was so excited to be invited. Julien dressed me for the event and chose me this beautiful grey dress from his latest collection.

I was really nervous as it is very booby but I think it worked. Although I spent a lot of time worried that I had far more on display than I should have! It is a real party dress and I felt good. The spider webbing crochet was a big trend throughout his collection.

There was also a dramatic ending to the show as one of the models actually fell and Julien himself caught her as he rocked the runway at the end!

It was great fun and I loved attending with my MIC pals Rosie Fortescue and Lucy Watson.

Saturday was a busy day for me as we also filmed a second catwalk show that day for Made In Chelsea. I chose another one of my outfits from my new range. This time I went for a smock dress with a black and white embellished pattern. I then teamed it with a long length waistcoat with a split up the side.

The waistcoat hit the runways in the spring and it has become the perfect transitional item to take you through from the summer to the winter. For me it is great, as I think it is a real day to night piece that wouldn’t look out of place in the office and then onto a bar.  You could also wear it just as easily with a dress as you could with a slogan t-shirt and jeans. This was a really comfy outfit.

I added a black fedora hat - i have never worn hats in my life but thought I would see what it looked like and I think I just about pulled it off. I am still not sold on hats but I feel like you rock anything at LFW!

Last of the week was the Aspinal show. Again, the British designer shows are always big ones and I knew I had to get it right.

I chose my favourite piece from my new collection, it is this floral dress with a T bar collar. It is just so easy to wear, I feel really girly in it and again you can dress up or down with accessories and the right shoes. I teamed it with black knee high boots again mainly because it was pouring down and freezing on Monday and I needed some warmth!

Anyway, let me know what you think of my looks and you can pre-order my new collection with In The Style here: www.inthestyle.com

Binky xx

 

How to get the Khloe Kardashian balayage look for your hair without even dyeing it... But I can't promise the butt to match

I have been wanting a new hair look for a little while now, but with Made In Chelsea filming I have to be careful not to change my appearance too much as producers like to make sure my look is consistent.

So, after filming in LA, we had a break these last few weeks and I took full advantage.

I have been admiring the balayage look for a while on celebs like Khloe Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Biel and decided to go for it.

 

 

Balayage has been around for a while but in the last few months, it has suddenly become really popular again and my hairdresser tells me that it is one of the most requested looks right now. Quite a few of the top models have been showcasing balayage on the catwalk and I personally love the natural finish it gives, rather than the uniform highlights that foils give.

I’m not normally fashion forward, so I feel impressed that I am actually on trend for once!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balayage is a French word meaning to sweep or to paint. It is basically a sun-kissed natural looking hair colour - with softer, less noticeable regrowth lines.

 

It is also completely bespoke to every person and an expert would match the colours they use on your hair to suit your skin tone and it can really light up your features and change your face.



But I decided to ditch the bleach all together and just used Easilocks hair extensions to create the look. It is often created with highlights and lowlights, but I called in the hair piece expert to try it without using any colour at all.

My lovely hairdresser Shane O’Sullivan helped create my new hairdo. Shane is the founder of Easilocks hair extensions and has been doing my extensions for a little while now. Shane has been in the industry for years and was honoured by Vidal Sassoon as Colourist of the year at the age of just 18. So I feel in safe hands.

My natural hair is so short, as you can see in these pics, and although people keep telling me to keep it completely natural, I just love the feel that extensions give me, there is nothing better than lots of volume and lots of hair.

It’s a long process getting my locks put in but I feel bald without them now! The great thing about Easilocks is that there is no glue and no heat, Shane arrived at my house at around 11am and we were finally done by 5pm. It sounds like a hellishly long time, but I love being pampered.

Shane told me: "We used frosted caramel and chocolate latte, it's a warm honey toned balyage blend using hair extensions alone with out the use of chemically processing the hair meaning it's healthier for Binky's natural hair.

"We chose this option as the colours beautifully compliment Binky's sallow complexion."

So, here it is - my new look. 

Let me know what you think, I welcome your thoughts as always.

 

Binky xx

Why I have waved goodbye to unruly and sparse brows forever in exchange for perfectly imperfect tattooed eyebrows

I have been battling with my eyebrows for years, they drive me insane.

Many hours have been spent over the years tending to my uneven and sparse brows.  I have tried everything – waxing, threading, tinting and nothing ever lasts for more than a few weeks.

