Where has the British Summer gone? It's all be a bit too gloomy of late, but in the hope that the sun will shine brightly again, I've put together an optimistic list of must-have beauty products that will see you through the heat wave. (If it comes back!)


1. Love Me Naked - Rose Body Wash, £3.91
This rose infused wash leaves skin feeling soft and the scent is fresh and pretty. Packed with anti oxidants to help protect your skin, it's an ideal prep before applying your body butter or soufflé. It certainly perks me up in the morning!

Web: www.nakedbodycare.co.uk
Also available at Boots stores.


2. Butter London 3 Free Lacquers, £12
I love the polishes from Butter London; free form Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP, you can apply a fresh coat of polish as often as you like without the worry of excess toxins. London Underground, Portobello Pink and Jaffa are the hottest summer shades.

Web: www.butterlondon.com
Also available at ASOS.


3. Mac Minreralise Skin Finish Natural Powder, £17.50
I swear by this powder. It cleverly combines a natural-matte finish with a little sun-kissed glow. I use it without foundation to even out my skintone and keep my face shine free throughout the day. It's light and non-clogging, so you won't have to worry about makeup breakouts.

Web: www.maccosmetics.co.uk
Also available at Selfridges.


4. Sanctuary Sculpting Anti-Cellulite Treatment, £12.71
As far as home cellulite treatments go, this is the best I've used. After giving daily treatments with the gel, I can see a good visible difference in the typical problems areas. Use the treatment with the special cellulite massager and it helps to break down fatty deposits and encourages lymphatic drainage. My thighs look smoother and firmer, just in time for those mini shorts.

Web: www.thesanctuary.co.uk
Also available at the Sanctuary Spa, London and Boots.


5. Impulse Romantic Spark, £0.99 (Superdrug Web deal)
I'm not usually one to wear body sprays, I'm an 'eau de toilette' girl myself but this Impulse spray is quite lovely and perfect for Summer. I received a sample last month and have since bought a second to keep in my handbag. It's very subtle so you can reapply throughout the day and not smell like a perfume counter.

Web: www.superdrug.com


6. Sleek Makeup Eye Dust, £2.59 (Superdrug Web deal)
This highly luminescent eyeshadow glides effortlessly onto the skin leaving a sparkling film of colour on your eye lids creating a sleek and stunning look. Tried and tested by yours truly, it has great staying power and won't melt after a few hours in the sun. Scuba and Glory are my favourite hues to combine.

Web: www.superdrug.com


7. Scholl Intensive Night Treatment, £5.86
Pop some of this lotion onto the feet at night and let it work its magic. If you're prone to dry, hard skin on the soles, this treatment penetrates deep into the skin to seal in moisture and restore the skin's softness. So you wake up with soft, supple, gladiator-worthy footsies.

Web: www.scholl.com

As an illustrator, when your work has been published in NY Times, Viva La Mode and Muse, you're doing very well. But to also be commissioned by labels Zara and Escada is double confirmation of your sought-after status. One woman who has achieved this is Finnish illustrator Laura Laine.

At just 25, she's received global critical acclaim and won the hearts of key fashion editors through her hauntingly beautiful, amazingly detailed art. In an interview with Charlies Design Diary, she explains that she takes inspiration from a host of different things but mostly fashion, literature, browsing through magazines and traveling to Italy.

I've been following her work for some time now and I have to say that I absolutely covet the selection she produced for Muse magazine. The combination of Laine's free-flowing drawing with fashion photography in such a flirty, playful way is just inspiring. Don't you agree?





Web: www.lauralaine.net

If like me you've been admiring the military style Balmain Jacket, (safe in the knowledge that the price tag is above your spending threshold) then here's some good news. Dorothy Perkins has just launched their new designer inspired line of courtesan chic pieces, including a jacket that is the closest I've seen to Balmain on the high-street. The military jacket is a bargain at £100 and I'll admit that it will never match the sheer beauty of the original crystal-embellished canvas jacket, but when you haven't got £6,560 to splurge, is this not the next best thing?

The new DP Collection is rather delectable; boasting rich embellishments, deluxe brocade, 3D jewels and silky velvet. Other pieces that stand out are the gold boyfriend blazer, £80 and the purple velvet power shoulder dress, £35. The items mentioned do not appear to be available online at the moment so it's best to check in store, but there is still a cool selection from the new range via their website, with more being added soon. Watch this space.



Find your nearest Dorothy Perkins store

Web: www.dorothyperkins.com

Date:
2nd to 19th July 09

Admission:
FREE

The launch party for The Madonna Nudes exhibition took place on Wednesday evening and I took along my very good friend to check out the 'artwork'. Jointly organised by Seven Dials and Impure Art, we were greeted by Madonna herself (well a very, good lookalike: Evelyne Brink) who donned the singer's signature black leotard and knee-high boots combo whilst dancing to 'get into the groove'. It was all very entertaining, especially when the designated photographer initiated a dance off between them ala Step Up style.

As for the images, they were certainly baring all. With Madonna's short and curlies on full display and armpit hair that had been cultivating for some considerable time, I was feeling both surprised, uneasy and yet celebratory. Surprised that the icon that is Madonna, was at the time just hungry for fame dancer, aged 20, who stripped for just $30. Uneasy at the sight of her front bottom and its desperate need for a wax, and celebratory for the fact that I could see cellulite and little flaws. The fact that images were created before the years of Photoshop brought about a feeling of nostalgia. It was good to look back and remember a time, some 30 years ago when it wasn't the norm to perform a digital nip-tuck.

The Madonna Nudes are available to buy from £3,400 and being showcased at the gallery Monday to Saturday, 12-7pm, and Sunday 12-6pm. No doubt the pictures will become serious collectors' items.

Address:
Impure Art Gallery,
19 Earlham Street,
Seven Dials, WC2

For more information visit:
www.sevendials.co.uk or www.impureart.com