An Introduction to Eve Lom

Eve Lom is a brand that I just came across recently and from the very first product I was hooked. Here, I look at a couple of their most renowned products and fill you in on why they are cult classics.

Eve Lom's products really are a thing to behold and their famed Cleanser really is a wonder. You have to try it to really understand why there is so much fuss about a simple cleanser but simple it is not and little pot of magic is a lot more suitable description. Everything I have tried from the brand is the best version of each particular product on the market and here I take a look at the Eve Lom Cleanser, Kiss Mix lip balm and the Morning Time Cleanser. Once you discover the brand it's very hard not to want to try everything they produce to be quite honest and see what other wonders they are capable of.

Sizzling Summer Skincare from Nuxe, Kiehl's, Nivea, Eucerin, Erborian & Bioderma

There is nothing quite like the feeling of warm summer sun on your skin and how great it is for body and soul to get some Vitamin D and a little bit of a glow. However sun care skincare is so vital and finding the right products to look after your skin during the summer months to protect and hydrate is essential. I've been researching summer products for the last couple of years and here is my essential edit of the very best sunshine skincare.

When it comes to taking care of your skin during the summer months two aspects are vital to prevent skin damage and even skin cancer. First and foremost sun protection. Whatever your skin type you have to use an SPF. No potential tan is worth the consequences of sun damage. If you are fair and don't tan, just accept it and relish your beautiful pale skin and never forget to pack your SPF50. If you do tan you still need to protect your skin from the harmful sun rays and you can still get a great colour while wearing high sun factor.

Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng

After hearing so much praise about Korean French brand Erborian, trying out their most renowned product, BB Créme Au Ginseng, I could see after just one use what all the fuss was about making it an absolute staple in my skincare and makeup regimes.

Erborian was born of a meeting of minds between Korean scientist Hojung Lee and a French beauty expert and globe trotter Katalin Berenyi who came together through their quest for finding the best beauty solutions across the world. The product that caused such a stir in the beauty world that was a result of their creative collaboration was the Erborian BB Créme Au Ginseng which is known for being the perfect alliance between skincare and cosmetics.

An Introduction to Malin + Goetz

It's pretty wonderful when you can tell from the first time you try a brand you're going to love all of their products and Malin + Goetz is certainly one of those brands. Here I take a look at their stand out products.

I originally discovered Malin + Goetz during a stay at the remarkable Marker Hotel in Dublin who use exclusively Malin + Goetz toiletries in their rooms. Quite the treat! It was love at first use with their hair and body care products and, after reading so many good reviews of their cult Lip Moisturiser and Vitamin E Face Moisturiser I had to try them out too and they certainly didn't disappoint. After using the brand for a few months it's plain to see that Malin + Goetz strive for simple, well researched, and highly effective products.

Give it a Glow! An Introduction to Apivita

It was just by chance I came upon Greek Brand Apivita a couple of months ago and in it I found one of the most glowingly effective,immediately revitalizing skincare products.

While in Spain with a friend before Christmas we constantly had our eyes open for quality skincare brands that either we'd never heard of before or brands that we had heard people rave about but hadn't been available over here in Ireland or in the UK where my friend lives. It was a pampering and relaxing holiday, badly needed by both of us, so we had a lot of fun popping on face masks and trying out new products but one in particular really surprised us both.

Complexion Perfection from YSL, Giorgio Armani and Chanel

A good complexion is hard to find but at your fingertips with a little guidance. Here is my handpicked edit of the best products for gorgeous, flawless skin from Chanel, Giorgio Armani and YSL.

Having the best base possible for your makeup look makes all the difference and I have noticed certain brands are a cut above when it comes to creating the perfect complexion. Vitalumiere Aqua by Chanel is a fairly new classic while the latest releases from YSL and Giorgio Armani are of such beautiful quality and make such a huge difference to how your skin looks and in turn how confident you feel leaving the house. Here are my tips for a flawless, healthy and natural looking glowing base you can wear alone or dress up.

Mum's The Word

Of all the people in your life, few deserve to be treated and pampered more than your mum. Here's a list of products, many approved by my own mother, that may help guide you towards either the perfect treat for your mum whatever the occasion!

It's an understatement to say how much mums do for us over the course of their lifetime and, of all people, they deserve a pampering what ever the occasion. This is a list of tried and trusted skincare treats for any type of mum.

Rescue Me - Kiehl's Skin Rescuer

Kiehl's Skin Rescuer is effectively a product that does exactly what it says on the tin, but could also be called Skin Comforter too. I carry a bottle of this around in my bag at all times for long days that cause skin hydration and irritation and it really is the perfect go-to for stressed, out of sorts skin.

This cute little green bottle is yet another class act by Kiehl's, creating a specific cream for a specific problem. Containing soothing ingredients Rosa Gallica Botanical Extract, Chamomile and Mannose, Kiehl's Skin Rescuer promises to reduce visible signs of stress and flare-ups including skin fatigue and redness. It also professes to address both the short-term visible signs and long-term premature aging effect that stress can have on skin.

