Beauty Blog

Pink lips for Spring

March 30th, 2011
<a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/sixty_three.html’)”>
Last week we brought you the powers of pastels peepers, this week we bring you the trend that is pink lips. OK, so to say we bring you this might be a bit of an overstatement since in fact the person responsible is none other than Lisa Eldridge.
If the catwalks of Chanel, Jil Sander & Diane Von Furstenberg are anything to go by then pink lips are set to be massive for the months ahead. As with everything lip related, wearing it well can be a bit tricky. Yes, bright pink can be a shocking yet fun twist on femininity, but it can also make you like Honolulu Barbie circa 1987, yes, soft pink can be great for letting those eyes become the centre of the room, but it can also blend into worthless make-up oblivion.
Since we’re still feeling our way around this for shades and tone we thought we’d just save ourselves the bother and let the fabulous Lisa Eldridge do the thinking for us……
<strong><a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/sixty_three.html’)”><span style=”color: #654f72;”>Watch the video here</span></a></strong>

spring_lip_TRENDS

Last week we brought you the powers of pastels peepers, this week we bring you the trend that is pink lips. OK, so to say we bring you this might be a bit of an overstatement since in fact the person responsible is none other than Lisa Eldridge.

If the catwalks of Chanel, Jil Sander & Diane Von Furstenberg are anything to go by then pink lips are set to be massive for the months ahead. As with everything lip related, wearing it well can be a bit tricky.

Yes, bright pink can be a shocking yet fun twist on femininity, but it can also make you like Honolulu Barbie circa 1987, yes, soft pink can be great for letting those eyes become the centre of the room, but it can also blend into worthless make-up oblivion.

Since we’re still feeling our way around this for shades and tone we thought we’d just save ourselves the bother and let the fabulous Lisa Eldridge do the thinking for us……

Watch the video here


body shop rocks

February 10th, 2011
We do love a good collaboration here at L’Onglex HQ so when we got wind of the latest launch from The Body Shop we just thought it might be good of us to share the deets !
Quite possibly ( actually … no definitely ) the brightest collection we’ve come across this spring, the limited edition ‘Brush With Fashion’ collection has been created in collaboration with the internationally acclaimed London College of Fashion and the result is the new range wrapped up in a whimsically bright collection of packaging.
Brimming with handbag friendly products the collection includes an a Illuminating Face Base, Hi-Shine Lip Treatment , Tailored Cheek Tint , Super Volume Mascara as well as portable palettes for the eyes. Although pretty, L’Onglex is also assured that this isn’t just a case of a pretty product in pretty packaging but as the sets come with the added bonus of individual brushes for each product topping up on the go is a breeze and you’ll never get your pinks mixed with your blues.
The collection hits counters at the beginning of the month and as we’ve already got our eye on at least one of the palettes we can pretty much guarantee we’ll be sporting something bright for spring and summer.

brush_with_fashion

We do love a good collaboration here at L’Onglex HQ so when we got wind of the latest launch from The Body Shop we just thought it might be good of us to share the deets !

Quite possibly ( actually … no definitely ) the brightest collection we’ve come across this spring, the limited edition ‘Brush With Fashion’ collection has been created in collaboration with the internationally acclaimed London College of Fashion and the result is the new range wrapped up in a whimsically bright collection of packaging.

Brimming with handbag friendly products the collection includes an a Illuminating Face Base, Hi-Shine Lip Treatment , Tailored Cheek Tint , Super Volume Mascara as well as portable palettes for the eyes.

Although pretty, L’Onglex is also assured that this isn’t just a case of a pretty product in pretty packaging but as the sets come with the added bonus of individual brushes for each product topping up on the go is a breeze and you’ll never get your pinks mixed with your blues.

The collection hits counters at the beginning of the month and as we’ve already got our eye on at least one of the palettes we can pretty much guarantee we’ll be sporting something bright for spring and summer.


