Afternoon Tea and a Make Over in Chelsea!

I had such a lovely afternoon in Chelsea last week...I've got to say, it's a seriously gorgeous place. I used to work on the Kings Road and a stroll down there is pretty hard to beat. It was a very girly afternoon with tea, cake, pampering and makeup!

Chelsea

I went to the prettiest little place for tea and cake called Cocomaya. There is no better way to describe it than 'delightful'! I want to take my mum there, my sister there and every girly girl I know. It's completely fab!

Look how pretty... 

Outfit of the Day: Yuki Blouse Number 2!

When I popped into Yuki last week I couldn't resist this top either!!

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

I love the contrasting collar and cuffs, and navy is such a classic colour. It's a really easy top to wear.

Today's Nails are Baby Pink.

Look Beauty Nail Pop - Shade 12 Dusky

Just in love with this gorgeous baby pink Nail Pop from Look Beauty - the shade is number 12 'Dusky'. It has a super subtle pretty shimmer and looks so perfect with my fave Spring ad campaign from Louis Vuitton!

Look Beauty Nail Pop - Shade 12 Dusky

The formula of these polishes is really good and they last very well without chipping for a good 4 to 5 days on my nails.

Check out Kimono (the Chanel a-like)  and see lots more from the range here. Look Beauty is available at larger Superdrug stores nationwide.

What nail shades do you love right now?

Ree

XXX

Hair Styled by Primark!!

Hair by Primark

During a quick visit to Primark the other week I spotted some packs of jumbo velcro rollers. You get 8 for £2 and as I am pretty obsessed with my hair at the moment, they proved irresistible! I bought 3 packs.

Keep reading to see some very attractive shots of me (??) with them in!!!

Jamela Neck Mask. Bye Bye Old Lady Neck!

I was really noticing 'old lady neck' last week, particularly because I wore my hair up a couple of days. Sometimes in the cold light of day, my neck tends to remind me of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons, and it strikes horror deep into the heart of me.

I am only just about coping with my lines, but neck sag is utterly horrific and unbearable. Uuuurgghhh!! Shudder...

So I dug out the Jamela neck mask I had been sent to try...

Jamela 24k gold collagen neck mask

This one is a collagen mask which concentrates on Melanin Reduction/Skin Whitening. Now I am more worried about sag than that but I was hoping the plant collagen, mineral gold dust (!) vitamin E and hyaluronic acid would get to work on that!

Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath and Shower Oil Collection

Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath and Shower Oil Collection

I am so thrilled with this cute set from Aromatherapy Associates. It contains minis of the full bath and shower oil collection and would make a perfect gift for someone to introduce to the wonderful world of Aromatherapy Associates.

Dior Serum de Rouge

Dior Serum de Rouge 355

I am totally in love with this gorgeous sheer and shiny lipstick from Dior - It's Dior Serum de Rouge in shade Petal Serum (355) which is a limited edition for Spring/Summer 2012.

Outfit of the Day - Yuki Blouse

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

I love my new blouse I got from Yuki the other day!! The wine is a perfect colour right now and the fabric is so soft and comfortable that it's a real pleasure to wear. Here it is up close...

My New Eco-Chic Tan from Karora

Karora Self Tan Mist

About a week ago I popped over to the Sanderson Hotel in London to meet Karen Brown, founder of Karora Cosmetics.

Karora is a new fake tan brand with a difference. Karora products are made from natural, botanical ingredients like grape seed oil and horse chestnut extract to keep skin nourished, protected and smooth.

Read on for more info and a before and after pic!

Outfit of the Day

Whilst trying on white shirts in TM Lewin (for something coming up on the blog - more news on that soon) I took the opportunity to do some outfit shots again. This is becoming a bit of a habit!

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

The oversized boyfriend jacket is a DKNY bargain I got last year from the Net a Porter sale. It's so soft and I completely love it!!

Trilogy Launches Helping Handwash for Charity

Trilogy Launches Helping Handwash for Charity

100% of the profits from sales of Trilogy's Helping Handwash will go to the Child’s i Foundation, a charity helping to end the tragedy of baby abandonment in Uganda.

The Hand Wash is a 10th Anniversary limited edition product and will be sold throughout 2012 (RRP £13.50, 300ml).

