The End... of this path

Hello all,

Just to let you know that you can now find The Beauty Scoop at Tumblr - an easier and faster way for me to update my blog on the go.

I hope you'll join me at http://beauty-scoop.tumblr.com/

See you there and thank you for all the support and kindness you've shown me thus far on Blogger and Twitter. x

Katie Holmes For John Frieda

Katie Holmes stars in "The Decision", a short film to showcase the new John Frieda Precision Foam Colour.

The film is "is a vivid depiction of a universal experience with which nearly every woman can identify: Is cheating on your colourist really worth the risk? "

I love this concept because we've all been there. Whether this foam will make me change my mind and opt to home-dye my hair is yet to be seen.

Until then, enjoy the film.

Also check out the John Frieda facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/JohnFriedaUK

Kate Moss: Dior Ad In Full

What is it with lipstick commercials this week?!

Here's Kate Moss' Dior lipstick ad in full.

I only wish it was longer.

Kate Winslet For Lancome

Here's Brit darling Kate Winslet in all her glory for her latest Lancome mission, a lipstick range by the name of Absolu Nu.

Enjoy.

Gwen's Gym Regime

Gwen Stefani has one of the best bodies in show business. And, now I know why - she works out.

She told British ELLE magazine: "I work out five days a week, I can't imagine not doing it,"

"I'd like to have no rules and eat what I want, but I've learned over the years that I'm so disappointed when I can't wear the clothes I want to wear.

"And if I let myself down, appear on stage when I'm not looking my best, it's not fun for me. I just beat myself up about it."

I hear you, Gwen. Now, if only I could replicate your willpower and discipline.

Blake For Chanel

Everyone's favourite Gossip Girl (sorry, Leighton, I like you too), Blake Lively's debut Chanel ad is here - in all its glory.

Blake is the face of Chanel Mademoiselle handbags.

I love it - and I want one of those damn bags.

xoxo

Scent Of A (Diptyque) Store

To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Diptyque has launched a perfume capturing the scent of its first boutique situated on 34 Boulevard Saint Germain in Paris (a must-visit if you happen to be in the city of love).

The scent actually captures the aroma of the store itself (using snazzy Headspace technology) and features notes such as blackcurrant, fig leaves, pink pepper, citrus, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, rose, geranium, iris, tuberose, violet, woods, and balsamic notes.

The delicious blend also comes in candle and room spray formats but, best of all, a Scented Oval - a waxy, perfumed block that you can hang in your wardrobe to ensure you're always smelling at your fragrant best.

Katy Perry For GHD

Pop princess Katy Perry has signed a deal to be the global ambassador of British hair styling brand GHD. The I Kissed A Girl singer will promote a new line of products and hair straigtheners.

The new campaign has been shot by renowned photographer David LaChapelle.

GHD will also act as Katy's internationl tour sponsor for her Clifornia Dreams world tour which begins imminently.

Katy said: "I'm so excited to be working with ghd, especially using their tools on my 'California Dreams' tour to get me stage ready. ghd products have a reputation of being the best products in the biz, and I like being associated with that. I'm very excited to reveal the styles I did with legendary David LaChapelle in the upcoming ghd campaign. Keep your eyes peeled for it!"

Paul Stoneham, ghd Chief Executive Officer, said: "Katy is the epitome of modern fashion and styling. Her unique, ever changing looks are the envy of style devotees around the world. Katy completely embodies ghd's spirit of female transformation and empowerment, as she is seen as a cutting edge style icon unafraid to push fashion and beauty boundaries. Sassy, stylish and sexy, Katy is the perfect partner for ghd."

Can't wait to see those ads.

Leiber For Less

Handbag queen Judith Leiber is set to target a new market with the launch of Overture by Judith Leiber, a less expensive collection for those of us who hanker after such fine goods but simply cannot afford the hefty price tags.

The 15-piece collection will be sold in upscale department stores and Judith Leiber boutiques in autumn of 2011 with prices starting at $200 (up to $700).

Abe Chehebar, chairman and ceo of Accessory Network Group (JL's licensee), said: "This is all about expanding the horizons of Judith Leiber and enabling a wider audience to be able to own a piece of Judith Leiber."

Kirsten For Bulgari

As I mentioned on Twitter earlier this month, Kirsten Dunst is the face of Bulgari's latest scent, Mon Jasmine Noir, and here is the picture that the brand hopes will shift a hefty amount of bottles.

That lion doesn't look too happy - maybe he's desperate to get a sniff of what's inside that bottle Kirsten's got my mitts wrapped around?

The ad campaign was shot by renowned fashion snappers Mert & Marcus.

