Z Factor
Zoe has tried and tested these products and explains why she’s impressed
Benefit Porefessional
Who is fed up with having pores the size of golf balls on their face? Ok, that’s a slight exaggeration, but ours can be pretty damn big sometimes – and that’s where Benefit’s Porefessional comes in. The lightweight skin primer not only keeps your face from looking super shiny, it also minimises those dastardly pores in seconds. The silky, light-weight balm gives your skin an instant smooth make-over and can be used with or without make-up. The best bit about this pore reducing primer is that it is OIL FREE! At last, we can go to a bar or club without our make-up sliding down our face! This Benefit product is perfect for all you party Princesses out there and those of you who wish to reduce pores for the perfect skin.
What does it do? It leaves your skin silky smooth, whilst minimising pores.
How do you use it? Just massage a small amount onto your face, taking particular care and attention to the nose and cheek area, but avoiding the eyes.
Cost: £23.5
Aveda Sheer Mineral Tinted Moisturiser
For all you people out there who want to have a full make-up bag AND be kind to the environment, then look no further than Aveda. Aveda’s mission to care for the world we live in and give back to society makes this brand a firm favourite with celebrities. We particularly like the sheer mineral tinted moisturiser. Infused with skin-saving ingredients such as coconut oil, Japanese knotweed extract amongst other natural goodies will give your skin an even coverage but repairing your face at the same time. This product can be worn from day to night so it’s perfect for all you party Princesses out there!
What does it do? It gives your skin a natural and even coverage, without clogging your pores.
How do you use it? You can either massage it in with your finger tips over your face, avoiding the eye area or use a foundation brush.
Cost: £23.5
Lancome L’Absolu Rouge
Have you always wanted a pout like Kate Winslet? Then look no further than this Lancome beauty. This lippy has an SPF 12, is smooth, creamy and pigmented – perfect for a soft, glossy kiss! The formula is infused ith moisture boosting ‘Pro-Xylane,’ which keeps the lips moist, soft and comfortable for up to 8hrs (see, you even save yourself some money by re-applying less than a normal lipstick) The sleek black case and gold logo is soooo VIP, it’s as if the lippy is made for US!
What does it do? It wraps your lips in a strong colour, which won’t fade for 8hrs. Whilst gently nourishing and and providing the summer beauty must-have, SPF 12!
How do you use it? Just slick it on with the wand or a lip brush for lips the Leo’s of the world will love.
Cost: £21
Steam Cream
We love the hotter weather, but with it comes dry, flaky skin, boo! Thank the beauty Gods we found Steam Cream. This moisturising lotion hydrates and brightens skin and can be used all over your body – some are even calling it the new 8-hour cream! The natural ingredients which make up Steam Cream are all natural, from the UK and Japan, and are fused together with a shot of steam (ah now we know why it’s called Steam Cream).
What does it do? It softens, moisturises and make you feel great. Once you’ve had a shower or bath, slather this rich cream all over and let the specialised cream soak in and hydrate your body.
How do you use it? Massage it in and feel the magic work.
Cost: £12.95
Topshop Rio Rio Lipstick
If you love a good red lippy, but don’t fancy paying a ridiculous amount, then Topshop really is the best option for you.
It’s spring/summer 2012 line is packed full of great colours, but our favourite is Rio Rio. It glides on with a satin matte finish, and a classic Ferrari red colour – so what are you waiting for? Pucker up buttercup!
What does it do? Topshop Rio Rio gives you a vampy look, without looking slutty. Moisturise your lips, then glide it across your lower and top lip, blot, then voila! The colour will last for about six hours, so no need to re-apply until lunchtime.
How do you use it? Just slick it across your lips!
Cost: £8 from Topshop.com
BeneTint
If you’ve got a really small clutch bag and there’s only room for one beauty product then it has to be Benefit’s BeneTint.
It’s a blusher and lipstain in one and it smells as sweet as roses. One bottle costing £24 fulfils three beauty functions and you can use it day after day – bargain!
What does it do? Benefit Benetint is an indelibly sheer tint that gives you an innocent, yet provocative glow. Put it in your cheeks and it looks like you’ve just got in from a long walk in the snow. Apply it on your lips to make it appear as they’re naturally red and pretty.
It will last for 6-7 hours on your cheeks and 4-5 hours on your lips.
How do you use it? Using the nail polish-esque brush, draw three small stripes of Benefit Benetint across the apple of your cheek. Blend quickly in a circular motion with fingertips. Add a few more dots for deeper color.
