#Hero #SummerBeauty Shiseido *Summer* Sun Sand & Stars!

Soft Sweet Peach, Pale Rosy Platinum, and Cool Shimmering Pink make for a #Hero #SummerBeauty Palette from Beauty Giant, Shiseido, that is perfect for every skintone, perfect for fresh summer mornings, hazy summer afternoons... and hot summer nights!! I found that with the Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio compact, I could achieve a subtle pearlescent finish that is professional for work, light enough for the day, but still caught the light as each shadow is pressed with extremely fine shimmer.

Shiseido have created the Sun Sand & Stars Limited Edition Summer'11 Compact, inspired by Sand dunes lit with the colours of the setting sun, creating a sleek elegant impression for dynamic and dramatic eyes.

The Shimmering Pink looks super pretty with the Soft Peach - perfect for a summer wedding or if you want to add a little colour with out going acid bright! The amount of different looks that can be achieved with these three colours is endless, and that's because Shiseido have created a colour palette that really does work well together on so many different levels, and on any skintone. The Pale Rosy Platinum actually has a slightly mink undertone to it - so this can be blended for a summer smoky look... think Roberto Cavalli ss'11; the Soft Sweet Peach is a classic nude shade that can work on any skintone - a wash of this shade is the perfect veil to hide imperfections/wake up tired eyes! It also works great as highlighter too!

Along with the compact  is another product that is absolutely brilliant : the Automatic Fine Eyeliner, inspired by the gleaming indigo of the moonlit ocean - giving a deep yet subtle definition to the eyes, in a glossy, deep Night Sky shade (Blue-Black), which retails at £23.00. This beauty works in the same way as the well known touche eclat pen - but more like an actual felt-tip pen that does not release too much liquid. I usually steer well clear of eyeliner during summer, I've never been fond of liquid eyeliner so I always use pencil - which can wear off quickly in the heat (and I don't like wearing it in summer anyway!) or a gel eyeliner that I paint on with a very fine brush. However, Shiseido have just taken all my problems away with this one pen! It is super easy to use and after two clicks the blue black liquid came through and I literally drew on my eyeliner in one quick slick! Here's a pic...

Firstly, I am wearing the Shimmering Pink all over the lid, with a little more well blended in the crease, and the Soft Sweet Peach very lightly in the centre of the eyelid as a professional daytime look. Secondly, I'm wearing the Automatic Fine Eyeliner in Night Sky - one slick was all it took... And Thirdly... I took this pic at the very end of the day, so this lasted pretty damn well considering we are having a spot of hot weather and I'm usually running back and forth flustered, styling shoots and so on! #Hero #SummerBeauty Product ...ermmm YESS!! This is definitely one that will take you through summer, to the beach, and on into Autumn!

The Sun Sand & Stars Compact is £34.00 / Night Sky Automatic Fine Eyeliner is £23.00 available at selected department stores and Shiseido.co.uk.

Anita Darling's Birthday Break!

So I must apologize for being kind of off the radar lately - I haven't been blogging much as I've had alot of personal styling on... and... it was my birthday on Monday so I've had somewhat of a birthday break! I had an amazing day ended with a brilliant family dinner, plenty of cake and a lot of Pink Champers ...but the weekend is yet to come so I'm looking forward to a lot of birthday fun! I will definitely be back to full form come Tuesday - and I have a huge giveaway coming up very soon so keep your fashionable eyes peeled! Love Anita Darling xx

Isabeli Fontana for Vogue Paris : The June/July 2011 Issue

Isabeli Fontana is a transformed Woman for the June/July 2011 issue of Vogue Paris - obvs Emmanuelle Alt was involved with this one! A colour palette of Blues and Purples... finished with striking Blue eyes... ermmm that's one HOT bella I think! Mert & Marcus have captured Isabeli almost in the style of Linda Evangelista - think 1989 when she was rocking that super sexy crop... and she was infact, a super!

Image Source : FS.

#Hero #SummerBeauty Lipbalms : Carmex *Beach Balm*

Whether your out at a festival, chilling on the beach or just sitting out enjoying the sunshine, don't forget to protect your lips! I used to just apply lipbalm with no spf - it never really occured to me or bothered me to tbh. But it does now. I cannot start my day without a generous slick of lipbalm... not just any, it has to be Carmex SPF15. We often forget to protect our lips in the sunshine as most of us are all too busy protecting the skin on our bodies - but our lips are part of this too! I now protect my lips with Carmex lipbalms and they have earned themselves the title of #Hero #SummerBeauty product in my book! With new summer flavours and scents : Cherry, Mint and Strawberry, it makes wearing lipbalm a little more interesting too! My favourites are Strawberry and Mint, both leave the Carmex tingling sensation and keep lips hydrated - Strawberry smells divine and Mint leaves an extra fresh tingling sensation!