Helping Hand Wash combines the natural antibacterial properties of Elderberry and Burdock with natural vegetable oils in an effective, low foaming liquid soap. With Trilogy’s signature fragrance of frankincense, rose geranium and lavender, the luxurious creamy texture leaves hands feeling deliciously soft and clean.

You can pick it up here at Boots.

Ree

XXX

My Fave All Round Cleanser for Winter Dry Skin - Avene

Avene Gentle
Milk Cleanser

This cleanser from Avene is an absolute dream. I have been using it for a good few months and I completely love it. In fact I find a future without it really quite hard to imagine!

I started using it initially because I was trialling the Philips Reaura which is a home fraxel laser system that resurfaces the skin.

The Reaura is an amazing product (hardcore but amazing) and I have a review on that coming soon.

The fact that it's fairly hardcore meant that while I was using it my skin was quite a lot drier and more sensitised, and so I was desperate for super gentle products.

Often I find that the super gentle ones don't always do the job like regular products, particularly when it come to removing eye makeup. They don't irritate your eyes but neither to they completely strip off the makeup.

This Gentle Milk Cleanser from Avene really does tick all the boxes for me. It deep cleanses and removes all my makeup, including on the eyes, without irritating my dry skin. In fact it is incredibly soothing and a real joy to use (if that doesn't sound too dramatic, which it clearly does!!).

I pump it into clean hands, warm it up a little and then massage it all over my face including the entire eye area. Even if it goes into my eyes it doesn't hurt at all.

I wipe it off with dampened cotton pads and it leaves my skin soft, smooth and bright. There is no tightness at all and it feels really smooth. It's excellent at getting off stubborn eye makeup too so I don't need a separate product when I use it.

It was an amazing product to use whilst I was lasering my face and I haven't really been able to leave it since.

You can buy my fave winter cleanser in Boots for £11.50. I'd say it's well worth it as it lasts ages (I still have a third of the bottle left) and it's blooming lovely.

As a side note. Avene deal with sensitivities and skin conditions brilliantly and have recently launched a range  for Rosacea sufferers which has proved hugely successful in trials.

I saw a presentation about the results of the trials and it was pretty impressive.

What's your favourite cleanser for when your skin is feeling a little fragile? Please feel free to leave me your thoughts in the comments.

Ree

XXX

Outfit of the Day...with my stalker twin!!

Seriously layered up (and doubled up) in these pics taken in Peter Jones changing rooms in Chelsea. I was trying on a skirt from the Whistles sale but it didn't work out, so I settled for taking some pictures of myself instead!

Here's my outfit, layer by layer....

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

Starting from the outside - the top layer is a Primark 'Parka in a Pocket' I picked up the other day while I was in there looking for a onesie for my boy. It was only £9 and it has filled a serious gap in my wardrobe because I own nothing vaguely waterproof! And to be honest, it is only vaguely waterproof, but it's definitely better than just a brolly! 

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

Next up is my tweedy coat I bought a few years ago. It's from Next which is somewhere I practically NEVER shop because I always associate it with 'mumsiness' (not sure why) but I somehow found this in a sale one time (of course) and really loved it.

And no offence intended to anyone that likes Next. I know they have moved on loads...it's my issue!!

My Cloud Nine Straighteners Winner!

OK it's time to let you know who the lucky winner of my British Gas and Cloud Nine giveaway is.

Thanks so much to everyone that entered and commented and tweeted and facebooked! Lot's of effort all round!

The winner has now been chosen and I'm pleased to inform you that the lucky person is.....

Lucy Abigail (@Lucy894 on twitter)

Congratulations Lucy - please email me at reallyree@gmail.com with your details so that I can organise your Cloud Nines to be sent to you! Exciting eh?!

So sorry to everyone else but do cheer yourselves up and check out my current giveaways here. I have some good ones!

Ree

XXX

Outfit and Face of the Day

Oooh shocker!! An outfit post and a makeup post in one!! There are even some nails thrown in!! You can check those out here. Truth is, I hardly had any makeup on so I didn't think it really warranted a post all to itself.

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

The only new things are the cord jeans. Another bargain too - just £9.90 from Uniqlo. They still have loads in store - but I'd recommend buying them fairly tight as they do tend to grow as you wear them. I bought them in black too.

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

The vest top is French Connection - they tend to have a version of this pretty much every season. I love its subtle shimmer. 

