This week was a busy one for Ms Kruger. First she was at the Met Gala Ball in New York in a stunning Prada gown. Then she zipped over to the South of France to attend Cannes. I’m not entirely sure about the maroon number but I adore the mint green dress. And, if you’re as eagle eyed as I am, you might have spotted her stunning jewellery – apparently she’s wearing a vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. Lucky for some!

It used to be the done thing, matching the colour on your lips to your nails, but for awhile now it’s been cool to do whatever. Heck even your toes and fingers don’t have to match.

But for a little while now I’ve noticed a few cases of lips matching nails. Most recently, Lana del Rey at the Met Ball with her berry hue. And I have to admit that I think it looks quite cool. It certainly makes life easy, just pick one colour and work with that!

MAC’s latest collection spins that concept on it’s head. Instead of thinking about what might work with what…. just wear the same. Match it.

The latest collection, on counter NOW, is called Fashion Sets and is comprised of lipstick, lipglass and nail lacquer in EXACTLY the same shade. Just pick your favourite hue and get it all. Awesome. Some of these colours will already be in your handbag, others you must get!

Colours available in New Zealand are: Saint Germain, Peachstock, Angel, Ravishing, Razzledazzler, Morange, Impassioned.

Lipstick, $40; Lipglass, $38; Nail Lacquer, $26.

I’m heading to the Britomart store tomorrow to check this out!

~Tamsin xoxo

I must admit that the app for my iphone that gets the most use is Instagram. I just can’t help myself – I love to snap a moment and share it. In fact, I think what I love the most is choosing between the different filters… although sometimes this can be hard!

My phone is littered with camera apps, and then I also have game apps for my daughter – handy in those moments when I’m out and need to keep her distracted.

I’ve downloaded apps that I rarely use but wanted to see how they worked.. like the Allure magazine salon finder. And have often thought about what a handy app that would be. And now, someone has done an Australian – NZ version!

Salon Finder is a free iPhone/ iPad/ iPod app that helps you find, rate and review hair, nail, cosmetic and beauty salons and spas.

Created by Husband and Wife team Chris and Rachael D’Aguiar-Sanders, the app is free to download from the Apple store.

AND today, they’ve kicked off a competition to find “New Zealand’s Favourite Salon”. Users can win prizes including a luxury getaway in Roturua and weekly giveaways from their Facebook page.

All you do is download Salon Finder, find your favourite salon and tap on the heart icon to “favourite” the salon. Each favourite equals one vote. The salon with the most favourites by July 2nd wins.

There are two prizes up for grabs. One for best salon and one for a user. The prizes are a luxury weekend for two in Rotorua including a lakeview room at the Novotel, spa treatments at Polynesian Spa (plus the salon wins a year’s mentoring from Worldwide Salon Marketing and a feature story in an industry magazine). Total prize for the salon is $15,000. Customers with the app win the weekend away.

Chris and Rachael D’Aguiar-Sanders are veterans of the beauty industry. Dubbed the ‘Salon Saviours’, the couple has travelled the world coaching and mentoring salon owners in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Ireland. Rachael has a background in beauty therapy and along with Chris, has run popular Auckland Central salon D’Aguiar: hair.skin.nails on Symonds St for the past nine years. They sold the salon this year to focus on Salon Finder and their international salon mentoring business.

** The competition is open from May 14 – July 2. For more information on how to register, visit www.salonapps.co.nz

Russian mega-model, Natasha Poly (love her) and Bulgarian beauty Barbara Palvin have just joined the L’Oreal spokesperson party.

Their first ‘job’ representing the prestigious French brand will be attending this week’s Cannes Film Festival, which L’Oreal Paris has sponsored for the past 15 years.

Natasha Poly has had a stella career since winning a modelling competition in Moscow at 15 years, not long after she made her catwalk debut for Emmanuel Ungaro in 2004.

Since the Fall 2004-Winter 2005 season, she has appeared in shows for more than 54 fashion houses including Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel and Valentino.

She’s been on the cover of French Vogue seven times, has starred in iconic Calvin Klein advertising, is a Victoria’s Secret angel and in 2009 was selected by US Vogue as one of the top models “of the moment”.

