Looking like Marilyn Monroe

“I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it.” 

― Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words

Looking fabulous during Christmas festivities may prove to be a little bit difficult. Too many parties and too much champagne.

Thankfully, my saviour friends prepared me in time to prevent any downfall and suggested some products to survive the party season (in style).

This morning I wanted to replicate Marilyn Monroe style (probably because I recently saw the movie: "My week with Marilyn"!) so I head towards the shower room with a mission: to help my poorly hydrated hair to gain volume and strengths.

First step: How to help my after-party hair

I used my Daniel Galvin Junior Organic Hangover Luxury Shampoo and Luxury Conditioner: These lovely products are perfect for this season of parties. They feature lavender essential oil as the key ingredient, to refresh and revitalise dull and tired hair. 

The fresh lavender essential oils and vitamins packed into each bottle hydrate and detoxify – so stressed out tresses look glossy, and are left feeling, and smelling, fabulous.

They are also very affordable at £4.99 each.

Second Step: Make myself look like a bombshell

The uber-glamorous 50’s tight curl can be easily created with the Instyler.

Instyler is a 3 in 1 hair tool which creates salon-fresh looks (even if you are not a professional hairdresser). And because it straightens, curls and polishes with a rotating cylinder my hair-do looked more natural than with any other hair curlers. It is really worth a try if you are planning to play the Hollywood star role this Christmas season or if you are trying to be Marilyn Monroe, like I am!

Why not ask Santa to bring you one? It's £99 (please Santa don't be stingy!), available at Boots (please Santa don't be lazy) and it can be shared with your sisters and girlfriends... what more would you like from a Christmas present?

Enjoy!

www.trisori.com

Beauty tips: Bye Bye Panda eyes!

The run up to Christmas it's a crazy time of the year. Trisori's headquarter becomes incredibly busy with clients ordering their last minute gifts, overseas shops asking for immediate delivery..... and my beauty routine suffers because of it.

I thought I was destined to live with my Panda eyes until I found these 2 marvelous products:

Skin Wisdom Eye Roll: It's a lovely little product that helps reducing the appearance of Dark circles and puffy eyes. It retails for 7 pounds and it's worth a try as the massaging roll applicator boosts micro circulation and drainage.

Then I helped myself to Skin Wisdom Beauty Balm: The acerola cherry and moisturizing ingredients help skin to look fresher and less stressed. This is another small little beauty product to use together with the eye roll on. I was really glad to have them at hand after an event last Thursday! My face really looked less tired and it costs only 6 pounds!

And finally, before going to bed, I applied a Delicious Kit ChapStick:

to soften my lips and preserving them for morning use. My favorite is the Cherry Chapstick and I am going to buy the kit above as a stocking filler. Isn't it the cutest chapstick ever? And it's only 3.99 pounds.

Isn't it the cutest chapstick ever? And it's only 3.99 pounds.


 Enjoy!




www.trisori.com

My beauty saviour - Aesop Parsley Seed Serum

You could say that when it comes to beauty products I am a bit of a slut. I flit from one prettily packaged product to the next hoping to discover a miracle cream that shall rid me of my blackheads and fill in my (newly-formed!) frown line between my eyebrows, not to mention sort out those bags under my eyes. I pour so much hope into each application and then, when I fail to notice a change (albeit in a couple of weeks) I get bored and move on to something else. That was, until I discovered Aesop's Parsley Seed Serum.

Having lived in Hong Kong's stonking humidity for the past six months, I have come to appreciate that you have to adapt your beauty routine to the environment around you. At first I stopped applying moisturiser altogether, because as soon as I stepped outside, the moisuriser I had so carefully rubbed in would re-emerge seconds later forming a lovely, faint white sheen all over my face. But when I used no moisturiser at all I started to notice dry patches on my nose and under my eyes.

It was about half way though my 6 month stint in Hong Kong that I discovered Aesop's Parsley Seed Serum. Part of the Parsley Seed collection, which is especially formulated to deliver antioxidants and vitamins to the skin, the serum uses Parsley Seed extract, which is both restorative and protective to the skin. Designed for use in humid climates, at first the consistency of the serum feels unusual and a little sticky but once it is absorbed, you don't notice it's presence at all. My skin does have a reduced amount of blackheads, and feels softer and smoother to touch. And I can report that I have been using it for over two month's now and I still think it is totally fabulous. I would definitely recommend that anyone in a humid climate try this.