The boots are from Matalan last year, and were ridiculously cheap. 

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

The jacket is Zara. I got it in a charity shop for a few quid a couple of years ago. I don't often do charity shops but finds like this wish I did more.

ReallyRee Face of the Day

Quick makeup run down:

Clarins Skin Illusion foundation shade 107

Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher in Rose D'Or

Avon Supershock Max Mascara

Now the question is, are you any good at charity shops? Any tips?

Ree

XXX

Get Some Mad Love at Topshop

These images just popped into my inbox and they instantly got my interest...

 

Mad Love at Topshop

Nails: Kimono by Look Beauty. Dead Ringer for Chanel's Peridot

If I was a proper beauty blogger I would consider using the word 'dupe' in this post. But as I had to look up what that word meant the first time I saw it used in a blog post, I think I feel more comfortable using 'lookalike'!!

Look Beauty Nail Pop in Kimono

Well it's not an exact lookalike (slightly darker I think) but Look Beauty's Kimono is one of the closest examples I've seen to resemble uber brand Chanel's Peridot. And knowing that just makes my hands feel expensive!

ReeFit: Shepherd's Pie Made Healthy by Miss Nutritionist

As part of ReeFit before Christmas, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Rosie Millen, AKA Miss Nutritionist! Look we dressed the same!!!

With Miss Nutritionist

When we met, Rosie offered to help add some enjoyment back into my diet. After I completed my detox, I began to fall into a slightly boring routine and it needed a bit of a shake up.

Rosie said she could transform my fave meals into real healthy options. So I chose Shepherd's Pie which I love!! Here is the Miss Nutritionist version - it's so yummy that I thought I'd share it with you!

CLOSED. Win a Facial and Hand Treatment to Banish the Winter Blues! CLOSED.

QMS Medicosmetics, luxury Chelsea spa, have again kindly offered to be part of a ReallyRee giveaway!

ReallyRee Giveaway: QMS Spa Treatment!

Towards the end of last year, I had the most blissful of facials there and also one lucky reader won the chance to try it for herself. My winner loved the treatment so much that we've decided to do it again!! You can read about my facial here.

So on to the competition. Here's what you can win (and this time I have runner's up prizes too!).

A treatment combining a bespoke facial complete with Oxygen and to restore the hands an express treatment that incorporates exfoliation followed by intense moisturising (75 mins duration, normally worth £115). QMS have added a special hand treatment as an extra just for the ReallyRee winner. Yay!! A bespoke ReallyRee treatment!*

I also have 3 full size bottles of the gorgeous QMS Hand Care as runner up prizes (worth £20 each). I have been using this to sort out my winter hands and it's fab. Find out more about this brilliant product here.

QMS Hand Care

Here's what you have to do...

• Follow @Reallyree on Twitter
• Follow @QMSMedicosmetics on Twitter
• Tweet: Win a Spa Treatment at QMS in Chelsea with @ReallyRee - http://bit.ly/yy2QZV
• Leave a comment below telling me you've done the 3 steps above.

If you are not on Twitter, then please like ReallyRee on facebook and post a link to this competition on your wall tagging in the ReallyRee page. Just let me know what you have done in the comments.

Can't wait to hear from you. This giveaway is open now and will run until Sunday 5th February 2012. The winners will be chosen at random and announced shortly after the closing date. 

Get following and commenting. Good luck!!!

Ree

XXX

*Winner's treatment valid for 3 months from QMS Medicosmetics Flagship Skncare Spa, 43 Cadogan Gardens, London SW3 2TB T: 020 7730 8090 www.qmsmedicosmetics.com

Face of the Day - New Things from Dior

ReallyRee Face of the Day

This here is my first go at Diorskin Forever foundation. And I completely love it. No primer here just lovely fresh dewiness!! This is shade 020. I was colour matched by Dior's Makeup Artist Jamie Coombes. He is absolutely delightful and is encouraging me to embrace my 'milky' (his word) skin and to banish the fake tan forever!

You can try the Diorskin Forever free!

Outfit of the Day - Snakeskin and a Knit

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

More sale super bargains! This jumper and jeans came to a grand total of £15!! Excuse the hair. I got caught in the drizzle quite a lot yesterday.

Cute Gloves for £3!!

