John Lewis unveils their new Oxford Street store beauty department

Hi guys,
What can you buy with £7.8 Million? Well, you could buy a new house, a yacht, half a dozen cars, a couple of football players and 78,000 lipsticks.  Or, if you're John Lewis, you could spend that amount on completely revamping your beauty hall! And if you're asking me, I would say it was money well spent!

I just got back from a guided tour of the new beauty hall at John Lewis, and I have to say I was impressed. The hall is built around a town square concept, with the bigger brands around the outside of the hall and the more tactile 'help-yourself' products in the middle. It is also (rather uniquely) zoned: so yes, if you want something from Chanel, you can head straight to their counter and find all their products there, like in an ordinary department store. But you can also go to the skin, hair, nail, or make up zone if you want a specific product, but don't know what brand you're looking for.

Other features of the new beauty hall include:

- The only Topshop make-up counter outside of a Topshop store

- Products and launches exclusive to John Lewis such as the new Clinque matt foundation, the Diptyque 34 collection, or the Floris Royal Arms Diamon Edition perfume. Only 6 bottles of this £15,000 perfume have been produced. One went to the queen, one went to charity, the rest are for sale in the Floris boutique apart from the one which is for sale in John Lewis. Exciting, but out of my budget. However they also have a £99 version available.

- Two on-floor treatment rooms, including one from Lancome. Apparently, this is the only on-floor Lancome treatment room outside of Paris.

- An interactive Chanel fragrance zone to geek out about. You place a fragrance on top of the touch-screen table, and the table will tell you all about the fragrance, including what notes are included in it.

It's not like me to get excited about a department in a department store (they usually all look pretty much the same) but I was very impressed by what John Lewis have done to their Oxford Street beauty department, and especially impressed by the thought and unusual structure that have gone into it. If you're in the area and looking to buy make-up, skin care, or fragrance, then this is the place I would recommend you go!

Love Tor xx

Beauty: A week in my finger nails!

Hi guys,
According to new research, the fastest selling beauty product right now is no longer the lipstick, but the humble nail varnish. The theory is that in the recession, where we can't afford to update our looks with new clothes right now, women are instead choosing to update their look by changing their nails.

I've always loved painting and looking after my nails, and generally I varnish them every other day: every day if they chip. So rather than look at what I wear in a week (because let's face it, you've seen almost every piece in my wardrobe before!) I thought I would show you a week in my nails:

Friday: You may have seen these nails in my post of what I wore for London Fashion Week, Day 1. I cheated with these and applied nail wrap: these are Nail Rocks. As you can see, they peeled really quickly though, and the ends didn't look great!

Sunday: The grey base colour is from Essie. The shade is called Then and Now, and was specifically designed for the new online shop of the same name. The mustard is from Topshop. I don't have any nail pens or fancy tools, so I applied the polka dots using the end of a lolly stick! I wore these nails with a simple grey dress and mustard heels: I love coordination!

Tuesday: I'm prepared to admit that I was watching My Big Fat Gyspy Weddings when I painted my nails on Tuesday, and that definitely influenced the results! To create this look I applied a lovely rich red Nails Inc. varnish called Victoria, and used my Barry M glitter varnish for the tips. It looks a little bit cheap (like badly applied acrylics) and I was definitely pleased when it started to chip and I could take it off!

Thursday: I went home to my parents house for my nephew's Christening over the weekend on Friday, so on Thursday night I applied a simple and glossy coat of this neutral looking brown Boujois varnish. I wanted something that I could touch up quickly and easily over the weekend, and this definitely fit the bill!

How do you update your look without spending a fortune? Are you a slave to your nails, or happy to let them chip?

Love Tor xx

Competition: Win a trip to New York with BIC Soleil

Hi guys,
BIC have got a new razor on the market - called the BIC Soleil Bella. I know it's not something we ladies talk about a lot, but unless you're really lucky (in which case I curse you!) we all have to deal with our unwanted body hair.

I'm going to come clean about my routine: I use a hair removal cream on my upper lip, I have my eyebrows waxed, and for everything else I use a razor: admittedly I normally steal Mike's, so maybe it's time to invest in one of my own! And apparently the BIC Soleil is tailored to be more comfortable on a woman's curves, so it might be a good place to start.

I know it's considered much more trendy to have regular waxing appointments, but I just find it the quickest and easiest form of hair removal. No planning, no appointments: just jump in the shower and go!

In order to encourage women to 'Just live' (without worrying about their body hair all the time) and promote their new razor range, BIC are running a competition over on their facebook page. The star prize? An amazing Trip to New York!! Plus as well as the grand prize, they are offering a load more prizes on a weekly basis! This could be a theatre outing, a day-trip or a similar experience for you and a friend.

