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Back in 2004, Kelly Holmes imported a bling-tastic Gold medallion to the UK, Sharon Osbourne became the nation’s feistiest female on TV during the first season of The X Factor, and the Real Orange County, ‘Laguna Beach’, aired for the first time in the land of star spangled banners.  In the year that Peter Andre’s re-release of Mysterious Girl propelled him and his abs to nationwide fame; I also waved ta-ta to homework that required no more than a 12 pack of Crayola. Aged 15, I was in my first year of GCSE study; an education milestone proving that Teenage Kicks through the night and into Period II,III and IV. 

As I sat learning about coastal erosion, osmosis and algebraic fractions; our American brethren were sunning themselves on the Californian coastline. A reality television series charting the life and times of loaded lads and lasses Stateside; Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County was the life I longed to lead. Indeed, the show’s star, Lauren Conrad, was an all-American girl with a sun-kissed glow who embodied everything that I wanted to be. Sadly, I couldn’t have been further removed from the teenage celebutante. After a brief flirtation with fame after My Mother’s Day Poem came 3^rd place in The Epsom Guardian, my dabble in celebrity ended there.

Eight years on, I’m no longer in a school daze with my eyes on the GCSE prize. Sadly, Laguna Beach saw its final episode aired on November 15^th 2006, but Lauren, Lo and co’s tan’s will forever be a skintone that I emulate. Thanks to Nars’ ‘Laguna Bronzing Powder’, I can channel my inner Lauren to my heart and hue’s content.

A must-have in any make-up bag, Laguna is a diffused bronzing powder with golden shimmer to create an all-over warmth and contour for the entire face. Unlike other bronzing powder’s that I’ve used in the past, Nars’ Laguna creates an overtly natural looking glow, which works well if creating the illusion of tanned skin, but also against an existing tan. It fills in lines and pores for smoother looking skin, and importantly, can be used with any skin tone. The large mirror is useful for on-the-go application, and the slim line design means that it’ll fit snugly into an evening bag for a night out on the tiles. Long-lasting Laguna serves up a tanned visage to both the Lauren’s and Lo’s of this world, as well as the likes of a (Basing) Lawson, and best of all – it doesn’t cost the earth.

www.spacenk.co.uk

£25

Thanks to Channel 4’s documentary series Coppers, and the Beeb’s Prisoners Wives drama, I’ve become hooked on crime television programmes. Indeed, TV audiences tune in, in their droves to catch the latest police procedurals and legal dramas that are showing on the box. Whether its Dexter, Midsomer Murders or America’s Most Wanted; they show it, we love it.

 My TV slice of police pie is laden with toppings of the police force’s terminology and abbreviations, such as the CID, (Criminal Investigation Department), which is the part of a UK police force which does not wear uniform and is responsible for discovering crimes. Never, would I have ever believed that two of my most beloved interests would come together, thanks to a namesake. Yet, in the truly perplexing CBL fashion that dominates TrendLife beauty, I have linked the police and beauty together, through the Criminal Investigation Department and New CID Cosmetics.

New CID Cosmetics may share a name with the branch of all Territorial police forces whose detectives wear plain clothing, but the similarities end there.

A beauty brand with real panache, New CID Cosmetics offer a dynamic and innovative approach to the industry. Their product range offers many ingenious features that set New CID apart from the rest of the market, such as the built-in lights of the i-pout, i-gloss and i-powder that allow for easier application at any time, and in any place. With a colour range to suit a variety of skin tones, New CID have successfully combined versatility to reach a wide audience to create a one-stop shop for all our beauty needs.

My favourites in the range include:

I-glow

A must-have for a sunkissed shimmer, I-glow’s baked marble formulation means that it is silky smooth to apply, and so works well as a blush too. I love Sirocco; it gives the face a lovely subtle bronzed highlight that adds a natural radiance through the day and night.

I-pout

Its built-in light and mirror make I-pout perfect as a handbag essential. Scarlet is my preferred choice for eveningwear; its sumptuous high-drama shade radiates sophisticated glamour, but with 12 shades to choose from, all offer a touch of long-lasting luxury.

I-gel

‘Eye’d’ be mad to leave this gem out of my trio of New CID Cosmetics favourites. A long-lasting gel liner in a palette of three, it lends itself well as both an eyeliner and a full eyeshadow. The brush that accompanies I-gel is impressive and allows easy application for drawing fine lines.

www.newcidcosmetics.com

Just in time for summer, MAC launches their Surf, Baby! Collection. Choose from the Solar Riche Bronzing Powder or add shimmer with the new Gold-Go-Lightly Studio Care Blend/Pressed Powder.

Make sure your lips are suitably protected with Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lipbalms while the latest Skinsheen Bronzer Stick is perfect for adding contouring and dimension.

As always MAC ensure that this collection comes in fun and funky packaging and this time its bright and Hawaiian-inspired.

Prices start from £11.50

Available from MAC www.maccosmetics.co.uk