Well I only popped into Primark to get a onsie for my son. And I got one!! Thanks Twitter for the recommendation... But while I was there I spied these cute little suede and fabric gloves. It would have been rude not to for £3 don't you think?

Primark Gloves

Pretty amazing price for real suede - as you will see in the next pic.

News Flash! I Need Glasses!!

Recently my poor old eyes have been getting tired. I have been finding that I need more light when I read, I have caught myself positioning and re-positioning what I am reading like my mum (and other old people do) and I generally feel it's a strain to concentrate on my laptop and any smallish print for too long.

Radical Skincare

I went to a really interesting skincare launch this week.

Radical Skincare - Liz Edlich

This is Liz Edlich, co-founder of Radical Skincare (she's 48 can you believe it??). She spoke to us in depth about her skincare range and I have to say it was pretty inspiring. Apart Liz herself being extremely charismatic and aspirational, the claims she made about the Radical skincare range are rather stunning.

You need to see these stats...

Hair By Sinead Kelly

In my constant chitter chatter about about hair I have on twitter, I ended up getting into hair chats with fabulous Sinead Kelly (follow her here).

Sinead is an award winning celebrity hairdresser, with her self-titled salon in beautiful Barnes in South West London. And guess what... Sinead invited me along to get the Sinead Kelly treatment! I had a hair botox treatment, a cut and a fab blowdry and curls.

And this is what the Sinead Kelly treatment looks like...

Hair By Sinead Kelly

Check out my glossy, shiny locks!! And cos I know you'll want to see...here are loads of other angles!

Outfit of the Day - Self Portraits!

So this outfit post is slightly different as I was experimenting with sorting out the photos without help! I took advantage of some nice changing room mirrors instead.

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

Got one of my new sale bargains here!

Face of the Day

A simple day time look and for once I have no eye liner on. It felt quite fresh and lovely!

ReallyRee Face of the Day

Here I am wearing....

Outfit of the Day - Stripes and Print

Well in the old days I wouldn't have dreamt of wearing a print scarf with stripes, but there really are no rules any more so... who cares?!

ReallyRee Outfit of the Day

Nothing new here about from the boots I think. I got them from the Clarks sale.

Major Beauty Bargain - Superdrug Vitamin E All Over Body Butter

Superdrug Vitamin E All Over Body Butter

I'm all about body moisturiser. In fact I pretty much can't live without it. My skins gets really quite dry after I have showered and if I don't slap on my cream straight away, it can get quite uncomfortable.

Jimmy Choo Eau de Toilette

I thought I should share one of my new fave fragrances with you.

Jimmy Choo Eau de Toilette

The latest scent from Jimmy Choo - the Eau de Toilette - has quickly become a firm favourite for me. It is sharp and fresh in a lovely florally way, and as it settles down it becomes soft, woody and sensual. It's really very lovely.

Lashaholic!!

I recently tried out some new strip lashes that I was super impressed with. The lashes are from Lashaholic and they come in 9 different styles.

Lashaholic

The ones I tried were called LA04 - Classy Strip Lashes (£7.95) and I thought they were so so pretty. They are very lightweight and comfy, and really bendy (if you know what I mean?) which makes them very easy to apply.

Once they're on, they fit really firmly so there's no worry that one end is going to ping when you least expect it!! To remove you just dab a bit of cleanser along the lash line and gently lift the lashes away.

I used the tweezers to pull off any glue and popped them back in the box as they are reusable. Each pair are handmade.

Lashaholic

I particularly like them because while they look super glam and gorge, they also look quite natural which I think you'll see from my various angle shots! They look glossy and healthy and super fluttery. Lovely!

For more info visit www.lashaholic.eu

Are you a falsie fan?

Ree

XXX

Fancy a Consultation Night with Daniel Sandler at FOUR London?

An exciting collaboration between fave makeup artist Daniel Sandler and fave hair salon FOUR London is set to be celebrated on 19th January 2011 at FOUR London’s Colour Specialist Salon, 62 CONDUIT STREET, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1S 2GB. Yes! This Thusday!

With Daniel Sandler (wearing his makeup!)

Check out what's planned for the evening...

Guests will be greeted with champagne and whisked aside for a short introduction to what the evening holds in store and the unveiling of an outstanding force of experts who will be on hand to see to their every need and beauty dilemma be it hair, make-up or skincare.