Enjoy!

www.trisori.com

Make up doll

You know you arrived too early at the airport when you have half an hour to browse through the duty free shops.

It is, though, a pleasant surprise when you discover something you didn't expect in the maze of corridors of discounted products.

I was going to Istanbul and I needed some make up as I forgot mine in London ( great.. Can you imagine having meeting and greeting people without make up for 4 days? I don't think so...)

I found a mascara I liked, some lip gloss and then I saw it: pupa kokeshi make up doll.

How cute is it?

If you open this geisha looking doll, you' ll discover all the secret compartments and products contained in it!

In order of importance: 2 lipsticks, 7 eye shadows, 1 lip gloss, a blush and a mirror.
It comes in black or white and I love the idea that this cute doll can sit in my bathroom and just look delicious.

Pupa is a fun make up brand that I was using during my uni years in Milan and has always been famous for colour innovation and funkiness.

Grab your doll, babe.

Xx


www.trisori.com

In pursuit of the perfect tan...that lasts

I have a confession to make. I am a tanorexic and one of my life long goals is to look as glowing as possible for as long as possible, and at no time of year is this pursuit of self-improvement more prevalent than during the summer. I am aware that it is not the ‘done’ thing anymore, but I can’t help but admit that a tan does tend to give people that certain je ne sais quois. I’m not advising that we model ourselves on Magda from ‘Something About Mary’, but a little glow (with the armor of a good SPF) lifts the spirits. I am sure that I can’t be alone here.
So with that in mind I set about finding some easy to implement ways of making the holiday glow last longer than the plane ride home and I wanted to share them with you:

Pre-Holiday: Exfoliate
Make sure you exfoliate all over. I use a body brush as it kills two birds with one
stone; cellulite and dead skin. Brushing in upward motions towards the heart will stimulate blood flow and remove that layer of dead skin, creating a great base from which to cultivate an all over even tan.

During Holiday: Aftersun

Using aftersun at the end of each day on holiday is a must. Use when you get straight out of the shower to lock as much moisture in as possible. I like to use something that doesn’t contain any nasties in it and which has been a complete lifesaver when I’ve had a little too much sun and am sporting the all over shade
of shame: rouge. It’s called Rebound by Neways and I am yet to find anythin more brilliant.

Post-Holiday: Mosturise

I find that Ren’s Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream is one of the most luxurious ways to love my body. It quickly hydrates and is easily absorbed, not to mention it smells divine.

Eat: Carrots and Tomatoes

Foods rich in beta-carotene, like carrots have been proven to influence skin tone, and eating tomatoes, which are packed with antioxidants called lycopene can protect your skin from burning.

Enjoy!

www.trisori.com

Enchantress: Jessica!

 With holiday season approaching (thanks Gosh, this London weather is making me sick!), I am already preparing my summer suitcase to take on my Mediterranean break.

I think we can all agree that for an instant update of your look, your nails play an important role.

So, yesterday I decided to "invest" 10 pounds and buy this lovely Jessica colour: Enchantress. Because of the name, I automatically loved it.

I normally never wear orange as it is a difficult colour to have on your nails if your hands are not tanned. That's why when my manicurist suggested it to me, I was a bit hesitant to try it out.

Publish Post

The orange is not too "orange-y", it's more like a coral colour and it still looks classy and refined.
If you want to pick some colours for the beach, I can definitely recommend this one.



www.trisori.com

 Photo courtesy of: nailaddictsanonymous.blogspot.com 

A Not So Continental Spa

The spa at the Intercontinental has a chic urban boudoir feel - or so they claim. As soon as you walk in, you're transported to another place entirely with the staff all trying their best to make and keep you as relaxed as possible. The mood is a little sombre as it's rather dark yet their motto is to let you recharge, detox or relax as you feel necessary.