So then I gave up completely and just plucked and ended up filling them in daily with eyeshadows and brow pallets.  But I love the no make up look and am trying to go make-up free as often as I can right now in a bid to get better skin.

Brows are so important as they shape the face, I love full brows but not perfectly perfect brows.

So this week I took the plunge and went to visit ‘Queen of The Brow’ Tracie Giles to get… wait for it tattooed brows.

 

I had heard about permanent brows for a while and have always been a bit scared. The last thing I wanted was scary slug brows, also known as the ‘Scouse brow’.

But I couldn’t be happier with them - they’re ‘perfectly imperfect’ so when I am not wearing make up they don’t look false.

During my two-hour appointment, Tracie said permanent make-up is becoming increasingly popular so who am I to argue?

I arrived at Tracie’s plush salon in Kensington and Tracie sat with me and mapped out my perfect brow.

She made sure to take it in steps because she knew how nervous I was and started by drawing on with pencil how she thought they should look.

Tracie was so friendly and she made sure I was totally happy with what she was doing and we were totally on the same page when it came to the look.

Then she used a facial compass and measuring devices to make sure the arch was in exactly the right place so that it would suit my face.

Next came the horrible bit… the needle.

Using the latest digital technology, the 3D Brow Treatment ensures eyebrows are strengthened and defined with delicate strokes of mineral pigment infused into the epidermis of the skin. You can see the technique used in the photos, although the blonde girl is obviously not me! 

I’m not going to lie, it did hurt at first, despite the numbing cream. They have to make deep insertions to ensure that the colour lasts as long as possible and it doesn’t come off through facial scrubs and creams.

Then more numbing cream goes on and the incisions are more like lighter scratches. Tracie also made sure the colour of my new brow matched my skin tone and hair colour.

Apparently good eyebrows are the ultimate in anti-ageing and can be like a facelift so I am now rocking these until I am 90!

The overall effect gives the face total symmetry and an added ‘boost’ with fantastic anti-ageing properties; rejuvenated brows ‘lift’ the face giving an overall more groomed finish.

It took about 2 hours from start to finish and is supposed to last between 9 and 18 months after which I will need a top up rather than a full redesign.

Prices start from £495 - www.traciegiles.co.uk

Anyway, let me know what you think.

Binky xxx

 

 

 

How I transformed my problem skin by ditching the late night curries for green juice, pumpkin and lashings of chocolate

Being in LA these last few weeks has changed my mindset on my mind and body. Don't worry I haven't turned into a yoga loving La La Land hippy, but I have to say the lifestyle out here is much better for me than being in Chelsea.

I am in LA filming for Made In Chelsea and I have to say I am in love with the place. I just love being outside and by the water. Back in London, I am quite happy to come home from the pub, pick up a curry late at night and sleep until late the next day. 

Here in LA, I have decided to be a good girl and give up the drink while I am here, which is around 8 weeks in total. It has done wonders for my skin, which is normally quite problematic and flares up all the time. I have had problem skin for a while now and I really notice that it gets worse when I have been drinking and eating badly.

So I decided to share what I have been doing over here for the last month, because I genuinely feel like a new person. Gone are the late night takeaways and I have really tried to start logging what I am putting into my body.

I really believe that taking care of your skin from within is just as important than treating its exterior. It's not just a myth, your diet truly does affect your complexion.

Below are my steps to help you improve your skin from within:

Drinking lots of water:

I can really see the difference being dehydrated makes to my skin. It feels really dry & I also feel lifeless, I have started adding lemon into my water in the morning as it helps make my skin healthy and has finally started looking what I have wanted for years – radiant and glowing. I am also loving the green juices at the moment. I know they look horrible, but genuinely they taste good. Most place you buy them from add yummy fruit to make them taste better. I also really want a Nutribullet as they are so easy and massive over here in America.

Vitamin E :

My trainer has told me to eat lots of food containing vitamin E, so at the moment I am trying to eat spinach with most meals and have almonds as my snack. This also keeps my energy levels up throughout the day. 

Green Tea:

Drinking just one cup of green tea a day can have amazing benefits for your skin. I have replaced this for one of my coffees. It is loaded with antioxidants and what I did notice is that my skin got worse before it got better as all the toxins started to come out, but stick with it.

Non-Dairy Products:

This is a new thing for me really, as I love my cheese but I have recently cut back and found that dairy products actually are highly inflammatory on the poor old skin, which ultimately aggravates skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles and rashes. I now replace some of my daily non-diary substitutes to help with even skin tone and texture.The main product I use now is almond milk in place of milk and it’s actually really good.