Things we loved this week: MAC WonderWoman

January 14th, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVLJcBsD__E
It’s kitsch, it’s camp, it’s colourful and we’re loving it. Set for release in March 2011 the above pictures are from MAC’s new WonderWoman range and L’Onglex can’t wait to get every single item for our collection.
If you are not sure what the fuss is about the launch in question is based on the comic series superhero which was turned into a TV series which ran between 1975-1979. WonderWoman herself was the first real female superhero who developed her crime fighting skills with the help of various badly made items of costume jewelry.
Helped by along by the special powers given to her by a magic belt, her ability to deflect bullets using her wristbands and the ability to make men tell the truth with the use of a magic lasso, the series became a instant phenomenon and propelled Lynda Carter to worldwide fame.
Why Mac has chosen to take the range as it’s inspiration we are not quite sure but if it gives us even a smidgen of her powers we’ll be more than pleased with the outlay. Lets face it, who isn’t loving that gold make-up bag – click here here’s to see the 70’s TV show in all its glory !

MAC_wonder_woman_make-up

It’s kitsch, it’s camp, it’s colourful and we’re loving it. Set for release in March 2011 the above pictures are from MAC’s new WonderWoman range and L’Onglex can’t wait to get every single item for our collection.

If you are not sure what the fuss is about the launch in question is based on the comic series superhero which was turned into a TV series which ran between 1975-1979. WonderWoman herself was the first real female superhero who developed her crime fighting skills with the help of various badly made items of costume jewelry.

MAC_wonderwomanSpecial powers came from her magic belt, her ability to deflect bullets came from her wristbands, her ability to get people to tell the truth came from her magic lasso and her ability to make men stare at her for hours on end came from her ample  ……. anyway, the series became an instant ratings hit which propelled it’s main star Lynda Carter to worldwide fame.

Why Mac has chosen to celebrate WonderWoman for this year we are not quite sure, but if it gives us even a smidgen of WonderWoman’s powers we’ll be more than pleased with the outlay. Lets face it, who couldn’t love the gold  lamé brush bag - click here here’s to see the 70’s TV show in all its glory !


Beauty is in the Jeans

January 4th, 2011

MAC_Jeanius

As the bells have been rung, the corks popped and the alarms reset we at L’Onglex are firmly back on the grind.
Having arrived this morning and done our new years greetings in a sort of jaded way it quickly became apparent that we would have to find news of something to get us through the day without screaming.
Having browsed all our usual haunts and found not very much of note we were just about to give up and do some real work when news reached us of the release of a certain Spring line by MAC which has been firmly placed on the pay-day wishlist.
Taking inspiration from the most versatile item in our wardrobe Mac’s new Jeanius collection features pastel lipgloss, Denim Nail Polish and a droolworthy shadow which comes complete with a rather fetching metallic button.
Being as we are suckers for MAC polish the shade that has caught our eye is known as Biker Blue and comes not just with the aforementioned denim colour but also some electric pink shimmering. As this is one of the first launches of the New Year we predict neon nails will once again be doing the rounds come summer.
L’Onglex predicts we will be somewhat poorer come March 3rd !

As the bells have been rung, the corks popped and the alarms reset we at L’Onglex are firmly back on the grind.

Having arrived this morning and done our new years greetings in a sort of jaded way it quickly became apparent that we would have to find news of something to get us through the day without screaming.

Having browsed all our usual haunts and found not very much of note we were just about to give up and do some real work when news reached us of the release of a certain Spring line by MAC which has been firmly placed on the pay-day wishlist.

Taking inspiration from the most versatile item in our wardrobe Mac’s new Jeanius collection features pastel lipgloss, Denim Nail Polish and a droolworthy shadow which comes complete with a rather fetching metallic button.

Being as we are suckers for MAC polish the shade that has caught our eye is known as Biker Blue and comes not just with the aforementioned denim colour but also some electric pink shimmering. As this is one of the first launches of the New Year might this be a subtle hint that neon nails be doing the rounds come summer ?

L’Onglex predicts we will be somewhat poorer come March 3rd !


