Product of the day!

I am obsessed with facial cleansers and washes.

I love that clean tingly feeling you get when you find a really great one. You know, you don't feel tight and dry, but you feel light and bright.

Recently, though, I've noticed a trend in cleansers which use facial cloths. I've tried a few but one I really like is the AD Skin Cleansing Balm and muslin cloths.

AD really specialise in organic products - free of parabens, colourants and petrochemicals and even the cloths are totally organic.

Some of the cleansers and cloths I've tried just don't get rid of make-up effectively the first time round. You have to do it a couple if times to really get rid of eyeliner and mascara. However, AD isn't like this. I can only describe it as 'melting' the make up away, which I really like. Also the cloths give you a gentle exfoliation which is fabulous!

It costs £26 and you can buy it from qvcuk.com, or justbeautydirect.co.uk.

Supermodel, work!

People of my generation actually get what a supermodel is.

Everyone gets called it nowadays, but in the late 80s and early 90s these gorgeous, perfect, aloof creatures where the epitome of cool.

I love the video to George Michael's Freedom, not just because it is one of his finest songs but also because of the supermodels in it. Same with RuPaul, remember that song of his, Supermodel? Loved it. Funny.

Anyway, some of the supers continue to model, some continue to make the tabloid newspapers from time-to-time and others have gone out and created a beauty empire. Well, one has. Cindy Crawford.

Her line of anti-ageing skincare is called, Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford.

I have to say, clever name. After all, who wants frivolous nonsense in skincare - nobody right? So 10 out of 10 for the brand name.

But is it any good?

Er, yes, it is!

Cindy has teamed up with a leading anti-ageing skin specialist, Dr Jean-Louis Sebagh and their focus is 'age maintenance', so start young and keep yourself peachy-keen for as long as possible.

In essence, this is the soundest beauty advice you can follow. There is no point starting at 45 really, too much damage has been done. Start younger and look better for longer.

Anyway, Cindy's range is based on five pillars, cleanse, protect, restore, revitalise and purify.

There are several products in each aspect of the range that will help your skin fight such nasties as sun exposure, free radicals and other environmental factors. These are the things that we all know harm our skin and break down the collagen which is what keeps us looking young.

The products are also packed-full of anti-oxidants which is brilliant as it helps fight the free-radicals which really harms our skin.

Cindy and the Doc say that the range will brighten your complexion and add radiance, as well as smooth and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, keep your skin elastic and supple and protect you.

The results are very good indeed and many users report a marked difference in less than a month which is great. Also, I think the eye cream is one of the best ever and really firms up the crow's feet a treat.

Price-wise not too shabby either. They have an introductory pack which includes a one-month supply of Skin Softening Cleanser, Day Moisture, Night Fluide, Eye Creme and Facial Masque. Currently they are running an offer where you get a couple of bonus items too. This pack is £29.99 which I think is good value.

To order go to www.meaningfulbeauty.co.uk

Product of the day!

Today's product is best for the over-40s.

It is Anew Solar Advance Eye and Lip Sunscreen.

I've given this to my dear old mum (she'll be furious if she discovers that I've called her that) and she loves it!

It is double ended so you can shove it in the handbag and top up the sunscreen as the day goes on.

It isn't highly perfumed which is refreshing and also, some sunscreens can be quite potent, in that they can make your eyes sting or water, but this doesn't!

Mum says the downside is that it is quite thick, but she doesn't mind so much as she just applies a dab and tops it up during the course of the day.

All up, this is cracking and at £13 it is well worth it because you get two products for the price of one!

Photo opportunity!

I get really bored with my hair, but to be frank, it is my own fault as I am not adventurous.

I used to be, but I had a disaster cut that scarred me for life about seven years ago - never again.

Anyway, I was mucking about on the internet looking for celeb pictures to inspire me and came across this ingenious little idea from People magazine.

