Deers, Dear Eyes and Dear Friends.

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?" No, she snapped angrily - Parsley, Rage, Rosemary and Whine! I am not going anywhere following the demise of our boiler, and now due to heavy snow. Not going anywhere includes not taking photos at Kew, Oxford Botanical Gardens or any other of my favourite photo haunts.   Not going anywhere includes missing out on the exclusive Dr.Hauschka event with international make-up artist Karim Sattar.  This has somewhat scuppered my plans for a makeover....lipstick, mascara, blusher, eyeshadow.. all thrown out of my make-up bag in a fit *flounces about with sour lemon expression*. There was I, sat in the freezing cold (did I mention the broken boiler?), missing out on all the make-up tips.

Now, self-pity is never a pleasant shade of anything; I suspect even Karim would have been hard pushed to recommend a palette for my sullen demeanour.  Fortunately, before the wind could change direction, my sulking was stopped in its tracks by the kindness of a dear (eyes*) friend.  So a huge thank you to Emily Bennett, well actually Dr. Emily Bennett, she has recently acquired this title and I feel it should be slipped into conversation as often as possible! 

*The new make-up collection is called "Dear Eyes".  In my head this has become the "Bambi Collection".  Yes, I know wrong type of deer and yet further proof of why I should never pursue a career in marketing..but imagine the cuteness of this on a make-up compact...

Hmmmm lost myself in Disney digression. Anyway, in true Muhammad and the mountain fashion, Emily, brought the magic of the event to my inbox. Her description of Karim as "almost the Gok Wan of the make-up world" was not quite enough to melt the snow, but certainly enough to bring sunshine into my day.  I would like to share her photos, for all those people, like me, who were unable to attend.

Karim (he has a lovely Bambi quality about him too - oh dear the cold really has addled my brain!) steps up to introduce the Dear Eyes collection which he has been developing for months. It is a limited edition collection and will be released in March 2013.

The collection, encased in beautiful gold-coloured packaging, consists of the following products:


- Trio Eye Palette with sparkling nude, pearly rose and matte chocolate tones
-Volume Mascara with a new blendable wand,  designed to reach even the smallest corner lashes with ease
- New formula Black Kajal Eyeliner with a smudger to allow creation of softer contours
- Eyeshadow Blender Brush*
- Eye Definer Brush*

*made with ethically collected natural hair.

Eyeshadow Trio (£27.00)
Kajal Eyeliner 05   (£15.00)
Eye Definer Brush  (£21.00)
Volume Mascara Black (£21.00)
Eyeshadow Blender Brush (£21.00)

Karim then used the new products to make-up this beautiful model

As with all Dr.Hauschka products, the collection is formulated with love and respect for both the natural world (wholly natural ingredients) and for you as a customer (extracts of anthyllis, witch hazel and black tea care for the delicate skin around the eyes, whilst also soothing and protecting).

For those lucky enough to attend, Dr.Hauschka's Education Manager and Esthetician - the very lovely Elaine Robinson - gave a press and roll demonstration, plus answered questions on winter skin.  Ok, so my shade tone is now envy green..but with a heart full of excitement for the launch of the new collection and gratitude for having a wonderful friend to share the experience with me (which is worth more than all the make-up tips in the world...although please do send any in my direction! I still plan to embark on a makeover adventure.  Also please send any compacts with pictures of Bambi on them..now I have dreamt up this product I would like one!)

Around my make-up bag in 80 ways...

I have a shiny new lepstick, no make that lipstick and a case of dodgy typing. Although, if lepstick were a term that describes someone with zero idea how to successfully apply make-up, I fear I may qualify as a professional lepstick.  Do I want to be a lepstick I ask myself?  No, if not for any other reason than it is a term I have just invented; if I were going to live with an invented term I would make it much more magical than that.

The problem, in essence, is my clumsy approach of applying lipstick like a child with a crayon.  The same applies to eyeshadow, blusher, mascara, foundation, eye liner, concealer (especially concealer)...ok, let's face it, ALL make up! It is not much of a confidence boost stepping out thinking you look like Coco the Clown, so I tend to avoid wearing any make-up at all. The longer this goes on the less confidence I have, and I now approach applying make-up in a somewhat apologetic, defeatist way, as if I somehow don't deserve to wear it: lather, rinse and repeat my cycle of ultimate makeuplessness (another invented word which sounds a bit like a distant cousin of the Loch Ness Monster, which I fear is another look I may manage to create with the contents of my make-up bag). 