Want to enter the competition for your chance to win? Then head over to the BIC facebook page now and whilst you're their check it out: The page is pretty cool, and has weekly beauty tips and blog posts from a monthly-featured blogger!

Love, Tor x

*This is a Sponsored Post

Viral video by ebuzzing

Fabfrocks reviews: Sen spa @ Harvey Nichols

Hi guys,

As part of Saturday's dream day out, I had a relaxing lower legs and foot massage at the Sen spa in Harvey Nichols, and I found the experience so enjoyable, I thought I should write up a review!

When you walk into the Sen spa it just looks like a normal herbal therapy shop with rows of teas and people browsing, but when you get into the spa area at the back it's completely different: it feels weird, because you know you're in the middle of a busy department store, but it feels like you're a million miles away from anyone.

The therapy room had the obligatory low lighting and pan pipe music, and I was already feeling relaxed before the therapist even came into the room, bringing a bowl full of hot soapy water to soak my feet in. After a long days shopping sitting on a big sunken chair sipping on green tea and soaking my feet felt really amazing!

I was left alone to soak for 5 minutes then the therapist returned, gesturing that it was time to get on the bed. She didn't say a single word before, during, or after the treatment, but that didn't bother me at all. She worked wonders on my feet. I usually hate getting massages (I don't really like being touched by strangers) but this was so relaxing that I started drifting off to sleep! I didn't know you had knots and tension points in your feet, but I could feel her working them out and after the treatment my legs felt lighter and I had a real spring in my step: I also felt so relaxed that it was a struggle to keep my eyes open, so I probably wouldn't recommend this as a pre-shopping treatment!

As a post-shopping treat I would more than recommend this though: I think i'm going to make another appointment for next week to have my aching back and shoulders done too!

Love, Tor xx

Fabfrocks reviews: the fish pedicure

Thursday's deal from Wahanda was a half price fish pedicure (just £9) and having read so much about them via twitter, I decided I had to give it a go! A fish pedicure is a pedicure with a difference: you dip your feet into a tank full of garra rufa (or doctor) fish, who suck away all your dead hard skin. For those of you worrying about losing more than you expected (a toe perhaps!) they only consume the affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving the healthy skin to grow.

My experience was disappointing: I went to Wanda Fish in Camden, which was a very basic establishment, rather than the salon I was expecting. I was very cautious when I dipped my feet into the big tub of fish, but aside from about a minute of weirdness, it didn't feel uncomfortable at all: in fact it just felt like having your feet in a bubble spa. The sensation was really gentle and soothing. The water was tepid, which was great as I expected it to be cold, but apparently garra rufa are warm water fish.

The problem with fish is that unlike a therapist, you can't tell them to concentrate on your problem areas: the fish seemed to enjoy the tops of my feet, which didn't need any work, and left the soles of my feet alone. I also didn't think there were enough fish in each tank, and that may have affected the performance: other salons say they have between 150-200 fish per tank, but I would estimate that there were only around 50 in mine. So although this had no real affect on my feet, it could be that the experience is better in other locations. I think this kind of treatment would work best in conjunction with a therapist as well, which this salon didn't offer: after my half an hour with the fish I would've liked the rest of the hard skin removed from my feet and my nails painted, which you get with a normal pedi, but don't get with a fish one.

I'm glad I tried it, and it was definitely worth giving it a go, for the experience if nothing else. But sadly it hasn't made any real difference to my feet, and i'm still going to have to go for a proper pedicure to remove the hard skin on my heels, and for a shape and polish.

Love, Tor xx

Skip the coffee, buy a manicure!!

I get excited every morning when my Wahanda newsletter arrives in my inbox (yes, I am that sad!) But, you know, what's not to get excited about? This website has revolutionised my (previously barely existant) salon life: You can get your hair cut for less than half the price, spa days for less than the cost of a lunch date, and I am seriously holding out for a teeth whitening one in time for the wedding...

....But today I had to snap the deal up before they realised they'd made a mistake! Any £20 beauty treatment for just £2!? That means a beauty treatment for less than a latte, a sandwich, or the standard tube fair home! I got the London deal, but it is also available in Birmingham, Manchester, or Leeds. In London, £2 will get you one of the following: a manicure, a pedicure,
eyebrow/eyelash tint, and a whole load of waxing!

And if you want a treatment that's a little more expensive? Well then you can have it, and pay the difference! I'm going for the 30 minute city pedicure: a nice treat for my seriously neglected tootsies. You can only buy the deal today though, so time is of the essence. Give up that extra coffee from Starbucks (you really don't need it anyway!) and get pampered instead!

Love, Tor xxx

The power of false lashes....

You will never know what a difference false lashes make to your eyes until you see yourself with one eye done and one eye undone: the contrast is so dramatic! Half way through putting my slap on I couldn't believe what a difference the new lashes made, and I just had to share.