The 25 year-old is more than happy to take on this new role. “It’s not a coincidence that I’ve taken on this role with L’Oreal Paris. Before becoming a model, I dreamed of being a professional makeup artist,” she explains. “I’ve always loved cosmetics and I always need to have my L’Oreal Paris products backstage at fashion shows. Color Riche lipstick and Elnett hair spray are iconic products for me, and I’m so excited to be representing them”.

At just 18 years, Barbara Palvin’s career spans five years, she was first spotted in her home city of Budapest, at 13. She’s appeared on the covers of L’Officiel, Russian Vogue, Hungarian Glamour, French Elle and the Korean Harper’s Bazaar. She debuted on the catwalk for Prada and has modeled for a wide range of designers including Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci, Emanuel Ungaro, Chanel, Etro, Christopher Kane and Vivienne Westwood.

“All of this is a bit like a fairy tale. I’m very excited about the prospect of joining the L’Oreal Paris family, alongside huge, iconic celebrities such as Gwen Stefani and Claudia Schiffer. I love using cosmetics and I’m delighted to be chosen as the face of Rouge Caresse, a modern and ultra sensual take on a lipstick which is young, fresh, delicate and ideal to enhance my different looks. I have a very personal view of beauty, which is closely aligned with the brand’s modern approach!” says Barbara.

Indeed the appointment of these two, somewhat edgier and high fashion models shows that L’Oreal Paris is moving ahead with the game, reinventing itself and staying on-trend. Can’t wait to see what it does with these beautiful faces.

~Tamsin xoxo

Considered the Holy Grail of hair care, Kérastase hair treatments are the ultimate way to give back a little love to those deprived locks.

Kérastase’s newest treatment, Fusio-Dose is a customised prescription providing simultaneous treatment for various hair problems be it dryness, colour-fading, weakness and thinning.

And the best thing is that Kérastase wants you to try this for FREE!

From 1 June to 31^st August 2012, Kérastase invites you to experience FUSIO-DOSE absolutely free*.

To register for your complimentary treatment voucher visit www.Kérastase.co.nz

Once you receive your gift voucher, simply call your nearest participating Kérastase salon, which can be located atwww.Kérastase.co.nz and reserve your appointment.

*The complimentary FUSIO-DOSE is available with any service at you Kérastase salon.

So what are you waiting for?

~Tamsin xoxo

1. Being able to sit still for a couple of hours with no demands placed on me is something of a luxury now I have a little one. One of the things I love the best about going to the hairdressers is catching up on fashion magazines. But sometimes I’m just as likely to find myself staring at the wall, deep in thought; watching the stylists at work or observing the others around me.

2. The head massage at the basin makes me wish I went weekly.

3. The music – at Hamilton Brooks Hairdressing the playlist is always sensational. A few years ago he was one of the most sought after DJs in town (IMHO) and he’s clearly still got an ear for good tunes. If only I could copy his entire ipod!

4. The location – Hamilton Brooks is on Nuffield St which means I always end up shopping afterwards. There’s Superette, Karen Walker, Witchery, Kikki K and that glasses shop that has cool reading frames. So good to have a nosey on the way back to the car.

5. The magazine selection – there’s always a British Vogue, iD, Oyster, Russh, Harpers Bazaar and then of course a great selection of home titles (Hamilton’s other passion is interiors). It’s just a matter of getting through them all…

6. The staff – so friendly and lovely, it’s like catching up with old friends. I love talking to Natalie about makeup, she’s just as mad about it as I am. I always end up doing a detour to Mecca Cosmetica after, she should get a commission!

7. The coffee, tea or wine… and having it brought to me while I sit reading a magazine. If only I had that service at home!

8. The light fittings… I love the way Hamilton has done this and always spend at least five minutes admiring them.

9. Trusting him completely and knowing that I’ll always walk out of the salon feeling happy. Not only is he great with colour, he’s really good at cutting. He’s pretty clever – he’s amazing with ballyage (you should see the gorgeous colour he just did on his wife Yelena). He just did an awesome cut and colour on my Mum, he’s sorted my Aunty out and of course there’s my mop! Coco will probably start demanding a visit soon.