Basically, you chose a celeb whose hair you like, upload a shot of yourself and they photoshop them together so you can see if it suits you! Brilliant!

Head to People.com now and check it out!

http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/makeover/0,,,00.html

Product of the day!

My muscles are crying out for mercy!

Between that PowerPlate (more on that at a later date) and my over-stuffed pillows, my neck and shoulders are not a good place right now.

Now, I know this isn't a beauty bag secret in the same way that a great lipgloss is, but to be honest, I wouldn't be able to leave the house without a soak in Nelson's Arnicare at the moment!

It can be used as a bath or massage oil. Right now, it is being used as both by me, I am in that much need.

So what does it do? relaxes the muscles, soothes the pain and any bruising. It is cracking. It helps me unwind and get a good night's sleep too. So well worth a go.

Oh no! What have Boots done?

I went to my local Boots today to buy No7 Intelligent Balance Mousse Foundation.

I've tried them all, I promise you, the ones that cost £50, the ones that cost £5 and everything in between, and right now, for my skin, this is the best one. Creamy and light, even and excellent coverage just perfect!

But the girl at the beauty counter told me they'd discontinued it!

How could they do this to me?!

So, now I am on a mission, no, two missions. Firstly, to find out if they have really done this to me and my beauty regimen and secondly, if they have, to find the best moisturiser out there at the moment.

I'll keep you posted!

Product of the day!

Hydration. It is essential for a perfect complexion but so many of us, though well-moisturised are not well-hydrated.

It's not just about drinking water, although that will help keep you skin cells nice and plump.

My best beauty bag secret without fail is Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Masque.

Dermalogica recommend applying it to your skin, leaving it for 10 minutes and then washing it off. And I'm sure it works beautifully.

But, I do not use it according to the directions, although by all means do.

I apply a thin layer all over, but particularly around my eyes, chin and forehead - these are my dry spots.

I let it absorb a little and then apply my moisturiser. So, I use it as a sort of serum.

Honestly, give it a go. Your skin will be claar, fresh and look amazing!

Fabby not flabby, thighs!

It does rather seem that Summer might be over, but my holiday is about six weeks away and to be honest, I need a little help.

I know I will not look like Gisele overnight, but I want to look good in my swimmers.

So I have enrolled in a PowerPlate course.

For those of you that do not know, PowerPlate is an amazing machine available at some gyms around the country.

Basically you stand on a vibration plate and hold poses. Your poses improve your core, your posture and your muscle. It's like doing reps but without the strain and sweat - and for better results.

That's not to say it is easy-peasy, because it certainly is not. But, the results come quicker and are longer lasting.

Anyway, I will keep you posted with my progress.

Product of the day!

If you've never heard of Queen before, I would implore you to check out my blog, You're so sensitive! (July 30 2011).

I really love this iconic brand that have been around since the 20s. The products are quality and have a lovely old-school charm about them.

And they are really superb if you have very delicate and allergy-prone skin.

So when a a friend mentioned that her eyelashes were becoming quite 'spare' and 'thin', I knew that if anyone could help, it would be Queen.

They have a wonderful pot of beauty gold, called the Eyelash Cream. Queen say it is a conditioning cream which can help with breakages or thinning lashes. It can be applied on its own or even under mascara and helps reduce the dryness.

Did it do the job?

After a few weeks' use my friend said she was thrilled with the result.

And I'm not surprised - because her lashes look stronger and longer! They also seem to have become thicker and so her eyes are well-defined now. She really feels that they have hydrated her lashes which has stopped them breaking off. SHe is a lot more confident too as a result as it was really getting her down.

So Queen reigns supreme!

Product of the day

I am a bad daughter.

There, I've said it.

I had a little weekend away with my folks last week and we headed off to sunnier climes. Had a really lovely time.

The weather was sensational so we hit the beach for a little bit of fun. As I've mentioned before, I tend to sit under the umbrella and will wear SPF 30.

My current favourite is Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 30+.

The oldies on the other hand love a bit of UVA and UVB and soak it up. They do however wear sun cream, but the old devils only opt for medium protection.

Anyway, you know how you get all sleepy in the sun? Well, we did. All three of us. Naturally, I was all right as I was under cover. Sadly, the folks did not fare so well. And yes, I blame myself.

I should have got them in the shade with me.

They were not exactly like lobsters, but they were rosy, put it that way.

However, all was not lost as I was able to redeem myself!

I slathered them in my two best after-sun beauty buys: the amazing Banana Boat Aloe After Sun lotion, £5.99 and Aubrey Organics After Sun with CoQ10 and Pomegranate, £10.71. The Aubrey one is brilliant, anti-ageing as well as soothing!

Never again will I let them use medium protection, nor be in full sunshine for a prolonged period of time, not be without my trusty after-suns!

Product of the day!

I have been totally sucked in by the Hugo Boss ads and stands in department stores.

I am not normally so susceptible, but I have fallen for it hook, line and sinker. Also, I quite like Jared Leto.

The Other Half's birthday was on the horizon and I decided he just had to have Hugo Boss Just Different.

So I bought it at the local shopping centre, got it home and thought: 'Oh no'.

You see, although I am a very spontaneous shopper when it comes to stuff for me, I have to tread more carefully with stuff for him.

So, did I commit a beauty sin? Actually, no I did not. Hurrah I hear you all cry!

yes, he loved it! I have no idea why I was nervous but I was.

So what did he like about it?

'The packaging is cool - very plain and simple'

Hugo Boss perfumes look very understated. Sophisticated but not dull.

'It's not obvious. You won't walk into a room and smell it everywhere'

Hugo Boss sell A LOT of fragrance but strangely, it doesn't seem to everywhere, so there is a sense of it being special and a bit different.

'It is fresh and zingy, but not watery and too light'

Just Different has top notes of mint and heart notes of basil so it feels light and invigorating but the patchouli and cashmeran ground it and give it the masculinity it requires.

So would I recommend it? Yes I would!

Would the recommend it? Absolutely, but he won't actually admit that because he would hate to be wearing the same scentt as every other bloke in his office!

Crowning Glory

Women are obsessed with hair.

It's what makes us feel good, or feel bad.

It's one of the first things another woman notices and one of the last things blokes notice about us.

When your hair is not in tip-top nick, it often means that something is not right in your life; health, stress, nutrition and happiness are all reflected in our hair.

I know of women who spend a lot of money keeping their tresses in a state of perpetual perfection.

One friend spends £100 every six weeks on a trim, £250 every eight weeks on a colour, has a professional blow-dry once a week, takes load of vitamins to keep her hair strong and uses only Phyto, Kerastase and Philip Kinglsey products in her hair. All that adds up to about four grand a year by my reckoning. She is very well off and is very lucky. But who of us can actually do that?

So do you have to be minted to keep your barnet in mint condition?

Of course you don't!

Here are a few of my favourite, and inexpensive, products:

Hair heroes

Pure Coconut are a great and very good value brand that are mainly available in Superdrug and Savers.

I have tried the shampoo and conditioner and I have to say I was impressed. the fragrance is not too strong but does last. Every so often during the day you'll get a hint the scent when you swish your hair about. The hair is shiny and tangle-free, but my hair can get a little bit oily at the crown and this is a bit too heavy formy hair. However, if you have slightly drier hair, I would honestly say this is a really great purchase and as products in the range are priced from £2 you can't really argue!

I like the range as whole though - the serum is great and they have a love little Glossing Spray which is perfect for finishing off a DIY blow-dry.

Colour me beautiful

Home hair colour is a tricky blighter for some. For a start there are masses of brands and loads of different ranges within each brand. Do you go permanent or semi or what? And how much should you spend?

Well, I can honestly say that one of my favourite home hair colour kits is from Avon. I cannot tell you enough how brilliant Avon is as a brand. Good value, good technology, good trends - love's!

So, I decided to give Avon Advance Techniques Professional Hair Colour, £2, a crack. I am really pleased I did.

The colour takes well and leaves hair very soft and glossy. It also lasts a good old while - of course it depends on how quickly your hair grows - the colour didn't fade for more than six weeks which I think is really great.

Masqued beauty

I know I have mentioned this before, but honestly, TreSemme Restructuring Deep Conditioning Masque is brilliant. if you hair is lacklustre and needs some extra loving, go out and buy your self a pot of this. It is extremely hydrating but not heavy so your hair has bounce and shone all at the same time. It styles a treat after using it too!

I don't use it every wash but I'm sure you could if your hair was very brittle and damaged, but I use mine once a week or if I have really out my hair throughout it I'll use it the morning after to give it a little mid-week boost. At £4.99 it is unquestionable value and is as good as a lot of the pricier products on the shelves.

So, they are a few of my budget beauty buys. Lots more to come over the next fee weeks!

Let me know your favourites! Get in touch at

editormybeautybagsecrets@gmail.com

or on Twitter

@beautybagsecret

Product of the day

I swear by face masques. They really do improve you skin, be it a boost, a scrub, a polish, a self-heating.

So, I decided to try a couple of masques by Montagne Jeunesse. You might not know the name, but you'll recognise the packaging. They are very inexpensive and very good too!

You'll get change out of £1.10 (just) and my two preferred ones, Very Berry and Fruit Smoothie, smell flipping well delicious! Really.

Also, they work. I use one on a Saturday morning when I am lolling in the bath and it just gives my skin some extra zing.

So if you are after a quick and very budget pep-up, grab yourself a sachet, quick!

HIgh street beauty queen!

There are few brands around today that represent such good quality, value and trend as much as Famous by Sue Moxley.

The range is excellent: high pigmentation, great colours, great for every age and skin-tone and at a fraction of the price of most big beauty names.

I spoke to Sue to find out more about her drive, why beauty is her passion and what's next for Famous by Sue Moxley.

Mybeautybagsecrets: Sue, what prompted you to launch Famous by Sue Moxley?

I'd been a make up artist for many years and then became the Beauty Editor at The Sun newspaper. I'd always dreamt about creating my own brand - I think it's every make up artist's dream.

While at The Sun, I gained even more experience and talked about the possibility of starting my own range to a friend. And together we decided to give a go! Like everything, it is easier thinking about it than doing it!

My friend and I make a good team: she looks at the PR and Marketing side of things and I look after the creative side.

How long has it been established, Sue?

It's been five years now and of course we've had our ups and downs! But we are not resting on our laurels; in fact we've got quite a few surprises coming up!

How do you feel about the success you've enjoyed? You're a bloggers favourite and the consumers love the range too!

I feel on top of the world! We receive so much positive feedback and good comments. I feel this is partly down to the high pigmentation in our products. We decided that the extra cost to us in the manufacturing process would be worthwhile as it would make for a much better product. Some of the more expensive brands use less pigmentation than us!

And yes, it's great that people are recommending us; I think we are very affordable and very good quality.

People have been comparing your products to MAC and Bobbi Brown, how do you feel about that?

Those kind of comparisons are really fantastic. I love that we can provide women with the quality and colours that they want and expect and can get from Bobbi Brown and MAC, but that they choose to come to us because we represent the same but we are so affordable. It's fabulous!

What's next for Famous by Sue Moxley?

Well, we've got lots of new and exciting things happening in time for Christmas, and one thing in particular is going to be huge! But I don't want to ruin the surprise so I'll have to keep it secret for the moment!

I'm also launching Pro Tools by Sue Moxley, which is a range of brushes and equipment. It is essential to use good tools to create your look. And of course, these will be affordable. I'll be on Ideal World TV to tell everyone more about that and how they can buy them, so look out for that.

I've got no plans at this stage to launch a skin care range, but who knows, perhaps fragrances! I want women to feel glamourous but not have to pay through the nose for it.

What's your 'to-die-for' product in your range?

I have to say the Baked Bronze. It is a great little product. It warms up the skin beautifully. If you've got no time to do much, just a swish of Baked Bronze and a touch of mascara and you are good to go. It gives you such a great glow!

I do love the shimmer eyeshadows in the range too, but as you age it is best to stay away from the products with too much shimmer, instead, it's best to stick to the mattes. I love the brights and the shimmers but they are best left to the young!

What are your beauty bag essentials?

*A good base, without a shadow of doubt.

I currently have two in the range, a sheer one and a more matte one. The matte one gives total coverage to spots and imperfections, while the sheer one is great if you have clearer skin. I will be bringing out some new foundations soon though!

*An eyebrow kit - either a pencil or a powder.

Eyebrows are one of the most important elements of a face. They balance, define and add structure. Not all women have defined eyebrows, especially fair or red heads. So, even just a touch of taupe along the eyebrows really gives your face some oomph!

*And lastly, mascara!

Just a slick sets off a face, perfectly. It opens your eyes, makes you look younger and more wide-eyed. Once you have a bit of mascara on, you can leave the house!

What are your beauty bag secrets, Sue?

Botox! Only joking!

*Cleanse and moisturise.

I really cannot stress how important it is. I've been cleansing and moisturising well, twice a day, since I was 16 and I really believe it has helped my skin tone and elasticity.

*Stop smoking!

Never ever smoke and if you do, quit now. NOTHING makes you look as bad as smoking. Your skin is dull and saggy, you develop lines and wrinkles in tell-tale places, around the eyes, around the mouth and even between the eyes.

*And protect your face from the sun.

You should always use an SPF on your face, neck and decolletage. The sun is lovely but really damaging if exposed to it too much.

It is essential to have good skin and look after it as much as you can as it is pointless putting on products if your natural base isn't in good nick. Remember, plump up your skin cells by moisturising well!

Who do you think has the most beautiful face?

My beauty icon is Kate Moss and I know a lot of people don't agree. Even though she is a drinker and smoker and bit of a caner I just love her face. Her bone structure is so beautiful and so interesting; I'd love to make it up. I know most would say that Cindy Crawford has a classically beautiful face but I just love Kate's exoticism.

And who needs a bit of help, in your view?

I'd love to work on Carol McGiffin! I know I could change her look!

When do you feel most beautiful?

Like all women it's when I've had lots of sleep, just had my hair highlighted and I've taken time on my make up. I look in the mirror and think, 'Yep, I'm looking good!'. Also, finishing your face with some fake lashes also helps! I love having a little bit of a tan, fake tan or bronzer of course. In fact, I know I'm not looking my best when my dad says: "Not feeling well today, love?'.

Famous by Sue Moxley is available at Superdrug nationwide.

Product of the day

I know I have told you this lots of times but I have sensitive skin.

It is prone to redness and very easily imbalanced. So I am always super careful with what I out on and also very curious as to what's out there that can keep it looking and feeling as good as possible.

So, when I tried Darphin Intral I was cautious but excited to see the results.

The serum is ideal for easily irritated skin or skin which can be red or blotchy. But anyone can use it as a skin booster and it is really superb on ageing skin.

I use it according to the instructions - quite sparingly. It feels very intense actually so three pumps is all you need.

I then apply it to my face, neck and décolletage (girls, always apply serums and moisturisers to this area as it is one of the first places we age) in upwards sweeping movements.

Skin feels better virtually immediately, but takes about a fortnight to actually look significantly better. I have a friend who has rosacea and after using this she says she's finally found some relief.

Now, this ain't cheap. It is £47 in from Darphin, Space NK or House of Fraser but you will be able to find it cheaper online. And really, if you have very dry skin or are really worried about ageing, this is a cracking product!