Protein:

Most people suffer with a lack of protein in their diets and this can quite often be why you feel hungry in the middle of the afternoon, especially if you are trying to follow a low carb diet.

I have started working on a new range called Active Woman with Bio Synergy. Being involved in the range has made me understand protein and why our body needs it so much more. 

Protein is not just good for building up muscle, protein is also essential for building strong skin. Collagen which is essentially made from protein, is responsible for keeping the skin taut and less wrinkled.

I often have a protein shake in the middle of the afternoon if my energy decreases and it is great if you are exercising regularly.

You can find out more here about my range here: http://www.bio-synergy.co.uk/brands/active-woman.html

Green and Yellow Vegetables

A study has found that the antioxidants found in green and yellow vegetables help fight ageing. I have been trying to order lots of green salads and leafy green vegetables as well as corn into my diet as I need to keep my crow feet at bay!

Pumpkin

Over here in LA, pumpkin seems to be everywhere and apparently cooked pumpkin is one of the best food sources of beta-carotene. I have been told that our bodies can convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which stimulates skin cell growth. In short, this will result in smoother, softer and more youthful looking skin.

Dark Chocolate

I am a massive chocolate lover, but it is not only a killer for the waistline, but also the skin. Just lately, I have been trying to substitute it for dark chocolate and it’s delicious. It is also surprisingly good for your complexion. Dark chocolate is rich in cocoa, which improves blood circulation and can hydrate the skin. This leaves the overall texture of the skin smoother and healthier looking.

This is the best news I have ever had so I am off to feed myself loads of chocolate and bake myself in the Californian sun!

Binky xxx

Braid Wave! - How to rock the perfect braids for the festivals this summer

 

I may be thousands of miles away in Los Angeles filming for Made In Chelsea at the moment, but that does not mean I won’t be constantly checking my Mail Online app for all the outfits and trends at Glastonbury this weekend.

It is definitely my favourite festival for style and beauty trends and I think everyone makes an extra special effort at Glastonbury.

So for me, aside from the clothes, I think the braid is the only way to do festival hair. I use Easilocks hair extensions and I love them, but I must admit they certainly need some taming when it comes to a weekend without my trusty hairdryer and styling tools!

I never thought braids would suit me but I had this braid done recently for a photoshoot by my make up artist Mikey Phillips and now I can’t get enough of it. I have been rocking it out in LA too and I’m loving the look.

 

Loving the braids: The perfect festival hair

As well as being fuss free, braids are massively on trend right now. Ever since Kate Bosworth rocked out this amazing look at Coachella earlier this year, braiding has gone insane.

Everyone from Rita Ora and Rihanna to Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Emma Watson has been rocking out the braids and it’s no surprise that the braiding trend has been around before and is making a comeback from the 1990’s.

I think the influence of pop culture has also had a big impact on the braid trend this year especially with TV shows such as Game Of Thrones. 

 

 

Now there are pop up braid bars popping up and all over the country, They have become the new blow dry bars. One of my favourite is Hershesons Braid Bar, I use the one in the Oxford Street Top Shop. They have a few more bars across London and they offer braiding for £15. They offer fun styles for all ages some of my favourite looks are below. 

 

'Keash Braids is another amazing new pop-up hair braiding salon that offers 12 signature braided styles. Prices range from £10-£30 and you can add glitter, non-permanent colour, kiss curls or hair rings and charms for a few extra quid, if you dare. Keash Braids is a true celebration of culture and tradition. I love the way they add the charms to make it a bit different. 

 

 

 

I can’t make it to Glastonbury this year, but please keep me entertained over here with all your pics. Next week I will be blogging about my favourite festival inspired looks. 

Binky xx

 

 

 

Hershesons Braid Bar - £15, 8 special looks that can be completed in up to 15 minutes.

 

www.hershesons.com/braidbar/

 

 

Keash Braids - Pop up braiding salon offers 12 signature styles. (£10 - £30)

 

www.keashbraids.co.uk

 

Contouring Craze: How to get chiselled cheeks like selfie queen Kim Kardashian

I have been having a glorious week with filming and all things “Made in Chelsea”.

Since I’ve been involved with the show I’ve been lucky enough to have my makeup done by some of the best make-up artists in the industry. 

I am so lucky as this is where I pick up all of the best tips and a being a beauty sponge I can’t get enough of those tricks. Now here I am to pass them onto you.

 

 

There’s one trend that everyone’s talking about at the moment and that’s ‘CONTOURING’. If you haven’t already heard, it’s a make-up artists secret where you use light and dark shades of make up to sculpt your face, making the most of your best features and disguising any flaws. 

 

Kim Kardashian is a big fan and after seeing her working her contouring on Instagram I knew I had to give this new craze a try - after all she is the selfiequeen!

 

The big news is this insider secret is now available for beauty lovers like us through at home contouring kits.

 

In the last few months, I’ve really started to try some new things and I’ve started experimenting with my look. I tried a few products from different brands but they just weren’t right for me, no matter how much I tried I couldn’t get it right - it was time to call in my glorious makeup artist Mikey Phillips (@MAKEUPBYMIKEY) for some advice.

 

 

 

He suggested I take a look at a new brand he’d used on a photo-shoot recently, ICONIC LONDON - he was raving about their contour palettes so we set about giving it try and before I knew it I was getting an on the spot tutorial. The great thing about this product is it gives you a step by step guide on how to create perfect contouring at home.

I’m not going to lie, this probably is not an everyday look as it does take a bit of time, but for a night out or a special occasion, it’s well worth it. It will completely transform your face.

 

 

 

These palettes can be pricey and cost anything from £45-£70 but the Iconic London one is only £32.99, and it does actually suit every complexion, I loved the look so much that it is now a permanent fixture in my make-up bag. You can purchase online at www.iconiclondoninc.com and also follow them on instagram @iconic.london for loads of contouring tutorials.

 

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO CONTOURING

 

Here’s my step by step guide to contouring that would make even the queen of the selfie envious.

 

THE BINKY EDIT: BINKYS MUST HAVE ITEMS FOR THE PERFECT CONTOURING LOOK 

 

1.Iconic London cream contour palette, £32.99 www.iconiclondoninc.com

2.Real techniques miracle complexion sponge, £5.99 www.boots.com

3.Bobbi Brown long wear even finish, £31.00 www.bobbibrown.co.uk

4. Iconic London retexturing primer, £20.50 www.iconiclondoninc.com

5.Spectrum best face forward contour brush, £4.99 www.spectrumcollections.com

6. Nars blush in super orgasm, £23 www.narscosmetics.co.uk

7.Spectrum Contour Queen flat top contour brush, £8.99 www.spectrumcollections.com

BIG hair and plenty of bronzing! How to get red carpet ready in time for TV BAFTAs

So its been a long time since I have completed my blog and thought it would be nice to start with the BAFTA’s.

I love the BAFTA’s and have been a couple of times, but this year I am so looking forward to it I have always been into my style and make-up but I have recently discovered lots of new amazing tips. 

It’s so important to know how to get red carpet ready, I actually completely crumble at the thought of walking down a red carpet, I would rather just sneak around the back sometimes, but at least if you feel as good as you possibly can – it’s a glorious start!

The three important things to consider when I think about getting ready for a red carpet are your hair, make-up and skin.  This is how my overall look was completed. 

HAIR

I, of course, rely on my easilocks extensions to give me fuller hair. But you can easily use clip ins to recreate this if you have thinner hair, I had hairdresser Mark Hill help me tame my mane! Here’s how he did it:

· On clean dry hair, take large sections of hair and spray with Work it Girl Shine Protect and Control Spray. 

· Wrap spirally around the barrel of a Rock Chick Wave Wand, hold for a few seconds and then remove the Wand. 

· Immediately coil the wave towards the roots and hold in place with a couple of pin curl clips. 

· Do this through the rest of your hair and then leave to cool completely.  Clipping each wave and then allowing to cool will make the waves last longer with added body and bounce.

· When the hair is cool, remove the clips and shake through using your fingers.  I have such thick hair, if your hair is finer, rather than shake through just comb through gently with your fingers. 

· Finish with Fabulous Finish Hairspray to hold in style, and a generous spritz of Bedazzled to keep flyaways at bay and add a gorgeous shine.  

MAKE-UP

My make up, was completed by Rebecca Butterworth, M∙A∙C Senior Artist.

To start with we used a new M∙A∙C Prolongwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation.

Followed by Mineralise Concealer in a lighter colour under the eyes and on cheekbones as a highlighter. The Mineralise range at MAC is unbelievable and I use it a lot on shoots and during filming and is is dreamy, especially after a late night!