10. Doing something different and feeling like a million bucks! I really believe your hair is your best accessory so you might as well look after it!

He chopped off quite a bit length yesterday into the Lob… I love it…

~Tamsin xoxo

Newly crowned Miss World New Zealand, Collette Lochore is not wasting any time in getting organised for the Miss World event. Held in Mongolia later this year – the sixth largest country in Asia, she is seeking sponsorship for the month long activities, including casual wear, swimwear, lingerie and makeup. She is, luckily, sorted for ball gowns.

At just 18 years old, she’s undertaking a pretty massive challenge that might terrify even the most aged and experienced of us. I personally couldn’t think of anything more daunting than being stuck with a bunch of beautiful girls from around the world, in such a high pressured competition. Hello cat fights! But this is exactly the opposite of what she’s experienced so far, she said she found the Miss New Zealand competition to be really rewarding and she’s met some lovely girls out of it.

“I can not express how wonderful those girls are, they are the most kind hearted, beautiful girls, inside and out – we hang out outside of the competition,” says Collette.

“When I first went into the competition I was like yeh, I really want to win but by the end of it I felt like I didn’t mind if I didn’t, because I got so much out of it. Which in a funny way is probably why I did win… I think the reason for entering the competition changed during the competition, which was quite nice.”

You tend to think of the Miss World competition as being a few catwalk events, a bit of a dance and maybe some interviews thrown in but in actual fact it is nearly a four month long event.

“It’s been basically a full-time job plus we’ve had Saturday training, there’s so much work that goes into it but no one sees that – just the pageant itself.”

Collette’s chosen to work with the Variety Children’s charity which is an extension of the speech and drama teaching that she does.

“I do lots of confidence building exercises and team building, I love seeing them have a smile on their face and giving them an environment to relax in,” she explains. “I think drama gives you an escape.”

She also works at Ronald McDonald house.

So between now and the big event, Collette is focussing on gaining sponsorship – both financial and product, and continuing her charity work.

“I honestly don’t feel any pressure because I know what I need to do in terms of gaining sponsorship and doing charity work, so I’m not worried about that. There’s a little anxiety that I might not reach my goals but I’m not worrying about it, I’m just going full steam ahead.

But in terms of comparing myself to every other girl from around the world – one thing I did learn from the competition is not to compare yourself, there’s always going to be someone who has nicer hair than you, bigger eyes, larger boobs, longer legs and I’ve learned to just completely focus on myself and make myself better – not compare myself to others.”

Which is a pretty wise thing for an 18 year old to say, given those teenage years are often the most angst ridden of our lives where all we do is compare ourselves against our peers.

This is just the first leg in the journey for Collette and I wish her all the best. We’ve promised to stay in touch and I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes getting prepared for Miss World and at the great event.

If you are able to help her out with sponsorship, either financial donations or product, please don’t hesitate to contact her on collette.lochore@gmail.com or her mentor and adviser Pam on pam.skintique@xtra.co.nz

~Tamsin xoxo

When it comes to washing my face, I must admit I tend to break the rules – I do it in the shower, which sometimes means the water temperature is probably hotter than tepid. This is apparently bad because it can dry out your skin plus as I learned at a skincare launch once, it may also cause blood vessels to rise to the surface. You could tell me a million times not to do it, but I still do, because at the end of the day it saves time.

But let’s get some things straight:

I don’t put my face under the stream of water – I cup my hands and collect some water and then splash it on my face. I then apply my cleanser, morning and night, whether I have makeup on or not, and using a muslin cloth or facecloth I massage the makeup/ dirt/ dead skin cells away.

I love it when my cleanser does double duty and removes eye makeup as well. Perhaps not a black kohl or smokey eye, that truly does need to be taken off with eye makeup remover and a cotton pad. But if I’m just wearing mascara and eyeshadow I kind of expect the majority of it to come off when I cleanse.

Which is why I was pleasantly surprised when I started using the La Mav Organic Skin Science Sweet Orange and Foaming Cleanser, $39.95.

I kinda had it pegged with the organic badge – thinking it might prove to be really delightful to use, smell okay and do a good enough job.

But it does all that and more.