I have lots of lovely Dr.Hauschka make-up products, all neatly stored, plus a clean set of make-up brushes; but staring at them in slightly petrified awe is not going to help. Because, stare as I may, they won't magically come to life like characters in the Nutcracker and beautifully apply themselves to my face. I need fairy-tale assistance of another sort (and I am not thinking Grimm), I need a Karim Sattar - a Karim what now?  A Karim Sattar! International Make-up Artist for Dr.Hauschka, and it just so happens he is coming to a town near me very soon!  Oh yes, he will be in London this January and I have it in my heart to attend.  I will write up *read randomly waffle on about* my experiences on this blog. I am very much hoping it will mark the beginning of a new make-up adventure....around my make-up bag in 80 ways!

Exciting Competition Update: The event is taking on 18th January, the lovely folks on the UK Dr.Hauschka Facebook page have just posted details of fabulous competition to win a VIP place:

TO ENTER: Simply tell them why you love Dr.Hauschka. Email your answer to social@drhauschka.co.uk

T&C's: 1) VIP guest will be selected at 5pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 and will be notified by email within 24 hours. 2) Dr.Hauschka UK's decision is final. 3) You must be available to attend the event between 1pm and 5pm, Friday 18th January 2013 4) You will be responsible for your own travel arrangements to and from London 5) Open to UK, ROI and IOM residents, aged 18 or over only. 6) By entering, you give full and unlimited permission for Dr.Hauschka to use your comments for promotional or marketing purposes without any claim for their use.

On Labelling

Many moons ago, I was fortunate enough to be selected to trial Melissa Day Cream, I have been a huge fan ever since.  If love can build a bridge, so too can Dr.Hauschka. This cream spans the sometimes bewildering void between oily and dry; the product equivalent of Goldilocks’s porridge.  I mean that it is just right, no comparisons to texture implied!   I can’t speak for her porridge, but the cream is silky smooth with the most uplifting aroma imaginable.  I am not the only Melissa “Day Cream Believer” out there; it has just been included in the line-up of 2013 Hero Products.  Additionally, when NATRUE compiled a selection of products to illustrate the high standards of brands which carry their certification mark, they selected this cream from the Dr.Hauschka range:

"DR. HAUSCHKA Skin Care has been 100% natural for over 40 years. Committed to using only the finest raw materials and medicinal herbs, all ingredients used in Dr. Hauschka products are cultivated under fair trade conditions, from biodynamic sources whenever possible.

The award-winning Melissa Day Cream (rrp £24.95 30ml) has been specially developed to meet the needs of sensitive combination skin conditions. Rich in lemon balm and extracts of medicinal herbs, it is formulated to soothe irritable, reddened skin, keep oily zones clear and matte and retain moisture in dry areas. Natural activity is stimulated to help the skin regain its healthy balance and leave the complexion soft and even. Incorporate Melissa Day Cream into a daily skin care routine using a small amount after cleansing and toning each morning. www.drhauschka.co.uk  01386 791022"

 

 

Reading up on Natrue certification made me reflect on the importance of labels.  I have often considered this in terms of food choices.  January, a time of resolutions and new beginnings, has evolved in marketing times as “Diet Month”.  We are bombarded with “healthy” eating option labels: “fat free” “sugar free” “low calorie” “added vitamins & Omega 900+” (ok so Omega 900+ doesn’t exist but if it did it would be quoted to infinity and beyond).  I prefer to opt for “no label” foods i.e. fresh fruit and vegetables.  When it comes to healthy options you can’t outsmart Mother Nature.  However, saying this, in an increasing genetically modified food world, I also want assurance on farming methods and the provenance of products.  At least if an apple is labelled as organic you can assume it is 100% organic, not the case in the beauty industry.  In October 2012 a Boots ad for “Little Me Organics” shampoo was banned after a watchdog found that fewer than 5% of the ingredients in the product were natural.  When it comes to cosmetics there is no legal definition over what product can be called organic. This is where the Natrue label is so useful to consumers. It was set up as international kitemark to help “identify products that are genuinely organic and natural.  Just one logo - the mark of true quality and authenticity. So consumers can see at a glance whether a product is truly natural, and know that the ingredients will be top quality and free from artificial colours, fragrances and preservatives such as parabens”

For more information about NATRUE standards and brands, go to www.natrue.org.

Bearing the Natrue kitemark is the icing on the Melissa Day Cream cake, I do urge you to try it - not in the form of cake, or even caked on, just as a perfectly natural, beautifully balancing, delight of a daily moisturiser!!!!