I personally don't suffer from major stress flare ups with my skin so I got this for the calming effect on irritated skin and the cool hydration it provides but I can see so easily this is a bit of a find for anyone who suffers from skin fatigue, blotichiness and redness. The texture of the cream is not too thick not too thin, you don't need to apply a huge amount at a time but the best thing about the cream is the stress-minimizing ingredients that really do make your skin feel so much calmer. It's such a great product to carry around in your bag and apply it as required. It's not one of those absolute necessities for me since I don't suffer from redness or major flare ups but it's so comforting I absolutely love how it makes my skin feel so I hate to do without it now the bottle is almost empty!

Kiehl's Skin Rescuer is €35.00 and is available from the Kiehl's section of Arnott's and at Kiehl's on Wicklow Street and Dundrum Town Centre.

Cleanse Up Your Act: The Best Cleansers from Eve Lom, Bioderma, Kiehl's and L'Occitane

Strange as this sounds to some, cleansing is one of the most overlooked but important steps in your skincare regime and having the right cleansing routine and products can make the biggest difference in the quality of your skin and how well the other products you use work. Here are the very best cleansers I've comes across from Kiehl's, Eve Lom, L'Occitane, and Bioderma.

This might sound a bit obvious but it's only been in recent times I've truly become aware of the skin sins so many people commit and one of the biggest mistakes of all is underestimating the power a good cleanser has on your skin and the difference it makes to find one that suits you and that you use on an every day basis. A shocking amount of people go to bed without taking off their makeup and so many people apply products without cleansing first which means you get a lot less out of the serums and moisturisers you use. Investing in a decent cleanser can actually transform your skin and I swear by this selection of tried and tested products which have, in different ways, all made such a noticeable difference to the quality of my skin over the past few years.

Aromachologie it Relaxation: L'Occitane's Latest Rebalancing Aromachologie Collection

L'Occitane has just made some major new additions to their deliciously relaxing Aromachologie range this autumn with lots of gorgeous smelling new products to help you unwind and relax. The whole new line is designed as a Rebalancing range of products to help you find some zen with select essential oils and very skin-pampering products.

I've already written in detail about two products I absolutely love from L'Occitane's Aromachologie  range, the 5 Essential Oils Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner which you can read about here. Apart from being one of the most amazing treatments for stressed out hair, what really struck me - and anyone I got to try the products out - was the smell. The 5 Essential Oils is the one of the most relaxing smells I've ever noticed in a product so upon seeing a whole new range of products from the Aromachologie range for face and body from the brand I must say I was very excited indeed.

YSL's Saharienne Sun-Kissed Summer Collection

Yves Saint Laurent really know how to nail their seasonal makeup collections matching the latest high fashion catwalk trends with the perfect summer palette and this latest Saharienne range, fronted yet again by Cara Delevinge, helps you at least look like you've been summering in the Sahara without ever leaving this never-ending rainy summer.

The very first impression you get from YSL's latest Saharienne summer collection is of a palette of colours designed to give you the perfect sun-kissed glow. Inspired by the sunnier climes of Marakech, the range of golden sandy shades and warmer tones illuminate the complexion suiting those with pale to sun-kissed complexions.

Bioderma Launches French Pharmacy Perfection in Ireland

When news came of French Pharmacy brand Bioderma launching in Ireland, I was not the only one to greet the news with giddy excitement. A brand that has been loved not only by beauty writers and skincare fanatics but top models and makeup artists alike, its arrival on our shores means if you love high quality skincare and haven't heard of the brand already, now is the time to investigate.

Bioderma has been one of the most lusted after brands by beauty lovers for a very long time. The epitome of skin-friendly, problem-solving, miracle product skincare, the French Pharmacy brand has been spoken about for years by makeup artists, models and beauty writers due to it effectiveness and the high quality of its range. Backstage photos from fashion weeks often feature the famous pink cap of Bioderma's cult product the Sensibo H2O Micelle Solution. Trips to France or other European countries that sold the brand resulted in a suitcase packed full of Bioderma products to bring home.

Kiehl's New Uplifting Serum: Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate

A new serum from New York brand Kiehl's is always great news for skincare lovers and this Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate is certainly no exception.

Kiehl's rather wordily titled Precision Lifting & Pore-Tightening Concentrate is the latest in a long line of super serums from the New York brand that are renowned for creating products that do exactly what it says on the tin and this is no exception. In fact, the effectiveness of their wonder serums not only made me fall in love with the brand immediately but also made me see how great certain brands and skincare products can be which was what inspired me to set up the beauty section of this blog and become a beauty writer. Every time I try a new - or new to me - product from Kiehl's I want to shout about it from the rooftops! Well certainly write a review of the product at least.

An Armani Eyefull - Armani Eye Tints

One of Armani's latest launches, Eye Tints, features pure luxury eye shadows in the most dazzling and delicious range of colours. 

When it comes to makeup of the highest quality and most innovative formulas I have learned over the past couple of years that luxury brands like Armani and YSL etc really are a step above the rest and this new release from Armani featuring a rainbow range of eye tints is no exception. Featuring twelve gorgeous shades from a light coppery nude to a dark charcoal this eye tint line makes eyeshadow application quick and easy with a wet application that dries and stays put all day.

The Essie-ntial Nail Brand

I have heard so many great things about Essie over the past while so when I discovered this Essie Icons Mini Kit it was a great was to try out three of the most popular shades from the brand while also testing out the quality of the products to see what everyone was talking about.

I was rather pleased recently when I came across an Essie stand in the rather amazing and gigantic super Boots at Liffey Valley. Since I was on a very tight after-Christmas-pre-many-weddings budget I was even more excited when I happened upon this little Colour Icons set because it contained all three of the Essie nail polishes I have bookmarked and drooled over for some time now.

Lip Service: The Best Lip Balms From Kiehl's, Eve Lom, Nuxe, Cowshed and Vaseline

If you're anything like me the recent dip in temperature and extremely wintery conditions have left you with quite put-upon skin and very chapped lips. After a lot of trialling various lip saviours I decided to share my findings of the most effective - and some darn right luxurious - lip balms I have discovered from Kiehl's, Eve Lom, Nuxe, Cowshed and, let's not forget, good old Vaseline!

We all know the trials and tribulations your skin goes through during extreme weather conditions, especially in recent times when here in Ireland, Europe and not to talk of the "Snowcopalypse" in New York, we've experienced cold so severe it actually hurts whatever area of skin you haven't been able to cover up. Add to that the extremes of going from below freezing temperatures straight into central heating and open fires and there's no time of the year that puts your skin under so much duress. No two areas feel these extremes more than lips and hands and I've gone through a lot of chapped lips and uncomfortably dry hands to find the best products to tackle these problems! I've already compiled my all time favourite hand-saving products here and now it's time for some lip remedies!

Age of Innocence: Lancôme's French Innocence Collection

From the moment the details of Lancôme's latest collection crossed my path I got struck with such a flutter of the feeling of Paris in the Springtime. The French Innocence Collection is full of gorgeous  youthful pastel shades that mix light and breezy daytime with striking but bright night time looks. And the most delectable eyeshadow palette to suit all seasons! 

Lancôme's recently launched French Innocence Collection is such a breath of fresh air and a burst of light and colour to break through the glum January blues and glib winter days. I love the youthful shades throughout the eye shadows, lip glosses and nails shades of this collection, I want it all!

A Lovely L'Occitane Christmas

Since L'Occitane has been a go-to gift brand for me for so many years, I decided to compile a list of their all time best selling products as a Christmas Gift suggestion list for anyone in your life, young or old, male or female, that you think deserves a bit of a pampering this Christmas!

Whenever I am buying someone a gift and I want them to really feel pampered I go to L'Occitane first each time. I've been doing this for years. At one point I realised I had bought so much L'Occitane but rarely got to get it for myself so I started getting a little treat here and there and soon friends started gifting me with various products from the brand too.

It is such a great destination for a gift for men and women; the men's products are actually some of the nicest quality and most gorgeous smelling I've ever come across so it's definitely worth a visit when Christmas shopping this year; whether you're getting something for your mum, your husband or your best friend!

A Luxury Christmas Gift List with YSL, Lancôme, Giorgio Armani & Kiehl's

If you have a special someone in your life that you'd like to really pamper, here is a selection of the more luxurious, a tad more expensive but every so fancy, presents for you to peruse from YSl, Giorgio Armani, Kiehl's and Lancôme. I want it all Santa...

Christmas is a time for gift giving for the people you love so, if you have anyone in your life your want to give an extra fancy surprise to this Christmas, or you're looking for a luxury treat for yourself to use your Christmas bonus for something usually out of your price range, I've compiled a list of the biggest cosmetic treats around from YSL, Lancôme, Kiehl's and Giorgio Armani. If you're reading Santa, that Wild Edition Palette by YSL is something else!

Holos to Irish Made Skincare

I must say I was very excited when I heard about new Irish Skincare brand Holos and this Love Your Skin Anti-Aging Facial Oil is a highlight of this home-grown brand and a new staple in my skincare regime.

This is, ashamedly, the first beauty review on Penelope's Bed of an Irish-run beauty company so, when I heard about Holos, I jumped at the chance to try out one of their products and what I found was a brand that was producing skincare that was so natural and skin-loving. And the fact that it's from an Irish brand made me love it a bit more; it gives me hope! It seems like a good sign for the country that people are setting up skincare and beauty companies over here, which I'm seeing more and more of over the past year or so, and I will make sure to check out as many Irish beauty brands as possible on Penelope's Bed from here in out.