Read on to find out what else is in store and how you can go!!

Hunter Gets Glossy for Spring

Hunter’s new range of Original Tall Gloss boots

I love Hunter wellies and these lovely shiny zingy ones are super fun and perfect for Spring. I think I'd go for the Raspberry shade.

What's your favourite colour?

Visit www.hunter-boot.com to see the full range.

Ree

XXX

Nails from MeMeMe

Nails from MeMeMe

I am so in love with these gorgeous taupey shades right now, and this one from MeMeMe is just gorgeous. It gives this fab colour and shine in just one coat too. The shade is called Demure.

You can pick up a wide range of  MeMeMe products from Argos.

Ree

XXX

My Faves and 'Not So' Faves at the Golden Globes 2012

There were a few Red Carpet appearances at the Golden Globes 2012 that really appealed to me and also a few that kind of missed the boat in my eyes. Here's my run-down!

My Faves...

Shailene Woodly in Marchesa

I have to be honest and say that I don't really know who this is, but I thinks she looks amazing. It's a perfect amount of chic and sexy, and she is the right side of pale to pull off this colour. Lovely.

What's in Store for Jo Malone? New Style Editor Charlotte Stockdale Share Her Thoughts

Style Editors seem to be the new direction for many brands right now, with luxury fragrance and beauty brand, Jo Malone, being no exception.

Charlotte Stockdale appointed Style Editor at Jo Malone

It was announced last Friday (13th January 2012) that Jo Malone have appointed renowned fashion expert and  stylist Charlotte Stockdale to be the brand's very own Style Editor.

Get Glam! £5 off Benefit with Cans of Diet Coke

The Diet Coke Girls and their Benefit Makeup Looks

Get ready for another super stylish collaboration from Diet Coke. This time it's a fab beauty project with Benefit Cosmetics and each time you buy one of the special Get Glam cans of Diet Coke, you'll get a £5 voucher to spend online at www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk.

Lisa Potter-Dixon, Head Make up & Trend artist for Benefit, has put together 3 makeup looks for Spring as modelled by the super glam Diet Coke girls above. You can find out more about the looks at www.dietcokegetglam.co.uk.

Here's Lisa demonstrating one of the looks at the launch event...

Diet Coke Get Glam with Benefit

I then had a fabbie mini makeover using Benefit's Cha Cha Tint which is a gorgeous mango colour.

Diet Coke Get Glam with Benefit

It adds a beautiful warm flush to the complexion and leaves you glowy and glam!

Diet Coke Get Glam with Benefit

So remember you can get £5 off Benefit with Diet Coke, visit www.dietcokegetglam.co.uk for more info and www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk to shop.

Fabbie!!

Ree

XXX

Big Bouncy Hair from L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise

Check me out with my big hair!!

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise

This impressive do came courtesy of L'Oreal Paris in celebration of their latest hair care range to hit the UK, L'Oreal Hair Expertise - their take on premium haircare at high street prices.

The entire range is free from sulphates (the detergents normally employed to get a good lather) making it super gentle and it contains lots of natural and botanical ingredients to treat and nourish your hair.

ReeFit: My Shock Absorber Trampoline Bounce Attack - 10 Minutes like Running A Mile!

I had some super bouncy fitness fun the other morning courtesy of the UK's leading sports bra brand, Shock Absorber. I was going to put the Shock Absorber bra to the ultimate test!

Shock Absorber Trampoline Workout

Check me out trying to pretend there isn't a photographer squatting in front of me!! CRINGE!!!

But apart from that Bounce Attack was such a brilliant workout and I was fabulously supported thanks to an expert bra fitting from Shock Absorber.

Diorshow New Look Mascara. It's Love!!!

Right before I tell you anything "technical" about this gorgeous new mascara from Dior, I have to show you this...

Diorshow New Look Mascara

This is one quick coat with absolutely no other makeup on. As you can see it has the most amazing volumising and lengthening effect and I have to say that it really has been love at first sight/application.

This is potentially the best mascara I have ever tried!  

Gorgeous New Nail Collections from Accessorize

Check out these yummy shades from Accessorize.

Nails by Accessorize

The taupey shade is called Mink and is from the new Autumn/Winter range. This is 2 coats but the coverage is so good that you could easily get away with one.