We had booked a steam temple package so when we arrived we were presented with fruit juices and a fruit platter - which makes you feel like you are starting to detox instantly. In the 'steam temple' itself you have everything you could need to get prepared, take off your make-up, put away your things and prep yourself. The spa therapists ensure that there is candlelight to help you unwind whilst the twinkling starlights set into the domed roof also have a calming effect. Although I'm not so sure that it's really a continental spa but from more further afield!


Working on every therapeutic level, so they say, you apply mineral-rich mud all over the body and special mask for the face, whilst the aromatic steam infuses the temple and grows hotter. Apparently the treatment is ideal to prime the mind, skin and body prior to receiving other therapies. All the while in the temple, there is either birdsong or music, adding to the atmosphere and bringing one back to nature. Once you've sat back in the reclining chairs for a good 40 minutes, a shower of water cascades down to rinse of all the mud before you fully shower and clean yourself up.

Then after all the hard work detoxing your skin, the deal we had booked included a refreshing glass of champagne to help keep those toxin levels up! My kind of spa!

http://www.intercontinental.com/intercontinental/en/gb/spa/london-parklane 020 7318 8691

www.trisori.com

Elixir of life

I started using GloTherapeutics when I saw my friend at Traveller Magazine looking radiant. I asked her what her secret was and she introduced me to the Skin revitalizing starter kit.
The kit contains two small bottles of 15% Vitamin C and B5 Hydration. The two bottles work together to increase the absorption of active ingredients and enhance the benefits of your moisturizer.
I used the kit religiously for 1 month morning and evening and my skin has improved its look SO much! It feels like it has been "stretched" by a doctor and it's much smoother than normal.
It is probably due to the L-ascorbic Acid contained in the 15% Vitamin C bottle. When I applied it the first time I had the weird feeling of having my skin "pulled" by invisible hands. Such an amazing sensation! Then the L-hyaluronic Acid helped re-hydrate the skin.

No, it does not take forever and I guarantee you that I don't dedicate more than 5 minute to my beauty routine, above all in the morning.

 I am very happy with the result after 2 months of using the product as I feel like I have magically "lost" 5 years on my face! I found the Elixir of life.. Hurray!

Enjoy x

Neglected

Now I know I've already told you how much I love beauty products and make up, but I haven't told you that in my skincare cabinet you will not find two products from the same brand. I don't like buying sets of things. I prefer testing and probing every product and choosing things that I like from different places.

I usually find random little things that not many people use or know about. One of these products that I have discovered is a Honey and Almond Scrub from Repechage. I have been fascinated with it for a while.

It can be used as both a scrub and a mask - either wet the skin slightly and massage it with the scrub; or add a teaspoon of yoghurt into the scrub and apply it to the face and decolletage in a massaging motion and keep it on for 10-15 minutes. It will help clear off the upper layer of skin either way to reveal a refreshed new complexion.

The brand has a whole range of products for the face and the body, available at Depilex Epilight Clinic, 45-47 Wigmore Street.

Marina,

Enjoy!xx

Pleasantly surprised!!

I was given a Zoya nail polish recently and last week I decided I should give it a try. I must say I loovesss it!! It has stayed on so nicely for more than a week now!!! I don't even know how that is possible, because the last time I had a nail polish stay on for this long was when I had Shellac done; and that was just terrible as after it was taken off, my nails needed urgent HELP!!

My nails are very strong and barely ever do they break, but when Shellac was taken off I was left with something I had never had to do before - using a strengthening nail conditioner...

Anyways, lets get back to the good stuff!!

Not only did I get a million compliments about the shade of green, but the polish has stayed on perfectly for ever (in normal nail polish lifetime that is)! I am definitely going to get some more colours of Zoya nail polish, like my favourite red!

Marina,

Enjoy!xx

Summer-dry

Imagine.. Perfectly manicured fingers, long healthy nails, beautiful bright nail polish.. then you move your gaze higher.. and what do you see? The horror of dry skin! And no amount of "manicuring" is going to make that look pretty. Impossible!

Care for your hands this season by doing weekly olive oil soaks - literally, pour some olive oil into a container wide enough to put your hands and just let the oil nourish your skin for 5-7 minutes.

