Wednesday, November 24, 2010

fly by the seat of your pants

I have a kind of love hate relationship with trans Atlantic journeys, I love how it is suddenly completely acceptable to sit and stare at the tv in some kind vegetated state watching movies you would never pay to see, I hate of being served 'food' that has been reheated and drugged with preservatives to prevent the ecoil hitting ones system whilst still air borne, I love knowing that despite waking up in London ill be going to sleep in Los Angeles, I hate knowing that the oxygen is turned waaay down-making my head ache with drowsiness and my skin crawl with bacteria...I love my steps I take in preventing my new reality from becoming some sort of jet laaged nightmare where you have aged a 100 years, ache form head to toe and will not be participating in any holiday romances and not by choice......

Take notes beauties:

STEP ONE... amidst the chaos of packing finding your passport apply "Bliss triple oxygen instant        energizing mask"...Instyle's best beauty buy of 2010...its a miracle worker...it replicated their inspa treatment, which im a huge fan of and was so happy when they bottled the stuff!! It delivers oxygen into the skin brightening, refreshing with serious antioxidants and vitamin C...
    STEP TWO...i pack a little goodie bag full of health snacks for in the departure lounge and on board to avoid astronomical priced crappy food that well is just miserable....To avoid the bloat but fill the hole I opt for Rye bread with raw almond spread or goats cheese along with some raw carrots to munch...and for on board I LOVE health bars in particular...GREENS  I love their chocolate energy bars packed full of superfoods..avail online or at health food stores...also I love The Food Doctor ..basically make sure there are organic, raw, no sugar and preferable cold pressed..yummy!! 

    STEP THREE....A Homeopathic remedy for Jet lag is essential to feeling good and helping your body to adjust...take through out your journey.. I love "No Jet Lag" avail at wholefoods and online-also love Boiron's remedies widely avail and if you can't get a blend I highly recommend Arnica as it stops the body from feeling sore and achy.

    • STRETCH!!!!..Get up move around, do some yoga...yes I'm that girl!!!!
    • AVOID Caffeine all day and on board it dehydrates and doesn't allow you to nod off...
    • AVOID Alcohol- kill joy i know but that sleep deprived dehydrated headache will only get worse.
    • SLEEP...try and get 4 hrs sleep....take a homeopathic remedy to help lull you....and try to lie back not curl up into some body crunching position that will be a stiff reminder of your time in the air..

    Finally....drink water before during and after your flight...but on landing I add a little bit of magic, making my water 'wetter' and allowing for maximum absorption helping my body to recover.."energetixs ReHydration tinture" is amazing you really feel the difference and see the difference in your face...avail at major health stores..











    To adjust really try to fit in with your new time zone, change your watch immediately, eat at meal times and try to stay up and rise at a normal hour....


    There you have it....who needs to travel Upper!!!!

    Thursday, November 11, 2010

    AESOP



    ‘As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.’ Carl Jung 


    'You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.' Mae West


    Some how I feel safe in the hands of those quoting from the likes of Mae West and Carl Jung, the poetic philosophical approach to beauty definitely agrees with my constitution.
     

    Skin Aesop, Lip Mac Odyssey, Scarf Ted Baker, Coat Urban Outfitters
    Australian founded line "AESOP" named after an ancient Greek story teller mostly famous for his moralistic fables, is a botanical based skin care line that for me ticks all the boxes....beautifully packaged, completely free of any nastiest including perfumes and silicone each product is an absolute smell-sensation....

    It was the perfect Sunday, the sun was shinning, the air smelt of bonfire-welling up sentimental thoughts of mittens and sparklers and lets be honest I was a happy girl as now my November RayBand purchase was completely justified in my mind....but just as I thought my day couldn't get any better as the sun was setting on Notting Hill, I had just finished a 3 month intense shoot and I had spent a constructive afternoon gossiping with my sister over cappuccinos at electric house, I stumbled into Aesop possibly the cutest shop on Westbourne Grove filled to the brim with old world apothecary charm.....the rows of brown glass bottles are enough to satisfy any hipster's bathroom cabinet...or mantelpiece as I personally can't get enough of their packaging!

    The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable-we discussed what would be the best products for my skin, which is combination and can clog easily....after what seem like hours of deliberating I opted for:



    Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream, (60ml £23.00)a daily moisturizing cream for normal to oily and combination skin types, I am very happy with this product- it is matt and fresh, the Mandarin Orange feels like sunshine in a jar...the hazel base to this product combined with the citrus gives the cream an antibacterial quality that feels non greasy and is easily absorbed...
    With the harsh winter chill in the air and central heating blasting I decided my skin needed a double whammy and as advised I doubled up my hydration by firstly applying  Oil Free Facial Hydrating Serum (100ml £33.00) which for very oily skin is perfect for wearing alone as the the clear aloe vera based hydrating gel is completely oil free and clean feeling....this product for me is a winner not only because of the to-die-for smell of ylang ylang, which takes me right back to a trip I took to Thailand visiting every spa possible, but the non sticky serum package full of anti-oxidants left my skin plump with hydration.

    "This clarifying masque should be used weekly, or more often on oily skins, and is an excellent refresher for clogged or abused skin. The superb base of French Clay and concentrated Vitamin E is enhanced with softening and anti- oxidant plant actives and is wonderfully balancing on patchy skin. Follow with three drops of Damascan Rose Facial Treatment." Aesop.
    Probably my favorite product, it was my first product in this line and it was given to me by a fellow actress who said it was an absolute life saver, as you can imagine an actresses skin is constantly subjected to hot lights, make-up, long hours and on Bedlam seriously dusty grimy sets!...this masque has been my loyal companion over the last 3 months and  have used it up to 3 times a week to absorb away the days grime...


    The lovely lady in the Aesop shop gave me a bunch of samples to try and I will definitely be going back for more.. the B triple C Balancing Gel a little pricey at £58.00..but this powerful gel is a potent cocktail of vitamins C and B and anit-oxidants that hydrates and balances skin tone and calms inflammation. Their Parsley seed anti-oxidant eye serum infused with lavender stem and blue chamomile is de-puffing and be-bagging like a dream....

    I can hear the words of our Ancient Greek story teller Aesop echoing in my ears...

    "Once upon a time there was a girl, in search of perfect skin, she searched high and low through valley and fold until one day, like a sailor staring at the cloudy night sky, a star broke through and showed her the way...."

    ...Aesop shine on and lead the way....




     


    Friday, November 5, 2010

    giveaway....




    Inspired by the lovely Ashley Madekwe I have decided to do a lipstick give away for all you Jean wearing Queens....here is your chance to win your very own perfect everyday shade as a talked about favorite in my "Read my Lips" post- the creamy, long lasting, effortless and easy to wear shade could find its self in your makeup bag...'JEAN QUEEN' by the Lipstick Queen...
    See below the snaps of me (Jean Queen lips ofcorse) and leave a comment and your email and ill pick the winner at random and get your lippy sent out to you!!






    In the words of Elton John...