What men stare at

December 18th, 2010
Whilst not being concerned with matters of science every now and again L’Onglex comes across a piece groundbreaking research which makes us stop what were doing and say something like “Hey …..like science …..  it’s just so important.”
So it was with news that came to us of the latest findings from those clever boffins at Manchester University who have recently discovered something about men that took us completely by surprise. Seems that for a long long time we girls have been failing to notice that instead of simply staring at our knockers the first thing that men notice about the female of the species is the lips.
Yup. The scientists involved in the research used eye tracking software to study just what it is that men stare at within the first ten seconds of meeting a woman. Seems the results surprised everyone as on average men spend over 50% of their time watching the mouths of the opposite sex.
According to the man who led the study, Dr Geoff Beattie, the research suggests that whether we have thin lips or a plump pout the best way to  hold a mans attention comes down to our choice of lipstick. ‘Our research suggests that red lips and perceived attractiveness are still inextricably linked.’
Quite what this means in practical terms L’Onglex is unsure. At first we thought that maybe they were listening to the words that came out of our mouths but having combed the paper we could find no mention of this.
Then we thought we might as well throw away the booster bra and pour that sparkly powder down the sink. But then, we thought we might sit on the findings for a while and relax a little. So far the research only deals with what happens in the first ten seconds .
Whilst we wouldn’t want to predict the outcome of future studies we are quite sure that when Dr Beattie and his team get round to tracking what men look at after the first ten seconds we think he’ll find from our own insight on the subject that the results will look something like this ….
0-10 seconds = The lips
10-20 seconds = The boobs
3-6 months = The TV
6-9 months = Someone else’s boobs
6-30 years = Space
L’Onglex eagerly awaits the next set of data on the subject !

1594439

Whilst not being concerned with matters of science, every now and again L’Onglex comes across a piece research which makes us stop what we are doing and say something along the lines of  -

“Scientists …..  they’re just so clever.”

So it was with news that came to us of the latest findings from those clever boffins at Manchester University who have recently discovered something about men that took us completely by surprise.

Seems that for a long long time we girls have been failing to notice that the first thing that men notice about the female of the species is the lips.

Yup. The scientists involved in the research used eye tracking software to study just what it is that men stare at within the first ten seconds of meeting a woman. Seems the results surprised everyone as on average men spend over 50% of their time watching the mouths of the opposite sex.

According to the man who led the study, Dr Geoff Beattie, the research suggests that whether we have thin lips or a plump pout the best way to  hold a mans attention comes down to our choice of lipstick. ‘Our research suggests that red lips and perceived attractiveness are still inextricably linked.’ Said Geoff !

Quite what this means in practical terms L’Onglex is unsure. At first we thought that maybe they were listening to the words that came out of our mouths but having combed the paper we could find no mention of this.

Then we thought we might as well throw away the booster bra and pour that sparkly powder down the sink in favour of red lipstick but then we thought we might as well sit on the findings and relax a little. Then it came to us. So far, the research only deals with what happens in the first ten seconds .

Whilst we wouldn’t want to predict the outcome of future studies we are quite sure that when Dr Beattie and his team get round to tracking what men look at after the first ten seconds we think he’ll find from our own insight on the subject that the results will look something like this ;

0-10 seconds = The lips

10-20 seconds = The boobs

3-6 months = The TV

6-9 months = Someone else’s boobs

6-30 years = Space

Whilst we like the study, we’ve decided to take the long view and L’Onglex eagerly awaits the next set of data on the subject !


Revlon goes retro !

October 27th, 2010
Any L’Onglex readers who so happened to be around in 1952 will be delighted to discover that Revlon have reworked and re-released their classic series of Fire and Ice lipsticks and nail shades.
Famous for being the first ever beauty advert featuring a model the new version of the old shades has been relaunched with Jessica Biel in the role originally played by Dorian Leigh.
Now as good as the new ad might be L’Onglex has to say that we actually think they should have just stayed with the original.
This is not because we think they’ve done a bad job or anything but because as well as having Dirian Leigh the original advert also featured one of the first question-cum-quiz-thingies to see if you were indeed a “Fire and Ice” sort of girl.
We won’t list them all but here’s a few of our favourites ….
Have you ever wanted to wear an ankle bracelet ?
Would you streak your hair platinum without consulting your husband ?
Do you love to look up at a man ?
When a recipe calls for one dash of bitters, do you think it’s better with two ?
Does gypsy music make you sad ?
Do you sometimes feel that other women resent you ?
Have you ever wished upon a new moon ?
Finally, L’Onglex’s favourite question of all …..
Do you secretly hope that the next man you meet will be a psychiatrist ?
Having now done the questionnaire L’Onglex can now say without a shadow of a doubt that we are a “Fire and Ice” sort of girl …. especially the bit about the psychiatrists.
Fire and Ice will be available exclusively at Boots from December 1st.

fire_and_ice_jessica_biel

Any L’Onglex readers who so happened to be around in 1952 will be delighted to discover that Revlon have reworked and re-released their classic series of Fire and Ice lipsticks and nail shades.

Famous for being the first ever beauty advert featuring a model the new version of the old shades has been relaunched with Jessica Biel in the role originally played by Dorian Leigh.

Now as good as the new ad might be L’Onglex has to say that we actually think they should have just stayed with the original.

This is not because we think they’ve done a bad job or anything but because as well as having Dorian Leigh the original advert also featured a spread on the next page which was one of the first question-cum-quiz-thingies to help you decide if you were a “Fire and Ice” sort of girl.  We won’t list them all but here’s a few of our favourites from the original 1952 questionnaire ….

Have you ever wanted to wear an ankle bracelet ?

Would you streak your hair platinum without consulting your husband ?

Do you love to look up at a man ?

When a recipe calls for one dash of bitters, do you think it’s better with two ?

Does gypsy music make you sad ?

Do you sometimes feel that other women resent you ?

Have you ever wished upon a new moon ?

Finally, L’Onglex’s favourite question of all …..

Do you secretly hope that the next man you meet will be a psychiatrist ?

Having now done the questionnaire L’Onglex can now say without a shadow of a doubt that we are a “Fire and Ice” sort of girl …. especially the bit about the psychiatrists.

Fire and Ice will be available exclusively at Boots from December 1st.


L’Onglex loves the new McMAC !

October 9th, 2010

MAC_tartan_range

Think of Tartan and you’ll think of Scotland. Think of Scotland and you’ll think of kilts, Groundskeeper Willie and deep fried Mars bars. Think of …… anyway, you get the picture.

The above picture is a small selection of MAC’s brand new Tartan Tale range and if you’re looking for an opportunity to decorate the dressing table we think this might be the perfect excuse.

The huge selection of lipsticks, glosses, shadows and even teddy bears will be available from November with profits from the Viva Glam make-up bag going to MAC Aids Fund.

Although we can assure you this will change, L’Onglex currently have our greedy eyes on the checked face powders which come with a rather fetching tartan flock print. How exactly they manage to get the pattern in the compact to go all the way through ( three cheers for no over-spraying ) is currently causing us some head scratching…. We love MAC !