For those of you who are looking to try out the more cosmetic approach - go for Bliss Glamour Gloves and Hand Cream set. The hand cream is great even on its own, but the gel inside the gloves contains antioxidants, ceramides and moisturising oils that will take care of any dry skin on the hands. What's more, the gloves can be re-used numerously and should last about a year! I've had mine for 2 months now - still going strong.

Please do not obstruct the 'pores'

So I flew back home this weekend and the first thing my mother said to me after surprising me by meeting me in the airport at 5am was "Wow, Marin, your skin looks amazingly clear". All those hours of fighting pores! Especially as a teenager! Finally paid off..

Skincare has always been a great passion for me. And as a true believer that a daily cleansing routine is all we need for beautiful skin, I have throughout the years tried and tested a million and one cleansing products. One of the things I advise using daily is the Exfolia beauty cloth. Whether you want to buff off old skin before an evening out or are using it to help remove last bits of make up, it complements any cleansing products.

Another brand new gadget that I recently purchased is the Bliss Pore-Fector that uses sonic vibrations to clear our any dirt that is trapped inside the deeper layers of the pores. It works magic!

Glorious, glorious skin. Glowing and clear, it is something that has never been out of fashion. I am not talking about the perfect photoshopped covers of fashion magazines. I'm talking about waking up in the morning, washing your face and being ready to go. Skin fresh from within. It is hard work but not hard enough for anyone not to attempt to achieve it.

Try this:

Mix 3 table spoons of warm honey with 5 teaspoons of salt, add one teaspoon of yoghurt and 2 drops of Lavender oil and evenly apply onto your face in circular motions for about 2 minutes.

Marina,

Enjoy!xx

Obsessed and Possessed?

So I'm obsessed with lipstick!! 100%, completely, unforgivably obsessed! And when did I realise this little truth about me? Well, two summers ago I went on holiday with my boyfriend for 10 days, and when we arrived to the hotel and unpacked all my clothes, bags, shoes, etc, I realised that I had taken over the whole bathroom cupboard! One whole shelf was filled with products for the lips. The whole of it was filled with my lipsticks, lip glosses, lip liners - you name it! I had taken 35 of them! 35!! I mean who does that? For 10 days?

When my boyfriend went into the bathroom and saw the cupboard, I could just see his

reflection in the mirror full of complete and utter shock! That was when he told me "Do you know that you have 35 lipsticks in there?". That number kind of scared me, but I can't help it. I have the need to have every colour, tone, texture available on the market today. I love colours that are completely unusable! Really! Anything goes - pink, purple, orange, red. For the classic red lip - Christian Dior is my absolute favourite of all time. Anything YSL goes for me - any colour at all - I pretty much have the whole collection. Yes, guilty like that.. And my newest discovery - BM Beauty lip gloss by Kimberly from Pussycat Dolls is surprisingly soft and gives a beautiful glow without that sticky feeling on the lips - so my hair never sticks to my mouth anymore.

Marina

Enjoy!xx

Kafka Jap-tastic

When a friend asked me to suggest a book to read, a storm of mackerels rushed through my head.

No, I didn’t loose the plot. The mackerels are just a flashback from one of the most compelling, weird and ecstatic novels I have read in the past few years:

Kafka on the Shore
by Haruki Murakami, translated by Phillip Gabriel
656pp, Harvill, £12.99

Set in rural and urban Japan, the plot unveils in two tranches.

In the first one, the 15 year-old Kafka Tamura runs away from Tokio and from his father, who kills cats to make flutes with their souls. Kafka ends up in the Japanese provinces where he befriends cross-gender librarian Oshima and the mysterious Mrs. Saeki, who offer him an employment and place to stay.

The second tranche of the plot describes how a group of wartime evacuees glimpsed a UFO before falling unconscious. All the evacuees cam back to their wits after a few hours except for Nakata who remains in a coma for weeks before waking up bestowed with cat-talking powers.  Many years later, Nakata comes across Kafka’s father, while he works as a “cat finder”.

The story continues in the most bizarre, entertaining way.

I won't give away the ending as that *would* be a crime. You will have to read it and, trust me, you will be captured by the twisted and enthralling world of one of the most acclaimed modern japanese authors.

Read this book if you liked: 'One hundred years of solitude' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez