Charlotte Tilbury

Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is renowned for creating gorgeous beauty looks for celebrities like Adele, Penelope Cruz, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston. She is best friends with Kate Moss, and did Amal Clooney's wedding day make-up when she married George Clooney in Venice.

“every woman wants to feel beautiful, powerful and sexy and that make-up is a great way to achieve this”

Not quite content with her success as a make-up artist, Charlotte has recently launched her own make-up products. Her aim with the ‘Charlotte Tilbury’ range is to bring her famous red carpet looks to reality for women around the world. She is passionate about make-up, firm in the belief that it is “a woman’s secret weapon”, and wants to engage the 50% of British females who do not use beauty products to their advantage. 

She has tried to simplify make-up by packaging her range into 10 carefully edited, signature looks which can be bought as a kit, meaning that you can’t go wrong when you recreate it at home. My personal favourite look is Uptown Girl which is “groomed, glossy, gorgeous perfection.” Having been raised in Ibiza, the glamorous bronzed look has become Charlotte’s signature style, which all her products reflect.

The range is sold nationwide in selected stores, including John Lewis Liverpool, as well as a flagship “beauty boudoir” in Covent Garden. It has had great success since its launch two years ago and is highly regarded within the beauty industry. The packaging, the range of colours and textures, but most importantly the quality, have catapulted the brand into an award winning bestseller which is loved by celebrities, models, makeup artists and editors. It’s no surprise that this week Charlotte has been nominated for the Veuve Clicquot Business Women Award 2016.

“give a woman the right make-up and she can conquer the world”

For Charlotte, the formula of her products is paramount. She has beavered away with her team in secret laboratories to perfect her magic lotions and potions for the past 5 years, until she was finally happy to release it to the public.

“I truly believe that make-up can change your life!”

Having gained her expansive knowledge of beauty through working at top level for the past 20 years at the forefront of the industry, she has poured all her best-kept secrets into her make-up products.

She has a very refreshing stance on beauty, that women should not feel guilty for wearing make-up saying it can help make the best version of yourself, calling it “the incredible transformative power of make-up.”

I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to attend an event earlier today to meet Charlotte at John Lewis in Liverpool to learn more about the range.

Before I arrived I visited the brands counter in the beauty hall of John Lewis. It’s very glamorous and buzzing with beautiful sales people. I was served by the lovely Jodie who applied the Filmstar Bronze and Glow.

Charlotte is a fan of contouring providing it is done correctly. This product does just that. There’s no awful orange or grey tones, just a clever blend of pearl and pigment to give a perfect sun-kissed complexion. Think J-Lo!

The product is also Paraben-free which is a huge plus for me and my sensitive skin. Jodie also applied a lip-pencil in Pillowtalk and a coating of Bitch Perfect lipstick which were both beautifully nude. Once my transformation was complete I was lead upstairs to a private room to meet the lady herself. 

Charlotte was absolutely lovely, and spoke for over 90 minutes about her products with such passion. This isn’t just a brand she has put her name to, she has carefully selected each and every product and its formulation and knows her brand inside out.

During her talk she gave us an insight into her life as a make-up artist and was open and honest about herself and the industry. I have to say I was really impressed with how down to earth she was and how much time she spent talking through her products. She was really warm, absolutely hilarious and only too happy to answer questions and pose for photographs afterwards.

Equally her team were all lovely, each of them taking the time to demonstrate the products on us while Charlotte spoke. At the end of the talk we were all gifted a make-up bag containing a look for us to take home. I was given Uptown Girl and can’t wait to try the products. 

I’ll post a follow up review once I have had a chance to try each product individually. In the meantime, here are some titbits about Charlotte:

- Her husband has never seen her without make-up, she takes her make-up off at night and then immediately reapplies it before bed
- Her favourite cocktails are Margaritas and Skinny Bitches (vodka, lime and soda)
- Her favourite place in Ibiza is La Paloma in San Lorenzo
- Her biggest inspirations are Coco Chanel, Estee Lauder and Helena Rubinstein, who famously said "There are no ugly women, only lazy ones”
- Kate Moss is godmother to both of her two young children
- Her father is an artist and she used his painting brushes as inspiration when designing her makeup brush collection
- She has over 220 black dresses and over 350 pairs of shoes in her Notting Hill home, only one set of which are flats

A huge thank you to Charlotte and her team for such a lovely day, and a big thanks to John Lewis for my invitation.

www.charlottetilbury.com

Paris - Part Trois

Following on from Paris Part Une and Part Deux…

For as long as I can remember I’ve dreamt of owning a Chanel flap bag, commonly named the 2.55. Over the years I’ve plotted and schemed ways of raising the money to buy one.

A few years ago my family even had to stage an intervention when I’d arranged to sell my beloved first car in an effort to access funds as quickly as possible, (despite me trying to convince them that me and my Chanel would be happy to travel on public transport.)  

Image by Felipe Dolce

Image by Felipe Dolce

It wasn’t just about owning a Chanel, it was also about buying a piece of history. The first Chanel flap bag was designed by Coco Chanel and sold in February 1955, hence the name 2.55. It has since become one of the world’s most iconic and recognisable bags. Coco designed the bag with a moveable double chain strap, inspired by military costume, to allow the bag to be worn on the shoulder to free the arms. This was revolutionary for fashion.

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
— Coco Chanel

The 2.55 is made to the exact same design today, over 60 years after it was first released, and is strictly only made in France by specialist craftsmen to keep the history of the design in Paris.

Fashion and history aside, the 2.55 is also a great investment as Chanel bags continue to rise in price every year. The iconic 2.55 never goes on sale which is why it retains its value. If you hold on to one long enough, there will be some value locked in.

For me, there was only one place to buy a Chanel. Coco started her empire at Rue Cambon. In 1910, she opened a hat shop, “Chanel Modes”, at Number 21, right in the heart of the most fashionable part of Paris. She soon outgrew the single store and so in 1918, she acquired the entire building at number 31. Here she invented the concept of the modern boutique and began selling fashion accessories and her first perfume, Chanel N°5.

31 Rue Cambon has since become the brand’s flagship store and consequently holds the best collections and some exclusive items. And so, last September, after years of dreaming of owning a Chanel, I finally visited Number 31 with my mum to buy my 30th birthday present.

The boutique attracts huge crowds every day so mum and I made sure we were there when it opened at 10.00am and were the first people to arrive. I have read many reviews of visitors saying the sales staff are rude but my experience couldn’t be further from the truth.

As soon as we entered the store a lovely lady approached us and asked if she could be of help. She spent the next 20 minutes or so bringing every colour 2.55 in the store and placing them on my shoulder to try. Eventually I decided between a black and cream. She persuaded me to go for the black and sent it into a room to be wrapped in privacy by a specialist wrapping team.

When you buy something at Chanel, your purchase isn’t just put into a bag, great care and time is taken to wrap the item in layers of Chanel embossed paper and ribbons. 

While we were waiting, the lady serving us asked if we were visiting for a special occasion, when my mum told her that it was for my 30th, she replied, in her thick Parisian accent, “ahhh, you must sit”. She then called for her colleague to fetch us some Champagne! And so mum and I sat, at 10.00am, getting tipsy in Chanel.

Rue Cambon is such a fantastic experience for anyone who loves fashion. What was once a single unit has now grown into a vast, glamorous space. There was even a lady whose job it was to walk around the store spraying the iconic Chanel N°5 perfume so that visitors had a constant whiff of Coco’s scent. I’m considering applying for that job!

Once we had finished our Champagne we were treated to a private walkthrough of the boutique including being shown the latest catwalk collection and the most expensive handbag on sale, a grey crocodile-skin bag. A snip (or should that be snap?!) at €45,000!

We were then led into a hallway to see the stores pièces de résistance, the famous mirrored staircase. This is where Coco used to sit, hidden away from the press, to view her collections being modelled below. The stairs lead to the first floor where Coco used to present her collections and hold fittings for Haute Couture. Further up the stairway is Coco’s second-floor apartment, which remains untouched to this day, full of her personal possessions. The third floor houses her studio, where Karl Lagerfeld now works, and the Chanel workshops.

After taking a few photographs on the staircase, we left the store smiling from ear to ear and holding onto my beautifully packaged bag for dear life. When I unwrapped the bag I found a personalised Chanel birthday card which was a lovely touch. 

The experience of buying a Chanel at Rue Cambon was very special and I know that my bag will be loved for decades to come. If you are lucky enough to experience Rue Cambon, I would recommend getting there early. Regardless of what day of the week it is, there is always a queue of people. Also make sure you check any tax implications. If you’re visiting from outside of the EU, there may be a tax payable which you then have to claim back so this is something to bear in mind. 

If you decide to buy a vintage Chanel, take care that you buy from a reputable seller. Authentic Chanels have a unique registration number on each bag, but, this is no guarantee of authenticity when buying second hand since some of the higher-quality fakes have imitation registration numbers and receipts. My advice would be to select an online authentication service like www.vestiairecollective.com, www.fashionphile.com or www.whatgoesaroundnyc.com.

After our amazing trip to Chanel, we decided to follow in the steps of Coco and Audrey Hepburn and take tea at Angelina. This is an elegant Parisian tearoom that has been a famous meeting place since it opened in 1903. Apparently Coco was a daily customer for a hot chocolate. She used to sit at table 10, which is positioned next to a large mirror. Her biographers have written that she used the mirrors to coyly keep an eye on the world around her (like her mirrored staircase!)

Angelina is equally as famous today for its traditional Chocolat à l’Africain, a dark hot chocolate served with whipped cream on the side. This is incredibly rich and absolute heaven for chocolate lovers. The restaurant has roots in Eastern Europe where thick, rich hot chocolate is the norm. The Rumpelmeyer family, who opened the tearoom, emigrated from Austria-Hungary to settle in the Côte d’Azur. In the late 1800s, the family had nostalgic thoughts about the tearooms they had left behind and decided to open their own in Nice. It proved to be so successful that they went on to open tearooms in Monte Carlo, Antibes and then Paris. 

The interior of the tearoom remains unaltered to this day, it is a little tired in places but this adds to the history and charm. There are marble tables, chandeliers and an abundance of mirrors which makes for a very elegant tearoom. The interior was designed by the architect, Edouard-Jean Niermans of the Belle Époque period. The walls are decorated with large paintings, each one with a link to the Rumpelmayer family. There is a large landscape painting of the French Riviera where the first Angelina opened.

The waiters are all smartly dressed in black and white and guide you to your table. As soon as we were seated, Mum and I ordered the famous l’Africain which was served in a cup and saucer along with a pitcher of steamy, thick hot chocolate. Fresh whipped cream is served on the side along to dollop into the hot chocolate to make it even creamier. 

We also chose a chocolate eclair each just to go totally overboard. The eclair was gorgeous with a chocolate centre rather than the usual whipped cream. With hindsight, we should have tried the famous Mont Blanc, the recipe of which remains a closely guarded secret after one hundred years. Essentially it is a ball of meringue covered in whipped cream and sweet chestnut!

Angelina is no ordinary tearoom, it has attracted Parisians and international visitors for decades. The Chocolat à l’Africain has been a classic since the beginning and the recipe remains unchanged. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in the city. 

As with all great places in Paris, there is usually a queue but it’s worth a wait. If you don’t want to queue, at the front of the tearoom is a shop selling Angelina’s signature pasties and hot chocolates to go. You could take your treats over to the Jardin des Tuileries which is directly opposite and a beautiful part of Paris to sit. 

This trip to Paris was more than I could have ever dreamed of, made all the more special to be accompanied with my lovely mum. What a fantastic way to enter my 30s.

Until next time Paris!

Bluebird, Chelsea

Bluebird in Chelsea has become something of a Kings Road institution, set back in an old Art Deco garage which was built for The Bluebird Motor Company in 1923 to house old Bluebird cars. 

It is so much more than just a restaurant. Visitors can also choose from the café, outside courtyard for alfresco dining, bar, bakery, food store, wine cellar or one of the coolest concept stores in London. Bluebird really has everything you could possibly need under one roof.

The Shop, which is owned by Jigsaw, sells luxury fashion, books, homeware and even has its own Blink Brow Bar.

We visited last Saturday and, having been unable to get into the cafe, opted for a cocktail in the upstairs bar. Inside it’s very glamorous with a large metal bar, chandeliers and cherry-blossom sculptures dotted around to welcome the start of Spring. The bar is a destination in its own right, taking centre stage in the middle of the room. There was a steady stream of fashionable Made in Chelsea types sipping on cocktails. 

We chose a ‘Tiffany Rose’ cocktail each, rose petal vodka with fresh strawberries and line, sugar cane syrup served over Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne. It came served in a ceramic strawberry pot and was delicious. The thing that sets Bluebird apart is the laid back atmosphere. It really is the perfect sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the King’s Road.

If you are planning to visit, it’s worth keeping an eye on the website as there are always seasonal events and pop-ups taking place, like an outside Creperie for pancake day or transforming the outside area with large tennis balls throughout Wimbledon.

350 King's Road, London SW3 5UU

www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk

London Fashion Weekend

Last week saw the return of London Fashion Weekend to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. Hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, the exclusive event was a four day spectacle, allowing us mere mortals access to the world of fashion. 

Thanks to the growing influence of the Internet and social media, the industry has opened itself up to allow the public the opportunity to have an authentic fashion-insider experience. Ticket-holders can attend catwalk shows, talks from fashion experts as well as shop from designer collections. There were over 150 brands selling items at insider prices. There was also the opportunity to experience beauty treatments from both Maybelline and Toni & Guy.

Tickets were available in Bronze (£20), Silver (£40), Gold (£60), Luxe (£130) and Luxe Premium (£145), each offering different experiences. We bought Silver tickets which allowed us front row access to a Designer Catwalk show. Each day a different designer gave an exclusive preview of their SS16 collection. When we visited on Saturday, Temperley London featured. 

The clothes were beautiful, all bohemian and feminine with heavy embroidery. Some of the models wore handmade sandals and wide-brimmed Panama hats which gave a Havana feel to the collection.

My favourite looks were a Black and Ivory Lettie Tuva waistcoat and trousers and a £10,000 showstopper, a long mirror ball ruffle dress.

The gorgeous George Lamb presented the show, we met him afterwards and he was utterly charming. After the catwalk event we went to a talk with model and presenter, Daisy Lowe. 

The Talks on offer during the four day event were fantastic. Charlotte Dellal, the designer behind Charlotte Olympia, spoke about her brand. Fashion designer and stylist William Baker spoke about music and fashion. Sunday’s talk was by respected photographer, Rankin, famed for snapping everyone from the Queen to Kate Moss. 

We listened to Daisy discussing growing up in the modelling industry. She gave a frank and honest insight into the campaigns she has featured in and the prominent photographers she has worked with. It was a great talk and she was really lovely when we met her afterwards. During her talk she hinted that she has some exciting projects in the pipeline. When we spoke I asked her if she would consider launching her own range of vintage clothing like her mum, Pearl Lowe. Although she didn’t confirm or deny she looked quite coy so keep an eye out…

The event ran from 25th – 28th February but it is due to return to the Saatchi Gallery again in September 2016. You can sign up at www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk/newsletter to be notified of when tickets go on sale.

If you do attend in September, make sure that you take the opportunity to dress up in your most stylish attire, most of the visitors at the event looked like they had just stepped off the catwalk!

In the meantime, here's a glimpse of what to expect...

Watch highlights from London Fashion Weekend including trend catwalk shows, shopping highlights & industry talks. Find out more at www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk

La Brasserie, The Chester Grosvenor

There aren’t many restaurants that can keep custom for decades but The Chester Grosvenor does just that. I was first introduced to The Grosvenor by my parents, who have dined there for nearly 30 years. In all the time that we have visited, it has never disappointed. 

The Grosvenor was established in 1865 and has been at the heart of Chester for the past 150 years. Located in the centre of the beautiful Roman city, alongside the iconic Eastgate Clock, it has become one of the city’s greatest landmarks, set in a grand black and white Grade II listed building.

Inside there is a luxury hotel and spa with two restaurants; 'Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor' (formerly known as The Arkle), which has retained its Michelin star for 26 years, and La Brasserie, an elegant bar and restaurant set at the front of the building overlooking Chester’s cobbled high street. 

The interior of La Brasserie oozes Parisian charm with black leather chairs, granite tables and oak-panelled wood. The menu is similarly inspired by sophisticated French cuisine. 

I visited the restaurant last weekend with my parents. Upon arrival we were given a menu each and were told that we could select dishes from either the Light Bite menu, served in the bar area, or the main à la Carte. We opted for the à la Carte menu and were then shown through to the restaurant. 

While we studied the menus we were offered some homemade bread which was served in a wooden boat accompanied by creamy salted butter. The freshly baked bread is one of my favourite things about The Grosvenor. The selection on offer is impressive and we’ve been known in the past to order a banana loaf to take home with us (which was baked there and then for us by the chefs). 

Although we hadn’t planned to eat so much, the menu got the better of us and before we knew it we had ordered a three course meal. 

I began with a French Onion Tart (£9.95) which had salt baked beets, creme cru and frosted walnuts. 

My mum opted for Dived scallops (£13.95) served with Yogurt, Indian spices and golden raisins. 

My dad had Artichoke Soup and Brioche (£7.95) poured over the truffle and chestnut dumpling in front of us. 

For mains, both dad and I had Peperonata (£16.95). This was baked burrata cheese with winter pumpkins, a crispy duck egg and toasted seeds. Possibly one of the best, if not the best, meals that I’ve ever had. Full of flavour and beautifully presented. 

My mum had Gressingham Duck (£21.95) served on a salad of dandelions, burdock root and smoked Magret. 

Finally we went all out and ordered a dessert each (purely for blogging purposes, of course). My dad chose to have a cheese board at £8.95. The selection of Artisan style cheeses are as good as the homemade breads and are selected from a specialist cheese trolley.

Mum had Cafe Gourmand (£8.50), this was a tasting plate of mini desserts including a macaron, rose turkish delight, chocolate with champagne spirals and a lemon parfait. 

I had the Caramelia chocolate miroir (£6.95). A real treat of caramel chocolate mousse served with cocoa crisps, popcorn ice and salted kernels. 

The food was outstanding, as always. The serving team were all excellent, extremely efficient and very accommodating of me photographing the meals whilst they were serving. 

After our mammoth meal we bid farewell to the hotel’s top-hatted doorman and went for a little walk around the beautiful city of Chester. 

It’s not the cheapest of places to dine but if you have a special occasion to celebrate, I’d heartily recommend La Brasserie at The Chester Grosvenor.