Must-Have

It's almost time for The Beauty Scoop's yearly NYC trip (I'm hoping to make it more regular/permanent one day) and, of course, the shopping list is slowly but surely becoming larger by the hour.

Aside from the usual trips to Duane Reade and all the other US stores that now seem to be in London (this annoys me, for some reason) I'll also be popping into Kate Spade to pick me up this laptop sleeve, the perfect accessory for someone who likes to add a little bit of happy into their working life.

Keyboard Laptop Case

$60 (approx £40)

www.katespade.com

Kelly Osbourne: The Material Girl

Kelly Osbourne has been confirmed as the new face of Madonna and her daughter Lourdes' fashion line, Material Girl.

Taylor Momsen was the first famous face of the brand, lasting a mere six months in the promo role.

A spokesperson for the Material Girl brand said today: "We've had a long time crush on Kelly and featured her as one of our 'cool peeps' over the summer. We are so thrilled."

And Kelly seems equally enamoured by her new employers: "To be thought of as an inspiration in that way is brilliant. I hope little girls look up to Lourdes because she doesn't dress too grown up and she always looks so stylish."

Congrats, Kelly.

Beauty Must-Have

Ring in the Chinese New Year (3rd February) in style by lighting an exquisite Litchi candle from Carrière Frères Industries, a French candle maker that was founded in 1884 by two forward-thinking entrepreneurial brothers.

The candles are "a collection of 'soliflore scents', inspired by exotic or indigenous oils, and reminiscent of the romantic ‘language of flowers’." The products themselves are said to conjure up the scent of the old-fashioned Parisian flower markets of Les Halles, when particularly rare and exotic flowers were shipped in from across the globe.

And the Litchi candle doesn't disappoint - it's a fruity, sweet scent with spicy undertones, and will create the perfect atmosphere if you burn it before your guests arrive for a dinner party.

All of Carrière Frères' candles are made from 100% vegetable-based wax which makes for a clean, slow burning product. Ideal for the candle addicts amongst us.

Carrière Frères Industries Litchi Sinensis (Chinese Litchi) Candle - £30.00
www.united-perfumes.com
And from Space NK stores nationwide

Get Thin: The Uncle Karl Way

In 2001, Karl Lagerfeld, head designer and creative director for Chanel, decided to make a change. He decided to lose weight - and boy did he stick to it. He dropped a staggering 92 pounds in 13 months.

The inspiration? Karl said: "I suddenly wanted to dress differently, to wear clothes designed by Hedi Slimane. But these fashions, modelled by very, very slim boys - and not men my age - required me to lose at least 40 kg. It took me exactly thirteen months."

The Karl Lagerfeld Diet was created specially for Lagerfeld by Dr. Jean-Claude Houdret, a nutrional specialist. Together they compiled a plan that would work for the hectic lifestyle of an international, globe-trotting fashion mogul - and they later released this book so mere mortals could attempt his feat.

The diet is as such: the basic principles are simple and involve limiting calorie and fat intake, avoiding refined/ fried foods, and increasing the intake of lean proteins and vegetables.

Sounds like common sense, non?

As it's still the month of January, and the month of diet and life resolutions, The Beauty Scoop might just give it a whirl.

Fashion and diets, eh? Who'd have thunk it?!

All hail Karl.

The Karl Lagerfeld Diet

From £5
www.amazon.co.uk

Make-Up Must-Have

The Beauty Scoop loves a good palette - all your favourite products and shades in one lovely little place.

Look healthy and glowing with a helping hand from Bobbi Brown or, more specifically, the Pretty Face Palette. Forming part of the Pretty Powerful collection, this palette is ideal for those with fair to medium complexions. Adorned with four wearable light pinks and brown shades for the eyes, soft pink blusher and a zingy pop of pink for the lips, this little box of treats is the perfect work-to-wherever essential. Look pretty but not overdone for day, and feel safe in the knowledge that you can ramp up the glam if you get a last-minute evening invite.

As Bobbi says: "I've always loved a natural look but that doesn't have to mean nude colour."

Too true, Mrs Brown, too true.

The shades featured are:
Ivory eyeshadow, pink chiffon shimmer wash eyeshadow, pink flannel eyeshadow & chocolate caviar eyeshadow
Pretty pink blush
Soiree pink glitter lipgloss, bubble bath lipgloss & sandwash pink lip colour.

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Pretty Face Palette
£42.00
www.bobbibrown.co.uk

Lust-Have

I'm dying to strut my stuff in this metallic bronze gold pleated leather skirt by House Of Holland. Fun and flirty with bags of attitude, this skirt is the jewel in the crown of Henry's collection this season.