If you apply Benefit Benetint to lips with a clean q-tip… it will give you a rosy glow even after your lipstick wears off.
Cost? £24 for 13.5ml from Boots.com
No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream
The key to looking great is to have even better skin. Do you ever see Beyonce or Madonna with pimples? No, well why should you have them? Having the perfect day cream is something every VIP needs, and this No7 product is perfect!
Boot’s own luxe for less brand No7, have come up with a fabulous day cream, which is silky smooth to touch!
What does it do? It’s proven to visibly improve deep lines and wrinkles, for younger looking skin in 4 weeks.
How do you use it? After cleansing and toning, slather this on to wear under make-up. It’s fantastic as a primer too; it’s silky smooth and has an SPF 15!
Cost: £22 from http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Protect-Perfect-Intense-Day-Cream_1124734/
Stila Eye Shadow Trio
Metallic eyes are key to looking like a VIP this season. Bronze metallics are the colours of the season and to look like a golden Goddess try the new Stila Eye Shadow Trio.
Quirky make-up brand Stila have revamped and relaunched with this fantastic multi purpose beauty product. The cool compact is rich in colour and in shimmer!
What does it do? These terracotta shades really showcase off the colours of the season. Boasting a high pearl content, these shadows give a gorgeous shine to either your lids or cheekbones.
How do you use it? The compact is very easy to use. Designed to be applied either wet or dry, these shades effortlessly glides on and never chalky. With three different tonal shades for use, the lightest as it’s base, medium for crease, and darkest to line lashes. The shadow can be applied with a brush or your finger and you can even apply it to your cheekbones for the supermodel effect!!
Cost: £18 from http://www.lookfantastic.com
St Tropez Bronzing Rocks
Unfortunately, many of us don’t jet off to tropical islands during the summer months like many VIPs. However, we sure can fake a holiday glow with St. Tropez’s Bronzing Rocks!
Luxury tanning brand St. Tropez has done it again with this fantastic new bronzing product. The stylish jar contains shimmering bronze nuggets which really rock!
What does it do? If you have a tan these glistening bronzing rocks will perfect your look with a great finish. If you’re of a paler complexion sweeping on the bronzing dust will give you a healthy and natural glow.
How do you use it? The Bronzing Rocks are very flexible to use. Use a thick bronzing brush and dip it into the pot, swirling it around the rocks to collect the shimmering powder. Then you can apply it to wherever you want such as your cheeks and décolletage for a sexy and wholesome look. You can also ditch the brush and apply the rocks directly to your skin! The bronzing rocks make a great golden eyeshadow and you can even apply them to your lips topped with a clear gloss for an irresistible pout!
Cost: £30.64 from http://www.st-tropez.com/.
Soprano XL Pain Free Laser Hair Removal
See the review on the Live Like A VIP beauty page
Oh Lola! by Marc Jacobs
If you liked the original Lola perfume by Marc Jacobs, then you will love his newly-launched Oh, Lola! The perfume is even lighter and fresher than the original scent, perfect for this warmer weather. They’ve also re-fashioned the bottle so it’s even funkier and brighter pink! The actress Dakota Fanning is clearly a fan as she is the pretty face of the campaign.
What does it do? This fragrance will have you smelling sweet throughout the summer. It’s a gorgeous blend of wild strawberry, raspberry, pear, peony, sandalwood and vanilla.
How do you use it? The perfume is a refreshingly effortless design. Simply remove the colourful flower top and spritz yourself with the playful scent. Easy!
Cost: Oh, Lola! is available in 30ml, costing £37, 50ml costing £47 and 100ml costing £63. Find it at most perfume shops and department stores, including Debenhams
Jo Malone Lime Basil And Mandarin Dry Body Oil
Fans of Jo Malone and dry body oils should get to the nearest department store as they have launched a new bigger bottle of one of their most popular scents.
Lime Basil and Mandarin has been sold by Jo Malone for 20 years but now it is available in a 100ml oil.
It’s perfect for summer; fresh, luxurious and retains the scent for long enough hours. Also, it’s specifically designed to moisturise – perfect if you’ve been sunbathing too long!
What does it do? It will absorb easily into the skin, leaving it feeling silky-smooth and hydrated, not forgetting beautifully scented,
How do you use it? Put in a few drops in bath tub and take a lovely soak after a hard long working day.
Cost? £38 Selfridges, House of Fraser and www.jomalone.co.uk
DHC Eyelash Tonic
A flutter of the eyelashes can work wonders for us girls, so it is a good idea to keep them looking luscious. Eyelash extensions, falsies and mascara are all brilliant, but can leave our poor lashes a little worse for wear.
