A day in the life

Editing post on London's Spa Verta, wrote a piece on sleep and sent a pitch to them.

Reading a new favourite blog find and an amazing standby. Clearly lusting after a bit of fall in Paris today, aren't we?

Sipping a detox tisane because my head hurts a bit as last night...

I had two bubbly cocktails sat out here before going to see this guy live here... and then two lagers once inside. Yipes.

Admiring these illustrations and have trialled this and this but had to wash off both with this before leaving the house because it's just midday.

FROM THE FRONT | Newly launched face serums

 

HERE'S A list of the top 5 talked-about serums at the beauty counter this fall. Have you tried any of them? What do you think? 

Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum ($92/68GBP for 1.1oz./30ml) 
Just launched, this serum already seems to have a cart of celebs raving about it. It claims to have the highest amount of Probiotic Technology of all the Nude products and has an impressive ingredient list with everything from Hyaluronic Acid (using the Nude Hyaluronic Acid System) to Japanese Sea Kelp and a bucket load of anti-aging ingredients inbetween (plus the full ingredient list is available here). Clinical studies show up the serum decreases skin irritation and damage. With a strapline like smooth, firmer, fresher skin, an all star ingredient list and a celeb clientel, this serum is going to be popular..

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector ($44.50 for 1oz.)
Sophyto Anti-Aging Oxidant Serum ($49 for 1oz.)
StriVectin® Overnight Facial Resurfacing SerumTM ($59 for .9oz.)
Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum ($150 for 1.7oz.) 

Continue reading for more info on these serums. >

Update on 09.27.2010 by Jessica Teas (née Gearhart)

More serums have hit the beauty counters this fall. The two newest on our radar? Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Serum, laboratoire remède 360° cellular concentré and Sisleÿa Global Firming Serum.

BEAUTY 101 | What is a serum?

What is a serum?

A SKINCARE serum is a thick liquid-like, (generally) oil-free product with a high concentration of active ingredients and is often moisutrizing, although is not necessarily a moisturizer. They are often used after cleansing and before applying moisturizer or night cream as a sort of supplemental product. They’re commonly used in targeted skincare for anti-aging, anti-oxidation, hydration and plumping, brightening, evening skin tone and to help with acne. Some claims say that the molecules in serum are smaller than in lotion therefore they penetrate the epidermis (top layer of skin) more readily and quickly, but I haven’t found scientific evidence to back-up that claim.

Generally speaking, cosmetics companies are free to use the term however they please (there’s no regulation) but this is the general lay person’s definition of a serum versus, say, a day cream or face balm.

Continue reading > 

Image credit: http://www.virospack.com/en/