Skincare 101

Considering our skin is the largest organ we have on our body, you would think we would be taking the best care we could of it, however, that's not always the case.  In a world where the likes of Botox is something you can get on the high street and facetune is everybody's best friend,  it seems that we are overlooking many of the basic steps we should be taking in order to maintain our natural complexions. Some of the mistakes we are making when it comes to basic skincare routines are so elementary that they barely warrant their own post, however they are still things that many of us are doing wrong. Here are my top five things to avoid in order to maintain our natural skin as opposed to waiting to have to take preventative measures: 

1. Over washing.  It's a well known fact that facial washes strip natural oils from your skin and unbalances the perfect Ph, which in turn can lead to small wrinkles and lines. Instead of using harsh soaps instead choose a cleansing oil that will use the good oils in your skin to help remove the bad ones.  My favourite is the Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleaning Oil, however the brand do a great range for different skin types. 

2. Stick to one product.  Much as with any shampoos and conditioners, you should change your products according to the seasons as your bodies needs change over the year. For example during winter months you should focus on skin hydration and reach for facial serums as the air is drier, where as in the summer you should look to light weight products as the air is more humid.

3. Picking.  It's an open secret that many women like to pick their faces.  What you may not realise, however, is that doing so may completely ruin your skin.  When attacking any blemishes you are actually creating more inflammation underneath which could lead to permanent scars or discolouration.

4. Not wearing sun screen.  I have so many friends who worship the sun and to whom wearing sun screen is an absolute sin.  Whilst they may look lovely and brown what they don't actually realise is the damage that they are doing to their skin.  Our skin is subject to harmful UV Rays all year round, rain or shine and with that kind of exposure, lack of protection can not only lead to melanoma but also wrinkles, sagging skin and brown spots.  Make sure you reach for a moisturiser or foundation with SPF so you don't need to apply too many products to your face - Armani do a great beauty range that all contain SPF.

5. Eating junk food. We all know drinking water helps keep your skin hydrated. But did you also know the benefits other foods can have on your skin? For example Kale is a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients that actually neutralise free radicals from UV Rays that can actually get through sunscreen.  Super foods are called super foods for a reason you know.

Christmas Gift Idea's: Day Five

Something every girls needs for Christmas that she will undoubtedly get from one of the men in her life is perfume, so if your said man, please make sure you choose the right one.  Si is the latest fragrance from Giorgio Armani, 'my tribute to modern femininity, an irresistible combination of grace, strength and independent spirit' according to the man himself.  I won't pretend to be a perfume expert, but this scent is the perfect balance between sweet and musky and more importantly - it lasts all day.

The 54th Grammy Awards : Best Dressed

The night may have had a shadow cast over it with the death of music star Whitney Houston but with the emotional tributes aside, the night really did belong to Adele.

The Rolling In The Deep singer scooped and amazing 6 awards last night and despite being referred too as 'too fat' by the one and only Karl Lagerfeld, looked amazing in her black, full length dress.

Both Rihanna and Katy Perry wowed on stage with two of the best performances the Grammy's have ever seen but both of them toned it down from there usual outfits with these stunning gowns.  Rihanna dared to bare in a low cut Giorgio Armani gown whilst newly divorces Katy Perry opted for something with a little more fabric via this blue Elie Saab gown which seemed to match her newest hair colour.

Both Kelly Rowland and Kelly Osborne opted to go for something more neutral with their embellished gowns.  Kelly O decided to go for the hair colour Katy Perry recently discarded and wore a gorgeous asymmetric Tony Ward Gown whilst X Factor Judge Kelly Rowland wore Alberta Ferretti with a sheer torso that bore an intricate flower embroidery.

The best dresses of the night had to be Carrie Underwood in her backless white Gomez-Garcia dress accessorized perfectly with coiffed hair and diamond drop earrings.

Couture O'Clock

Hot on the heels of the 2012 menswear shows, today see's the beginning of the Spring Summer 2012 Couture shows.  With the official arrival of brands such as Giambattista Valli and Alexis Mabille and the return of the ever in demand Atelier Versace (which we have only seen on the red carpet for the last 7 years) which opens the shows today, the most controversial fashion house of the moment - Christian Dior, will also be showing.

Tuesday will see undoubtedly the biggest names in fashion -such as Chanel, Givenchy and Armani Privé with Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier following up on Wednesday.

Not that these clothes are anywhere close to what us mere mortals could afford, but they sure are nice to look at, and write about, dream about and so on.  With the year the fashion industry has had, this a guaranteed to be a good week.

Giorgio Armani's SS 2012 Ad Campaing

Androgyny was a major theme on the catwalks in September, and if this campaign is anything to go by, it's going be even hotter come the summer (excuse the pun).

Dutch model Milou Van Groesen was cast for the campaign, replacing Sasha Pivovarova, that was shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot and directed by Armani himself.

Advent Calender Wishlist: Day Three

Onto beauty for the third item of my wishlist.  I'm not one for dramatic make up, preferring to look natural.  On a weekend I'll add some smokey eye makeup or lipstick but during the week I prefer to keep my make up as bare as possible.  I couldn't live without my Armani Face Fabric or my Touche Eclat, but one item I've discovered this year that makes me wonder how I lived without it is this Tom Ford Brow Sculptor.

If heaven was an eyebrow pencil, ladies, this would be it.  A little more expensive than a usual make up item admittedly, but definitely worth it.

Payday Purchase

With the current economic climate, we could all benefit from tightening our purse strings a little.  The Outnet is without a doubt one of the best online fashion outlets around, and with free shipping on orders over £150 today, there's really not any excuse to get your fingers on those keyboards and get ordering.
Today there is even up to 75% off of Valentino, so spending that £150 to get your free shipping wont be hard.

These studded leather and lace pumps are perfect for this next month, wear them with a simple LBD and go from day at the office to office party in seconds by applying a quick lash of red lipstick (I recommend Armani's Sheer Lipstick in shade 34).