In comes Japanese brand DHC to the rescue, with their Eyelash Tonic. It is a conditioning treatment formula, which strengthens weak lashes, restoring them to their gorgeous, fluttering condition.
What does it do? This conditioning gel has ingredients such as aloe, ginseng and watercress, which combined have powerful soothing and softening effects. They work together to infuse your lashes with strength and protect them from further breakage, to leave them looking fuller, thicker and even longer.
How do you use it? It is so easy and quick to use. Simply comb your lashes through using the wand, just as you would with mascara. Apply from the roots of the lash, and sweep outwards right up to the tip. This should be done as an undercoat to you mascara each morning, and as a conditioning treatment before bed each night.
Cost: £9.00 from DHC online
Cloud Nine: The Gift Of Hair Volume
Achieving voluminous hair is no easy task, especially when exposed to volumes deadly enemies – wind, rain and humidity – who always seem to be lurking. However, our prayers have been answered with this new set called ‘The Gift of Volume’ by CloudNine, and cloud nine is exactly where I found myself after trying it.
What does it do? The O Pod is at the heart of this new technology. It heats rollers up in just 4 seconds, perfect for those rushed mornings. The set also includes 12 rollers at different sizes, 30mm, 40mm and 50mm, so you can pick and choose whether you want subtle waves or 50’s style volume.
How do you use it? Once your rollers have been placed in the Pod for 4 seconds, and rolled into hair, the whole process takes no more than five minutes.
That’s right, you only need to put in the rollers for five minutes! Put them in, get dressed, find your handbag and house keys, take out the rollers and you’re good to go.
However, as an extra touch spritz it with Cloud Nine Amplify Spray before you leave the house as that’s designed to hold your style in place through wind, rain and shine, while remaining weightless and avoiding that rock hard appearance.
The overall result really is bags of body, movement and volume, which truly does last all day! And what’s more, it’s all wrapped up in a sleek and stylish leather case.
Cost: £199.95 from Cloud Nine Hair online. Yes, it’s an investment but it’s excellent value if you use it every day like we do.
Hot Tuna Surfer Clothing
Normally I take photos of myself at parties with celebrities but I was so impressed with my new Hot Tuna top I wanted to take a photo of myself before I left the house. I’m happy with how hot I look 
The clothes are bright so you’re guaranteed to get noticed on the beach or at a party, but they’re also really comfortable to wear. Forget tight dresses, girls, we can still be sexy and comfortable.
Originating from Australia in 1969, it’s one of the first iconic surf-fashion labels and you can see more photos of the fabulous clothes for men and women on the Facebook page. Or follow them on Twitter @hottuna1969
What does it do? Makes you look fit. Even if you’ve never been near a surfboard, you’ll look cool and knowledgeable and cute.
How do you use it? Wear it, pout and look sexy and stylish
Cost? Check them out at ASOS.com or Amazon.co.uk – they’re usually between £20 – £25
Blondi Rae Shampoo (endorsed by Adee Phelan)
BlondiRae is a new service for salon owners to supply them with the best shampoo, conditioner and hair colour remover at competitive prices.
We’ve tested out the shampoo and conditioner and it’s something we’d like to use on our hair every day.
Has your salon got it yet? The top ones have been won over by it, including Covent Garden salon owner Adee Phelan – the man responsible for David Beckham’s Mohawk.
Adee says:
“I think Blondi Rae have come up with a brilliant concept and I can’t believe this hasn’t been done before!. They’ve listened to what we salon owners actually want….. and delivered. By cutting out the middle-man and supplying directly from the factory, they can get the best quality product to the salon at unbeatable, unbelievable prices. I’ll say it again, “Brilliant.”
What does it do? See Blondirae.com for full details but the important thing to know is that it gives you soft, swishy hair and smells fabulous. Plus it’s made from organic ingredients so you’re being kind to the environment as well as your hair.
How do you use it? The good salon owners will use it to wash and condition your hair. Ask them if they have it.
Cost? Email rae@blondirae.com for price enquiries
Chanel Coco Rouge Shine Lipstick
If you like a little bit of luxury in your make-up then you need one item by Chanel in it. Getting out items embellished with the CC logo will make every lady looking jealous, and when you apply the product to your face it’ll make lots of men transfixed by the sophisticated style icon you become.
The newest product in the Chanel make-up range is the Rouge coco shine lipstick.