These are the get gorgeous feather lashes from get lashed, and they cost £11, which I don't think is too bad. Get lashed have lash bars in House of Fraser stores all over the country and the professionals will put your lashes on for you, included in the price of the lashes. I bought mine and had them put on a couple of months ago, and loved them, but haven't worn them since, as they're really heavy. If you keep them in the get lashed box, which they come with, then you can take them back instore and have them applied by the experts as many times as you like, making the cost even more reasonable. But I didn't have time to go to HOF so I bungled my way through it at home: and i'm glad I did, as seeing them as a work in progress really made me appreciate how good they look!

Sorry that this is just a short, a slightly vapid post: I'm having a really busy weekend, but really wanted to share my exciting lash find!

Love, Tor xx

KAO Competition for my American friends

So, last week when I posted the UK-only reebok competition, I promised you guys that I would post a giveaway for my American friends. However I don't often work with American brands. So when I was invited to post about this one, I decided to share: This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of KAO Brands. All opinions are 100% mine.

KAO brands (who I hadn't actually heard of until today!) own Jergens and John Frieda, amongst loads of others. (Curél, Bioré, Ban, Guhl) These are the two of their brands I have actually used though - where would any of us be without frizz ease?! They have set up a new microsite called Temptation is Beautiful. Basically, all you have to do is visit the site and enter your email address for a chance to win a weekend of temptation in Las Vegas with three friends. Plus, you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win today's daily beauty basket prize. (I think it's probably more realistic to think you will win one of these, but you never know!)

For a corporate micro-site the website is pretty cool (believe me, i've seen a lot of awful ones!) As well as the competition, there is a temptation quiz where you can decide your temptation level. I know it's childish, but I love stupid quizzes, and I get really excited when I get a good score. Plus when else do I get told i'm hot, hot, hot:

It's a bit ad-heavy for my tastes but I find that on a lot of American websites. And the quiz masters accent drove me crazy but maybe that's just because i'm not used to it! So why don't you give it a go? You might win a prize or at the very least you can tell me how hot (or not!) you are. Or that you despised the computerized sex kittens accent too!

This is the first sponsored post I have ever written, and I opted to try it because there was a prize for you guys involved (and a promise is a promise!) If you don't like sponsored posts please let me know, as it will help me make a decision about whether or not to write another.

Love, Tor xx

Bathtime: My favourite treat!

When I got home this evening I indulged myself in my favourite treat: a long soak in a steaming hot bath with a magazine. Heaven! But it got me thinking about how many products we smother ourselves in after every bath and how we all have our favourites: like most people it has taken a lot of trial and error to find the perfect routine and the products I love most, so I thought I would share the products I use:

I wash and condition my hair with Mark Hill Lighter Brighter Blonde, which I swear by. It smells incredible and leaves my hair glistening and super soft. As an aside I also use Mark Hill straightening balm and John Frieda full blown blonde root lifting spray to style my hair.

I have really dry skin so I scrub myself with Soap and Glory Flake away every other day. I then use a Skin so Soft (from Avon) creme gel for general cleansing. For my face I use a Soap and Glory face scrub, Clean on me cleansing milk and then Ponds cold cream (I know it's old school but I love the way it feels!)

Post-bath I have almost a different product for every part of my body: Soap and Glory Slimwear for my thighs, Girlglo body mist for my torso, and Elemis pro collegen body serum on my arms and decolletage.

I am increasingly aware of the need to look after my feet so I use the escenti softening foot lotion and Oriflame reviving foot spray. My mum has always impressed on me the importance of taking care of my hands so I scrub them weekly with No 7 Revitalising hand saviour scrub, and I use an Aveeno hand cream every day.

I know there's a lot of Soap and Glory on this list but I don't want you to think they sponsor me: I just really love the way their products smell! What's your routine? Are there any products that aren't on my list that you would recommend I try?

Love, Tor xx

Fabfrocks reviews: Aveeno handcream

Since I had my operation I have been extra fastidious about taking care of my hands; they were already covered in little nicks and scars from fencing as a teenager, and I rub bio oil into my op scar as often as I remember, then I use hand cream to keep them soft as babies.

The one i'm using at the minute is the Aveeno (http://www.aveeno.co.uk/) handcream with oatmeal. Luckily though it doesn't smell of oatmeal: it smells quite sweet! It forms what they call on the label a "protective glove" and basically this means that your hands stay soft and mosturised all day; even if you wash them (but not after a bath or shower!) .

The cream is recommended for dry hands (which I have) but I don't think i'm alone: who doesn't get dry hands in the winter?