This seasons picks for lips

September 28th, 2010
This seasons picks for lips.
From full reds and juicy plums to more subtle neutral tones, lips are taking centre stage this Autumn and we at L’Onglex have had no choice but to ditch the gloss and pucker up with some of our favourites. It’s been a shaky transition but after lots of pouting and preening we’ve found our three must have shades and how to wear them.
Reds
Anything goes with red lipstick this season, the trend has been seen swaggering down the catwalks of Dior and D&G and has been teamed with everything from kaleidoscopic eyes to more muted features.When it comes to finding the perfect shade, the trick is to choose a red that’s two shades darker than your natural lip colour and line lips with a similar colour lip pencil at the end for a sharply blended finish.
L’Onglex choice: Everyone from Rimmel to Chanel is rolling out a shade so there’s a colour or two for every skin tone. Our pick of the pack is Rouge Prodige from Clarins. Part of the Barocco Festive Collection  (which we featured last week), this shade is long wearing and perfectly builds brilliantly. Team with neutral eyes and defined brows for a full on statement finish.
Plums
With plum lips featuring heavily in the Autumn collections channelling your inner goth has never been so chic. Perfect for creating a sultry evening look team plum lips with dark eyes for full on glamour or let lips do all the talking and pair with more neutral tones. Just make sure to line lips, prime and brush apply to avoid bleeding.
L’Onglex loves: Mac’s Frost Lipstick in Blackcurrant has given our lips a sultry twist and seeing as the colour takes two or three layers to get the perfect shade, the perfect colour can be built up gradually.
Nudes
Those of you shunning bold lips in favour of creative eyes can still get a lip fix with some of the more natural pastel shades due to hit stands. Neutral beige, light powder pinks and hardly there reds mean that lips can be perfectly defined without being overpowering.
Exfoliating lips before application is a must for natural shades and as well as an even finish nude shades that compliment skin tone will help avoid that pale look. Pinks and peaches look best on fair skin while warm beige and bronze tones work with more olive skin tones. Look out for caramel-toned nudes and warm beige’s and if you’re really dark make a grab for taupes, browns or coffee shades.
L’Onglex Loves: Enticing us this season is the new Lasting Finish lipstick from Rimmel in Asia. The light pink tones make this lippy great for day wear with the added bonus of being bold enough to be worn with a full on smokey eye for evening looks.

MAC_RIMMEL_CLARINS_LIPSTICK

From full reds and juicy plums to more subtle neutral tones, lips are taking centre stage this Autumn and we at L’Onglex have had no choice but to ditch the gloss and pucker up with some of our favourites. It’s been a shaky transition but after lots of pouting and preening we’ve found our three must have shades and how to wear them.

Reds

Anything goes with red lipstick this season, the trend has been seen swaggering down the catwalks of Dior and D&G and has been teamed with everything from kaleidoscopic eyes to more muted features.When it comes to finding the perfect shade, the trick is to choose a red that’s two shades darker than your natural lip colour and line lips with a similar colour lip pencil at the end for a sharply blended finish.

L’Onglex loves – Everyone from Rimmel to Chanel is rolling out a shade so there’s a colour or two for every skin tone. Our pick of the pack is Rouge Prodige from Clarins. Part of the Barocco Festive Collection  (which we featured last week), this shade is long wearing and perfectly builds brilliantly. Team with neutral eyes and defined brows for a full on statement finish.

Plums

With plum lips featuring heavily in the Autumn collections channelling your inner goth has never been so chic. Perfect for creating a sultry evening look team plum lips with dark eyes for full on glamour or let lips do all the talking and pair with more neutral tones. Just make sure to line lips, prime and brush apply to avoid bleeding.

L’Onglex loves - Mac’s Frost Lipstick in Blackcurrant has given our lips a sultry twist and seeing as the colour takes two or three layers to get the perfect shade, the perfect colour can be built up gradually.

Nudes

Those of you shunning bold lips in favour of creative eyes can still get a lip fix with some of the more natural pastel shades due to hit stands. Neutral beige, light powder pinks and hardly there reds mean that lips can be perfectly defined without being overpowering.

Exfoliating lips before application is a must for natural shades and as well as an even finish nude shades that compliment skin tone will help avoid that pale look. Pinks and peaches look best on fair skin while warm beige and bronze tones work with more olive skin tones. Look out for caramel-toned nudes and warm beige’s and if you’re really dark make a grab for taupes, browns or coffee shades.

L’Onglex loves – Enticing us this season is the new Lasting Finish lipstick from Rimmel in Asia. The light pink tones make this lippy great for day wear with the added bonus of being bold enough to be worn with a full on smokey eye for evening looks.


Is it too early for Christmas ?