Rebecca then swept M∙A∙C Mineralise Skinfinish in Deep Dark under the cheekbones to contour. 

 

On the eyes she used M∙A∙C Bronze Eyeshadow with plenty of Feline Eye Kohl to create an almond shaped eye, with M∙A∙C Blacktrack Fluidline along the top lashes and #36 lashes to finish. Lips were sculpted with M∙A∙C Boldly Bare Lipliner and filled with Blankety Lipstick. 

SKIN FINISHING BY ST TROPEZ

I love my fake tan and its important to have a nice glow to ensure you are glowing for the red carpet. I am useless at tan myself and I do think it’s well worth investing in someone to do a spray tan. Most importantly, make sure you exfoliate beforehand.

St.Tropez Tanning Expert Jules Heptonstall used St.Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil all over me, paying particular attention to my collar bones, shoulders and shins as this is what tends to be highlighted by the flash in photos.

Before my spray tan I made sure I had prepared my skin by using St.Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse the evening before for a classic golden colour.

Jules recommends starting at the ankles and working your way up, he always tells me to Apply two coats of mousse to the body,  and you cant be be worried about overlapping each layer, this will just minimise the chance of streaking. 

Leave your face, hands and feet until last. My tip is to Make sure you wipe hands and nails with a makeup wipe to remove excess tan, leave for 8 hours and rinse away the guide colour to reveal your golden tan.

And it’s as simple as that… Haha! I know it sounds like a lot of work and seriously high maintenance but trust me I am a low maintenance girl at heart.

However, for a red carpet event as high profile as the BAFTAs, I know how important it is to look your best, especially when you’re on TV.

I’ve been really working hard on my fitness lately too so I’m hoping it will pay off. 

In reality, this was a test run and I am now off to find my real outfit… eek!

Wish me luck,

Love Binky xxx

Tender Loving Care: Binky's Best Hair and Body Pamper Products

How amazing does that spring sunshine feel? The days are getting a little longer, the mornings brighter, and we're all starting to get our bounce back.

But be warned, it's still pretty chilly out there, which means pampering is super important. The twin evils of cold weather and central heating play havoc with hair and skin throughout the winter months, so your beauty routine needs to include plenty of hydrating, moisturising and protecting if you are to emerge beautiful and butterfly-like from the chrysalis of winter when warm days finally arrive.

So this week I'm focussing on TLC for hair and skin, with my pick of the best pampering products...

 

 

MY PAMPERING FAVOURITES

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil: this is a delicious treat for first-thing in the morning. It lathers up in the shower, and its unique softening foam leaves your feeling deliciously supple, satin-smooth and scented with a gentle almond fragrance. Yummy!

Crabtree & Evelyn Evelyn Rose Body Cream: a pure beauty indulgence, massage in this luxuriously rich cream straight after a long, steamy bath and your skin will adore your for it. And the scent – wow! It’s a truly divine mix of rose petals, peach nectar, jasmine and bergamont.

Argan Beauty is a scrummy new range of products containing argan oil. Rich in nutrients, fatty acids and vitamin E, this rich organic oil is renowned for healing and cosmetic properties, making it beneficial to hair and skin. From shampoo and conditioner, to hair serum and anti-ageing oil, I’m a huge fan.

Bumble & Bumble Prep: stop! Put down those tongs and that hair dryer! Next time you’re planning to heat your hair, make sure you spritz it with this nutritious pre-styling product first. It’s rich in nutrients yet oil-free, so it won’t weigh down your locks, and its formula makes the hair cuticle lie flatter, leaving your hair shinier and smoother than before.

Schwarzkopf Osis Glamination Smooth Polish: winter-weary hair can become dry and fuzzy all too quickly, so a glossing serum is a real pick-me-up. Applied to damp or dry hair, this lightweight, silky formula with smooth and straighten, adding shine and polish to your do.

Michael Kors Shimmer Bath Beads: sometimes a girl just needs to close the bathroom door, shut the world out, and indulge herself with some serious pampering. These creamy, shimmering bath beads will definitely do the trick. Deliciously scented with orange flower, cassis and jasmine, they leave a light golden shimmer on your skin. Heaven!

Narcisco Rodriquez For Her Hair Mist: I’m a big fan of layering my scent – wearing my favourite fragrance not just as a perfume, but as a cream, a body oil, even a deodorant. It enhances one scent rather than mixing up multiple smells. Hair fragrances are a hot new beauty trend, and this lightweight, non-oily formula leaves your locks silky smooth and perfumed with its signature delicate floral.

