Beauty Icon: Blake Lively

Blake Lively, is bloody gorgeous. Born with quite clearly perfect genes, she shared some of her beauty secrets behind the scenes for her new million dollar campaign for the newest fragrance from fashion house Gucci - Premiere. 

What's your go-to beauty or hair look for events? "It depends. I was at a premiere in Los Angeles recently in a Zuhair Murad gown, and I could have gone two ways - a smoky eye and lighter lip with a very slicked-back, straight, long ponytail, or a Rita Hayworth look with the red, longer nails and little cat eyes. So I went for the latter because that to me was a fun, special moment. But the next day at the premiere in New York I had this beautiful Gucci mellow yellow gown, and with that I thought you could go Grecian or A Midsummer Night's Dream. So, to make it different from the night before, I thought: 'I want a high pony or I want a braid'. And I had a necklace that I was considering wearing, so I thought: 'let's wrap it around the braid because it will make it more interesting." So you decide upon the looks yourself? "I'm always designing what the hair and make-up will look like and I style myself, including the shoes, jewellery, accessories - all of it. But then I'm lucky to be in the hands of some of the most talented people who will say: 'so that's your idea, now let me actualise it in a way that's more beautiful'. Maybe it's that old classic Hollywood look, maybe it's messy Kate Moss hair or a slicked-back J-Lo ponytail. So there's no go-to, it's 'who do you want to be tonight?"

Five Favourites: Liberty Beauty Hall Splurges

Every ladies favourite London department store, Liberty, has launched a new Beauty Loyalty Card where you'll receive a £5 voucher each time you spend £150 (which I'm sure you know if you're reading this, is too easily done...). I've selected my five favourite Liberty beauty splurges which really are worth splashing out on.

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation (£55) - This new gel-based formula keeps skin matte yet hydrates, providing even coverage and a radiant glow thanks to its light-reflecting pigments.

Dr Sebagh Supreme Night Secret (£195) - Super-charge your beauty sleep with this antioxidant rich night cream, packed with high-tech ingredients that work with your body clock.

Byredo Pulp Eau De Parfum (£130) - New from the Swedish brand whose fragrances give understated Scandinavian chic an exotic twist - thanks to the founders Indian heritage. Pulp is a sensory mash-up of ripe, sweet, intense fruits.

Diptyque Philosykos Eau De Toilette (£50) - As sensual as it is poetic, as luxurious as it is iconic, Philosykos is an ode to the fig-tree, with notes of warm wood and fresh green fruit that speak of sun-kissed climates.

Sisley Simleya Age Minimizing Sun Care (£134) - Sisley's revolutionary sun cream offers optimum protection against UV damage - yet unlike conventional 'total' sunblock, lets in just enough rays to allow the skin to activate its own mechanisms.

p r e v i o u s  e d i t s  . . .

beauty oils  |  summer nails  |  may 2012  | british beauty buys  |  tom ford spring/summer beauty  | matte lipsticks   

rachel xo

Lust List - 16th July 2012

1. Thanks to the August edition of Harpers Bazaar, I got a full sized 75ml sample of Neom Organics Complete Bliss Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Cream (£20). Wow. Beautifully moisturising, 83% organic and possibly my new favourite scent in the world, this has me craving more Neom products. 2. Charlotte Olympia has done it again with the pre-fall collection, expect further obsession to arrive onsite in the near future. I'm a firm believer in the 'why wear one ring when you can stack four?' philosophy. 3. These Pandora rings are top of my stacking list, from £40. 4. Half Baked Cakes = genius. If you aren't the most able cook, fool your friends by sticking one of these ready made beauties into the oven for £5, decorate it and greet the impressed girls with the waft of fresh baking. Mmmm. 5. As a gin lover, Bulldog (£22 at Waitrose) is definitely worth a try - even if it may just be for the beefy bottle alone... 6. Who doesnt love picnics? This beautiful hamper is picnic ready, and you can even personalise it with  names & dates (£139.99 at ToxicFox). 7. I've tried the Garnier Sunkissed Summer Body Milk in Dark (£3.55) two or three times over the last week & it is perfect for my current tanning needs. Expect a full review in the very near future. 8. Hiya, the new Hervé Léger shape. How amazing? This horrifically expensive (£2,175) beauty needs to be on my back for a summer wedding. Obsessed. 9. I'm a huge fan of Gucci by Gucci fragrance, its been my go-to daytime staple for about two years. I cant wait to try the new Gucci Première which blends notes of leather, wood and orange blossoms, it  arrives in Harrods towards the end of July (£64). rachel xo