September 22nd, 2010
Is it too early for Christmas ?
Ok so it maybe nowhere near Christmas yet but L’onglex can’t help it if we were slightly taken aback with the festive collection that has just come our way courtesy of Clarins !
Pots of gold dusting powder, a beautiful shimmery gold eyeshadow and blood red lips all feature in the Barocco collection and if Clarins is your bag it hits counters on the 1st of October thereby giving us plenty of time to get our seductive pout in order for the L’Onglex office party.
Being the sort of shallow folks we are the first thing we noticed about the new colloection is the packaging and although we’re rather ashamed to give the delightfully embossed compacts and elegant gold baroque designs too much prominence in one post we can’t help but be impressed by the magpie gorgeousness of it all.
Having now played with the collection for the best part of a week we can sincerely state that although we think the shimmery gold powder is a bit much we are finding the face palette too covetable for comfort and the lipstick decidedly delicious.
Finally, friends of L’Onglex accustomed to receiving Clarins in their Christmas stockings will not be too surprised to discover we have decided to keep this years collection for ourselves. Naturally we understand this aint particularly christmassy but in this particular case we figure you cant put an exact price on friendship …. or can we ?

clarins_winter_collection_2010

Ok so it maybe nowhere near Christmas yet but L’onglex can’t help it if we were slightly taken aback with the festive collection that has just come our way courtesy of Clarins !

Pots of gold dusting powder, a beautiful shimmery gold eyeshadow and blood red lips all feature in the Barocco collection which hits counters on the 4th of October and gives us plenty of time to get something like a seductive pout in time for the L’Onglex office party.

Being the sort of shallow folks we are the first thing we noticed about the new collection is the packaging and although we’re rather ashamed to give the delightfully embossed compacts and elegant gold baroque designs too much prominence in one posting we can’t help but be impressed by the sparkly magpie gorgeousness of it all.

Having now played with the collection for the best part of a week we can sincerely state that although we think the shimmery gold powder is a bit much we are finding the face palette too covetable for comfort and the lipstick decidedly delicious.

Finally, friends of L’Onglex accustomed to receiving Clarins in their Christmas stockings will not be too surprised to discover we have decided to keep this years collection for ourselves. Naturally we understand this aint particularly christmassy but in this particular case we figure you cant put an exact price on friendship …. or can you ?


Can we afford the new Tom Ford

September 9th, 2010
Just when L’Onglex thought we’d have to spend the evening watching a dancing avatar news reaches us that the design genius Tom Ford is to launch his first nail polish collection.
Famed for his classic styling and tailored approach we are uber-excited about this one. The red/black shade pictured is called Black Orchid and frankly we think it’s as genius as everything else he does. I mean, you only have to see what he did with Colin Firth in A Single Man to know that everything Tom Ford touches becomes  seriously stylish ….. except ….
The price ! Coming in at quite a hefty €110 the polish is only available as part of a trio of products which include a fragrance and a lipstick. L’Onglex is a little disheartened. I mean, we seriously covet the colour but we don’t have the rather hefty €110. Even if we did, could we justify it …. mmmm … tough one.
To help you at home decide we’ve devised this simple test to help you figure out if you can in fact afford Tom Ford, it goes like this …..
Look at your nails …. now look at Collin Firth in A single Man …. now back at your nails …. now back to Colin Firth in a Single Man ….
No question about it, L’Onglex will be at Harvey Nichols Dundrum on October 4th.

Tom_ford_perfume_and_nail_polish

Just when L’Onglex thought we’d have to spend the evening watching a dancing avatar news reaches us that the design genius Tom Ford is to launch his first nail polish collection.

Famed for his classic styling and tailored approach we are uber-excited about this one. The red/black shade pictured is called Black Orchid and frankly we think it’s as genius as everything else he does. I mean, you only have to see what he did with Colin Firth in A Single Man to know that everything Tom Ford touches becomes  seriously stylish ….. except ….

The price ! Coming in at quite a hefty €110 the polish is only available as part of a trio of products which include a fragrance and a lipstick. L’Onglex is a little disheartened. I mean, we seriously covet the colour but we don’t have the rather hefty €110. Even if we did, could we justify it …. mmmm … tough one.

To help you at home decide we’ve devised this simple test to help you figure out if you can in fact afford Tom Ford, it goes like this …..

Look at your nails …. now look at Collin Firth in A single Man …. now back at your nails …. now back to Colin Firth in a Single Man ….

No question about it, L’Onglex will be at Harvey Nichols Dundrum on October 4th.