This picture was supposed to show you the consistency: it's quite thick but pliable and rubs in fairly instantly. As you can tell I slather on loads, but you probably only really need half this much!

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I remember once being told that you can tell a "real lady" by her hands. I hope this isn't true because mine are a mess, but I do try to keep them as soft as I can; there's nothing worse than shaking hands with someone who has dry calloused palms, and i'd hate someone to think that about me!

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Love, Tor xx
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PS - Happy birthday to my 'lil sis: 24 today!! (Don't worry: I'm not going to go all sea of shoes on her and post lots of pictures of her as a kid!)

Pop! Pop! (up store)

Pop up stores are popping up (see what I did there?) everywhere, but this is the first time i've heard of a beauty pop up store. Skincare brand RoC are opening up a pop up store in 18 Maddox Street, Mayfair tomorrow.

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Visitors to the boutique, open from 11am to 7pm, will get to sample the new RoC© Wrinkle Correxion range before it hits the shops in October 2009 and will also have a chance to receive a free skin analysis and personal RoC product recommendation, enjoy a 10 minute mini-facial with the new RoC ranges, participate in make-up masterclasses with Ruby Hammer at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 and receive free RoC samples!!

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As you know I love pampering my skin and getting stuff for free, so I will definitely be popping down (I just cant stop can I!?) to check it out! What better why to prepare your skin before the weekend!?

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I am heading to Norwich this weekend to visit the fabulous (and soon to be famous performance artist, just so you know!) Miss Becky Wigmore. I will be baking her a cake and descending on her armed with birthday gifts. And hopefully, thanks to RoC, I will be doing it with skin that glows like the sun! Pop down and check it out tomorrow, or if you don't/can't get there I will be reporting back tomorrow night!

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Love, Tor xx

Boredom is....

...sitting in bed painting your nails over and over in a series of intricate patterns, because you have nothing better to do! The swine flu is almost over, and hopefully I will be back to work tomorrow!

God I have gross toes! However, as you can see, my favourite nail varnish producer of choice is Barry M: the colours are amazing, and although it almost always takes two coats it dries quick, you get a great glossy finish, and it lasts for ages! Oh, and I found out a couple of days ago that the Barry M factory is in Mill Hill, just a couple of miles from my house; small world!! I am also slightly in love with my new pink nail art pen; i'm not sure i'll ever wear patterned nails out of the house (it seems a tad too trashy for me!) but it sure has killed the hours over the past couple of days!

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Love, Tor xx
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PS - Don't forget to check out my competition for your chance to win a gorgeous Mink Pink dress!

Feeling Beautiful

This is the first beauty post I’ve written on this here blog, because if I sometimes feel like I don’t know much about fashion, I know I know even less about beauty! But I felt compelled to say something, because, without sounding really advertorial (which I hate!) my boyfriend, god bless him, brought me a fab gift on Saturday whilst we were out shopping for new electric toothbrushes (it’s a glam life isn’t it?) Basically it’s a A4 sized palette full of eyeshadows.

Here’s the blurb from the Boots website, because they say it as well as I could:

“Front Cover Rainbow Eyes has all you need to create amazing eyes. With expert instructions to show how you can dare to wear any shade. Includes:-
25 eye colours
Solvent that turns eyeshadows into eye liners
2 double ended eye brushes”

So why is this such a good thing, I hear you asking. Its just eye make up right? Well this is where you’re wrong! See, I have a series of strict eye make up criteria, which means that my eyeliner and eyeshadows (including the crazy glitter stick I bought on a whim) are from urban decay. It’s the only stuff I’d ever found that I could put on at 7 in the morning and it would stay on all day and night (and id still look like a drunken version of my glamourous self at 3 in the morning!) Brightside this may be, but at more than £10 per colour, I only own three (black, blue and green, in case you wondered!)

Five days into the “Rainbow eyes” experience then, and I’m a convert. This week the palette is half off at £15 from boots (which, a quick google search has shown, is the only place you can buy it) That means each colour only costs 60p!! They last all day and you can literally try anything that takes your fancy.

On Sunday night whilst playing like schoolgirls my sister and I experimented with a jungle theme (every shade of green you could imagine) nu rave (acid pinks and yellows) and what my sister called the unicorn (whites and pinks and, finally a brown horn splaying halfway up my forehead!)

Today I’m sporting what the ‘how to’ instructions call the wow factor; electric blue eyes that I know will look as good in the pub tonight as they do today. Result!!

Basically, this pallette means you can try anything. Like the gothic black eyes everyone is saying are 'hot' this year, or these fabulous colourful 'eye-deas' I found on flickr this morning and am eager to try to replicate tonight!

So this is what I think about eye make up; sorry for the detour from my normal highstreet fayre, but don't worry! Normal fashion service will resume tomorrow!!

Love,
Tor x