It smells delicious, this would be the sweet orange, which can only be described as a happy smell. It contains a range of Bio-Actives including Bilberry Extract and Sugar Cane Extract, Seaweed Extract, Papain from Papaya and Witch Hazel, Goji Extract, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary and Marshmallow. All of which work to firstly remove toxins, makeup and any other debris from day to day living, it then stimulates the skin cells and encourages turn over, it has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties and finally it calms and soothes the skin.

Most importantly, it removes makeup including mascara without making my skin feel dry and reptile.

This is the first product in the La Mav range that I have tried and I must admit I’m curious to learn more. Karen Murrell raves about the Nectar. There looks like a great variety of products over the skin concern categories: Skin Brightening, Ultra Hydration, Age Defence, Wrinkle Smoothing, Lift & Firm, Gentle and Clean, Purify and Clean.

Have you tried any of the La Mav products? Which ones do you like?

~Tamsin xoxo

After several years of successfully working in skincare, Karen Murrell has decided to streamline her eponymous range to lipsticks and is expanding the offering with many more colours.

She describes the transition as a natural progression, “We realised that we are probably the best in the market at this [product], and then our lipstick sales were starting to exceed skincare. It came down to customer demand – our retailers were screaming out for new colours. So instead of reinvesting in skincare we decided to really build and strengthen our lipstick offerings.”

Karen describes working with lipsticks as a lot of fun. “It’s a very giving product – when you put on lipstick it improves your mood and I didn’t realise so many people would love them the way they do.”

Her lipsticks differ from what they don’t include on the ingredient list. There’s no dimethicone or toxic colours, where possible a natural pigment is used and where it’s not possible – the next best synthetic option is. Her lipsticks have the highly sought after (and hard to get) Ecosert organic rating and are FDA approved. The rigorous testing by these external, and highly regarded, auditors proves that the lipsticks in the Karen Murrell range truly deserve the catch phrase, “nothing nasty touches my lips”.

“We use Carnauba Wax, which is a soft wax that goes hard but doesn’t melt at a high temperature.  We mix it with Beeswax, Avocado Oil and Evening Primrose. When you add Mica, you are just increasing the natural colour in it.”

What’s incredible about these lipsticks is the colour. When I applied the Coral Dawn on my lips, I half expected a light wash of colour that wouldn’t last. But a coffee later and I still had lots of lippie on my lips.

There are four new colours that have just been released: Sand Storm, a soft nude that works great against blonde skin tones or dramatic Kardashian-style eye makeup; Coral Dawn, the hottest tangerine shade; Fuschia Shock, a bright and cheerful pink that isn’t too saccharine; and Carnation Mist, a rose petal pink that is great against yellow skin tones.

Karen is looking to fast-track the range with two new shades released at the end of May, four more in August and four more in September. By the end of the year she’ll have a full range of 20-22 colours.

She’s also looking at growing the brand internationally. At the moment she sells throughout New Zealand at all Storm boutiques, Health 2000, Shampoo N Things and selected Pharmacies. Next month the lipstick range rolls out across 22 stores in Sydney. You can buy Karen Murrell lipsticks in Dubai and France.

Karen’s love for cosmetics began at a very young age, she remembers her first makeup memories from as little as four years old. “My Nana, Gwen, is a very glamorous lady. She never had food in her cupboards, she had makeup.  I remember as a little girl, maybe being four, I could paint a full set of nails, I had a little set of makeup that she bought me at her house and I remember thinking I was so fabulous because it had real mascara, real makeup, not baby makeup.” Needless to say Nana wears and loves all her granddaughters lipsticks.

So what does a skincare maven use and do to care for her perfectly porcelain complexion?

“It’s seasonal, I change it according to the weather. So at the moment I use Art A Face cleanser. I’ve been using La Mav Nectar, that’s amazing and then I can use anything from Cepical to La Mav… just depending on where my skin is at. I do use Moisture Surge by Clinique a lot. I love that one.

I always use a sunscreen. I’m just about to buy a BB cream, I think the concept is great.  I wear Lancome’s latest foundation, it just came out two weeks ago and I bought it, Lancome mascara, and for blush I use a little pink Chanel one that I’ve had forever and of course I have my lipsticks. When I’m travelling I use my lipsticks as blush.

I don’t have a particular look, I like to change my makeup and that’s why I think you need to own a range of lipsticks, I think the lipstick you wear determines your look. If I were to wear a bright shade like Coral Dawn or Fuschia Shock  I would just wear mascara. Sometimes I get extensions on my lashes… if I had an event I would and that always looks great with a bright lipstick. But if I’m wearing more eyeshadow then I wear lighter colours on my lips.

I love getting my nails shellaced, and I really believe in getting my hair taken care of. I go to Morgan and Morgan once a week for a blow dry and treatment. Plus I get my hair Kerastraightened every six weeks.

I did have a beauty disaster last year because I went blonde… it looked terrible, it went orange… which is why I take such good care of it now. Against the wishes of my hairdresser I thought I’d go lighter. It was also when I was sick and I just looked pale and washed out. It was a total fashion faux pas. They took me lighter and it looked good, but then I just kept going, I wanted it lighter and lighter. It sort of went ginger. So I’ve really learnt from that to take good care of my hair.”

~ Tamsin xoxo

-how often do you practice? It’s my life!  Often, a few minutes many times during the day wherever I am!

-what style do you practice? Living Love Kundalini Yoga

- what changes have you noticed since doing it regularly?  As a movie star in London in the  early 70s I made up my mind to study and do whatever it takes to retain lasting youth and beauty. Little did I know that this decision would cause me to abandon my celebrity life – to become a yoga teacher! Recognizing that   feeling and looking great is an inside job, I committed myself to a discipline of yogic transformation. I live and breathe yoga, am alcohol/meat/caffeine/drug free and healthy and happy as a result. At 68 I am in great shape and health, with lots of energy, enthusiasm and no physical or emotional problems.

-how has it affected other areas of your life?  Yoga  has the power to change your life, job and friends as you join the fast track to super health and super consciousness!  Living Love Kundalini Yoga is especially fast acting to release stress from your whole being and energy field, enabling deeper relaxation, and simultaneously healing many stress related ailments such as insomnia, back and neck pain, high blood pressure etc

- advice for those just starting out? 

Find the class, path, teacher, support group or book that makes your heart sing. Make time to learn and stick with it until it becomes a habit to practice frequently. Perhaps take a few private classes to create a sadhana for yourself.

- best tip or trick that you’ve learnt about the practice? The joy of  Yoga is that the basics are easy to learn, especially Living Love Kundalini, and can be practiced anywhere easily and frequently during the day to bring transformation from negativity and misery to calm and peace. Remember, you don’t need a mat and a class, just do it and feel fantastic!

- do you do any other form of exercise? Daily barefoot running, beach walking, salsa dancing, weight lifting.

- what do you have for breakfast? Veges and tofu, yogurt and fruit, and my favourite Venerdi gluten free bread.

- do you take any supplements? Vitamin C, Omega oils

- fave motto?  Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

- who inspires you and why? I was blown away when I went to my first yoga class in London. My yoga teacher had abandoned his rock star celebrity life for yoga and to sing sacred music, I followed the Pied Piper’s glorious music  leading me to California and becoming Directors of Yoga Center for 17 years, and now 40 years of marriage later he is still my biggest inspiration.

- books on your bedside table? Passport to Eutopia, Eutopia Press, Peter Harris, Sacred Land Eutopia Press Gary Cook, Healing Ways, Dr.Robin Kelly, Anastasia Ringing Cedars Series, Vladimir Megre

- last movie you watched that you loved? Thrive

- what music do you like to listen to? Hawaiian and Indian music (husband Antion’s CDs) and whatever gets me dancing, rock, salsa, zumba, middle eastern

- how would you describe your fashion style? where do you shop etc? natural fibers, love colours, purple and turquoise, shop mostly in USA and Thailand

-  what would you tell the younger you if you could?

The key to happiness and ageless living is expanding your capacity to love: living your yoga and loving taking care of yourself. Study and find support groups to feel your feelings – repressing  causes illness. Heal your trauma, everyone has it. Follow your heart to find your unique soul’s purpose. Living authentically in integrity creates a rich life of partnership and relating-ship with endless friends of heart and soul.