Ger ready to stand out.

£440

www.brownsfashion.com

Heidi's Fragrance Deal

Supermodel Heidi Klum has signed a fragrance deal with Coty Beauty.

The scent, called Shine, will be on counter in September.

Steve Mormoris, senior vice president of global marketing for Coty Beauty said: "Heidi has a unique position in the market. She is not just a supermodel or a celebrity, she is also a businesswoman. She is very multifaceted - we plan to create a fragrance which celebrates all of those facets."

And we look forward to it, Steve.

Rafa: Part Deux

Here's a second picture from Rafael Nadal's Armani campaign.

Hubba, hubba,

Obviously, it was of paramount editorial importance that The Beauty Scoop brought you this breaking fashion news!

Yep, conscious is clean as a whistle.

Detox Distraction

Detoxing seriously sucks - especially when it's cold and miserable outside and all you want to do is open a good bottle of wine to wind down after a hectic as hell day at the office.

Something that has cheered the miserable Beauty Scoop up over the past days is Arbonne's Foaming Sea Salt Scrub (part of their detox range), which was sent to me to try by the kind people at Arbonne who had been following my cold turkey moanings on Twitter.

The scrub is a twice or thrice weekly treat for your winter-worn skin. Lathering the product into a nice foam, it really got to work on buffing my dry, tired skin - and, thanks to its uplifting scent, I felt alive and revitalised.

My insides are feeling pretty cleansed and now my outside looks pretty damn good too.

My body's going to be a temple of saintliness in no time.

£24

www.arbonneinternational.co.uk

Lust-Have

A chic scarf can lift an outfit from drab to fab in a New York minute.

This Jonathan Saunders printed silk-chiffon scarf is the perfect finishing touch to a simple LBD for the office or to lift a classic jeans/white T-shirt/blazer combo at the weekend.

At 75% off, it'd be rude not to.

Jonathan Saunders printed silk-chiffon scarf
Original price £285, now £85.50
www.theoutnet.com

Rafa's Armani Ad

The Beauty Scoop previously reported that Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal had landed a deal with Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans - and here's the ad for the spring line.

Hot to trot, non?

Megan Fox is the female star of the campaign, but BS couldn't face looking at her amazing body for longer than five seconds so that is why she does not appear here.

Diptyque Roseros

Designed to be given as a Valentine's Day gift to your loved one, Diptyque's limited edition candle duo, Roseros, is almost too nice to part with.

The first candle in the duo is called Rose, which is a blend of Egyptian basil essence, blackcurrant, violet and Piaget rose.

The second is called Eros and is a blend of Myrrh essence, laos benzion, Peru balm, cedar, sandalwood and Rugosa rose.

The Beauty Scoop can image a scene of a hot bath, strewn rose petals, chilled Veuve and the heady scent of Diptyque filtering seductively through the house.

The candle artwork was created by design duo Kuntzel and Deygas, who worked on the Beauty & The Beast Diptyque line in 2009.

Buy now and regret parting with them on February 14th.

£55 for a pair
Available now

Kim Cattrall For Olay

Kim Cattrall, known for ageing disgracefully (whilst still looking fabulous) as Samantha Jones in Sex And The City, is the new face of Olay brand's anti-ageing line of Total Effects body products.

Kim, 54, (yes, can you believe it?!) looks firm, youthful and glowing in the new ads, seen above.

Who says ageing has to be ugly?

Golden Globes: Scoop Style

The annual Golden Globes took place in LA last night and boy did some of our A-list favourites completely kill it on the red carpet... in a good way, obviously.

Here's The Beauty Scoop's top five red-carpet darlings.

Catherine Zeta-Jones in Monique Lhuillier

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Eva Longoria in Zac Posen

Leighton Meester in Burberry Prorsum

Mila Kunis in Vera Wang

Lust-Have

The perfect Sunday morning attire? The Beauty Scoop thinks so.

Indian-born designer Ashish Gupta returns to Topshop for S/S 2011 with his usual exuberant, playful style, this time his love of fast food being his inspiration: "The inspiration was very easy - I love junk food! I was thinking of what I would like to wear to the gym, and I thought junk food on t-shirts and sweatshirts would be perfect! Perhaps not very motivational but very amusing!"

We're definitely on the same wavelength.

Smiley Face Fry Up Sweat By Ashish

£60.00

www.topshop.com

Burberry Blush Crush

The Beauty Scoop is a big fan of blushers. In fact, it is fair to say that a good blusher is often your 'get out of jail free' card in the looks department, particularly after a late night.