Dior Capture Totale Nurturing Hand Repair Cream: hands and nails often get over-looked but they are one of the first places to show signs of ageing, dryness and a run-down immune system. This rich, moisturising formula will soothe, nourish and hydrate, returning tired hands to their former glory!

Happy pampering!

Binky xxx

Mummy Felstead Takeover: Pamper Day with the CACI Microlift

This week there’s going to be a Mummy Felstead take-over of the beauty blog and with Mother’s Day on the horizon, I suppose I can hardly say no to this.

Mummy, aka Jane, went down to Duck & Dry blow-dry salon in Kings Road a short while ago to have her hair done and tried out a CACI Microlift treatment at the same time. Here’s her blog on the subject.

 

MUMMY FELSTEAD TRIES THE CACI MICROLIFT

At my age it’s so important to have a good skin care routine.  I was taught at a very early age by my mother to look after my skin.

I have always used good skin care products to look after my skin. I cleanse, then I apply an eye serum and a face serum, and then I apply a night cream, and then I repeat that again in the morning.

But I’d really like to treat the lines around my mouth and all the bits around my jawline and neck which are dragging down a bit with age – but I’m keen only to use non-invasive treatment which is why I want to see if these CACI microlift gadgets really work.

 

Getting my CACI Microlift treatment

 

So the science bit is that the product works by sending a electrical microcurrent through the four prongs on the device into the muscles under the skin to tone and tighten.

You can also open the prongs so it grips the flesh around the mouth which targets the wrinkles there - I could feel it stimulating the muscles and tightening. And then there’s an eraser technique where you just move the CACI Microlift up and down your chin and forehead with the four prongs together, which slowly erases your lines.

 

The CACI Microlift instantly reduces lines and wrinkles

 

There’s also an amazing amino lift serum to use before and after the treatment which contains advanced amino acids and plant derived peptides which reduce facial expression lines.

I’ve got to say I was a bit skeptical about it prior to trying the treatment but I could really see the difference. My skin looked so much better especially around the mouth, it was much softer and there were fewer lines - it really did work and this was just after one treatment.

 

Ta-dah! Feeling fab after my blow dry and CACI treatment

 

You are meant to do this for 15-20 minutes about 3 times a week alongside the CACI Amino Lift serum, which you can use just in the places that you need.

Either the CACI Amino Lift serum, or if you are being generous the CACI Microlift itself (£350, Harrods.com) would make a lovely Mother’s Day present.

 

The perfect Mother's Day gift: CACI Microlift, £350 at Harrods

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all you fellow mummies out there!

Jane x

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BINKY’S MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Clean Cool Cotton Eau de Parfum Spray (£33, Escentual.com) - airy, uplifting and fresh, this fragrance was designed to conjure the air of "bright, white sheets drying on a summer's day”. With top notes of apple and lemon and a warm heart of mimosa and mint, it smells heavenly - just like mums should.

Dior Kingdom Of Colours Edition Palette (£49.50, Escentual.com) - all girls love fabulous make-up (yes, mummies are girls, too, whatever their age!), and this Dior palette is nothing if not fabulous. Inside she'll find face powder, highlighter, a range of eye colours, eye liner, a pretty pink lipstick and a subtly shimmery gloss too - it's jam-packed.

Bluebella Satin Kimono (£26, Bluebella.com) - Your mum will love lounging around in this luxuriously elegant chiffon kimono from lingerie brand Bluebella, featuring deep satin edging around the robe and cuffs. This gorgeous gown comes in a wide range of hues, my favourite being this pale powder pink shade.

 

L-R: Real Techniques Bold Metals Brushes, Bluebella Satin Kimono, Clean Fragrance

 

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection Brushes (From £10, Boots.com) - These luxurious brushes will be sure to impress. The baby soft bristles are cut to perfection to ensure seamless make up application. This premium collection not only allows you a professional finish, they’ll also look absolutely stunning on your mummy's dressing table. 

Stay at the Dreams Resort Tulum: If you really want to splash out on your Mummy this Mother’s Day, there is always the option of whisking her away from the wintry London weather with a luxury holiday in the sun! I recommend the Dreams Resort in Tulum – I had an amazing time at this beautiful resort when I went in January. The resort features a luxurious spa, world-class gourmet dining and beautiful rooms – what more could a mum want?

Binky x