Trial Tuesday- Li Lash & Li Brow

One of my clients has been using Li Lash for a couple years and has beautiful Bambi eyes. After researching further I found Li Lash in Scottsdale, Arizona USA! 

Today our supply of Li Lash (£53.95 each) landed at Orchids Retreat! So our trial begins of Li Lash and Li Brow! 

The beginning of our trial, we will post weekly updates. 

Regular Li Lash user after an eyelash perm and tint. Amazing results!! 

Wedding Wednesday- dresses for sale

One of my clients is selling her dresses if anyone is interested in a pre-loved wedding dress and unworn gown. 'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

This dress is designed by Suzanne Neville in an ivory silk, size 10 with alterations. The original price was £2400, but the Bride is asking £500. 

This is the website to show the dress without the lace bolero. https://dragonflycontemporarydesigns.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/copy-of-martaize_01_015-1000.jpg

The second dress up for grabs is an Alfred Angelo (one of my favourite designers- I have several dresses and they all are well made classics!) This one was £275 new and as it's not even been worn £100 is a bargain price. It works well as a simple wedding dress, ball gown or as a bridesmaid dress. This is a size 10, ivory chiffon dress bought originally as a wedding dress and then the Bride found 'the one'! 

'It's really pretty and feels good on. I was going to wear it with a jacket. Also a small brooch works well slightly positioned on side where pleats meet on the bust'-Bride to Be 

If you are interested in either of these dresses please contact Jo 07779296865 

Suncare Sunday- sun exposure and skin ageing

Makeup Monday- look in a box

Off on holiday, quick business trip or city break this MAC 'look in a box' has everything you need for a day or evening make-up application. It comes equipped with a duo brush for eyeshadow contouring and lipstick application. It has a nude lipstick, which is perfect for a softer daytime makeup or a brighter coral for an evening. All you need to add is a mascara, eyelash curler, couple extra brushes and a tinted moisturiser! 

This face kit comes in two different colour tones- this one is 'all about beige' which suits those who suit more Spring or Autumn colours. It contains a blusher, bronzer, light eyeshadows for daytime or contouring and darker shades to add definition in an evening. I take out the brush and use that slot for an eyeliner- MAC photogravure Technakohl Liner is great in the heat!

To create this look follow these five simple steps: 

1. Apply Dermalogica Ultra Senstive Tint all over the face (after normal cleansing routine) 

2. Use darker shadow to accentuate the brows 

3. Curl lashes and apply eyeliner along lash line 

4. Medium shade all over the eyelid and lightest on the brow bone. 

5. Apply two coats of mascara 

6. Apply lipstick and blush to complete the look! 

Voila! Makeup in a box super easy for travelling and minimalist packing! Enjoy your summer holidays! 

Skincare Saturday- City Skin

Off on a city break this summer? Make sure you look after your skin daily by cleansing to remove all of the pollution, hydrating to prevent premature ageing and fine lines, and protecting it against free radicals. Orchids Retreat also offers a pre-city break facial tailored to protect skin from pollution! 

Whether you work, live or visit a city here are 3 tips to healthy skin: 

1. Cleanse- a deep cleanse is important to remove all impurities. Using a double cleansing routine such as Dermalogica's Precleanse and another cleanser to suit your skin type will remove all of the dirt and makeup leaving you skin clean. 

2. Hydrate- use a hydrating spray after cleansing and throughout the day so that your moisturiser is easily absorbed and your skin stays hydrated. For dehydrated skin, using Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Booster and Skin Hydrating Mask which contains Hyaluronic acid will give your skin a weeks worth of water with one application. 

3. Protect- wearing a daily moisturiser and spf is a vital part of a daily skincare regime to protect the skin from ultra violet rays and the elements. A broad spectrum spf 30 or above will protect your skin from sundamage. 

Feature Friday- hydrate your skin in the heat

Hyaluronic Acid is a widely marketed ingredient in moisturizers, masques, boosters and serums because it is known for it's powerful hydrating properties as it holds 1,000 times its weight in water. 

Sodium Hyaluronate (SH) is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid that helps to retain the moisture levels in skin tissue. There is a further researched ingredient called Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer (SHC) that retains 5 times more water than normal SH which increases the skins moisture giving it a weeks worth of hydration in one application. It also naturally fights free radicals to help prevent cell damage and skin ageing. This unique cross-linked ingredient traps moisture to deliver time-released hydration which improves skin elasticity and suppleness. 

Only three of Dermalogica's products contain the SHC cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid which give the skin 5,000 times its weight in water. Skin Hydrating Masque £32.50, Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum £36.90 and Sheer Tint SPF 20 £34.80. 

I've listed below the other products in the Dermalogica range that have Hyaluronic Acid in them, as you can see it plays a big role in their ingredients and there is at least one product in each range that contains this special ingredient holding 1,000 times its weight in water. 

Skin Hydrating Booster £52.20 

Daily Resurfacer £70.60 

After Sun Repair £29.90 

MAP-15 Regenerator £73.20

Lip Renewal Complex £24.40 

Overnight Clearing Gel £41.30

Pure Light SPF50 56.40

UltraCalming Serum Concentrate £52.60

Super Sensitive Shield SPF30 £39.00

Ultrarich Body Cream £39.50

Soothing Shave Cream £19.90

Invigorating Shave Gel £18.60 

In a daily environment that has factors that are zapping moisture from your skin- heaters, air conditioning, sunshine, etc it's important to rehydrate through water consumption and product application. Quench your skins thirst with this amazing ingredient daily to prevent dehydration, premature ageing and fine lines! 

Wedding Wednesday- Beautiful body skincare

Another highlight for Dermalogica! The Body Hydrating Cream has been featured in Perfect Wedding magazine.

"This is great value as there's so much of it!  It instantly improves the appearance of my skin, so it's great to use just before you head out the door!" 

That's one way of using this body cream, it can also be used fresh out of the shower, as a hand cream, after swimming to rehydrate the skin, and as a top up throughout the day if you're in a drier climate. 

This body cream is a non-greasy emulsion that is quickly absorbed into the skin, botanical oils that helps to smooth and soften the skin leaving the skin feeling hydrated and revitalised. It comes in three sizes, a 75 ml travel size perfect for a holiday or handbag, a 250 ml pump container for easy storage, or for the Body Hydrating Cream lovers a 473 ml pump bottle for great for daily use!