TrendLife Product-Lover's Blog

Whilst the fashion pack bicker about which is the IT bag for S/S 2012, there’s one bag that, year upon year, rears its ugly head for the beauty throng to contend with.  Perhaps Soft Goth of A/W 2008/2009 and Grunge Glamour of A/W 2010/11 would have been accepting of a dark make-up look to compliment the chiffon, lace, dirty denim and Nirvana-esque style that made these trends a fashion frenzy. Yet, each season the return of the dark purple hue of the under-eye bag has offered only anguish and woe to women; seemingly battle of the bag is battle of the bulge’s better half.

With Paris being one of the world’s most prominent fashion destinations, it’s perhaps apt that a native has a solution to the extra baggage and viscious circles that womanhood worldwide are forced to reckon with.

Pardon me for letting the cat out the bag, but Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer is a blessing to all women who find that their handbag is not the only carrier laden upon their body each day. In fact, even if the cat was still inside the under-eye bag, it could be easily concealed. A moisture-rich concealer for under and around the eye discolourations and dark circles, it creates a brighter, more youthful look to the face. Available in six colours, Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer should be applied after foundation has been applied. Mercier is an advocate of using finger application to create a flawless face; just a small amount on the pinky finger will provide ample coverage. Setting the concealer with Translucent Setting Powder will keep dark circles at bay, until another day when Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer comes out to play.

www.spacenk.co.uk

£18.50

These brilliant feeding accessories from Boon make mealtimes a simple and funky affair.

Boon’s Catch Bowl is a great way to help first-time eaters control small spills. It features a built-in food catcher which extends toward your little one, funnelling runaway food back into the bowl.

Its made from easy-to-clean soft material and has a suction cup bottom to keep the Catch Bowl firmly in place. This is such a handy piece of kit at an affordable price.

Pair the Catch Bowl with Boon’s Benders utensils. These great sets, designed to help the transition to normal cutlery, are perfect for little learners with the adjustable end feature to accommodate your child’s grip. As your little ones motor skills develop, you can start adjusting the Benders a little bit at a time until they are straightened.

Catch Bowl - £8.99

Benders - £5.99

www.boonuk.co.uk

As legend has it, 21^st December 2012 is set to be the end of the world. According to the epitome of trustworthy internet based information, Wikipedia, ‘The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs according to which cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21, 2012'. Now, I am unable to fathom 87% of the latter, but hypothetically speaking, should planet Earth cease to exist beyond 21.12.12, it’s time to start living. That’s right Trend Lifers, thou shalt commence 2012 with a set of New Years’ Resolutions like no other specimen ‘pon this planet. Indeed, it’s time to spend not save girls and boys; ditch the diet and withdraw from workouts - forgoing fashion must-haves, snacking on a handful of seeds and sweating more than Sweaty Betty herself in the recently-joined gym* was always going to be grim.

I offer before you what leading experts of the end of the world** recommend as being essential to begin 2012 and to show world-end that we will begin and end as a bevy of beauties. Whip out those pennies and make sure that you’re first in line for what astronomers and scientists** have hailed to be the hot beauty tips for the opening of 2012.

1) Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour (February)

2) MAC False Lashes Extreme Black (January)

3) Chanel Perfection Lumière Foundation (January)

4) Nicki Minaj OPI Collection (January)

* Note to readers: Foregoing fashion must-haves/snacking on a handful of seeds/sweating in the gym are all from my own experience in the seven days that have come of 2012 thus far.

**I am said leading expert of the end of the world/astronomer/scientist.

This fabulous Digital Thermometer Set from Philips Avent is so handy for testing baby’s temperature.

What can be a real chore is now simplified as this clever gadget also doubles as a baby soother. Now baby won’t have to suffer thermometers in their ears – in fact, our little tester grabbed the Freeflow soother and put it straight in her mouth!

Reassurance for mums and no tears for baby.

£25.99 

shop.philips.com

Make mums feel special this Christmas with one of these gorgeous nail varnishes from the Magnetic range at Nails Inc.

Its the festive season and that means nights out on the tiles glammed up to the nines, help mums on their way to a well deserved night out with the Trafalgar Square Magnetic Polish. This metallic chrome shade is so dramatic and glamourous, it gives instant wow factor, but its more than just a nail polish. This unique formula has been specially developed with metallic particles to create a pattern on the nail using magnetic forces – so mums can create their own nail art at home! As the magnet is held over the nail, the iron powder in the formulation gravitates toward the magnet forming the pattern or design secretly hidden in the magnet for an amazing finish!  

Try the stunning Houses of Parliament Magnetic Polish to get this look in an elegant purple finish.

Nails Inc. will pay £1 from the sale of the ‘Magnet Nail Polish’ with a minimum contribution of £25,000 to Prince’s Trust Trading Limited (PTT)

£13.00

www.amazon.co.uk