What does it do? Rouge Coco Shine is the latest lipstick to join the Chanel party. It is made to a feather light formula in a semi-sheer with a little bit of shimmer and shine thrown into the mix. It is an extremely hydrating, revolutionary lipshine product for girls wanting to turn heads for all the right reasons. The Chanel Hydratender complex promises hydration for up to 8 hours. Look out for the hit shade of the summer ‘Monte Carlo’, for those who want to be noticed.
How do you use it? This product comes in 18 shades ranging from nude beige to tangy red, all infused with individual luminosity. Our favourite four shades are: Boy, Liberte, Adventure and Monte Carlo. Simply choose the colour that best suits your complexion and you are away. Application is very smooth and simple.
Cost? £22.50 each from Boots.com. Chanel counters can also be found in large department stores, including Debenhams and House of Fraser.
Scott Cornwall Colour B4
We know you all like firsts ‚Äì which is why you’ve come to this site to get the gossip before anyone else ‚Äì and if you want to be ahead of the crowds when it comes to beauty then you must try Colour B4.
It’s the first ever home hair colour remover on the market and a must-have for anyone who has ever dyed their hair or is thinking about it.
What does it do? If you’re going to colour your hair then you want it to be in the best possible condition so it will take the artificial colour. The unique formulation of Scott Cornwall’s Colour B4 clears hair of surface build-up before colouring. If you’ve dyed your hair in the past then the previous artificial colour will still be on the hair shaft, even if you can’t see it, and inhibit the adhesion of the new dye. Also, most shampoos contain silicons and are high in pH which adhere to the hair shaft and affect how the hair will take to the next dye.
Use Colour B4 before you dye your hair to ensure maximum results plus if you don’t like the shade of the end result you can use Colour B4 afterwards to take you back to your natural colour.
How do you use it? The Colour B4 kit consists of three elements. Part A – hydrosulphite, Part B – citric acid, Part C – buffer (very strong cleanser). When you intermix Part A and Part B they activate and then the solution should be applied to dry hair (or wet if you are trying to achieve a tonal cleanse – for say ash blonde). The Citric acid within the product gently lifts the cuticle and allows the hydrosulphite to find the dye molecules within the hair. Once the hydrosulphite finds the artificial dye molecules it literally reverses the oxidation process by shrinking those coloured molecules back to their original tiny size.
You’ll find a more detailed instruction guide inside the box, but all you do is leave the activated solution on your hair then was off with the buffer – a very strong cleanser which flushes those small dye molecules out of the hair. The rinsing is crucial as during those stage you are literally stripping that unwanted colourant out of your hair and you are advised to rinse for at least 7 minutes.
Cost? £10.20 from Boots.com
Me Me Me Light Me Up Lipgloss
If you’ve ever had to do your make-up on the go ‚Äì in the back of a car, on a train or standing in the queue for the ladies loos ‚Äì then you’ll know that it’s tricky to hold a mirror with one hand and the lipgloss with the other.
Me Me Me has come up with a genius solution by designing a lipgloss in a square tube with a mirror on one side. The wand of the brush lights up as you pull it out of the tube meaning that you’ll end up with the product where it’s meant to be and not over your teeth / cheeks.
What does it do? Helps you achieve a flawless look and fantastic finish wherever you are. The gloss is available in six bright shades, some with a touch of glitter, so you can keep your lips luscious, luminous and glamorous from day to night. All shades have a subtle menthol flavour to give you a mental boost and having a mirror on the side of the pot gives you a push to check the rest of your make-up so there’s no excuse for smudged mascara or foundation lines.
The final benefit to this handy product is the solution is non-sticky and not too thick, meaning your lips are still kiss-able.
How do you use it? Simply lift the wand out of the container, turn the container round so you’re looking in the mirror and brush the wand over your lips.
Start at the centre of your upper lip and use your lip brush to paint the gloss from the center to the outer edges of your lip.
Apply more lip gloss to the lower lip to give you a sultry pout. Move your lip brush slowly from one corner of the lower lip toward the other to distribute the gloss evenly.
Cost? £6.99 from Superdrug.com
LiveLikeAVIP.com Launch
Calum Best, Bianca Gascoigne, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Jessica Jane Clement and Adee Phelan enjoyed performances by chainsaw juggler Tabu, urban artist XO Man and a 7 foot tall double chocolate fountain.
Montcalm Hotel Launch
Z-Live hosted a Christmas Party to mark the opening of the 5* boutique Montcalm Hotel. We celebrated in style with a champagne-fuelled DJ set by The Holloways, performances by Amy Studt, Miss Frank and Baby D, and magician Dynamo entertaining VIP guests like soap star Nikki Sanderson