It's been a long time since I actually walked out with a lipgloss in my handbag - I just don't wear gloss that often anymore, but when I do want some, I opt for my lipbalm as the tube leaves a glossy finish that isn't gooey or tacky. If you don't like the slightly glossed finish, the lipbalms are also available in the original Carmex pot. Another reason I love these is because I've found that they are perfect for applying just before lipstick, leaving my lips in perfect condition and preventing any lipstick from drying my lips out.

These are seriously perfect for Summer and brilliant for holidays too - priced at £2.54, this is definitely a #Hero #SummerBeauty Product that won't be leaving my beauty routine anytime soon!

Carmex lipbalms are available from Boots, Superdrug, Topshop and Urban Outfitters as well as outlets across the UK. www.mycarmex.com

Major Lust Have Alert! The Cone Ring by Beazie Roberts

I am having major lusting issues (I know that sounds a bit off!) with this Cone Ring by Beazie Roberts - in particular the Pink Gold with Orange Sapphires... priced at £4755! This is way up there at the top of my wishlist right now, actually it's probably on a lot of people's wishlists as they're having a bit of a fashion moment! And rightly so... a huge amount of celebs have been spotted in Cannes donning the stunning jewellery, including Elle Macpherson and Cheryl Cole...

Visit BeazieRoberts.com - I can guarantee there will be something you love!

YSL Spring 2011 Eyewear Short Film : by Karim Sadli

I was actually intrigued when I saw this sleek short film by Karim Sadli. The words 'well put together' aren't enough - the way Karim has captured the Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2011 Eyewear collection is almost teasing to the visual senses. Just the play of light and shadow are enough to keep you gazing in... Models Othillia Simon and Clement Chaubernaud keep you enthralled, with their polished yet glowing skin, inviting you in to their alluring world. Every now and then you appreciate the super cool eyewear (I think I want every pair!). Then you realise, it's just an ad... snap out of it. This just proves the magnetic power ad campaigns can really have!

#manicurefriday i've got a heart of gold ... really :)

Last week I featured the three limited edition Topshop nail colours that were launched in celebration of Topshop Make-up's 1st birthday : Moonshine, Starlight and Rose Gold. These were only online and instore for a limited period for birthday celebrations but you may still get lucky and find one in selected stores. I had been told that these nail colours will give a scorching sparkle in the sunshine - and indeed they do! In the pic above you'll see I have Heart of Gold on and I've painted half moons using Starlight (Silver)... this is pure metallic heaven!! I felt like I was dipping the brush in to a little pot of molten metal and my nails are seriously shimmering in the sunshine! Like I said in the previous feature... these really are the BEST metallic nail polishes I've tried! They look amazing on toes in the sunshine too - perfect for some molten-hot beach glamour me thinks! I also now have the perfect friday night-out nails ...thank you Topshop! xx

Natalia Vodianova fronts Tatler Russia : June 2011

This really is a beautiful cover, proving just why Natalia gets supermodel status. The intensity in the eyes is magnificent and the Tatler Russia team have done a wonderful job bringing this cover together - everything from the location and choice of look, to the dress and hair/make-up is perfect!

Beyonce's HOT new video : FIRST LOOK!

I had to share this HOT new video with you from Queen B - Beyonce! Just when you feel like every video in the charts is the same old thing... Beyonce comes out with a music video featuring HOT designers and banging dance moves! I absolutely lovelovelove Beyonce's little routine she's got going on and those outfits are fierce! Queen B opens with a stunning Alexander McQueen Scarlet Red Couture Dress, from Alexander's last collection he worked on. What do you think...? There's two women in the charts atm that look amazing... Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez - I'm not a fan of Jen's song, but I end up watching it everytime in awe of how stunning she looks. I didn't initially like Run the World either... but I'm liking it more now I've seen the video and I'm loving the Major Lazer opening!

Now, if you want something to laugh at... listen to Google Translate's version of Run the World....