Apply a sweep of Burberry's russet-toned blusher to each pale, winter-worn cheek and be ready to face the day.

Winter beauty = done.

Burberry Russet Blush
£28

Kate B Goes Blonde

Wow - it's some change. Brit actress Kate Beckinsale has dyed her hair a dashing shade of peroxide blonde.

While it's a very different look for the LA-based star, The Beauty Scoop thinks it could be a change for the better. There's nothing like a new 'do to refresh your look.

What do you think?

Lara Stone's Calvin Klein Ad

See Lara Stone, or Mrs Walliams if you prefer, in the visual feast that is Calvin Klein's first TV ad for the Calvin Klein Collections line.

David sure did well to pin this gorgeous covergirl down.

The Beauty Spot: Toni Horton

The Beauty Spot gets to know the amazing Toni Horton, owner of Something... the destination in London for quirky, eclectic and beautiful gifts for you and your nearest and dearest.

Why did you decide to set up Something…?
Before I opened the shop I was a Producer and Stylist and I often had to source unique or unusual objects and make them work in a specific setting. I decided to use that experience (and my love of shopping) to set up Something… to create a shopping experience that people could enjoy.

What’s your USP - What sets your store apart?
I think what sets us apart is a mix of products that you can’t find everywhere else, great customer service and a real love of what we do.

How do you decide what products and brands to stock?
I’m not hung up on brand names and would rather stock things that you can’t find everywhere else, so I’m constantly looking for distinctive, individual pieces and quirky designs. Our stock includes luxury beauty products, accessories, homeware, children’s clothes and many other things, so I’m sourcing all the time.

Do you have any celebrity fans of your store?
Something… is popular with a lot of celebrities, but I’m afraid my lips are sealed!

How do you think social media applications like Facebook and Twitter help a business like yours?
We use both Facebook and Twitter as a place to let our customers know about the latest products, offers and promotions that are running and the occasional bit of gossip from the girls at Something… We have a large fan base on both Facebook and Twitter and feel that being able to share photographs of products and insight into what’s going on in the shop really gives customers a chance to get to know what Something… is all about.

What other stores and/or entrepreneurs do you admire?
I really admire people who have a passion and a love for what they do. There are many stores and people that I find inspirational, but I guess one of the people I should mention is Paul Smith. Although his company is now a global brand, his constant passion, attention to detail and just sheer genius ensures that each of his stores has its own identity and feels like an independent boutique.

How would you like to see your business offering grow?
In the short term, we are very excited to have been offered the opportunity to open a series of pop-up shops in the City, with the first one opening in March. We launched our own brand of cashmere last year and so longer term we want to continue to build our own range of products.

Something...
58 Lamb's Conduit Street
London
WC1N 3LW
T: 020 7430 1516
www.something-shop.com

Lust-Have

Finally, a lust-have (three, actually) that's definitely within The Beauty Scoop's reach. The private members' site Cocosa are about to launch an a-mazing Alice By Temperley sale and the prices are jaw-dropping brilliant.

This site is definitely a must-join if you love designer fashion but don't always want to pay the full hefty price tags.

Here's what The Beauty Scoop will be purchasing (in 65 hours time when the sale opens.)

Mara dress (was £440, now £179)

Chara oversized cardigan (was £221, now £89)

Charlie cape (was £440, now £159)

Happy shopping.

www.cocosa.com

Wonder Woman For MAC

A fun makeover for our beauty bags? Yes, please.

Cosmetics just got another humorous update, thanks (again) to MAC. This time, the theme is Wonder Woman and it's certainly bold, playful and very, very bright.

If you like your packaging loud and proud, product names that raise a smile (Obey Me and Mighty Aphrodite among others), all with the MAC make-up know-how thrown in for good measure, then this line is for you.

Gwen Inks Deal With L'Oreal

Gwen Stefani, the No Doubt singer and red lipstick lover, has just signed a deal to be the new face of L'Oreal Paris.

Gwen said: "I can't believe I get to be one of the L'Oréal Paris girls. I love playing dress up, on stage or shooting videos, it's always been one of my favourite parts of being in a band."

Her first assignment for the brand will be for the Infallible Le Rouge Lip Colour, and we've no doubt she'll bring her own unique style to the mix.

It's also refreshing to see a mainstream beauty brand using people over the age of 20 (Gwen is, would you believe it, 41) for promo purposes.

Long may she reign.

Final Destination: Palm Beach

In the winter months, particularly in gloomy Britain, all everyone wants to do is close their eyes and imagine that they're somewhere hot, exotic and fabulous.