#Hero #SummerBeauty INEXPENSIVE LIPSTICKS : Collection 2000

So here's part two of the #Hero #SummerBeauty Products - you'll know that I started with the Hero Summer Beauty Product as Lipsticks... and best Luxury high-end lipsticks went to Tom Ford which you can read here. Since, I have been on the lookout for the Best inexpensive Summer lipstick shades and have found the winners! Drumroll please...... It's the Lasting Colour Lipstick from Collection 2000!

These lipcolours have had a lot of attention and it all makes sense once I had tried them. Firstly, there's the colour palette which is perfect for Summer! The range boasts 11 colours from Pink Shock and Orange Punch, to Passionfruit and Cherry Bomb - a bang on trend selection with vibrant shades to suit every skin tone and allows the wearer to rock the bubblegum 80's trend, work a summery coral lip, or don a high-impact orange statement lip! I personally tried Sweet tart (a coral pink hue) and Bubblegum (bubblegum pink) and loved both. Collection 2000 have had a lot of attention with the lasting colour lipstick range and that's because they have been proven to lock colour to the lips all day ...and it's true, the colour really does last for a very long time! At only £3.49 I'm thinking that's a more than great #Hero #SummerBeauty Product ...no...?

BUBBLEGUM

SWEETTART

The Collection 2000 Lasting Colour Lipsticks are available online at Boots.com and Superdrug.com

Vogue Germany gets model romantic...

Vogue Germany have chosen three model couples with three different covers for the June 2011 issue, featuring Anja Rubik & Sasha Knezevic, and Karolina Kurkova & Alessandra Ambrosio alongside their significant others. Photographer Alexi Lubomirski has done an exceptional job capturing three beautiful portraits as great covers for Vogue Germany!

Image Source : FGR.

#manicurewednesday Accessorize Summer Brights!

Okay so I admit, I am somewhat surprised by this... I'm not one that usually believes in Fashion retailers/companies delving into the world of Make-Up and Beauty. Why not leave it to the specialists and actual make-up brands to do so..? However... those of you that read Anita Darling often will know that I've somewhat 'softened' my views on this after actually trying out the Topshop make-up range and being rather impressed ...and it's happened again, only this time with Accessorize...

I can't speak for the make-up products as I've not yet tried these (I have surprisingly heard alot of good things though) but I can speak for the nail colours - which btw... I am pretty impressed with! The Summer Brights Nail Collection consists of six shades ranging from Zesty Orange and Sunny Days, to Teal and Midnight Blue and retail at £4 each. If I were to be honest, upon trying I didn't think they would last long and wasn't really sure what I thought at all. 5 days in and I'm still looking for any chips as well as loving the colours! I personally tried Fuchsia Fun and the Teal shade which has led to me being stopped on the street and actually asked what nail brand I am wearing! The consistancy of the nail polish is very much like Barry M, so it's really easy to apply and glides on with a glossy finish.

Since trying these, I am interested to try the make-up range - The Summer Brights Collection is definitely worth trying out and I can guarantee you'll be impressed, all the colours you would really need for Summer are there and I'm also finding it really refreshing to see nail polish bottles on my shelf that are of a different brand!

Teal - Fuchsia Fun

The Summer Brights Nail Collection is available to purchase from June at Accessorize.com, all Accessorize stores and Superdrug at £4 each!

Naomi Campbell hosts Fashion For Relief at Cannes

Fashion for Relief moved to Cannes over the weekend for a fabulous show staged by Naomi Campbell to help raise money for the Japanese tsunami and earthquake appeal - Naomi made sure all her fashion friends were on hand to help, including Karolina Kurkova, Jane Fonda and Yasmin Le Bon... take a look at all the pics...!

 Naomi Campbell

Svetlana Metkina

 Jane Fonda

 Karolina Kurkova

Noemie Lenoir

Yasmin Le Bon

Rosario Dawson

Herve Leger Pre-fall looks are in...

Here's a sneak peak of the Herve Leger Pre-fall lookbook - a combination of the classic Herve Leger cut, with modern additions such as THAT leather belted waterfall coat, or the classic Herve Leger dress with added flair in the skirt. I am in love with the Olive Green accents throughout the lookbook - ahh must have it all! I cannot wait to share the Autumn Winter '11 lookbook with you all! Keep your eyes peeled...

Les Nereides Summer Sample Sale!

For those of you in the know when it comes to jewellery, you'll be happy to hear Les Nereides are holding their Summer Sample Sale in their Covent Garden Boutique from Wednesday 18th May to Sunday 22nd May 2011, with upto 80% off! I wouldn't miss this one if I were you - It's only £1 entrance fee too!