Take your little dream scenario one step further by spritzing on the latest fragrance from Michael Kors, Palm Beach. Inspired by the palm trees and sun-drenched beaches, MK's scent captures the pizzazz of this A-list US destination. The scent is "a cocktail sunny brightness" - think pink grapefruit, tangerine and sweet orange juice mixed with jasmine, a dash of rum, black tea, pink pepper and a layer of vanilla.

Michael says: "I have always and will always love Palm Beach. It is the closest thing America has to Capri. I make an annual trip each year to support our resort collection. Palm Beach is one of the few places left on earth where a jewelled bikini is considered a basic."

£42

Available now

Lust-Have

A woman can never have enough bags. Fact.

And that includes clutch bags - even if we do end up asking our husbands/boyfriends to carry our phone and keys because we have half of our make-up bag crammed into its tiny proportions.

But back to the matter at hand - the divine Yves Saint Laurent Belle Du Jour patent-leather clutch. Dark and delicate, this is the perfect date night clutch. And as the peeps at Net-a-Porter say: "Carry it to punctuate a bright-yellow dress, adding platform heels for instant elegance."

Perfection.

£310

www.net-a-porter.com

Caudalie: Reloaded

Ageing comes to us all, unfortunately, but there are things we can do to stop the hands of time messing up our youthful visage entirely.

Aside from regular exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding smoking, a good beauty routine will help you retain most of what you once were (this post is becoming seriously depressing).

A new product to add into your daily cleanse, tone and moisturise regime is Caudalie's Premier Cru Eye Cream (£48.50). Following the success of the face cream back in 2009, the R&D boffins have conjured up an eye product to add to the line.

The highly active ingredients are said to target all signs of ageing around the eye area: wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dehydration, dark circles, dark spots and puffiness. And the addition of pearlised particles means your eye area will glow all day long.

www.caudalie.com

Marc Gets Fresh

Pretty as a picture.

That's the Beauty Scoop's thoughts on Marc Jacobs' latest ad for Daisy Eau So Fresh (cute name).

The US model Hannah Holman is the lucky gal posing with the humongous bottle of the scent.

Jealous - us?

Natalie Nails It For Dior

Natalie Portman appears topless in her first ad for Miss Dior Cherie. The 29-year-old Black Swan actress, although sans outerwear, still manages to keep it effortlessly chic and beautiful.

The ad was shot by Tim Walker, and Portman will appear in the Sofia Coppola directed TV campaign to accompany the print promos.

Lust-Have

When one buys an iPad, one has to buy a suitably chic iPad case to house said shiny new gadget.

The Beauty Scoop case of choice? This Alaïa laser-cut powder pink and coral leather number.

At £470 it's almost as expensive as the techy device it was designed to hold, but you simply can't put a price on enviable glances.

www.net-a-porter.com

Le Labo For Anthropologie

As regular readers of this blog know, The Beauty Scoop loves a collaboration - fashion, beauty, food, design - you name it, we love it. Late last year NYC cult fragrance house Le Labo teamed up with another cult US brand, fashion store Anthropologie, to create five delicious scents housed in the most exquisite, collectable vintage-style amber bottles.

According to Anthropologie, the fragrances go something like this:

Chant De Bois: a spicy scent with a feminine-woodsy combination of bergamot, grapefruit, pink pepper, patchouli and cedar.

Belle Du Soir: spicy, musky and rich. Neroli, water lily and gardenia float above notes of cedar, sandalwood and patchouli.

Orange Discrete: a clean fruity blend of petigrain, bergamot, mandarin zest and orange blossom blended with vetiver, cedar and musk.

Poudre D'Orient: fresh, exotic aromas of violet leaves, patchouli, vanilla and suede musk.

Bouquet Blanc: a heady floral composition of cassis, bergamot, jasmine, tuberose and vetiver.

The Beauty Scoop's absolute favourite is Orange Discrete, but with such beauty on the inside and the outside, it's tempting to collect each and every one.

£44
http://www.anthropologie.eu/page/home

Leighton Meester For Missoni

Leighton Meester has gone up in the world. Just like her Gossip Girl co-star, Blake Lively, the US actress has bagged herself a high-end designer deal - in the form of iconic Italian brand Missoni, which is known for its delicate knits and patterning work.

The ads were shot by fashion snapper Juergen Teller and also features Jasmine Guinness with her daughter and Brit model Jade Parfitt. The shoot is said to have been inspired by the album cover of the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band.

Although Leighton already has contracts with Vera Wang and hair brand Herbal Essences, this new deal cements the ascent of her fashion star.